Mr. O’Malley raises an eyebrow. “Yes, your intel has proven to be quite useful. Luckily, the surveillance you spoke of is…what should we say? Handled?”
“She could be a valuable asset,” Travis adds. “Provided she gives us more good intel.”
O’Malley sits back in his chair, his expression giving nothing away. “Indeed.”
“I can beyourwoman on the inside,” Jen offers after a brief pause. “The FBI has always been a thorn in your side. Imagine what I…I’m sorry,we, can learn.”
O’Malley studies her intently, his dark eyes wide and watchful. “Why should we trust you?”
“I told you,” Jen replies. ‘I’m not really happy about being stabbed in the back.”
“That’s something we have in common, Ms. Marshall.”
Jen clears her throat and offers O’Malley a determined look “I know what they’re trying to do. They’re trying to cover up their mistakes at the expense of people like me. As far as they’re concerned, I’m a liability, and now that I’m trying to expose them for the hypocrites they are, I’ve got an even bigger target on my back.”
Travis and O’Malley exchange a quick look before looking back at her.
“And what guarantees do I have that you’ll deliver?”
“You don’t. We need to trust each other, and I’ve already given you more than you’ve given me,” Jen replies. “Besides, I still have contacts on the inside. I can keep my end of the bargain if you keep yours.”
“Let’s put her to the test,” Travis says. “Let’s see if she can really make the FBI bleed.”
“You’d do well to remember that I don’t like mistakes, Ms. Marshall,” O’Malley tells her with another blood curdling smile. “Or rats. Our associate, Mr. Milano, will be keeping a very close eye on you.”
“Of course,” Jen replies, easily.
“For now, you will keep providing us with information. When it’s time, you’ll be given another assignment.”
With a flick of his wrist, O’Malley dismisses them both. Travis takes Jen back outside where she’s ushered back into another dark car waiting in a back alley.
I watch the screen intently, keeping an eye on her until I see her standing outside her apartment door.
When she comes in, I twist in my seat and our eyes meet.
She gives me a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes before disappearing into her room. I’m worried, and not sure if I should push or give her the space, she would need to process everything that’s happened.
I spend the rest of the night pacing the entire length of the apartment trying to figure out how to disentangle myself from the feelings that were washing over me. But all I can do is think about how it felt to kiss and hold her.
Am I compromised?
Chapter 7: Revelations
Matthew
Three days later
Icrouch in front of the refrigerator and peer inside. “I know, mom. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to visit. I’m in the middle of an assignment.”
“You work too hard.”
I reach for a container in the back, pry it open and sniff. “It’s part of the job, you know that.”
“I hope you’re staying safe.”
“As safe as possible while still making a difference.” I switch the phone to my other ear and kick the refrigerator door shut. “How is that new class going?”
“I don’t think crocheting is for me.”