Page 67 of A Spy is Born
“We have a team,” Justin says. “Temperance has a lot of autonomy.” Pride deepens his voice even further. His back is straighter—the nerdy guy is looking more like a secret agent all of a sudden.But he’s still overly affected by a beautiful woman.
“It’s sickening,” I say, feeling the truth of it my gut. “Is what’s happening with Grand and Jacobs connected to Vladimir in some way?” I ask. “I’ve read about the suspected Russian interference in the election.”
Justin looks over at Temperance, who gives nothing away, his face that strong, stone statue again. “I can’t go into details about Vladimir,” Temperance answers. “But we can draw a straight line from Jacobs to Grand now, thanks to you.” Temperance gives me a predatory smile. It’s chilling… almost like he’s happy about what happened to Julian. Or even manipulated it into happening somehow.
“We suspected that Grand had ties to white supremacist groups,” Temperance goes on. “They support him on Twitter and other social media. And while he is not about to admit a close connection, he has avoided opportunities to condemn them.”
“I don’t think he’s going to admit it now,” I point out.
“No, we don’t need him to.” Temperance nods to Justin, who types into his computer for a moment.
My watch beeps, a reminder to take Archie out for his final pee. “I’ve got to go home,” I say. “Archie is alone.”
Temperance pulls out his phone. “I’ll have him picked up.”
Right, because you can access my apartment whenever you want. Awesome.
After sending off a quick message, Temperance returns his attention to me. “Grand has made several mistakes. This proof of his connection to Jacobs is the nail in the coffin.”
“What were the others?” I ask.
“Besides trying to get you to assassinate me?” Temperance raises an eyebrow. “I can’t go into details at this time.”
“Will there be a time?”
“Perhaps.”Come on.I give off a dramatic sigh, and Temperance smiles, almost like he is enjoying my frustration. “You know other things about him from the news—the accusations of sexual assault.” The screen flashes, and images of the women who have come out claiming that Grand forced unwanted touching on them glow to life.
“But that can be easily challenged,” I point out, the bitterness in my voice coating my tongue. “We all know that women are often not believed when they claim sexual assault.” Temperance nods. “It’s what got me into this situation in the first place,” I mutter.
“And what we assume is a false accusation against Julian is what has brought us here tonight.”
“Right,” I say, sitting forward. “And what are we going to do about that?”
Temperance smile grows into a grin. "We have to kill Grand." His words strike me like a fist to the solar plexus, stealing my breath and numbing my limbs.
I pull in a breath, my mind racing and stumbling and coming up empty.Kill a presidential candidate?
“He asked you to assassinate me,” Temperance goes on. “He knows I'm a thorn in his side. That I am your contact and protector."That I’m black.He doesn’t say it, but I hear it.“He also knows I’m pursuing his ties to white supremacists and other dangerous connections we can’t go into at this time.”
I put up a hand, asking him to slow down. Closing my eyes, I pull in a deep breath. “That is so extreme.” I finally find some words, though they hardly do justice to the swirl of confusion in my mind.This all sounds crazy!“Your superiors can’t…I mean, who has the ability to authorize this?”
Temperance ignores my questions about his superiors. "I have a lot of leeway. And we're going to use it." Glancing over at Justin, I see that the young man’s jaw has gone slack with surprise again.This guy does not have a poker face.
“Reginald Grand is a danger to the country.” Temperance’s voice thrums through the large room. “And our mission is to keep this nation safe. We have to stop him.”
In the morning,Archie and I take an Uber over to Mary's office, and I show up looking like I’m not hiding from a presidential candidate who wants me to kill for him…and who I’m plotting to murder in return.
Mary meets me at the elevator and, looping an arm through mine, she bustles us to her office. "Did you hear about Julian?" she asks, her voice low.
“I was there when they arrested him. It's bullshit."
“This is a disaster. A goddamn disaster."
“I know, even an accusation can be devastating.” Archie squirms in his bag and pops out his head. I rub under his chin, and he sighs appreciatively.
"You're so sure he didn't do it?" Mary asks me, brows raised, mascara-shrouded eyes wide.
"Yes.”
