Page 78 of Code Name: Tank
“Agreed,” I added. “It’ll be good to understand the bigger picture.”
“Also, Treasury is sending Secretary Hartwell’s replacement.” Alice paused, her expression softening as she looked at Piper. “Dragon, I’m sorry about James. I know how much he meant to you.”
Piper’s shudder was my cue to move closer, my shoulder brushing hers. She’d been processing Hartwell’s death over the past week, and I could see the grief she was still working through.
“Thank you,” Piper said quietly.
Admiral walked toward the back of the room when the command center door opened and an unfamiliar woman entered.
“Who’s that?” Kodiak murmured quietly, just loud enough for me to hear.
“Everyone, this is Assistant Deputy Treasury Secretary Emma Sinclair,” Admiral said. “She’s moving in to manage Treasury’s response to the case and the security reforms we’ll be implementing.”
As she shook hands with Admiral and moved to greet the rest of the team, I noticed Kodiak sit up straighter, his attention focused entirely on the newcomer.
“That’s Treasury’s new point person,” I replied under my breath, glancing at him with amusement.
Kodiak was usually the epitome of professional focus during briefings, but Ms. Sinclair had clearly caught his attention.
“Want me to take notes so you can read what you missed later?”
Kodiak’s glare at me lasted no more than a split second before he returned his gaze to the dark-haired woman.
“Fuck off,” he whispered from the side of his mouth.
“We have a few minutes before we get started. Brenna Austen from the DOJ should be arriving shortly.”
I stood when Emma Sinclair approached Piper and me.
“Agent Abrams, I’ve read your analysis reports. Exceptional work tracking those financial patterns.”
“Thank you, ma’am. And please, call me Tank.”
“Of course, Tank. And call me Emma.”
When she greeted Piper, her expression grew more serious.
“Agent Drago, I want you to know how sorry I am about Secretary Hartwell’s death. Whatever his final circumstances, his colleagues spoke of his mentorship and the positive impact he had on agents like yourself.”
Piper’s composure flickered. “Thank you.”
I reached for her hand under the table, squeezing her fingers. Her grip was tight with tension.
Emma nodded with sympathy.
“We’re committed to ensuring the security failures that led to this situation never happen again.”
The door opened again, and Brenna walked in, her auburn hair shorter than I remembered and her expression more serious than during our previous interactions.
“I look forward to speaking with you more after the briefing,” Emma said, looking between Piper and me before taking her seat.
“Admiral, thank you for accommodating this debrief,” Brenna said as she approached the front of the room. “I know the timeline has been unconventional, but there were operational reasons why we had to wait.”
Alice activated the main displays, connecting the secure video link that would bring Tex into the briefing. Within moments, he appeared on screen.
“Good afternoon, everyone,” Tex said, scanning the group.
“Let’s begin with what we discovered, then address any questions. But, before I go on,” Brenna said, “I need to explain something about my management of this case.”
