Cassie’s phone rang, loud and sudden. She was still in her kitchen with Trey.
The caller ID read: CONNIE-ANNE.
Cassie answered it. ‘Thought you might call.’
‘You okay?’
It was hard to put it into words. The brutal and rapid elimination of her noble half-siblings. It was too much, too violent, and happening way too fast.
‘Not really,’ was all Cassie could say. ‘Kind of on the ragged edge here.’
Connie-Anne said, ‘I can’t imagine. But you’re safe?’
‘For now.’
‘You can talk, this line is secure and nobody but me knows where you are.’
‘Connie-Anne, should I come out? Face him?’
‘Can you beat him?’
‘No.’
Connie-Anne sighed over the phone line. Cassie could almost picture her in her reading glasses, pinching the bridge of her nose.
‘Aw, kid, I don’t know how you can think clearly at a time like this. Your mom just died and now he’s here, moving across the country killing the other Cobalts one by one.’
‘I don’t know what to do.’
‘Then maybe this’ll help,’ Connie-Anne said. ‘The C.I.A. just called WITSEC, said they had someone who wanted to talk to you. My boss checked it out—it’s legit—so he asked me to pass it on. A Russian spy we got in custody wants to speak with you. Name’s Anatoly Argentov. Know him?’
‘He was at the Paris summit with the Fury and my mom.’
‘Well, he got busted here a year ago running a spy ring outta the Russian consulate in L.A. and now, today, he says he can help you. Normally, I’d throw this in the bullshit file, but . . .’
‘Where is he?’ Cassie asked.
‘L.A. Federal Building.’
‘Then listen up. A C.I.A. spook named Shawna Eason will meet you in the underground lot and let you in via a secure elevator so no-one will—’
‘I don’t think my anonymity matters anymore, Connie-Anne. Set it up.’
‘All right, will do. Hey, kid. Good luck.’
‘Thanks, Connie-Anne. Thanks for everything.’
Cassie hung up.