Page 80 of Shadow Operative

Then Larchmont, a former superior in the military, had formed the Shadow Agency and had given them all purpose again.

“Good morning.” Nia closed the Bible and curled her legs underneath her, turning to give her full attention to him. “I’m sorry you had to sleep on the couch. If we’re here again tonight, I can switch out with you.”

He waved her off and sat in the chair next to her. “I was fine. I’ve slept in much worse places.”

She studied his face as if she wanted to ask more questions. “I’m sure you have a lot of stories you could tell from your military days.”

“I do. But none that you’d want to hear.”

“But what if I did?”

He shrugged. “Maybe I should have said, none that I’m allowed to share.”

Her eyebrows rose, but she nodded. “I understand.” She paused before asking, “So what’s the plan for today?”

He plucked a room service menu from a nearby table. “First, we order breakfast. I can’t start my day without it. Well, I can, but I’m a bear to live with. While we eat, we can talk about what we’ll do today. I’ll get Austin up if you want to go ahead and order something. Just put it on the tab. My boss owes me one, so I’m going to let him pay for it.”

A small smile feathered across her face. “Will do then.”

He rose and went to get Austin.

Not because he really needed to wake up his friend.

But because he needed to get away from Nia . . . especially since he realized just how attracted he was to the woman.

Nia took another spoonful of her yogurt and fruit parfait as she prepared a plan for the day.

She’d always been a planner. That quality had helped her to get to where she was. She set goals. Made practical lists on how to reach those goals.

When the original plan didn’t work, she’d learned to pivot.

That was what she needed to do now also.

She gave the men a minute to eat their bacon and eggs. When she neared the end of her parfait, she grabbed a small notepad and complimentary pen so she could write a few things down.

“Do either of you have any thoughts on how to figure all of thisout?” she started.

Maybe she shouldn’t take charge of the situation. Maybe she should leave that to Gage since this seemed to be more in his wheelhouse. But she’d always been a go-getter, and this situation wasn’t going to change that.

“I think we can rule out Brittany and Darius.” Gage picked up his last piece of bacon. “I’m not sure how the shooting last night ties in with all of this. But we can rest assured that Darius isn’t going to be able to tell us anything. While I was waiting for breakfast, I called the hospital. He’s still in ICU and not allowed visitors.”

“Good to know,” Nia said. “When we spoke to Brittany last night, I didn’t get the impression she knew anything either.”

Gage shoved his plate aside before picking up his coffee. “I think we need to look for Cormac. However, that’s going to be easier said than done. I’m sure the police have tried to track his cell phone.”

“For all we know the police could have found him already,” Austin said.

“That’s true,” Gage conceded. “It hasn’t been on the news because I checked. But that doesn’t mean anything.”

“My gut tells me he hasn’t been found,” Nia said. “I’m just basing that on the way he disappeared last night. He’s a smart man. Rob wouldn’t have hired him if he wasn’t. And without the resources of the police department, I don’t know how we’ll find him.”

“I agree that it’s going to be challenging. We don’t want to run all over town without purpose, just hoping that we’llfind him.”

“Agreed,” Nia said, jotting down his name. “I also think we should talk to Hector Backus. Maybe he knows something.”

“That’s a great idea,” Gage said. “I’m going to assume his office probably opens at eight or nine. So as soon as you’re ready, I say we go and see if he’ll talk. Let’s keep the element of surprise by not calling him first.”

“That sounds good to me.” Nia rose.

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