Page 107 of Skin In the Game (The BlackWater)

Becky was back at work the next week and Maddie couldn’t have been more relieved to see her, not just because she was missing her presence but having her back meant that Becky was one step closer to being healed.

“Coffee?” Maddie said as Becky limped in on the crutches.

“You read my mind.” She replied smiling.

“I made it extra strong just how you like it.”

“I think I need to get beaten up more often if this is how everyone treats me.” Becky said and they both laughed.

“We’ve got a meeting in the Briefing Room, might as well go straight there and save you limping over to your desk.” Maddie said.

“What’s happened?” Becky asked.

“Nothing much, just some new intel. Not sure it really gives us anything but Brandon wants to bring us all up to speed.”

“Oh.” Becky said and she followed her in.

“Welcome back.” Douglas half-yelled and Becky jumped.

“Jesus Doug, that was a bit over the top.” Maddie said as she moved to stop Becky from falling off her crutches.

“Sorry Becs, I just thought…”

“You’re fine. It was a nice gesture.” Becky said ogling the cupcakes scattering the table in front of them.

Maddie helped her to her chair and then put the slightly spilt mug of coffee in front of her.

“Dig in.” Douglas said seeing where Becky’s eyes were.

“It’s not even nine yet. You can’t have cake for breakfast.” Becky stated.

“Says who?” Maddie quipped picking up the nearest chocolate covered one and peeling back the casing.

“Who’s birthday is it?” Cole asked as he and Brandan walked in together.

“No ones. It’s to celebrate Becky’s return.” Douglas replied. “Help yourself, my wife’s made six for each of us.”

“Six?” Maddie asked holding her hand up with her thumb and little finger out and her three others down.

“What’s that hand thing?” Becky asked her.

“Oh, it’s Chinese hand signals. I always do it when I say six. Don’t ask why.” Maddie said and Becky laughed.

Brandon leant over and grabbed one, offering one to Cole as he did.

“No thanks. I’m sweet enough.” Cole said in his deadpan voice and Maddie snorted earning herself a hard look from Cole. No doubt he’d be punishing her for that later, she thought and she bit her lip.

Douglas flicked a switch and started quickly covering off all the new data, linking it to a previously unknown group that worryingly had links to the KGB.

“You think that’s where this is coming from? Russia?” Maddie asked.

“I doubt it. They wouldn’t be playing games like this. Russia doesn’t mess around, doesn’t taunt. They go in, do what they want then fuck off. I think this is something else, someone else.” Brandon replied.

“Like who?” Maddie said.

“China?” Becky asked and Maddie shook her head.

“It’s not really their style to be honest. Culturally it doesn’t fit.” Maddie replied.

“You’re an expert on Chinese espionage now Maddie?” Cole quipped and she rolled her eyes at him.

“Seeing as I’m the only one here that’s spent any serious length of time there I’d say I understand their culture pretty well.” She retorted and he gave her a look that told her she absolutely would be being punished later. She smirked back, knowing it would wind him up more.

Careful Maddie, she thought, you’re playing with fire, but part of her didn’t care. He’d literally done everything he could to her now, she wasn’t afraid of what new trick he might pull out of his hat that evening.

“Let’s not speculate on who it could or could not be. Let’s focus on the facts.” Brandon said. “And the fact is we still don’t have enough to link them to anything. The only ray of sunshine in this whole god damn case is that the full schematics haven’t been leaked and neither have the second set of codes. What they have is half a system and that’s no good to anyone.”

They all nodded then and Brandon dismissed them.

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