Sunday. Washington, D.C.

Orlando inhaled the muggy air.

“I’d say it’s nice to be back, but that would be a lie,” he muttered under his breath.

He hadn’t set foot on American soil since Elda’s death. He’d come to claim her body and bring home what was left of her, vowing to never again come here unless he was bringing retribution with him.

Today he was making true on that promise. In a twist of events that could only be called fate, everything was coming full circle in a beautiful way.

He stepped off the plane and descended to the tarmac. His phone rang before he had more than one foot on the ground.

“Yes?”

“The customers want to move up the timetable,” Edwin said.

“Too bad. These things can’t be rushed.”

“That’s what I told them, sir.”

“And?”

“If they had anything to say about it, they didn’t say it to me.”

“I see. Just a reminder, we will not be speaking English for the rest of this trip.”

“Understood, sir.” Edwin switched languages smoothly.

Orlando had really underutilized the young man. He was proving adept and resourceful, if a little slow on the upkeep.

“The man in London is in place, sir.”

“Has the operative moved?”

“Not yet.”

“Well, when they have an opening, take care of it quickly. I need everything lined up in a few hours.” Orlando would have preferred to be present for this one himself, but at times like these he had to make decisions. “Call me when it is finished. Everything hinges on this going according to plan. One wrong move, and we might as well have never even tried.”

Sunday. London, England.

Isaac hated leaving gear behind, but they needed to travel lighter than usual. Whatever they couldn’t wear or fit in a backpack had to stay. The building manager had agreed to ship the excess to their Aegis Seattle office, probably because he wanted them gone as soon as possible.

“Everyone in position?” Abigail asked via the headset.

One by one the teams of two confirmed their location.

Sweat trickled down his spine.

The chef coat he’d put on over his vest cut into his throat, making it hard to breathe.

No one was going to believe they were building employees out on a break, but all they needed was a moment of hesitation. Thanks to the head of security, they knew exactly who and where all of The Patrol members staking out the building were sitting.

“Just a reminder, use non-lethal force first. We don’t want to have to explain a bunch of dead guys,” Luke said.

“Everyone have eyes on their targets?” Abigail asked.

“Yeah,” Isaac replied.

The plan was simple: they hit the guys watching the building hard and all at once. Knock them out, tie them up, and get out of there–without a tail.

He glanced over his shoulder at Tanya. The bellhop hat hid most of her hair, but there was no disguising who she was. Her distinctive look would always make her a standout. He tapped his comm to mute it.

“Just stay here until I signal you, okay?” He grasped her hand and gave it a squeeze.

“Adam, how’s the garage situation? Can you hear us yet?” Abigail somehow managed to keep her tone light and confident despite their serious circumstances. “Anyone have eyes on the SUV yet?”

“Negative,” Felix responded.

Isaac grimaced. That couldn’t be good.

The comm crackled, someone’s words jumbling together.

“The chariot is on its way.” Adam’s voice broke a time or two.

“You sound chipper. Who’d you kill?” Felix asked.

“No one,” Adam replied.

“Everyone, move. Now,” Abigail barked.

“Stay here,” Isaac said once more to Tanya.

If The Patrol got their hands on her, it was a whole other ballgame. That was why they couldn’t simply get in the SUV and motor off, hoping to lose the follow cars on the London streets. They had to eliminate the threat to Tanya now, before they met with Abigail’s source.

Isaac drew his Glock and stepped out of the employee entrance onto the loading dock. He had a perfect view of the driver sitting in a white panel van staring at his phone.

The guy was too preoccupied to see Isaac coming.

He lightly jumped off the dock, landing on the balls of his feet.

It was a kid, maybe twenty years old. God, Isaac felt old. Did he even shave yet?

Isaac grimaced and closed the distance to the van. He yanked the driver’s door open and the kid nearly fell out. The phone went flying, glass crunching as it landed on the concrete.

