Page 26 of The Shadow Code (Heroes of War #3)

Later that afternoon, as she sat at her desk, staring at the scattered reports in front of her, she replayed everything in her mind.

The warehouse by the docks. Chalmers’ nudges.

Talbot. Every step had felt like progress, like they were piecing the puzzle together.

But now, with hindsight, it felt more like a choreographed path.

She tapped a finger against her desk, mind racing.

‘We’re not just being outmanoeuvred,’ she murmured.

Jack, now leaning against the wall, arms crossed, glanced at her. ‘What?’

Ellie swallowed hard, the weight of it settling. ‘They’re not just hiding,’ she whispered. ‘They’re controlling the investigation.’

Ellie’s throat was dry. They hadn’t been hunting the mole. The mole had been two steps ahead the entire time.

***

The summons to Lockwood’s office came within the hour that same afternoon. Ellie sat stiff-backed in the worn leather chair, hands clasped in her lap to keep her from balling them into fists. Lockwood sat at his desk scanning Talbot’s letter of complaint.

Jack waited by the window, arms crossed, tense as a coiled spring. He hadn’t spoken since they’d entered, but she could feel his frustration like heat from a furnace.

Lockwood sighed, setting the paper aside. ‘You accused a ranking intelligence officer of treason without sufficient proof.’ His tone was clipped, measured, but Ellie didn’t miss the irritation beneath it. ‘MI5 does not operate on hunches, Miss Harcourt.’

Ellie held her ground. ‘It wasn’t a hunch.’

Lockwood gave her a look that made it clear he wasn’t interested in splitting hairs. ‘Talbot has lodged a formal complaint. You overstepped. As of now, every action requires approval.’

The words were a bitter slap, but Ellie refused to let her composure falter.

Jack spoke up. ‘She was following a lead. One that we were given.’

Lockwood’s gaze flicked to him. ‘And what did that lead amount to? A waste of resources and a distraction.’ He exhaled through his nose, pressing his hands together. ‘You’re an asset, Harcourt. But only if you know your place.’

Ellie forced herself to keep her voice steady. ‘And if I don’t?’

Lockwood’s lips pressed into a thin line. ‘Then you won’t be a part of this investigation any longer.’

Ellie felt Jack glance at her, but she kept her eyes on Lockwood.

‘Understood,’ she said finally.

Lockwood gave a curt nod. ‘See that you do.’

Jack waited until they were out in the hallway before turning to her. ‘They’ll cut you out of this case if you keep pursuing ghosts.’

Ellie met his gaze. ‘Then I’ll just have to prove the “ghosts” are real.’

***

Night had folded over the city like a closing hand.

Ellie walked briskly, the damp air clinging to her coat.

Her cheeks still burned from the dressing-down, from Lockwood’s disappointment, Talbot’s smug complaint and Jack’s barely contained anger.

She had let him down and MI5 had lost confidence in her.

She’d been wrong to act so swiftly and alone.

Too eager to prove herself. Jack’s words echoed in her ears.

Learn to walk. But even now, humiliated and bruised, determination wouldn’t let her rest.

The real mole was still out there. And someone had gone to a great deal of trouble to steer her away from them. A prickle ran down her spine. She glanced over her shoulder. The street behind her was empty but the feeling didn’t fade. She wasn’t alone.

She walked faster. A shadow shifted in the alleyway on her right. Her heart thudded hard against her ribs, but she kept walking, fingers curling around her keys. They were as good a weapon as any if required. Then she glimpsed a flicker of light.

A figure stepped forward, just enough for her to see the brief glow of a cigarette ember illuminating the hard angle of his jaw, the dark set of his eyes.

He wasn’t rushing towards her. He wasn’t hiding.

He was just watching. A slow, deliberate inhale, then a sharp flick of the cigarette, sending sparks into the gutter.

The low rumble of an approaching vehicle. Headlights swept over the street as a car turned the corner, moving slowly. The figure in the alley melted back into the darkness. The car rolled to a halt beside Ellie, and the passenger’s window slid down.

‘Out late, Harcourt?’ Calloway’s voice; dry as ever but it carried an edge. ‘Funny thing – I was just thinking this wasn’t the safest street for a young woman to be walking alone.’

She stepped towards the car, heart still hammering in her chest. ‘Walking clears my head, sir.’

He glanced deliberately at the shadows behind her, then back to her face. ‘I’m sure it does. Come on. I’ll drive you home. No arguments.’

Ellie hesitated, then nodded. Inside the warm car, she sank into the seat, letting her shoulders drop for the first time in hours. Calloway didn’t speak right away. He just drove, hands steady on the wheel.

Finally he said, ‘Had a tough day?’

Ellie looked out of the window. ‘You could say that.’

He nodded. ‘It’ll pass.’

‘I accused an MI5 agent of being a traitor.’ She let out a breath. ‘Made a scene. Thought I was being clever, but I just made a fool of myself.’

Calloway didn’t respond straight away. Just nodded once, thoughtful.

‘Truth is, sir,’ she added, ‘I got it wrong. And I hate that.’

His voice was calm. ‘You’re not the first. You won’t be the last.’

Ellie turned to look at him, the knot in her chest loosening just slightly.

‘You’re smart, Harcourt. But smart people get hurt, too. Especially when they’re trying to be brave.’

Ellie didn’t reply but when he pulled up outside her building, she looked at him properly, meeting his gaze. ‘Thank you, sir.’

He tipped his hat with a small smile. ‘Just don’t let this mishap knock you off course.’

‘Thank you, sir.’

As he pulled away, she stood in the silence, his parting words echoing in her mind, and she had the strangest notion that Calloway knew more than he let on.