Page 19 of Undercover Savior

“Ash, great to see you,” said Tag when Gus and I walked into the room where he and Con were waiting. I embraced both men, then invited them to take a seat.

“Interesting spot you’ve put yourself in,” said Con.

I hung my head and shook it. “Not my doing, but my lot now, I suppose.”

“Yes, but it’sSullivan Rivers.” He tossed a dossier on the desk.

I chuckled and pointed at the document. “Please tell me that doesn’t include the mad crush I had on her when we were children.”

He smirked. “It didn’t, but I added it.”

“What have you got for me?” I asked.

“Before we talk about Eric Weber or Tower-Meridian, you should know the Crown Herald has had a massive data breach,” said Con.

My eyes opened wide when the first thing I thought was what this might mean for Sullivan. “Are they aware?”

“They are now. I informed the newly named editor in chief, Fallon Wallace, as soon as I learned of it.”

“I’m not going to ask what you charged them to fix it.”

“Fallon and I are having dinner.”

Both Tag and I laughed. “Is she buying? Somehow, I doubt the tab will cover it.”

“I have bigger plans.”

“As in they become a client?” I asked.

“There couldn’t be a more fitting way to show her their vulnerabilities.” He wove his fingers together and put his hands behind his head. “Sullivan’s data was scoured.”

“Gone?”

Con smirked again. “Only temporarily. By the way, from what little I saw, SIS would do well in convincing her to join the dark side.”

I grimaced. “I consider the media the dark side, my friend.”

“I concur,” said Tag.

Con shrugged. “Either way, she’s really good, Ash.”

“Define good.”

“According to Fallon, one of the best she’s seen. Sullivan reports to Clive Edwards, the Edinburgh bureau chief and executive editor of investigations but also her uncle. I wouldn’t be surprised if she were offered his position after his retirement. Maybe even before.”

“If she’s that good, Weber knows it. Which means the risk is even greater,” I muttered.

“I can tell you that Weber’s people are already looking for her,” Con added.

“Why, though? I mean, what’s she got on them?”

“Not enough, yet. However, that they are in pursuit tells me she’s closer than even she realizes.”

Tag stood and walked to the window.

“What’s on your mind?” I asked him.

“If I were you, I’d bring her under the SIS umbrella as soon as possible,” he said, glancing over his shoulder at me. “Of course, then, her bylines will go away.”