Page 5 of Operation Heartbeat

“Oh.”

“I’m here because you’re an expert in cryptology.”

Her credentials were the furthest thing from her thoughts at the moment. She stared up at him for several seconds before collecting herself again.

“Some people call me that.”

“You’ve been an expert in documentaries and on TV.”

“Yes.”

“And you’ve written four books on the topic.”

“Again, yes, but what brings you to me?” She lifted a hand and brushed her long bangs off her face.

With confidence she’d seen very few men able to carry off without appearing self-important, he stood tall and still, like his feet had planted roots deep down in the terrazzo floor.

“I’ll get right to the point, Ms. Edwards. I am part of a special ops team and am here to address a matter of national security.”

She sucked in a breath.

“A man was detained at JFK airport under suspicion. We have his phone.”

“Okay.”

“And there’s a cryptogram we need to decipher.”

Interest oozed into her scholarly veins. Ever since she was a child, she’d loved puzzles, and the thrill of a new one made her heart pick up a beat.

“How soon do you need it cracked? Sometimes it can take weeks, months, years—”

“Now. We need itright now. And I need you to come with me.”

Her lips popped open on a little intake of air. “I have classes to teach. Young minds to fill with knowledge. I can’t just leave.”

“We need you. In fact, I’m not asking. I have orders to bring you to our headquarters to begin work.”

“Who do I look like, Indiana Jones?” She sputtered. “I can’t just run off to work with you.”

Those dark eyes never shifted. The black centers were invisible within the deep granite black of the irises. He stared back at her like he gave zero fucks what she said—like he’d take her by force if necessary.

For a moment, Sophie envisioned Con throwing her over his shoulder caveman-style and hauling her outside.

There didn’t seem to be much choice.

She had one more argument to pose before she conceded defeat. “If this is a matter of national security, clearances are needed. How do you know you can trust me?”

“We have a file on you.”

Her jaw dropped. For a long beat, she didn’t have anything to say.

“Someone with your credentials, we keep an eye on.”

Again, she directed her overgrown bangs off her face. She was growing them out, not that he would care. And she was doing it for all the wrong reasons, namely so she didn’t resemble another person who had bangs. And looked twenty-five.

Because that girlwastwenty-five.

“Ms. Edwards, I have orders—”