Page 38 of A Touch of Treachery
Relief rushed through me.I opened my mouth to ask him what was going on, but General Percy entered the room, along with his two bodyguards.
One of the bodyguards shut the door, and the familiar buzz of the soundproofing rang out.General Percy slapped a stack of folders onto the table, then took his own seat, his posture ramrod-stiff.His gaze met mine, his blue eyes as cold as ice.I didn’t need my synesthesia to know something was very, very wrong—and that the General blamed me for it.
“Show it to them,” Percy commanded in a stern voice.
Diego swallowed again and hit some buttons on his laptop.The film screen dropped down to cover the wall, and a video started playing.
Henrika Hyde’s face popped up onto the screen.She was forty-something, with light brown hair, green eyes, and flawless pale skin free of wrinkles thanks to the many beauty serums and creams she had invented.Henrika was a lovely woman, but the sight of her wide, mocking smile made me flinch.
“Greetings, Jethro,” she said in a low, silky voice.“I trust you and the other members of Section 47 are doing well.”
General Percy glared at the video as though he wanted to reach inside the screen and throttle the weapons maker.
“You’re probably wondering why I’m contacting you,” Henrika continued.“I wanted to extend a personal invitation to my Winterfest charity extravaganza, which is being held at my Glittertop Resort.I’m sure you’re familiar with both the event and my property.”
Several photos flashed by on the screen, showing a beautiful resort sprawling across a mountain, along with people skiing, ice skating, tubing, snowboarding, and even jumping into a frigid-looking lake.
“During Winterfest, hundreds of guests flock to my Glittertop Resort to enjoy a weekend of luxury amenities, gourmet food, and a variety of games.”Henrika’s voice played over the photo montage.“All the proceeds benefit cancer research.Such a worthy cause, wouldn’t you agree?Especially given how many Section members have lost friends and family members to such awful diseases.”
My hands clenched into fists on my lap.She was talking about Grandma Jane.
The photos vanished, and Henrika appeared again.“I will also hold an auction for my Redburn formula at the resort.Two designated representatives from Section 47 are invited to come and bid on my marvelous creation, along with other special guests.”
More photos appeared on the screen.I recognized the faces, and my stomach clenched with fresh dread.Henrika was giving some of the most dangerous paramortal criminals and terrorists in the world a chance to acquire her deadly explosive.
The images vanished, and Henrika appeared again.
“Now, Jethro, I imagine you will get some rather unpleasant ideas about crashing my party, so before you do anything rash, I wanted to let you knowexactlywhat my associate stole from your storage facility yesterday.”Henrika leaned a little closer to the camera, her green eyes glittering in her face.“A list of all Section 47 agents currently undercover around the world.”
I stiffened in my chair.Beside me, Desmond also stiffened.Joan sucked in a startled breath, and Evelyn tapped her pen on her notepad.Gia muttered a curse and glanced over at Diego, who gave a reluctant nod of confirmation.
Bryce Finkley had stolen the undercover—UC—list, which meant Henrika had access to every agent’s real name, along with their aliases and mission objectives, and she could expose them to their enemies at any time.
A fist of guilt wrapped around my heart and squeezed it tight.Henrika had the UC list because of my failure on the Vault mission.All these agents were in danger because ofmeand my stupid pride and selfish desire to beat Henrika at her own game.My stomach roiled.
“Now that I have your attention, let’s get down to details,” Henrika said, leaning away from the camera.“Section 47 wants my Redburn formula, and I want to conduct my business safely without the constant threat of arrest and imprisonment, so come to my auction.If you win, Section gets the formulaandthe UC list.If you don’t win, well, you don’t want that to happen.”
Henrika’s eyes gleamed with triumph.She held all the cards, and she knew it.
“I’ve left some further instructions with Charlotte Locke.Follow them exactly, and Charlotte and her plus-one will be allowed into the auction.”Henrika’s gaze bored into the camera.“Deviate from my directions in any way, and you will be severely punished, along with your undercover agents and all the innocent bystanders at my resort.Toodles for now, darling.”
Henrika raised her hand to her red lips and blew a cheeky kiss at the camera.A few seconds later, the video ended.
“I received this message thirty minutes ago in my private email account,” General Percy said, his voice cold, clipped, and furious.
No one said anything.Everyone, including me, was still trying to digest all the threats and implications in Henrika’s message.
General Percy stabbed his finger at me.“What did Henrika mean when she said she sent you further instructions?”
I told them about the envelope I’d received, then laid the invitation on the table.Everyone leaned forward and studied the handwritten note.
“Why would Henrika wantyouto attend her weapons auction, Ms.Locke?”General Percy said.“Is there something you’re not telling us?”
I bristled at his snide implication.“I amnotworking with Henrika.I wouldneverbetray Section 47 like that.”
I would never betray Desmond like that.The words dangled on the end of my tongue, but I held them back.Reminding the General that I was involved with his son would not help my case.
General Percy kept glaring at me, suspicion stamped in every line in his wrinkled face.“Perhaps all the times Henrika has tried to kill you are just a clever cover.Your father was quite adept at such deceptions, and I have no doubt he passed those skills down to you, Ms.Locke, along with his many insubordinate tendences.”
