The gesture caught her off guard. It was unexpectedly thoughtful, almost domestic. She wasn't used to anyone being in her space like this, making coffee, buying her breakfast.
"Thanks," she said, meaning it.
The toaster popped. Max plated the bagels and brought them to her small kitchen table. They sat across from each other, and for a moment it felt oddly normal—two people having breakfast together, starting their day.
Max took a sip of coffee. "Sleep at all?"
"Not much. You?"
"Same."
They ate in comfortable silence for a moment. Kara spread cream cheese on her bagel, aware of him watching her.
"What's your plan today?" Max asked.
"Back to the safe house first thing. Get Whitney's full statement on record—everything we can use." She took a bite, swallowed. "Then the office. Dig into James Cooper's life and his inspection history. Figure out what he did that needed consequences."
"And how he possibly ties to Samantha Barkley," he added. "I need to check in with Dominic, see how she's doing."
"Don't talk to him about Whitney," she said, realizing how much information Max had that he could share with Dominic.
Anger ran through his eyes. "Do you think I'd do that?"
"You do work for him."
"That doesn't mean I'd protect him if he's guilty of something. He buys my services, not my undying loyalty."
"That hasn't always been my experience. I doubt it's been yours. We both know that loyalty can be bought along with a lot of other things."
He gave her a long look, then tipped his head. "Fair point. But my integrity isn't for sale. When I can't support something, I don't."
Considering he'd left a long career in the CIA because of a decision he couldn't support, she wanted to believe him. But trust didn't come easily to her. "Okay," she said finally.
"Okay," he echoed.
A tense silence fell over them as they finished eating, and finally, she had to break it. "What are your plans for today besides talking to Dominic?"
"I'm going to check in with some friends. See if anyone knows anything about Elias Costa or Cal. If Cal has ties to the Middle East, someone may have heard of him." He sipped his coffee. "Has your team found anything on Costa?"
"Nothing noteworthy. He has no criminal record, no online presence. He started out as a personal trainer, working at several gyms and also with wealthy individuals. Apparently, he trained Marco Tilan, a wealthy French businessman who ended up buying the fitness center that became Forge Fitness. He encouraged his other wealthy friends to sign up for memberships, and then Elias became the manager."
"What did you find out about Tilan?"
"He died three years ago, and his widow, Fiona Tilan, inherited everything. But she lives in Paris and hasn't been to the US in years. Elias basically has free rein."
"Maybe you should look deeper into Marco Tilan," Max suggested. "He may be dead, but his network might be interesting."
"Now that we're zeroing in on Elias Costa, I agree. I'll do that as soon as I get into the office. Who are you going to talk to? Someone still at the CIA?"
"Someone who's well connected," he said vaguely.
"You're not going to tell me anything about him, are you?"
"I can tell you I trust him not to steer me wrong, that I've worked with him many times before."
"I thought you said you don't trust anyone."
"I have a few exceptions to that rule."
