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“The NSA has gotten their hands on some technology that I’m not even attempting to understand. What I do know is that no phone conversation is safe.”
“That tech has been around for years.”
“Yes, but the software that…” He rubbed his eyes. “As I said, I don’t understand it. I just know that they can listen in to any phone call now and they have a way of both storing and sorting through the conversations.”
Why did that sound exactly like the software and hardware Conor had adapted to listen in to his brothers’ calls so his da couldn’t accuse them of mutiny?
“They could piggyback off the TV unit, Mr. President,” I pointed out. “Anything with speakers and an internet connection is fair game.”
He cocked his finger at me and led me into another room off the suite. “That’s why I picked this place. It’s supposed to be a retreat. Only a TV and a vintage-era phone in the living room.”
As we stepped into the bedroom, I leaned my back against the door and shoved my hands into my pockets.
“Now that we’re somewhere more comfortable, sir, I think I should tell you what I know, and then we can figure out how to help you with your little problem.”
“How do you know I have a problem?”
My lips curved. “I’m going to put a stupid question like that down to anxiety, sir. You wouldn’t need to meet with your love child, a daughter with ties to the Irish Mob, while you’re in office and running for reelection if there weren't a situation in need of resolving.”
His nostrils flared but he tipped his head forward in assent.
“What you need to understand about what I’m going to share with you, sir, is that it’s so off the record it might as well be saved on microfiche—”
“So, why are you telling me?”
“Because we can stop your career from being destroyed if you facilitate our next actions.”
“I’m listening.”
“Good. You should know I’m an ex-CIA agent. While I was serving overseas, I started to believe there was a double agent working against us at the same time as I came across the looting of some artifacts, and to shut me up, I was offloaded into the trafficking arm of the New World Sparrows.”
"What made you believe there was a double agent?"
"I uncovered the looting first. Then, the double agent. Crates were being released for travel outside of the country and someone was signing off on them. Someone who'd conveniently been blown up in an air raid. That was as much as I uncovered before I was silenced too."
“You were enslaved?” he rasped, his bewilderment clear.
“I was,” I confirmed. “I almost died, but I’m a stubborn daughter of a bitch.” My smile was tight. “I got out and I determined that I’d be their downfall.
"Over the last few years, everything that’s been uncovered about the Sparrows has almost single-handedly been orchestrated by me. I’ve been the architect of their destruction, sir, and I won’t rest until they’re either dead or locked in a cell… I’ll accept either option.”
His brow furrowed. “I don’t need to hear that.”
I chuckled. “Don’t be naive, sir, and don’t think I don’t know about the atrocities you and those from your office have permitted in the hundreds of years of so-called independence.
"You forget, I served my country and I saw firsthand what happened on the ground.” I waved a hand. “Now, that isn’t to say that I’m not willing to take the legitimate route.
“I’ve got contacts of my own, contacts that, you will be displeased to hear, hold more power than you, but I have two problems. Two problems who are also your problems.”
President Davidson walked back a few steps and sat down on the foot of the bed. His elbows plunked on his knees as he stared at me.
I expected him to pepper me with questions but he didn’t. He said, “Aoife told me you’re her sister-in-law.”
“She did?” My thumb found the cameo face in the emerald and smoothed over the features. “A little premature, but I suppose she’s right.”
“How is she?”
“You could ask her yourself.”
