Page 31 of Gwen's Delta
“At ease and take a seat,” Turano said. He met their eyes as he looked around the table, the tick in his cheek the only sign he was barely restraining his temper.
It was never good to see him so pissed off. Heads usually rolled. If Roe was that angry, Merlin didn’t want to think about what Sand had told him.
“Sand will update you first, then we’ll answer whatever questions you have.”
“Yes, sir,” the team responded.
“Good morning. We got in additional intel, but it’s not optimal.” Sand took a drink from his coffee mug.
Turano seethed in his chair, and his eyes shot daggers at Sand. The CIA officer did not understand how close he was standing to a volcano on the verge of erupting.
Sand said, “Hassan missed his second check-in, but he was sighted by other assets in the area. We’re not sure if he’s in danger. There’s the slight chance Daesh might have turned him. But we don’t think that’s the case.”
“What?” Merlin struggled to keep his voice respectful. The CIA expected them to risk their lives when they weren’t sure if Hassan was an asset or a tango? What kind of bullshit was this?
“Merlin.” The one, terse word from Turano shut him up, but they were all seething. It made no sense to send in a Delta Team to investigate, especially if there were other CIA assets in the area.
“Hassan’s handler has assured us he wouldn’t play both sides. DC has decided to take the threat seriously. There are additional aerial photos in your packets, and your contact information once you get to Egypt. We’re still hoping Hassan will make contact before you have boots on the ground.” Sand took another gulp of coffee, a thin sheen of perspiration on his forehead.
Merlin frowned. There were only two reasons for him to be sweating—he was somehow hot in the freezing-cold briefing room, or he was lying about something. He’d bet his paycheck that Sand was lying through his teeth. From the look on Turano’s face, it was eating at him, too. They were fucked, and no one was offering to buy them dinner first.
“Questions?” Sand asked.
“Will we have contact information for the other assets?” Woof asked.
“No, you haven’t been cleared. But your POC in Egypt can contact them.”
“Why do you think Hassan turned?” Merlin asked as he skimmed the new intel. He ignored the fact that the ass thought they weren’t cleared for that information.
“We’re not sure. His handler doesn’t think he has, but my bosses haven’t been able to confirm some of his intel.”
“Wait a minute. He’s been deep cover for at least a year, and because you can’t verify his latest intel, you think he might have turned? What kind of bullshit is that? Seriously?” Zip asked.
“That’s all I’m cleared to say,” Sand replied. “Any more questions?”
“No, sir,” Merlin answered for the team after he looked around the table to double-check.
“Very well, Commander, keep me in the loop,” Sand said, then picked up his file and left the room.
They knew better than to toss a ton of questions at Turano and waited for him to speak.
Turano raised a hand. “I know what you’re thinking. He’s feeding us a load of bullshit, and I have to agree. I will contact command and give them an update. But I feel strongly you’re not going anywhere today. There is not enough actionable intel. I can’t see command sending you in there for some kind of game the CIA is playing.”
“Permission to speak freely, sir?” Merlin asked.
“Go ahead.”
“I’ve been wracking my brain, trying to find the missing piece of this puzzle. None of it makes sense. There is something they’re not telling us, or they’re using us as bait to draw someone out.”
“Agreed. That’s why I’m telling you to stand down. It may change after I brief command, but I wouldn’t count on it. You might still head out later in the week.”
“Copy that, sir,” they replied.
“I’ll update you after I find out more. Dismissed.”
Grabbing their intel packets, they headed back to their office. Though relieved they weren’t jumping into a major clusterfuck, Merlin still felt uneasy. In ten years as a Delta, he’d never seen such a dumpster fire. Then again, with the CIA running the show, he shouldn’t be surprised.
“What a fuckin’ load of shit,” Jangles said as they entered their office.
