Page 96 of Power
The conversation moved to other topics, but Luciano’s thoughts kept jumping back to Simone. He knew the power of anger and loss. It had driven him to become a killing machine. He would hate for that to happen to her.
SIMONE
Friday afternoon,Simone was innocondition to attend Peter Hirzog’s dinner party. Being festive and making conversation was the last thing she wanted to do.
She and Slash were stretching in the lower level of Slash’s home after going for a hard run. Training wasn’t just limited to target practice. If she was going after The Bomb Maker, she needed to be at the top of her game.
Carrera walked around the corner dressed in a T-shirt and shorts.
“You’re coming with me to one of Rebel’s trainings,” Slash said. “They’re fun.”
“My wife’s a beast,” Carrera said as he walked over to the weights.
“Can I get both your thoughts on something?” Simone asked.
“Go for it,” Carrera said.
“My old boss, Peter Hirzog, invited me to his house for a dinner party tonight,” Simone said. “I can’t go.”
“I wouldn’t cancel,” Carrera said.
“I want to curl up in a ball, not go to a dinner party,” Simone pushed back.
“Hirzog has the ear of the Director,” Carrera explained. “Might be good to find out what he knows.”
“But I’m in mourning.”
“Exactly,” Slash said. “He could be the perfect person to talk to. Did he know Frederica?”
“Yeah, we both worked for him.”
“We’re flying blind here,” Carrera said. “I’m in a position of power at the Bureau, but I don’t have the Director’s ear. Does Hirzog know you and Frederica stayed close friends?”
“No. I lost touch with him after I left.”
“Does he know you moved to ALPHA?” Slash asked.
“He thought I went undercover.” Simone started stretching her calf muscle. “And he asked me if I jumped to ALPHA.”
“If you can do it, go,” Slash said. “The more you know?—”
“The more you know,” Carrera said finishing her sentence.
They laughed.
An inside joke or couple speak.
Despite her sorrow, watching them interact brought her joy.
“Seriously,” Slash said. “If he asked you about ALPHA, maybe he’s willing to share things with you.”
“Can’t argue with that,” Simone said.
As she stretched, she thought about how she’d play things if she went. “I’ll have to ask him if he knew Frederica died in a gas explosion?”
“Exactly,” Carrera replied. “Bait him. See if he’ll tells you anything.”
“How would he know something that ALPHA doesn’t?” Simone asked.
