Page 14 of A Ballad of Blackbirds and Betrayal

“Aren’t you?”he countered, eyes never leaving his surveillance position.“You’re here, risking your career and possibly your life.Seems like team material to me.”

“Reaper approaching the estate main entrance now,” Cal reported through their earpieces.

Through her binoculars, Sabrina watched Atticus hand his invitation to the security detail.His transformation was remarkable—shoulders relaxed, hands open, his intensity masked beneath casual privilege.

“Senator just spotted him,” Jade noted from her elevated position.“Reaper is on his radar.”

The mansion’s interior revealed itself whenever the doors opened—crystal chandeliers, museum-quality art, and Dallas’s elite in formal attire.

“Our boy cleans up nice,” Eden commented, her voice barely audible through the comms as she circulated with a tray of drinks.“Every woman in the room just checked him out.”

“Focus, people,” Max reminded them, though amusement colored his voice.

“Mitchell approaching,” Cal warned.“Intercept in three, two…”

Senator Mitchell moved through the crowd with ease—tall, silver-haired, radiating the confidence of someone accustomed to power.He extended his hand to Atticus, clapping his shoulder in false familiarity.

“Atticus,” Mitchell’s voice came through the concealed mic.“I was beginning to think you’d never accept one of my invitations.It’s been too long.”

“Senator,” Atticus replied, his voice betraying none of his hatred.“It’s never worked out with my schedule.I was more fortunate this year.”

“Business keeping you busy?Dynamis is expanding into new territories, I hear.”

“Always,” Atticus replied.“I hear you’ve got your fingers in some upcoming projects I might be interested in as well.”

Mitchell laughed.“Always the businessman.Come, there are some people you should meet.Supporters of my healthcare initiatives who might benefit from your expertise.”

Sabrina shifted position, maintaining visual contact as Mitchell guided Atticus deeper into the gathering.

“That’s Dr.Elaine Cho near the east windows,” Sabrina said, recognizing the woman in burgundy speaking with a balding man.“BioGenix research director.She shut down my inquiries with legal threats.”Her pulse quickened.“Her presence confirms Mitchell’s discussing the bioweapon tonight.She came to BioGenix from USAMRIID—they study the world’s deadliest pathogens.

“Mitchell’s introducing them now,” she continued, watching through her binoculars.“Their body language indicates prior acquaintance.”

“Mics picking up conversation,” Cal confirmed.“Recording and analyzing.”

“Moving to secondary position,” Nate murmured.“Need better angle on the south entrance.Stay here and maintain visual surveillance.If approached, you’re checking soil moisture.”

She nodded, watching Nate melt into the garden shadows with fluid grace.The team operated with synchronized efficiency born of years together, anticipating each other’s moves without explicit communication.

After twenty minutes, Atticus’s voice came through the comms, pitched low enough only someone beside him would hear.

“Mitchell’s moving toward the study with two men.Asian features, expensive suits, minimal security.Possible Korean delegation.Dr.Cho is joining them.”

“Running facial recognition,” Cal replied.“Nightshade, visual confirmation?”

“On it,” Eden whispered.“Moving near the study entrance.”

“I’m following them,” Atticus said.“Need to get closer.”

Sabrina watched Mitchell lead his group through a side door to his private study.Atticus lingered near the doorway, appearing to admire a painting while observing their movements.

“Security pattern indicates a two-minute window,” Jade reported.“North corridor guard just checked in, won’t make another round for approximately five minutes.”

“Nightshade, create a distraction at the east hallway,” Atticus directed.“I need thirty seconds.”

“Copy that,” Eden confirmed.

Moments later, a crash and exclamations came through the comms.

---