“It is a cooperation agreement.”

“Exactly,” I said. “He gets immunity, he gets fifty million dollars of the seized funds, and you take the fall.”

The phone on the desk vibrated again, the wooden surface buzzing with the motion.

The screen lit up with the same unknown number.

“Do not answer it,” Arthur said.

“But he knows we are here,” I said. “He is watching the IP.”

Arthur reached out and took the phone from the desk.

He swiped the screen and put it to his ear.

“Carmichael,” Arthur said.

The room was so quiet that I could hear a faint, familiar laugh through the speaker.

“Arthur,” Tristan’s voice said, sounding thin and tinny. “I see you found my little project.”

“You have made a very serious mistake,” Arthur said calmly.

“I don’t think so,” Tristan replied. “The feds already have the encryption key. By morning, you will be a wanted man.”

“The files are forged,” Arthur said.

“No one will believe you,” Tristan said. “Not with your record. Have a nice night, Arthur. And tell Kate I said goodbye.”

The line went dead with a sharp click.