Michelle Karl - Unknown Enemy

“What makes you think I’d have any interest in doing you a favor?” Colin tried to swallow down his anger, but it rose fast and furious. “Not that it makes any difference to you, but I’ve got someone else I’m watching out for at the moment. Another professor here is working on some ancient tablets on loan from the Kingdom of Amar and she’s been the target of...look, you know what? Never mind. Have a good day, Deputy Director.”

Colin hung up and thumped his head against the door frame. Two years had changed him, whether Bennett saw it or not. He’d never have talked out of turn and hung up like that two years ago. Bennett didn’t deserve it, as it wasn’t entirely the man’s fault that Colin had been dismissed from the Secret Service.

Bennett hadn’t been the one who failed to protect his assignment. Lynn Gustav had died on Colin’s watch, no one else’s. If only he hadn’t let his heart get so involved. If only he hadn’t taken her safety for granted, allowing himself to be distracted by his feelings.

“Who was that?” Wide-eyed, Ginny flicked her chin at the phone. “Didn’t sound good.” She bent to replace the tablet she’d been holding inside the leather satchel.

A sense of determination rose up from within, combining with his finely honed instinct from years of training. Active agent or not, it was his duty to protect critical individuals from potential danger by any means necessary. With a growl of frustration, he ignored Ginny’s inquiry and hit Redial. Bennett picked up on the first ring.

“I’ve got a better idea,” Colin said before the man could speak. “The colleague here working on ancient tablets from Amar is the one who’s being targeted, not Hilden. I truly believe she’s the one in danger, and it’s her and those tablets you need to be worried about. Since she’s the one being targeted, she’s my priority. Her and these foreign artifacts. That said, I’ll keep an eye out for any danger facing Hilden and an ear to the ground, just in case. If I hear anything unusual, I’ll report in if and when I have any information. But I’m going to need something in return.”

Colin heard Deputy Director Bennett drum his fingers on his desk. “You do us a favor, I’ll do you a favor. You need resources or backup and we’re there. You know the Service takes care of its own, Tapping, active or not. So long as you want to cooperate with us, we’ll have your back.”

“I still believe in the tenets and values of the Service, Deputy Director. That will never change, and that’s why I’m doing this. It’s the right thing to do.” He refused to allow another woman to come to harm if he had the power to stop it.

“Of course. You’re an honorable man and I respect that. And, Tapping?”

The deputy director’s tone of voice changed, became more sympathetic. Colin tensed, unsure whether he wanted to continue this conversation. “What is it?”

“I know your dismissal case is still in limbo, tied up in red tape. You’ve been waiting to hear back for two years on whether it’s a permanent cut.”

“I’m well aware.” Why was Bennett opening this old wound? “I’m not sure how that’s relevant.”

The deputy director cleared his throat before continuing. “All I’m saying is it would be prudent for your image among the leadership here if this goes well. Maybe even to the point of pushing your case through faster. And with a positive result.”

“Are you saying that if I cooperate with you on this, I might get my job back?”

There was a pause on the other end of the line. “I’m saying there’s a very good chance we’ll see you in uniform again. You were an asset to the Service, Tapping. The kind of man this country needs protecting its president. A good agent.”

Colin hung up for a second time and stared at the phone in his hands. “But not good enough.”

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