Alistair watched them both carefully. “You recognise him.”
Kaden looked up. “Eli Blake. A government finance minister.”
“Who’s been seen reading the day-in-the-life articles you’ve written. He’s also read your books. He’s fond of attention. Webelieve he’ll say yes to the interview, especially if approached by a prestigious newspaper. He’ll either speak to you in his home or in his office. Either venue works for us.”
“What if he has his room or office swept for bugs after he’s had a visitor? When he finds the device you want me to plant, it’ll be us he comes after. Can you be sure we’ll be safe?”
“He doesn’t have bug sweeps done. If a recording confirms our suspicions, he’ll be removed from office very quickly. He won’t be looking at you.”
Kaden’s grip tightened slightly on the photo. “So I walk into his home or office and plant a device.”
“You place it,” Alistair said. “You don’t linger. You behave normally. You do the job you went to do. If for any reason you can’t place the device, then don’t do it. No unnecessary risks.”
“Just the necessary one.”
Alistair half-chuckled. “You’re sensible. You’ll do the right thing.”
“And when it’s found?”
“Ifit’s found,” Alistair corrected, “then it becomes a security issue on his end. Not yours.”
Kaden shook his head faintly. “That feels optimistic.”
“There’s always risk,” Alistair said. “Just not the kind you’re imagining. This guy isn’t going to resort to violence.”
You think.Kaden let out a breath. “There’s no one else who can do it?”
“There are people who could,” Alistair said. “But they don’t have your access, or your profile or your deniability. You’re exactly the sort of person he won’t question. That’s what makes you useful.”
“What has this man done?” Joe asked.
“Better that you have no idea about that.”
“But it’s bad?” Kaden whispered.
“Very bad.”
20
Joe and Kaden retreated to their room on the top floor. Joe wasn’t sure how Kaden was feeling. Alistair had been a client who’d turned into a friend, who maybe wasn’t either of those things because he now wanted to use him, and Joe too, to spy on someone. He was surprised Kaden had agreed to do it and at the same time, not surprised at all. Bribe or threat?
He took out his phone, tapped into it and showed it to Kaden.Might there be a bug in here?
Kaden shrugged. He dropped onto the bed and lay on his back. Joe settled beside him, snuggling in, resting his head in the crook of Kaden’s shoulder.
“Are you regretting saying yes?” Joe asked quietly.
“No. I just want to do it now. I’m not going to think about it anymore. We’ll look for somewhere to live in a minute, then I’ll go through my routine for tonight.”
“You still want to do the gig?”
“Yes. I want my friends to meet you.”
Warmth curled inside Joe’s chest.
The search for a place to rent was a complete disaster. Every promising flat had apparently been snapped up by someone faster or maybe richer. By the time Kaden called, the places were already gone, possibly while he was still saying hello. They’d try again tomorrow.
“Aren’t you nervous?” Joe asked as they travelled to Hoopers.
