“They’re customers, so we’ll know when they get around to telling us.” Cole gave her a knowing look and she gave him an understanding smile in return. “For now, just block the afternoon and when they aren’t here, you and Nash can keep working on the platforms. I’ll have Peggy handle all of their arrangements.”
“Thanks, Cole. I appreciate the opportunity. Anything I should know about them before they show up?”
“I’ll send you what I have, but it’s limited.” Cole pulled out a business card and handed it to her. “I’ve met with the head of the team once before. He was very easy to work with – the company knows what they’re doing. We have a waiting list, but these are the kind of folks we need to squeeze in if they can give us an ongoing commitment.”
Stefanie’s heart began to pound. She decided to push her luck, just a little harder. Joey was in the room, after all. “Do we have to be careful, doing business with anyone based outside of the U.S.? I mean, as an American company, are there any rules I need to be aware of? We had some training at my last company about filling out paperwork on things like this.”
“Nothing you need to worry about. Our lawyers will handle anything of that nature.” Cole waved a hand. “You focus on introducing the team and convincing our customers there isn’t a better deal in the business. They’ll let us know if there are any limitations.”
“Perfect. Just glad I can help.” Stefanie’s heart thudded.
After Cole left the office, Stefanie braced one hand on the table and closed her eyes. She startled at Joey’s voice. Unlike their previous interactions, where his businesslike demeanor matched hers, his voice was softer. “You alright?”
“Yep. Still up for that meeting tonight?”
“Definitely.” Joey cracked his knuckles. “Mind if I take that business card?”
13
By the time Stefanie returned to her house, she’d almost convinced herself that she had overreacted to a straightforward customer meeting. That it was perfectly normal that someone who outranked her manager pulled him away, leaving her to meet with the team. This was literally why she was hired. It couldn’t be that big of a deal.
Stefanie put a salad together and checked the time. Joey would be here any minute. She made a face at the green leaves and chided herself for not being grateful for the healthy meal. She could really go for something a little warmer and more comforting. She hadn’t found time to make a grocery run while dodging spies and overthinking about the visiting multinational team. She still hadn’t decided if they were an excellent example of multi-country collaboration, like the International Space Station, or Dmitri making his move. Stefanie jumped at a knock on the door and for the first time in a very long time, she pulled her weapon from its locked cabinet. On the way to the door, she pulled up the security camera feed on her phone and spotted her newest friend on the front porch.
Stefanie opened the door and Joey lifted an eyebrow. “You should know, I’d rather not get shot.”
“I certainly hope not.” Stefanie felt heat creep up her face. “I’m just a little jumpy.”
Joey pointed to her weapon. “Probably not the best time to have your finger close to a trigger, then.”
Stefanie managed not to roll her eyes. “You know, before you walked in, I was reminding myself I needed to be nice to you, but now, for the life of me, I can’t remember why.”
“Because I brought lasagna for both of us. From a mom and pop shop just down the street.” Joey grinned and held up a bag that smelled like absolute heaven. “It’s legit. My Nonna would even approve. Although, before I share it, I’ll tell you nothing is as good as her homemade pasta sauce.”
Stefanie smiled. “I guess I better be nice to you then. Wouldn’t want your Nonna coming after me.” She let him in the house and put her gun back in the cabinet.
“You have no idea.” Joey chuckled. “I’d face down ten drill sergeants before I’d face a disappointed Nonna Gina and her wooden spoon.”
Stefanie quickly divided her salad into two bowls. “She sounds very special to you.”
“She’s in her nineties and still a spitfire. She’s the best.”
Stefanie passed Joey a salad and he slid her a takeout container. They sat together at the little bar on her kitchen counter. She took a bite of the lasagna and closed her eyes. “If your Nonna’s lasagna is better, I don’t think I could handle it. This is exactly what I needed after today.”
Joey lifted a shoulder. “I thought we should treat ourselves. We had a breakthrough. You know these guys have to be involved with Dmitri.”
Stefanie paused, her fork halfway to her mouth. “Do we though?”
“It’s a last-minute meeting and only you can cover it.” Joey cleared his throat. “And the NSA sent me an alert shortly after Cole came to talk to you. Dmitri just sent an update email with a few new coded phrases to his agent on-site. Dmitri is making his move. My guess is someone wants you to take the fall for something. This is our chance to find out who in your organization wanted to keep Cole from overseeing your customer meet and greet. But first, we have to figure out how I can be near you during the meeting.”
Stefanie put her fork down on her plate. “I’m sorry, you’re planning on attending? Why would I bring an intern to my important meeting?”
Joey swallowed and took a sip of water. “You shouldn’t go in alone. Who knows what they want?”
“In a conference room, in broad daylight? What if I went in, by myself, and you’re just outside? It’s just a business meeting. What could happen? We can prep everything this weekend, set up any surveillance you like. You can be close,
