Ark

Chapter 28

The chairs in the waiting area outside the office of the Director of the CIA reminded Tam Broderick of the suits worn by its agents: simple, elegant, and uncomfortable. She shifted her weight, trying not to appear restless in front of the others who waited along with her. Always look like you’re in control, she reminded herself. A woman, and a woman of color at that, didn’t climb high in any federal agency if she didn’t give off an air of supreme confidence and borderline disdain at all times.

Her phone rang. She took it out and scowled at it. More specifically, at the name on the display. For a moment, she contemplated letting it go to voicemail, but then she remembered her grandmother’s words.

Only small people take pleasure in small insults. Don’t be petty, Tamara.

Letting out a deep sigh, she accepted the call.

“Dane Maddock. You finally decided to stop bypassing the chain of command and talk to me directly?”

“Come on,” came the voice on the other end, “I’m not allowed to call my sister from time to time?”

“To invite her to a barbecue? Yes. To ask for her help in her official capacity as a member of the Myrmidons and use my resources? Hell no.” She gritted her teeth and mentally kicked herself. Another dollar for the swear jar.

A doughy man sitting nearby glanced up from the legal pad on which he’d been pretending to take notes. Tam gave him a look that said, Mind your business, and he immediately looked away, his pad slipping from his hands and falling to the floor. He snatched it up, but not before she saw the doodles of sailboats and large-breasted stick figures.

Classy, she mouthed.

The man grinned, his face turning a delicate shade of pink.

“I’m sorry about that. I just didn’t want to bother you with it.”

“Sure.” She rolled her eyes. “So what’s this about? Social call?”

“Sorry, no. I need your help.”

“Don’t you make me cuss again,” she warned.

“What?”

“You turned down my offer to be a part of my team, but you still want to use my resources? Is that how you treat all the women in your life?” She turned and walked out into the hallway before she said something unprofessional.

“We’re friends. Friends help each other out.”

“All right, but you know I expect favors to be repaid. Go on, and make it quick. I’m about to go into a meeting with the director of the CIA.”

“Do you know anything about a man named Ibrahim Shawa?”

Tam knew the name, but not a great deal else. “Sure. Spiritual guru? Trying to make peace in war plagued parts of Africa?”

“That’s what he claims, but my friend Jimmy has evidence that he not only has connections to Boko Haram, but that he’s also a bigwig with the Trident. Maybe the leader.”

That was a surprise. Tam chewed on this bit of information. Jimmy was another man who had declined her invitation to join the Myrmidons. Oh well, no need to hold a grudge. “Maddock, you know I can’t get involved investigating the Trident. The Dominion isn’t nearly as dead in America as we hoped. I just dealt with a big old mess on the Mexican border.”

“Dealt?” Maddock said. “Past tense. So that means you’re free to help me.”

Tam had to laugh at that. “Maybe, but it depends on what you need. And have Jimmy send me his Intel. If it’s good stuff, I’ll consider that as your payment for the favor I’m about to do you.”

“Deal,” Maddock sounded relieved. “As for the favor, Bones and I need to sneak inside somewhere very secure, and we need to take one more person with us.”

As Maddock explained where he needed to go and what he hoped to find, a rueful grin spread across Tam’s face. The things that man got himself into.

“Lord Jesus, I swear you are going to be the death of me. You know, I think the only reason you keep Bones around is so you don’t look arrogant by comparison.”

“Fair enough. So, is that a yes or a no?”

Tam closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. The man was impossible.

“It’s a yes,” she finally said, “and I’ve got the perfect person to help you out.”