After a shower and a hurried lunch, Nari’s body hurt more than ever. She’d downed ibuprofen and was hoping the painkiller would kick in soon. She sat on a sofa in the administrator’s office at HDD headquarters. “Thank you,” she said, accepting a cup of tea from the woman.

“You’re welcome.” The administrator sat in a floral chair to the left, a teacup balanced in her slender hands. “Are you sure you don’t require medical assistance? You had a concussion and then were almost blown up.”

Nari shook her head and had to hide a wince at the ensuing pain. “Thank you, Administrator, but I’m fine.”

“Call me Opal,” the woman said, gracefully settling back in her chair. “Would you go over what happened last night for me? I’d like to get the entire picture.”

“Sure.” Nari took a sip of the delicately flavored tea and then recounted the night’s events before asking her own questions. “Do you have an ID on the man Angus shot?”

“Not yet. His prints didn’t bring back any information, but his face is being run through facial rec right now. I’ll let you know if we figure out who he is.” Opal took a sip and looked over at Nari’s face. “I’ve read your file—you are excellent at your job.”

For some reason, the compliment raised awareness along Nari’s already punished nerve endings. “Thank you.”

“As such, it’s time you stopped sabotaging your career.” Opal’s tone was no-nonsense but her eyes kind.

Nari shifted her weight, careful not to spill her tea on her cream-colored slacks. “Is this woman-to-woman advice?” Did she dare ask about Opal and Quan? They might just be colleagues. Or not.

“It could be boss-to-subordinate advice, if you like.” There was the woman who’d risen to the top of a dangerous and secretive DHS offshoot. “However, I’ve always believed in mentoring, and I see a lot of potential in you. Your background in psychology and your business acumen should allow you to rise very high in this organization, or any other, for that matter.”

The warning was subtle, but it was definitely there. “Are you warning me off Angus Force?” Nari could play the political game and be coy, but her body had been through a meat grinder, her emotions were raw, and she was just not in the mood.

Opal smiled. “I like the direct approach. Good for you. To answer your question, yes. First you go outside the chain of command and nearly sabotage your career, and now you date a disgraced HDD agent who’s a suspect in several murders. You’re destroying any chance you have of rising in this organization.”

Nari set her tea on the antique sofa table. “I did my job to save a colleague, and you know Angus didn’t kill those women.” What was Opal’s game?