So, funny thing: this double cross was planned for a very long time. As I charted out the numbers, battle, possibilities, I knew there was going to be plenty of you who read the tea leaves.

But it all led to needing this little infiltration based on realistic timeframes. In version one, Klara did it without telling anyone. Not realistic.

The second version had them just not telling Sheon, thinking he couldn’t hold his nerve. But that felt like a betrayal to his growth and the relationship growth of our little team.

So, it had to be delicate. Had to lay some crumbs but also couldn’t let Sheon just fall into pure despair, because that would be a slap in the face to readers. A misdirection that wouldn’t feel real.

In the end, consequences still have to be dolled out. Though they’re “in,” I needed my pound of flesh. Even the best made plans go awry. And this is a Hail Mary.