Page 70 of Operation: Silent Angel
Shepherd glanced at his watch. “Good, you’re early. Mac can come in.”
He stood behind Yvette and to the side, so Shepherd had not seen him. He stepped around her and entered. Yvette closed the door behind him.
“Thank you for making time in your schedule for me,” Mac said.
Shepherd pointed to the conference table. He met Mac there, bringing a manila folder with him. “You’re welcome.”
“I received word from my State Department contact that the remainder of the mission after I left with the Koslovs was a success.”
“Yes. And I was told that they have safely been relocated and are now in protection, their asylum request granted.”
“Thank you again for your assistance. Their defection could not have happened without your help,” Mac said.
“What’s next for you?” Shepherd asked.
“That’s why I wanted to talk with you. My Interpol contact has invited me back in the fold, advising the political climate has eased with time since the Ruiz case shook them up.”
“That’s good news,” Shepherd said.
“Yeah, it should be, but I have declined and will be turning my creds back in to them. I’m going to be direct in my ask. Would you have a place for me on your team?”
One corner of Shepherd’s lips tipped up. “It’s a very different pace and command structure here than you’re used to.”
“I realize that. I’d like to think I can adapt to any situation.”
“And if I do not hire you, what’s next for you?”
Mac was disappointed with that reply. “Retirement. I plan to live with Yvette and be a kept man,” he said with a chuckle.
Shepherd shook his head. “No, that won’t work for you. You’re not ready for retirement.”
“I’m done with the freelance game. I’m done putting my future with Yvette on the back-burner, pretending that I don’t love her and don’t want to be with her, that the events in the world are more important, the mission worth sacrificing for. It’s not.”
“So, you’re staying regardless?”
Mac nodded. “I am.”
“Then I'd better put you to work. As I said, retirement won’t suit you, and I’d be a fool to pass on your talents and skills that could help me accomplish my missions.” He handed the folder to Mac. “The standard employment contract. I can offer you about fifty percent of the time at HQ, but you will be deployed on my missions the remainder of the time.”
Mac flipped open the folder. His name was typed on the contract. He laughed. “Am I that transparent?”
“No, you’re that smart. You didn’t survive playing the game this long by being stupid. And you had to have realized after Cancun that operating on my team has several perks that operating alone as you have been doing, doesn’t. My team members who were on site also gave rave reviews of your performance, so I was hoping you’d want to join us as you were a valuable team member on that mission.”
“Thanks, Shep. I appreciate it.”
“You’ll be assigned to Bravo Team, as all four members of that team have advised me that they’re planning to retire within the next five years. If you stay on long enough, I’ll probably end up hiring new members to backfill the positions as they retire, and you would ultimately be team leader, if you’re interested.”
Mac didn’t even have to think about it. “Yes, I’d be interested, and I’m acquainted with all four of those men, good Operators.”
“I was hoping that would be your answer. I have scheduled a meeting for you with Cooper for the rest of your onboarding in about fifteen minutes. Have Yvette show you to his office. He’ll go over the employment terms with you and receive your signed contract. I figured since she’s working in Ops today that you could get started immediately. Garcia’s also standing by to get you the necessary digital access, and Doc is in to inject your tracker. That will all take place today. Cooper will serve as your STO.”
“STO? You’re going to treat me as a fresh off the street recruit and assign a supervisory and training officer?”
“You’ll go through an accelerated program. You do need to be well-versed in all our protocols.”
“Of course,” Mac agreed.
Shepherd came to his feet and offered his hand. “Text Yvette and have her escort you to Cooper’s office. Welcome aboard.”
