“What is she talking about?” Todd’s frenzied stare shifts back and forth between us.
My expression morphs into something smug. “You got played, Todd, and we’ve got the entire thing on film.”
“In fact,” Lacee flashes him her own cocky smile, “the video was being transmitted live to Derek back at CIA headquarters. The information is circulating up to the top as we speak.”
Todd tries smiling, but the act is overdone. “You misunderstood what was happening here.Iwas undercover, trying to find the weapons dealer.” He glances at Lacee. “Park’s the double agent. You know that. I’m doing all of this to catchhim.”
“Save it, Todd,” I snap. “You can’t frame me for your crimes. It’s over, and Lacee and I will always have the satisfaction of being the ones who brought you down.”
“And tomorrow,” Lacee says, “we’re going to meet with the real Sasha Petrov and bring him down too.”
“Unless he’s a she.” I glance at her.
Lacee smiles. “True.”
FORTY-SEVEN
LACEE
December 30
McLean, Virginia: Interview with the Director of National Intelligence
Director Sharon Pickeringglances down at a piece of paper on her desk. I take the moment to steal a quick glance at Park. He shrugs as if he can sense my unspoken question.
How much longer is this meeting going to take?
Surely this interview, or debriefing, or whatever they want to call it, is almost over. Park and I have been in Sharon’s office for so long, answering all of her questions about Todd Allen, Nicholas Lawrence, chemical weapons, and the real Sasha Petrov that I’ve lost track of time. Four hours? Ten hours? It’s a blur at this point.
I get it.
When the Director of the CIA ends up being a double agent and you take into custody an independent weapons dealer from Russia, extensive investigations are needed to sort through all the information.
Director Pickering looks up, clasping her fingers together. “I think that’s all the questions I have for you about the case. If others arise, I’ll be sure to contact you both.”
I move to stand. “Thank you so much for your time.”
“Take a seat.” Director Pickering motions with her eyes to my chair. “I haven't released you yet.”
“Oh, sorry.” I drop back down. But what if I had to pee? She doesn’t know if my bladder is about to explode. We’ve been in here so long that if I were holding it in, my kidneys would probably be ruined by now. “I thought you were done with your questions.”
Park nudges my foot with his. He’s been like the teacher’s pet throughout the entire interview with all of hisYes Ma’am’s andNo Ma’am’s and that charming smile of his. Who am I to even talk? That smile melted me the first time I saw it. Of course, Sharon Pickering would be impressed too.
“I have a few more questions to ask you both.” She glances between us. “These ones are of a more personal nature.”
“Personal?” I think my heart just tried to jump up my throat.
“Yes.” She sits back in her chair, resting her chin against her fist. “How would you describe the relationship between the two of you?”
Instead of upchucking my heart, it just dropped down into the pit of despair inside my stomach. I can’t lie. I mean, I’m good at lying, but I can’t lie to the Director of National Intelligence.
“Well”—I swallow—“within the first thirty minutes of meeting each other in person, we kissed. But we’re not, like,intimate. I guess, in some ways, we are. Because intimacy could include being confidantes, friends, or even platonic love, and in that case,” I wave my finger back and forth between us, “Park and I have been intimate for years. You know, because we’ve worked together before. But not intimate, like physically.”
Oh, my gosh. Why do I keep saying the word intimate?
“Actually, though, there are even different levels of physical intimacy like invading someone’s personal space, holding hands, hugging, kissing, caressing,” I cannot believe I just used the wordcaressingin front of Sharon Pickering, but I’m spiraling, and there’s no stopping me now, “as well as other types of physical activities that a couple might engage in—like couple’s yoga. Not that we’re a couple.” I hold my hand out as if I’m trying to stop myself from continuing, but my mouth keeps running anyway. “You don’t have to be a couple to have intimacy. In fact, physical affection has been correlated with partner satisfaction. But a person, or a partner, can be physically intimate with someone without actually touching them. Eye contact, for example, is considered a form of physical intimacy without touching. Although, I would think that a certain amount of proximity is necessary for any kind of physical intimacy.” I’m not even making sense. Why don’t I just douse some gasoline on my career and drop a lit match on it? I scratch the side of my head. “I’m sorry. Could you repeat the question?”
Director Pickering stares back at me with a stoic expression. “How would you describe the relationship between the two of you?”
