Page 131 of Blind Prophet

“It’s conceivable.” I already relayed all of this to Sophia. I haven’t written it up in a report, but… “Sophia said he exited the country.”

“There’s a flight plan,” he says.

“But no sighting?”

Ryan nods. “If he’s behind this, he’s in the wind.”

“What’s the next step? What do you need me to do?”

“Right now? NSA has their people doing a background on Cromwell, business associations, and Halston Moore’s contacts. The president has asked that he receive a full report.”

“Dorian has nothing to hide.”

“That’s what I needed.”

“What?”

“Your confidence. As for what we do…we wait. We did our part. We narrowed the persons of interest list. Now we wait for additional assignments.”

“Is what I read correct? The National Guard has been deployed?”

“Marines and National Guard are deployed to protect the electrical grid. The news has that right.”

“What do they have wrong?”

“Let’s just say it’s a busy day for the world’s military. If Russia is behind this, this may be their waking the beast moment.”

“Do you think we’ll go to war?”

His lips purse. “If they’re behind this, they’re watching our movements. Seeing how and where the US and our allies are deploying troops. They’ll stand down. Wait for a less cohesive and aligned resistance.” He stands, signaling the end of our meeting. “As for you, when your husband finishes his call, why don’t you head home? We’ll call you if you’re needed.”

What he’s telling me is that I’m not needed. It’s in the hands of others now. These guys may still be following the investigation, but I’m not needed. Actually, they probably want me to take Dorian away from here.

“As soon as we leave, you’re going to listen to the audio from your office?”

He grins. “I already have someone doing that. Deciphering anything he types might take more time.”

I shouldn’t grin in response, but I do. It’s not personal.

“That’s not to say I don’t trust you,” Ryan emphasizes. “It’s a precaution. The fact that no one has interrupted us means you’re safe to head home with him.”

We’ll head back home. Perhaps return to Rory’s house to get my car. She’s got to be worried.

“Are you back with him?” Ryan’s question is unexpected, but I suppose it’s understandable he’d inquire. We entered the office together. He referred to him as my husband.

“For how long?” I shrug slightly and give my boss a half-hearted smile. “That’s the question.”

“My advice?”

I study the founder of our company, wisdom etched in the corners of his eyes, in his weathered skin and rough-hewn hands. The man has had a storied career, and he garners the respect of all in his employ.

“Please.”

“I’ve never been divorced, by the grace of god. But I’ve witnessed divorce. Some couples bring out the worst in each other. And divorce is a blessing. But sometimes—and I expect this is rare—time apart, time to grow, that’s all that was needed. I had a buddy—I won’t use his name, as you know him—whose divorce wrecked him. He wanted her back.” Ryan’s eyes grow cloudy, reflective. He inhales as if snapping himself back from the past. “Looked like it might happen, too, but there was a car wreck. He never got his second chance. Not a real one. Not with her. I’m not saying all this to be morbid. I’m just saying…we’re not guaranteed tomorrow. Do the important stuff today.”

Sophia’s mother died in a car wreck, and I can’t help but wonder if Ryan is referring to Jack Sullivan, Sophia’s father. Her mother died a long time ago. To my knowledge, her stepmother, Ava Sullivan, has been in her life for ages, since long before I met Sophia.

Ryan claps me on the shoulder and directs me out of the office.

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