Page 33 of Code Name: Tank
Admiral glared at me. “Our contact at the DOJ.”
I cocked my head. “Is her identity classified?”
“Why? You wanna broadcast that to the world too?”
I watched Alice rest her hand on her husband’s arm. “Pershing, Tank did nothing wrong by relaying something I think Secretary Hartwell should’ve been briefed about either by you, Doc, or Merrigan. I mean, the man came all the way to Canada Lake and made a specific request about who led the investigation.”
That took the wind out of Admiral’s momentum. “He’s not happy.”
Alice glanced over at me. “Doesn’t that strike you as odd?”
“Depends. Is he pissed he wasn’t informed or pissed about Pierce’s participation?”
“Not being informed,” said Admiral. “Apparently, he vetted everyone on the list Merrigan gave him of those who’d be assigned to the case prior to our getting it.”
“See? Then, Merrigan should’ve known to inform him.” Alice looked over at me. “This isn’t on you, Tank.”
I shook my head. “No, Admiral’s right. I overstepped.”
“Damn straight, you did,” he said under his breath. “I have a feeling she also received a call from him and that you’ll be hearing from her soon.”
“I’ll take full responsibility.”
“See that you do.”
Alice remained seated when her husband left the room. “Before you go,” she began when I started to push my chair back.
“Yeah?”
“Do you know what the deal is between Dragon and Flint?”
“No clue. I thought maybe you did.” And unlike her, I wouldn’t have asked. I was confident that, when Dragon was ready to talk about it, she’d tell me herself.
“I’m worried about her,” Alice admitted.
“Don’t be. She was blindsided, but she’s okay now.”
“Make sure she stays that way, okay, Tank?”
“You know it, boss.” I stood when Alice did and was about to follow her out when she stopped and looked over her shoulder.
“Brenna Austen was listed in the original brief, my friend.”
I grimaced. “I guess I was too interested in the details of the case to notice the names of the suits.”
She chuckled. “I’m sure it had nothing to do with your preoccupation with your co-leader.”
When she walked away, Atticus approached. “How much trouble are you in?”
“I’m waiting to find out.”
He looked at the floor and shook his head. “I feel for you. I haven’t seen Admiral that pissed very often.”
“It’s Fatale I’m more worried about.” The use of Merrigan’s code name when she was with MI6 seemed fitting now, considering that was the side of her I was likely about to see. “Hey, by the way, do you know who our point person is from the DOJ on this?”
He shook his head. “No, why?”
“No reason.” At least I wasn’t the only one who’d skipped over that detail.
