‘Doesn’t seem right after what you went through.’

‘They offered me a job. I guess it’s sort of carrot and stick. Take up their offer and stay safe, refuse and run the risk of getting popped.’

‘And are you going to take it?’

‘No.’ Silva gave a half smile. ‘Even though I am now unemployed.’

‘How come?’

‘I was sacked for taking too many days off. If only they knew.’

‘What are you going to do?’

‘I don’t know.’ Silva shrugged. ‘Stay here for a bit maybe. Help my dad with some stuff. See if Itchy needs a hand decorating his house.’

‘Doesn’t sound very edifying.’

‘After the last few weeks it’s exactly what I need.’

‘And when you’ve done helping and decorating?’

Silva didn’t answer. Was she really going to return to her boat, get another crap job, and just carry on with her life as if nothing had happened? That didn’t seem credible. What was the alternative though? Huxtable’s job offer was out, but perhaps Fairchild could find her something to do. Then again, did she want to join his band of mercenaries and get paid for being shot at? Probably not.

‘What about your side of things?’ she said.

‘All out damage control,’ Sean said. ‘The State Department are trying to placate our allies, while the Agency are coming to terms with the fact that they allowed this to happen in the first place. Operationally, Hope should never have been permitted to go off on her own in Tunisia, but the bigger issue is how she was ever allowed to rise to a position where she might become president. Of course the Agency isn’t allowed to operate inside the US, but somebody should have been feeding intelligence on Brandon Hope back to the Director of National Intelligence.’

‘And why weren’t they?’

‘Either nobody knew, which is bad enough, or somebody made the decision to keep quiet, which is worse. Heads will roll.’

‘And your own position?’

‘I hear I’m up for some internal commendation for helping to expose Mavers.’ Sean grinned. ‘What can I say? I’m just your average all American hero.’

‘Then I guess I’d better do as my dad said and apologise.’

Silence for a moment before Sean moved a step closer.

‘Rebecca?’ he said. ‘After all that’s gone on, I need to know where we are.’

‘We’re quits, that’s where we are. Same as before. No better no worse.’

‘And what about the future?’

Silva smiled at Sean as she reached for a glass of lemonade. ‘Let’s just say I’m thinking about it, OK?’

Epilogue