Page 7 of Operation: Valiant Angel

Camron Woods cracked a smile. “I’m not sure my liver can survive seeing her that often.”

Wilson and Garcia laughed. They waited a few beats. “So, do you have an answer?” Garcia finally asked when Woods said no more.

“What’s the guy like that heads up the team? I haven’t had a boss in a long time. I have to know he’s not a dick,” Woods said.

Wilson laughed aloud. They had not told him that Garcia led the Digital Team. “He can be a dick,” Wilson said, his smiling gaze beaming at Garcia.

“Fuck you,” Garcia replied. Then his focus shifted from Wilson to Woods. “I lead the Digital Team.”

“You’re shitting me,” Woods remarked.

“That’s why I’m here. I’d never hire a team member I didn’t personally meet. I’m not a dick, but I expect people to do their work by the due dates assigned. I don’t micromanage, can’t in the environment we operate in, but me and every other member of the team are there to help get the job done. We back each other up. And you’ll have a wide latitude in how you carry outyour assignments. As I’ve said, what we do is important and often someone’s life is on the line, so what we do has to be right.”

“You keep saying someone’s life is on the line. There’s got to be more you’re not telling me,” Woods said, suddenly serious.

“We told you we run missions for the DoD, the alphabet agencies, and private clients. A pre-mission packet is put together by the Digital Team before every Op. Included in it are clinics, hospitals, and trauma centers in the vicinity of the Op just in case things go south. All must be verified. So, let’s say you’re assigned the pre-mission packet for one of our DEA Partner Missions, where we go undercover to help bust major suppliers. If during it a team member gets hit and is bleeding out, we need to know where the closest medical facility is and be one hundred percent sure we’re rushing him to an open hospital that can treat his wounds. His life depends on it,” Garcia said.

“That happens?” Woods asked.

“Yeah, it happens,” Wilson replied. “We work DEA cases on a regular basis and those fuckers aren’t afraid to pull the trigger.”

By the expression on his face, it was as though Woods finally understood the gravity of what their team did. He nodded solemnly. Wilson also thought he saw increased respect for them in his return gaze.

“Yeah, I accept the job offer,” Woods said. He presented his hand to Garcia.

Garcia shook it. “You’re due in Schaumburg, Illinois, to report for work in two weeks. Wrap up anything you’re working on and get yourself packed. Our office manager will line up your moving company and Shepherd Security will buy your townhouse, so you have a down payment for a new place. We have a furnished apartment where you can stay until you find a place and canmove in. And the moving company will store your stuff if you want.”

“Got it,” Woods said. Then he turned to Wilson and shook his hand.

“You won’t regret this,” Wilson said.

Woods blew out his breath and shook his head. He already did. “Will there be a drug test when I report for work?”

“Stop using whatever it is today,” Garcia said, his deep gravelly voice sounding harsh. “I don’t care if it’s legal or not. Stop using it.”

“Okay,” Woods agreed.

Garcia pulled the agency phone he’d set up for Woods from his backpack, which he’d set on the floor when they’d entered. He explained its security, usage, and then asked for Woods’ personal phone so he could set up the dual phone feature.

Wilson noted how unsure of surrendering his phone Cam Woods was. “It makes life much easier to have only one phone. And your monthly cell phone bill goes away too. Another perk of the job.”

“Sure, why not?” Woods remarked and then handed his phone over.

After completing the transfer, Garcia showed Woods how to toggle between the two phone lines. Then he showed him the agency phone book. He only had six numbers programmed in: the Shepherd Security Operations Center, his number, Wilson’s, Woods’ sister’s, Sebastian Roth’s, and the agency office manager, Angel. After Woods reported to work, Garcia would open up the remainder of the staff’s names and phone numbers.

“See you in two weeks. I’m your contact for any questions but contact Angel to arrange your move. She’s expecting your call,” Garcia said.

Wilson presented his hand again. “Welcome to the team. Give your sister a call and let her know you’ve accepted the job offer. The phone is secure. You can discuss anything on it, but be mindful where you are that there are not people around who shouldn’t hear your conversations.”

“Yeah, I will,” Woods said.

Charlie

Reina Ellis glanced at the time on the screen of her phone for the third time in less than five minutes. The usually loud, busy room was quiet. The lone child sat at the desk and colored quietly. Reina’s heart broke for the little girl, whose mother was late again to pick her up. The last of the other children were all picked up twenty minutes before. Reina knew what it was like to be the last child picked up, as she was often forgotten by a mother who was too drunk or too high to remember that her child waited. Reina suspected little Lilly’s mom fell into the same category, even though she was a nurse. She was just better at hiding it than Reina’s mom had been.

Kay Meadows re-entered the room. Kay was the four-year-old full-day preschool teacher who Reina assisted. “I got a hold of her mom. She’s on her way. Said she was tied up with an emergency at work again,” Kay whispered. Then she raised her voice and called over to the child. “Lilly, your mom will be here in a few minutes. She was late leaving work. Your mommy works so hard, and her job is important. Let’s help her out. How about you put the crayons and coloring book away and we’ll get your coat on and meet her in the parking lot?”

Lilly did as she was asked. She was always an obedient child. This was another trait Reina recognized from her youngchildhood years. It was later, in junior high and high school, that she became what many would term a delinquent or a troublemaker. She never considered herself a troublemaker, but trouble did always seem to find her in her teen years, and she never ran from it. Of course, by then she was in her fifth shitty foster home and knew better than to get too comfortable, as it was always temporary.

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