Page 152 of Only the Wicked

“Better now,” she says, smiling almost shyly up at him. “Thanks for saving the day.”

Hudson steps forward. “We’ve got a location on Miles Johnson. Authorities are going to bring him in. He’s in on this. You agree?” His question is directed at Rhodes.

“There’s no doubt,” Rhodes answers, tugging me against his side.

“I’ve got contacts within the FBI. You’re going to need to meet with them, but it should be brief. There won’t be an official mention of KOAN.” He looks pointedly between Rhodes and me. “We’ll say we’re your security on all official documentation.”

“Let me get this straight. Technically, KOAN doesn’t exist?”

“For now,” Hudson says, “That’s preferred.”

“Not a problem for me.” Rhodes says to Hudson, then asks me, “Are you going to want to ask questions? Seems to me these guys are likely the source of your leak?”

“I’d like to confirm that,” I admit. “If I were to guess, when they get Dristol into interrogation, he’s gonna sing like a canary.”

“The out-of-shape schmuck balled up like a little boy on the floor in there?” Jake snorts. “He’s totally breaking.”

The sirens grow louder, making conversation difficult, and within seconds, we’re surrounded by first responders. Jake never leaves Daisy’s side, and I briefly wonder if Hudson instructed him to stick by her, to ensure he heard everything she shared.

It’s interesting to me that KOAN isn’t supposed to exist. It’s something I’ll need to ask about later. As I’m leaning against one of the SUV’s while Rhodes answers questions, my phone rings. It’s Caroline.

I hesitate to answer, but the sirens have been silenced, leaving only emergency lights flashing, and I don’t want her to worry.

“Hey,” I answer. Rhodes shoots me a questioning look, and I mouth the word “Friend.” He resumes answering the FBI agent’s questions. If I’m not mistaken, he’s also been joined by someone flashing an NSA badge.

“All good?” she asks.

“All good. You’ll get a full report. But I’m almost certain we found the leak.”

“ARGUS,” she says, and I think I detect concern.

“Multiple parties,” I answer. “Rhodes’ partner’s involved.”

“He didn’t know?”

“No. Blindsided.”

“So you’re still with Mr. Wonderful?”

I meet his gaze and he winks.

“Yeah. Your advice was solid.”

“Good. I’m happy for you. Tomorrow, let’s talk. If he really wants to work with us, I have ideas.”

We talk for a while longer, about nothing really, and given everything going on around me, I only half listen, but I don’t rush her off the phone, as it’s soothing to hear the voice of a friend.

When we’re finally allowed to drive away, leaving the mess for the FBI to sort, I allow myself to relax. The operation is over. The leak exposed. A larger conspiracy will likely unravel. The bad guys are captured or dead.

And as for Rhodes and I, we’re not ending today headed to different states.

“So,” he says quietly, “we never talked about your resume.” It’s true. I sent it to him but I didn’t think he’d had time to look it over—and Quinn doctored it anyway. “I have some ideas. An offer, if you will.”

I look at him—this brilliant, kind, surprisingly deadly man. “An offer?”

“For a partnership. Real partnership. ARGUS, KOAN, whatever it takes to keep doing what we just did.”

“Which is?”