She leaned back again, her eyes mocking me.

“He signed those authorizations because he believed in the mission.”

“Then he lost his nerve.”

The sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor outside.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, the screen lighting up.

I pulled it out and looked at the message.

It was from General Albright’s aide, Captain Merritt.

*Get out of there now.*

*The Colonel is on his way down.*

I looked up at Vanessa, who was watching me with a look of pure satisfaction.

The handle of the heavy metal door began to turn.

The door handle clicked and swung inward.

Cole stood in the frame.

He wore his dress blues, the medals on his chest catching the harsh fluorescent light of the basement corridor.

His eyes swept the room, pausing on me before settling on Vanessa.

“You shouldn’t be here, Eleanor,” he said.

His voice was calm, almost pleasant, the tone he used when he was lecturing junior analysts.

“I could ask you the same thing,” I said, my hand slipping into my pocket to hide the shaking.

Vanessa didn’t move from her chair.