Page 54 of The Lazarus Protocol

Adam took the plate. “Thanks, Boss.”

Winston’s eyes twinkled. “And for the lady…” He removed the silver dome lid with a flourish. “Salmon eggs benedict with a side of mixed salad greens.”

Steph looked at the plate. “How did you know that?”

“It’s my job to know.” Winston slid a tray of mugs from a lower shelf on the cart.

“Come on,” Adam prompted. “Let’s sit down, and you can tell me about this woman.” He nudged her, and she got moving.

Winston set the stainless steel carafe on the conference table, along with a mug for everyone and a pitcher of milk, plus another of cream. He set the sugar in front of Kai.

“A butler. Really?” She watched Winston leave, settling in her chair.

“Long story. Eat first, then tell us about the woman, and then I’ll explain where Winston came from.”

She took a bite of salmon smothered with hollandaise. Paused. Looked at her plate.

Across at his desk, Kai said, “Right?”

She ate several more bites, he poured her some coffee, and he gave her a moment to eat while he checked his phone. Couple of newsletter emails he would look at later, because he needed new running shoes. A funny GIF from his brother-in-law. The verse of the day from the Bible app his sister had put on his phone.

Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

He almost went into his settings and toggled off the notifications but didn’t. Adam stared at the words. He wouldn’t have said he was the guy to “fret” about stuff. Plenty of stuff to worry about, though. And it said, “don’t fret” rather than “try not to worry.”

Easier said than done if you asked him.

Nothing new from Noah since he’d sent the phone number for the CIA. The Division Zero contact person hadn’t been anything like what Adam expected. He jogged his knee up and down under the table, trying to convince himself that this assignment could be what he made it. Not whatever was going to be forced on them by a guy he already didn’t like.

Steph lifted a brow. “Dubkowsky?”

Adam swallowed a bite of food and sipped his coffee. “That’s not one of the things we need to talk about.”

“Is it really your last name?”

Adam leaned in the chair and dug out his wallet, sliding a California driver’s license out. “Angus Dubkowsky.”

“That’s your alias?”

Kai snickered. “Or it’s his real name.”

Dan typed on his laptop and ate, without looking up.

“Sure.” Steph shook her head. “Pretty sure I’m the only one in this room going by my real name.”

Kai just grinned.

“How about you tell us that woman’s name?” Adam pointed with his fork to the LED wall and the woman’s picture.

“Tell me.” Steph looked at Kai and lifted her chin. “You took the drone to whatever that company was, and the guidance chip was missing?”

“That’s right.” Kai frowned.

“She took it.”

Ash snorted. Kai shook his head and said, “No way.”

“Did you see a woman at all when you were in that village?”