Devin felt like he was dying a slow death in the days between returning from Tokyo and meeting with Ghost. Six long days passed before Chee left him a coded message telling him to meet at the safe house the following day. It took every ounce of patience in him to follow the correct protocols to make sure he wasn’t being followed on his way to the meeting.
Work at the firm had ceased to hold any appeal for him, although Fai had made it easy to pretend everything was normal. Devin had hardly seen him since being dropped off at his apartment. He hoped that meant Fai really didn’t have any access to Grace and he was looking for a way to fabricate proof.
“What was on my dad’s computer?” Devin asked the moment he closed the door to the safe house behind him.
“More than we ever thought possible.” Ghost motioned him to the table where a laptop lay open, a cord running from it to a desktop computer. “Take a look.”
Devin sat down, and his heart sank. Two documents were displayed side by side, both contracts for sensitive government projects, both containing names of the various contractors who would work in the specific capacities the hosting agencies needed.
“Is this what I think it is?” Devin asked.
“If you think it’s the base security plans for six army installations and the helicopter specs for the Marine Corps’ next order, then yes, it’s what you think it is.”
“How would my father have these? He lives in Sedona, Arizona. We don’t have military bases around there, much less government contractors.”
“There are dozens of contracts on here, the majority of which contain classified information.”
“Again, how would he gain access to it? Does he work in intelligence?”
“No. The CIA would have uncovered that when they did your background check.”
“If he doesn’t work for our side, does that mean . . . ?” Devin didn’t want to voice the possibility that his father could be a traitor to his country, but it didn’t keep the thought from forming.
“I don’t think he’s a spy if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“It’s very much what I’m worried about.” Devin scrolled down the first document, searching for any clues. “I thought all my father did was consulting work.”
“I think that’s exactly what he does. What none of us realized is that he’s consulting for firms in the business of working for the government on top-secret projects.”
“My father is helping companies get these contracts?”
“Yep.” Ghost fell silent, then finally asked, “Who else would have had access to your dad’s computer?”
“After seeing how closely he guarded it this weekend, I’m not sure. At home his office is always locked. Even his secretary doesn’t have access to the office unless he’s there.”
“Who is his secretary?”
“Maureen Adams.”
“How long has she worked for him?”
“I don’t know. Maybe twenty years.”
“And she still works for him?”
“Yes. He mentioned her this weekend.”
“Then it’s not likely she’s the source for the Chinese. From what we’ve ascertained, whoever was passing along the information lost access about three years ago. That means we can rule out your mother as well.”
“And Liwei,” Devin said. “You’re sure it was three years ago when the flow of information stopped?”
“Yes. We had a couple of leaks, but nothing like we had before then.” Ghost studied Devin, apparently sensing a new awareness in him.
“Who is it, Devin?” Ghost asked. When Devin didn’t answer, he asked again. “Someone stopped working for your dad three years ago. Who was it?”
His chest tightened, a sickening sensation rising up in his throat as he forced himself to say, “Jun. It must be Jun.”
“Jun Chang? Your old nanny?”
“She lived at the house until three years ago. I never understood why my father let her go after she had spent so many years with the family.”
“Maybe he caught her stealing information and fired her rather than turning her in.”
“I don’t know. I wouldn’t have thought he would have let her anywhere near the house if that was the case, but she was helping out with dinner when I went home last December.”
“How much does your mother know about your father’s work?”
“Probably about as much as I did.”
“Typically it’s the woman who does that kind of hiring.”
“True. My dad may have convinced my mom they didn’t need Jun full-time, but if he didn’t give her another reason for letting her go, my mom wouldn’t have thought twice about bringing her in for day jobs.”
“It would also explain why your father was so protective of his laptop, even around you.”
“I’m still having a hard time wrapping my mind around all this. My dad being involved in intelligence contracts is enough of a stretch, but Jun? I love her like a mother.”
“The best spies are the ones you would never suspect. It sounds like she was exceptional to go undetected for so many years,” Ghost said. “What are the chances that Jun knows you work for the CIA?”
“I don’t know how she would. My job offers and travel information all came to me when I was in school, and she never visited me there.” His eyebrows drew together. “Why do you ask?”
“Damage control. We still don’t know how Fai found out you’re with the agency.”
“So if it wasn’t Jun who told him . . .”
“Then we have another leak to plug.”
“What happens now?”
“The CIA is already working to make changes to the personnel and specifications in the compromised contracts,” Ghost said. “I suspect the FBI will arrive in Sedona sometime tomorrow to bring Jun in.”
“Please let me know what they find out.”
“I will.”
