Daniel in the kitchen, who stared at me with a mixture of apprehension, irritation, and relief, and walked up the stairs to his room.  I shut the door behind me for privacy and sat down on the bed.  As I did so, my eyes danced around the room and zoomed in on a black lump on Daniel's desk.  My gun.  I breathed a sigh of relief.  At least I knew where the firearm was.  It didn't seem like a good idea to leave it in the incompetent hands of my brother or my ex-best-friend.

"Okay, Max," I said.  "What do you have for me?"

"We managed to sneak a listening device into Lia's parents' conference room.  They've been talking about you pretty much nonstop for the past hour or so."

"What'd you find out?"

"Nothing good. The CIA is looking for you.  They're saying that you killed two of their agents as well as tried to shoot a few of their other agents who went to apprehend you.  They also said that you killed your father and kidnapped your brother.  You're in deep here, Clarke."

"I know."

"So, what's the truth?  What happened?"

I took a breath.  "Last night I was keeping watch over my parents' place when two guys broke in.  My dad shot and killed one of them but he was wounded.  He was practically dead by the time I got inside.  The other guy went after my brother.  I did kill him and I did fire at some agents but only because they tried to shoot me first.  Succeeded too," I added as an afterthought.  My fingers absentmindedly brushed over my bandaged side and the dull ache was just a steadfast reminder of what had transpired.

"Bloody hell," Max said.  I heard him sigh.  "Look, Lia's parents are backing you up on self-defense and so is McCarthy and a few of the other professors who are here.  There are even a few MI6 agents who've been tracking your progress over the past few years who are on your side.  It's only the CIA guys who seem to want condemn you without a trial.  But, Mel, they're taking about putting an APB out which means that everyone in the United States will be looking for you soon.  They've also mentioned Interpol a few times but no one except the CIA seems to want to bring them in without more incriminating evidence."

I lurched to my feet and started pacing across Daniel's bedroom floor.  "What do you think is my best bet?"

"Honestly, I don't know.  But if I were you I'd try to get out of the United States before that APB goes out.  Otherwise, you'll have a hard time getting anywhere."

I nodded even though he couldn't see it.  "Okay.  Do you have any leads on who is after me?  Clearly, the CIA is involved somehow but is it the entire organization or just a few dirty agents?"

"I'm not sure.  We're still digging but they're definitely connected in some way.  As soon as I have more information I'll let you know."

"Thanks, Max."

"Anything for you.  Look, Lia's here and she wants to talk to you.  Keep safe and please for the love of god don't get shot again."

I smiled wryly to myself.  "I'll try my best."

On the other end of the line I heard the phone changing hands and then Lia's voice was filling my ears.  "Hullo, Mel."

"Hi."  I felt a bout of nervousness shoot through my body. 

"Are you sitting down?"

"No."

"Well," she said.  "You might want to."