Page 86 of The Session

“So am I. It’s like an oversized HR file.”

“I’m thinking it’s for revenue. All these jets and cars aren’t cheap.”

“We’ve got businesses that pretty much mint cash, billionaire clients, and incredible sources of revenue,” Tru pointed out.

Mark nodded. “And maybe the dark things Summit Strategies does are the reason you have all that. They went from figuring out how to get old ladies to invest in nickel stocks to talking billionaires into God-knows-what.”

“Pity the poor billionaire who pays us twice as much for a private jet because the flight attendants look like they just stepped off the runway at Fashion Week.”

“Fair enough. I guess I’m just worried that Summit Strategies isn’t a successful company with a dark side but a successful company because it has a dark side.”

“Max and my dad are a lot of things, but there’s no darkness there.”

“I’ve spent the sum total of forty minutes with my dad, so I couldn’t really tell you what’s in him.”

“Well, this is your chance to find out,” Tru said.

“I know, but I guess my question is really for you. What if I don’t like what I see?”

“We’ll have to cross that bridge together when we get to it because, Mark, there are some days I don’t like what I see. And I could really use another perspective right now,” she replied. “Oh, some good news, which may not seem like that big of a deal, but trust me—it is: Marnie Lightman likes you.”

Mark hadn’t detected anything resembling warmth from the woman. “What did she say?”

“She’s been checking in regularly to see how the missions have been going. We all have, but she’s made it a point to inquire after each one to make sure you’re okay.”

“I guess that’s good,” Mark said.

“It’s great, Mark. It’s one less enemy.”

“I have enemies?”

“Sweetheart, you had enemies before I even met you.”

“And now?”

“When we plastered your face all over the lobby, not everybody clapping and cheering meant it.” She cleared her throat. “See, as much as I hate this mission you’re on, there’s a reason for it and for what you’re going to have to go through next. It’s to shut up the people asking why you get to jump ahead in the line.”

“But when you say ‘enemies,’ how concerned should I be?”

“I honestly don’t know,” she said. “I wish we could ask Kevin.”

Lights Out

Mark was fast asleep on his air mattress with a textbook still lying across his chest when the fluorescent lights flicked on and Burton kicked the side of his bed.

“Bookmark, you awake?”

“Yes,” Mark answered, snapping to attention—alert but confused by the bright light aimed at his eye—then realizing he still had his book light on. “What’s up?”

“I need to send you and Kade to the hospital,” Burton told him.

Mark was already upright, pulling his pants on.

“Who’s there?” he asked.

“Nobody yet. We lost contact with four of our team members at the power station at Delacroix. We want to be ready in case we have any injured. I need to make sure they get proper medical attention,” Burton explained.

“Where are you headed?” Mark asked.