I saw Ethan's fingers tighten—knuckles turning white. The phone case made a faint, overstressed click. His voice was very soft, as if afraid of breaking something. "Say that again. Who?"
The dispatcher repeated, "Your team member, Lena Vance. Onsite assistant Leo Reed reports—"
Ethan cut them off, his voice rising. "That's impossible. She's off today!" But as soon as he said it, he froze.
Is she off today?
Hadn't he personally told her to reconnoiter?
Hadn't he signed "Approved" on her risk report?
Hadn't he said, "You're a professional. Don't let me down"?
Sophie leaned out from the passenger seat. "Ethan? What's wrong?"
Ethan's whole demeanor turned icy. He ignored her. He unlocked his phone and started scrolling through his call log. Leo had called him thirteen times. Thirteen m