* * *
Grace zipped her suitcase and tipped it upright. For such an impromptu trip, it had been more successful than she could have dared imagine. Sean’s father seemed pleased with the new stock portfolio she had proposed, and several of the investments were already in place. His expanding business ventures would take more time, but after meeting with him each day, she had a clear understanding of what he wanted and the path they would take to get there.
“Grace?” Clayton called from the hallway. “Can I help you with your bags?”
She stepped out of her room. “That would be great, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” He moved past her to retrieve her suitcase. “I worked you hard enough this week. A woman in your condition shouldn’t be carrying anything heavy.”
Grace wondered what he would do if he knew she was carrying twins. So far she hadn’t been able to share that information with anyone besides her grandfather. The idea of telling someone else before Devin just didn’t sit right with her. She focused on Clayton once more and offered a smile. “Did you spoil your wife like this when she was pregnant?”
“Every chance I got.” He led the way to the front door. “Are you sure I can’t give you a ride to the airport?”
“Thanks, but Jun should be here any minute. She’s planning on driving straight from the airport up to the ranch.”
“That sure worked out well for everyone. I’ve only met Jun a few times, but she seems like a hard worker.”
“It will be nice to have another familiar face in Colorado,” Grace said. A car pulled up outside. “That must be her.”
Clayton opened the door for her and carried her bag to the car Jun had parked. The small SUV was the same one Grace remembered Jun driving when Grace had dated Devin in high school, and it hadn’t been new then.
“Travel safely,” Clayton said. “I’m sure we’ll talk soon.”
“Thanks for everything,” Grace said, climbing into the passenger seat. She shifted her attention to the woman beside her. “Thank you for picking me up.”
“It is I who should be thanking you.” She put the car in gear and started down the drive. “I look forward to working for you and your grandfather.”
Grace forced herself to think positively. “Devin will be so excited when he gets home and finds you there.”
“I hope so.”
On the drive to the airport, they chatted about the resort and Jun’s new responsibilities, then Grace’s pregnancy.
“When is your little one expected to arrive?” Jun asked.
“December.” Grace mentally added, I hope. Every time she thought about the many complications that could come from having twins, she had to fight back the fear and focus on the possibilities. If her babies had problems from coming too early, she would deal with them. Until then, she was determined to expect the best in the hopes that her expectations would be met. At the top of the list was the birth of two healthy babies with Devin standing by her side.
Jun pulled into the airport parking lot, and Grace climbed out of the car, her laptop bag clutched in one hand. The moment she was out of the car, she had the eerie feeling of being watched, but when she looked around, she didn’t notice anyone else nearby.
Jun moved to the trunk and retrieved Grace’s suitcase for her. “Where are you to meet your friends?”
Grace looked around again, this time at the airfield. She spotted Sean’s plane parked a short distance away, but she didn’t see anyone near it.
“That’s the plane over there.”
“Let me carry this for you.” Jun led the way to the plane, pulling the suitcase behind her as they crossed the edge of the tarmac. They reached the plane a moment before Sean emerged from the small airport building, a paper in his hand.
“Hey, Grace. Right on time, I see.”
Grace motioned to Jun. “Sean, do you know Jun?”
“I’ve seen her a few times.” Sean extended his hand. “It’s nice to meet you officially.”
“Thank you.” Jun bowed her head slightly, then turned to Grace. “If you are okay, I will start my drive.”
“Travel safely,” Grace said. “I will see you this evening. And call me or my grandfather if you run into any trouble.”
Jun lowered her head once more before retreating back to the parking lot.
“Let me get your bag stored, and we’ll be good to go.” Sean held up the paper in his hand. “Our flight plans are all set.”
Grace stood back and waited while Sean stored her suitcase and computer bag. She glanced over at the parking lot and saw Jun standing beside her car, talking to a man and a woman.
It took her a moment to register who they were: Liwei, Devin’s family cook, and Maureen, Devin’s father’s secretary. Grace had seen both of them only briefly when she had been at Devin’s house a few months ago, but Liwei had added twenty pounds through his middle since she had first met him while she was in high school, and his hair was nearly all gray. Maureen, on the other hand, hadn’t changed much, her blonde hair falling to her shoulders, her sleeveless dress falling several inches short of her knees. Grace hoped she looked as fit as Maureen when she was fifty.
“Here, let me give you a hand,” Sean said, breaking into her thoughts.
Grace looked down at her growing baby bump, all too aware of her awkward shape. She accepted Sean’s offer, putting her hand in his to steady herself as she climbed into the plane. As soon as they were both strapped into their seats, she sat back and rested her hand on her stomach. The ripple of movement beneath her palm stunned her.
She stared down at her abdomen, reality jolting through her. In four and a half more months, she was going to be a mom.