Chapter 27
Several times, Zoe looked at her silent cell phone, and each time she forced herself to put it back in her clutch. Calling Beatrice for an update was not productive. And if Finch stayed silent, it was a good sign, wasn’t it?
Mingling the best she could, and keeping her alcohol consumption to the minimum, even if a couple of shots would have done her nerves good, Zoe kept an eye on Lance and Kai. One stayed close to Archer, the other, to her. As time passed and the event was in full swing, tension grew inside her, unbeknownst to everyone else. Finch, the traitor, Lucas; it was enough to make her insane with worry.
And her feet hurt. High heels looked good, but they made her bitch after half an hour standing, let alone three hours. Men came to her, asking for a dance, but she declined politely. The one man she would have agreed to follow on the dance floor was caught in a tight circle of silver-haired businessmen, in a heated debate from what she could see. From time to time, his eyes locked with her, as if to reassure himself she was still close by, still safe.
Sam’s words came back to her, about Archer having changed because of her. The thought warmed and frightened her. Part of her female ego was pleased that she could have done that to such a man. After all, Archer was handsome, powerful, rich, dangerous on so many levels, and yet, she had reached him. As time passed, Zoe knew they could never be a real couple, even if Archer’s feelings were sincere. She did love him, there was no doubt about it even if she had never said the words, but she led a simple life. And she had Lucas to think about. She could ask for a transfer, or have Lucas come to D.C. so they could finally live together. A couple more missions abroad and she would be able to have a cash down-payment for a house. Another option was to turn to the private sector, many big companies would hire her skill set.
She could ask Beatrice for brand new identities once more, both for Lucas and her, so they could finally start to live instead of constantly looking over their shoulders. No longer be the victims of their parents.
The need for a drink came full force, and Zoe decided to leave the terrace and use the powder room. Obviously, Kai was on her heels, not saying a word, in full bodyguard mode. Finch hadn’t made an appearance and she was glad for it. It would have been torture to play the part of the sympathetic assistant when all she wanted was to gouge his eyes out.
Making her way to the bathroom area, she saw the line and sighed. If a similar line hadn’t stretched out of the men’s bathroom, she would have made the switch. Kai came beside her and touched her elbow, his mouth close to her ear. “There’s a bathroom reserved for Archer, and all of us for that matter.”
At last good news! And she followed Kai who led the way into a small side corridor. Knocking on an unmarked door, he waited a second and opened it. It was a two-stall restroom more utilitarian than sophisticated, but immaculately clean. Kai let her enter and told her he would stand outside by the door.
Relieved, refreshed, Zoe was finishing washing her hands before the large mirror when the door opened to Ellen who wiggled to one of the stalls.
“Oh! That was close!”
Zoe smiled as she opened her clutch to grab her compact and lipstick. “One too many cocktails?”
Ellen’s laughter competed with the sound of the flushing toilet. “Yeah, I guess.”
She got out and started washing her hands. Zoe finished applying her lipstick and couldn’t help but check her cell phone another time.
“You know he’s not going to call you on that anymore.”
The words didn’t make any sense to her, and she looked at the older woman who was rummaging through her small bag until she finally picked up her lipstick.
“What?”
“Finch. He won’t call you on that phone, especially since so many people are listening in on the other end now.”
In any other circumstances, Zoe’s face would have been comical. “You... what... what are you talking about?”
Ellen started applying a thick layer on her lips. “Oh, my dear. You perfectly understood what I said. You are an intelligent woman, otherwise, Jamieson would never have gone to all this trouble.”
The wheels in her head started to screech to life once more, making surprising connections. “You’re the mole, you’re the one who tried to access the server.”
Ellen smiled over the mirror. “Well, it was Cynthia’s job to do that originally. Too bad she was such an incompetent child with a growing conscience. And she knew too much. That sounds so melodramatic, but it’s the truth. You know, you keep your cards close to your vest.”
Zoe’s head was spinning fast, and she gripped the counter hard, both to stay upright, but also to keep herself grounded. “What were you searching for in the servers?”
“Jamieson has an aversion for every one of his children who has any kind of power. Let’s just say that Archer Blackwood will wake up one day with a nasty surprise that authorities will be more than happy to sink their teeth into. And with your help, Jamieson will be able to do something similar to the others, apart from Al-Aamri, but it’s only a question of time in his case.”
Powdering her nose, Ellen looked so normal. It was so strange to see the woman saying those awful things as if they were discussing the weather.
“But you know men of power like your father, and I have no doubt you’ve slept with Blackwood by now. For that you surprised me. I never thought he would get interested in a woman like you. Well, everyone has their own kinks it seems. But let’s go back to more important matters, shall we? One last assignment before you are free as a bird, darling.”
“Stop calling me that.” The words hissed through her teeth, but Ellen clearly ignored her.
Putting back her makeup in her bag, she retrieved a small case, about the size of a pen, and pushed it in her direction. Zoe didn’t dare to touch it yet.
“What is that?”
Ellen closed her bag and faced her. “It’s a syringe. With a very powerful sedative in it.”
