30. Sullivan

30

SULLIVAN

G us introduced me to Typhon and Viper in David’s absence, after which I heard Typhon ask where he and Con had gone.

“We’re all reeling a bit, sir,” Gus responded.

“Understood,” Viper said before Typhon did. “Sullivan, I’ve so looked forward to meeting you,” she said, walking away from the men and approaching with Dr. Sterling.

“Err, likewise,” I responded.

She chuckled. “I’d not be surprised if I wasn’t mentioned. The Unit 23-ers look down their noses a bit at those of us who never left MI6. Although I will inform you that Typhon does not outrank me, as much as he might try to convince you he does.”

“What she’s not saying is she’s the relatively new chief of MI6,” Typhon said from behind her. “Which means, in seniority, I do outrank her.”

Viper rolled her eyes. “Shall we take a seat?”

I got the impression that was more of an order than an offer, so I did.

“What I’m about to suggest may seem premature, but given the classified nature of what we’ll be discussing today and in the days that follow, I’d like to extend?—”

“Stop right there, Viper,” said Typhon, who stood above her. “No one is extending an offer without all relevant parties present. That includes Savior and me.”

“As we’ve just determined, I do not answer to you, Typhon.”

“Ah, here they are now.”

I followed his line of sight and saw David and Con had returned.

“Let’s get started. I have a couple of updates. First, the ME has determined the cause of death to be poisoning from Ricin. My theory is she was exposed to it prior to the incident at Edinburgh Castle, which would also explain why she told Savior she was already dead. Any questions?”

I had several, but none relating to Periscope’s cause of death, so when no one else spoke up, I didn’t either.

“Next, I have some preliminary information indicating Fallon Wallace’s code name may have been Chimera. I’m still waiting for my sources to confirm it. Nothing yet on Janus. While the logical assumption is it’s Weber’s code name, Unit 23 can’t afford to act on assumptions.”

When Typhon glared in Viper’s direction, I nearly laughed out loud. When she stood, I held my breath.

“Prior to the start of this briefing, I initiated a conversation that was interrupted but that I need to circle back to.”

“Now isn’t the time?—”

“Excuse me, Typhon, but I have the floor, so to speak.”

He nodded once.

“While I cannot speak for Unit 23’s practices, I can for MI6, and we have a serious breach of security related to classified information that must be dealt with.”

Everyone in the room raised their heads, including me, who Viper turned to face. “Sullivan, I am requesting you step out.”

My cheeks flushed. “Right. Of course.” I closed my laptop and stood, but David caught my wrist.

“Seriously, Viper?” said David, standing. “Typhon, what’s this about?”

His eyes scrunched, and he returned his gaze to Viper. “No idea.”

“It’s okay,” I whispered to David. “I’ll just wait in the other room.”

“If you’re leaving, so am I.”

I noticed Con, Gus, and Tag stand as well.

“Hang on a minute,” said Typhon, taking a step forward. “Let’s not overreact.”

Without another word, Con, Tag, and Gus walked out. “Let’s go,” said David, taking my hand.

“Look, I don’t want to cause trouble. I mean, she’s right about security and classified information.”

“We’ll speak later,” David said to the three guys before leading me outside, to the golf cart.

“David?”

“I am not ignoring you. I promise.” He tugged on his ear.

We rode to the cottage in silence, and once inside, David went straight to the hallway and opened the door across from the bedroom.

“Thanks for meeting us here,” I overheard him say when the three men who’d left the castle with us walked into the main room.

“What just happened?” I asked.

“We have a policy in our crew. Major decisions require all of us to be on board. One dissent, and we don’t do whatever it is. Or vice versa,” Con explained.

“What you just witnessed was their support,” David added.

“I’m confused. Why didn’t you just come with us? Why did you go through the tunnels?”

“Just because it’s fun,” Gus responded. “They know we’re here. Or at least somewhere on the estate.”

“You didn’t have to leave because of me.”

“They did,” said David, leaning closer to me. “Once I made the decision to go with you, they pretty much had no choice.”

“That doesn’t seem fair.”

“We made a statement, Sullivan. There’s a power struggle between Typhon and Viper that they need to work out between the two of them. I sensed it on our way to the castle. Typhon was not happy about Lex’s involvement at this stage of the game and apparently made that clear before they boarded the helicopter,” said Gus. “He obviously relented, but when Viper threw down her next gauntlet, he had enough.”

I looked at David. “Did you pick up on all that?”

He grinned. “None, whatsoever.”

