After my third deployment, my wife filed for divorce. «I’ve met someone better,» she said …

Always the professional. That’s why they never suspected you were onto them. He leaned forward, lowering his voice.

There’s an operation in Norfolk. Naval intelligence. Three assets currently active, targeting the Harrison family.

Lieutenant Commander in Submarine Technology. Roy made notes without revealing whether he found the information valuable. Names.

That would be too easy. Reznik’s eyes gleamed with the familiar manipulation. I want something in return.

You’re in no position to negotiate. I’m in exactly the position to negotiate. I provide intelligence.

I receive considerations. That’s how this works. What do you want? Roy asked, though he already anticipated the answer.

Contact with Bridget. Roy’s pen paused momentarily on the paper. Not happening.

Just letters. Monitored. Censored.

Whatever security protocols you deem necessary. Reznik leaned back. We were in love, you know.

Not everything was an operation. Spare me. Roy said flatly.

You targeted her because of my security clearance. The psychological evaluation confirmed she was vulnerable to flattery and material indulgence. Standard procedure for your handlers.

Is that what you tell yourself? Reznik asked. That she couldn’t possibly have fallen for someone else. That it had to be a manipulation? Roy recognized the attempted psychological warfare and refused to engage.

You have nothing of value. This meeting is over. As he stood to leave, Reznik spoke quickly.

Michael Turner, currently employed as a sailing instructor at the Norfolk Marina, regularly provides private lessons to Harrison’s teenage daughters. Background checks will show inconsistencies if you know where to look. Roy paused, then sat back down.

Keep talking. For the next hour, Reznik provided detailed information about the Norfolk operation and two others in San Diego and Pensacola. The intelligence was specific, verifiable, and potentially valuable.

Why give this up now? Roy finally asked. Reznik shrugged. My former employers attempted to have me eliminated last month.

Prison transfer ambush. Failed, obviously, but the message was clear. My usefulness to them has ended, so my loyalty has adjusted accordingly.

And the letters to Bridget? We shared something real. Despite what you believe, Reznik’s eyes held a hint of what appeared to be genuine emotion. She deserves to know I haven’t abandoned her.

Roy gathered his notes. I’ll verify this intelligence. If it proves accurate, I’ll recommend your request be considered.

No promises. As Roy turned to leave, Reznik called after him. She never stopped loving you, you know? Even with me, she talked about you.

The hero. The faithful soldier. She just couldn’t live with the loneliness anymore.

Roy paused at the door, then left without responding. He wouldn’t give Reznik the satisfaction of seeing any reaction. Later that evening, after preliminary verification confirmed Reznik’s intelligence was legitimate, Roy sat on his back deck watching Max and Lily play with the neighbor’s dog in the yard.

Walsh had called to inform him that Michael Turner had been placed under surveillance, with evidence already emerging that supported Reznik’s claims. We’ll need you in Norfolk tomorrow, she’d said. The Harrison daughters have lessons scheduled with Turner.

I’ll be there, Roy had replied. After I drop the kids at school. Now, watching his children’s innocent play, Roy contemplated Reznik’s request.

The thought of the man communicating with Bridget repulsed him. Yet denying valuable intelligence out of personal vendetta wasn’t who Roy was. Or who he wanted to be.

His phone buzzed with a text from Bridget’s prison account. The monitored system allowed limited communication related to the children. Max mentioned he might not come Saturday.

Is everything okay? Roy stared at the message, remembering the woman he’d married, the mother of his children, before Reznik and his handlers had identified and exploited her vulnerabilities. The woman who, according to her psychological evaluation, had convinced herself the information she provided wasn’t truly harmful, just corporate competition. He typed a response…