"They'd need someone on the inside." I finished his thought, hating that it made sense. "But The Agency vets everyone."
"The Agency's good. Not perfect."
I studied Julia's file. Education, employment, references. Everything checked out. Except for one thing. "The name bothers you."
Stone nodded. "Russell. She's clearly Italian, no marriage records anywhere. Could be a family that anglicized generations ago. Could be an alias."
"You're reaching."
"I'm being cautious. There's a difference."
I closed the folder. Looked at Stone. "What's your recommendation?"
"Don't hire her."
"Based on what? Timing? Geography? A hunch?"
"Based on the fact that you can't be objective about her." His intense gaze met mine. "You like her. That makes you vulnerable."
"I can be professional."
"Can you? Because you walked her to her car. You rode the elevator down with a job candidate and escorted her to her vehicle. When's the last time you did that?"
My lips twisted. "Never."
"Exactly. You're compromised."
The word stung because it was accurate.
"She's qualified," I began. "If Forrest's check comes back clean, if there are no connections to enemies, no red flags—"
"There's one giant red flag: you want to hire her because you're attracted to her, not because she's the best candidate."
"She is the best candidate."
"Lori's more experienced. You dismissed her in five minutes."
"Because she was arrogant."
"Because she wasn't Julia."
Silence stretched between us.
I'd hired Stone eight years ago specifically because he'd challenge me. Tell me hard truths. Keep me from making stupid mistakes.
This felt like one of those moments.
I spread my hands. "What do you want me to do?"
"Another round of interviews. Both candidates. Go deeper, ask harder questions. And before anyone gets hired, we polygraph them."
"A polygraph?"
"Standard for this level of access. You know that." Stone's expression softened slightly. "Look, I get it. She's attractive, intelligent, passionate. But if the Russos are looking for revenge and she's their plant—"
"She's not."
"You don't know that."
