Cole’s assailant is a Syrian national,” Tim told the group after identifying the man. “He came into the country a few weeks ago. I believe he came in with this other guy, Yusuf Ali. Ali is a United States citizen who left for Syria six months ago.” Viktor had dragged her to an early 8:00 a.m. meeting at AGS. Marissa wasn’t surprised that he had shut the trapdoor once again on his emotions. Acting like he had not just bared his deepest, darkest secret to her the night before, Viktor shoved a to-go cup of coffee in her hand and ushered her out of his building forty-five minutes after he had woken her up. He’d been succinct in speech and economical in actions. In short, he was very Viktor. Although, he had held her hand while they traversed the light Sunday morning traffic from New Park to Washington DC. Once they had arrived at AGS HQ, he was business as usual. He walked beside her, but held himself at an impersonal distance as though they had not just spent a whole night intimately together.
