Page 45 of Jonas

“No.”

“The People’s Republic of China’s outbound travel policies during that time were limited,” I pointed out. “And until the late seventies, China was mostly closed off to the rest of the world. How’d the parents get visas if they didn’t come from money? Ties to the government?”

“According to the weasel John brought with him,” Smith rejoined. “His name is Liam Gagnon, by the way, and he, too, is Canadian. Liam was all too happy to talk—fuck Americans and America will fall were his two favorite phrases. When I pushed why he hated us so much he explained John had shown him the truth. The American people are immoral, filled with greed and self-righteousness.”

“So, John radicalized Liam,” Derrika surmised.

“Sounds that way,” Cash said.

“What did John have to say during his interrogation?” I asked, glancing at Cash.

“Nothing. Not a damn word. Zipped his lips and hasn’t uttered a word.”

That was shocking. Cash was good at making people talk.

I looked over at Zane and raised a brow. He read my look and answered my unasked question, “If John’s parents were planted in Canada as some sort of long game assets, he’ll die for the cause before he speaks. His indoctrination would be seen as an honor. He won’t disgrace his parents by turning.

“I called in a favor from an old buddy up in Canada. Former CSOR. He’s gonna dig into the parents. Garrett can run the intel he gathers but we need someone on the ground. Mark’s gonna be that person.”

The Canadian Special Operations Regiment is Canada’s special forces. If Zane called in a favor from this Mark guy, no doubt he was badass when he was operating.

“Did Liam say why he wanted Derrika?” I asked.

“Death to all Americans,” Smith mocked, and rolled his eyes. “Taking Amy was Liam’s way of pledging allegiance to John and the Wu family. The dumbfuck doesn’t understand he’s nothing more than muscle and John’s little helper so he doesn’t have to get blood on his expensive suit. The Wu’s would never welcome a round-eye into the family.”

Kira scoffed and shook her head at Smith’s derogatory term.

His hands came up off the table and he held them out in front of him in surrender. “You might not like my delivery but it’s the damn truth and that’s exactly what Liam would be called.”

Before Smith and Kira could get into it, I pointed to the picture on the flat screen. “John Wu and the MSS agent.”

“John Wu and the MSS agent,” Cash repeated. “Strange bedfellows. Garrett’s still trying to piece that together. But that picture does substantiate our thought that John’s parents are long-term plants.”

“So, they’re basically Chinese sleeper agents living in Canada,” Derrika cut to it.

“Looks like it.”

I glanced at my watch, then around the table. It was pushing midnight. We’d all been going at it hard all day.

“We still have a lot to go over but how about we hit it fresh in the morning?” I suggested but kept my eyes on Layla.

I didn’t miss the gratitude staring back at me. Nor did I miss the narrow-eyed silent inquiry.

“I think the cat’s out of the bag,” I said out loud.

“I know,” she returned. “But I’m still pretending it’s in the bag, so if you don’t mind, we’re not discussing it.”

“We’re all adults, Layla,” Zane drawled. “No one’s going to be scandalized when they learn Kevin didn’t⁠—”

“Wrap it before he tapped it,” Kira cut in.

Zane smiled but shook his head.

“He didn’t package his meat before he gave her a treat,” Kira tried again.

Zane’s smile widened to an obnoxious smirk.

“You know, you’re supposed to be my best friend,” Layla sniped. “Not his.”