Olivia was used to doing whatever he said, to carrying out whatever order her chief gave her. She’d trusted Carlton Grace forever, he’d always had her back, her team’s back, always had their best interests at heart. He put his agents above the mission. He’d even protected her from Lodner and the higher-ups for ignoring the “abort” order trying to save Hashem, though they all knew she’d put everyone at risk and could have caused an international incident.

But there was Mike; she knew something very bad had happened to him. She looked at Savich. “Can you find out who that man was I had to kill?”

“Yes,” he said, “I believe I can.”

“Can you find Mike?”

“Yes, I can.”

Lodner snorted. “That’s absurd, you’re grandstanding. The men who attacked Olivia won’t be found in your databases. And if we can’t find our agent, you won’t, either, especially if he doesn’t want to be found. Good day to you, Agent Savich.”

After this stiff, emotionless speech, there was a moment of stark silence. Olivia looked again at Savich. He winked at her. It was so unexpected from this tough-faced man who looked like he could derail a train, she nearly spurted out a laugh. Savich said calmly, “Mr. Lodner, Mr. Grace, thank you for your assistance. Olivia will call you, Mr. Grace, so you can tell her where the safe house is. For now, though, I need to speak to her further. Good day, gentlemen.”

It was easy to see neither Lodner nor Grace wanted to leave Olivia with him, but Savich merely looked at them and said nothing until both Grace and Lodner left the interview room, each with one last look at Olivia.

Olivia said, “I am so screwed.”

10

Olivia

Savich laughed. “Chin up, Agent Hildebrandt, it’ll all work out, you’ll see.” He took her hand. “You’ve been through a lot and you don’t know me. I know you’re tired, running on reserves, and you’re scared for your teammate, Mike Kingman. But we need to talk. We’ll stop whenever you say, all right?”