Chapter 12
“I know it’s your assignment, but I couldn’t help it. It’s my job on the line.”
Catherine Keyes stared out her window when we entered her office.
Each time we stepped inside, I was surprised by the photos on her shelf.
The many trophies and plaques above them showed her priorities.
Even the chairs facing her desk were an attempt to make the office appear cozy, but something about it still felt corporate.
“I figured it out.”
Our reports had left out any mention of Apex.
I had expected Booker to argue and cite government code, but he agreed.
Connor had given him the shortened version of what happened, leaving out the torrid love affair and Orion’s boyfriend being a top-secret creation.
It was another in a string of half-truths necessary to protect him and us.
“Please.” She didn’t turn as she spoke. “Have a seat.”
Booker took a seat, and I followed, letting her have a dramatic moment.
I stole glances out of the corner of my eye and admired the way the light made his beard appear almost fiery.
I couldn’t tell if Booker knew more lies or truths about my life.
It was the burden of superheroes, but for some reason, it weighed on me.
When we were situated, she let out a long sigh, composed herself, and turned.
“Something wasn’t adding up with the keycard times.
” She took a seat and shuffled through a stack of papers.
“They were staying open too long. Keycards were being used by personnel in the wrong parts of the building. I had security look into it.”
Neither of us flinched at the mention of security. Why hadn’t Sophie brought up Keyes’s investigation? It didn’t make sense to ice us out of the investigation when there were potential leads. I didn’t dare look at Booker to see if the same curiosity crossed his face.
“What did you discover?” I asked.
“The disrupted cameras? The odd entry points? They seem to happen at specific intervals.” I didn’t think Catherine had it in her. At this rate, she’d solve the case, and Booker and I would go back to our boring lives. “I checked them against the employee schedule.”
“And?” Booker didn’t try to hide the annoyance in his voice.
“Only a handful of employees matched.” She slid a manila folder across the table. “I’m hoping this helps. If nothing else, it might save my job.”
“And the city,” Booker added.
“Yes. Of course, that too.” She gave it an extra nudge in my direction. “Hopefully one of them turns up something.”
I picked up the folder.
“Why didn’t you think to check the logs before?” Booker’s voice had returned to that neutral calm he used in interrogations. “We could have avoided two incidents.”
“I didn’t know about the cameras,” she said. I couldn’t handle the narrowed eyes as they shot daggers at one another.
“Thank you,” I blurted out. “We’ll make sure you don’t lose your job.” The assurance was enough to soften her eyes. “You’ve got two experienced detectives on the case.” Now it was Booker who gave me a curious look. I shrugged. “Semi-experienced?”
“I appreciate it,” she said. “Since Cypher’s arrest, things have been chaotic.” The flash of a smile was a little disturbing. She caught my raised eyebrow. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a good thing, but it’s more interesting than performance reviews.”
“I can see that,” I said. “Paperwork is my least favorite part of the job.”
“Right?” She gestured to the stack of papers on the side of her desk. “Whoever is causing this needs to be caught.” Holding her hand up to her mouth, she pretended to whisper. “Sometimes I crave a little chaos.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Swing by Secret Identities; chaos is our default.”
She chuckled. “Janet’s name is whispered like an urban legend.”
This was the first time Catherine had come off as genuine, shifting from the metered and controlled executive. I don’t know if we’d ever be friends, but it was nice to see the restraint fade away. Meanwhile, Booker’s staring had stopped, but he didn’t seem as amused by our joking.
“We’ll get to the bottom of it.” I held up the papers. “This will help speed up the process.”
I got to my feet and smacked Booker on the shoulder.
Whatever he didn’t like about Catherine, her willingness to help didn’t make it any better.
We’d have to discuss this feeling he referenced every time we met with her.
As far as I was concerned, the more she let down her guard, the more I liked her.
Who knows, maybe after this we’d grab coffee in the lobby and talk about the insanity of our jobs?
“I’m sure you’ll take care of the problem,” she said.
With a nod of the head, we exited. I didn’t need to ask; Booker had another one of those gut feelings, leaving him less than thrilled. “What’s wrong? And don’t tell me it’s a feeling.”
He looked at the hallway ceiling and spotted the security camera. Glancing up and down the hall, he pushed me toward an alcove with no security. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was dealing with Orion and his fear of government spies.
