Chapter 14 Lex #2
Bennett gestured to the digital display. “The men who attempted to abduct Dr. Sterling have direct ties to known Russian mafia operations in London and St. Petersburg.”
“Are you certain it was a planned abduction?” I asked.
“I am,” Bennett confirmed.
“Why me specifically?”
“I believe they weren’t acting independently,” Bennett replied. “They were contracted by someone with intimate knowledge of Project Labyrinth who needs your expertise.”
Dr. McLaren looked up from her documents. “The Orlov connection would explain Bratva involvement. Viktor always maintained connections to elements in Russia that walked the line between state-sanctioned and criminal enterprises.”
“Including his brother,” I added.
Dr. McLaren’s eyes scrunched.
“You’re aware of his connection to Oruzhiye, are you not?” Con asked.
“Of course,” she muttered.
I glanced at Con, who’d clearly picked up on her lie the same as I had.
Bennett continued, “Orlov is likely encountering technical difficulties. Your expertise would be invaluable to solving their problems.”
“That aligns with Kestrel’s intelligence,” Con added. “Russian handlers are pressuring Orlov to accelerate testing due to a failing component.”
“What do you make of the facility relocation?” Viper asked.
Bennett spread surveillance photographs across the table. “The Aberdeenshire incident appears to be a coordinated extraction. One Russian security operative was killed, but I suspect it was deliberately staged.”
“Staged?” Con and I asked simultaneously.
“The timing is too convenient. An attack occurs, creating a cover for abandoning the site at the same time equipment is already being routed through London,” Bennett explained. “It’s not a retreat—it’s a planned consolidation.”
“I agree,” Dr. McLaren interjected. “They’re making a critical transition in the development process.
Orlov would need specialized equipment at this stage.
” She moved to the digital display. “This limits the potential relocation sites considerably. You need significant power infrastructure, specialized cooling capabilities, and physical isolation.”
“Do you have a theory on the destination?” I asked.
“Given the shipping patterns and requirements, I believe they’re moving to a coastal area with access to international waters.”
Her finger stopped on Scotland’s northern coast. “The former Naval Research Facility at Dunwich Bay would be ideal. It was decommissioned five years ago, but maintains the power-grid connections Orlov would require. More importantly, it has submarine access tunnels that would allow for rapid equipment transportation or evacuation.”
“Submarine access?” Con asked. “That would explain the disjointed shipping routes—they’re deliberately obscuring the final destination.”
Bennett agreed grimly. “The facility at Dunwich Bay was sold to a private research consortium three years ago. I suspect we’ll find connections to one of the shell companies identified in the Labyrinth investigation.”
“If Dr. McLaren is correct,” Viper said, “we have an extremely narrow window to intercept before the equipment and Orlov are secured.”
“There’s something else,” Dr. McLaren added, her expression growing serious. “At this stage of the development, they’re likely preparing for a practical demonstration.”
“What kind of demonstration?” Con asked.
“The kind that would prove they’ve achieved true autonomous functionality,” she replied. “Given Orlov’s methodology, it would be something sufficiently dramatic to silence his critics and satisfy his backers.”
The implication hung heavy in the room. This wouldn’t be a theoretical exercise or limited field test, but a demonstration of the system’s lethal potential.
“We need to move now,” I said. “If they’re consolidating at Dunwich Bay, we may only have days before they attempt whatever demonstration they’re planning.”
Bennett gathered his documents. “I’ll dispatch surveillance teams to monitor their shipping activities. We should have confirmation within hours.”
“In the meantime,” Viper said, “proceed to your secure location as planned. Once we have confirmation, we’ll coordinate a response.”
Dr. McLaren approached me as the meeting ended. “Margot, a word?” Con stepped away to confer with Bennett.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Be careful,” she said, her voice lowered. “Orlov’s work has always pushed ethical boundaries, but what I’ve seen in the intercepts suggests he’s gone beyond even his previous positions. Whatever they’re building now…” She hesitated. “It may be more dangerous than anyone suspects.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I promised.
“And Margot? Trust your instincts. They’ve always been your greatest strength.”
I gave her a reassuring smile, somewhat puzzled by her emphasis but appreciative, nonetheless.
Con rejoined me. “Ready?” he asked quietly, his hand finding the small of my back.
As we exited Vauxhall Cross and headed toward the waiting helicopter, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were racing against something far more dangerous than just time.
The consortium wasn’t simply relocating their operations—they were preparing to demonstrate Labyrinth’s capabilities in a way that would change everything.
And somehow, I knew we were central to whatever they were planning.