Page 75 of The Last Morgan
"Not in a million years."
The breakfast area buzzed with quiet energy as Lucy, Corey, Byron, and Damien all gathered around the long oak table.
The staff had just finished laying out the morning spread — fresh croissants, eggs, fruit, bacon, pots of coffee and tea — but none of them were reaching for the food yet.
All eyes were glued to Barnaby, who was practically vibrating with excitement, clutching his laptop like a man ready to unveil the secrets of the universe.
Lucy sipped her coffee calmly.
"Okay, Professor X," she teased. "Spill it."
Barnaby grinned wide, plopping his laptop down in front of him and spinning it dramatically toward them.
"Ladies. Gentlemen. Your minds are about to be blown."
He clicked a few keys. The first image popped up — a blueprint scan of the brooch.
"So, first things first. Our little 'gift' pinned to Rebecca wasn’t just a listening device."
He tapped a blinking point on the image.
"Apart from its long-range microphone it had a tracking device."
Corey whistled low under his breath.
"Military grade?"
"Military wet dreams grade," Barnaby corrected, looking smug.
Lucy leaned in, her brow furrowing.
"How long do you think they've been listening?"
Barnaby shrugged grimly.
"Long enough. My guess? Ever since Rebecca knew she might get caught. Maybe even before that."
Damien looked serious now, arms crossed over his chest.
"And the second signal you picked up? The dormant one?"
Barnaby's grin widened — this was clearly his favorite part.
He pulled up another scan, this time of the gold chain Lucy wore around her neck.
The room went still.
"Your necklace, Lucy."
"It’s not just jewelry."
Lucy’s heart skipped a beat.
Slowly, almost unconsciously, she lifted a hand and touched the space where the chain normally rested against her skin.
"It’s a key," Barnaby said softly. "A key to something digital."
He clicked again, pulling up an ancient-looking schematic.