“Come here.” Isaac grabbed a handful of the boy’s shirt and jerked him out of the van.

The kid flailed, his too-long legs buckling. He fell to his knees. Isaac didn’t allow him to get his feet under him. He hauled the kid up against the side of the van and held the gun under the kid’s chin.

The safety was on, but Isaac wouldn’t tell him that.

The kid’s eyes went wide, to the point Isaac could see himself reflected back in the boy’s stare.

“I should just kill you right now.” He didn’t have a great line, nothing inspirational sprung to mind, but this was a moment in this boy’s life when he could chose to change paths.

Gangs were sometimes a fill-in for absent family, but organizations like The Patrol didn’t care about its members, only that there were enough warm bodies to do what had to be done. It wasn’t too late for this kid, he could still get out of this.

“N-no—please. They paid me to sit here. Please—no!” The kid held his hands up.

Isaac stared at the boy a second too long while the sense of foreboding knotted his gut.

Something scraped right behind him.

He whirled, just in time to get pistol whipped in the jaw. He stumbled back, white spots bursting in his vision.

“Isaac? Isaac, what’s going on?” Abigail demanded in his ear.

He backpedaled, putting as much distance between him and the two figures he could make out while keeping the door to the building at his back.

“Get out of here.” A guy in a hoodie with a bandana partially pulled up around his chin threw something at the kid.

The other man held the gun aimed at Isaac. It was a revolver, older, from the looks of it. Maybe some sort of family heirloom, but Isaac wouldn’t count on it misfiring.

“Drop the gun,” the one with the bandana demanded.

“Damn it. They got the drop on Isaac. We’re coming,” Abigail said.

“Where is she?” Bandana asked.

“She—who?” Isaac shrugged.

In moments, the others would swoop in and these two would be outgunned. A lot could happen in a moment. He’d lost his brother in a moment. Moments were dangerous. It only took one for someone to die.

The two men edged apart. They couldn’t flank Isaac, not without trying to get up on the dock, but he was going to have to pick one of them to deal with first. Tanya was safe inside the building so long as the lock held, and if these guys breeched the building security would be on them.

Voices jumbled together over the headsets. Something was going down elsewhere.

“I’ve got two friends here,” Isaac said.

“Coming to you as soon as we can. Hold them off,” Luke said above the rest of the noise.

Did he take the safety off? He didn’t want to kill anyone, but if it came down to these two guys or Tanya, she’d win.

“This could go a lot easier for you.” Bandana pulled a knife from his pocket.

“I could say the same for both of you.” Isaac drew his second gun from under the chef coat, aiming them at either man.

“Stop talking and start producing.” The man holding the revolver tilted his head and hand.

Isaac had to restrain himself from squinting at the guy.

Seriously?

Holding an automatic firearm sideways was stupid enough, but a revolver? The guy didn’t even have his thumb on the hammer. For as ancient as it was, did the guy even have bullets?

“You’re outnumbered,” Bandana man said.

“If I’m outnumbered, and you’ve got me so easily beat, why hasn’t your friend shot me, huh? Why isn’t this over already?” Isaac saw Bandana’s face contort, the lines of anger creasing into an ugly mask.

Bingo.

The revolver wasn’t loaded.

Bandana hurled the knife, end over end, at Isaac. He jerked sideways. The knife clanged against the concrete feet away from him.

Shit.

Bandana slammed himself into Isaac, driving him back against the loading dock. He grabbed at Isaac’s wrists and for control of the firearms.

“Hurry up,” Isaac shouted.

“We’re coming as fast we can,” Luke said.

Any second, the other guy was going to jump in, and that spelled bad news for Isaac.

A man’s strangled yell echoed off the concrete. Both Bandanna and Isaac glanced in the direction of the guy who’d had the revolver.

Tanya stood over him, his arm bent unnaturally.

“Hey!” Bandana shoved at Isaac.

