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Verity questioned the bank manager about the ownership of the AMPS account as well as Jacob Novak’s affiliation with the organization. None of us were surprised when he responded he wasn’t privy to that level of information. We knew better than to threaten to get a warrant at that point, given no Swiss judge, regardless of whether we said national security was at risk, would consider demanding the bank reveal anything more to us unless we could prove the threat was viable.
We were about to leave when I remembered Verity had taken photos of the woman Godwin, aka Novak, was with at the fondue restaurant. When she pulled out her mobile and showed him, he tried hard to mask his reaction, but like it was with the mention of AMPS, his expression was one of outright fear. He said he didn’t know her name, and I believed him. However, that he’d so obviously recognized her resulted in me moving her up on the list of persons of interest.
We left the meeting without demanding Meier turn over the listening device since there was only an empty box in the bag. It would be better to allow him to put it in the safe as instructed,then have Macht and Reaper surveil the bank to see if anyone showed up to get it.
While they remained on stakeout, Verity and I returned to the chalet, where we requested a videoconference with Nemesis and anyone else she wanted to include. In her response, she suggested we treat it like a briefing and all those present at the command center participate.
Given it was scheduled for thirteen hundred, it would allow Verity and me time to prepare notes and outline objectives.
“Besides Mithras and Pharaoh, Godwin seems like our best lead in finding AMPS,” I said when we sat at the table to get started.
“Agreed. However, I don’t believe he is either A or S.”
“I don’t, either. Especially in light of the way Meier reacted to the mention of the acronym.”
She nodded. “Novak, err, Godwin certainly didn’t appear to terrify him in the same way.”
“We need to find the bastard,” I muttered.
“As far as I’m concerned, that should be our primary objective.”
Verity and I split the topics we’d prepare for the briefing. I gathered information outlining what had taken place prior to this morning while she reported on today’s events. Once we were both finished, we traded files to add anything missing.
“I’ll admit that collaboration isn’t bothering me as much as I thought it would.”
I looked up at her. “Maybe because it’s with me.”
She smirked. “Don’t let it go to your head, Zeppelin.”
“Too late.”
Verity smiled, taking my breath away and making me want to reach up, cup her cheek, tell her how beautiful she was, then lean in to kiss her. As much as I wanted to, I didn’t do any of thosethings. We were working, and Verity was fucking good at what she did. I’d show her the respect she deserved.
“What are you thinking about?” she asked.
When I raised my eyes, she was studying me. “How amazing you are.”
She cocked her head and smirked. “Come on, tell me what you’re really thinking.”
“Precisely that.”
“Okay, so you don’t want to tell me. I can accept it.”
I couldn’t help myself. “Let me tell you my exact train of thought. In fact, I’ll demonstrate.” I did everything in order, from cheek-cupping to telling her she was beautiful, to the kiss, and finally said, “You’re so fucking good at what you do, and I want to show you the respect you deserve.”
I supposed, this time, my response to her doubt was compelling enough that she believed me. When she smiled, I wanted to start the process all over again.
“Ready?” she asked, checking the time, then hitting send on the single brief she’d combined from the two we’d prepared.
“I am.” I opened my computer, then muted the sound to prevent feedback from Verity and me sitting in such close proximity.
“Good afternoon,” said Nemesis, initiating the conference and positioning her screen in such a way that we could see all those in the room. “We’ve got most of the crew here, sans Poseidon and Oleander, who should arrive at any moment.”
If she hadn’t said they were on their way, I would’ve suggested we wait until Oleander, at least, could be present. As far as AMPS was concerned, she was the expert, regardless of how much she’d tried to bring the rest of us up to speed.
“Verity, we received your brief and are reviewing it now.”
“While everyone else is reading, let me tell you what I’ve been able to piece together,” said Decker. “First, Godwin’s anklebracelet was functioning just fine without him; thus, someone knew how to disable part of it while still maintaining the signal transmission.”