The visible tension in the man’s shoulders eased as she turned and walked out of the room. She started toward the department’s main bullpen, making it halfway when she spotted Jason Ryker and another suited man at the end of the hall.
“Agent Foster.” His use of her formal title was not surprising in the least, given where they were.
“Agent Ryker.” She smiled with a cordial dip of her chin.
“I assume by the look on your face that you were able to secure the deal with Lopez?”
“I was. The second he talked, we started putting a team into place. They’ll have boots on the ground in a few hours, and after that, Arlo Sanchez—along with his entire smuggling operation—will be little more than a memory.”
“Excellent job.”
“Thank you, sir.” Another smile. “Of course, I couldn’t have done it without the help of R.I.S.C.”
“You’re referring to Jake McQueen’s company.”
She turned to the man with whom Ryker had been speaking. “And you are?”
“My apologies.” The silver-haired man stepped forward with an outstretched hand. “Bill Hume.”
Ryker chimed in with an added, “You may also know him as Governor William Hume of Illinois.”
Ah, yes.ThatBill Hume.
“I thought you looked familiar.” She finally put the name and face together. “Natalia Foster.” The two shook hands. “It’s an honor to have you at Homeland.”
Looking a tad chagrined, the well-known governor actually blushed. “The honor’s all mine, I can assure you, Agent Foster. Especially after the heroic work you and your people have done in recent years protect the citizens of Chicago.”
Stopping a shipment of illegal weapons from hitting the city’s streets…preventing a terrorist attack of epic proportions when they’d tried blowing up O’Hare…
Natalia had to admit, R.I.S.C.’s presence in Chicago had already made an invaluable difference. She also wasn’t surprised to learn that the state’s highest government official was aware of a Homeland operation that had taken place in his largest city.
There was only so much they could keep under wraps, and there were certain people who couldn’t be left in the dark. Plus, as Ryker had so eloquently informed her on numerous occasions?—
The more times these rich, bureaucratic assholes see proof of how our work benefits them and their careers, the better odds they’ll come to our defense someday if shit ever hits the fan.
“Just doing my job, Governor.”
“Efficient and humble.” Governor Hume turned to Ryker with a grin. “Better hang on to this one, Jason. She’s a pretty rare find.”
Ryker flashed her a quick, friendly smile. “You can say that again.” He chuckled. “Not a lot of humility to be found in our government these days.”
“Or anywhere else for that matter,” Natalia muttered aloud before she could stop herself.
But the two men beside her simply burst into laughter.
“Hey, listen.” Hume held out a hand to Ryker. “I have another boring meeting to attend, but I’ll be in town for a couple more days. Let’s get drinks before I head back home.”
“I’ll look at my calendar and give you a call.”
“Perfect.” The governor from Illinois glanced back to her. With a winning smile and a set of perfectly straight teeth, he said, “Agent Foster, it was an absolute pleasure. Thanks again, for all that you do.”
“Nice to meet you, too, Governor.” Natalia shared a parting shake with the powerful man.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and initiated a call before turning and walking away.
“He seems nice.”
“He is.” The man beside her nodded. “When he wants to be.”
