Page 56 of Undercover Infidel
Con and I exchanged glances. The spike aligned perfectly with what we’d expect for neural processor testing.
“Tea?” Bennett asked me. “Or perhaps something stronger after the flight?”
“Tea would be perfect, thank you,” I answered.
While Bennett disappeared to the kitchen, Con leaned closer to me. “I guess what I want doesn’t concern him,” he said with a wink before his expression turned serious. “What’s your read on him?”
“Thorough. Exacting. Possibly overcautious. But it’s early.”
“He’s made quite the name for himself tracking Russian ops,” Con agreed. “Not sure if that makes him an asset or a liability in this situation.”
Bennett returned with a tray of drinks—tea for me, coffee for himself and Con, who raised a brow in my direction. We both smiled.
“Your rooms are upstairs. I’ve taken the liberty of arranging the corner suite for you both. Better sight lines of the street.”
Bennett’s acknowledgment of our relationship was subtle but clear, and I felt heat rise to my cheeks despite myself.
“The facility has unusual patterns of activity,” he continued. “Night shifts have increased, and three specialized technicians arrived yesterday. My assessment is they’re fully operational, which means Aberdeenshire was mostly a smokescreen.”
“My assessment as well,” said Con.
Dr. McLaren joined us from another room, where she’d been reviewing data. “I’ve analyzed the heat signatures,” she said, gesturing to one of the monitors. “The patterns suggest they’re running continuous tests. Likely working in shifts to maintain momentum.”
Bennett turned to check another screen displaying perimeter feeds. He tapped rapidly on a tablet, adjusting camera angles and detection settings.
“We need to recalibrate these sensors,” he said more to himself than to us. “The standard configuration won’t detect the type of shielding Orlov typically employs.”
Con raised a brow. “That’s a highly specific concern.”
“It’s my job to anticipate these things,” Bennett replied tersely. He began typing a series of commands that seemed excessive even by field operation standards. “We’ll need to establish a secondary communication channel as well. And I want biometric checks for all entry points.”
I caught Con’s eye, noting the subtle tension in his expression that mirrored my own thoughts. Bennett’s intensity was rapidly increasing.
As we broke to review our respective assignments, Dr. McLaren beckoned me to join her at a workstation in the corner of the room. Her smile was warm, maternal even, as she pulled up the schematics of the facility’s electrical systems.
“I’ve been meaning to check in with you,” she said quietly. “This mission has unique…complexities.”
I understood she meant more than just the technical challenges.
“Con is quite remarkable,” she continued, her eyes flickering briefly toward where he stood, deep inconversation with Bennett. “I’ve rarely seen anyone adapt so quickly to unfamiliar terrain.”
“He’s full of surprises,” I agreed, unable to keep my admiration absent from my tone.
Dr. McLaren smiled knowingly. “The professional and personal lines blur easily in our work. Sometimes, that’s not a bad thing.” She paused, her expression growing thoughtful. “The right partner can be an anchor in stormy waters.”
“I’m still figuring out the navigation,” I admitted, chuckling.
“You already know what to do,” she said, her hand briefly touching mine. “Your judgment has always been excellent. Both professionally and…otherwise.”
“Speaking from experience?” I ventured.
Her eyes grew distant. “Once, yes. I knew what it was to find that rare connection—when two minds seem perfectly attuned.” She looked down at her tablet, her voice dropping. “But sometimes, the timing fails us. He loved another and still does to this day.”
I started to ask more, but she abruptly straightened, her professional demeanor snapping back into place.
“I’ve said too much.” She looked uncomfortable. “Let’s get back to these access points.”
Across the room, Bennett was spreading facility blueprints across a table. As Con and I joined him, I noticed the detailed annotations Bennett had already made—patrol routes, camera blind spots, even ventilation access points, marked with a thoroughness that seemed to go beyond the information we’d received from headquarters.
