I wondered if John put up with shit like this at SSI.
“What can you tell us?”
“Nina’s parents went missing two decades ago.”
“She never knew her birth parents,” John said, pre-defending her.
“I believe that, but we need to determine if she’s been told anything about them. She may know more than she realizes.”
“Were they CIA?” John asked.
“Yes.”
“Did it end badly?” Jay asked.
“Very.”
Jay’s nod matched John’s.
“For now, I’d appreciate myself or Jay being with Nina when you question her,” John said.
In my peripheral vision, I saw Gibson open his mouth.
“Gibson,” I warned. It was all I needed to say for him to close his mouth.
John’s grin was subtle. Jay’s wasn’t.
“I’ll accept those terms. For now. She may be more open with someone she knows and trusts present.” One glance at the spec ops guys and I knew John would be the only person I’d let in the room.
I’d hated seeing the fear in Nina’s eyes when Gibson approached her, and Jay and G creating unnecessary tension would only make things worse.
Nina was young and innocent.Clueless.
But not for long. We were about to fill in the blanks of her past, introduce her to parents she didn’t remember, and potentially expose her to danger from men she’d never met.
Men looking for an unidentified treasure linked to her and her parents. Men who’d kill without hesitation to get it.
If they’d heard the rumors, they’d think Nina was the key.
Jay asked, “Is Nina in danger?”
“Not yet. The minute I think she is, I’ll let you know.” I stood.
“Fill me in,” John said.
“You know I can’t.”
John stood and scanned me from head to toe before holding eye contact.
My uncle was used to being in command, but I didn’t work for him. I’d tell him what I could, when I could, and nothing more.
“You’re working off the clock,” he said.
“What makes you say that?”
Jay hid his laugh behind a cough.
“Austin, don’t insult my intelligence,” John threw my words back at me.
