Here we go.
Most at Langley wanted to do their job… and do it well. They took pride in their work and in the organization they served. But everyone there had an ego and not all egos were equal. The woman across the table was looking for power, to dominate, or to put Sydney in her place. It could be for any number of irrelevant reasons, but Sydney wasn’t going to give Gabriel or his cousin Monroe up.
“Like Director Cadance said, that information is confidential,” she pushed back.
“I can force your hand,” the employee hissed.
“And do what if I tell you a name?” Sydney asked. “Are you traveling to Italy and hunting this person down? What is your point?”
Lorne pursed his lips to smother a smile. Wasn’t the first time she’d seen him do that. Wasn’t the first time she’d challenged authority either.
“Fox Key isn’t giving up her confidential informants.” The harsh tone in Lorne’s voice filled the room.
She appreciated that he had her back.
The woman slapped down her laptop. “I will not stand for this level of insubordination.” After standing, she glared over at Sydney. “Expect my grievance email by morning.”
Sydney’s pulse didn’t change, nor did her blood pressure. She didn’t give a damn about this woman and her bullshit email. She had a job to do that didnotinclude giving up her contacts, especially when their last names were Santini.
That would open up a whole different set of questions and problems. The name Santini in Italy was one of the oldest and most powerful names in Europe.
And in the DMV.
This time, Sydney was the one who bit back a smile. She loved that she had friends in high places. Though never one to name drop—she loved it just the same.
Once the disruptor left, her boss suggested a ten-minute break. When the meeting resumed, the questions picked right back up. Though Sydney’s patience had worn thin, she knew the drill, and she knew how to play the game.
Three hours into the meeting, her boss’s boss, Tracie, joined them, and she had to bring the executive up to speed.
“Excellent work, Fox Key,” said Tracie. “We expect the death of Todd Petersen, the number-three man in The Sovereign Method, will turn out the cockroaches.”
“And by cockroaches, you’re referring to the top two?” asked Sydney.
Tracie nodded. “That’s exactly who I mean. What can you tell us about them?”
Sydney didn’t need to check her notes. She’d been chasing these ghosts for long enough to know plenty.
“The leader goes by King A,” Sydney explained. “In his rare public appearances, he wears a full facial mask. His real name is unknown. His second goes by Crafty Lamar. He also uses the alias Hollywood.” Pausing, Sydney shook her head. “He has several more, all equally stupid.”
A ripple of laughter filled the room, and she leaned back in her chair.
Finally.
The tension and formality that hung in the air lifted… a little.
“The trio—now the duo—run The Sovereign Method,” Sydney continued. “It’s an organization that empowers men to reach their full potential. King A has written a book calledThe Man’s Bible.” She paused. “The ‘A’ in King A could be for alpha or anonymous. Neither has been confirmed.”
My money’s on asswipe. Asshole works too.
Sydney glanced around the room. The group was locked on her every word with some nodding along.
“King A runs a weekly podcast that’s listened to by millions,” Sydney said. “From what our Internet team has learned, his following on social exceeds three mil. The split is eighty-five/fifteen, men-to-women. They worship him like a god. The testimonies all say how these clients go from having no confidence to getting multiple promotions at work. Some state they couldn’t get a date. Now they’ve got a harem of women.”
“Whydidwe take Petersen out?” asked Tracie. “I mean, the guy sounds like he’s offering something legit.”
“The business is a front,” Sydney explained. “He’s?—
Lorne cleared his throat. “We can’t go into the details at thistime. If there are no more questions, I’m closing out the meeting.”
