Jake reached out and took the phone from my hand, his face completely expressionless.

“Logan,” Jake said into the receiver.

There was a sudden silence on the other end of the line.

“Jake,” Logan said, his tone changing instantly, trying to sound tough. “I didn’t know you were listening.”

“We’re not deleting the files,” Jake said, his voice flat and steady.

“You don’t understand the spot I’m in, Jake!” Logan yelled, his voice cracking with panic. “Walter will ruin me if this project goes under! He’ll put everything on me!”

“You should have thought about that before you stole my name,” Jake said.

“I’m giving you a way out!” Logan pleaded. “Just destroy the drive! That’s all you have to do!”

Before Jake could answer, the screen of the phone flickered.

A second call was waiting on the line.

The caller ID displayed the name of the military installation’s main switchboard.

Jake looked at me, then at the glowing screen.

He didn’t hang up on Logan, but he pressed the button to patch the second call through.

A voice came through the speaker, loud and clear in the silent cabin.