Page 61 of Code Name: Reaper
“US-based, meaning a natural-born citizen.”
I raised a brow. “But connected to SVR?”
“According to what I’ve found, yes. However, in the report Nemesis was able to get regarding Operation Avalon, the bulk of their alleged criminal activities were domestic.” She paused again. “I’ll keep working on this. Send the photos as soon as you can.”
“Roger that.” Amaryllis ended the call.
Seconds later, another came in.
“Unknown caller,” she reported, then swiped the screen. “Yes, this is Charity Beaudoin.” Unlike with Wren’s call, I couldn’t hear what the person on the other end was saying, but Amaryllis checked her watch. “Right, okay. We’ll get there as soon as we can, and thanks.”
Amaryllis set the phone on the console. “That was Edmonds’ daughter. Her father is awake and asked for me.”
“Which hospital?”
“University of Virginia’s medical center in Charlottesville.” As she spoke, she programmed the address into the SUV’s navigation system and I saw we were still two hours out.
“If he wants to talk to you in person, it must mean he’s got something important to tell you.”
“I hope so.”
Like earlier, Amaryllis seemed distracted.
“What else is on your mind?”
“Mainly my grandparents’ house.”
“Yeah?”
“I still own it.”
“Is it a rental?”
Amaryllis shook her head. “I have someone who looks after it. Takes care of the lawn, makes sure the roof isn’t leaking, that kind of stuff.”
I thought through what that might mean. Were her grandparents’ belongings still in it? “Did you want to stop by?”
“I probably should since I haven’t.”
“When was the last time you were there?”
While she hadn’t looked at me once since I asked what was on her mind, I wasn’t surprised when she turned and stared out the passenger window.
“Charity?”
“The funeral,” she muttered.
“Would you like to do that after we visit the hospital?”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I don’t know.”
“Let’s get through the meeting with Edmonds, then decide.” I might’ve been out of line by insinuating myself into the decision-making process, but I was becoming increasingly aware that, apart from Mercury, it didn’t appear she had anyone who took the reins, so to speak, when she was overwhelmed. What I didn’t doubt was that, if I overstepped, she’d let me know about it.
I let the subject drop, and we were both quiet for the rest of the drive. When I pulled up to the hospital’s entrance, Amaryllis hesitated.
“What can I do to help?”
My question seemed to catch her off guard. “I’m not sure,” she finally said.
