Page 20 of Code Name: Tank
“So we’re looking at deliberate misdirection?” I asked.
“That’s my gut instinct.” He leaned forward. “Your source was right to be suspicious.”
“What’s the next step?” I asked.
“I’ll look into the misdirection angle,” he offered. “Try to figure out who’s planting evidence to make this look foreign. But there’s something else—we need someone who can tell us if what we’re seeing is real or fabricated. That requires CIA-level access.”
“I could reach out to the director. I used to work for Money McTiernan.”
“Good thinking, Dragon,” said Tex. After we thanked him, the call ended.
“Dragon, this anonymous tip—how comfortable are you with the source?” Alice asked.
The weight of not telling her about Flint pressed on my chest. “More so now that you and Tex agree.”
“Then, let’s get busy. We’ll attack from our side while Tex attacks it from his.”
“Alice, I appreciate this. I know I’m wound pretty tight?—”
“Try working with another human growing inside you, stealing all of your energy and brain cells.”
While there was amusement in her tone, she was right. She shouldn’t have to put up with my bad attitude when she was dealing with pregnancy fatigue.
As I was walkingfrom the main residence to the command center, I received another text from Flint.
The window is closing. Theft operation is accelerating. Check PSI’s financials - F
I stared at the screen. Flint was still monitoring the situation, still pushing information at me whether I wanted it or not.
I turned and took a different path that led to my camp. Once inside, I pulled up news feeds on my tablet, searching for anything related to PSI.
The headline made my stomach clench. “Potomac Strategic Industries Reports Financial Irregularities”
The article was barely an hour old.
I grabbed my cell and sent a message to Money.
Money, time-sensitive defense-contractor situation. Can we meet tomorrow? Need consultation.
The response came back within minutes:Langley. 1100 hours. Bring your briefing materials. - M
Request permission to involve Alice Kane.
Bring her.
The timing felt too convenient—Flint’s warning arriving just as PSI was hit. Someone wanted us to move fast on this, but I couldn’t shake the feeling we were being led somewhere.
Set up briefing with McTiernan tomorrow. Langley at 1100. Can you join? Your insights from the Tex call will be valuable, read the text I sent Alice.
Absolutely. Give me an hour to arrange secure transport. 0700 departure should work, she responded.
I set my phone aside and stared out at the compound. Somewhere across the grounds, Tank was probably still working, unaware that Alice and I would be heading to Langley tomorrow. Part of me wanted to tell him, to include him, but I wasn’t ready to explain Flint’s involvement.
Tomorrow, I’d face my past. Today, I’d protect what might be my future.
7
TANK
