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“I got what I expected. Are we seeing the director in fifteen minutes?”

She checked her watch. “Yes, about that. Her office is only down the hallway.”

“Then let’s see if she’s free to bring our session forward.”

“We can certainly ask.”

Natalie walked off while Kara raised an eyebrow at me.

I gave her a shrug in reply; I wouldn’t be able to get anything done if my hands were tied, and if people like Firth wouldn’t play ball, it was an indication of how little power I had.

If the director wasn’t more forthcoming, Firth was right—this would be a waste of time.

Natalie knocked on the door to the largest office yet, then opened it and put her head around. “So sorry, Director. Mr. Sullivan’s meeting with Dr. Firth finished early. Would it be possible if—”

She stepped in, opening the door wide in invitation, and we followed her as Director Madeline Marlow walked out from behind her desk to offer me her hand.

Tailored suit, neat bun, handshake firm without overcompensating.

Her expression was polite, not warm, but more open than Firth’s. A promising start.

“Thank you for seeing me early,” I said.

“Not at all, Mr. Sullivan. I cleared my calendar for your visit.”

I nodded in what I hoped was sympathy. “It was all rather last-minute.”

“Crises, by definition, aren’t planned.” She gave Kara a nod. “Miss Hargrave.” She waved us to her conference desk, pulling a chair out for herself. “Can I offer you a coffee?”

“Cream, no sugar, thank you.”

Kara glanced at me before she spoke. “Black, please.”

“Natalie, would you be so kind? My usual.”

“Of course, Director.”

Director Marlow settled herself comfortably, and regarded me with something akin to amusement. “Why are you here, Mr. Sullivan?”

“Call me Xan, please. I assumed you already knew the answer to that. I’ve been tasked with—”

“Oh, I have the official line, passed down through political channels. Typically vague, all very rushed. But someone’s playing games, aren’t they … Xan? The question is, are they playing them with just me, or both of us?”

Through willpower alone, I resisted the urge to shift uncomfortably, already sick of this assignment. “You may have to elaborate.”

She drummed her fingers on the desk. “Whoever set up your alias didn’t do a very good job. You’re not a faculty member at New Providence Bay University, are you?”

Now I did shift, the collar of my damn shirt feeling tight. “Recent promotion.”

“Very recent. My sources tell me that one Xander Sullivan is a teaching assistant.” She raised her eyebrows at me. “Well-regarded, well-known, but nevertheless … not who you’re claiming to be.”

Damn Dacien and his games. I should’ve known SPAR wouldn’t be so easily fooled. “Then I suspect we’re both wasting our time this morning.”

“Not necessarily.” She gave a thin smile.

“First, you are, obviously, here. Second, not only are the higher-ups pressing for the review you’re here to provide, but you also seem to have the qualifications to deliver it, even if there’s a question mark over your seniority.

This makes me curious how you came by this role. Do you have political benefactors?”

“I suppose that’s one way of putting it.” I paused, considering my words. “As we’re being candid, I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me here. Let’s just agree that I am here, and decide what we’re going to do about it.”

“Interesting, Mr. Sullivan, and you have mistaken me—I didn’t say I didn’t want you here.

After that response, I might even want you here slightly more.

” Her face softened, eyes briefly crinkling at the corners.

“But you didn’t come alone, did you? And you brought an enigma with you.

” She leaned back in her chair, narrowing her eyes at Kara.

“You, Miss Hargrave. No one seems to know who you are, at all.”

“That may be because my name’s not Hargrave, Director Marlow. It’s Halden.”

I winced at that candid reveal, but Marlow dipped her chin, an acknowledgement almost tinged with mirth. “Ah, it begins to come clear. Are you the real threat, here?”

“Not at all, Director,” Kara said. “It’s Xan who’s the lead on this. However, my father was quite insistent he came, and that’s why I’m here. I don’t go anywhere without him.”

Marlow raised an eyebrow. “Even more interesting.” She cocked her head, addressing me.

“Not only are you ‘merely’ a teaching assistant in the philosophy department at Bay Uni, but you’re also”—she glanced at Kara with a small frown—“ connected to Dacien Holden’s daughter.

You seem older than your years, Mr. Sullivan. And now—”

We were interrupted at that timely moment by the arrival of Natalie, bearing a tray with three cups.

Marlow gave her a warm smile and a thank you, waiting while the drinks were dispersed and for Natalie to leave.

I spent the time thinking hard, and Kara sat there as if she were feigning interest for the sake of politeness. She did it very well.

At last, Natalie closed the door, pressing resume on our paused movie.

Kara got in first. “It’s a simple choice, Director Marlow.

Either you give Xan the authority and access he needs to do his job, or you don’t.

If you do, you’ll gain the benefit of his remarkable intellect and tenacity, not to mention he is qualified to do the job.

If you don’t, you’ll get my father breathing down your neck through his myriad of channels. ”

Marlow raised an eyebrow, thoughtfully regarding Kara.

“If you do,” Kara went on, “you have a competent individual to prove how seriously SPAR takes crisis management, public accountability, and policy review. Someone the media can’t refute—not least because of his connection to Bay Uni—and for the same reason, his presence will help soothe the protestors that stand outside your gates at this very minute.

If you don’t, the supe factions will find you someone you can’t say no to, and you’ll wish you hadn’t given them the opportunity. ”

Kara lifted her cup of coffee and took a small sip.

I hid my smile behind my hand.

Marlow cleared her throat.

“Right. Well. I’ll bump your clearance level to three, Mr. Sull—Xan, and give you carte blanche to work with any of my staff.” She tapped the table once, sharply. “I’m well aware that you bring significant political baggage, both openly and … not. You will be watched.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I met Dr. Firth earlier; no doubt he’ll be the first to congratulate me on this new role.”

Marlow’s lips twitched. “Droll, Mr. Sullivan. But I mean what I say: if you have issues with my staff, let me know, and I’ll make them go away.

You have your own assistant”—Marlow didn’t bother to hide her skepticism of Kara’s role—“but I’ll lend you Natalie Carr, too.

She can be your liaison to the various departments. ”

“That’s very generous, but won’t it leave you short-staffed?”

“I have three PAs. I can spare Natalie.”

“Then thank you.”

“Give him a job title,” Kara said. “It will help smooth things.”

Marlow narrowed her eyes. “I’ve clearly underestimated you, Miss Halden. I’ll be watching you closely, too.” She tapped a fingernail sharply on the table. “Although, I think it might be prudent if you kept the Hargrave name. Better not to advertise a Halden is walking around SPAR, don’t you think?”

Kara could do indifference better than anyone I knew, and she demonstrated it now.

“Very well,” Marlow continued. “Assistant Director of Oversight. That should grease the wheels.” She nodded. “I’ll have the memo out within the hour. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s a very busy week.”

“Of course,” I said as we all rose. “I’ll do my best to take more work off your plate than I add to it.”

Director Madeline Marlow paused with one hand on her chair. “If you can do that, Mr. Sullivan, you’re a miracle worker indeed.”