Markus rolled his chair back. “Not that I don’t want to go to the Azores, but can we just send the local operatives in to grab her? That’d be quick and easy. Less cost for the taxpayers too.”
Valentina shook her head. “She has too much sensitive information, apparently. The president doesn’t want Sheridan in the hands of foreign intelligence until we get there. He wants our best American field agents on it as soon as possible.”
Gabby sat up a little straighter at the compliment. Wasshethe best field agent?
Valentina clarified, “Make that our bestpositionedfield agents.”
“How so?” Gabby asked. She didn’t know anyone in Hollywood, and yoga hadn’t worked out for her. Balance was not her thing.
“I’ve gotten to know Genesis,” Markus said. When Gabby looked skeptical, he added, “We’re once-a-day, text-level friendly.”
“So that’s why you’ve been doing all the yoga.” Gabby was putting it all together.
“Wasn’t it believable?” he asked.
“I thought you were more of a karate, rugby, sports-that-require-a-helmet kind of guy.”
Ignoring them, Valentina said, “Congratulations, Markus. After embedding yourself in with Genesis and his inner circle, you and your fiancée are about to take your commitment to Inner-G to the next level.”
Fiancée. Gabby let the word wash over her.
All business, Valentina continued, “Genesis is expecting you at Inner-G’s resort on Friday.” It was almost like she was introducing the Showcase Showdown prize onThe Price Is Right.You are about to win a trip for two at a lovely tropical resort!
Gabby blinked at Valentina. “This weekend?”
“As I said, Friday. Bright and early.”
“The day after tomorrow Friday?” How was she going to leave Friday? Her color-coded calendar was a rainbow of obligation from now until the end of time. It would be one thing to shift things a week out, but the day after tomorrow… There were appointments, conferences, and vegetables that no one would eat without her.
“Don’t worry. Markus has done the paperwork and reconnaissance. You only need to familiarize yourself with your cover identity and the organization itself.”
That was hardly enough time to prepare for an afternoon at the beach with her kids.
“Markus, you should be familiar with your identity. But make sure you know everything about George Alexander.” Turning her attention to Gabby, she said, “Gabby, you’re going to be Gia Glanville on this mission. You have an extensive backstory and a digital footprint.”
It was a lot to take in. She had to become a whole other person by Friday. It was hard enough being herself.
Markus gave her an encouraging nod. “We got this.”
That was easy for the meal prep king to say. The man had been infiltrating the group for long enough to get pretty good at yoga. His bags were probably already packed.
“It’s a multiphase mission. Your first task is to find Sheridan.”
Gabby nodded distractedly.
“If she has been abducted, you need to get her to safety as soon as possible. If she’sactuallyon a social media break, then just keep an eye on things. Assess potential security risks. If these people are trading in gossip, that psychic needs to get out. And I need a full report on the structure of the organization. I want to know more about Inner-G than they know about themselves.”
Gabby pushed her chair back. If she was leaving for a work trip, she needed to get ready now. The least she could do would be to fill up the freezer with enough frozen pizzas to last a week.
“Hold up, Agent Greene.” With a wicked smile, Valentina said, “I haven’t told you the good part yet.”
Gabby braced herself.
“You two are down there to get married.That’swhy Genesis was so excited to have you.”
Bombs exploded in Gabby’s head.
Markus grumbled. “Really, Val?”
