Page 79 of Ground Zero

Sheridan studied William’s face, looking for deception. He seemed genuinely troubled, even scared.

He didn’t display the expression of someone working for terrorists.

No, he looked like someone who’d stumbled onto something massive and dangerous.

“You’re not working for Sigma,” she said. It wasn’t a question.

William’s eyes widened with what looked like genuine shock. “What? No! I’ve been trying to expose them, not help them.”

“Then who at Blackout is?”

His expression tightened. “That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out. Someone with high-level access has been?—”

The door swung open. Kyle and Hudson walked in, both still in tactical gear, both looking grim.

“Well . . .” Hudson’s gaze moved between Sheridan and William. “Isn’t this an interesting meeting?”

Kyle’s hand rested casually on his sidearm. “Agent Mendez. William. Just the people I wanted to see. We need to talk.”

The air in the room shifted, tension crackling like electricity before a storm.

Two suspects, both armed.

Sheridan was outnumbered.

CHAPTER 43

“What’s going on here?” Hudson’s voice sounded calm, but Sheridan heard the edge beneath it.

His eyes tracked between her and William.

She carefully closed her laptop and slipped the USB drive in her pocket. “Just reviewing evidence. Following up on some leads.”

“What kind of leads?” Kyle moved farther into the room, effectively blocking the door. His hand still rested on his weapon.

“I know what you know.” Sheridan kept her voice steady despite the adrenaline flooding her system. “About Norfolk. About the attack that’s coming.”

Hudson and Kyle exchanged a quick glance—a loaded look that could mean anything. Conspiracy or concern, guilt or genuine surprise.

One of them was the traitor. She was increasingly certain of it.

But which one?

Hudson was older, more experienced, with the special forces background that would make him invaluable to Sigma. He hadthe skills, the access, the ability to move undetected. But his eyes held what looked like genuine worry.

Kyle was younger, hungrier, maybe more susceptible to recruitment. Plus, he’d been acting strangely, according to Jake. His hand on his weapon could be precaution or threat.

“Where’s Maverick?” Kyle’s tone turned sharper. “You’ve been hunting him. Did you find him?”

“I think you know the answer to that question.” She kept her response simple.

“But you know where he is.” Hudson stepped closer. “You’ve been in contact with him.”

It wasn’t a question.

They knew. Somehow, they knew.

“I’m conducting an investigation.” Sheridan kept her answers clipped, professional. “That’s all you need to know.”