“Did your wife know Judith Eddington?”
“I’ve heard her mention her once or twice. Why?”
“The connections. I know your wife or knew of her. We were in different divisions, but I knew her in passing. Plus, you know…family business.”
“Yes, when I mentioned you, she mentioned knowing your father.”
“You told your wife what you were doing?”
“Always. Neither of us can stand secrets. Why did you ask about Judith Eddington?”
“I thought you would know since you knew Eloise. Lila’s middle name is Eddington.”
Stryker’s eyes widened. “You’re telling me that Lila is not only the daughter of one of the best analysts the CIA has ever employed, but also the granddaughter of an MI-6 spy master?”
He nodded. It was always funny to him that so many spies could keep secrets from civilians, but when it came to other spies, they all gossiped. Especially those who were retired.
“That explains so much. I mean, I understand she’s been on the run for a while. Analysts—normal ones at least—don’t usually have the skills to handle that. I knew she would have had to have some other kind of training. Because you and I know that if foreign governments?—”
“Or your own.”
He nodded. “Or your own is after you, you have to have some mad skills to hide from them these days. It goes beyond just knowing how to make yourself disappear online. I know from experience.”
He nodded as he thought it over. “What was her mother like?”
“Amazing. Smart, funny, she had a great sense of humor, but she was a hard worker. She took time to mentor the up-and-coming prospects.”
Ian knew some of Devon’s story. He’d been recruited while still in high school, so someone like Eloise taking an interest in him was a big deal.
“Did you know her husband?”
Devon made a face. “He was okay, but his coding was sloppy.” He said it with such disdain, Ian almost smiled. “I have a feeling if he wasn’t married to Eloise, he wouldn’t have moved so far up in The Company.”
It was the same story Ian had heard from his father. Something niggled at the back of his brain, but he couldn’t seem to get the thought loose. He knew better than to push, because he would get a block.
“I take it Dillon is taking over her security?”
He glanced back at where El was sitting next to Lila. “I’m dealing with it.”
“Well, let Dillon know I’ll help in any way possible.”
Ian brought his gaze back to the other man. Lila was right. Stryker was seriously in love with his wife—if the stories were to be believed. His interest was rubbing Ian the wrong way.
“I said I would be dealing with it. Dillon isn’t on this.”
Understanding filled his expression. “Take it from someone who has been there. Try to keep it as platonic as possible. Getting involved in the middle of a mess like this one will only screw with your head. If you want to keep her safe, you need to try to keep your relationship out of the bedroom.”
“Didn’t your wife have a secret baby she never told you about?”
He gave Ian a self-deprecating smile. “I told you, I was talking from experience.”
He nodded to the man. “You must not have read up on me, or you would know that I have never crossed that line with a charge. Protecting her is all I care about.”
“Famous last words…”
Shaking his head, he left Stryker to make his way back to his seat. El didn’t get up right away and Ian rolled his eyes.
“Get up, Elwood.”
