“Now you’re the one not making sense. Every time I walk out the door I’m risking my one life.”
“Evan Tucker went after us once and missed. This is his follow-up act. I doubt he’ll make the same mistake. Unlike in Syria, he can control all aspects of the Burner Box and what goes on in there. Take it from me, an ‘accident’ will happen that will tragically end our lives.”
“Well, if we’re both there he’ll have to work twice as hard to nail us.”
“But he’ll still nail us.”
“You need to be more optimistic.”
“And you need to get your head out of your ass.”
“I’m going, Jessica.”
“What about Julie? You’re just going to walk out on her?”
“No, I’ll do my best to get through this and see her again. But I have a job to do. And I’m good at it. And I’m going to keep doing it. And I’m going to have as normal a life as I possibly can while I’m doing it.”
“That’s impossible and you damn well know it.”
He shook his head wearily. “You really have to work on having a more positive attitude. And the only thing I know for certain is that I’m leaving on a trip tomorrow. So just drive me back to my car. I need to pack my bag and get some shut-eye.”
She dropped him back at his car. As he was getting out she broke the silence. “You are the most exasperating person I have ever met in my life.”
“You need to get out more.”
She snorted and then, despite her evident anger, she smiled. “Why are you really doing this?”
“Just remember the rain, Jessica. What I said then is what I mean now.”
“That you’ll always have my six?”
“Just so you know, it’s not a freebie. I expect the same in return. Figure it’s the only way we survive this.”
Then he was gone.
Chapter
7
EVAN TUCKER STARED ACROSS AT her. They were in a SCIF at Langley. Technically, Langley was one big SCIF, or Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, but Tucker had become paranoid and had demanded an extra layer of protection from prying eyes and ears at keyholes.
Tucker’s waist had thickened over the last month and his hair had turned whiter. In fact, he seemed to have aged even more since his meeting with the president in the Situation Room complex.
Amanda Marks looked back at him.
“So it’s a go?” asked Tucker. “I told the president it was.”
“They both agreed to it, so I’d say yes. It’s a go.”
“Like they had a choice,” muttered Tucker.
“Well, they did. It just wasn’t much of one.”
“And you have eyes on them now, just in case? They’re slippery, Marks, trust me. I speak from experience.”
“I’m sure you do, sir. To tell the truth, we lost them for a bit this evening. It seems they wanted a quiet word with one another.”
Tucker came halfway out of his seat. “You lost them?” he exclaimed.
“Only temporarily, Director. They went their separate ways and we regained surveillance. Robie is at his apartment and Reel is staying at a hotel.”
“Don’t let that happen again. You have carte blanche in the way of assets to throw at this sucker, Marks. Do what you have to do. But do not lose them again.”
“Understood. And now a question for you, Director?”
“I’m listening.”
“What outcome do you want on this exactly?”
“They’re going to the Burner Box.”
Marks nodded, crossed her legs, and placed her hands in her lap. “I understand that. But what exactly is the endgame here?”
“You put them through their paces. You put them through their paces hard. I want to see if they still have it. And I’m not simply talking about shooting straight and kicking someone’s ass. By what they just accomplished I have little doubt they’re fully qualified there, but I don’t want that personal assessment to cause you to let up on them one iota, Amanda.”
“Rest assured, it will not. I was a trainer at the Burner for two years. I do not let up on anyone, most of all myself.”
“What I’m most concerned about,” began Tucker, “is what’s going on up here.” He tapped his head. “You know what Reel did?”
“I know the allegations.”
“They’re not allegations,” he snapped. “They’re facts. She’s admitted to them.”
“Yes, sir,” she said quickly.
“And Robie was sent after her, disobeyed orders, and joined forces with her. Under any other scenario they would both be in prison right now. Hell, Reel should be executed for treason.”
“Granted that, sir. But the men she killed, weren’t they also traitors?”