“Agent Franks.” She didn’t look that intimidating, but you didn’t end up running an organization of monster hit squads without being a badass. “I’m here to officially inform you that the Task Force’s mission has been drastically scaled back. Our intelligence gathering and R and D apparatus has been discontinued. I can assure you there’s no reason for you to be concerned about further STFU activities, and I hope our two agencies can quickly resume our previous working relationship. That’s it for the official statement. Personally, I lost some good men because of this mess, and I’m still pissed, but I understand why you were doing what you had to do.”

“Did you know?” He didn’t specify if he was talking about Project Nemesis or the MCB attack. Either would do.

“Only after it was too late. I got into this business because I wanted to help out monsters who didn’t deserve to be called monsters. I was trained by Kirk Conover, and I know you knew him. I’m going to put the Task Force back on track to be something he would have recognized and been proud of. I’ve hated Stricken’s mission creep for years, but I kept my mouth shut to try and help my people earn their exemptions. And just so you know, I think the reason I got this new assignment was because while you were blowing up an airfield in Virginia, I was at the White House dropping off all the evidence about STFU’s illegal activities that I’d gathered. I believe in our mission, Franks, and I wasn’t going to let Stricken destroy the good we’ve done.”

“Where’s Stricken now?”

“Missing,” Cueto said. “He’s even better at disappearing than you were. Everybody is looking for him.”

“Don’t worry, Agent Franks. He’ll be brought to justice,” Flierl assured him. “Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I’ve got a mess to clean up.” Jefferson politely opened the door for her, and the commander of Special Task Force Unicorn left them.

“She seems okay,” Cueto said. “Good. Because you wouldn’t believe the shit storm that’s brewing. There’s some supernatural weirdness going down right now that would blow your mind. If I’d known about half the things Myers had been worried about, I wouldn’t have ever said yes to this assignment . . . But you’re not done recuperating or whatever the hell they call it when the docs have to replace eighty percent of your body, so I’ll brief you later.” He hobbled toward the door.

“I’m ready now,” Franks stated.

“Don’t push it. If Archer hadn’t had that bright idea to stick you in a Nemesis tank, right now I’d be seeing if we’re allowed to bury nonhumans at Arlington.”

Franks gave Archer an appreciative nod. The young agent grew embarrassed.