Dr. Ivan let go of him and motioned toward an elevator tucked at the end of the hallway.
"Come. You've only seen the surface. The real work happens below."
The doors slid open with a low chime.
Inside, the walls were polished steel, spotless enough to reflect their faces.
A small panel glowed with rows of numbered buttons, most marked with restricted clearance labels.
Ivan pressed his palm against a scanner set into the side panel. A soft beep sounded, and the elevator began to descend.
"Top secret area," Ivan chuckled. "Only core members can enter."
"Are you sure it's okay for me to go there?" he asked, watching the door swing open.
"You're practically family now. Besides, you already know more than most. Might as well see it with your own eyes."
"You're trusting me so much." Terrence shook his head in resignation.
"Do you think so? I think the same thing could be said about you. I could trap you down here and set up an ambush. So why did you come here alone?
