Page 10 of Hidden

“Mercer. Name sounds familiar. Ever work for the CIA?”

Peter thought about making the old, if I told you I’d have to kill you joke but his boss was still in the room, so he refrained. Instead, he just nodded and said, “Yes, sir. We worked together in Afghanistan while you were station chief there.”

“Ah yes, I remember. Good to see you again, son. Didn’t know you had made the jump to Secret Service.” His voice was friendly enough, but Peter knew Upwood was in no way glad to see him.

Peter stepped back again and waited for Higgins to leave, all the while wondering how long it would take Upwood to ask for a new agent in charge.

“I’m going back to headquarters. I’ll let you two get reacquainted. Mercer is one of our best, Corbit. Let him do his job.”

Director Upwood just grunted as Higgins stepped out. Now Peter was alone with Corbit Upwood for the first time in years.

“If you don’t mind sir, I’d like to go over protocols.”

As if he didn’t hear him, Upwood said, “I have to leave again in ten minutes. I’ve got a quick meeting with the Vice President while I’m here. How’s your old man doing? I heard your sister died.”

“Now isn’t the time to talk about that, Sir. We really need to brief you on protocol.” His voice was strained, but he did his best to keep it even. The man had no business bringing up Pam that way. How did he even hear about it?

Upwood dismissed him with a wave. “Those two yahoos you sent over to my house this morning already went over protocol and I’m not having it. The protocol is you and your men stay out of my way and focus on keeping my wife and son safe. I want the bare minimum in protection on me.”

Peter raised himself to his full height and put his hands behind his back. “I’m afraid that’s not an option, sir. You’ve had someone attempt to deliver two bombs. We don’t want a third attempt. Your wife and son will have their own details. I’m focused on you.”

Corbit grumbled and paced the room. “I have a meeting. We’ll address protocol later.”

“We’ll get you to your meeting, Director. I just need some information first.”

Corbit finally stopped pacing and sat in a chair.

“Thank you. Can you tell me anything about these threats?”

Peter’s new protectee scowled up at him. “I’ve already told the FBI everything. Just get a copy of their report.”

Peter put his hands on the desk in front of him. “I would rather hear it from you.”

Instead of answering his question, the older man leaned back in his chair and placed his hands on his head. “Why don’t you tell me why you really left Afghanistan?”

Peter wasn’t ready to have that confrontation—and it was sure to be one. Afghanistan had been kept quiet, but Peter always hoped Upwood’s transgressions would come to light. When it was clear that wasn’t going to happen he’d taken his leave.

“That’s a conversation for another time.”

It wasn’t a conversation Peter ever wanted to have, at least not with Upwood. He had chosen this assignment hoping to further his career by impressing his boss, but the longer he shared air with this arrogant man, the less thrilled he was about working so closely with Corbit Upwood again. The man might have been good at his job, but he was a jackass. Not to mention he was power hungry and a control freak. There were people that would say that about Peter too—it could be said about most people in D.C.—but Upwood took it to a new level.

They had worked well together in Afghanistan until he’d caught Corbit in a compromising situation with a female soldier stationed there. Peter didn’t care who Corbit wanted to sleep with, but he was close with the soldier and they might have even dated someday if it were ever appropriate.

Peter tried to forget what he’d seen as he looked at the man sitting in front of him. “Listen, I know we have a working relationship from the past, but I need to be very clear about one thing. I am in charge of your protection, and I take this assignment very seriously. I am under orders from the President of the United States to give you full protection and we are going to follow all protocols. Do I make myself clear?”

The director pushed out of his chair and came to stand toe to toe with Peter, a sneer on his face. “And what are you going to do if I don’t?”

Peter never blinked. “I have the authority to put you in protective custody if you refuse to cooperate.”

Corbit threw his head back and laughed. “I’m the director of the CIA. You really think you can take me into custody?”

Peter folded his arms. “I know I can.”

“This is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. I can hire a private firm that will do what I want them to do.”

Peter’s head was shaking as the director spoke. “Not unless you have the juice to overturn an executive order. You’re welcome to hire additional security, but my authority will always trump a private security firm. I don’t care how much you’re paying them.”

Corbit was at the door.

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