Page 33 of The Only Reason (The Trident Trilogy 2)

Chapter Sixteen

Millie

Washington, D.C.

2020

“He’s not coming with us,” Ted says, pointing at Chase.

The agency director granted my request for a meeting about an hour after George left my room. George’s driver, Ted, arrived at our hotel soon after to take me to the meeting.

Chase puts his arm around my shoulders protectively.

“I’m not going without him, Ted. And this time, I don’t think you’re going to be able to force me into the car,” I say, smiling at him.

“My instructions are to bring you—just you,” he says, eyeing Chase. Ted’s a tough guy, but from the drawn look on his face, I don’t think he wants any part of Chase. Probably a smart decision. Chase’s anger level has been steadily rising since we left San Diego. Finally, Ted nods his head and motions us toward the car. Chase pulls me back and looks in the car before I get in. Seeing that there’s no one already in there, he helps me in—blocking me from taking Ted’s outstretched hand.

As Ted closes the door, Chase says, “I’m going all the way to the director’s office with you.”

“Shh,” I whisper, pointing to the speakers behind our heads. Every agency car is equipped with them. The microphones inside can supposedly be turned off at the rider’s request. I’ve always assumed they’re on and someone’s listening. Frankly, I’d be disappointed if they weren’t spying on their own people. Every agent I know keeps more from their bosses than they tell them. We ride in silence the rest of the way.

One of the director’s assistants meets us at the car. I make it clear to him that Chase is coming with me wherever I go. He vehemently disagrees. We finally negotiate that Chase can come to the outer area of the director’s office, but not inside. They must really be desperate to find Azayiz because no one has this kind of negotiating power in the agency. I keep asking, and much to my surprise, they keep saying yes. It’s all making me very suspicious.

“Wait here,” the assistant says to Chase as we get off the elevator on the executive level.

Chase looks from him to me. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I’m good,” I say, patting him on the arm.

We go through a series of doors that lead to the director’s office. The assistant nods at the final level of security. They open the door for me. I look back at the assistant, who motions me in without him. I walk into the massive office slowly.

“I knew you were going to be an inconvenience one day.” I hear a man’s voice coming from the far corner of the room. I look over and see Paul Ward, the agency’s director, sitting in a chair against the wall. He motions me to take the chair opposite him.

“Is that what I am? An inconvenience?” I say as I’m walking over to him. “I’m sorry if me putting an end to the Custovic network—after you tried to do it unsuccessfully for nearly two decades—was an inconvenience.”

He stares at me with an amused look in his eyes. “Actually, we prefer our agents don’t get kidnapped in the pursuit of our goals.”

“Means to an end,” I say as I sit down. “They’re dead, aren’t they? A simple thank-you would suffice.”

He shakes his head as a smile starts forming at the corners of his mouth. “Well, you’re as arrogant as your dad. That’s for sure.”

“Thank you. Now can the small talk end? Is my dad alive?”

His smile flatlines. He stares at me for a good minute. I don’t think he blinks once.

Finally he says, “Would you believe me if I told you I didn’t know?”

“Tell me what you do know.”

“You don’t have the clearance for it and you know that.”

“Look, how important is Azayiz to you? And how necessary am I in the mission to retrieve her? That’s what it boils down to. If you want me to help get her, I need answers first.”

“Retrieving her is of vital importance,” he says, pausing for a second. “And the agent in charge is convinced that dangling you out as bait is the best way to do that. I would rather you not be involved, but here we are.”

“Then start talking.”

“Show some respect, Agent Marsh.”

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