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"Elections. Disinformation." His eyes focused on me. "You are military. You understand what this technology can do."

I understood perfectly. Two years fighting Russian cyber operations in Ukraine had taught me.

"Does Viktor know about Kit Lord?"

"The actress.” He nodded. “Viktor says if her blackmail leads investigators to the technology, and ultimately to Viktor's involvement..." He shrugged and winced in pain.

Katherine was a loose end.

Sirens wailed in the distance.

"We need to move." Krause pulled out his phone with his good arm.

I grabbed both Russians' phones. Checked the bald one's pockets. Found a wallet with a California driver's license—fake name, but the face matched.

I moved through the house fast. Checked the desk, bedroom, bathroom, behind the toilet tank.

Nothing.

The sirens were getting closer.

"Back door." Krause was already moving.

We slipped through the back yard. Climbed the wall through overgrown vines and went down the hill to the street and Krause’s vehicle.

Krause leaned against his truck, breathing hard. Blood dripped from his fingertips.

"That needs stitches."

"I know a guy. Off the books." He pulled a first aid kit out of the truck’s bed and opened it. He took out an instant ice pack, squeezed it, and handed it to me. "Get an x-ray when you can."

I pressed the ice pack against my side. Pain shot through my chest. Definitely cracked a couple ribs.

"Thanks for the backup."

"Thanks for not letting me get shot in the face." He grinned despite the pain. "Simon said you were good."

"You too."

I climbed into my rental car and called Katherine. She answered on the first ring.

"Code, where are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Stay at Sophie's apartment. I'm coming to get you."

"What happened?"

"Not on the phone. Thirty minutes."

I disconnected and pulled a U-turn onto Laurel Canyon Boulevard.

Russell Dunlap had blackmailed Eddie Pope. Eddie Pope had gone to Viktor Sokolov. And now Viktor wanted the technology back and everyone connected to it eliminated.

Katherine was caught in the middle of international espionage.

My ribs throbbed with every breath. My jaw was swelling. But Katherine was alive and safe and would stay that way if I could get to her in time.

I pressed harder on the accelerator.

Because Viktor Sokolov didn't just want the technology back.

He wanted everyone connected to it dead.

My Katherine was very much connected.

And so was Sophie.