The sound of the office door sliding open interrupted Lucian's enjoyment of the show.
Simona strode in, carrying a freshly printed identification card.
"Boss, she's here." Simona placed the card at the edge of the desk. "Hydra's mole inside AIM handled it. Security at Aldrich Killian's headquarters was laxer than expected. They didn't even alert the patrols when they brought her out."
"She wasn't hurt?" Lucian asked.
"Not a scratch. Just a little on edge." Simona pressed her earpiece. "Bring her in."
The heavy bulletproof double doors slid apart.
Two Vought security personnel in black tactical uniforms escorted a woman into the room. She wore a slightly wrinkled beige trench coat, her hair loosely pinned behind her head, with dark circles around her eyes and mud speckling her flat leather shoes.
Maya Hansen stood on the marble mosaic floor and looked around.
The Manhattan skyline was fully visible beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the high-rise office's decor was simple yet unmistakably expensive.
"I don't understand." Maya raised her head, her fingers clutching her coat pocket. "The agent who dragged me out of the Miami research facility and into a bulletproof SUV showed me a special World Security Council pass. He said the United Nations was interested in my project and wanted to move me to a safer national laboratory. Then, halfway through the drive, I took a sip of bottled water and fell asleep. When I woke up, I was in Manhattan."
She paused, her gaze settling on Lucian behind the desk.
"And unless I'm mistaken, this is Vought International. The big screens outside in Times Square are covered in your company's advertising."
Lucian leaned back in his chair and pointed to the leather armchair opposite him.
"Sit."
Maya hesitated for two seconds, then walked over and sat down. The