Page 12 of The Fixer
Jake raised an eyebrow at her description but said nothing.
“How’d you manage that?” Marcus asked.
“A friend of mine is connected to Cerberus—the security firm. She told her husband, and he pulled in one of his best men to provide… what is it you call it?”
“Close cover,” Jake answered.
“Right. I’ve been assigned close cover.”
“Good,” Marcus replied. “But you need to stay vigilant. The implications of your research have grown far beyond what we initially discussed.”
“What do you mean?” Lyndsey asked, her stomach twisting.
“Lyndsey, your work on the nanobots—especially their potential for regenerative medicine—has attracted significant attention. Not just from legitimate organizations but from groups who see it as a way to gain power or money. Do you realize what could happen if this technology were weaponized?”
She swallowed hard. “Weaponized? Marcus, that’s not possible. I designed the program for cellular repair, but at this stage of development, I suppose it could be used for a lot of things I didn’t intend.”
“It is now,” Marcus said gravely. “But if someone were to reverse-engineer your work, they could potentially reprogram the bots to target healthy tissue instead of repairing it. Imagine the devastation that could cause.”
Lyndsey’s hands trembled as she gripped the edge of the sofa. “That wasn’t what this was meant for. This research is supposed to save lives.”
“I know, Lyndsey,” Marcus said, his tone softening. “But not everyone sees it that way. Some would rather destroy your work entirely to prevent anyone else from using it.”
“That’s why they’re after me,” she murmured, as the realization settled over her. “It’s not just about the research. It’s about ensuring no one else has it.”
Jake stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “What do we need to know about the people after her?”
“Cerberus might have more intel than I do,” Marcus admitted. “But I’ve heard whispers of a private contractor with ties to a rogue biotech firm. They’ve been acquiring patents and prototypes for years, usually through questionable means.”
Lyndsey pressed her fingers to her temples, her mind racing. “This is bigger than I thought.”
“It always is,” Jake said, his voice steady. He looked at her, his eyes full of reassurance. “But you’re not alone in this.”
Marcus hesitated on the other end of the line. “Lyndsey, I need you to promise me something.”
“What?” she asked softly.
“Promise me you’ll do whatever it takes to stay safe. Your work is important, but your life matters more. If it comes down to it... walk away.”
Lyndsey’s throat tightened, her gaze dropping to the floor. “Marcus...”
“Promise me,” he pressed.
She glanced at Jake, who gave her a subtle nod. “I promise.”
The line went silent before Marcus spoke again. “Good. And Lyndsey? If you need me, you know how to reach me. Be careful.”
“I will,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lyndsey stared at the satellite phone, her knuckles white as she gripped it tightly. Marcus had just hung up, but their conversation still buzzed in her ears. Across the room, Jake leaned against the counter, his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on her.
“Hand it over,” he said evenly.
“What?” Lyndsey blinked, clutching the phone tighter.
“The phone,” Jake repeated, his tone calm but insistent. “You hung up before I had a chance to speak to Marcus.”
She hesitated before sighing and handing it over. “Don’t antagonize him,” she warned. “He’s just trying to help.”