Page 5 of Undercover Infidel
My temper flared. “If you’re accusing?—”
“I’msayingwe need to pick and choose who from MI6 is vetted and who isn’t.”
I was incredulous. “Vetted?Wait. You said MI6.”
“That’s right,” Con responded, raising his chin.
I looked between him and Typhon. When I glanced over at Tag, his attention was fixated on the woman on the opposite side of the glass.
“So what you’re saying is, anyone affiliated with Unit 23 is automatically vetted and those of us with MI6 need additional clearance?”
“I never said anyone would be read in automatically. What I said is we need to be mindful of how many people we trust enough to join the mission?—”
“This from the man who missed all the signs that his girlfriend was developing weapons of mass destruction?” The words left my mouth before I could stop them.
The room went silent, and Con’s face hardened.
“Enough.” Typhon’s voice was quiet but commanding. “This is precisely why I had reservations when Viper suggested this arrangement.” He looked from Con to me. “Your personal feelings are irrelevant. Dr. Sterling, your expertise in AI-weapons systems is unparalleled. Infidel, your cybersecurity knowledge is equally valuable. You will work together professionally, or I will find replacements who can.”
Two hoursinto our agreed-upon truce, Tag stayed behind with Nightingale, who we were told wouldcontinue the debrief in the morning. Typhon had returned to London, leaving Con and me to fly back to Blackmoor.
The helicopter ride was silent for fifteen minutes. I stared out the window, reviewing everything we’d learned.
“I apologize,” Con said over the headset.
I turned. “For?”
“Jumping down your throat about McLaren.”
“And I apologize for the comment about Fallon Wallace. It was uncalled for.”
When he looked away, I studied him like I had earlier. The man was more complex than any I’d ever known, and in my professional circles, that was saying something.
As if he felt my eyes on him, he turned abruptly and caught me staring.
“Why did you really hack my system last night?” he asked quietly.
I considered deflecting, but decided on honesty. “I needed to know if you were as good as your reputation. If we’re going to put a stop to Labyrinth’s AI advances,I need a partner I can rely on. Not just another aristocrat playing at espionage.”
Something like respect flickered in his eyes. “And your conclusion?”
I allowed myself a small smile. “You passed.”
As Blackmoor Castle came into view, I felt an unexpected sense of anticipation. Working with Conrad Carnegie would be challenging, frustrating, and possibly dangerous.
It might also be the most intellectually stimulating partnership of my career.
If we didn’t kill each other first.
3
CON
The return trip to Blackmoor had been mercifully quiet. After the tension in Glasgow, I was grateful for the uninterrupted time to absorb what we’d learned from Nightingale. As we landed, the afternoon shadows stretched across the grounds, the winter sun already beginning its early descent in the Highland sky.
Lex followed me from the helipad with determined strides, her focus evident in the set of her shoulders. Neither of us spoke much since Typhon’s reprimand about our professional behavior, and I found myself oddly concerned with maintaining the fragile truce we’d established.
“We should get started immediately,” she said as we entered the castle through the east entrance. “The information from Nightingale won’t stay current for long. The players will rapidly change tactics once they suspect exposure.”
