Free Desert Dark by Sonja Stone

couldn’t find words. For what seemed like minutes (but was probably only a second or two) they stood staring at each other. She couldn’t look away.
    Finally, Libby broke the silence. “Nadia,” she said, “meet Jack.”

17
JACK
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
    Earlier that day, during his Advanced Documents class, Jack had received a summons from Dean Wolfe. He was halfway out the door before the bell finished ringing, a flutter of excitement in his stomach. He rushed to Hopi Hall.
    Maybe it’s a commendation for my analysis of Slavic satellite surveillance
. His instructor had insisted Jack read the paper aloud in class.
    He adjusted his shirt collar and checked his reflection in the glass bookshelf. Jack ran a hand over his black hair—more out of habit than necessity—before knocking. “You wanted to see me, sir?”
    â€œClose the door,” said the Dean. “Please, have a seat. How is your semester progressing?”
    â€œExcellent, thank you.”
    â€œAnd your summer?”
    â€œNo complaints.”
    â€œYou worked as a camp counselor, right? With inner-city kids?”
    He’s been keeping track of me. That’s a good sign
. “Yes sir. My summer was very rewarding, but I’m always glad to be back at school.”
    â€œYou strike me as a loyal, dedicated student. A patriot. Would you say my assessment is correct?”
    â€œAbsolutely.” Jack straightened a bit. “I’d do anything for the Academy.”
    â€œI’m pleased to hear it.” Dean Wolfe thumbed through an open file on his desk. “It seems your peers think highly of you, and your instructors offered glowing end-of-year-reports. Last spring you reported a student for cheating on an exam; he was expelled. You two were close.”
    â€œHe was my best friend.” It almost killed Jack, turning him in. But lying and cheating—not to mention disobeying orders—were absolutely unacceptable. No excuses.
    â€œAnd one of your biggest rivals.”
    Jack hesitated.
Does he think that’s why I spoke up?
“Yes sir. I suppose that’s true.”
    â€œRelax, son. It wasn’t an accusation. In fact, your choice of friends indicates you aren’t intimidated by other people’s accomplishments. You stick with the winners. That’s part of what makes you a successful leader.”
    The compliment sent a warm feeling through his chest. “Thank you, sir.”
    Wolfe paused for a long moment, tapping his pen against the desk. “Jack, I’m afraid I have troubling news. We’ve suffered a serious security breach. It appears Drew Anderson’s death was not an accident. Furthermore, I believe one of our students may be a double agent. Immediately following the incident with Drew, Marcus Sloan came to me recommending a new student, a transfer. Her name is Nadia Riley.” Dean Wolfe’s chair rasped as he rocked back.
    Nadia Riley. She must be the one I saw him with yesterday
. “Drew was murdered? I don’t understand. You suspect the new recruit? Or the recruiter?”
    â€œAt this point, I don’t know what to think. Albert Vincent, our CIA director, has received intelligence that we have at least one double in our student body. Until we discover who has penetrated our network, no one can be trusted. Since nothing implicates Drew Anderson as the traitor, her murder leads me to one of two conclusions. Either she discovered the identity of the mole, or—”
    â€œOr the mole wasn’t initially invited and she needed to clear herself a spot on campus.”
    â€œExactly. To explore the first hypothesis, tell me what you know about Drew’s roommate.”
    â€œLiberty Grace Bishop, only daughter of Senator Wentworth Bishop. She’s from Savannah, Georgia; parents married; older brother. She’s attended a series of prestigious private schools. Good grades, excellent standardized test scores. Her