Page 63 of Code Name: Admiral

I had eighteen hours to prepare, to get my head straight and figure out what to tell Alice. Eighteen hours that promised to be some of the longest of my life.

Looking back at the bedroom where she was still going through yoga poses, I felt the weight of what was coming settle over me. Whether Sweeney was the mole or not, after early tomorrow morning, nothing would be the same. Some illusionI’d held close would be shattered. The real question was, would I be ready for the outcome?

“I was wondering when I’d hear from you,” said Sweeney, answering my call after the first ring.

“What’s this about?”

“Meet at Myers Park at zero four hundred, and I’ll tell you.” Sweeney’s voice sounded different than I remembered it. Raspy. Overwrought. “Come alone.”

“That’s not happening.”

“Fine. Bring Tank. No one else.” He paused. “And Admiral? Watch your back getting here. The Castellanos have reach even in Gloversville.”

The line went dead. I stared at the phone, weighing options. If Sweeney was the mole, this could be a trap. If he wasn’t, missing this meeting could cost us our best chance at finding the truth.

When I raised my head, Alice stood directly in front of me.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

I ran my hand through my hair. “Sweeney wants to meet.”

Her mouth gaped. “Where and when?”

“Zero four hundred at a park in Gloversville.”

“Gloversville?”

“I had the same reaction.”

“So, what’s your plan?”

“It’s a big risk?—”

“You have to go, but maybe it would be best if you took someone with you. Like the entire K19 team.”

I smiled. “Someone has to stay here and protect you.”

“Incoming,” she said, glancing out the window and using the same tone of voice Tank did.

I turned my head and saw Grit walking on the trail, headed in this direction. “I probably don’t need to say this?—”

Alice put her fingers near her mouth in a zipping motion. “Need to know, right?”

“Right.”

“I’m gonna disappear for a while, and by that, I mean I’ll be in the bedroom. By the way, you owe me a bath.”

“I can’t wait.”

“Mornin’,” said Grit, knocking, then walking in the front door.

“Hey.”

“Do you mind if I help myself?” he asked, motioning to the pot of coffee.

“Go ahead. Those are breakfast burritos Bryar brought over. You’re welcome to them if you’re hungry.”

“Appreciated.”