Page 108 of Undercover Savior

“It’s too early to say with any certainty.”

“Let’s take a break before Gus arrives with Typhon and Viper,” I said after Con’s response.

“Good idea,” said Tag.

“Walk with me?” I said to Sullivan. “How are you holding up?” I asked once we were behind closed doors in a room where I hadn’t set foot since my mother’s death—her sitting room.

“Conflicting emotions,” she admitted. “While I can mentally process that Fallon was working with Weber all along, I’m sure what I’m feeling is similar to Con. How stupid is it that one of the biggest disappointments is realizing we were never friends and she wasn’t the mentor I thought she’d be?”

“Betrayal hits hard emotionally,” I said, pulling her into my arms. “She positioned herself as an ally, gained our trust, and got the team as a whole to share classified information with her. Scarier still is that the woman figured out our security protocols and identified vulnerabilities.”

“So much of what she said and did makes sense now, even though I didn’t question it at the time.”

“Such as?”

“Her interest in the tunnel systems, in particular, but also how anxious she was to stay at Ashcroft versus Blackmoor. I thought it odd that she pushed so hard to relocate, but then didn’t.”

“She must’ve had a specific reason for wanting to return to Con’s place.”

Sullivan murmured her agreement.

“There’s something else of interest. We were joking around about how much more intelligent she was than Con. Now, I think she was giving us prompts.”

“Exactly,” said Sullivan. Her tone of voice and expression were more animated than they had been since we arrived at the castle earlier. “Of course she’d use prompts since it’s how AI works. At least with the more simplistic apps. I mean, there are books written about how to craft a question in order to get the answer you’re looking for from such an app.”

From the window, I saw Gus pull up and three other people get out of the golf cart. “Who is that?” I asked, not recognizing the second woman with them.

“I don’t know who any of them are,” said Sullivan, turning to face the same direction I was.

“We should get back.”

Rather than exit through the foyer, I led Sullivan out a different door, down a hallway, and through the smaller of the castle’s two kitchens.

“I was just about to come ask if you’d like refreshments served,” said Mairi.

“That would be much appreciated, especially considering neither of us ate before leaving Thistle Gate earlier.”

“Of course, sir, err, David. That will take some getting used to.”

“It will come with practice,” said Sullivan, smiling.

“We’d offer to stay and help, but some of our colleagues have just arrived.”

Mairi nudged me with her elbow and winked at Sullivan. “As if I’d allow you two in my kitchen.”

We entered the dining room just as Typhon, Viper, and the mystery woman walked in with Gus.

“Before we get started, I’d like everyone to meet Dr. Margot Sterling, code name Lex, who is the preeminent MI6 expert in artificial intelligence. She’ll be working with your team as the investigation moves forward.”

Typhon had been looking at me, so he missed Con’s expression.

“I’d say it’s a pleasure to meet all of you, but under the circumstances, I’m sure you agree there’s nothing pleasurable about it.”

“Excuse me,” said Con before storming out of the room.

“What in the bloody hell?” Typhon muttered, looking at me.

“I’ll go,” I offered when Tag took a step in that direction. I hurried out of the room and called out his name when I saw Con heading toward my office.

---