Cassandra Johnstone sat patiently in Daniel Markis’ office and tried not to let her frustration show. This was her scheduled time to discuss urgent matters and what had he done? Taken a video call from the president of Bolivia, and now the two were discussing golf.
She had two dozen urgent matters waiting for her at her office, from her own and Spooky’s organizations. She’d had no idea how much was on Spooky’s plate until it had been added to hers.
“That sounds fantastic, Raoul,” said Markis with a laugh. “Tell the family I said hola. Yes, I’ll see you at the conference next month. Take care.” He ended the call and spun in his chair, shaking his head. “And to think that guy used to hate my guts. Maybe he still does, but he covers it well.”
“Diplomacy is your thing.”
“This isn’t diplomacy. This is just getting people to quit trying to assassinate me.”
“Sounds the same to me.”
Markis grunted. “What’s on the docket for today?”
“First, you asked me to keep you informed of Spooky’s mission.”
“I’m all ears.”
Cassandra took a deep, obvious breath and let it out slowly. “They’ve hit some complications.”
“Go on, give it to me straight. You don’t have to sugar-coat it.”
Cassandra nodded. “It looks like they’ve been at least partially compromised…not really sure how badly yet. Our man in the area who runs the Eden Railroad contacted me directly, very concerned. They’re still planning to go ahead, though.”
“No doubt Spooky’s pushing for it,” Markis said. “Let’s give him some leeway and see what he can do with it.”
“So you’re good with a high-risk op? Camp Pleasant is heavily fortified. If they know an attack is on the way, it might be suicide. And, it looks like they’re going to try to take down the entire compound, with some local help.”
“I trust the people on the ground to know the situation best, and make the right decision. When I was on active duty, I hated Headquarters micromanaging us, calling the shots from the top. I’m not going to do that.”
“Sometimes Headquarters has the best view…and there are considerations beyond the tactical. Like, how badly we’ll be hurt in the court of public opinion if this turns into a disaster.”
“I’ll handle the public relations if it comes to that. I’m more concerned about the lives of our people.” Markis sighed. “But I can’t call off ops every time something looks dangerous. Reaper and Spooky have been in bad spots before. Ethiopia was a long shot and they made that work.”
“This is nothing like Ethiopia. This is in the middle of the United States. In my opinion, we need to pull them out.”
“Objection noted. Tell them it’s their call.” The phone on Markis’ desk started to ring. “I’m going to have to take this. Keep me informed. Close the door as you go, please.”
Cassandra marched back to her office, grumbling under her breath.
Her assistant stood to hand her a file as she passed.
“Not now. Give me five minutes.” She closed her door, sank into her chair and stared vacantly at her computer screen.
I love and trust you like a brother, Daniel, she thought, but this time you’re making the wrong call. These people are indispensible, especially Spooky, I hate to admit. Without him, we’re losing ground. The drug cartels and criminal networks are already getting frisky, pushing back. I’m not ruthless enough to keep them in line, and I don’t have his reputation.
Eventually she logged on to check her secure messages. One from Reaper stood out, titled “What do we know about this guy?” asking for background on Conlan “Buzz” O’Malley.
“Dammit, Reaper,” muttered Cassandra, “I sent you to keep an eye on Spooky. He’s the one we need to be worrying about.”
She forwarded the request for information to her people. As she did, there came a knock on her door.
“Come in.”
The door opened and her assistant entered the office, holding out a file folder. “This really shouldn’t wait.”
Cassandra took it and flipped it open. “What now?”
“Director Nguyen’s deputy says the President of Colombia is demanding more money, or FC headquarters has to leave the country.”
“Damn.” She skimmed the report. “He knows Spooky is out of pocket. He’s trying to hold us up for double his usual bribe. Thinks that as a woman I’ll be easy to strong-arm. Typical Latin machismo. Too bad corruption is viewed as completely normal here. Even making this guy an Eden didn’t change his morals…or lack thereof.”
“Maybe it would just be easier to pay him. Let Nguyen handle it when he returns.”
“No,” said Cassandra. “That will only embolden him to demand more. Besides, I can be tough. Pull everything we have on the man. I need leverage.”
“Also, you missed a meeting with Rogett and his security people.”
“Damn, too much happening all at once.”
“And that British guy Nigel called. Said it was urgent that you get back with him soonest.”
“Tell Rogett I’ll be in the commander’s office at 1600. Remind me at 1545.”
“Sure, boss.”
Cassandra opened up her message queue and noticed a series of emails from Larry’s wife Shawna. All said pretty much the same thing: Tell me he’s okay. Tell me you’ve found him. Tell me not to worry.
“Dammit, I don’t know anything,” she muttered. “I already told you what to do, who to contact.” She typed up a quick, emphatic response to Shawna, resisting the urge to be too harsh. Then she retrieved Nigel’s secure phone number.
Her assistant came back in the door. “Markis just called. Said he wants you to drop everything and come brief him on Cuba.”
“Now?”
“He said it was urgent. Evidently the Cuban foreign minister is visiting his counterpart in Panama and Markis has been invited to dinner.”
“When is this?”
“Tonight. He leaves in one hour.”
“You can’t be serious.”
The assistant shrugged.
“Fine. Get Fleede to throw something together. Tell him I need it in fifteen minutes. Then tell Markis I’ll be there in twenty. Best I can do.”
“Yes, boss.” Her assistant closed the door.
Whatever made me take this job? Cassandra asked herself. “I never thought I’d say this,” she muttered, “but Tran, I miss you.”