Page 26 of Code Name: Ember
“Zero boundaries,” Josie counters.
Deep inside, it warms me to see Tessa fitting in so well with my teammates.But that’s the type of woman she is.One of the reasons she’s so good at her job and getting people to talk is because she’s so genuine and down-to-earth, you just want to be around her.
A hand clamps onto my shoulder and I turn to see Malik.“Have you met Bebe yet?”Malik asks as he gestures toward the far end of the island.
My eyes follow.
Bebe Grimshaw, Jameson’s Chief Technology Officer, stands with one of the new agents, her small frame nearly swallowed by her oversized hoodie.Dark bluish-black hair falls in a sleek curtain around her shoulders.Her pale eyes are sharp and assessing despite the faint smile playing at her lips, and the ink that trails up her forearms disappears beneath the sleeves like secrets she doesn’t bother to hide.She’s visiting from the Pittsburgh office to do some upgrades on our systems.
“Not yet,” I reply.
“Bebe,” Malik calls out, waving her over to make introductions.“This is Tessa.The journalist I mentioned.”
Bebe looks to Tessa and tilts her head slightly, studying her with an intensity that would make most people uncomfortable.Tessa, to her credit, doesn’t flinch.“You’re the one poking at RainVest,” Bebe says, voice soft but edged with steel.
“I’m trying my best,” she replies.
Malik smiles faintly.“Tessa, Bebe’s the architect behind BOB.”
Tessa’s eyes widen.“You built BOB?”
“Co-built,” Bebe corrects mildly.“Dozer and I don’t argue about credit anymore.”
Josie snorts.“That’s because you win.”
A flicker of amusement crosses Bebe’s face before she turns back to Tessa.“BOB’s predictive modeling is only as good as the data we feed him.If RainVest’s financials are dirty, he’ll see it before you do.”
Tessa leans forward like she’s been handed a rare artifact.“I would love to pick your brain about that.”
Bebe’s lips curve faintly.“Everyone says that.”She then turns her attention to me.“You must be Cole Mercer.We’ve heard good things about you in Pittsburgh.”
“All cold hard truths,” I quip as we shake hands.
Tessa steps slightly in between us.“About BOB… I was reading about predictive modeling and—”
Malik interrupts.“Eat first because that lasagna is at its best when the cheese is gooey.Save the cyber-interrogation for dessert.”
We all laugh and Bebe slides away with Josie, already discussing in low tones.
Tessa watches her go with open fascination.“She seems like a really interesting woman,” she murmurs as she props an arm on the kitchen island.“What’s her story?”
Although this is the first time meeting the infamous Bebe Grimshaw, she is not unknown to me.She’s a legend within the company.“She’s freaky smart.Went to MIT but dropped out sophomore year because she was a struggling single mom.Unfortunately, she got pulled into something dark and dangerous she couldn’t get out of.”
Tessa’s brows lift.“Like what?”
“Russian syndicate,” I continue, keeping my voice low.“They coerced her into high-level hacks.She left a trail so the government would catch her before nuclear launch codes could be sold.Served seven years in prison for it.”
“Holy shit,” Tessa whispers, head swiveling to locate Bebe, who’s now sitting at the table.She turns back to me.“Seven years in prison?”
“Mostly solitary,” I add.“Kynan pulled strings because she was so brilliant, he had to have her at Jameson.He’s got some major clout because he got Bebe a presidential pardon and her record expunged.”
Tessa’s expression shifts from intrigue to awe.“That’s… extraordinary.I’d love to talk to her about it.”
“I hear she’s a pretty open book,” I say, glancing at the enigmatic woman who later married an FBI agent.He had been undercover in a sting operation against one of the Russians she betrayed who wanted her dead.“But maybe don’t go digging unless she invites it.”
Tessa glances at me, reading between the lines.“You’re protective.”
“Of my team?”I shrug.“Yeah.”
