Chapter 7
Jamie entered the coffee shop, pausing for a moment to take in her surroundings. It was a comfortable-looking establishment, its walls painted in muted reds and golds and displaying African art pieces. A quick scan of the counter and tables showed that her shadow hadn't arrived yet.
It was to be expected. She was a full twenty minutes early.
Jamie had tried to occupy her mind, to find something to do with the hour she had before their meeting, but she couldn't keep her thoughts off their conversation and after a half hour she'd given up, grabbed the nearest cab, and headed to this location.
She joined the line at the counter, ordering a London Fog with English Breakfast instead of Earl Grey. The barista made a little heart in the foam, and after she'd sat at a table in the remotest corner, she stared at the heart, not wanting to disturb it by drinking.
This was the first real lead she'd had since she'd arrived in this town, and she was terrified that it would be another dead end.But this time I've got the upper hand, she reminded herself.This time, I won't give up until I get some answers.
Jamie went through a list of questions in her head, questions she desperately wanted answers to, but she finally determined that she didn't have enough information to even know where to start. For once in her life, it might make sense to listen before she spoke.
Looks like you're growing up, she told herself, even as she regretted the thought. Growing up meant dealing with harsh realities, ones she'd always been eager to escape in the past. But the time for running away from problems was over. Now she had to face them head on, or risk never seeing Sylvie again.
Every time the door opened, Jamie's head lifted to see who entered. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she saw the person she was waiting for.
He really is unremarkable, she thought, wondering if he'd been picked for the job because of his ability to go unnoticed. Probably. That and his fighting skills, which she hadn't forgotten since he'd come to her rescue.
She watched as he looked around, spotted her, then moved forward with a grace she wouldn't have thought fitting, given his appearance.
He took a seat, folded his hands in front of him, and pierced her with his gaze. Something about the intent way he stared at her unsettled Jamie. It was as if he saw deep inside her, like no one had before.
"Thank you for meeting me," he said, his tone low. She noticed how deep his voice was, another thing that didn't fit with his image.
"Sure," she said, waiting for him to continue.
"I've told you that I've been charged by NASA to tail you around, but what you don't know is, working security for NASA isn't my only position."
Her eyebrows rose at his words. So he wasn't just a hired goon.
"I'm in intelligence. My real mission has been to infiltrate the ranks at the Space Administration to uncover a conspiracy."
Jamie's heart froze in her chest. "A conspiracy related to my sister?"
He nodded. "We believe an enemy faction has been influencing things, including your sister's flight, for their own benefit. We aren't sure how high up this influence goes, but one thing we are certain of, your sister's mission is part of the enemy's plans."
"And who is this enemy?"
Her companion shook his head. "We have some ideas, but for the moment I have to keep things classified."
Jamie blew out a breath tinged with disappointment. "This influence, you said you don't know how high up it goes. Do you know who's involved?"
"Again, we don't have anything concrete, and I can't share our classified briefings with you."
"Then how in the hell does this help me?" she asked, barely restraining herself from slamming her hands down on the table.
Her outburst earned her something close to a smile. "We're going to have to help each other. I'm just security, a position that doesn't get me entry into the areas I need. You, on the other hand, have regular contact with Dr. Cargraves and have even had meetings with the head of NASA, Danner Thompson. You have contacts that I don't."
"But you've seen how they've been stonewalling me. I don't know what you expect me to do with these contacts."
"They're not going to blurt out the details of a conspiracy during one of your meetings," he said, his eyes cold. "Nor is it likely Cargraves has let anything slip at night, during your pillow talk. Or am I wrong?"
Jamie's face tightened. "No. You're not wrong."
"We're going to have to get creative," he said, his eyes leaving hers to scan the shop. "That's why I need to know if you're willing to work with me to get your sister back."
"Of course," she replied without hesitation. "You're the best chance I've got so far."