Isaac dropped the gun in his right hand. He kicked out, sending it skittering sideways several yards. With his now-free hand, he decked Bandana, breaking the guy’s hold and sending him staggering backwards.

Tanya closed the distance between them, her face cold and impassive.

“You’re coming with me.” Bandana thrust his finger toward Tanya.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Isaac side stepped and retrieved his dropped weapon, thankful that this time it worked out.

“What’s going on?” Abigail asked.

“You hear me?” Bandana’s voice went up in pitch.

“Our girl’s about to make someone really—Ouch.” Isaac couldn’t help but wince.

Tanya grabbed the man’s hand, twisted, turned and sent him sailing over her shoulder. He went down hard, thanks to the knee to his chest. Tanya might be slender, but it was all lean muscle.

Isaac closed in, his gun trained on the man.

Bandana stared up, his eyes dilated and his bell rung hard.

“How do you make that look so easy?” Isaac could have done the same move, but it wouldn’t have gone the same way. “We’re secure. Come and get us.”

“Zip ties?” She held out her hand.

“Back pocket.” He turned his hip toward her and kept one gun aimed at both men.

Judging from the whimpers the other guy was making, he wasn’t going anywhere soon.

Tanya bound Bandana’s hands behind them, securing the biggest cause for concern.

“Where’d the other one go?” she asked.

“He was a kid, a decoy.” Isaac hated that they’d fallen for that trick, but they’d survived. “You think you can get this one in their van?”

“Yeah.” She hooked her arms under Bandana’s shoulders and dragged him toward the van.

Isaac secured the guy with the broken arm. He’d have felt bad for the guy, except for the gun. They weren’t toys, and carrying one meant accepting that it might need to be used. Brandishing it around as a threat was just a bullying tactic.

He hauled the guy into the van and got Bandana inside. That done, he secured both to what he could inside.

“Tanya?” Isaac glanced at the back of the van.

Where the hell had she gone?

“Tanya?” He jumped out the back of the vehicle and tore the chef’s coat off.

“Isaac, we’re coming around the corner. What’s going on?”

“Tanya’s gone.” He glanced around, looking for some sign of another vehicle.

The back door of the hotel banged open and Tanya backed out, dragging two five-gallon buckets.

“What the hell are you doing?” Isaac rushed up the loading dock and grabbed one.

“Acid. Haven’t you been listening to the radio? They’re worried about acid attacks.”

Isaac stared at her for about half a second.

She was planting evidence to make sure these guys didn’t get off free.

The SUV whipped around and into the narrow loading dock. Isaac pushed both buckets into the van and shut the doors.

“Get in,” he called over his shoulder at Tanya.

She scooped the broken cell phone off the ground and slid into the waiting SUV, Isaac hurrying in after her.

“What the hell happened?” Abigail demanded from the very back seat.

It was close confines with eight people—and gear—sitting on top of one another inside the vehicle, but they were all out.

“They used a decoy, some kid who dropped this, to lure us out. The kid left fast, and the other two Patrol guys are in the van.” Tanya handed the phone back to Abigail.

“You think he’s involved?”

“I think someone paid him to be there, and we might need that later.”

“Maybe.”

It wasn’t Abigail’s tone or even her words, just a sense about her that spoke of...pride. Maybe even approval.

“I thought you weren’t supposed to engage,” Luke said.

“Who, me?” Tanya blinked at Luke.

“We’re a team now,” Abigail said, putting an end to that.

If Isaac had any doubt about what side Tanya was on, it was gone now. She could have jumped in, ran away, anything except come to his rescue. And that was what it was. He’d let himself get cocky for a half a second, even though he knew better. Things could have gone differently, and someone could have died. As is, he was glad they were headed elsewhere.

He found Tanya’s hand with his and squeezed.

The skies turned from black to dark gray, the rain starting up after days of sunshine. He wasn’t ready to celebrate. It was still going to be a long day ahead of them.

