I tilted my head. “Basia would tell me that moving in would be taking our relationship to a whole new level.”
“She’d be right.” He took my hand. “I know this past week hasn’t been easy for either one of us. You’ve seen more sides of me than anyone ever has—including the sides I don’t normally show anyone.”
“Why were you afraid to show me that part of you?”
The expression on his face was pained. “Because I wasn’t sure you could accept that part of me. I also worried about corrupting...tainting you. In the end, it didn’t turn out like that. You were far too strong. I didn’t corrupt you at all. Instead, you saved me.”
“Not true.” I covered his hand, which was still cupping my cheek. “You didn’t need saving. You were pursuing peace, or at least détente, the entire time. But you had to be prepared in case that didn’t happen. I understand that now.”
“Thank you,” he murmured. He closed his eyes, leaned his forehead against mine.
I let out a breath and spoke from my heart. “The truth is, Slash, I want to be with you. But it has to be all of you. The good, the bad, the dark and the complicated. It goes both ways. I’ve got my issues, too. I’m not an expert on relationships, but I’m pretty sure that’s what love is all about. We have to trust each other enough to share those kinds of things with each other. Deal?”
He paused and then nodded. “Deal.”
We stood there in silence. My emotions were running the gamut of terrified to exhilarated. I wasn’t sure how to sort them out, and I could no longer ask Basia what to do next. Actually, I no longer had to ask her. Trust my heart, she’d said. That’s what had convinced me to get into the relationship with Slash in the first place. So far, the relationship had worked out far better than I’d ever expected, so trust my heart is what I’d do now.
Still, my hands trembled as I spoke. “Here’s the bottom line, Slash. I understand living together will not be easy. It’s going to be a lot of work. If I’m honest, it already is. So, if we decide to do this, we have to agree to work at it every day.”
“Agreed.”
“Then, my answer is yes. I’ll move in with you. Let’s consider it a new level, a new beginning for us.”
He pulled me tight against his chest. He rested his chin on the top of my head, his arms tight around me. His embrace was warm and safe, the thud of his heartbeat reassuring. I didn’t know where this next step would lead us, but for now it was enough to know I felt confident enough to take it.
“I love you, cara,” he murmured. “I can’t wait to see where it takes us.”
“Me neither. And just so you know, Slash, I’ll be leaving my apartment in Jessup when I move in with you. I’m going into this on faith. I can’t believe I’m saying that, but I am. Let’s make it all or nothing.”
His arms tightened around me as he pressed a kiss against my hair. “Perfect. I like my odds on that.”
Chapter Fifty-Eight
It felt good to be back in China. As much as Jiang Shi enjoyed traveling, he preferred to be home among his networks and computers. From China he could go wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted, anyway. Like right now, for example. He was having a special little tour of New Jersey.
Shi tapped a few keys on his favorite keyboard and slipped into the outer ring of security of the Public Service Electric and Gas—the major electrical grid for New Jersey. A couple of more layers and the power would be his to command. On or off. He could do whatever he damn well wanted with a single keystroke.
He had just started a complicated coding string when his door opened. Who had dared to enter without knocking?
Furious, he swiveled around in his chair ready to provide a suitable tongue-lashing when two men dressed in dark suits and ties strode into his office. One of them closed the door behind him.
Jiang Shi stood up in surprise. The man in front was Liu Chunlin, Deputy Director of the Ministry of State Security. Shi didn’t know the second man.
Shi masked his concern by bowing low to the men. “Gentlemen, welcome. I wasn’t expecting you. To what do I owe this honor?” He waved to two chairs on the other side of his desk. “Please have a seat.” He hated himself for it, but his hand trembled, so he put it in his pocket to keep it out of sight.
Chunlin and the other man didn’t answer and both remained standing. The serious looks on their faces began to concern Shi. He fidgeted on his feet, afraid to be quiet but too nervous to speak.
Finally Chunlin stepped forward. “Jiang Shi, you have been accused of theft, money laundering, bribery and defrauding the citizens of the People’s Republic of China.”
“What?” Shi took a step back in shock, his mind reeling. Whatever his concern, this level of accusation had not crossed his mind. “That’s outrageous. Who brings these charges against me?”
“Three hidden offshore accounts in your name containing money directly siphoned from the ministry have been brought to our attention.”
“By whom? I don’t own any such accounts. This a ridiculous charge.”
“The accounts in your name have been confirmed, as has the cyber trail, which leads directly back to you. What do you have to say for yourself?”
“What do I have to say for myself?” Fear turned to anger. Shi slammed his hand on his desk. “I’m being framed. That’s what I have to say. It’s most certainly the Americans who are behind this. They are trying to get back at me. It’s revenge. A plot to dishonor me.”
To his surprise, Chunlin smiled and sat down. The other man remained standing and expressionless.
“Things haven’t been going well for you lately, have they, Jiang Shi?”
Shi blinked, confused by the change in his demeanor and the question. He took a wary step forward, choosing his words carefully. “I have encountered a few setbacks, but that’s to be expected in a profession such as mine.”
