Page 139 of Deadly Strain

“You and your Sharp.”

“Oh.”

“Foster was on an assignment at my request.”

Chapter Thirty-One

“Your request?” Gracestared at Max.

“Yes. General Stone and I decided to try to hunt down Akbar’s lab. Given the sophistication of the grenades he attempted to use, we were concerned about other possible weapons he might have adapted to deliver a bio-weapon.”

“Did you have any success?”

“Some. We’ve uncovered several supply dumps or stashes, but nothing that says we’ve hurt his ability to create more trouble. I sent Sharp on the hunt because he’s seen Akbar’s work area up close, but no one has found him yet.”

“How long is this assignment?”

“It doesn’t have a hard end date.”

Grace opened her mouth, then closed it before asking carefully, “So, you’re saying you don’t know when he’ll be back?”

Max studied her with an astute gaze. “You want him with you? You can work with him?”

“Yes.”

“Even though you’re romantically involved?”

“Yes, we’ve gone through a lot together. We trust each other.”

A half smile lifted one corner of Max’s mouth. “That’s good, because Sharp made it clear you and he were in a relationship, and he wasn’t willing to pretend you’re not.”

“Oh.”

“In fact, he told anyone who would listen, loudly, that you were his.”

Wait a second. He left, and on the way out the door, he warned everyone away from her? They’d made no promises to each other, other than the kind one lover makes to another. “His what? Doctor? Girl Friday?”