Tanya hung onto Isaac’s hand. Every bump in the road jarred her skull. If she clenched her teeth any harder, she was going to break a tooth.

Isaac rubbed little circles on her knuckles. Occasionally he’d squeeze her palm a little tighter. He probably meant the contact to be reassuring or comforting, but she couldn’t take an easy breath until she met this person Abigail thought so highly of.

“Should be up here.” Adam leaned forward, gripping the wheel with both hands. His left eye had swollen slightly, and from this angle, she could see the bruising.

No one had mentioned the difficulty in getting out, they simply moved on.

She didn’t know what she’d done to deserve their help, but she prayed she was worthy. That the trouble they were going through would be worth it in the end. That they would save lives and stop Orlando.

“That arch right there. Pull in and find a spot to stop.” Abigail shifted in the very back. “We’ll get out, and you—wait for us.”

Adam eased the SUV through the arch. The courtyard between the old buildings was packed with tiny, economical vehicles. There wasn’t room for the large people mover.

“Change of plans,” Abigail called out. “Tanya, get out. Adam, circle the block, keep comms on. We will mute ours. We’ll call if we need you.”

“Here.” Isaac pressed his comm into her hand.

Tanya slid the earpiece on. Isaac opened his door and glanced around, no doubt considering the lay of the land.

She slid out and met the other two at the back of the vehicle.

“Mute comms,” Abigail said.

Tanya had to tap hers a few times before she got the hang of it.

Abigail leaned into the SUV.

“This shouldn’t take long. Keep a look out for anything suspicious. Unless you need us, we’ll be radio silent.” She closed Isaac’s door.

“Come on.” Luke placed his hand on Tanya’s shoulder and gestured for her to follow Abigail.

“We’re going to cross this building and our meet is on the other side of this wall. I’ll go first, you and Luke hang back until I tell you to approach, understood?” Abigail’s words were hard to make out over the noise from the building on their right, but Tanya got the gist.

“Sure,” she replied.

Abigail led them to the left, through an unlocked door and down a long hall. Windows that had seen better days let in some dreary light, enough to see by, at least. Despite the grimy windows, the walls and floors were clean and freshly painted.

“How do you know where we’re going?” Tanya didn’t see any marks or indicators to tell them where they should go.

“I’ve been here before,” Abigail replied.

“Ssh,” Luke whispered.

Tanya glanced over her shoulder.

Luke hung back several feet, almost walking sideways to keep an eye behind them.

Did he hear something she didn’t?

“Wait here.” Abigail grasped the handle to the only door on the hall and pulled it open. She stepped out into the drizzling rain, leaving them behind.

Tanya edged toward Luke. His mouth was set in a hard line and he didn’t look entirely at ease.

“What’s wrong?” Tanya asked.

“Nothing.”

That was the most unconvincing single-word answer she’d ever heard.

She licked her lips and considered keeping her question to herself, but why the hell should she?

“Then why—”

“Oh my God.” Abigail’s voice was nearly drowned out by the patter of rain.

It wasn’t her words that made Tanya’s skin shrink until her whole body felt tight. It was the tone of Abigail’s voice, the hushed horror.

“Abby?” Luke jerked the door open and darted out.

Tanya followed, giving the hall another glance in either direction. She stepped into a courtyard that was a little bigger than the other one, but empty of all but one vehicle.

The black car idled, its doors open.

Tanya slowed to a stop.

A man with dark hair and a gray suit soaked in water lay face down on the stones. His blood had spread, diluted by the rain, so that it was almost the same color as the red cobblestones.

Her stomach tightened and she stumbled forward a few steps.

“I know him,” she said to no one in particular.

“Abby, get back.” Luke went to a knee, feeling for a pulse.

“Shit.” Abigail walked in a tight circle and tapped at her ear. “Adam? Pick us up on the other side, now.”

“Is he...?” Tanya couldn’t say the word.

