“Hunter, I’ll let you catch Kate up to speed on our mission. Aaron, have you got the other female lined up?” Grey stood just outside the group.
Aaron answered, “Yeah, she’s good to go. She’ll meet us when we get there.”
Kate moved to study the blown up topographic map on the back wall in an effort to avoid looking at Ethan.
Not mountainous. In fact, the area appeared very flat with a large river running north to south up the west side. Next to the map was a satellite image of the same area, this one showing roads and houses.
"You don't have to dress business casual anymore, T-shirt and shorts is fine by us." Hunter’s deep rumbling voice filled the room and Kate found herself relaxing.
“I've put on a suit every day for the last seven years, wearing a T-shirt to work just seems wrong."
Ranger chuckled, "But it can be so right."
Kate didn't think so but she bit her lip. Everyone has their own quirks, she liked her life nice and neat and orderly. "Is that a plantation on the river?”
“Yep, that’s where the wedding will take place.”
“Wedding?”
“Senator Tom Cotter’s daughter, Caroline, is getting married there. We’ve been hired to transport her from the airport here,” Ranger pointed to an area at the top of the photo, “to the plantation.” He traced a path down to the white house. “We will also provide security and protection during the whole event.”
Hunter stepped forward, “Cord will be in the air, providing surveillance for the wedding and surrounding area. We don’t want any surprises.”
Kate turned her attention back to the map and the route from the airport to the plantation. The area was remote, with only a few other houses scattered amongst the trees. “Are you also providing transport for Caroline from the airport?”
The yard surrounding the plantation had a flat spot big enough to land a helicopter.
“No, unfortunately, that option has been ruled out,” Ranger said.
Kate traced the road on the map from the small airport to Cotter plantation. “Over seventy percent of the road is flanked by thick trees and foliage. Your team will be too vulnerable to ambush.” She considered thirty percent too high a risk, but seventy – that made her blood pressure rise.
"I don't like it any more than you, but Caroline has put her foot down and her father is bending over backwards. She doesn't want a big fuss, she wants to make a quiet entrance,” Hunter said.
"And the onslaught of stretch limousines arriving, along with professional caterers and I’m assuming, Washington DC's finest, isn't going to draw attention?" Ethan’s deep throaty voice pierced the room.
Kate spun to see him lift a jet black brow, his expression bored.
Grey stepped forward, his mouth tight, “We don’t have a choice. The Senators paying us to guard his baby. I've been informed not to step on her toes or offend her in any way."
"And how do you plan on doing that? You're going to have a team of armed guards on her at all times."
"That's where you come in," Grey said.
Kate glanced around the empty room a trickle of unease starting up at the base of her neck. “How?”
She’d assumed she’d continue working for Grey in the same fashion as at the CIA. As an analyst, a planner.
"The bride is refusing to be surrounded by armed men. Iargued and we came up with a compromise. You and the second female we have coming on board will pose as Caroline’s stylists, but will act as her personal bodyguards.”
Kate scrambled, trying to compute the new intel. “I'm an analyst not an operative."
"Yeah, but you said yourself you've been trained and we’ve got two weeks to refresh your memory," Grey said.
Everyone stared at her and she could practically hear their doubts. “Sir, I’m trained but surely you’ve got someone more qualified.”
She swallowed, her throat working in overdrive to get past the lump forming there. Ten minutes ago she’d sworn to him she could handle anything - but she hadn’t thought…
“I’m out of time, Richards, either you can do it or not. I need to know now if I’ve got to find someone else.” Grey crossed his arms, seeming to grow taller.
