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Operations Center 3, CIA Headquarters
Langley, Virginia

 

Leroux turned toward Randy Child. “So?”

Child spun in his chair, a hand raised in the air, a finger pointing at the ceiling. “He’s lying!” He dropped a foot, bringing his spin to a halt, then pointed at the display showing the stress indicators in “Captain Thatcher’s” voice. “He was definitely lying about something, and since you pretty much asked him only one thing, I think it’s safe to say he knows what happened to the professors.”

Leroux agreed. “That’s my read too.” He pointed at the boat. “Okay, run down everything you can on that boat, and see what we can find about this Captain Thatcher.” He turned to Sonya Tong. “Any luck in Portugal?”

She nodded. “I’ve got them getting into a vehicle. I ran the plates and it belongs to an ex-pat named Zek Gerald, currently residing in Portugal. I’m running him down now.”

“Excellent work as usual.”

Tong blushed, her crush on her boss apparently still in full bloom.

“As soon as Agent Reading lands, get that intel to him.”

“Yes, sir.”

The door to the ops center hissed open and National Clandestine Service Chief Leif Morrison rushed in, staring at the displays then turning to Leroux. “Are you still working on the missing professors?”

“Yes, sir. Making some progress, too.”

Morrison waved a hand. “Leave it with your team, I need you.”

Leroux’s eyes narrowed. “What’s going on?”

“Something big. Priority briefing with the White House, right now. I want you there.”

Leroux gulped. “Umm, okay.” He followed Morrison toward the door. “What’s it about?”

“We just received a ransom demand, and I need to know if it’s complete bullshit, or if what they’re threatening is actually possible.”