Chapter 1
The scent of burnt coffee lingered in Captain Maynard’s cramped office as sunlight bled through half-shuttered blinds, painting everything in gray stripes. Maynard’s hands—steady, tough—were folded on the battered mahogany desk. The two visitors across from her couldn’t be more different: Agent Jameson, all sharp suit and stone face, and Athena Grant, who looked strong but tired, as if the years since she’d last gone undercover had left a residue she now wore on her bones.“
I don’t mind telling you, Agent Jameson, that I’m a little worried about this whole situation. I wish you would tell me more about what’s going on,” Maynard said, her eyes cutting between them.
Jameson’s lips barely twitched. “I don’t blame you, Captain. But this situation—well, it needs someone with Sergeant Grant’s background. We’re dealing with a manipulator, someone who sees right through the average agent. Sergeant Grant isn’t average.”
Athena arched an eyebrow, but said nothing.“
For now, you’ll have to wait. You’ll understand more when you see the file.”
At that moment, a quiet knock came from the door.
Maynard beckoned. Athena entered, closing the door as if sealing them off from the world outside. The introductions were short. Chairs creaked as they each took their seat.
Maynard turned to Athena. “Thank you both for coming. I asked you here because the FBI needs your help.”“
My help, Elaine?”Maynard’s voice was gentle, but unyielding. “Yes. Your help, Athena.”
Jameson slid a folder across the desk—red-stamped, TOP SECRET. Athena’s fingers hesitated before flipping it open. Sparse pages, no concrete facts—just a codename: VIPER.
She frowned. “Why is this person so important that you came all the way to the LAPD for help? I haven’t heard of anyone called Viper.”
Jameson’s tone shifted, thawing a fraction. “Viper sells secrets—big ones. Pentagram-level. Nine months ago, we discovered they’d shipped info to several terrorist groups overseas. Now, we know one of their buyers, Reza Hussan, is planning something huge, possibly here in LA. We have no idea what was sold, only that the buyer’s meeting Viper soon, in Chicago.”
Maynard’s confusion was plain. “But why do you need Athena?”Jameson’s fingers drummed the folder. “We tried to intercept Viper on the way to San Francisco. But Viper was killed in a car crash before the handoff. We ID’d the body hours ago." He looked Athena full in the face. "Your oldest friend. Lindsay Thomas.”
Time stopped for Athena. It was like hearing an old song with a new, lethal verse.“
I haven’t… I haven’t heard from Lindsay in years,” she breathed. “After that fight… I thought she was still down in Florida.”
Maynard sat back, giving her room. The office went quiet except for the faint hum of the A/C.
Athena shook her head, searching for a thread. “How was Lindsay—? How did she get those secrets out? Why would she do something like this?”
Jameson shrugged helplessness. “We still don’t know. What we need from you, Athena, is to pose as Viper. Pick up where she left off. Go to Chicago. Meet Hussan. Find out what she sold and whether we still have a chance to stop them.”
Athena’s laugh was bitter. “You want me to go undercover. Pretend to be a woman I stopped trusting half a lifetime ago. Meet a terrorist who wouldn’t hesitate to shoot me. I haven’t been undercover since—”“
No one knows Viper is dead. The meeting’s in three days. Lindsay kept things secret—barely any photos, nothing recent, only a name and her Pentagon credentials. No one else can do it in time. And you… you knew her best.”
The silence after that was thorny. Athena slouched back, the names and years colliding in her head. What would Bobby think? The kids? She’d have to lie. Again. The weight felt almost physical.
Elaine’s voice softened. “Athena, this isn’t an order. It’s voluntary. But if you agree…”
There’s one more thing,” Jameson said. “You can’t tell anyone—not even your family.”
Athena tensed. “Bobby—my husband—he knows when I’m lying. My kids… I can’t just disappear.”“
Tell them you’re on an assignment with the FBI. That’s all,” Elaine offered, eyes apologetic. “Anything more and this whole operation could blow up.”
For a moment Athena almost said no. But then she could see Lindsay’s face behind her eyes—how she’d laughed in freshman year, the way she could charm anybody. The betrayal made her stomach ache.
She nodded, voice flat. “Fine. But Elaine, tell Bobby and the kids I’m sorry. I didn’t just leave them.”“
I will,” Elaine said, hugging Athena hard, like she might not get the chance again.
Tell them you're on an assignment with the FBI. That's all," Elaine offered, eyes apologetic. "Anything more and this whole operation could blow up."
For a moment Athena almost said no. But then she could see Lindsay's face behind her eyes—how she'd laughed in freshman year, the way she could charm anybody. The betrayal made her stomach ache.
She nodded, voice flat. "Fine. But Elaine, tell Bobby and the kids I'm sorry. I didn't just leave them.""
I will," Elaine said, hugging Athena hard, like she might not get the chance again.
