Standing, my mind spins. “What areyoudoing here?”
“I’m FBI Special Agent Wulf.” His stare is meant to be intimidating, but I’m done being a coward.
I thrust out my hand and scowl. “Gonna huff and puff and blow my house down? Bring it on, buster.”
Chapter 6
“But Grandmother! What big teeth you have,” said Little Red Riding Hood, her voice quivering slightly.
“The better to eat you with, my dear.”
Axel
Making a fist, I cough to hide my grin. A lesser man would’ve been insulted. Me? I’m intrigued. Who uses fairy tales as an intimidation tactic?
Her arms crossed over her ample chest, she purses her plump, kissable lips. “If you weren't aware, I signed a government nondisclosure so ironclad, it will make your great-great-grandmother’s frypan die of envy.”
My head turns, and I smirk. Too bad she’s a traitor. I can’t remember the last time a woman amused me so. Unbuttoning my jacket, I sit and place my laptop on the small table.
“My security clearance covers your whole project.” Once I twist my screen, I log into the EMF team’s shared portal and raise my brows. “Well?”
“You could’ve stolen a username and password. And how do I even know this is an FBI office? We could be in a Siberian warehouse.”
She pulls a virtual zipper across her lips. “Mmm mm mmm mmm-ing.”
“You do know I can’t understand you with your mouth closed.” I conjure my boss’s ghostly grimace in the two-way mirror and roll my eyes.
Having been up all night and chewed out by him, my patience snaps. “I assure you, Miss McGee. We are in DC, and I, Special Agent Axel Wulf, have proven that we can access your files. Now, I will ask you some questions, and you will answer truthfully.”
Brown hair flies as she shakes her head back and forth. “It’s Doctor McGee. You think I’m stupid? An immensely handsome man and his dog miraculously happen along the beach and play the hero? Nu-uh. Not working, bub.”
A chuckle sneaks from my otherwise impeccable mask. So, the attraction is not all one-sided. “I tell you what. How about we call Callie? Will you believe her?”
“No. AI can imitate voices.” She says this to me as if speaking to a five-year-old.
The exasperated sigh that escapes my chest is not my fault. Her conspiracy theories are beyond all reason. “You can verify it’s her by asking her a question only she can answer.”
“Fine.”
“Excellent.” Once I ring Dr. James, I press the speaker icon and place my mobile phone on the table. “Callie? This is Special Agent Axel Wulf. Dr. McGee is here and wants to speak to you.”
“Gwen? Tell me you’re alright.” Under the circumstances, Lucky’s wife is way too kind.
My prisoner stands and leans over the electronics. “Where were we when we first met?”
“The lady’s room in MIT’s Building E3. You said you would never work for the government.”
“Well, in all fairness, that was before I saw the salary.”
The two women laugh then my gorgeous suspect whispers, “Callie. I need help. I was kidnapped by the…” She glances at me. “Are you Russian or Chinese?”
“Neither.” Tired of the nonsense, I use my official voice. “Your employee refuses to speak until you give her permission.”
I hold the phone so Ms. Conspiracy can hear her employer’s response. “Gwen, honey, he’s a white hat. Tell him what he needs to know.”
Brows raised, I tilt my head. “So, are you convinced?”
Gwen nods but continues to eye me as if I were the enemy. “How about this? After you answer my questions, I will answer yours.”