Luke stepped over the downed man to the driver slumped over the wheel.

“They’re both gone, and we need to be, too. Come on.” He wrapped an arm around Abigail, propelling her ahead of him.

Tanya only knew the dead person as Mr. X, an impeccably dressed man who would occasionally share a coffee with her. She hadn’t particularly liked the man. He’d been professional and to the point, which she appreciated but that was where his personality ended.

Abigail spoke something that wasn’t English, her cell phone pressed to her face. Some words were familiar, but she spoke so fast Tanya couldn’t hope to keep up. Every few words she’d sob, swallow the sound and begin again.

Luke herded them out on the sidewalk, glancing every which way. Whoever had killed Mr. X could still be there.

Tanya spotted the SUV first.

“There,” she said.

“Cross the street. Go. Go. Go.” Luke kept his hand on Abigail’s back.

Whoever Mr. X was, he’d been someone to Abigail.

Tanya pulled the back doors of the SUV open and held them for Luke and Abigail to crawl in the luggage space. Isaac had the side door open and scooped her in the moment she shut the other two in.

“What the hell happened?” Kyle demanded the moment the doors shut.

“Someone killed Baron.” Abigail’s voice wavered.

“Who?” Isaac twisted to stare at the back of the vehicle.

“Her ex-husband,” Luke replied.

“Not just Baron, but an American diplomat, and an MI5 officer.” Abigail wiped at her face. “Tanya, did you know them?”

“Your ex-husband, yes.” Tanya swallowed. “He trained me.”

“Shit.” Abigail closed her eyes.

“Back up. An MI5 officer and American diplomat?” Isaac’s face scrunched up. “How is all that connected?”

“Later. I’m sorry, Abigail, but—where are we going?” Kyle asked.

“Do we have another location prepped?” Luke asked.

“No,” Kyle replied.

“We need somewhere we can regroup,” Luke said.

“I have an idea,” Tanya said.

The others grew silent.

“My father’s childhood home is off Hyde Park. Because of the trial, it’s been caught up in a series of ongoing legal battles considering how valuable it is.”

“Is anyone in it?” Kyle asked.

“No, that’s why it’s perfect. Because of how it’s all tied up, no party can step foot in the house. There’s a caretaker that stops by, but otherwise it’s been locked up since my aunt passed.”

“Let’s go,” Luke said.

“Address?” Adam asked.

Tanya had to look the address up on Isaac’s phone before she could guide Adam. The morning traffic had begun, not that anyone could go faster than twenty inside London. It took them well over an hour to reach the area surrounding Kensington Palace.

“We need to get rid of this SUV,” Kyle said.

“Why don’t half of us go with Tanya to the house, secure it, and you guys get rid of the truck?” Isaac suggested.

“Let’s do it. At the next light, Isaac, Tanya, Luke, Felix, Shane, and Abigail, why don’t you guys go for the house?”

Tanya didn’t point out the math. The SUV rolled to a stop and Isaac got out. The drivers behind them gestured, but otherwise said nothing. Not even when Abigail and Luke crawled out of the back.

“This way.” Isaac guided them using his phone.

The drizzle had lightened to a mist. She pulled the hood on her coat up to keep the water from running down her neck.

The houses had a pristine, white façade with bricks, stately columns, and picturesque windows full of flowers. Some of the plaques on the doors proclaimed this house or that one an embassy. She was well aware the area was extremely expensive to buy into, which was a motivating factor for the numerous lawsuits fighting over who would get it. Wilson Graham’s children sure as hell weren’t on the list, and she wouldn’t want it.

Tanya fell into step beside Abigail. The other woman had dried her eyes, and except for the frown, appeared back to herself.

“I’m sorry about your ex,” Tanya said.

“I can’t decide if I’m sorry or not.” Abigail glanced at Tanya. “It’s complicated.”

