Page 61 of The Team

Yunho sighed. “I cannot yet confirm anything on her. And, from what I found on Yin, your instincts seem correct. He’s clean. Clean record, clean physical, clean psych. He was awarded medals, Captain. In a word, he is an exemplary soldier.”

Of course he was.

“Chen is much the same. Exemplary records.”

“Hm,” Rhett hummed. He never suspected Chen . . .

“Zihao, on the other hand,” Yunho added, “has a reputation as a hard ass, even by PLA standards. But...” Yunho sighed. “His record is...”

“Let me guess,” Rhett deadpanned. “Exemplary.”

“They sent their best, and it was all legit. They sent expressions of interest through the proper channels. Everything appears to be above board.”

“Who approved their application to join?” Rhett asked.

“It went to a vote. Director Depraz gave the deciding yes.”

“And that Chinese kid? Yixing?”

“I cannot find a connection.”

“Fuck.”

“I know what Harry said,” Yunho added. “I know hedoesn’t think it’s a coincidence, but I cannot find any link between the two.”

“But Yin did request this post, right?”

“Yes. His reasons for that, you’d need to ask him.”

Rhett sighed.

“You still trust him.”

It wasn’t a question. “I do. I dunno why.” Then Rhett thought back to the moment when Gordian had threatened him with one of those canisters, and Yin was quick to protect Rhett. And the time in Baku when they’d snuck over to the abandoned apartment, it was Yin who stopped Rhett from being discovered. “He’s proved himself,” he offered weakly. “He’s covered in scars. Big ones. Like he almost got ripped apart. For him to survive that and still want to do this job... He reminds me of Harrigan in that regard.”

“Ah,” Yunho said fondly. “That would be from his time in South Sudan. Medical records say it was an explosion.”

“He mentioned South Sudan,” Rhett murmured.

Yunho hummed. “Yin saved his entire squad, but it was Chen who saved him. Carried him for over a mile.”

Jesus Christ.

Knowing that just confused Rhett even more.

“For what it’s worth, Rhett,” Yunho said, “I don’t believe the mole is in your team.”

“Someone on the council.”

“Or HQ. I’m looking, believe me. But they’re all digitally locked down pretty tight. We are running tracers and cameras on everything. If it’s there, I will find it. I’m hoping to have answers for you by the time you land in London.”

“Into the lion’s den,” Rhett murmured, repeating whatGiardello had said before. He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Any word on Kowalski and Myles?”

Yunho’s voice was quiet, sorry. “Yes. You should know Kowalski’s prognosis isn’t good. Myles has fared better but is still critical.”

Rhett closed his eyes and hung his head. “Thank you.”

“I will be in touch. The minute you touch down.”