Page 79 of Code Name: Atticus

There it was. The approach we’d been waiting for.

After he moved on, Brenna touched my arm. “He’s vetting us.”

“Testing our interest without committing to anything.”

“The next meeting, whenever that takes place, will be the real evaluation.”

Dinner beganwith Morrison giving what sounded like an inspirational speech about innovation and global cooperation. He never said anything explicitly wrong, but his implications were clear—the future belonged to those willing to think beyond traditional boundaries.

“Silicon Valley’s greatest asset isn’t technology,” he concluded. “It’s the ability to see possibilities where others see obstacles. That’s what changes the world.”

The applause was enthusiastic. Morrison had successfully packaged something dangerous as something inspirational, and most of the room was buying it.

During the meal’s third course, Liu leaned toward Morrison, his voice carrying just enough to be overheard. “Our asset arrived unexpectedly. I need to meet with him after dinner.”

Morrison’s eyebrows rose. “Tonight? I thought he wasn’t available until next week.”

“Apparently, his schedule changed. He’s eager to discuss the expanded parameters we outlined. This is what we’ve been waiting for.”

The word “asset” sent a chill down my spine. In intelligence work, that meant one thing—a recruited source. Someone already working for them.

I caught Brenna’s eye and saw she’d heard it too. Her fingers tightened on her wineglass, and she gave me a single nod.

The words didn’t need to be spoken. We both agreed we needed to find out who this asset was.

Approximately thirty minutes later, when Liu quietly excused himself, we stood too.

Before we reached Morrison’s table, he got up and approached us. “Leaving so soon?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s been an intense but highly informative day,” Brenna said, covering her mouth when she faked a yawn. “And we have a long drive ahead of us in the morning.”

“Thank you for including us this weekend,” I said. “We’ve appreciated the opportunities presented to us.” I reached out to shake his hand.

“You’re most welcome. Regarding the opportunities you mentioned, I’d like to schedule another meeting. Privately. I’ll be traveling for the next week and unavailable, but perhaps once I return?”

“We’d like that,” said Brenna.

“Fabulous. I’ll have Patricia reach out with some possible dates and times.”

“Excellent, and thanks again,” I said.

As we walked away, I glanced back and caught Morrison watching us with an unreadable expression. When he saw me looking, he smiled and raised his brandy snifter.

We’d just reached the lodge’s front door when Kodiak approached. “What’s happening?” he asked.

“We overheard Liu say something about meeting with an asset tonight,” I told him in a low tone of voice.

“I noticed him leave a few minutes ago. He’s in one of the larger cottages—number nine. It’s not far from yours.”

“We’ll head that way now,” I said. “You get Emma and circle around from the opposite direction.”

“Roger that.”

We were rounding a bend,about to approach Liu’s cottage, when its door opened. We quickly hid in the shadows of the oak grove.

He emerged, checking his phone, then held the door open for another man, who hadn’t stepped out yet.

My heart raced when I heard Liu speak first. “I’ll have the transfer ready by morning. Ten million, as we discussed.”