Page 77 of Code Name: Atticus
“And you protect that vision. Military background?”
“Yes, sir. Air Force.” While it was accurate, it was also something Alice had included in our cover identity background.
“Then, you have a unique understanding of what our armed forces are sometimes up against.”
Before I could respond, Brenna appeared in the doorway. “Shall we say good night?”
“Rest well,” Morrison said after we thanked him for dinner and the conversation. “Tomorrow will be educational,” he added before shaking both our hands.
We’d just stepped inside the cottage when I received a text from Kodiak.Emergency briefing. Headed your way.
“I wonder what this is about.” Brenna’s brow furrowed. I closed the window coverings, then did another sweep for bugs. Even if there was something I didn’t pick up, which was highly unlikely, our communication protocols had scramblers built in to prevent anyone from hearing or seeing our teleconference.
A few minutes after Kodiak and Emma arrived, they established the encrypted connection and Tex’s face filled the screen. Dragon, Alice, Tank, and Admiral also appeared.
“I’ll cut right to the chase,” said Tex. “Based on money flows and communication intercepts, our intel indicates that Morrison, Liu, and Castellano are far badder hombres than we initially thought.”
“In what way?” Brenna asked.
“They’re not just venture capitalists looking to make a killing by selling national secrets,” Tex said without preamble. “They’re professional intelligence brokers running a black market for classified military technology. They don’t care about ideology or country—they sell to whoever pays best.”
“Which buyers?” Brenna asked, her hand finding mine.
“That’s the problem—multiple state actors, terrorist organizations, even corporate competitors. I’ve tracked payments from at least seven different sources.”
“The scope is massive,” Alice added. “I’ve identified seventeen successful recruits over two years, all with security clearances. The cryptocurrency payments are layered through so many shell companies that we can’t even pin down all the end users.”
“Everyone at the resort this weekend is a target,” Dragon said. “This isn’t just recruitment—it’s a harvest. They’re evaluating everyone’s access levels, financial pressure points, and moral flexibility. Building their supplier network.”
“If you can get us access to their buyer list, we can map the damage,” Alice said.
“Brenna? How do you want to proceed at this point?” Admiral asked.
“We stick to building our case,” she said. “Document every interaction, every person they meet with. We need probable cause for warrants. And we maintain cover—wait for them tomake their move. When they approach us, we learn how this actually works.”
“Financial forensics on our end might reveal more payment patterns,” Alice added. “Treasury’s involvement should help.”
“We can support with enhanced surveillance on all attendees,” Admiral offered.
After disconnecting, we sat at the dining table, all four of us processing the implications.
“Intelligence brokers,” Brenna said quietly. “Selling our secrets to the highest bidder.”
“For years. Successfully. To anyone willing to pay.”
Emma poured brandy into four glasses—we might as well make use of Kodiak’s prop. “Tomorrow’s going to be intense.”
“Liu’s AI session is at zero nine hundred,” I said, pulling up the schedule on my phone. “Perfect opportunity to get on their radar.”
“I’ll work the breakfast crowd beforehand,” Kodiak said. “Watch who Morrison, Liu, and Castellano target first.”
“How do we play this?” Emma asked. “If they’re evaluating everyone, they’ll be looking for tells.”
“We give them exactly what they expect,” Brenna said. “Two ambitious couples, new to the area, eager to network. Let them think we’re hungry for opportunities.”
I caught her eye. “Just another pair of marks willing to sell out for the right price.”
“Exactly.” Brenna raised her glass with grim determination. “To playing the long game.”
