Page 3 of Undercover Infidel
It wasn’t a request, and surprisingly, I didn’t want to refuse. Whatever tension sparked between us—personal or professional—the mission took precedence.
“Fair warning,” I said as I collected my mobile and a slim leather portfolio. “Once we step out that door, we’re allies, Dr. Sterling. I expect the same level of transparency from you that you’re demanding from me.”
She approached until we stood nearly toe-to-toe, close enough for me to see flecks of gold in her dark eyes.
“Call me Lex,” she said. I couldn’t recall her actual code name as the shortened version was often chosen for brevity for someone working on complex AI systems. The full meaning sometimes became less important than the level of capability required. “And I should warn you—I only infiltrate systems I respect.”
The subtext wasn’t lost on me. I opened the door and gestured for her to precede me.
“After you, Lex.”
As we walked to the helipad, two things rose to the forefront of my mind. First, whatever those behind Project Labyrinth were planning would prove to be more deadly than any of us suspected. And second, working with Dr. Margot Sterling would be the greatest challenge—and possibly the greatest temptation—I had ever faced.
2
LEX
Lord Blackmoor’s helicopter sliced through the morning sky, the sleek black machine as arrogant as its owner. Below us, the Scottish countryside unfurled like a patchwork quilt, mist still clinging to the glens and valleys as the sun crept higher.
I studied Con Carnegie from the corner of my eye, noting the tight line of his jaw and the focused intensity of his gaze as he stared out the window. The rays filtered by clouds caught the angles of his face, highlighting cheekbones that could cut glass and the dark stubble that only enhanced his rugged charm.
Not that I was paying attention to his appeal. I was professionally assessing a colleague. Nothing more.
“You’re staring, Dr. Sterling,” he said without turning his head.
“I was wondering if you’d yet realized your system’s second vulnerability,” I replied smoothly.
A muscle in his jaw twitched. Point to me.
“Three, in fact. None of which you could have exploited in the manner you did,” Con growled.
“Perhaps you’re not looking in the right places.”
He turned then, his blue eyes meeting mine with an intensity that sent an unwelcome warmth up my spine. “Or perhaps you had inside help.”
I laughed, genuinely amused. “Your ego won’t allow for the possibility that someone might simply be better than you?”
He didn’t smile, but something akin to respect flashed in his expression. “Few people are.”
“Well,” I said, crossing my legs and brushing an imaginary piece of lint from my trousers. “I’m not most people.”
A smirk played at the corners of his mouth. “That much is painfully obvious.”
The pilot’s voice came through our headsets, announcing our descent into Glasgow, interrupting our banter. Con looked away, the brief moment of connection severed as he returned to business mode.
It was an important reminder for me to do the same. With the unexpected retirement of my boss and mentor, Dr. McLaren, just weeks ago, the pressure to prove myself as MI6’s foremost AI expert fell squarely onmy shoulders. I wouldn’t let anyone—especially not the infamous Infidel—see any hint of insecurity. My parents had raised me to stand on my own before their untimely deaths, and I’d honor their memory by being unshakable now, when it mattered most.
“Tell me more about the situation with Nightingale,” I said.
“As you’re aware, the rebel forces in Syria took control of the government in a coup that resulted in the country’s president fleeing to Russia.”
“Go on.”
“According to the secure message she sent Tag, Nightingale has reason to believe her cover was blown and, thus, sent an agent-in-peril alert to both Unit 23 and her team on the ground. Her extraction was successful, and she’s being debriefed at our field office in Glasgow.”
“You said there’s reason to believe she has evidence relevant to Project Labyrinth. Relating specifically to Chimera?”
“According to Tag, yes. Nightingale has been embedded in Damascus for nearly two years. Her most recent op was tracking Fallon Wallace’s contacts.”
