Page 158 of Blind Prophet

“There’s no investigation, that I’m aware of, into Dorian’s involvement.”

“It’s not a tit-for-tat situation,” I answer. “And that’s not exactly true. The Bedrock board will hold an internal investigation.” From what I understand, the investigation is more to review all communications from Halston, as they may have been compromised, but an investigation will occur. “And I believe the NSA is still…”

I leave the sentence unfinished. No one knows exactly what the NSA will do, but this strikes me as a situation they will not close until a comprehensive review has been completed.

“Why don’t you let it go tonight? Enjoy the holiday party.”

She’s right. I should let it go. But this idea that the wealthy and connected aren’t investigated doesn’t sit well with me, especially when they have the propensity to be far more dangerous to national security and welfare than the ordinary citizen.

We reach the bar and both order the signature party cocktail, a red concoction with maraschino cherries speared with an Arrow. She taps my glass and says, “You’ll drive yourself mad if you can’t step away from it all and enjoy those around you. There will never be a shortage of crises, and the one constant is change.”

She nods her head in Dorian’s direction. He’s talking with Fisher, her husband, but was clearly headed in our direction before getting waylaid.

“Case in point,” she says. “Dorian went from suspect to friend overnight.”

“That he did.” I absentmindedly touch my thumb to my ringless ring finger. Changes indeed. “Speaking of changes…” Sophia and Fisher have been staying in Santa Barbara in an Arrow condominium for weeks. “Are you leaving the CIA?”

“No. The line on projects between Arrow and the CIA can blur, given Arrow occasionally takes on projects from them and, you know, my father’s role, but we’ll be heading back east after the holidays.”

Actually, I’m not clear about Jack’s role within the CIA, but I’m certain it’s a need-to-know arrangement.

“But I do want children. One day,” Sophia says wistfully. “When I transition out of the field.”

“Wow. I had this vision of you working in the field past retirement age.” She grins. “You know, gray hair, knitting on a park bench.”

“Nothing’s set in stone. It’s an idea.”

“A Christmas miracle.”

Still grinning, she clinks her glass against mine.

“Do you ever see Sydney?” The three of us finished in the same class at Langley. Whereas Sophia got a plum assignment pretty quickly, Sydney and I suffered for years under the same asshole. Sydney finally got her chance in the field, but last I heard, she’d been relegated back to DC, working for the same jerk.

“I hardly ever see her. You know what it’s like. When Fish and I are home, we don’t go out as much anymore. Getting older, I guess.” Sophia shrugs her shoulder. “When we return, I’ll call her. It’s been a while since we got together. Too long.”

“I should reach out, too. Last I spoke to her, she put in for a transfer.”

“Oh, really? What does she want to do?”

“Anything outside of Flanagan’s domain.”

Sophia nods her head, all too knowingly. “He’s such an asshole.”

“Misogynist fuckwad.”

She tips my glass with hers. “But you escaped.”

As our glasses clink once again, I send a wish to the universe for Sydney to find something better.

“Don’t look now, but Ethan’s headed over.”

I narrow my eyes in warning. I put up with her pushing me about Luke, but now she knows I’m with Dorian.

The tall man approaching is familiar, but only through the photographs on Stella’s desk. Ethan’s sandy blonde hair is longer than I would’ve expected from someone in the military, but he’s fit. The bear hug he gives Sophia has her giggling, and her feet lift off the floor.

I watch their reunion for a moment, remembering how Sophia had described their friendship—comfortable and uncomplicated. Something warm and slightly envious twists in my chest. Before I can analyze the feeling, a familiar presence appears at my side, the subtle scent of sandalwood announcing his return before his voice does.

“Sorry about that,” Dorian says, pulling me to his side. “What are you drinking?”

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