“So anyway, now, it’s up to the two of them to call a truce without the benefit of using any of us as pawns. Obviously, you mainly, Sullivan,” Gus added.

“What if you lose your jobs?”

All four laughed.

“In the middle of an investigation like this one? Not a chance,” said Tag.

“I hope you’re right.”

“Besides, removing you now, because you don’t have the right clearance, is just wrong. It’s also really stupid,” said Gus.

“I think she wanted to offer me a job, but Typhon interrupted her.”

“Thank God for that,” muttered Con. “And what I mean by that is, you don’t belong with MI6. If you’re going to join SIS in any role, it has to be with our unit.”

“What do we do now?” I asked.

Gus spoke up again. “We wait.”

David cleared his throat. “But not here.”

“Right. Definitely not here.” Con winked and followed Tag and Gus back to the door that led to the tunnels.

“I feel terrible about this,” I said once they were gone.

We sat on the sofa after he lit a fire and I turned on the Christmas-tree lights.

“Please don’t. I’m glad it happened when it did. Or rather, the way it did. It’s something you and I need to talk about.”

“Meaning?”

“You joining SIS is something the guys and I discussed. At the time, it was premature, and maybe it still is. However, at some point, maybe even later today, I predict an offer will come. Maybe two.”

“I won’t pretend I hadn’t anticipated the possibility. Honestly, I’ve already made the decision not to return to the Crown Herald.”

“What are your thoughts on SIS?”

“I don’t know. It would be a lot to consider. What are your thoughts?”

“I also made a decision. I’m leaving the assassination game. If there’s a role for me in the unit, so be it. If not, I can live with it.”

“I guess I’d have to know a lot more about what a job would entail before I could say one way or another.”

David took my hands in his. “There’s more to consider, and that’s how we want our life together to be. I already know I can’t be away from you, which is what led to my decision to resign from my current position.”

“I don’t want to be away from you, either.”

“Not ever?” he asked.

“Not ever.”

“Well, then, there’s only one solution.” He slid off the sofa and knelt in front of me. “Sullivan Rivers, I’ve loved you for over twenty years. Will you finally put me out of my misery and become my wife?”

I threw my arms around him. “Yes, David. I’d love to be your wife.”

“Like the locket, the ring belonged to my mum. If you’d rather pick out something else?—”

My eyes filled with tears when I looked down at the ring he slid on my finger. It fit perfectly. “I love it, David, and I love you.”

We sat in the glow of the Christmas lights and the warmth of the fire, neither of us saying anything for several minutes.

“When we marry, will I become a duchess?”

“You will.”

“Is there anything specific I’ll be required to do?”

“Hmm. Only a couple of things I can think of.”

“What?”

“First, be happy.”

I thought about that for a few seconds. “You know, I think for the first time in my life, I can say that I truly am. There are still so many unanswered questions, not being any closer to finding Eric Weber or figuring out what exactly Tower-Meridian is trafficking, or whether my uncle set me up to be killed. Even with all that, I feel happy, David. Oh, I have another.”

“The second requirement of being my duchess?”

“Err, no, but it is related. Once we’re married, do we have to live in the castle?”

He cuddled me closer to him. “As far as I’m concerned, Thistle Gate is our home. Although that is somewhat dependent on the aforementioned second requirement.”

“What?”

“The duke and duchess are expected to bear an heir, at the very minimum. How many spares we choose to have after that will determine whether we have to add onto the cottage or move elsewhere.”

When my eyes opened wide, David cupped my cheek. “But know this, if you don’t want children, Sullivan, I’ll be blissfully happy for the rest of my life as long as you and I are together.”

“Me too. And just so you know, I’ve never thought about being a mother. My own was not the best role model. But being with you, I can see us as parents.”

“Speaking of parents, I should’ve considered you’d want to tell them about your engagement.”

“I’m okay waiting. There is someone I want to tell right away, though.”

He smiled. “Who?”

“Mairi.”

“I’m surprised she isn’t waiting outside the door.”

“Did you tell her you planned to propose?”

“Not precisely when I would, since I didn’t know myself. However, I did need her help locating the ring.”

“That doesn’t sound like her,” I said when there was a loud knock at the door.

“It isn’t.” He held up his mobile. “It’s Typhon, and he’s not alone. Viper and Lex are with him.”

“Oh dear.”

“Not to worry. I have no problem putting him off for a few more hours. Say, until tomorrow?”

The man knocked again, louder. “Ashcroft, open up.”