Page 11 of Sasha’s Secret

“Sounds good to me.”

And how many assistants talked about discussing strategy with security consultants as easily as if they were arranging a stroll in the park?

* * *

At long last, Rocco closed the door behind him and allowed himself a moment or two to take a breath. He had a lot to assimilate at the end of a day that wasn’t quite over yet. Nick Blackmore was expecting a report on his first impressions and immediate plans.

After Sasha had escorted him back to his suite, he hadn’t let the grass grow under his feet. Unpacking hadn’t taken long, and then he’d carried out his own reconnaissance of the area around the house. Everything had been pretty much as he’d expected.

Having stashed his jacket in the closet, he made himself comfortable at the writing desk where he’d left his laptop. Referring to the notes he’d recorded during his exploration, he quickly typed up his initial observations, and, together with his plans for the next few days, sent them via secure email to Nick.

He wasn’t surprised when Nick’s face popped up on Skype a few minutes later.

“Thanks for the report, Rocco. I’ve given it a quick once-over, but you seem to have made a good start. Is there anything you need?”

Rocco was about to reply in the negative but thought better of it. No harm in asking about what was on his mind—after all, Nick himself had told Rocco they were going to do some more digging. “Sasha Morgan, the PA. Do we have any more information on her yet? Like who she really is? Or was, before she started working for Linzi.”

Nick’s expression became more serious. “Not yet, we’re still working on it. While we do have a little clout here, it doesn’t compare to what HQ back home has with the UK government—added to which, the situation here is more complex because of state and federal jurisdiction. As soon as we uncover anything material, I’ll be in touch. What’s your gut telling you about her?”

“In the context of her past? This is going to sound crazy, but…” On the verge of saying it aloud, it sounded crazier than ever, even in his head. “I think she’s ex-Agency.”

Nick quirked an eyebrow. “What makes you say that?”

“Little things—where she’s lived, the words she uses. Things that could add up to three interesting initials.”

“But equally could not. If she is, though, it could also explain the lack of information about her, although not how and why she’s come to be working for Linzi Suto.”

Good question, and Rocco didn't have an answer—yet. “Whether I’m right or not, there’s one thing I am sure about—she’s not behind the threats.”

“Why? Because she was the one who raised the alarm?”

“That, and… I’ve only caught of glimpse of her interaction with Linzi, but I didn’t see anything that suggested the kind of hostility that has to be in play here. If anything, I think she could be a useful ally.”

He thought other things about Sasha, too, but they weren’t for public consumption.

Charity came into view behind her husband, draped her arms over his shoulders, and bent so that she also appeared on the screen. “How’re you doing, Rocco? Everything good?”

“Everything’s fine, thanks, Charity. Just getting started.”

“So are we,” she replied. “And I just had an idea.”

“Uh-oh, now we’re in trouble,” Nick muttered.

“Oh hush, you. I’m working on tracing the source of the threats with a guy called Tex, who is a genius with computers.”

“Tex?”

“A friend of a friend,” Nick explained. “If what you’re looking for is on a computer anywhere in the world, he can find it. And I have a feeling I know what my better half’s idea is. You tell him—I wouldn’t want to steal your thunder.”

Charity dropped a swift kiss on her husband’s cheek. “I should think not. Rocco, I’m going to ask Tex to see what he can find out about Sasha. Whatever she’s hiding, he’ll uncover it.”

Charity had called him a genius, but to Rocco, Tex sounded more like a wizard. People might be difficult to deal with at times, but he’d take them over technology any day of the week—unless it was directly connected to his occupation. “Thanks, Charity. In the meantime, I’ll focus on the staff and see what I can find out.”

Nick agreed. “That sounds like a plan. Now, is there anything else you need?”

Rocco debated the question for a moment, then shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

“If anything comes to mind, let us know—especially if it’s reinforcements.”