Tanya glanced at Isaac’s broad shoulders. That was a word that described her whole life. From how and where she was born to this very moment.

“He’s a good guy,” Abigail said softly.

“Hm?” Tanya glanced at the other woman, aware she’d been caught staring.

“You know, if you like that kind of person.” Abigail shrugged.

“It’s nothing.” The words were true, but they still stung.

“You recognized Baron. He trained you.”

Tanya swallowed. Abigail wasn’t asking questions and Tanya wouldn’t insult her by answering.

“Who else trained you?”

“Do you mean all the people involved or the ones in charge?”

“The in charge ones. That’s who I care about right now.”

“Two women, one at least ten years older than me, the older one was probably—fifties?”

“Shit.” Abigail sighed. “I’m making a stab in the dark here, but I think your handler sold out the people who trained you. Someone who knew what was going on with you. No matter how people try, there’s always a trail.”

“Rob wouldn’t know who trained me.”

“Then he found a trail. A lead. Someone who knew something. We need to make a list of everyone you interacted with. One of them is responsible for Baron’s death.”

“You said two others died today. Who were they?”

“I think the American diplomat and the MI5 agent who were also killed this morning were the two women in the triad over your training.”

“It could be the CIA mole.” Tanya hated admitting that.

“That’s a good possibility, and it tells us Orlando has resources in high places, likely more than one. We’d be smart to assume he has someone everywhere. The older woman was technically retired, and logistically the harder of the five to identify. My ex-husband was probably the easiest to identify.”

“I’m sorry,” Tanya mumbled.

“He wasn’t good to me, but he loved his country, and he believed in what he was doing.”

“How long were you married?”

“Not long. I was a teenager. I had no idea what I was getting into.”

“I understand.” Tanya swallowed.

“Shit. I’m sorry. I’m—this is not my best.”

“I was engaged—twice—but never married. We were raided the night before my wedding.”

Isaac slowed and glanced over his shoulder.

“That’s it, with the purple flowers.” He nodded ahead of them.

“I’ll go around back and let you in,” Tanya said.

“Stay here. We’ll be back.” Abigail kept pace with Tanya. They turned down a narrow alley so neat and tidy there wasn’t a scrap of trash to be seen. “Do you know how to get in?”

“Sort of.”

“How likely are we to get caught?”

“No clue. The house is old. It’s been in the Graham family for ages. It’s the row house, the garden, and what used to be the carriage house behind it. The caretaker comes by two or three times a week. There’s a lock box with a key to get inside, mostly for the lawyers.”

“Was this on your list of crash pads, in case things didn’t work out?”

“Yes, but I didn’t want to bring those people here, you know?”

“I do.”

“This is the garden.” Tanya glanced right and left.

“Do you know the code?”

“While I was in college, one of the lawyers needed a surviving child’s signature. I was easy to find. I signed, but on the condition I got a copy of the documents. You know, to cover my ass. It was an addendum to an original agreement that the access code would remain my great aunt’s birthday. There was a stint where they got nasty and did some changing to the locks and codes without sharing it to the other parties. This locked the codes in.”

Tanya plugged the eight-digit number into the keypad.

The green light flashed and the lock disengaged.

“Every lock is the same code?” Abigail asked.

“A variation of it. I memorized them when I knew I’d be doing this job. Just in case, you know?”

“Smart. I’m beginning to like you more.”

Tanya stared around the small garden. Whoever was entrusted with the management of the place took exceptionally good care of it. It was such a pity that a beautiful home like this couldn’t be appreciated by people who weren’t her.

“There’s the box.” Tanya jogged across the stone path and up the backstairs of the house. A metal box hung off the doorknob.

She’d memorized the numbers, but which combination went to which device was the real problem. She lifted the lid and examined the buttons.

The eight had the most wear on it.

She plugged in the code.

The red light flashed.

She tried again and the green light blinked.

“Keys to the kingdom,” Abigail muttered.

