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Joey nodded. She knew there was a connection there, but she hadn’t been sure exactly what it was. “What do you need?”
Flint spoke up. “We have reason to believe the attempted assassination was orchestrated by the Syndicate.”
“What?” Jackson and Tank both started asking questions. Joey watched the dynamics in the room. Will sat stoically next to Flint. He was unsurprised.
“Where is this information coming from?” Joey was struggling to come to terms with this. She was the one who gathered intel around here.
“I’m afraid we can’t share that at this time,” Will said firmly.
Joey shook her head. “This is crazy. I’ve been working on untangling the Syndicate for over a year. If there is information you’re not sharing, then you’re putting all of us in danger!”
Ross held up a hand. “Harrison Coulter is a good man and I trust him. He has requested Black Tower conduct an independent operation to capture the shooter after he is identified. Will, you’ll be leading Operation Blue smoke along with Tank, Jackson, and Ryder.”
Joey’s mouth fell open. “We’re going after the most wanted man in America? Why?”
“There is reason to believe the Syndicate orchestrated the attack with inside information. Harrison wants to keep it close to the vest, outside official channels, and free from any potential security breaches.” Ross said. “Joey, we need to be inside the FBI and secret service systems so we know what they know when they know it. We do have Agent Roscoe inside, and we trust him. You’ll be operational support when the time comes. I don’t think I need to say that this is our highest priority.”
Joey froze. “You want me to infiltrate the feds? You can’t be serious. Raven, you’re okay with this?”
Flint met her eyes across the table. “Joey, I know this is asking a lot…”
She scoffed. “You think? Do you not remember how we met? What I was doing?”
Her friend and mentor nodded. “I do. And I understand why you might want to say no.”
“Dang right I want to say no. Fifteen years ago, myteam,myfamilyhad me hack the FBI. And then they hung me out to dry.” She felt the anger and hurt and disappointment wash over her as strongly as it had so many years ago. “You’re the only reason I’m not locked in some federal prison with an hour of yard time and no access to tech.”
His eyes were kind, imploring her to understand. “I wouldn’t ask if this wasn’t important.”
She wanted to say yes. She always said yes to Flint. But this? It was asking too much. “I can’t do it, Rave. What if I get caught?”
“You won’t get caught, Joey. You’re the best I’ve ever seen. And you’re far more experienced now than you were back then. More careful.”
Well, that was true. She’d thought she was careful before, but getting caught by the FBI after her hack was a lesson she didn’t need to be taught twice.
Ross spoke. “I agree with Raven. But”—he pointed to the black portfolio in front of him—“I do have a signed Get Out of Jail Free card from the acting President of the United States for any crimes that may or may not be committed during this black op.”
Jackson let out a low whistle.
She looked back at Flint, her certainty waffling at the new revelation.
He met her gaze, his confidence unwavering. “We’re not going to hang you out to dry, Joey. We’ve got you. Always.”
Her mind was spinning. This was huge, of course. Going after the presidential assassin? And if there was no risk of a federal felony, it made the whole thing a little easier to swallow. “But what about Zia? What about Cole?”
Flint lifted his shoulders slightly. “We’ll make it work, Joey. Don’t worry.”
Whatever Flint was saying, she didn’t buy it. It was obvious Cole’s project was going to get dropped until this one was resolved. She couldn’t let that happen to him. And the trap was already laid, so there was no going back.
She was just going to have to find a way to balance it. She would just have to do both operations at once.
“That’s all for now. The team is on standby. This could happen at a moment’s notice.”
The meeting ended, and Joey started toward the lobby to catch Cole. Their dinner date was going to have to wait.
A hand on her arm made her stop. She turned to find Will. “Got a second?”
He tugged her to an alcove in the hallway outside the conference room.
