Page 29 of Tempting Tessa

“Did she feel the same about me?” Spence’s vulnerability was evident in his words.

This was the last place she wanted to have this conversation, but she felt she owed him that much. “I don’t know. I wish I could say yes, but I think she was afraid to let herself form a relationship with someone like you.”

“Someone like me?” His tone was offended. “What’s that supposed to mean? “

The man across from her returned to his laptop. “Not what you think. You were a teammate. She had deep feelings for you, that I do know, but romantic ones? I’m sorry. I can’t verify that.”

“Ever the analyst,” he chuckled. “At least she didn’t die not knowing how I felt. I guess that’s something, eh?”

“It is.” She could give him that much. “Say, I have a question for you.”

He gave a resigned sigh at the change of subject. “Shoot.”

Although the others seemed busy, she feared she’d garnered their interest. “Hold on, will you?” She rose and made for the aisle.

Tommy looked up, his Tessa radar instantly on alert and burning a hole into her back as she headed for the restroom. She didn’t speak again until she was locked inside. “You’re my favorite tech guy, and I have a question. If Tommy planted a virus on the USB Meg and Dec recovered from the embassy, would Del miss it?”

He hesitated. “What are you asking?”

“If you think it’s possible he missed such a glaring thing.”

“Of course, it’s possible. Del’s good—the best we’ve got—but even the best make mistakes. You know that.”

It wasn’t meant to pierce her heart, but it did. She’d been the best at what she did once. And yes, she’d made mistakes.

She wondered now if one of them had been recommending Jessie for the Black Swan Division. Meg, Dec, and Spence had no idea that Flynn had put Tessa on the spot about it when he’d come to her, telling her about Meg’s brilliant idea. One he wished he had come up with himself.

“There’s something else,” Spence said. “Before the drive was wiped, Del found something that changes the game.”

The train swayed, and she gripped the sink card to keep her balance. Spence had to know that Meg hadn’t told her, and if he was volunteering it, he was going against the unspoken rule of the team—only Meg got to share classified information. That fact had to be bugging Spence enough to break protocol and share it with her. She didn’t question why. “You’re treading on dangerous ground if you tell me.”

“I’ve never backed away from dangerous plays before. And just like confessing about my love for Jessie and how important you are to me, I need to do this.”

This could be treason. Treason against the swans, against the CIA itself. If they found out, he’d need a good lawyer. “You better be sure. I’m not officially one of your team.”

“I don’t know what game you’re running, Tessa, but youareone of us. You can deny it all day long, but I don’t buy it. I’m telling you because you need to know in order to watch your back. If I didn’t say something and you were hurt or killed…” He cleared his throat. “If you tell anyone I am your source, I’ll deny it.”

It wasn’t a threat—he was simply letting her know she didn’t need to worry about him. “You better. I’m listening.”

“There is evidence suggesting that someone quite familiar with how the Agency works is framing us for the coming EMP attacks.”

The train jolted as it hit a rough patch of track, pitching her sideways. Her knees buckled, and only her grip on the sink kept her upright. “What?”

“They’re manipulating global events to destabilize power structures and pin the blame on us.”

Her blood ran cold. “Someone inside the CIA?”

“Either that or a former operative. It has to be someone with a lot of connections and resources. They’ve got access to intel that only certain people should. Could be someone high up in the ranks or someone who was at one time.”

“Or someone very familiar with the swans.”

He caught her gist. “Tommy?”

She shook her head, catching sight of her pale face in the mirror over the sink. The announcement for their next stop crackled over the speakers. “I have to go,” she said. “Thanks for the heads up. If this is true, you need to watchyourback. Don’t worry about mine.”

She cut off the call before Spencer could reply and shoved the phone into her pocket. As she left the restroom and returned to her seat, she avoided Tommy’s inquisitive gaze.

A former CIA employee framing the swans for the attacks? Tommy had only been an analyst. Or had he? She’d already found herself questioning that. Her skin crawled as she sank into her seat.

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