Page 16 of Stone Coast

“Do I need to spell it out for you?”

“Maybe.”

“At the time, you worked for the CIA.”

My eyes rounded. “You said we worked together. What were we doing?"

Tyson hesitated, and a slight smirk tugged his lips. "Those details I can't discuss with anyone. And neither can you. It didn’t happen, and I've already said too much."

"So, who's Ross Jenkins?"

"I don't know the name, but I'm assuming that’s your section chief. It could be a cover name, and most likely is. Can you describe the guy?"

I did.

"Do you have a picture?" he asked.

"I don't think so." I grabbed my phone and scrolled through the photos. I didn't have any pictures of Ross Jenkins.

"What about your company website?” Tyson asked.

"I don't know."

"You said it was Synovectis Solutions?"

I nodded, then searched the web and found the company's profile. I looked in the about section, but there were no pictures of the executive officers.

I showed Tyson.

"I'll look into it and see what I can figure out. I called my contact on the way up here. She couldn't find any information on Ross Jenkins, either.”

This whole thing was making my head spin. "So, let's just recap. I was, and probably still am, in the…Company. And you and I met on an operation that neither one of us can talk about."

He smiled. "See, you’re pretty much up to speed.”

“So, what happens now?"

“This is where it gets tricky. You are now an extreme liability.And I can tell you from experience, these people don't like liabilities."

"Why am I a liability?"

"Because somewhere, deep in that thick skull of yours, are a lot of secrets. Secrets that people don't want getting out. Because of your situation, your future behavior is uncertain. Will you remember what's in your head? And if so, what will you do with that knowledge? Will your loyalty remain, or will you sell that information to the highest bidder?"

My face tensed with confusion. "There's nothing in my brain. And I can’t imagine that whatever knowledge I have anybody would pay money for."

He chuckled. "You'd be surprised at what you know."

"It sounds that way."

"You need to watch your back."

"You're telling me I'm in danger?"

“Yes. On multiple fronts. You've made a lot of enemies. We all do in this line of work. It's impossible not to. You're at a distinct disadvantage because you won't see them coming. You won't recognize them."

I tensed. I didn't like the way this conversation was going. "You're supposed to be here to make me feel better."

He laughed. “I’m trying to look out for you."