Alexei hid his grin behind his empty mug of synthcaf while a few otherslaughed.
“What’s the MDF’s plan of action with the CIA?” Seanasked.
Whatever humor Alexei felt at the moment disappeared at that question. He knew the subject of the CIA was a sore one for Sean at the moment. It wasn’t easy on the rest of them either, knowing that a faction of the CIA was now their enemy in a way. It reminded Alexei too much of his early childhood, when he didn’t know whom to trust, and that wasn’t a feeling he’d ever thought he would feel in thiscountry.
“Anything concerning the CIA is still up in the air,” Nazari said after a brief pause. “It’s not something we can just jump into. We need evidence, and following the Wolcotts’ money trail is what will get us there. The shell company Carter Bennett owns needs to be unequivocally linked to him. In order to do that, we need to take this investigation slow. You don’t go up against the CIA and the people who run it without a damn good plan of action first, otherwise you endupdead.”
“Then what about myfamily?”
“We’ll be able to keep a security detail on your parents for the foreseeable future due to what happened in Montana with the Sons of Adam. Keeping your brothers safe will be more challenging because of their touring schedule, but we’ll do our best. We’re providing the same level of protection for Dvorkin and Brannigan’sfamily.”
Sean nodded slowly, face an expressionless mask. Alexei wanted badly to comfort him, but the meeting wasn’t over yet, which meant their job wasn’t done despite the mission having finished up days ago. The government really did run on red tape and paperwork as opposed to the blood and tears of those who worked the dailygrind.
The meeting went on for at least ninety more minutes before the director wrapped things up with a reminder about their after-actionreports.
“I want them by tomorrow night,” Nazari said. “This was a hard mission, I know, and I want to thank all of you for your composure throughout. But we aren’t done, so be mindful of the fact that your reports could be evidence attrial.”
“Even if they’re marked Top Secret?” Trevorasked.
“Where this trail of evidence is leading us, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the majority of what will be submitted to a court under seal.” The director stood up, prompting everyone else to get to their feet as well and salute him. “Get some rest, if you can. It’s been adifficultweek.”
Nazari left, giving Alpha Team the freedom to leave as well. Alexei’s stomach growled from lack of food. He tapped Sean on theshoulder.
“Dinner?” Alexeiasked.
“Is the mess even open at this hour?” Seanreplied.
“If it is, there probably isn’t anything good left,” Madison said. “Who’s up for off-basefood?”
“I should get started on my reports,”Katiesaid.
“Work on them tomorrow,” Jamie told her. “I’m giving you permission to take the rest of thenightoff.”
“Need a ride to the airport?” Kyleaskedhim.
Jamie didn’t even blink at the question. “Sure. I need to stop by the apartmentfirst.”
Alexei ducked his head to hide his smirk. He didn’t have to wonder how that side trip would end. It was a good thing Jamie’s family was so rich he could afford to leave his private jet waiting on him for hours and not blink an eye at the bill while he and Kyle stole some alone timetogether.
Katie waved them off. “Good luck with thefundraising.”
“One of these days I’m going to make you join me,” Jamiepromised.
“And I will have a pressing engagement somewhere else the second you try.” She smiled at him. “I’ll have everything ready for your review when youcomeback.”
Kyle and Jamie slipped out of the conference room after saying goodbye, leaving the rest of the team to figure out what they were goingtoeat.
“The Eagle?” Annabelle tossed out as asuggestion.
“No can do. We have Sean with us,” Donovanremindedher.
“Right. Damn. Was hopin’ for their loaded Frenchfries.”
“Is military bar. Only military personnel allowed,” Alexei told Sean before he could talk his way out of a team dinner. “We go somewhere else.Topsy’s?”
“I could eat a burger or three,” Trevor said. “All infavor?”
Everyone called out an affirmative, so hamburgers at the circus-themed restaurantitwas.
