Page 28 of Code Name: Reaper (K19 Allied Intelligence Team Two #5)

REAPER

W hile Amaryllis steeled her expression, it was as though I could read her thoughts anyway.

I couldn’t fathom growing up without my parents, and I definitely wouldn’t have handled it well if no one would tell me anything about them. Even that she hadn’t known her mother’s maiden name—still didn’t for sure—or that her father worked in intelligence blew my mind.

Now, someone sat in front of her who knew things it sounded like she wouldn’t be able to share. If it were me, I’d be furious. Amaryllis looked numb. Defeated. As though she’d reached the tipping point.

It was all I could do not to challenge Vera. The only thing that stopped me was how much Amaryllis would hate it if I did. It wasn’t my place, and Vera wasn’t just her boss. She was the director of the NSA.

On the other hand, that Vera hadn’t continued what she started to say, indicated she’d recognized Amaryllis’ mental state.

The longer she remained quiet, the more worried I became. “Could you excuse us for a minute?” I asked Vera. Amaryllis had a deer-in-headlights expression but stood and followed me from the room and out to the patio anyway.

“I thought maybe you could use a break,” I said after closing the door behind us.

“I can’t…I don’t…In God’s name, why? Is it me? Something I’m doing that makes people think I’m okay with not knowing a fucking thing about my own parents?”

That she sounded angrier with each word she spoke relieved me. It was far better than her shutting down. When she paced across the slab of concrete, I didn’t try to stop her. Nor did I say anything. This break was about her being able to vent to me instead of losing her shit with someone like Vera.

“I swear I can’t take much more, and you know who I’m really mad at?”

“Who?”

“My grandparents. And Mercury. And even Vera. How dare they all keep my own life from me? It isn’t unreasonable to want to know something about my mom and dad.”

“It isn’t unreasonable at all.”

“You know, I feel like someone who was adopted and can’t find out who her birth parents are.” Her eyes widened, and she looked straight at me. “Do you think that’s what this is all about? Do you think…? Never mind. That’s stupid.”

“I have an idea if you’re open to hearing it,” I offered.

“Of course I am.”

“Go inside on your own and demand Vera tell you everything she knows. Have her make contact with the DoD if she has to. Or Money at the CIA. Or even the Senate Intelligence Committee. Nemesis was able to get her hands on the Avalon brief; someone ought to be able to authorize you knowing everything there is about your mom and dad.”

“It’s not a bad idea.”

“But?”

“Am I overreacting? All she said was that it was more difficult. I don’t even know what else she’s going to say.”

“True, but in the few seconds after she spoke, I felt like punching a wall. By comparison, that would constitute an overreaction.”

“We should probably go inside.”

I held out my hand, and she took it. “Are you sure you’re ready?”

“Not quite, but I doubt Vera would appreciate it if I poured myself a shot of whiskey first.”

“Who knows? She might want one too.”

When we stepped inside, Vera was on the opposite side of the room, on her cell, but ended the call when she saw us.

“I’m sorry about stepping out, ma’am.”

“Don’t be. It gave me the chance to make a couple of calls. I want to preface what I’m about to share with you with a caveat.”

Amaryllis’ fists clenched and unclenched, but otherwise, she held it together. “Okay.”

“There are things I am able to share with you today, but there may be questions I’m unable to answer.”

“Understood.”

The two women returned to where we were seated previously. “Can I get anyone something to drink? Glass of wine?” I offered.

“I’d prefer something stronger if you have it,” Vera responded.

“Same,” said Amaryllis.

“Rocks or neat?”

“Neat,” both women answered at the same time.

I set two glasses and the bottle on the table.

“Not joining us?” Vera asked.

“That’s up to Amaryllis.”

“I’d like you to stay.”

When I returned with my own glass, Vera had moved so she was seated to Amaryllis’ right on the sofa. Since there was room for me on the left, that’s where I sat.

“Your father, Stephen Beaudoin, was offered employment with the Central Intelligence Agency’s Directorate of Science & Technology upon his graduation from the University of Virginia. Given his field of expertise, the one-year requirement for professional experience was waived.”

“What was his field?”

“Then, it was called a digital innovations specialist. Now known as artificial intelligence.”

“Please go on,” Amaryllis said when Vera paused to see if she had another question.

“He ranked up quickly and, in his third year, led a team investigating fraud in defense contracting in what became known as Operation Kickback.” Vera paused again and took a sip of whiskey.

