by S L Shelton
I took a deep breath.
Here it is…the moment of truth.
Do it, my other voice whispered.
“If you think I’ve got what it takes, then I’m at your disposal,” I said. “But I’d like to know more about what I’m getting myself into.”
He squinted his eyes at me for a moment before smiling. “Let’s get you out of here,” he said finally, a decision having been made in his head.
“Okay.”
“I have an idea that might kill two birds with one stone,” he said as he pulled something up on his computer monitor. I couldn’t see anything but the reflection of a map in his reading glasses.
“What do you have in mind?” I asked.
“How far along are you on Ukil’s profile and movements?” he asked
“I’ve been a little preoccupied the last couple of days, but it's all been downloaded.” I replied, tapping my head with my index finger. I wasn’t terribly happy to be behind on my research, but I had all the data I had been given locked away safely in my brain.
He nodded. “How would you feel about going into the field for the surveillance on him?”
I stroked my new beard, trying not to seem too anxious. “I can probably work it into my schedule,” I replied, barely able to contain my excitement.
He chuckled. “On the tech team. Not a combat role,” he quickly added.
Damn! He saw my reaction. I’ll have to work on that some more.
“Well it beats the hell out of sitting around waiting for a rocket through my window,” I said. “When do I leave?”
“You can leave tomorrow if you’re up to it,” he replied. “As soon as Nick calms down, I’ll get him to set you up.”
“Do you think he’ll calm down that fast?” I asked, grinning.
“Yeah, he can’t hold a grudge.”
“Okay,” I replied, shrugging. “If you say so.”
I paused for a moment, suddenly thinking about the team at TravTech. “What about my group?” I asked.
The concern on my face must have been obvious. “We’ve got them covered. You won’t have to worry about their security anymore.”
I crinkled my brow.
“Seriously,” he said with a grin. “They’re covered… And I’ll put Nick with you until you leave tomorrow.”
Oh, super duper, I thought sarcastically.
I found Nick in the hall, sulking. “What’s the deal?” I asked.
“No deal,” he said. “I take it I’m supposed to babysit until you leave tomorrow.”
You already knew John was planning on sending me into the field…no wonder you got so protective.
“I guess so,” I replied casually. “Sorry about that.”
He shook his head. “It’s easy duty. You take care of yourself well enough.”
I raised my eyebrow at the praise.
“Don’t,” he warned. “I know you’re good. I just don’t think you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
“Okay,” I agreed. “I’ll buy that.”
He smiled and shook his head. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
On the way down the hall, we passed Ruth, the analyst I had met the day before, coming toward us.
“Hey, there,” I said. “Ruth. Right?”
Her face lit up. “Yeah. How are you? I heard about this morning. No damage I see.”
“None to me. But my car and the other guys didn't fare as well.”
“I’m on my way to a meeting, but if you’re available, let’s grab a bite to eat in the cafeteria later,” she said.
Nick rolled his eyes at the apparent flirting before continuing down the hallway without me.
“Sounds good, but I have to go pack,” I replied, apologetic.
“Another time then,” she said, smiling stiffly before reaching her hand out to shake mine.
I pulled my hand out of my pocket and pressed the SD memory card into her palm as I shook. She shot me a startled look, but as I continued to smile, her face began to spread into one as well.
“Yes,” I replied. “Another time. We should have a lot to talk about.”
“I’m sure we will,” she said with a flirty smile. “Bye.”
“Bye.” I turned and ran to rejoin Nick.
“You didn’t need to rush,” he said as I caught up. “I’m no cock blocker.”
“I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about,” I replied in mock offense.
“Whatever,” he muttered as I pulled out my phone to call the office.
“Are you okay?” Jo said, answering the phone.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied. “Why?”
“We saw your wrecked car on the side of Route 50 on the news,” she replied nervously. “They said there was gunfire and unconfirmed reports of deaths.”
Shit.
“No. I’m fine,” I reiterated. “But I’m not coming back in. Langley has an off-site tech job for me. I’m on my way home to pack now.”
“Tech job,” Jo said with disbelief.
“Yes, Jo. A tech job. I promise.”
“When will you be back in the office?” she asked.
“I don’t know.”
I heard a keyboard clicking in the background.
“Huh,” she grunted. “It appears your tech job has been entered into the system already. Open-ended level six.”
I shook my head. “Those levels are for your eyes only,” I said. “Don’t share them with anyone in the section…especially Bonbon.”
There was a long silence.
“Are you still there?” I asked.
“And why don’t you want Bonbon to know the level?” I heard Bonbon ask.
Shit, shit.
“Bonbon, please call me on the secure connection as soon as I’m done with Jo.”
I heard a door slam.
“Jo?” I asked.
“Yes,” she replied cautiously.
“What was that?”
“She was standing right here when you called,” she replied matter-of-factly.
I shook my head again. Sneaking out of town was going to be harder than I thought it would be.
“I’ll be back when the job is done,” I said, pushing past my agitation. “Keep the workflow going. My name should already be off the available list.”