“Setbacks. That’s a mild word. You’ve made a lot of promises to the ministry. Promises you haven’t fulfilled. Despite your best efforts in Papua New Guinea, we have no quantum microchip and no useful intelligence on the inner workings of the NSA cybersecurity department. Instead your brother, Jiang Quon, also a member of your cyber team, was captured and is apparently assisting the Americans in their study of our own cyberstrategies. A Chinese citizen, and the nephew of one of Sinam Tech’s executives, has been arrested for his part in a hacking plot that was undertaken without the Ministry’s knowledge or approval. Three other Chinese citizens, including Feng Mei, have also been arrested in the US and charged with kidnapping a reporter for The Washington Post. Feng Mei also faces the far more serious charge of the murders of two NSA employees, including the director and deputy director of IAD. Finally, you intended to launch a cyberattack against the United States without express permission from the general secretary or the state council. We had to stop said attack with only minutes to spare before the Americans launched their own attack against us. I would say that all equals to a lot more than a few minor setbacks.”
Sweat trickled down his left temple. It was becoming hard to breathe. “I promise I can fix everything. The cyberattack was a misunderstanding. I’ve already explained in great detail what happened. Right now I’m this close to a hack into—”
“Jiang Shi—” the deputy minister interrupted and leaned forward. His eyes were cold. “We don’t tolerate broken promises.”
“They’re not broken. I can take care of everything. I have a plan. A good one.” Shi’s words had started to slur together. Panic gripped his throat.
“What about the matter of the fraud?” Chunlin continued. “You are in possession of millions of yuan siphoned from the ministry. What do you intend to do about that?”
“You can have all the money back. I never took it in the first place.”
“I see. And the six million yuan still missing?”
Chunlin crossed his legs, inspected his fingernails as if he had nothing more important to do. “How incompetent you must be to have allowed yourself to be framed so easily. I’m afraid, Jiang Shi, you are a weak spot for us.”
Shi staggered backward. “No. I am not weak. I am strong. I will handle this or resign. You have my word.”
Chunlin lifted his gaze. “Resign? You think we would allow a man of your knowledge and experience to resign? You’re far too dangerous to us to be set loose. You should know that.”
Shi couldn’t breathe. His knees were weak. He braced his hand against the corner of his desk. “Please.” The plea came out as a whisper.
“I’m afraid you’ve outlived your usefulness.” Chunlin stood up, brushing his hands together. “Jiang Shi, you are hereby charged with crimes against the Chinese people. Please come with us.”
The big man, who had stood so silently near the door, pulled a pair of handcuffs out of his pocket and approached Shi.
Shi’s fear burst from within. “No!” he shouted and collapsed to the floor.
* * *
Slash walked into the NSA, flashing his badge and submitting his palm print for identification before checking his weapon with the guard and walking through the metal detector. He headed straight for the elevator, taking it to the third floor and past two more security checks before being ushered in to see the director of the NSA, General Maxwell Norton.
Slash had expected the summons, but now he was here, he wondered how Norton would play it. Norton was a straightforward guy, honest and had a good grasp of the threats presented on the cyber front. But he was also politically savvy and was required to answer personally to Washington. That was another complicated layer added to an already complex situation. It was hard to predict how the meeting would go.
As Slash was ushered into his office, Norton rose from behind his desk and shook his hand.
“Slash, good to see you, son. Thank you for coming. Sit down.”
Slash sat. Instead of returning to the chair behind his desk, Norton came around and sat in the chair beside him, looking at him with kind and experienced eyes.
After a short pause he spoke. “So, I understand you finished the code.”
Good. Norton wasn’t going to waste time with meaningless chatter. “Yes, sir, it’s finished.”
“Excellent.” He leaned forward. “May I ask where it is? Our experts have been all over that laptop you had at the hotel and we can’t find it.”
“The code in a safe place.” Slash kept his gaze even on Norton’s. He didn’t have to say more. Norton knew exactly what that meant.
The general studied him for a moment. “I see. That’s how it’s going to be.”
“That’s how it’s going to be,” Slash confirmed. “That’s how it has to be. It’s safer that way for everyone.”
To his surprise, Norton didn’t try to argue or persuade him to turn it over. Instead he looked relieved.
“Agreed. So, your team, Slash—the ones who worked on the code with you—I’m well aware they’re the best and brightest America has to offer. We owe you and them a debt we can’t ever repay. The Zimmermans...did they prove to be helpful as expected?”
“Exceptionally. But they didn’t touch the code itself. They created the security sheath and protocols, that’s all. The black code—that’s on me alone.”
Norton sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers. “Alone? Really? According to the FBI report I read, you were hit with a dart and were out for a significant amount of time during the operation. Perhaps you had a little extra help somewhere else, then?”
Slash remained silent. No way would he confirm Lexi’s participation or drag her into this, even if it seemed obvious to Norton.
