Page 18 of Gwen's Delta
“I guess you want to hear about the good stuff,” Sand continued.
Zip looked at Merlin as if to say, “good stuff?”
The man was an even bigger asshole than Merlin had first suspected. How the hell had he gotten his position at the CIA?
“Our operator, the one that’s been in deep cover for the last year, missed his check-in with his handler yesterday—”
“Excuse me, sir. But aren’t you his handler?” Woof asked.
“Oh, hell no. I don’t do field work.”
Bingo.Merlin had nailed that one. This was a clusterfuck in the making for sure.
“But missing the check-in has happened before and it might mean nothing,” Sand explained.
“Or they could have made him, and he’s being tortured while we sit here,” Duff interjected.
Merlin was thinking the same thing. It was the most likely scenario.
“I don’t agree and neither does his handler. So until we have a confirmation otherwise, we’re assuming he’s still viable. We have a few other assets in the area. They aren’t as well-placed as Hassan, but their last report didn’t state any issues in the area.”
“Hassan is your deep-cover operative? What’s his full name?” Merlin asked. Finally, something he could work with.
“Baniti Hassan, but that’s not his actual name,” Sand replied.
No shit, Sherlock.How did this guy get into a management position in the CIA? Unless it was all an act to make them think he was inept, and if so, he deserved an Oscar.
“Right, he wouldn’t use his actual name on a mission,” Merlin replied. Then he had to kick Zip under the table so he wouldn’t laugh.
Sand nodded and pointed at the folders in front of Turano. “This is all the intel we’ve acquired. We haven’t heard of any kidnappings in the area, but our drones have shown movement in the Sheikh Zuweid area. Commander, can you pull it up on the screen?”
Turano opened his laptop, and a few seconds later, the latest drone images from the sector flashed on the screen.
“But that could mean anything. Not necessarily Daesh on the move,” Jangles said, shaking his blond head.
Apparently, Merlin wasn’t the only one thinking this guy was an ass.
Sand said, “We believe it’s Daesh. And it would explain why Hassan missed his check-in.”
That was probably the first intelligent thing out of Sand’s mouth. It would be a lot harder to get away to make a call if he was on the move. With any luck, the operative was still alive.
“Why don’t I take over?” Turano said as he stood up.
Sand nodded and took a seat. Hopefully, Turano could give them some useful information.
“As Sand said, command agrees that Daesh is on the move. The intel they received from Hassan, coupled with their other sources, has them convinced there’s something major being planned.”
“Is a kidnapping still on the table?” Merlin asked. “It doesn’t feel right to me. They’re known for bombings, not kidnappings.”
“I agree. That’s why you’re not leaving until tomorrow. We want to give Hassan some more time to make contact. He’s the only one who can verify the targets. There isn’t enough solid intel,” Turano stated.
“Wouldn’t it be better to have us in place when you can confirm?” Merlin asked.
Turano had surprised him. They never waited for anything. If there was a chance of trouble, they went. There had to be something else going on, and he didn’t like it.
The expression on Turano’s face told Merlin all he needed to know. Rather than ask a follow-up question, he shut up and let his CO finish the briefing.
“As of now, you will report tomorrow for a briefing at zero eight hundred. If nothing has changed, you’ll be on the transport by thirteen hundred hours. Your target packages will be ready by then.”
