Page 118 of Only the Wicked
“Of course you did. We’ve been friends for years. You reach out when you need a sounding board.”
Huh. I don’t particularly care for what that says about me. “How are you doing?”
I look down at the phone in my hand and the minute counter.
“I’m good. Look, my advice comes from a place of experience. As you know during all those months and years I turned to you when I was down, it’s not easy to be in a relationship with a powerful man. We almost got divorced. You’ve spent less than a week with this guy–”
“Caroline,” I snap. “I need to know if I can trust him for a project. That’s it. Back in the mountains, he was one person. Now, I’m beginning to see other sides, that’s all.”
“Of course you are. He was on vacation. He’s exiting vacation mode. It’ll take time to see all of his various sides.”
“True.”
“What does your gut say?”
“That he’s a good guy.”
“But?”
“No but. He’s a good guy but he might be open to…”
“Making mistakes? You mean like, he might be human?”
I roll my eyes, not that she can see.
“No one’s all bad, and no one is all good. Be careful. Eyes wide open.”
“I came clean. He knows I’m working with KOAN. He wants to work with us.”
I hesitate. Waiting. Will she be angry?
“He wants to work with us?”
“Yes.”
“We’re investigating ARGUS.”
“If they’re the source of the leaks, it’s not him.”
“All right. Play it out. Have you updated Hudson?”
“Have a call into him.”
“We’ll regroup at the beginning of the week.”
“Are you angry?”
“Angry? No. I trust you. Don’t share we have an in on the West Coast.”
“I won’t.”
“And I know you trust him, but remember, eyes wide open, you understand?”
“Always.”
“You need me, you call. Hear?”
“Always do.” She’s one of my closest friends. “And everything’s good with you?”
