Page 47 of Code Name: Michelangelo

Doc raised a brow. “Let me finish, son.”

Brand’s cheeks flushed in the same way mine would’ve had I been admonished, especially by Kade.

“My apologies.”

“I’ll let that one go, but don’t say you’re sorry again. The latter half of my sentence was to say I will not hold you to the terms of your release from prison. I will remain responsible for your actions in the same way a parole officer might be, which doesn’t amount to a whole lot. Let me be clear. I do not anticipate you changing direction. I’m informing you of this in the event you think your release from incarceration prevents you from making any other decision than to remain in our employ.”

I was sure Brand appreciated what Kade was saying. While he didn’t believe he’d change his mind, now he knew doing so was entirely up to him, with no caveats. On the other hand, he couldn’t use the terms of his release as an excuse either to himself or to Richard.

“If you don’t have any questions, let’s move on to the upcoming meeting with Sundance and Flick.”

“I do not,” said Brand.

“While I haven’t spoken directly with Flick, I have with Sundance, and I want to run something by you both.”

“Go ahead,” I said when Brand muttered something similar.

“Sundance has close ties to the brass at Camp Peary, which is where CIA agents do their hardcore training. The joke is he owns the place—not possible, given the US government holds the deed. The reason I’m bringing this up is because there isn’t another facility where you can receive the same kind of training as you would there.”

“What does it involve?” I asked.

“Good question. Standard training takes a minimum of six months. Sundance is proposing ten days for the two of you to complete what he believes is essential to your undercover assignment.”

“What does that entail?” Brand asked.

Kade looked down at his phone. “I’ll let him tell you, given he and Flick have arrived.”

While Flick seemed nice enough, Sundance hadn’t cracked a smile since he walked in the front door. I could only imagine what training with him would be like, if it ever came to that. Maybe his demeanor was intended to filter out the weak. I could tell him right now that wouldn’t work on me.

After Tara, Aine, and I were kidnapped and we first went through rigorous self-defense exercises at the instruction of Doc’s business partners, followed by an in-depth indoctrination as to how to handle being taken hostage, I wasn’t afraid of much.

I’d been skydiving, bungee jumping, and cliff diving. While none of those involved hand-to-hand combat, they were scary as fuck. I’d lived through them, though, just like I’d lived through being roofied and kidnapped. I’d live through this too. Whatever it was.

I listened while Doc went over the things we’d already discussed, including the recommendation we train at what he called the Farm. He added that we’d asked what it would involve just as they arrived.

“I’ll review from start to finish,” said Sundance, who still hadn’t smiled once, including when he greeted Doc, who seemed like a close friend.

“You’ll start as any newcomer would, by sitting in a cubicle and learning what you’re gonna learn.” Still no smile, even though it appeared he was making a joke. “I forgot to mention that I’ll ask you to surrender your electronic devices before your arrival. In fact, it would be best to leave them here since you won’t be permitted contact with the outside world.” His eyes scrunched. “Or with each other.”

My eyes widened, which I hoped Sundance hadn’t noticed.

“Back to driving the desk.”

Driving the desk? What did that mean? I looked at Doc, who gave me a slight head nod, perhaps meaning he’d explain later.

“I already told you the first part. Second, you’ll be patched in to view missions. Some will be simulations, others will be live.”

“Actual ops?” Brand asked.

“That’s correct,” said Felice, who was sitting next to him.

There was something about her chiming in that Sundance didn’t like. My guess? He was a misogynistic asshole who didn’t appreciate being interrupted by a woman. I wondered how he and Merrigan got on. No matter how intimidating I found him, I doubted she would feel the same way. In fact, I could picture her putting him in his place in no uncertain terms, and it made me smile.

“Something funny, Ramsey?” Sundance asked.

“Not at all,” I responded, staring him straight in the eye.

“I’ll move on. After you complete desk duty, you’re mine.” The way he grinned when he said it, reminded me of the worst villains I’d ever seen in movies. “That’s when the hard work begins. I’ll see what you’re made of. If you can get through the first two hours, there’ll be hope for you.”

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