For the next several hours, they worked side by side, Sabrina providing company information while Walker cross-referenced with intelligence databases Reed had provided access to.
"Look at this," he finally said, pointing to the screen. "Your monthly shipments from Turkey increased three-fold in the year before your father's death."
"That was a new partnership with an artisan collective," Sabrina explained. "Dad was excited about it, he said it would transform the business."
Walker typed rapidly. "And these shipments all cleared customs with minimal inspection. Diplomatic clearance."
"That's not unusual for high-value antiquities."
"It is when the diplomat in question was expelled from the U.S. three months after your father's death." Walker showed her a news article. "Suspected intelligence activities."
Sabrina felt her world tilting again. "You think my father was working with foreign intelligence?"
"Or against them." Walker pulled up shipping manifests. "These weights don't match standard rug sizes. Too heavy."
"What are you saying? That there was something hidden in the rugs?"
Walker nodded. "And I think your father found out. That's why he reached out to Reed's security firm."
A memory surfaced in Sabrina's mind. "That's right. I do remember when Dad installed a new security system in his study. I thought he was being paranoid. I didn't know it was your brother's company."
"Not paranoid. Cautious." Walker stood. "We need to get into that study."
"How? My parents' house will be watched, even with mom gone."
He shrugged. "Then we become something unwatchable."
"Like what?"
"Like ghosts."
Chapter 7
Darkness had fallen by the time they approached Sabrina's parent's property, moving silently through the trees that bordered her backyard.
Walker had outfitted them both in tactical black, with comm units that allowed them to speak in whispers.
"Be careful. Reed couldn't see anyone watching, but we know they are."
Sabrina nodded, trying to calm her racing heart.
Walker had spent the afternoon teaching her basic movement techniques, but she still felt clumsy and obvious compared to his fluid grace.
"Remember," he whispered, "we're not here to engage. In and out with the files. If something goes wrong, stay close to me."
"Wouldn't it be better to separate and meet back together?"
He frowned. "Don't leave my side."
Part of her was happy he was protective of her, the other part knew this was just a mission for him and she was stupid for acting like his protectiveness could mean anything more.
They moved across the open ground between the tree line and her house, keeping low.
"Your code," he prompted.
Sabrina entered the six-digit sequence, holding her breath until the light turned green.
Inside, the house was eerily silent and dark.
