BLOOD OWNS THIS CITY

The Detective's Secret

Nadia Cross's apartment was dark when Marcus arrived.

He'd been watching for an hour. No lights. No movement. Either she was gone or she was waiting.

Marcus picked the lock and slipped inside. The apartment was small but neat. Photographs on the walls. A police badge on the counter. A half-empty coffee cup on the table.

She was still here. Just hiding.

"Detective Cross," Marcus said. "I know you're here. We need to talk."

Silence. Then a click. The safety of a gun being released.

"Show yourself," Nadia's voice said from the shadows.

Marcus stepped into the dim light of the kitchen. Nadia emerged from the bedroom doorway, her service weapon trained on his chest. Her hands were steady. Her eyes were not.

"You're the Ghost," she said. "The one who's been tearing through Viktor's organization."

"I'm Marcus Webb. And I know you've been working for my father."

Nadia's face flickered. Just a fraction. Then it went hard again.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Marcus pulled out the photograph Vivian had given him. The one showing Nadia meeting Simon Webb. He tossed it on the table.

"That's you. With my father. Six months ago."

Nadia stared at the photograph. Her gun wavered.

"I can explain," she said.

"Then explain." Marcus's voice was cold. "Because right now, I'm trying to decide whether to kill you or use you."

Nadia lowered the gun. Her face was pale. "Your father approached me. Two years ago. He said he had information about the Project Serpent conspiracy. He said he wanted to help me take down Viktor."

Marcus's jaw tightened. "And you believed him?"

"I didn't have a choice." Nadia set the gun on the table. "I was investigating the deaths of your unit. Everyone told me to drop it. My superiors. The department. Everyone. Your father was the only one who offered help."

"And what did he give you?"

"Names. Locations. Evidence." Nadia's voice cracked. "Everything I needed to build a case against Viktor. But there was a catch. He wanted me to feed him information about the investigation. About what I was finding."

Marcus stared at her. "So you were his spy."

"I was trying to bring down Viktor!" Nadia's eyes were wet. "I thought I could use him to get to the truth. I thought I was being smart."

Marcus shook his head. "My father doesn't help anyone for free. He was using you. Just like he used everyone."

"I know that now." Nadia sank into a chair. "But by the time I figured it out, I was in too deep. He had evidence of our meetings. He could have destroyed my career. My life."

Marcus was silent for a long moment. Then he sat down across from her.

"Your father," Nadia said quietly. "Do you know what he's planning?"

"I know he's still alive. I know he's still involved with Viktor's organization. And I know he's the reason my men are dead."

Nadia met his gaze. "He's not just involved. He's the one who created Project Serpent. He designed the biological weapons. He sold them to Viktor. And he's been trying to cover it up ever since."

Marcus's hands curled into fists. "Where is he?"

"I don't know. He moves constantly. But I have a contact who might know." Nadia pulled out her phone. "One of his bodyguards. A man named Gregor. He's been feeding me information for months."

Marcus's eyes narrowed. "And what do you want in return?"

Nadia set down the phone. "I want to help you. Not for your father. Not for Viktor. For your unit. For the men who died. I've been carrying this guilt for five years. I need to make it right."

Marcus studied her. His instincts were screaming at him. Trust no one. Everyone has a price.

But Nadia Cross had been investigating Viktor's crimes long before Marcus arrived. She'd been fighting the same battle. Just from a different angle.

"Call Gregor," Marcus said. "Set up a meeting. But if this is a trap—"

"It's not." Nadia's voice was firm. "I swear on my badge. I'm done being used."

Marcus nodded slowly. "Then let's go."

He stood up. His leg was screaming. He ignored it.

"Marcus," Nadia said. "Be careful. Your father is more dangerous than you think. He's been playing this game for years. He knows how to win."

Marcus looked at her. His face was stone.

"So do I."

He walked to the door. Behind him, Nadia was already dialing Gregor's number.

The hunt was about to enter its next phase.

And Marcus Webb was ready.

*Should Marcus trust Nadia Cross's contact Gregor, or suspect another trap?*