I love the interjection of The DaVinci Code! Where is this going to lead? The ultimate modern popular novel of intrigue can’t be anything but a huge red flag. I’m not usually one for spy thrillers, but this is good!

this sentence bugs me: “The key Rashida gave to me allowed access to the entry by the office by the front door, instead of the loading docks we had used in the rear.” Too many “by the’s”, I think you should say something like: “allowed entry into the office by way of the front door”
I agree the novel is a red flag, look for clues inside!

O draconian duck! O loony saint!