Page 109 of Undercover Savior

“I’m not doing this again,” he said over his shoulder.

“Doing what?”

“Having someone I’ve never heard of, was given no background on, foisted on me. Not a chance.”

“Your reaction is premature. Typhon said she’ll be working with the team, not you specifically.”

“Which of us knows the most about AI?”

“You, of course.”

“There you have it.”

“Con, I hate to say it, but I don’t believe you have much of a choice in the matter.”

“Don’t I?”

“Outside of leaving Unit 23—wait, tell me that’s not what you’re suggesting.”

“It’s her or me.”

“Can we finish the briefing before you issue the ultimatum?”

He didn’t immediately answer, but when he stalked out of my office like he had the dining room, I followed.

30

SULLIVAN

Gus introduced me to Typhon and Viper in David’s absence, after which I heard Typhon ask where he and Con had gone.

“We’re all reeling a bit, sir,” Gus responded.

“Understood,” Viper said before Typhon did. “Sullivan, I’ve so looked forward to meeting you,” she said, walking away from the men and approaching with Dr. Sterling.

“Err, likewise,” I responded.

She chuckled. “I’d not be surprised if I wasn’t mentioned. The Unit 23-ers look down their noses a bit at those of us who never left MI6. Although I will inform you that Typhon does not outrank me, as much as he might try to convince you he does.”

“What she’s not saying is she’s the relatively new chief of MI6,” Typhon said from behind her. “Which means, in seniority, Idooutrank her.”

Viper rolled her eyes. “Shall we take a seat?”

I got the impression that was more of an order than an offer, so I did.

“What I’m about to suggest may seem premature, but given the classified nature of what we’ll be discussing today and in the days that follow, I’d like to extend?—”

“Stop right there, Viper,” said Typhon, who stood above her. “No one is extending an offer without all relevant parties present. That includes Savior and me.”

“As we’ve just determined, I do not answer to you, Typhon.”

“Ah, here they are now.”

I followed his line of sight and saw David and Con had returned.

“Let’s get started. I have a couple of updates. First, the ME has determined the cause of death to be poisoning from Ricin. My theory is she was exposed to it prior to the incident at Edinburgh Castle, which would also explain why she told Savior she was already dead. Any questions?”

I had several, but none relating to Periscope’s cause of death, so when no one else spoke up, I didn’t either.

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