Page 43 of Undercover Infidel
As we compiled our findings into a secure file, Con’s encrypted communication system alerted us to an incoming message. His expression darkened as he read it.
“What is it?” I asked, moving to his side.
“I received word from one of my sources in London. There’s unusual activity at a facility in Canary Wharf consistent with what we observed in Aberdeenshire.”
“Labyrinth has a lab in London?” My pulse quickened. “That’s significantly more concerning than a remote Scottish location.”
Con was already typing rapid commands. “I need to mobilize resources immediately. I have contacts in London who can get in place without drawing attention.”
I watched as he accessed private channels, dispatching instructions to operatives I hadn’t known existed. He worked with the confidence of someone accustomed to commanding resources outside official channels.
“We should coordinate with my MI6 team,” I suggested, reaching for my secure mobile. “Viper has assets throughout London who could supplement your network.”
“No,” he said, not even raising his head.
I stared at him. “No?”
“We can’t risk it.” His voice was firm, brooking no argument. “MI6 would require documentation, approval chains, and resource allocation requests. We’d lose crucial hours, possibly days.”
My mouth gaped. “My teams operate with the same urgency yours do.”
“As you’re abundantly aware, you don’t have the same flexibility.” His eyes never left his monitors. “My network can be in position within the hour, no questions asked, no paper trail.”
I was stunned. “You can’t be serious.”
His eyes met mine for the first time in several minutes. “This is Unit 23 territory, Lex.”
“To my knowledge, we haven’t yet determined the need for an assassin.”
He stood up straight. “As you also know, we do a fuck of a lot more than that.”
“As does MI6. What’s this about?” I asked, my voice sharpening. “Because it seems like you’re making unilateral decisions about a joint operation.”
He resumed typing. “This is about doing what works. Official channels have failed repeatedly in tracking Labyrinth—that’s why we’re in this situation, to begin with.”
“And your private methods have been so successful?” I challenged. “From what I recall reading in the brief, Sullivan Rivers came damned close to losing her life.”
Con went still, his fingers hovering over the keyboard.
“I apologized for that comment at Glenshadow,” I said quickly. “I shouldn’t have brought it up again.”
“You meant it then, and you mean it now.” His voice was cold. “The question is whether your loyalty to MI6 might similarly compromise our effectiveness.”
Any regret I felt dissipated. “You’re questioning my judgment? My professional competence?”
“I’m questioning whether you can operate beyond institutional constraints when necessary.”
“That’s rich, coming from a man whose entire operation exists outside accountability.” I gestured to theunderground facility around us. “You’ve built your own private intelligence agency, answerable to no one.”
“It gets results,” he said flatly.
“So does MI6, when given the chance.” I stepped back, creating a physical distance that matched the emotional chasm opening between us. “I thought we were partners in this, Con.”
“We are,” he insisted, though his attention had already returned to the screens. “But sometimes, partnerships require one person to take the lead.”
“And that person is always you?” I laughed without humor. “That’s not a partnership—it’s a subordinate relationship.”
His blue eyes were hard when they bored into mine. “What would you suggest? That we waste precious time debating every decision? Lives are at stake, Lex.”