“It is possible that Operation Avalon was one of the criminal enterprises under investigation, but I do not have access to those specific details.”

“Copy that,” Amaryllis muttered.

“Nothing I found indicates one way or another if your father knew or worked with Eleanor Aldrich. However, I don’t believe he did, and I’ll explain why.

” This time, she finished what was in her glass but declined when I offered another.

“The car accident in which both your parents lost their lives happened twenty-six years ago. Aldrich’s investigation didn’t begin in earnest until twelve years later. ”

“Was there an investigation into the cause of the accident?” I asked.

“There was.”

When Vera didn’t elaborate, it was clear she either didn’t know the outcome or wasn’t permitted to share it.

“What about my mother?”

Vera stood and moved to a chair facing us. “Earlier, when I said answering questions about your parents was difficult, I was referring to your mother more than your father.”

“I see,” Amaryllis said in a soft voice.

“Do you want to tell her what you learned from Mr. Hill?”

“Right. According to a neighbor of my grandparents, it’s possible that Hyde was my mother’s maiden name.”

“I cannot confirm or deny that information.”

Code for, yes, that was her maiden name.

“Was she related in any way to Edgar Hyde, code name Jekyll?”

Vera took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I cannot confirm or deny a familial connection,” she repeated.

“My mother was his sister.” Amaryllis didn’t phrase it as a question.

Vera’s nod in response was almost imperceptible.

“Did either of their parents work for the foreign service?” she continued.

“Nothing I’ve seen indicates either did.”

Amaryllis sat up straighter, finished the whiskey in her glass, and poured herself another, then turned to look at me. I’d seen the expression she wore more times than I could count. In my experience, it meant she was about to go for the jugular.

“I have an unrelated question.”

“Go ahead,” said Vera.

“Why don’t you want me to find Mercury? And was it your decision alone to stonewall me, or did it come from higher up?”

Vera raised her glass, I poured more whiskey into it, and she downed it. “It was not my decision.”

“But it was intentional.”

She gave another barely perceptible nod.

“Why?”

“While it may sound trite, it was and is for your protection.”

“I hate trite,” Amaryllis blurted.

“As do I,” said Vera.

“What am I being protected from?”

“I will answer that question, but it will be the last I do today.”

“Understood,” Amaryllis repeated.

“You are being protected from the same thing that resulted in the deaths of your parents, Prism’s departure from the CIA, and Mercury’s disappearance.”

“Whether you answer it or not, I’m going to ask one more. Is Mercury dead or alive?”

Vera stood, picked up her bag, and walked to the front door. She pulled it open, but stopped and looked over her shoulder. “She’s alive, Charity, and she’s trying to make sure you remain that way too.”

The two of us sat in stunned silence for a few minutes after she left.

Amaryllis broke it first. “Well, that was enlightening.”

I couldn’t tell if she was being sarcastic. “Are you okay?”

“Define okay.” She stared at the closed door. “My parents were murdered. My uncle is dead. My mentor—who lied to me about her identity—is in hiding to protect me from the same people who killed my mom and dad.” She turned to me. “But at least she’s alive.”

The relief in her voice was unmistakable, even wrapped in pain and anger.

“Is there anyone you want to talk to about this? Wren or Nemesis, maybe?”

“Not tonight.” Amaryllis stood and walked to the window. “Tonight, I want to pretend I’m a normal person having dinner with my boyfriend’s parents, albeit to question them about what they know about an investigation that may be getting people killed.”

“Am I your boyfriend?”

“Of everything I said, that’s what you picked up on?”

“Answer my question.”

“What would you rather I call you? Lover? Partner? Lovable source of annoyance and frustration?”

“I like everything up to and including lovable.” I crossed the room and pulled her into my arms.

“Good, because your mother scares me, and I need all the moral support I can get.”

I laughed. “She likes you.”

“How could you possibly know that?”

“Lots of little things.”

Amaryllis rolled her eyes. “Nothing like a bullshit answer, Agent Black. So, what time are they coming over?”

“About that. Are you sure you don’t want to postpone?”

“Positive.”

“How’s an hour from now?”

“As long as you don’t pour me any more whiskey, it’ll be perfect.”

My parents arrived with enough takeout containers to feed half of Newport News.

“I hope you’re both hungry.” My mother set the bags she was carrying on the kitchen counter. “The restaurant may have thought I was catering a party.”

“Smells incredible,” said Amaryllis, helping unpack the food.

My father came in carrying wine and a bottle of bourbon. “Thought we might need options.”