Page 113 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“Great.” Maddie muttered. “But it does tell us something right.” She said looking to Brandon. “Remember Burke, remember what he said.”

“What?”

“That it wasn’t just black and white. That this wasn’t simply one country, one government at work.”

“Meaning?” Becky asked.

Maddie shrugged. “Meaning what if it’s not Russia, or China, or some terrorist group but something else entirely. Something simpler.”

“Like what?” One of the girls across from her asked.

“What if it’s just a bunch of highly trained, highly motivated opportunists? They have the knowledge, and opportunities to steal information and they have the connections to sell it to the highest bidder.”

“You mean like ebay for terrorists?” She asked.

“Maybe.”

“So why shoot up the AGM? What was that about? And that bomb? Why are they attacking us?” Brandon asked.

Maddie smirked. “They’re on the offensive. They want us distracted, confused. You said it yourself Brandon, they’re out for revenge. This is their way of getting it.”

“But what are they distracting us from?” The girl opposite asked and Maddie made a mental note to learn everyone’s name.

“That is the right question.” She said. “That’s what we have to figure out.”

Brandon narrowed his eyes looking at Maddie then back at the screen. “You really think that’s what’s going on?”

“Don’t you?” She asked.

He grinned. “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

“So now we just have to ignore the distractions and find out what they’ve got their sights on.” Maddie replied.

“Well if you could figure it out and let us know.” Thomas said and they all laughed.

“Bar?”Becky said as Maddie shut down her computer. It’d been a long week. A tough week and thank fuck it was Friday.

“I’m meeting some old buddies tonight.” Maddie said.

“From Homewell?” Becky asked.

“Nah I have other friends.” Maddie said.

“Sure you do.” Becky teased.

“You can come along if you want but I warn you, they’re heavy on the alcohol front.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” Becky said grinning.

“It is with this lot.” Maddie muttered grabbing her jacket. “So you coming or what?”

“Sure, maybe I’ll learn some secrets about the old Maddie.”

“What do you mean the old Maddie?”

“Before you became Cole’s bitch.” She teased and Maddie gasped laughing.

“I am not his bitch.”

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