“Good, you’re here,” Warden said as they took their seats.“We have several matters to discuss.”
Once everyone was settled, Warden launched into the briefing.“First, an update on our recent operations.Agent Mercer.”
Bryn perked up.“With everything that went down in Philly, I’d forgotten she was picked up at the same time.What’s the latest?”Bryn asked.
“She’s being held by the FBI here in Boston,” Warden said.“They’ve been questioning her for days, but they’re not getting much.We don’t yet know whether she works for Russo, for some government department or is a plant.She’s very tight lipped.”
“I could read her,” Bryn offered.“Cut through all the bullshit and find out what she is.If she refuses to answer questions, I can still get memory and intent.”
The room fell silent as Warden considered this.“With a potential leak, we need to be cautious about working with the Feds.”
“Bell will let me read him if he’s honest,” Bryn pointed out.“We have jurisdiction in gene-related matters, and if she is working for The Hammer, we need to know.”
“He has a point,” Giles said.“And we need answers faster than the FBI’s getting them.”
Warden drummed his fingers on the table.“Fine.I’ll arrange it.But this is a fact-finding mission only, Bryn.You go in, you read her, you leave.No improvisation.”
“When have I ever gone off script?”Bryn asked, all wide-eyed innocence.Everyone in the room stared at him.“Okay, fair point.But I’ll behave, promise.”
“Gunnar,” Warden continued.“Keep him on track.”
Gunnar nodded.“Of course.”
“While I get this sorted,” Warden said, “you can get back to support requests, Bryn.You can start lining up more cases.The backlog is growing and with Russo out of the country, we may have capacity to pick off a few.Emmett can assist.”
“Yes, sir,” Emmett said.
Bryn caught the look that passed between them and filed it away for future teasing material.
“Gunnar, I need you to work with the security team.If The Hammer is escalating,we need to anticipate his next move.Giles will work with you.”
The meeting continued with updates on other matters, but Bryn’s mind was already focused on what lay ahead.Reading Agent Mercer could provide crucial information about The Hammer’s plans, assuming she knew anything of value, or expose her government paymasters.
As they filed out of the conference room, Bryn caught up to Emmett.“Ready to hit the files, partner?Unless you’d rather bake some more cookies with the boss?”
Emmett’s ears turned pink.“Ten minutes.I’m getting us coffee first.”
Back in the apartment, Bryn set his laptop up next to Emmett’s computer then dragged Gunnar’s chair over so they could sit together.Emmett appeared with two extra-large takeout cups from the staff restaurant about ten minutes later.
“One of these is for you…if you promise not to tease me about Warden,” Emmett said.
“You’re threatening to withhold my coffee?That’s devious.I like it.”Bryn spun in his chair.“Okay, deal.Gimme.”
Emmett handed over the cup before taking his seat.“What case do you want to start with?”
“Something that isn’t in the files.”
“You aren’t going to get me into trouble, are you?”
“Of course not.It’s a project I’m working on with Giles.”He gave Emmett a quick summary of the museum case and the stolen ceremonial dagger.“I want to find out more about the weapon that was stolen.”
“Okay, but we also need to line up some more cases, so how about you make a short list from that mess of files on the floor while I do some research.”
“Fine,” Bryn sighed.“I have coffee, so okay, but I think I’ve got the worst side of this deal.”
They worked for an hour before Bryn got bored.He returned to sit next to Emmett.“So, what have you found so far about our fancy knife?”
“I’ve only had an hour, Bryn.”
