Page 47 of Ground Zero

A black sedan sat in the driveway of Sheridan’s rental house. From what he could see, it had government plates and tinted windows.

In other words, it was the kind of vehicle that screamed federal law enforcement.

Two men in dark suits climbed out of the car with the purposeful movements of experienced agents. They were older, more seasoned-looking than the men who’d hunted them last night. These guys moved with the confident authority of people who belonged exactly where they were.

They were real FBI agents, Maverick realized. Not the fake ones who’d confronted him on the beach.

The agents approached Sheridan’s front door, and one of them produced what looked like a key or electronic lock pick.

They were inside within seconds.

Maverick’s stomach clenched.

If the FBI was searching Sheridan’s rental, that meant they either suspected she was helping him, or they’d found evidence that led them there.

Either scenario was bad news.

CHAPTER 26

Maverick watched through the window as the agents moved through the house.

Lights came on in different rooms as they worked—bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room. They were being thorough, professional.

What were they looking for? Evidence that Sheridan had been there? Proof that she’d been in contact with him?

Or were they planting something, just like someone had planted the tracker on her?

His blood ran cold at the thought.

Maverick checked his phone, considering whether to warn her. But he wasn’t sure that would do any good. Not right now, at least.

All he could do was watch and wait and hope Sheridan’s instincts were as sharp as he thought.

Because if these FBI agents were now going after her, then she was potentially walking into a trap at Blackout—and he couldn’t be there to help her.

Silence stretched between Sheridan, Ty, and Colton until she began to wonder if either man would answer her question.Any idea who?

It was a simple inquiry—but so much was on the line with their answer.

She saw the internal debate playing out on their faces—the careful consideration of how much to reveal to an FBI agent they barely knew.

Finally, Ty cleared his throat. “There have been some . . . concerns about certain team members lately.”

Sheridan leaned forward slightly, her pulse spiking. “What kind of concerns?”

The two men exchanged another look, and then Colton shook his head almost imperceptibly.

Whatever they were thinking, they’d decided to keep it to themselves.

“Nothing concrete.” Ty’s voice sounded carefully neutral. “Just the usual stress of high-security operations.”

Disappointment hit Sheridan like a wave, but she wasn’t ready to give up. “Mr. Chambers, I understand your loyalty to your team. But if there are concerns, even minor ones, about specific individuals, it could be crucial to this investigation.” She leaned forward slightly. “Maverick’s life may depend on us understanding the full picture here.”

Ty and Colton exchanged another glance, and she could see them wavering.

“Look, I’m not asking you to throw anyone under the bus.” She kept her tone professional but urgent. “However, if someone’s been acting differently, showing signs of stressbeyond the normal operational pressure, or if there have been any security concerns—no matter how small—I need to know. The people who tried to kill us had inside information. That means someone with access betrayed not just Maverick, but potentially all of you.”

The silence stretched longer this time, heavy with unspoken possibilities.