Private Dublin

Chapter 73

“How did you find me?” I asked as I settled into my seat.

“Maureen Roth is the epicenter of all things digital, but she’s not as invincible as everyone thinks,” Andi replied.

“Key logger?” I guessed. “Spyware?”

These were two basic methods for tracking someone else’s computer use and stealing data.

She didn’t reply. She didn’t need to. It didn’t matter how she’d done it. The simple fact was she’d managed to compromise our technology lead without Mo-bot realizing, and she’d done it by being inside our organization.

“What now?” I asked.

“Raymond Chalmont is on his way,” she replied, indicating her phone which was on the table between us. “I messaged him when you put your key in the door. He isn’t very far away.”

I had no doubt the man was on his way to kill me.

“They know what you are,” I said. “My team know you’re a traitor.”

“I’d guessed you wouldn’t keep that to yourself. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“It does,” I replied. “If something happens to me, they won’t rest until you’re behind bars.”

She laughed. “You think the threat of prison scares me? You felt our reach in Rome and Monaco. I’d never see the inside of a cell. Not for a single day. We have friends everywhere.”

The silence of the kitchen pressed in for a moment.

“No,” she went on. “You should worry about your team. What will happen to them once you’re gone.”

I bridled at the threat but tried to control the fury rising within me. The wrong move would get me killed instantly.

“Doesn’t it bother you?” I asked. “Breaking the law you once swore to uphold? Four innocent people died at that screening. Many more were injured.”

“Innocent,” she scoffed. “There’s no such thing. Morality is a question of perspective. You know that from your many years at this work, surely?”

I didn’t respond.

“Everyone believes they’re the good guy. Even when they’re doing bad things. So, we’re either all good or all bad.” She sat forward. “Or maybe morality is just a story we tell ourselves to ease our journey through a world that is actually about power.”

“I’ve heard the same rationale before. From people looking to justify evil,” I replied. “Tell me, when you gave Raymond Chalmont the details of the screening, how did it feel knowing he would use that information to kill us? Did you feel glee? Shame? Either answer tells you more about yourself than I ever could.”

She pondered my words for a moment. “I felt nothing,” she said at last. “Except perhaps a little pride that I was succeeding in my mission.”