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else constantly in his body, always listening in on every conversation. Not to mention the giant scarab forehead zit - not a look I'd recommend.

"I know you need a break, but the way things are going, I just don't know if I can spare you." He gave me his "I'm a sensitive guy" smile. I was pretty sure that last bit was Sekhmet's doing. "Here's the thing," he continued. "Jayewardene wants a team to investigate charges of genocide in the Niger River Delta. The People's Paradise of Africa is making the accusations, and it's turning into a massive political shitstorm."

"Another genocide?" I said. My stomach clenched and I thought I might be sick. "I don't think I can do another genocide."

And then he gave me that "do it for the world" look. Honestly, I liked him better when he was just a PA on American Hero.

That John Fortune had been a nice guy. This John Fortune was so absorbed with whatever it was that was driving him so hard that he didn't care about much else. Except maybe Curveball.

"I've done plenty for the Committee, so don't try to act as if I haven't," I said. "I need a break. You could send Gardener or Brave Hawk. They've only been around for a few months. They'll be fresher."

"But you would be the best choice if we have to do an African mission," he replied. "If it really is genocide, a woman as lead would be better PR. You could do that whole teary-eyed/angry thing you do."

"Gardener is a woman," I said. I glared at him, but I didn't say anything else. He frowned and then stared off into space again. Sekhmet was talking some sense into him - I hoped.

"I'll think about it," he said at last.

"I'm going to see Ink in D.C.," I told him.

"Fine," he replied, "take your cell phone." But I could tell he wasn't paying attention to me anymore. He was planning his next big thing.

When I got to Washington the next day, I had to walk from my train stop to Ink's apartment. There weren't even any joker cabs here, and the subway looked crammed.

I had a key and let myself in. There were clothes strewn everywhere and newspapers and magazines piled up on every available surface. I dropped my duffel and started tidying up. It would annoy her to no end. She said she could only find things where she left them.

I'd been at it for a while when my cell started buzzing. I looked at the screen. It was Ink.

"Hey, baby," I said, answering.

"You made good time," she said. "You're not cleaning up the apartment, are you?"

Chapter 2

I looked around. The newspapers and magazines were in neat piles and the clothes had been put in the laundry or folded and put away. The bed was made with clean sheets, and I'd put the dishes away.

"No - of course not - I know how you feel about that."

"Liar. You are such a liar."

"It's true. I am a filthy liar," I replied. "Unlike you, who's just incredibly messy."

"I've got to work late," Ink said. "How about you meet me here and we can get some dinner?"

I rolled my eyes. More walking.

"Sure, honey. Whatever you say."

The SCARE offices reminded me of BICC. Cold, impersonal, and indifferent to human needs.

They held me at the front desk until Ink came down to escort me upstairs. It was annoying. Just because I worked for Jayewardene and the UN and not for the U.S. government, I was being treated like I might be a security threat. Honestly, if I had wanted to I could have blasted the front desk area to smithereens.

The elevator opened and Ink stepped out. It was still a surprise to see her now. The short, spiky hair was gone; in its place was a sleek bob. She didn't have her tats on all the time, either. And instead of her ubiquitous Converse high-tops, she was wearing pumps. Her business suit was tasteful and modest in a sober gray. It made me want to weep.

We were in the elevator when Ink got up on her tiptoes and kissed me.

"What was that for?" I asked.

"I missed you," she said. "Good grief, I can't even kiss you without you thinking something weird is going on. You haven't been having those nightmares again, have you?"

I didn't answer.

"You have," she said. "And you've been having those flashbacks, too."

"John asked me to lead a group to Nigeria," I said, hoping to change