Page 107 of Blind Prophet

Technical documents outlining infrastructure vulnerabilities, Dorian’s technical style.

“Anything else?” he asks, possibly reading into my facial reaction. Years may have passed, but he can still read me.

I click to log into our secure site to access an attachment I haven’t yet read.

“The team hacked into servers Zenith owns. Somewhere in Iceland.” I tap away, using the authenticator code to log in. “They found a series of detailed technical documents outlining infrastructure vulnerabilities, time-stamped months before the attacks. They claim they’re written in your technical style. I haven’t yet assessed these, but is this document yours?”

He pushes off the couch and reaches for my phone. He pinches the bridge of his nose, then points at a drawer. “Can you get my readers?”

I pull out a long, narrow drawer and find four readers neatly placed in a row.

“You use readers?”

“Shut it. Not a word.”

“Dorian, if you need glasses, that can make your migraines worse.”

“I read little on the phone.”

“That’s a lie.”

He slips his readers on and focuses on the screen, disregarding me. Classic Dorian, struggling with reading because vanity dictates he can’t look weak.

“These are my team’s documents. Wrote them for a consortium of tech leaders—people who control everything from fiber optic networks to quantum computing cores. The infrastructure vulnerability assessment was meant to strengthen global systems, not provide a blueprint for attacks.” He removes his readers, rubbing his temples. “You know how quantum encryption works; once information is observed, it’s changed. These documents were meant to stay within a trusted circle.”

“Who did you share them with?”

“The syndicate. Nine men. They may have shared it with others within their circles.”

He hands my phone back to me. “Like I’ve already told you, it’s a group my father founded fifteen, twenty years ago. Leaders in specific sectors around the world. Representation on every continent. He pulled me in around the time you left me.”

I involuntarily flinch.

“Nick’s in it.” He’s thoughtful. “He’s been a member longer than I have. You think these documents provided the framework being used?”

“Our tech team does.”

“The syndicate fractured. We haven’t reconvened since Nick was ousted. This is a document… I meant for it to be shared as protection, but…once a document is shared, you lose control.” He strides to the window and crosses his arms, looking across the expanse of trees. “Jiang Tu has been missing for months. If, as we suspect, Xi has him, the Chinese government would have everything of his. Or at least anything he didn’t successfully conceal.”

Jiang Tu is a billionaire Chinese businessman, and he was on the list Ryan reviewed in the briefing. If he’s the source, then that would mean China is behind it all. Chinese businessmen don’t typically work independently from the Chinese government. Weakening democratic countries could fit with a One China strategy. It’s not inconceivable.

“We’ll need to look at the timeline,” I say, hoping Sophia is listening.

“Is my office bugged?”

I still, knowing the team is listening, and my answer will be heard.

He shakes his head with amusement. “You’re a little obvious. It’s cute, but clearly, you’re aiming to talk to someone other than me.”

I don’t bother mentioning the conferences he’s attended that also placed him on a person of interest list. It overlaps with his interest in Zenith.

“Is that it?” he asks.

“Yes.”

“You getting hungry? Can we go back into the house?”

He’s pale. On instinct, I move to him and brush my hand across his forehead while studying his pupils. “Is another migraine coming on?”

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