“When it comes to things like this, no one ever does.”
Katie fished out a small, sleek electronic device from her uniform pocket and handed it to him.“Take this.I have a feeling you’ll need it.”
Jamie looked down at the electronic jammer, which would stop people within a set radius from using their tablets or other devices to take pictures and video.As much as Jamie wanted to accept the help, he knew he couldn’t.In the grand scheme of things, he needed to be seen in his father’s campaign.
Jamie curled Katie’s fingers over the device.“Keep it.”
Katie didn’t question his refusal, merely patted him on the shoulder as they headed for the door.“You know where to find me when you need it or anything else.”
“I know.”
Jamie always knew his team would have his back, no matter what.
* * *
Alexei rapped his knuckles on the apartment door and waited, automatically glancing down the hallway on either side of him every few seconds.The residential apartment building was in a decent DC neighborhood, about twenty minutes in light traffic from his own.He’d never been here before tonight, but automatically noting exits was an ingrained habit of his.
Less than a minute later, the door unlocked and slid open, the sound of a news stream spilling into the hallway.Sean eyed him for a moment before stepping aside to wave him into the apartment.
“You know, the mission is over for now.You don’t need to keep an eye on me anymore,” Sean said.
“Not turn in after-action report yet,” Alexei replied, glancing curiously around the one-bedroom apartment.
The place was clean, well-kept, with holopics and framed prints hanging on the walls.The furniture looked comfortable and seemed to all match in some way.The windows facing the street were shaded dark for the late hour.
“I’m still writing it.I’m waiting on some CIA files.I need them for corroboration purposes.”
“Good.”
Sean pressed his palm to the door’s control panel, locking it behind Alexei.“Why good?”
“Want to talk to you about mission.”
Sean ran a hand through his short brown hair, tugging on it a little.He was barefoot, in sleeping pants and a worn-thin band T-shirt with the faded red words Atomic Grace printed across the gray fabric.Alexei vaguely recognized the rock band as one his sisters had liked for years.Off the clock, Sean didn’t seem to carry himself much differently, but the softer edge that came from being home was enough to catch Alexei’s attention.He tried not to think about why.
“You could’ve talked to me back at headquarters.We work in the same building.No need to track me down after hours at my home,” Sean pointed out a little testily.
“Not something we can talk about at headquarters.Here private.Is better.”
Sean eyed Alexei speculatively.“You want to talk about your brother and Jamie.”
Alexei scowled, annoyed that the other man had figured out his reason for coming over so quickly.“Da.”
“Okay.”Sean gestured vaguely in the direction of the kitchen.“You want something to drink?”
Alexei wanted to say no, but he could hear his mother’s voice in the back of his head, berating him for ignoring another person’s hospitality in their own home.“Water is fine.”
Sean headed for the kitchen, keeping up the conversation as he dug through his cabinets for a glass.“Look, Alexei, I already spoke with Jamie about this in London.I’m not going to talk about what I saw happen in the office.As far as I’m concerned, it was for their cover, and it doesn’t even merit a footnote in my after-action report.You don’t need to threaten me to keep my mouth shut.”
“Not threaten you,” Alexei said, bristling a little at the accusation.“Just make sure we all on same page.”
“You’re doing a great impression of protective older brother.Trust me, I remember it from when I was a kid.I did my share of it as well.”
Alexei rolled his eyes, attention caught by the trio of news anchors talking about the DOD press conference from earlier in the day.He moved farther into the open-plan living area, half listening to the talking heads give their opinion on General Herrera’s statement about Richard and Jamie Callahan.The framed prints hanging on the wall over the comfortable-looking couch were Atomic Grace band posters, separated by holopics that cycled through numerous photos of people that looked a lot like Sean, even if he wasn’t in the pictures himself.
“Here.”
Alexei turned to face Sean, taking the proffered glass of water.“Thanks.”