Tanya took the keys and opened the back door. Since the house had been unoccupied for so long, it hadn’t been upgraded with a security system. The only things protecting it were the locks and reputation of the neighborhood.

“You let them in. I’m going to start searching the house and make sure we’re alone. And pull all the curtains.” Abigail headed for the stairs.

To think, her ancestors had grown up here. Glancing around at the opulence, the marble and gold everywhere, she could understand some of her father’s ego. If she’d been born into a world like this, she’d believe she was special, too.

Tanya crossed to the front door and unlocked the heavy, old thing.

Luke, Felix, Shane and Isaac jogged up the stairs two by two, keeping it quiet. She leaned out, glancing up and down the street. Anyone with a trained eye would spot the four for what they were, trained soldiers. It was in the way they moved, how they carried themselves. Add to it they were obviously American, and it wasn’t the best for blending in. Still, the street was quiet and no one seemed to be the wiser.

She shut the door and locked it.

The guys were already moving from room to room, lowering blinds and drawing the curtains aside.

Isaac waited for her in the entry, studying her in a way that made her wonder what he saw.

“You okay?” he asked, keeping his voice soft.

“Yeah. Of course.”

“Baron’s death hit Abby hard. You knew him?”

“Yeah, though I didn’t know that was his name.” Tanya shoved her hands into her coat pockets and stared at the floor. “He was professional. Not exactly nice, but I liked him. I can’t believe he’s dead.”

And if she had to guess, it tied back to her.

Isaac wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in tight. She buried her face against his chest and breathed in deep.

Why was she the only one still alive? What was so special about her?

“Kyle and Adam are headed our way—with food,” Luke called out from the back of the house.

“Hear that?” Isaac whispered.

“Yeah.” She straightened and rubbed her face.

“Food and some rest will do you good.”

“There’s no time for that.” She could feel the ticking of the seconds slipping away from them. There was only so much time before Orlando—or his customers—did something.

“Let’s go see what Abigail and Luke think about our next move before you decide anything, okay?”

Isaac guided her into the formal dining room where Abigail and Luke were seated. The old table was long enough to sit twelve, with heavy, wooden chairs. The upholstery had seen better days, but the bones were good.

“This is some place,” he muttered looking around.

“It looks like a museum.” Tanya slid into a seat across from Abigail, who had her phone pressed to her ear, listening to what the person on the other end of the line was saying.

Tanya groped for Isaac’s hand under the table and held on tight.

This was her life they were playing with.

“Okay, I understand. Please get back to me when you can?” Abigail said.

“Kyle is here,” Felix called out. “Glad you guys found us.”

Tanya smelled food first. Felix and Shane helped the other two haul the food into the dining room and pass out containers.

“We got what we could.” Kyle thrust a bag their way.

There were few things as comforting to Tanya as a sausage sandwich. It was one of the few British things her father had insisted on. Good tea and sausage were at the top of his priority list. Tanya unwrapped the sandwich and bit into it, needing the reassurance more than she needed the sustenance.

“Where we at?” Kyle glanced at Abigail then Tanya.

“Location is secure for now,” Luke said, taking the lead before Abigail spoke up.

Tanya got the feeling that outwardly she was holding it together much better than she was on the inside. Baron might not be the man Abigail had chosen to spend her life with, but he’d left an impression on her, and Tanya.

“I just confirmed, again, that the three people we suspect are responsible for Tanya’s training were killed. Today. Within an hour of each other. Professional hits. Not likely someone on Orlando’s payroll, which means it was a contract job.” Abigail picked at the sandwich Luke put in front of her, tearing the crust off the toasted bread. “Why were they all here? Was it because of this?”

“He’d have to hire out for something this fast and clean. I’d guess this wasn’t thrown together last minute,” Luke added.

“So this is all part of a larger plan,” Abigail said.