“It is,” she confirmed. “I’m sorry about Bonbon.”
“I’ll take care of her,” I replied. “Let her know we’re done and that she can call my secure link.”
“Okay,” she replied. Then, after a pause for a beat, “Be careful. Level six tech work sounds dangerous.”
“I’ll see you when I get back,” I said, ignoring her cautionary statement. “Bye.”
The call ended.
A few seconds later, my phone rang again. I checked to make sure it was a secure link before answering and then stopped in an alcove to let Nick walk away from me. When he looked at me, I waved him to continue without me.
“Yeah,” I answered the phone, already annoyed.
“Would you mind telling me why I’m being singled out for exclusion?” Bonny asked bitterly.
“We’ve talked about this, but I’m going to try to explain it one more time in a way that sticks,” I said with no play in my voice at all. “The next time I feel I have to explain it, I’m going to have to transfer you back to TravTech.”
There was silence on the other end.
“You know I can’t talk about it, and you know why I can’t talk about it,” I said, attempting to be as straightforward as possible.
“What about Barb?” she responded snidely. “Can you talk about her?”
I didn’t say anything, doing my best to swallow my agitation.
“Because I’ve got two friends who I’ve loved for a long time and neither one of them is telling me anything,” she said, sounding quite desperate for answers. “I don’t even know when you broke up…just that you did.”
“The end of July,” I said, knowing it was a mistake as soon as I said it
.
“More than a month!” she exclaimed. “Why was that so hard?”
“Because it was wrapped up in what happened last month,” I replied, digging myself in deeper.
“How was it related? Did the CIA make you break up with your girlfriend?” she asked incredulously.
“No, Bonbon,” I said. I was getting ready to try and shut her down when I heard her crying.
Shit, shit, shit.
“I’ll be there in a half an hour,” I said and then hung up.
“Sorry,” I said to Nick as I caught up with him. “I’ve got to make a stop.”
He shrugged. “I get paid the same regardless.”
When we arrived at TravTech, I did my best to straighten my appearance. My jacket was torn and dirty, I had an abrasion across my eyelid, and a powder burn on my cheek. Upon arriving, I nodded at the security guard who shot us a suspicious glare as Nick and I passed through the secure door and into my section.
As I walked past Bonny’s office, I knocked and motioned for her to follow me garnering a startled look from Anna as she glanced up from her computer screen. I continued down the hall to my office, Nick and Bonbon following close behind.
Jo looked up when we entered my outer office.
“I thought—”
“I’ll only be here a minute,” I said, cutting her off. “Jo, this is Nick. Nick, Jo. Make yourself comfortable.”
He nodded and moved to one of the comfy reception chairs as Bonny and I disappeared into my office.
I closed the door and glared at Bonbon. “Barb and I broke up in July because she couldn’t handle what I’ve become,” I said plainly. “I’ve killed people. I’ve helped the government, and I’m carrying stuff around in my head that affects national security.”
A stunned look appeared on her face.
“I killed two of those guys in Fairfax this morning, and I am responsible for the other two dying as well,” I said as coolly as I could muster. “Last month, a couple of nights after Barb moved out, two men broke into my condo and tried to abduct me over the same issue.” I looked her in the eye for a moment, watching her expression shift deeper into shock. “I killed them too—well, actually, one of them may not have been dead until the other guy shot him, but I definitely killed the second one.”
She began to slowly shake her head, her mouth gaping wide.
“When I was in Europe this spring, I shot four bad guys and dragged almost a dozen more out of the plane with me when we pulled Barb and the other hostages free. I’ve been stabbed, shot, and tortured with a propane torch since Barb was taken hostage—and I beat a trained ex-CIA agent in a fistfight, resulting in his capture.” I left out the schizophrenia and the part where I floated out of my body and watched myself become Bruce Lee.
I stared at her silently for several seconds as her mouth tried to form words but couldn’t.
“I’m sorry,” I jabbed sarcastically. “Did you say something?”
She suddenly closed her mouth and shook her head. It took another second for her to wrap her head around her response, but when she did, she just threw her arms around my neck. “Be careful,” she said as she hugged me and then turned and left.
Wow!
“Bonny,” I called after her, waiting for her to stop and turn. “Thanks for caring enough to be a pain in my ass. I love you for it.”
She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Instead, she closed it again and smiled before turning and leaving the room. I’d never seen Bonbon at a loss for words before.
When I stepped out into the outer office, Jo was busy working and Nick was watching the news. He shot me a glare with a raised eyebrow as a red-faced Bonbon walked out. “Girl trouble?” he asked with a smirk.
There was an accusation in his expression, but I had neither time nor interest in correcting his mistaken impression that there was sexual tension between Bonbon and me.
“I’m ready when you are,” I said.
Nick got up as I stopped in front of Jo’s desk. “Keep the shop running while I’m gone, and follow John Temple’s instructions on security.”
She nodded. “Be careful,” she said quietly as I left.
“You too,” I warned.
