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Leif Morrison’s Office, CIA Headquarters
Langley, Virginia

 

Leroux stepped into Morrison’s office and smiled. “You’re looking good today, Chief.”

Morrison waved him into a seat as he took a sip of orange juice. “Feeling a lot better. The key is fluids, exactly like they said. I came in here and went back to my old habits, and look what it got me.” He waved at his computer. “A shitstorm of emails from Washington. I thought I told you not to start a war.”

Leroux sat and grinned. “You said ‘try’ not to start a war.”

“Uh-huh. Well, I just finished reading the after-action reports. One Delta member shot twice but expected to make a full recovery. Another with his leg torn up, expected to make a full recovery. Three of the crew rescued, and all expected to make full recoveries. And the boat and its equipment completely destroyed. Did I miss anything?”

“I’m recommending Agent Cruz be extracted. She was let go after questioning, though I have concerns they might take a second look at her.”

“Agreed.”

“All in all, though, from our side of things, I’d say it was as good an outcome as anyone could expect.”

Morrison eyed him. “Other than the fact you authorized a Cuban chopper to be blown out of the sky and two MiGs to be fired upon, I’d say things were fairly routine.”

“In my defense, sir, we destroyed the missiles before they took out the MiGs.”

“Uh-huh.”

Leroux stared at the floor. “Does this mean you’re not leaving me in charge anymore?”

Morrison laughed, taking another drink from his bottle of orange juice. “Chris, I can’t imagine anyone else doing a better job.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“In fact, if you keep this up, you just might be deputy chief someday, perhaps even chief.”

Leroux’s eyes widened and sweat beaded on his forehead. “I don’t think that’s in my future, sir.”

Morrison chuckled. “A few years ago, you would have said the same thing about the job you’re in now, but look at you. You didn’t have a chief or deputy chief to run anything by, yet you helped save lives yesterday. You helped preserve this country’s secrets. Never doubt yourself. Never doubt you’re the right man for the job.”

Leroux flushed. “Thank you, sir.”

“Go home. I don’t want to see you or any of your team until tomorrow.”

“Thank you, sir.” Leroux rose.

“In fact, take two days off.”

“Sir?”

“I think you’ll know why when you get home.” Morrison winked.

A smile spread on Leroux’s face. “She’s back?”

Morrison’s head bobbed. “She’s back.”

“See you, sir!” Leroux bolted out of the office, his heart pounding with excitement. Sherrie was back, and whenever that happened, he was in for one hell of a good time.

He just wondered if two days would be enough.