She sat in the seat next to him. “Thanks. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know.” He knew. He hadn’t even been sure she would appreciate it but couldn’t leave without checking on her. “Besides, the VTC starts soon. I wanted to be able to pull you and Graham out if I had to.”
Her head dropped back to rest on the chair back. “Ugh. When is this going to end?”
“Soon. I’m going to grab Graham.” He knocked on the other office door and pushed it open. Everyone turned to glare at him. Except Graham, who looked bored. “We have the VTC in ten minutes. Figured you’d need to take a piss first.”
Graham pushed away from the table. “Good call. Agents. You have my lawyer’s information if you have more questions.”
Devon smirked as all the agents grumbled, but didn’t try to stop him from leaving. “How bad did you screw with them?”
“Eh. Not too bad. They’re just doing their jobs, but holy shit, are they new. They missed a lot of information simply because they didn’t know to ask it.”
“And you didn’t coach them?”
Graham scoffed. “Hell, no. Not my circus anymore. Where’re we doing the VTC?”
“Conference room down the hall,” Devon said.
“I’ll meet you there.”
A non-commissioned officer was in the conference room when they arrived, fiddling with the equipment. “I’ll have this up for you in just a moment,” he said.
“No rush,” Addison said. “In fact, if you can’t get it to work at all, that would be great.”
The NCO froze and stared at her, mouth slightly open. “Uh…”
“I’m kidding. Kind of.”
“Uh, okay. The other side is going to dial in. All you have to do is press the green button on the remote.” He pointed at the button and set the remote at the head of the table. “I’ll leave you to it.”
They watched him retreat, holding the door open for Graham and Paige to join them. Graham motioned for Addison to take the chair at the head of the table, but she shook her head, taking the seat on the other side of Devon. Graham shrugged and took the chair.
The VTC chimed and a notification popped up on the screen.
“Ready?” Devon asked.
“I guess,” Addison said.
Devon pointed the remote at the computer and pushed the green button. Two officers, a colonel and a four-star general, appeared on the screen. Behind them sat three other people in uniform. It was impossible to see their service affiliation on the screen, but they all held notebooks in their laps.
“Hello,” one of the officers in front said. “I’m Colonel Jefferson. I was the Detachment Commander when Senior Chief Foster and Petty Officer Drake were assumed killed in action. This is General Dixon, CENTCOM Commander.”
“Aiden Graham, owner and CEO of The Leonidas Corporation. Paige Davis, COO of The Leonidas Corporation. Devon Nash, security specialist for TLC and, of course, Addison Foster, Senior Chief Foster’s sister.” Graham indicated each of them in turn.
The colonel nodded as they were introduced. “Major Foster. Good to see you again.”
“Colonel.” She didn’t return the sentiment.
“I want to begin by apologizing,” Colonel Jefferson said. “We should have taken your concerns more seriously, Major Foster. We should have believed you.”
“I want to thank you for your perseverance,” General Dixon said. “And to thank you and The Leonidas Corporation for your actions and dedication. They will not go unrecognized.”
Addison stiffened next to Devon. He touched her fingers and shook his head slightly. She clenched her jaw but clasped his hand in return.
“We have some questions, if you don’t mind,” General Dixon said.
“Of course,” Graham said.
