Page 124 of False Flag

“No. I’m part of this.”

“Not now. Leave. The room. My apartment. I don’t care where you go, but you can’t see what she sent before I know what it is.”

“We’re on the same side, Vicki.”

“I don’t give a fuck, Teague. I have security clearance for this, and I won’t compromise it for you.”

“I’m a SEAL. I have Top Secret clearance.”

“You know that’s not how it works. I’ve been authorized to show you the chats, but that’s all.”

“But it’s all part of the same mission. Freya approved working with me.”

“I. Don’t. Care. Get out.”

He glanced around the main room of her one-bedroom apartment. It was a home office and living room combined. “Fine, I’ll wait in your bedroom.”

She narrowed her gaze. “Balcony.”

He grinned. “Why? What will I find in your bedroom? Or is the thought of me so close to your bed the problem?”

“Balcony.”

She waited until the door was closed behind him before clicking the link to download the file. She quickly skimmed the contents and then read Staci’s lengthy notes.

She didn’t know if she should be elated or sick. Both, really.

Osborne had a fake ancient bioweapon. Asthma inhalers were potential murder weapons. And FMV had the opportunity to reveal this before Gerard or Casper were ready to face the fallout.

This wasn’t checkmate, but it was a check. Forcing Gerard to move his king or another player, wasting a turn, and playing defense.

Holy shit. The bioweapon. She and Teague were fairly certain they had identified where and why. They would know exactly when soon. But now, at last, she had what.

Her fingers flew over the keyboard. First, she sent the link to the recording to all the YouTube posters who were fighting the good fight against the lies of pseudoarchaeology. Next, she informed FMV. Last came NSWC. She didn’t work for them, and Staci had wanted the podcasters to get the file first.

Forgiveness over permission. This is the way.

Emails sent, she crossed the room and opened the sliding balcony door.

Teague raised a brow. “Is it safe for me to enter?”

“Oh, hell no. But you can come inside anyway.”

His gaze fixed on her computer across the room like it was the lover he longed for. “What did Staci send you?”

“The key to Casper and Gerard’s scheme. Maybe.”

Her phone pinged with a message.

Freya

Secure video conference with Brie in fifteen minutes.

“You have to leave,” she said to Teague. “I’ve got a meeting.”

“If it’s about Jake, I should be a part of it. NSWC is on standby.”

“You aren’t NSWC. Go there if you want to be in the meeting.”