On the way down the hall, I stopped at Storc’s server room. “Hey,” I said after swiping my card and pushing the door open a crack. “I’m going out of town for a few days.”
“Okay,” he replied. “I’ll keep the party noise to a minimum so the neighbors don’t complain.”
I smiled, grateful for the lack of curiosity. “Thanks, pal.”
“Be careful,” he said as I turned away.
“You too,” I replied before leaving, feeling much better than I had when I walked into the building.
On the way back down to the truck, Nick cleared his throat. I turned to see a tense look on his face.
“What?” I asked.
“It’s none of my business, but if that’s the level of comfort you’re coming from, you’d do well to stick with it,” he said in a low voice. “You won’t find a fancy office and coffee machine working for Temple.”
“What’s that mean?” I asked.
“Eating out of fox holes and crossing war zones isn’t exactly the corporate track,” he said.
His comment irked me.
“You’re absolutely right,” I said, garnering a sideways glance from him. “It’s none of your business.”
On the way back to my condo, I was wondering if Nick was planning on sleeping at my place that night when my phone rang.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Mr. Wolfe?” came a woman’s voice.
“Yes,” I replied.
“This is Patricia Jones, from GGP,” she said.
“Hello, Patricia Jones. How are you?” I asked warmly, slipping a smile on my face so it reflected in my voice.
Nick looked at me and squinted.
“I’m fine,” she replied. “I was wondering if you had some free time. I’ve assembled some of the information you were looking for.”
There was a tone of seductiveness to her voice that made me realize my flirting may have paid off. Sadly, I was on my way out of the country.
“Actually. I’m afraid my timetable has unexpectedly changed a bit,” I said, turning and raising my eyebrows at Nick.
“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that,” she replied with genuine disappointment in her voice.
“Hold on for just a second. My boss is right here. Let me ask him if I have some flexibility.”
“Alright,” she replied hopefully.
I pushed mute on my phone.
“There is this super hot chick who wants to meet with me before I leave,” I said to Nick with pleading in my voice, glazing over the fact that I was fishing for classified information from her. “Is there any way at all I could get you to drop me at my house and then disappear for a few hours tonight?”
“No,” he said plainly.
“What? Didn’t you just say you ‘ain’t no cock blocker?’”
He shook his head. “No.”
“For fuck’s sake, Nick. I just got shot at, my car was smashed and I killed a bunch of bad guys…do you really want to be the kind of asshole who stops a guy from saying good-bye to a girl before he ships out?”
He looked at me for a long moment, debating the request in his head.
“No hacking and no field trips while I’m gone?” he asked.
“None. I promise.”
“Okay. But if John asks, I was with you all night. Got it?” he asked.
“Got it… Thanks, man.”
I took the call off mute.
“Patricia. Yes. My boss has given me a small window of opportunity. We could meet this afternoon or this evening?” I asked.
“That would work out fine,” she said. “When and where?”
“Well. I’m in the middle of packing for my travels. Would you mind if I made you dinner at my place? Say around seven?” I asked. “Unless you’d rather…”
“
That sounds wonderful!” she replied, cutting off my alternate suggestion. “I’ll see you at seven.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” I said, winking at Nick before giving her my address. “See you then.”
As soon as I ended the call, Nick started laughing.
“You better get it while you can,” he said. “You won’t have many opportunities after you get to the Farm.”
“You make it sound like bible camp.”
“Oh, no. You’d have much more fun at bible camp,” he said, matching my smile.
Nick dropped me off at my house around 5:30 p.m.
“I’ll be back in the morning first thing unless John calls and busts us before then,” he said.
“Thanks again, Nick.”
“No problem.” He pulled away, glancing at me once in his rearview before turning the corner. I suddenly felt a tug of guilt over having misled him…and Patricia Jones.
I went in and set about preparing for the evening. I took out two of my grass-fed Delmonico steaks and set them in the sink filled with hot water to thaw while I cut a zucchini in half, filled it with chopped vegetables, and covered it with a homemade tomato sauce. As soon as I was done with the prep work, the steaks went into a marinade, and I preheated the oven before going to take a shower while it warmed.
By the time I was clean and had my beard trimmed up, the steaks were nearly ready to be seared. I slid the zucchini creations into the oven and then went about picking the right bottle of wine for dinner. It was a decent one I had tried before—just dry enough to not overwhelm the flavor of the meat. I opened it and left it on the counter to breathe before getting dressed.
It was nearly seven o’clock as I pulled a clean shirt over my bruised chest. Once my hair was in place, I pulled some candles out of the kitchen drawer, placed them on the dining room table, and plugged my iPhone into its speakers on my fireplace mantle in the living room, hitting my “soft music” play list.
I breathed out in satisfaction, having pulled it all together before Patricia arrived.
The doorbell rang at precisely seven o’clock. When I opened the door, the lovely Patricia Jones greeted me wearing a pair of relaxed slacks and a formfitting blouse that left nearly nothing to the imagination.
She was carrying a small file-folio in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other.
“Welcome,” I said warmly. “Please come in.”