Dakota opened the laptop, logged in, and got busy. A quick moment later, he turned the computer toward Rebel. “You ready toreallygo deep undercover?”
“Hit me,” Rebel replied.
Dakota had opened Rebel’s file. Next to Current Position was, FBI Undercover. Dakota replaced that with ALPHA BLACK OPS.
Everything in his profile—including the words ALPHA BLACK OPS—was replaced with the words REDACTED. Gonewas his work history, his accolades, his awards and honors. His personal data vanished. It was as if Rebel had never even worked there at all.
“When one door closes—” Rebel began.
“We blow another wide open for you,” Sin said with a smile. “Welcome aboard, brother. You’re the best of the best.”
“And now, you work with us,” Dakota said. “The Dillinger case is yours, but you gotta partner with someone in ALPHA. You’re too close to that one to be objective.”
“Understood,” Rebel replied.
“You’ve got access to any case, across the board,” Dakota continued. “The rescue team is yours. No room for error and no lone wolves.”
Fueled by this turn of events, Rebel smiled. “I’m all in.”
“When can you start?” Dakota asked.
“Monday,” Rebel replied. “I’ll swing by the Bureau and resign next week.”
“I can take care of the transition—” Dakota interrupted.
“I appreciate it, but I got this,” Rebel replied.
Dakota stood. “Monday, ask for Providence. I’ll text you the address for ALPHA.”
Sin and Dakota showed Rebel around the top-secret facility.
“What is this place?” Rebel asked.
“It’s ALPHA’s black site that also operates as a safe house,” Dakota explained.
The building boasted a wing with bedroom suites that included a combo entertainment center, family room, and kitchen, an office wing with a break room, and a small surgery center with recovery room.
“Who’s used this?” Rebel asked while in the surgery center.
“Who hasn’t?” Sin replied, and the brothers laughed.
After Rebel’s retinas were scanned, he was given an employee laptop, and a key fob for an SUV.
“The SUV is bullet proof,” Dakota explained.
Rebel extended his hand to Sin. “You’re right. Not a day I’m gonna forget.”
Then he shook Dakota’s hand. “See you Monday.”
As he drove out in the ALPHA SUV, he couldn’t believe what had transpired over the past few hours. His dream job had been ripped away from him, replaced with a better one.
Dad, you’d be proud.
Now, I’m finally gonna find the son of a bitch who gunned you down in cold blood.
Britain
Brit hurriedup the walkway to her dad’s Northwest DC home. On her way up the front steps, he opened the door and greeted her with a smile.
