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“Candace Kim,” she answered.

Before three words were out of his mouth, she recognized Isaac Remington’s condescending tone. Wasn’t it interesting that he’d chosen this exact moment to call?

“Hello, Candace,” he said. “This is Isaac. I’m following up with you regarding former NSA employee Ethan Sinclair, aka the Hidden Avenger. Have you heard from him again? I’d like to help you jump-start that investigation.”

She considered his request and the tone of his voice. He sounded like his usual brusque self, but there was a hint of urgency in his voice she hadn’t noticed before. Or was it concern, or maybe even fear? It was hard to be sure with Isaac, since his motives were often opaque.

“Hello, Isaac. I’m working on it, but Sinclair has gone silent since the attempted kidnapping of his daughter.”

Isaac snorted, indicating obvious displeasure with her answer. “That sounds more like an excuse than a solution. What exactly are you doing to reestablish communications? Surely you can be more proactive than just waiting for him to contact you.”

As a woman in a male-dominated field, she was used to such comments, but it still ticked her off, particularly when someone questioned her competence. But for the sake of drawing out more information, she kept the irritation out of her voice when she responded. “We’re trying to earn his trust, Isaac. Forcing him, at this point, would be counterproductive.”

“Would it? I’m beginning to doubt that you’re up to the task of bringing him in,” Isaac said. “It requires someone with a bit more imagination and an ability to get things done.”

He was pushing all her buttons, trying to get her upset. But instead, it was having the opposite effect, making her wonder why he’d become so invested.

“I suppose you think you’re that person?” she asked, unable to help herself.

“I’m certain that if you give me all the notes and communications you have gathered on him, I’ll have the problem solved within a couple of days.”

She didn’t like the eagerness or the demands she heard in his voice. She decided to needle him a bit and figure out what was driving him. “What’s the urgency? We’re better off taking a patient approach with him. Let him come to us when he’s ready to trust us. I agree, it’s important to get the back door as soon as possible, but it is not worth the risk of losing it altogether.”

“At least let me help you.” He’d softened his voice, but he still sounded condescending. “Send me all the information you’ve compiled on how to contact him, and I will ask my researchers to look into it and try and find the best way to reach out to him. If I contact him, I’ll bring you back in the loop so you can help bring it closure. This way, we’ll both benefit from getting our hands on the back door as soon as possible.”

“Thank you, Isaac. I appreciate the offer and your input, but since I’ve been assigned to head this investigation, I’ve decided to err on the side of caution. Certainly, if your staff has any ideas on how to contact him, I will be glad to review the information in case I decide to change our tactics. But, right now, it’s my judgment that it isn’t worth risking the relationship by trying to force him to respond. A few days, or even a few weeks, won’t materially change anything, especially not after we’ve waited fourteen years. So, unless, you have something you’re willing to share with me explainingwhywe have an immediate need to contact him, please consider the matter closed.”

There was a long pause. “You leave me no choice but to bring your behavior to the attention of the director. Are you certain you want to risk your reputation over this when I’m fully able and willing to help you?”

She’d had enough. Whatever his motivations for trying to muscle in on her operation, she wasn’t going to tolerate it any longer. “Do what you think is right, Isaac. I am not sure why you’re taking such an interest in the Hidden Avenger case, other than hoping it might bolster your position for the directorship. But we both know this is an operational matter,nota research concern. Should you decide to bring your case to the director, I will have a presentation ready to show him, including all information on Sinclair’s professional relationships, our internal report of his disappearance, our recent communications with him, and the police report on his daughter’s kidnapping attempt. I’d want the director to understand why Sinclair might have trust issues with us, and why it’s risky to push him. Don’t you agree that would be helpful?”

“Don’t you dare patronize me,” he snapped. “This matter isn’t over.” He abruptly ended the call before she could say anything further.

She carefully replaced the receiver. Why was he so impatient to bring in Ethan Sinclair? Was it just to better position himself for the directorship? Or was there something else—something more sinister?

She had to find out.

She’d promised Ethan she’d protect him and his family. Despite everything she’d told Isaac, she did need to contact Sinclair, and soon, if she was going to be able to keep that promise.

The only question was how.

Chapter Nine

ISAAC REMINGTON

That insufferable, incompetent woman!

How had Candace Kimeverbeen promoted to director of operations at the NSA? It was unfathomable. She was little more than a bureaucrat with zero understanding of sensitive operations. He doubted she’d last twenty minutes in the field.

Somewhere, she must have called in favors, or found someone to champion her, but it hadn’t been because of her skills.

It had probably been a mistake to insult her directly, but he couldn’t contain his frustration. Her so-called solution to Sinclair was to do nothing but sit and wait. How disappointing. Instead of taking charge, she’d chosen a passive approach, which was exactly the opposite of what he needed to happen. He’d make sure to clean house as soon as he became NSA director, starting with her.

He swept his hand across his desk, scattering papers, pens, files and office supplies to the floor. It wasn’t enough, so he viciously pushed his chair into the table that held his printer, sending everything to the floor with a loud, satisfying crash.

His administrative assistant rushed in, alarm on her face. “What happened, sir? Are you okay?”

“Get out,” he snarled at her.