Walking Into The Trap

Shane couldn't figure out how Lyra had caught on to Kahan's lie so quickly. Fortunately, Debbie filled him in later.

"It's simple," she explained. "The Mendez family's been thoroughly subdued by her. They wouldn't dare pull anything like this."

Apparently, the Mendez family had a level-eight superpower named Jorathon, but he was little more than a minor threat. Lyra had dealt with him with barely a flick of her fingers.

Shane immediately understood. He'd seen her ruthlessness firsthand; if she let an enemy live, it was only because she could use him or her later.

To prepare for the early-morning handoff, Shane met Kahan for drinks at a temporary bar near the construction site that evening.

They played out a scene of camaraderie, even huddling in a corner to "scheme" loudly enough for nearby ears to overhear.

Shane pretended he'd give Kahan access to the map but only if he got a cut of the pay—otherwise, he'd inform Lyra.