Brodie looked at Taylor. As the senior partner, Scott Brodie had a responsibility to her. He knew that she’d follow him to the gates of Hell. In fact, she already had on their last assignment. But this time, Brodie didn’t want Maggie Taylor to suffer collateral damage for his self-destructive choices.
Brodie said to Dombroski, “We understand, Colonel. See you tomorrow.”
There was a long silence. Then Dombroski said, “It’s different when it’s a colleague. I understand that, and I appreciate the work you’ve done. Is there anything further?”
Brodie said, “Negative further.”
“Safe travels.” The colonel hung up.
Taylor stared at her phone a moment, then slipped it in her pocket and looked at Brodie. “That’s it.”
“Are you disappointed?”
“In him, yes. Which I guess means I’m still naïve.”
“He was never going to go for it, Maggie. Sharon Whitmore and Chief Inspector Schröder want to know that we are truly off this case. Anything short of sending us back across the ocean communicates the wrong message.”
Taylor nodded but did not respond.
Brodie looked toward the hotel. “Let’s get inside.”
They walked across the park and up the stairs, then crossed the street and entered the hotel lobby. A young Turkish woman they hadn’t seen before was at the desk. She mumbled something in German as they walked past and up the stairs to their rooms.
Taylor paused at her door and turned to Brodie. She looked tired. “It’s good that I will be there for the debrief.”
Brodie nodded.
“The new CID team will be thorough, Scott. Harry was their colleague. Their brother.”
Ms. Taylor was trying to convince someone, but it wasn’t him. He said, “I’m sure you’re right. And we can contact the team and give them our thoughts and opinions on the case.”
She replied, “I think we will be signing the same confidentiality statements we signed after Venezuela.”
“Right. Also known as the don’t-talk-about-shit-you’re-not-supposed-to-talk-about statement.”
She tried to smile.
“Okay,” he said. “Get some rest. And good work, Maggie.”
She nodded. “Likewise.”
They each entered their rooms. Brodie did a quick sweep to see if any Lebanese gangsters, Islamic terrorists, American double agents, or former Stasi spies were lying in wait to kill him. He was alone, which was kind of disappointing.
Brodie took out his phone. He had decided what he was going to do and what he had to do. He dialed Colonel Dombroski, who picked up after one ring.
“Mr. Brodie. Did you forget something?”
“Yes, I did. I am calling to inform you that I am not leaving Berlin tomorrow, and I will not be present for the debrief at Quantico. I am resigning my commission, effective immediately.”
“The hell you are.”
“It has been an honor to serve under you, sir, and I will always respect you even if it is no longer reciprocated.”
“Hold on, Scott—”
“Colonel, that is my final decision. I will e-mail you my resignation with copies to the appropriate—”
“Scott. Call me when you cool down.”
