Page 12 of Vortex (FBI Thriller 25)

Savich thought he could work with Carlton Grace, but Fulton Lodner wouldn’t give him the time of day, unless by a direct order. He was too angry at being forced to hand over the reins to the FBI, resentful at even having to waste his time here at the Hoover Building, the FBI bastion. Savich was considering how to ask Lodner about the obvious conclusion that there was a mole in the CIA, when Olivia said clearly, “Mr. Lodner, what about Mike Kingman? He’s the team member, Agent Savich, who retrieved the flash drive and saved my life. He and the flash drive are both missing. Have you learned anything about Mike, Mr. Lodner?”

Lodner drew a deep breath, sent her a death stare. “The whereabouts of a CIA operative is hardly a conversation to be held here, Agent Hildebrandt.”

Olivia was past caring about her future with the CIA. She looked at Mr. Grace, then at Mr. Lodner. “Maybe the FBI can help find Mike, sir. And the flash drive.”

Lodner looked ready to burst into flame.

Grace jumped into the breach. “Olivia, you look tired, you need to rest. We should continue this later. We’ll take you back to the safe house.”

Lodner nodded. “Yes, Agent Hildebrandt, we’ll protect you. Agent Savich, you may call me if you have further questions. I will give you what information I am allowed to share.”

Before she could say anything, Grace stood, looked down at her. “Are you ready, Olivia?”

Olivia was used to doing whatever he said, to carrying out whatever order her chief gave her. She’d trusted Carlton Grace forever, he’d always had her back, her team’s back, always had their best interests at heart. He put his agents above the mission. He’d even protected her from Lodner and the higher-ups for ignoring the “abort” order trying to save Hashem, though they all knew she’d put everyone at risk and could have caused an international incident.

But there was Mike; she knew something very bad had happened to him. She looked at Savich. “Can you find out who that man was I had to kill?”

“Yes,” he said, “I believe I can.”

“Can you find Mike?”

“Yes, I can.”

Lodner snorted. “That’s absurd, you’re grandstanding. The men who attacked Olivia won’t be found in your databases. And if we can’t find our agent, you won’t, either, especially if he doesn’t want to be found. Good day to you, Agent Savich.”

After this stiff, emotionless speech, there was a moment of stark silence. Olivia looked again at Savich. He winked at her. It was so unexpected from this tough-faced man who looked like he could derail a train, she nearly spurted out a laugh. Savich said calmly, “Mr. Lodner, Mr. Grace, thank you for your assistance. Olivia will call you, Mr. Grace, so you can tell her where the safe house is. For now, though, I need to speak to her further. Good day, gentlemen.”

It was easy to see neither Lodner nor Grace wanted to leave Olivia with him, but Savich merely looked at them and said nothing until both Grace and Lodner left the interview room, each with one last look at Olivia.

Olivia said, “I am so screwed.”