Page 38

Assessing.

She looked at my hands first, then my waist, boots, shoulders. Searching for weapons.

There were several.

She found none of them.

Her attention returned to my face. “Are you with Central Review?”

“No.”

That appeared to surprise her.

“Military?”

“No.”

“Security?”

“No.”

Her mouth tightened. “This would be much easier if one of your answers contained useful information.”

“It would be easier if you gave me the bag.”

“Not for me.”

I almost understood why another operative might find her irritating.

Almost.

“Place it on the floor.”

“No.”

“Talia.”

She froze.

The response was small but immediate.

Interesting again.

Her eyes narrowed. “You don’t get to use my name like we know each other.”

“We do not.”

“Then stop.”

I could have crossed the space between us before she moved. She seemed to know that, but she still held the bag.

I took one step forward.

Her shoulders went rigid. “Don’t.”

I stopped.

Not because she ordered it.