“If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, go to Julian. He can reassign you. Though, the person I think you need to speak to is Troy. And, Gwen, the caller said ‘secrets.’ Those have a way of coming back to haunt you. Trust me on that.”
“I know you’re right. I’m not quite ready for that.” Gwen remembered that Ellie’s secrets almost cost her and Wes’s lives.
Chapter 10
Wednesday, May 30th
Troy, Julian and Martin stepped out of the elevator together after grabbing breakfast in the cafeteria. Troy had been in the building since his 0530 PT session, gym workout and his 0730 meeting with the level-two supervisor about the errant operator. He headed down the south corridor toward Gwen’s and his offices. Sticking his head in her door, he found her leaning on her elbow reading a hard copy of the San Diego operations manual.
“Gwen, do you have a minute?”
“Sure.”
“We have a busy day. Tonight, would you join me for dinner? I want to sort out our first few days.”
“Absolutely,” Gwen answered with a smile. “How was PT?”
“Not as good as when you yell at me to keep going.” Troy exhaled. “Jack Parker, my PT, said you were added to his schedule to help keep the muscle tone in your leg.”
“Yeah, it was added to my schedule.” She chewed her lip. “I’ve met Jack before at Walter Reed. Tango Team brought a major in from Mali.”
“You do realize, if clients followed instructions, there would be no need for a good part of what we do.” Troy turned to head out.
“I’ll remind you of that when you’re post-op.”
He heard her sigh just before her door closed.
* * *
Troy madeanother cup of coffee. He’d regret it later, but he wanted it. He didn’t sleep well the night before.
Verna’s voice called into the office, “I made you and Miss Gwendolen a reservation for a water view, inside table at C-Level at 2000 hrs. Do you have time for Mr. Bailey?”
“Send him in.” Troy laughed.
Julian assigned Verna to him because he was afraid he’d scare anyone who interrupted him. Troy was happy to have her, as she was a fantastic gatekeeper. She managed to hold back the CEO.“Verna, why do you call her Miss Gwendolen?”
His secretary laughed. “That is her name.”
You have a lot to learn, asshat,he thought.
Martin strolled through the door. “Jule told me about your ten o’clock appointment with NCIS.”He laughed at the fish tank. “Which one is me?”
“That one. He’s a harlequin rasbora. There are four of them. Ian, Kieran, Mike and you.” Troy sat on the couch in the furniture grouping. “What’s up?”
“How are you from last night?” Martin sat in one of the big chairs.
“The spots are sore, but the pain, especially after this morning’s PT, is better.” Troy sighed. “I need this to work. I never realized how important this is to me until I started working again.”
Martin beamed, “You deserve this.”He blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. “Jule and I went through the transcript of your mystery calls. He told me he spoke with Gwen. His conversation with her and last night's call raised the stakes.”
Troy frowned. “I’m great, aren’t I? I made her a target. And their conversation?”
“I don’t think you did. Jule also said he got an odd feeling from her response. Maybe she was overwhelmed. We might get some clarity when we tell her about last night’s call.” Martin broke eye contact.
“Lots of secrets?” Troy crossed his arms across his chest.
“Before we discuss what’s happening with these calls, you need to see this. This may help answer the odd feeling Jule got.” Martin handed him a black folder. “I wasn’t prepared for this.”
