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“Well, Maddon, then you and Charlie need a new plan. There’s no way I’m going to sit in front of Zane and pull wool. His hate for the CIA is legendary. There’s no way I can spin this, no lie I can tell that will get him to agree to help you.”
“You underestimate your skills.”
No, I didn’t underestimate my skills, but Maddon did.
I took the backhanded compliment for what it was. Praise for my ability to lie and scheme. Not something I was particularly proud of but true, nonetheless.
It was time to throw him a bone and remind him of our connection.
“You’re only saying that so you can take credit for teaching me those skills.”
“They’ve made you a very rich woman, Dove.”
Leave it to a morally bankrupt man with no wife, no children, no family, no true loyalty to anyone but himself to think I did what I did for the money. I learned a long time ago, men like Maddon who’d pledged their allegiance to their country then spouted off crap like “I do what I do so no one else has to do it” are the biggest liars of all. They do it for the power, for the control, because they like playing God. Old Agency men who couldn’t or wouldn’t leave the job because they get off knowing they pulled all the strings.
Men who thought they were invincible.
Men who underestimated women.
Men who were so blinded by their perceived power they missed the real threat.
Today I was that threat.
“They have,” I sweetly agreed. “I’ll take the meeting with Zane. But I want it on record—he’s going to kick me out of his office within the first ten minutes. I can lie through my teeth and he’ll still sniff Agency on me. And that’s if I’m lucky. I’ve heard he has moods, if he’s in a bad one, I expect white lilies and pink stargazers on my casket.”
“Your request is noted.”
Maddon disconnected before I could say more.
“You did well,” Charlie said from the doorway of his study.
I slipped my phone into my RF blocking Faraday bag, rendering my cell useless before I voiced my biggest fear, “You’re positive he doesn’t suspect anything?”
“All he’s focused on is his payday. Blinded by it. Too damn stupid to see you coming.”
God, that made me sick to my stomach for a variety of reasons. One being Maddon was selling out his country for a payday. Two—Maddon was one of Charlie’s oldest buddies. Three—I knew it was killing Charlie to do what needed to be done.
Maddon’s treason couldn’t stand.
He had to be dealt with.
“I’m sorry, Father,” I murmured.
I’d long ago been taught never to react to other people’s emotions, but seeing my father’s flinch cut me to the bone.
“All I ask is when the time comes you make it quick.”
I nodded my understanding.
“And Zane? How do I handle him?”
“You were correct in your assessment. You don’t handle Viper. He’ll either help or he won’t.”
I had a bad feeling Zane wouldn’t be helping. He hated spy games. The moment I laid out the web of lies I’d be out on my ass.
I had a backup plan. I always did.
The problem was, Plan B was messy. It meant I got my hands dirty and I really hated blood stains—they were a bitch to wash clean.
