Page 48 of Ground Zero

“Agent Mendez,” Colton said finally, his voice careful, “there have been some . . . irregularities. But nothing we can prove.”

Her breath caught. “What kind of irregularities?”

But Ty held up a hand, cutting off whatever Colton was about to say. “I think it would be better if you saw Maverick’s workspace first. Then we can discuss our concerns in context.”

Sheridan recognized a tactical retreat when she saw one, but she’d made progress. They were considering sharing information—she just needed to earn more of their trust first.

“All right,” she agreed. “Let’s start there.”

“Of course.” Ty stood, gesturing toward the door. “His office is on the second floor.”

They led her down a hallway lined with frosted glass offices, past a break room where several employees looked up curiously as they passed.

Sheridan felt their stares, sensed the tension permeating the building.

Everyone knew one of their own was suspected of treason.

And right now, they were thinking of her as an enemy.

Maverick’s office was larger than Sheridan expected, with windows overlooking the water and a meticulously organized desk.

But the personal touches made her chest tighten.

A framed photo of five people in tactical gear—his Blackout team—sat prominently on his desk. In the picture, Maverick had his arms around two of his teammates, grinning at the camera with the easy camaraderie of people who trusted each other with their lives.

On the bookshelf, mixed with technical manuals and cybersecurity texts, was a small collection of marine biology books. A reminder of the dream he’d abandoned after deciding to go into the military instead.

His service medals were displayed in a shadow box on the wall—Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge. The decorations of a man who’d served his country with distinction.

A surfboard leaned against the corner, well-used and obviously cared for. She remembered him talking about finding peace on the waves, about how the ocean helped him think. She remembered him saying how the surfboard he’d had when they first met had been his father’s.

Everything in this room spoke of a man who loved his country, his job, and his team. A man who’d dedicated his life to protecting others.

Sheridan found herself desperately wanting to trust Maverick, wanting to believe that everything he’d told her was the truth.

“He’s a good man,” Colton said behind her, seeming to read her thoughts. “Whatever evidence you think you have, I’d stake my life on Maverick’s loyalty.”

“Someone wants us to think he’s guilty,” Ty added. “The question is who and why.”

These guys were completely loyal to Maverick, Sheridan realized. That was a good thing. They were only trying to protect him.

But how could she find answers if they kept secrets?

However, she was an outsider. These men didn’t know that she was working with Maverick. That the two of them had teamed up.

And she couldn’t let them know either.

Instead, Sheridan nodded and moved to examine his computer setup.

Maverick had multiple monitors on his desk, no doubt loaded with high-end encryption software and other security protocols that would make it nearly impossible for someone to hack his system remotely.

Unless they had physical access to his office.

Her throat tightened.

She ran her hands along the desk drawers, checking for anything that might have been planted.

In the bottom drawer, tucked behind a stack of old reports, her fingers found something that made her breath catch.