"Give him a chance; he's a SEAL. Kieran says he's a damn smart tactician and shot."
"No choice. Don't want to walk a flag-draped box onto a plane again," Julian's words weighed the air. "C'mon, kid."
Joint Special Operations Command's Hearts and Minds Campaign was a plan to win over the locals and root out the evil. Plans always looked better on paper. Coupled with the cumbersome rules of engagement, it proved to be dangerous. The neighborhood for Martin's first mission had narrow streets with many high spots. The sixteen men spanned out into their usual roles. Ian assumed the risk and assigned Martin to watch his back.
The market was bustling with activity, filled with food and wares. Children swarmed the group looking for candy. Each man learned to carry a supply of chocolate bars. Fluent in Pashto, Ian and Julian entered a home to meet with local clerics. They were the real influence over the people.
"Heads on a swivel," Ian said.
At the end of the meeting, the block grew quiet. Martin's voice came over the comms, "AMBUSH!"
Ian ate a mouthful of sand, tackled to the ground under Martin's weight. The round meant for him struck the cleric instead. The enemy went into a frenzy. The SEALs were trapped as bullets rained down on them from multiple directions. Martin dragged Ian to his feet as he picked up each member's rhythm, moving with his new teammates to defend their position and escape.
Julian sat with Ian after they made it back to their command operating base. "Kid's got chops."
"Kid's got chops." His new chief executive officer was missing something. Lola curled up against his chest gave him the answer: a family of his own.
Martin's eyes opened. "How long have you been standing there?"
"Not too long. Tiny, isn't she? Nurses told me you have a knack."
"I think she likes my heartbeat. Poor baby, her great-grandfather is her last living relative. Social Services is going to put her into foster care. She’s alone."
"No, she has you."
Martin tilted his head. "I guess until I head back to DC."
"Think about what you want. Both Elizabeth's proxies are en route. They told the administration the only person they want barred is Reed, but I'm sure he's not done. I'm heading back to DC after a quick stop at the hotel."
When Martin placed Lola in her crib, she rooted around and settled. "Thank you for everything."
"Kieran and I don't doubt you, Martin. Don't doubt yourself."
Ian returned to the hotel to meet with the available staff. "Everyone, I want to thank you for your hard work. Today, after a long discussion with Kieran, the poisoning of Elizabeth Reed and the shooting of Austin Bailey are part of a designated operation—Level 4, dark." The men and women in the room breathed in sync with each other.
He sat on a table sipping from a coffee cup. "Martin is your boss. I don’t want to strip him of duty, nor do I want to interfere more than I already am, but he is involved. For those of you who are speculating, Martin is in a relationship with Elizabeth Reed. The personal info ends at that. Develop our assets. Austin's friend, Shaun Murray—work him. Pete arranged a second set of PAs to be with Elizabeth. Tuck Hanlon is here. Jamie O'Reilly and Eric Seton jumped into the pool when Pete called for referrals. Elizabeth named proxies. Josh, make sure accommodations for them are set up. I'm not writing Talbot Reed off. He's dangerous.
"Now for Operation Orange. I am upgrading it to level invisible. Person-to-person communication only. Martin found letters Elizabeth sent documenting prisoner abuse to the Department of Corrections. The tone and content are guaranteed to piss people off. Greece, as a prisoner, and the second squad from Bravo team as guards, are in the fifth day undercover. Sutton Turner, a new hire from legal, is representing him. She’s not listed anywhere on our rolls and is a fresh graduate from Drake University. Legal Aid is her first job listed on her resume.
“Last night, Greece was moved to administrative segregation. We’re doing the best we can to protect him, but in segregation, the jail is limiting visitation and legal contact. Len reported Horizon resident Dr. Hailey Ullman is moonlighting in the infirmary. Who else from the hospital is working there? This got by us; we can't miss more. For sure, we can't depend on Homeland's intel. Kieran and I confirmed that Deputy Undersecretary Brynn Hackman passed us false or misleading information. We’re not sure if she did this with Deputy Undersecretary Todd Duran's knowledge. We’re telling them Martin is on family leave, and Tech is double-checking all the material they gave us. Greece WILL NOT be the seventh undercover casualty. I also want limited visibility at Horizon. Only those who made appearances since Austin was shot may return." He stood. "Everybody clear?"
"Yes, sir!" The group stood together.
Ian took a deep breath. "All right, Mike will continue the brief. I'm out of here. Watch your six."
Mike walked in front of the group. "This is the first major operation since Ian and Kieran announced the reorganization. We need to show them their trust in us is well founded. Our undercover members are in unpredictable situations, but Greece is in real danger. This case needs to be shut down the minute we have enough evidence. I don’t want him in that hell one more second than is necessary. A mistake will mean his life."
The group got down to business and dissected the operation for any potentially missed detail.
Chief Doug Sharpe pulled up to the Reed family home. The front door opened before he could ring the bell. "Happy to see you again, Douglas." Chase Security surveillance reported the unexpected arrival to Ford.
Doug Sharpe cringed. "Governor, I wanted to give you the courtesy of hearing this in person. You may find it disturbing."
"Get to the point; you’re sputtering."
"Your daughter, Elizabeth, is about to be charged in two homicides—Dr. Randall Knox and Mr. Karl Whelan."
"Elizabeth did this? You have proof?"
