Desmond POV:
"I don't care," Travis said firmly. "I trust her. She wouldn't make such an exaggerated lie."
His loyalty was admirable — but dangerous.
"Trust doesn't equal logic," Jake replied evenly.
Karl folded his arms. "What would she gain from lying?"
Jake's gaze flickered toward me.
"Control."
The word hung in the air.
"She was furious that we left without telling her," Jake continued.
Michael shook his head slightly. "That's overstreching."
"Is it?" Jake countered. "Think about it. We leave. She's angry. We return. Suddenly there's a security failure so severe that we're arguing about moving her."
No one answered.
Because he wasn't completely wrong.
The timing was… convenient.
But something about it didn't sit right with me.
Her reaction had felt real.
Her anger.
Her fear.
Unless she was a far better actress than I gave her credit for.
"I don't believe she fabricated it," Travis insisted.
"Then have her tell us the intruder's scent," I said quietly.
