Page 86 of Hunt Me
“I said irrelevant.” My fingers fly across the keys, pulling utility records for the past month. Power consumption spiked exactly when Morrison’s payments increased. “They’ve been planning this. Preparing the site. Probably since Iris first breached Nightshade.”
“Then they’ve had weeks to fortify.” Dmitri leans against my desk. “Which means we need you sharp, not running on fumes and rage.”
Rage.
Interesting choice of words.
Rage implies loss of control. Emotional compromise.
This isn’t rage.
This is determination.
Morrison took something that belongs to me. Hurt someone under my protection. Crossed a line that doesn’t get uncrossed.
I’ll dismantle him for it.
Systematically. Efficiently.
Starting with his security systems.
“I’m fine.” I pull up the electromagnetic jamming frequencies. “Better than fine. I know exactly how Morrison thinks now. His patterns. His protocols.”
“Because you’ve been inside his head for three hours straight.”
“Four.” I correct him without looking up. “And I’ll stay there until I find every weakness in his operation.”
My phone vibrates.
Unknown number.
I answer immediately. “Yes?”
Static. Then?—
“Alexi Ivanov?”
Morrison’s voice.
Cold. Professional.
Every muscle in my body goes rigid.
“I’m listening.”
My voice stays level. Controlled.
Erik’s head snaps up. Dmitri moves closer. Nikolai appears in the doorway.
“You’ve been looking for something.” Morrison’s tone carries no inflection. Pure bureaucratic detachment. “A rather talented young woman. Goes by the name Phantom.”
My hands curl into fists. “Where is she?”
“Safe. For now.” A pause. “We should talk, Mr. Ivanov. About mutual interests.”
“I don’t negotiate with dead men.”
“Colorful.” Papers rustle in the background. “But impractical. You see, Ms. Mitchell possesses information crucialto national security. Information she acquired through illegal means.”
