26
DREA DAMARA
“I promise you, we’re on the same side,” he replied softly and with as much earnestness as ever an expression could convey. “Then don’t be sloppy enough to get caught next time,” she snapped as the chief pulled her away. Gerry stared at her as she was shoved grudgingly out of the building. “I hope you know what the hell you’re doing,” she growled in English at the chief just before the door was slammed in her face. “What the hell was that about?” the chief called. Gerry shook his head as he looked at the door, the chief briefly forgotten by him. All thoughts were on the peculiar young woman he had just met. She had said nothing about what he told her to the chief. He was in awe. In spite of her aggravation, her silence on the matter of the Zahira attack meant she believed he was telling the truth. It meant she wasn’t just some young, ignorant intel officer who’d run back to her unit and issue a time-sensitive report about a possible attack. She’d also just given one-for to a CIA detachment chief! Tri-lingual, fearless, and clever. He only had a couple female operatives. She could fill that gap well at Trinity. “So...Langley didn’t tell me they were sending anyone this way,” the chief said, interrupting Gerry’s thoughts. Gerry broke his trance and unfolded his arms. “Sorry for the surprise. Just passing through though, I’m afraid. Didn’t plan to stop. I’ll be heading back out now.” “Oh,” the chief stopped, hands on hips, clearly not expecting to be rid of his visitor so quickly. “Well, you need any resupply or anything while you’re here? That’s the least we can do for one of our own.” Gerry smiled. It amused him that the brief phone call had set the chief ’s demeanor to friendly and obliging, even though they were complete strangers. The chief even thought Gerry was still CIA. Why correct him? Never underestimate the benefit of contacts