Free Atomic Beauty by Barb Han Page A

them but I’m ordering you to stand down.” The worry in his voice was outshined by anger this time.
    He had every right to be frustrated with her. She’d broken protocol, failed to kill her target, and she was about to violate another direct order. But he had to know she’d do it again if it meant figuring out what had happened.
    All kinds of data could be embedded in the pictures she’d sent and they’d never know it. Murdock was right. Narrowing it down, figuring out what was there without knowing exactly what they were looking for was near impossible. Having the best coders on payroll only increased the odds slightly. It was time to change things up. Maybe even stay close enough to squeeze more information out of Jace.
    â€œI might have another play with Mitchell in a couple of days.”
    â€œAbsolutely not. This mission is over for you. I don’t want you chasing any more leads or putting yourself at further risk. The best place for you is here. Your required check-in is three months past due already.” His voice rose with what sounded like frustration and panic. Was he afraid she’d get hurt? “I’ll send someone else. We’ll bring him in for questioning.”
    â€œSir, I—”
    â€œThat’s a direct order, Nile.”
    â€œI’m fine, sir,” she lied. She could appreciate his concern, but she wasn’t going in and nothing he could say would change her mind. “And I’m all you have. I’m the only officer who’s gotten close to Mitchell in a year and you know it.”
    â€œAnd you’ve done your job.” She’d thrown that out to see if she could get a feel for whether or not Murdock had sent Berlin to Vancouver. If she could believe his responses so far, Berlin must be working for the other side. Why would anyone from Exacto come after her?
    Her association with Jace?
    â€œWith all due respect, no I haven’t. Mitchell’s alive and we don’t know if we have anything usable yet. But, I’m making progress. Given a little more time, I can find answers. I’m asking you to give me space before you dispatch someone else. Let me stay on the mission. Besides, he’ll see them coming. I have a chance at figuring this out. Anyone else will come home in a casket.” Or get in her way.
    â€œNo. Absolutely not. I forbid it.” His agitation vibrated through the line. “The best, no, the only course of action is for you to come back. Regular check-ins are mandatory for a reason. Failing to obey a direct order from your superior is unacceptable and I can’t have it.”
    The line went dead quiet as she left him waiting for a response. She let more silence sit between them for several uncomfortable beats.
    â€œIf I have to send someone to pick you up, I will.” Murdock blew out a breath.
    â€œWe both know you won’t find me. There’s a reason you gave me this assignment. Mitchell is good. I’m better. End of story.” An uneasy feeling settled over Erika as questions started to swirl. First, she’d expected a bigger reaction when she threw out the name Sam Carter. Murdock had glossed right over it. Why?
    While that was still churning in the back of her mind, she wondered about his emphatic plea for her to return to the office. Then there was Berlin. What side was he on?
    â€œI’ll come in as soon as I figure this out. I’m close to getting answers and I need to finish this mission.”
    Another beat of silence, and then a frustrated hiss came through the line.
    â€œYou really are as stubborn as your father.”
    And as beautiful as her mother. How many times had she heard that while under Murdock’s care? She’d lost count of how many times he’d told her that both could get her killed, too.
    Which was precisely the reason she planned to use both to her advantage.
    â€œI’m being followed. I come in now and the location of