“Wouldn’t Rob have had to report talking to you guys to someone?” Isaac twisted to look at Tanya. “What if he didn’t check in or do something right and that’s why these three people were here? Because Tanya is now in the wind?”

“That’s a theory better than any I’ve come up with,” Abigail said. “There’s not much of a reason for Baron and the others to all be in London, unless they were en route to the same place. Or working on a joint project. Her.”

Tanya cringed.

“No one’s saying you’re at fault,” Luke quickly added.

“No.” Abigail shook her head in agreement. “We don’t even know if you’re connected. Like Luke said, this was a well thought out op.”

“So we believe her, then?” Kyle asked.

“I do,” Abigail said.

“Okay.” Kyle nodded and stared at Tanya. “Welcome to the team. What’s our next goal?”

That simple vote of confidence left Tanya feeling unsteady. Isaac took her hand in his and squeezed. They finally believed her, for real. No gut feelings or one person vouching for her.

“We’re waiting for one of Baron’s men to help us confirm Tanya’s identity for certain. Once we have that, we can work with Mossad to figure out who we should contact on the American side to get some movement on the bigger problem we aren’t yet talking about.” Abigail didn’t look as happy about it as Tanya thought she might. “I’m concerned with how long it will take. Losing Baron is going to complicate things. Add in the other three, and we’re talking about people trying to catch a lot of spinning plates. Their deaths are going to be a disaster to sort out for the agencies they work for. I’m hoping to get one of Baron’s minions to help us out, but their priorities aren’t us at the moment, even with the threat of the weapon.”

“It might be easier to make a list of who is a threat right now,” Isaac said.

“Orlando, his hired assassin, The Patrol, the three customers with bids in on the weapon and then anyone else who wants what’s in my head.” Tanya ticked each off on a finger.

“How much do you know about the customers?” Abigail asked.

“A lot. I made notes when we were at the estate, trying to figure out who I thought Orlando would sell to. It’s not all about getting the most money, it’s about hitting the right target.”

“You said the three customers were a terrorist cell, a political group, and a homegrown terrorist group?” Abigail ticked each off on a finger.

“Correct. The terrorist cell is too risky, and their target was a football game. Orlando wanted something more central to D.C.”

“And the rest?”

“The grassroots group is more disorganized, but chaos creates opportunity. They want to hit a convention center, make a splash. My money is on the political group. Yes, Orlando’s message of revenge would get buried in their broader campaign, but it would work. They’ve done business before. It’s the safe option.”

“Where did they want to hit?” Luke asked.

“They wanted to sit on the weapon for a few weeks and use it at some big lobbyist thing. I wasn’t clear on the details. Orlando required less from them because they’re repeat customers.”

“Okay, then we need to know all three inside and out. Can you write down all you know? I’ll turn it over to our guys at home, and we’ll do our homework on them.” Abigail slid a pad of paper and pen across to Tanya.

“Do you think Orlando would send someone after you?” Isaac asked.

“Honestly? I’m not sure.”

“Well, we know Orlando isn’t coming here on his own. Considering the close timing of the other deaths, I’m guessing the assassin wasn’t expecting us or they’d have waited for Abigail and Tanya. That leaves The Patrol and other intel-hungry people, am I right?” Isaac said.

“Sounds about right, yeah.” Kyle nodded.

“The Patrol and anyone else is going to have a hard time keeping tabs on us. Staying here probably isn’t the greatest idea, but it’s a good place to make a plan.” Kyle shrugged.

“I’m hoping my contact comes through in a few hours. They have to know the importance of what it is we’re trying to do.”

“So we hang tight?” Kyle said.

“That’s a good plan. Abigail and I need to sleep at some point, if at all possible.” Luke draped his arm across the back of Abigail’s chair.

“How long do we wait, then?” Kyle’s frown grew more pronounced.

“These things take time,” Abigail said.

“But that’s just it.” Tanya leaned forward. “We don’t have a lot of time.”