Page 79 of Code Name: Reaper
“Am I overreacting? All she said was that it was more difficult. I don’t even know what else she’s going to say.”
“True, but in the few seconds after she spoke, I felt like punching a wall. By comparison, that would constitute an overreaction.”
“We should probably go inside.”
I held out my hand, and she took it. “Are you sure you’re ready?”
“Not quite, but I doubt Vera would appreciate it if I poured myself a shot of whiskey first.”
“Who knows? She might want one too.”
When we stepped inside, Vera was on the opposite side of the room, on her cell, but ended the call when she saw us.
“I’m sorry about stepping out, ma’am.”
“Don’t be. It gave me the chance to make a couple of calls. I want to preface what I’m about to share with you with a caveat.”
Amaryllis’ fists clenched and unclenched, but otherwise, she held it together. “Okay.”
“There are things I am able to share with you today, but there may be questions I’m unable to answer.”
“Understood.”
The two women returned to where we were seated previously. “Can I get anyone something to drink? Glass of wine?” I offered.
“I’d prefer something stronger if you have it,” Vera responded.
“Same,” said Amaryllis.
“Rocks or neat?”
“Neat,” both women answered at the same time.
I set two glasses and the bottle on the table.
“Not joining us?” Vera asked.
“That’s up to Amaryllis.”
“I’d like you to stay.”
When I returned with my own glass, Vera had moved so she was seated to Amaryllis’ right on the sofa. Since there was room for me on the left, that’s where I sat.
“Your father, Stephen Beaudoin, was offered employment with the Central Intelligence Agency’s Directorate of Science & Technology upon his graduation from the University of Virginia. Given his field of expertise, the one-year requirement for professional experience was waived.”
“What was his field?”
“Then, it was called a digital innovations specialist. Now known as artificial intelligence.”
“Please go on,” Amaryllis said when Vera paused to see if she had another question.
“He ranked up quickly and, in his third year, led a team investigating fraud in defense contracting in what became known as Operation Kickback.” Vera paused again and took a sip of whiskey. “It is possiblethat Operation Avalon was one of the criminal enterprises under investigation, but I do not have access to those specific details.”
“Copy that,” Amaryllis muttered.
“Nothing I found indicates one way or another if your father knew or worked with Eleanor Aldrich. However, I don’t believe he did, and I’ll explain why.” This time, she finished what was in her glass but declined when I offered another. “The car accident in which both your parents lost their lives happened twenty-six years ago. Aldrich’s investigation didn’t begin in earnest until twelve years later.”
“Was there an investigation into the cause of the accident?” I asked.
