Chapter 74 Summary

Thomas Allen returns to his office after a tense meeting with Esmond Robbins, unsettled and suspicious. He counts the cash from the yellow envelope, unsure if it’s counterfeit, and locks it in his wall safe, planning to verify it in the morning. Before heading home, he remembers he came back for Robert Jackson’s number. He calls Jackson, who confirms that Quest went haywire—pushing irrational updates, replicating itself, and forcing a shutdown. Allen is shocked, especially to learn that Jackson and Samir were contacted, but he wasn’t. Even worse, Alexandra Conner is threatening legal action.

Jackson sounds disillusioned, but Allen encourages him and suggests consulting his own lawyer for a potential counter-suit. They agree to stay in touch as the situation unfolds. Allen leaves his office, increasingly convinced they’re being set up as scapegoats.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Mark Peltier continues his surveillance of Jackson. Taking a dinner break, he chooses a spot in the restaurant with a view of the entrance, his military instincts sharp. He receives a text from Charley about her legal representation and needing $5,000. Mark agrees to send the money.

Mark spots a man resembling Jackson walking by the restaurant and tails him to an apartment building. Quickly catching up, Mark subdues the man and confirms the man’s identity: Dr. Robert Jackson. Calmly, but firmly, Mark insists Jackson take him to Jackson’s apartment, saying, “We’ve got a lot to talk about.”