Chapter 7
"Protein bar or dry cereal?" Everett suspected it's not what royalty usually eats but there weren't a lot to choose from.
It was almost dinner time and they did't have a thing to eat since morning.
"Dry cereal sounds delightful," said N'Jadaka, dryly.
They spend the day trying to find who was behind the attack.
Everett looked into his men but they all came clean. N'Jadaka did the same and couldn't find anything that would point to a traitor. It was both relieve and reason for concern.
N'Jadaka hacked into CIA database to read forensic reports while Everett contacted his men on the black market, requesting information about all resent purchase of explosives. So far everything came out to be a dead end.
The attack was, undeniably, an inside job. Whomever was responsible for it managed to cover their tracks masterfully. Who knows what else they were capable of.
About an hour ago Everett got short message from Charles saying that he found something and will drop by this evening.
He hoped it's good news. Unlike Charles, who had more resources at his disposal, they could only do that much without drawing unwanted attention.
They were both tired, worked up, and in dire need of distraction and refuel.
"So, you do this often?" asked N'Jadaka, when they sat down to eat.
"By 'this' you mean eating dry cereal or hiding from everyone?"
"Hiding."
"Honestly, more than I'm okay with. Going off the grid is always risky. I prefer knowing where the threat comes from and who the enemy is."
"Hm. You're not a politician then."
"No. I guess I'm more of a soldier."
"Serve and obey, huh?" N'Jadaka didn't even try to hide the double meaning of that question.
Everett licked his lips. Sugary crumbs made them sweet. He licked them again, this time N'Jadaka's gaze followed his tongue. "Serve, yes. Obey... It depends."
"On what?"
"On the orders and the person who gives them, I guess."
"If I give you an order right now, will you obey me?"
Everett felt the wave of heat pass through his body.
"I'm not yours to command." Yet. Not yours yet. "Sorry to disappoint, N'Jadaka." He meant those words as a gentle let down. But somehow they sounded like a challenge.