Page 37

The angels must have been smiling on him, because his phone vibrated with a text coming in from Eastman.

Chief Master Sgt Eastman: Uniform acquired. Nametag created. Hem on pants being altered. Naval E-5 insignia being created. Estimate ten more minutes for completion. Am bringing what I have.

Ryker: Thank you.

He texted which briefing room they were in. Then he looked up and told Kostya where they stood on the uniform for Jase.

“Good work,” Kostya nodded. “Talked to Commander Clark prior to this shitshow of a briefing, told him how I thought it might come down. He tagged his counterpart at Langley and got approval for Dermott Carlisle to report to me for the duration of this op. Akbas-Bey will still report to Langley, she is going to be my counterpart. Langley is worried that her cover is already under suspicion, that’s the reason she can’t provide the information through normal means. It has to be face-to-face in a way that everybody will think is above board.”

Ryker looked down at his watch and felt his stomach clench; they really didn’t have time for this kind of bullshit. As if Kostya could read his mind, he continued.

“From everything I’ve been told, Damla Akbas is worth her weight in gold, if anybody can pin down our search, it’s going to be her, so going through all this bullshit will be worth it.”

“Here’s how we’re handling things. Linc and Ryker are Team One. They will be the first wave of security. Jase will be there acting as the petroleum expert for Carlisle. Gideon, tell me that you have something undetectable that will let us listen in.”

Gideon looked up from where he was sitting, glued to his tablet. “Carlisle said he had us covered.”

Ryker and at least five other men groaned at the same time.

“Make sure it’s good, at this rate I don’t trust anything with his fingerprints on it. We’re all booked at the En Iyi Sultan, our cover is that we need to work multiple shifts to ensure that the Assistant Secretary is always secure.”

“Landon and I will be Team Two. As soon as we get any kind of lead, we’ll be the first to go check it out. Jonas and Mateo, you’re Team Three. Hopefully, we’ll have something else for you to check out, or Landon and I will need more help. Nolan, you’re going to be in reserve with Gideon for the time being. I’ll deploy you where I need you.”

Ryker watched as everybody nodded. That’s what he liked about his team, there wasn’t any bitching about having to wait to serve. Everybody knew that they had a position to play, and they played it with grace.

There was a sharp knock on the door.

“Enter,” Kostya yelled out.

A large man held a service uniform covered by a dry-cleaning bag. He was followed by a grandmotherly type who had a pin cushion on an elastic band around her wrist and a tote bag in her hand. Jase and Ryker stood up and started making their way to the front of the room.

“Chief Master Sgt Eastman, this is my lieutenant, Kostya Barona.”

The chief saluted.

“At ease. Right now, we’re all about time and expediency. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your assistance, Chief.” Kostya held out his hand to shake it, after the seamstress had taken the uniform out of his hands.

“Can I ask what this is about?” Eastman wanted to know.

“Our mission is confidential. But we just found out we had to make a quick change of plans as we began working with the CIA operative that was sent here from Langley. Luckily our man here has some extensive knowledge that will assist the operative sound more believable in his cover.”

Eastman winced as soon as Kostya had mentioned the CIA. Amongst the military, people either loved or hated working with them—rarely were people on the fence. Ryker figured Eastman was squarely on the ‘the CIA could go piss up a rope’ side of the fence.

Jase already had his vest, shirt, and t-shirt off.

“Pants, I need the pants off. I need to make sure the hem is right,” the little seamstress ordered. Even Kostya and the Chief Master Sgt were grinning as the rest of the team snickered. Jase took off his pants and she waved the service uniform pants at him.

“Fast,” she admonished.

“At least he was wearing boxers, he could have been free-balling it,” Mateo whispered. That sent everybody to cackling again.

“Fuck, shoes!” Ryker snarled at himself. “I forgot to ask for shoes.”

“Gotcha covered,” Eastman said. “My airman will be here with a bunch to choose from. I told him size twelve to sixteen and if he could find a seventeen, I’d buy him a drink tonight.” Eastman looked up at Jase. “What size do you wear?”

“I only need a sixteen,” Jase admitted. “But if he finds a seventeen, Ryker will buy you both drinks for screwing up and not remembering to ask.”

Eastman laughed. “Sounds good to me.”