Chapter 16

My stomach began to turn as the phone rang in my ear, and I immediately felt sick to my stomach. I was rocked to my very core by the mysterious caller, and I thought that the carefully constructed facade I had been maintaining was about to fall apart. I was certain that now was the time when Russo would unearth the truth about my covert objectives, and I waited with bated breath for him to make the connection.

On the other end of the line, though, I heard a voice that I was not familiar with speaking up. As I focused my attention on what was being said, my heart raced in my chest, and I found it difficult to keep my calm. Even though I am aware that it is not a member of the agency, I am unable to rid my heart of the feeling of dread that it provokes. The relationship of trust that I have established with Russo is extremely fragile at this point, and I do not plan to take it for granted.

Russo, who had shown initiative by putting the call on speakerphone, urged me to carry on with th