Page 40 of Undercover Savior

“What’s that?”

“I’ll contact Typhon and let him know I’ll be taking over. Once you’ve met with Periscope, you can return directly to London.”

He was bluffing. Or was it me who was? “I can’t do that, and you know it.”

Gus shook his head. “You can, but you won’t.”

I stood by the window, looking out at the view of the coos roaming Tag’s land. “I don’t know how to do this,” I said when he stepped behind me and rested his hand on my shoulder.

“Just be, Ash. Let it happen on its own.”

“There’s more on my mind.”

“Con?”

“Am I the only one who believes things aren’t adding up?”

“Let’s get this meeting over with and see.”

“Wait,” I said when he walked to the door. “I appreciate this, Angus. Seeing that photo on my grandfather’s bookshelf reminded me what a good friend you’ve been all my life.”

“Likewise, Ashcroft.”

12

SULLIVAN

“There he is,” said Con, who’d taken the seat to my right while Tag sat on my left. David sat across from me.

“Where would you like to start?” he asked, looking between Con and me.

“Tag mentioned a data breach at Crown Herald,” I said, anxious to hear about Con’s meeting with the new editor in chief, who I’d yet to meet.

“It was extensive,” Con began, explaining that, upon closer inspection, whoever had hacked into the servers was looking for anything and everything to do with Eric Weber and Tower-Meridian.

“Most of what I’d actually uploaded was backed up elsewhere.” What I didn’t say was I’d never put the majority of my work on any of the news agency’s servers. “When I last spoke with my editor, he said Ms. Wallace told him to shut down the investigation.” I bit my lip. “So I removed it from the servers.”

Con nodded. “They got it anyway. This was a sophisticated scrub, Sullivan.” He drummed a stylus on the table. “What was that you said about shutting down your investigation? You said that edict came from your editor?”

“Clive Edwards, who you should probably know is also my uncle. I assure you that he had nothing to do with my getting the job, though.”

“What are you thinking, Con?” David asked.

“Fallon didn’t say anything about killing the investigation. Quite the contrary, actually.”

“Elaborate,” David pressed.

Con turned to face me. “She considers it very worthwhile, in fact. More so after the apparent hit taken out on you. She also said you’re one of the best investigative journalists she’s seen.”

That stunned me. I was more used to criticism than praise. The other thing I’d gotten used to was the majority of the people I worked with not wanting to have anything to do with me. I knew they often went to the pub after work, even though I’d never once been invited to join them. I thought about showing up a time or two anyway, just to fuck with them, but never went through with it. Even Clive was stingy with any kind of praise or encouragement.

“In case you’re questioning whether I’m being truthful with you, she’d welcome the opportunity to tell you herself.”

I smiled, realizing I’d been shaking my head. “Not necessary, but thanks.”

“I’d like to suggest we consider Weber’s cyber capabilities equal to ours. At least in the interim until I can properly assess the threat level.” From the corner of my eye, I saw him wink, but I knew from the security I’d seen thus far that he wasn’t being facetious.

“Sullivan, would you be willing to brief the rest of the team on your investigation?” David asked.

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