Page 26 of Ground Zero

Staying would put her closer to potential danger.

But it might also give her the opportunity to uncover the truth about who was really behind the attacks.

CHAPTER 14

“Agent Mendez,” Cook’s voice carried a note of surprise. “Are you sure that’s wise? If Adams is still in the area and attempting to access our systems . . .”

“That’s exactly why I should stay.” Sheridan turned fully toward the speakerphone, her voice unwavering. “Someone needs to monitor the situation locally. If Adams tries to make contact or access the network again, I’ll be in position to respond immediately.”

She heard Cook considering her idea through the silence that stretched across the phone line.

Finally, he said, “Provided you can find secure accommodations and maintain regular contact with headquarters, I’ll approve it. But Agent Mendez—we don’t have much time. If Adams is planning something larger, we need to stop him before it happens.”

Relief flooded through her chest. “Understood, sir. I won’t let you down.”

“See that you don’t.”

The call ended, leaving Sheridan alone with Maverick’s colleagues.

The silence felt heavy, loaded with unspoken questions and barely concealed suspicion.

What were they thinking? That she was the enemy?

It made the most sense.

But she couldn’t tell them what she really knew, what she and Maverick had talked about.

“We can arrange quarters for you here at the facility,” Ty offered. “Our guest accommodations are quite comfortable.”

“That’s generous, but I think I’ll find something off-site.” Sheridan gathered her notes, avoiding direct eye contact with any of them. “I prefer to maintain some operational distance. It’s always best, in my experience.”

The men continued to watch her as she prepared to leave, and chills skittered down her spine.

It was as if they knew she was holding something back, as if they suspected she knew more about Maverick’s whereabouts than she’d revealed.

Maybe that was because shedidknow more.

Now Sheridan had to decide whether to trust a man who might be a terrorist or to trust his colleagues, who might be harboring a traitor among them.

Either way, she was walking into danger.

But this wasn’t just about finding Danny’s killer. If their theory was correct, thousands of lives could be on the line.

Maverick’s eyes burned from staring at lines of encrypted code, but he was finally making progress on the Ground Zero communications.

The encryption pattern was becoming clearer. It was a complex algorithm that used rotating keys based on astronomical data.

Whoever had designed this system was brilliant.

And paranoid.

He glanced at the clock on the computer screen and frowned.

Sheridan had been gone for more than four hours. Long enough for a briefing, long enough to coordinate with other agencies, long enough to?—

Long enough to sell him out and return with backup.

The thought hit him like a physical blow, and he sucked in a deep breath, trying to force more air back into his lungs.