Chapter Two: Before the Trap Closes

Warnings painted Lin’s lenses red. “Two Helix personnel at the left fire door,” Zero reported. “Three Clocktower officers in the elevator. Convergence has taken control of the hotel’s public-address system.” A gentle male voice filled the hall. “Mr. Lin, surrender Zero. We will recover every victim’s money.” Panic broke the audience apart. Zhou retreated. Lin pushed past security and caught his wrist. “The cold wallet requires three keys. You hold one. Your finance director holds another. The server generates the last when subscriptions reach ten billion. Correct?” Zhou’s pupils contracted. Zero had supplied the intelligence, but Lin had verified it.