Page 99 of Only the Wicked
She’s telling the truth.
But she didn’t deny knowing me before we met. Was she playing me, wanting to get close to a wealthy guy? Or did someone else put her up to it? Did someone hire a former CIA…
“Are you working for someone?”
I’ll uncover the truth, one way or another. But there’s no way to verbalize that reality without it coming across as threatening.
“Why did you meet with Russia today?” Her question hits hard with a force straight to the solar plexus.
“You were watching me?”
How? She was here at the hotel. I have photographic evidence. Unless…she’s not working alone. That’s it. Someone hired her.
Fuck me.
“As part of my job I meet with representatives from different countries. Who are you working for that that information is relevant?”
“What are you selling them?”
Yes. Definitely working for someone.
“The rumors are unfounded,” I answer, looking her directly in the eye so she can see the truth.
She’s working with one of the intelligence agencies. It’s the only answer. If it’s not the FBI, the NSA? Those guys are slippery.
“Is that why you’re here? Investigating unfounded rumors?”
“What rumors?”
“This is going to be a painful conversation if you keep playing this game.” She has to see the gig is up. She might as well play it straight.
“You’re not exactly being forthcoming,” she responds, chin lifted, fucking defiant.
Look at that audacity. Unbelievable.
“Rumors are I’m selling information to the highest bidder. Any information that can be used for blackmail. It’s an unfounded rumor and it is false. ARGUS is an AI surveillance tool. It takes existing data and derives information from it. Any information ARGUS provides, a client already owns. I don’t do under-the-table side deals. Never have. Never will.”
She doesn’t look away. Perhaps she believes me.
“Who are you working for? NSA?”
If it’s NSA, I’m going to have words with my contact. I didn’t sit through endless meetings only to be monitored.
“Why did you meet with Russia?”
“How can you expect me to answer your questions without knowing who I’m talking to?”
She sucks in her lower lip, contemplating before answering.
“Let me ask you this, which is perhaps the most important question. Was anything between us real? Or is the US government now readily employing Russian tactics and sending honeypots to targets?”
Her mouth opens into an O and her cheeks flush a brighter red. That got her attention.
“I genuinely like you.”
Lovely. I push up off the sofa and scrub my fingers through the short hair on the back of my head, pacing the floor.
“You’re a fucking honeypot? You fucked me to get information?”
