Against All Odds
said. “But we have to do our due diligence.”“Actually, on this case, you don’t,” Blunt said. “We just want a dead Russian.”
“But don’t you want to know who ordered the hit?” Alex asked.
“It’s probably some Russian diplomat who’s actually high up on the chain of command with the FSB. Ultimately, his identity won’t make any difference.”
“What if it’s someone else?” Hawk asked, continuing to argue about the situation.
“Like a North Korean or Chinese official?” Blunt asked.
Alex jumped into the conversation again. “Maybe. You just never know what you’re going to—”
“You’re going to find a lot of trouble, the kind that originates at home and is a quagmire to escape,” Fortner said. “We’re not asking you to raze this ring or uncover some FSB operation existing right here in the U.S. I simply want you to kill the man who actually shot Thaxton Thurman. Can I be more clear than that?”
“I understand your position, sir,” Hawk said. “And I know what it’s like to have that kind of pressure on you, but we need to carry this out to its logical conclusion.”
“And what am I supposed to tell Senator Thurman?” Fortner asked.
“Tell him anything you like,” Hawk said. “Do whatever you need to do to get him off your back.”
“It doesn’t work like that. In order to remain credible, I have to give Thurman an actionable plan. I need to be able to tell him what you’re doing so that he understands you’re being held accountable and not just blowing me off.”
“I would never blow you off, sir,” Hawk said. “However, if you must tell him something, let him know that we are still questioning the asset, but we will take care of him within twenty-four hours from now. Satisfied?”
Fortner sighed. “If that’s all you can do, that’s all you can do. You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip. Hopefully, this will satisfy Thurman for now. But it won’t hold him off forever.”
“I know, sir. We’ll move quickly on this, I promise.”
Blunt hung up the phone and looked at Fortner with wide eyes. “You know he’s the best person to handle this—and he’ll get the job done.”
Fortner nodded. “I’m sure he will. I just hope he takes care of things before Thurman starts to sully my reputation with the committee.”
CHAPTER 12
Fort Meade, Maryland
JUST BEFORE DAYBREAK the next morning, Alex headed north to visit her friend Mallory Kauffman at the NSA. As an analyst, Mallory had access to thousands of records. Requesting particular numbers used to put her at risk when Alex worked for a black ops unit, but she officially had top secret security clearance now. As the result of a perk that came from working for The Phoenix Foundation, Alex was entitled to coordinate efforts with the NSA. And she planned to take full advantage of the approved partnership.
Alex dialed Mallory’s work phone to warn her to expect a visitor soon. But Alex’s cell phone suddenly couldn’t get a signal.
“Every single time without fail,” Alex said aloud.
She tossed her phone on the passenger seat, made a sharp turn off the interstate, and headed straight toward the NSA’s security gate. A buff guard stood outside, his thumbs hooked in his belt loops as he eyed each oncoming vehicle closely.
Alex rolled her window down and held out her identification card.
“Ma’am,” he said, tipping his cap at Alex. “I’m gonna need to see your identification card and driver’s license.”
“Driver’s license?”
“Yes, ma’am. I need to take a peek at it if you intend to pass through here.”
Alex sighed, flustered that she thought she had planned for everything to make a smooth entrance but instead had to fumble around for her license.
“It’s in here somewhere,” Alex said as she dug through her purse.
“Take your time, ma’am. I’m in no rush.”
The driver behind Alex laid on the horn.
“You must be the only one not in a rush this morning,” Alex said.
“People are so rude,” the guard said.
“Here you go,” Alex said, handing him her license.
“Cute pic,” he said as he studied it.
Alex hated her photo. She presumed everyone did. After all, could anyone look like they have their stuff together after waiting two hours to renew their license? The occasional trip to the department of motor vehicles was enough to make Alex consider selling her car and using Uber permanently.
“I wasn’t in a beauty pageant that day,” Alex said.
“I know, but that doesn’t seem to matter in your case.”
Alex didn’t mind the guard’s flirty nature, but she didn’t want to lead him on. She held up her left hand subtly, accentuating the ring on her finger.
“Oh, I didn’t mean—” the guard stammered. “I was just trying to make small talk.”
The woman behind her blared the horn again.
“Why don’t you just hurry up so Miss Tooty-Toot behind me here doesn’t have a conniption fit?”
The guard nodded. He scribbled down a few words on the log attached to his clipboard before raising the gate.
“Have a good day,” he said.
“You too,” she said. “Have fun with Miss Honker.”
He rolled his eyes while Alex eased up the window. She wheeled into a parking spot and then made her way into the building. The morning shift was descending upon the entrance as the night crew was streaming out.
Always watching over us.
Alex flashed her security badge at the checkpoint and placed her purse and phone on the conveyor belt. She strode through the metal detectors and was waved forward to collect her things. After navigating her way through the NSA maze, she found Mallory’s office and knocked on her door.
“Fancy,” Alex said. “You have a door and everything.”
Mallory was sipping on her coffee and nearly spit it out when she turned around to see Alex.
“What are you doing here?” Mallory asked, dabbing her lips with her fingers.
“I thought I’d surprise you this morning and get your day off to a great start.”
“No, seriously. What are you doing here?” Mallory said, unamused.
Alex sighed and settled into the chair across from Mallory’s desk. “We need your help.”
“We?