“She doesn’t…” The words tapered off. Booker pursed his lips whenever he needed time to find his words. Was it unprofessional to think it cute? “Everything she just said… did it feel manufactured? It feels like she’s burying us with false leads.”
“Manufactured? I don’t know about that.” I replayed the conversation. “It sounds like she doesn’t want to lose her job. Something about her rubs you the wrong way.” If anything, I thought we were finally seeing the woman and not the executive. “She’s on our side.”
“I guess,” he said. “It irks me when I can’t get a read on a person.”
I couldn’t help but crack a smile. “So it’s less to do with her and more to do with you. Got it.” He didn’t find it nearly as amusing. “Shake it off. She’s on our side.”
“It’s a feeling. I wish I could explain it.”
I held up the manila folder. “We’re going to get our bad guy.
” Flipping open the folder, I pointed at the first staff photo.
I was surprised to see Tia. Was she evil?
Undeniable. Did I think she could wreak havoc on Synergy?
Could the answer have been sitting in front of our faces this whole time?
I had been saying it since the first day.
“You’re right,” he said. “I need to let it go.” He said it like somebody who wasn’t going to let anything go. “We can get through these interviews in no time tomorrow.”
The photo had Tia posing like a model at some sort of party. It might have been an audacious photo for the office, but it was her right forearm that caught my attention. Barely noticeable, I had seen the three-pointed spear before. Had a Trident assassin infiltrated Synergy?
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I couldn’t tell him the truth. “Just imagining what Janet would say about Tia.”
What were the chances that Synergy had an assassin from the same group trying to kill Hellion?
Catherine didn’t realize she had given me a clue to more than corporate espionage.
I couldn’t tell Janet without her connecting me to the assassins.
I couldn’t tell Booker about Hellion. The isolation crept.
Secrets built walls, keeping everyone in my life at bay.
“Free tonight?”
I glanced up to see his expression had softened. Work Booker vanished, and I couldn’t help but remember him staring at me from between my legs. Just as the isolation settled in, Booker threw me a lifeline. For him, I’d make time. “I might be available.”
“Expect a text.”
I couldn’t worry about my secret identity and hired killers when his smirk appeared. There were no disastrous consequences after our night together. We had found a balance between work and what happened. Instead, the assurance of another rendezvous gave me butterflies.
“Okay.” What secret identities? Hellion could wait another night.
While he backed out of the alcove, he blew me a kiss like we were in primary school. My worries melted away. He headed for the elevator, and I watched his backside. Would it be another sweaty night in bed? Or would we finally go out somewhere other than a pizza joint?
I had always wondered what I would tell a boyfriend about my extracurricular activities. Would I let them know I had powers? What about my costumed excursions in the evenings? Maybe I’d tell them about Tint, but Hellion? I couldn’t imagine them staying after they discovered the whole story.
Booker wasn’t any man.
For the first time, I wondered if I had met someone who might see more than just Drew. It was a fantasy I had never entertained… but with Booker? Maybe he could handle the truth?
I clutched my pocket, feeling for my phone. I’d count the minutes until it vibrated.
Booker: 17 Concord Ave.
Booker: 30 minutes?
Drew: On my way.
Wyatt: Friend, Nexus and Obsidian are hijacking an armored car.
Janet: Again.
Orion: They have lasers.
Janet: I’m not saying we can’t handle it… but…
Orion: Hurry.
I eyed my phone as something around the corner exploded. When the request for help came in, there wasn’t a decision. As much as I wanted to rendezvous with Booker and discuss the case, I couldn’t let the others down.
Drew: Something came up.
Drew: I’ll text you when I’m done.
Booker: …
I tensed, expecting our relationship to explode like the car at the end of the alley.
Everything between us had been thrown into the air.
The case had gotten more complicated. Catherine’s information had put a kink into our plan.
Superheroes often talked about juggling their identities with loved ones.
I never thought I’d need to decide between civic duty and a man who gave me tingly feelings.
Booker: I’ll be waiting.
The pressure in my chest lightened with three words. Shoving my phone into my pocket, I pulled my mask down. Storming out of the alley, I stepped into the Tint role. Superhero. Justice. One of the misfits trying to save the city.
“Friend!” Wyatt shouted just as a man made of smooth black rock sucker punched him.