Norton smiled. “It’s okay, son, your secret is safe with me. I’m well aware of Ms. Carmichael’s abilities. I also know she was the one who sent the code into hiding. She was the last one with her hands on the laptop. I’m damn sorry we lost her here at the agency. The lure and freedom of the private sector is killing us. Despite that, she’s proven to be quite an asset to the US government. She’s a special woman.”
He tensed and Norton patted him on the knee. “Stand down, Slash. I don’t intend to use her as leverage. You have my word.”
Slash relaxed slightly, leaning forward, his hands on his knees. “How’s Charlie?”
“He’s fine. Recovering nicely. There’s a certain young FBI agent who is now facing charges of attempted murder for injecting him with an unauthorized medication.”
“The agent was on Jiang Shi’s payroll?”
“We’re still working on tracing the connection, but it looks that way. Charlie will be fully reinstated, of course.”
“Who created the offshore accounts in Charlie’s name?”
Norton raised a silver eyebrow. “Who do you think?”
“Sam.” Sick betrayal swept through him. “What’s happening to him?”
“He’s in FBI custody. He will face prosecution on a number of serious charges. We’re exploring the charge of treason, as well. How do you feel about that?”
His jaw clenched. “I feel good about it.” His voice was cold, his conscience clear. “Do it. Are the agents who were at the FBI safe house recovering?”
“Two of the three agents who were inside with you have been released from the hospital and are expected to have a full recovery. The third, Agent Knott, remains hospitalized, but apparently he’s going to make it. He’s a tough old bird.”
Slash closed his eyes for a moment, relief easing a bit of the tension coiled in his gut. “That’s good to hear.”
“Yes, it is.” Norton crossed his legs, studying Slash for a moment. “I need to ask you something, son. Are you intending to leave the NSA?”
Slash examined Norton, wondering why he’d asked the question. “Not today, sir.”
Visible relief crossed Norton’s face. “Good, because you’re the most important talent this agency has right now. It’s a personal priority for me to see you are well taken care of and protected. You are hereby promoted from acting director to Director of IAD.”
Slash blinked. “You want me to permanently step into the directorship?”
“I do. You’ve earned it. You’ll be the youngest Director of IAD in NSA history, but we want to keep you. We need to keep you. The world is changing and we must keep up.”
Slash considered for a moment. “I’d be honored to receive the promotion. I will accept...if my conditions are met.”
Norton raised an eyebrow. “Conditions? Such as?”
“Such as, no agents in my house. I’ve built myself a place with sophisticated security equipment. I will permit you to examine it to assure you that it meets the NSA’s rigorous safety standards. I can live with the detail outside and in the car, but they stay outside. I can drive myself, too.”
Norton stared at him for a long moment and then nodded. “Granted.”
“I’m also scaling back my hours. That means no more regular sixteen—and eighteen-hour days. I can be flexible and accommodating depending on the mission, but only to a point.”
Norton leaned forward, his expression curious. “I see. I presume things are getting serious with a certain young lady?”
Slash didn’t answer, but a broad smile crossed Norton’s face.
“Look, I don’t have the foggiest idea why you put up with our crap, but I’m damn grateful you do. Your adopted country thanks you and so do I. I know—perhaps better than most—what you sacrifice for us. That last condition is granted, as well. Welcome aboard. We’re fortunate to have you.” He held out a hand and Slash shoo
k it.
Slash started to rise, but the general waved him back to his seat. “Wait. There’s something I want to show you.”
Norton stood and walked over to his desk, retrieving a small package from atop some files and handing it to Slash.
“I received something today. Open it.”
Not surprisingly, the small box had already been opened. Any packages coming in and out of the NSA were opened at an off-site location. Norton already knew what the box contained, but he watched Slash examine the package.
Slash studied the brown packaging paper that had been folded around the box. It was addressed to Norton.
Slash lifted the lid and pulled out an object, unwrapping the tissue paper. A large silver coin fell into his palm.
“Do you know what that is?” Norton asked.
“I do.”
Slash examined the silver coin owned by Jiang Quon, Shi’s brother, still in CIA custody. Slash had mailed it to Shi after he’d captured Quon and now it was being returned. Things were coming full circle. There was only one person who could have gotten his hands on the coin and known where to return it.
Liu Chunlin.
A small piece of paper had been folded at the bottom of the box. Slash pulled it out and unfolded it.
TELL SLASH WE’RE DOING OUR PART FOR CYBER DéTENTE. YOU’RE WELCOME.
Slash handed the paper to Norton. “It’s confirmation of the stalemate. Mission accomplished.”
“Well-done, son.” Norton laughed and slapped him on the back. “Well-done, indeed.”
As Slash walked out of the NSA, he put his sunglasses on. The sun warmed his shoulders and neck, releasing some of the tension he’d stored there for the past few days.
Lexi would be waiting.
She’d be home from work, probably playing Magic Shorn, sitting on the couch with her computer on her lap, hair wound up in a ponytail. Her bare feet would be on the coffee table, a bowl of dry Cheerios, or perhaps an apple, within reaching distance. When he walked in, she’d look up and smile at him.
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