15
Lincoln
After getting through the rigorous security protocols at the Pentagon, Lincoln entered the elevator. When he arrived at his designated floor, he stepped into the hall and headed to the Situation Room. Leaning on the wall just outside the door was Tahira Raji. She was wearing a cream tailored pantsuit with matching heels, and of course her traditional hijab. The woman was always very well put together.
“As-Salaamu Alaikum,” Lincoln greeted as he approached.
“Wa-Alaikum Salaam,” she returned with a smile.
“You waiting for me?”
She pushed off the wall and folded her arms. “Don’t flatter yourself, handsome. I just didn’t want to go in there until I absolutely had to. We’re waiting on SECDEF. Although…youdolook good in that uniform.”
Lincoln frowned and moved closer to Tahira. The Secretary of Defense attending a briefing for a routine military operation was a first for him. So, it was pretty safe to conclude that there was nothing routine about what was going down. Something catastrophic must have occurred. Truthfully, he should have realized it the moment Tahira waltzed into the restaurant and summoned him.
“General Gray is inside as well,” she informed with a raised brow.
“What? Tahira, what’s happened?”
“A plane has been taken. Among the passengers are two US ambassadors, Senator Newman, and one very important CIA operative who’s carrying top-secret documents.” Tahira sighed and handed him an orange envelope with the word ‘CLASSIFIED’ stamped on it. Before he could open it, she said, “Colonel, you’re on your way to Mosul.”
“Mosul?” Lincoln asked, perplexed. “Where was the plane taken from?”
“Saudi. Your main objective is to get our operative back, hopefully alive. If you can’t, you are to secure those documents and neutralize the insurgents.”
Lincoln frowned and glared at Tahira. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Main objective? What about the senator and the ambassadors?
A nonchalant shrug let him know that the survival of the other passengers was inconsequential.
“Who took the plane?” he asked.
“Don’t know. No one has taken credit yet. But, know this…” She moved closer, staring him right in the eye. “Themost important person on that plane is that CIA operative. He has information that—”
When she stopped speaking and looked past his shoulder, Lincoln turned around. Martin Blake, the Secretary of Defense, along with his entourage were headed towards them.
“Colonel Creed,” he greeted with his hand out.
Lincoln accepted his hand and shook. “Good morning, Sir.”
He smiled. “How’s the senator?”
“He’s well, Sir. Enjoying retirement. Thank you for asking.”
“Good morning, ma’am,” he said to Tahira.
“Sir,” was her simple response.
Lincoln noticed that he stared at Tahira a little longer than would be considered normal. He also noticed that she wasn’t exactly appreciative. She blew out a breath as if irritated and reached for the doorknob.
“Allow me.” The senior official attempted to open the door for her.
“I got it,” she said curtly as she opened the door, thwarting his attempt to be a gentleman.
Lincoln said nothing as she entered the conference room. The dynamics of their relationship was of no concern to him.
He grabbed the door before it closed and turned to the senior administrator. “After you, Sir,” Lincoln offered.
The man grunted something incomprehensible and entered the situation room. Lincoln followed him inside and closed the door behind him. As he made his way to the large conference table, he struggled to keep his composure. Admittedly, his steps faltered when he noticed that Amber Kerry, the White House Chief of Staff was already sitting at the table. Lincoln didn’t have to open the envelope to realize that whoever the captured CIA operative was, he or she had some information the United States government did not want to share.
