Newman smiles at me. “It’s unfortunate when one of our agents gets outed and then captured. The resources needed to make recovery are precious, and we’re very grateful that Jameson could partner with us to help save this mission that had gone disastrously wrong.”
I don’t bother looking at Greer, but I don’t need to, to know she’s probably gritting her teeth over what is a very obvious backhanded slap.
“Well,” I drawl, holding Newman’s stare, “Agent Hathaway did all the hard work, staying covert for months before successfully stealing the intel. I just helped get her home.”
Newman’s gaze is frosty. “Yes, well, as that might be, her inability to meet her ex-fil deems the mission a failure.”
Something deep in my chest clenches—possibly empathy for Greer—and Newman turns her attention across the table. “Agent Hathaway, while I am sincerely glad you are safe and returned to your country, you have been disavowed, and we have no intention of changing that.”
“If I’m disavowed,” Greer says with a forced smile, “why do you still call me ‘agent’?”
Newman shrugs. “Habit.”
Greer’s teeth clench briefly before she asks, “I’d like to know why. My true identity wasn’t compromised, only my cover. While I get that would have prevented our government in taking an active role in recovering the intel, it should not prevent my return to work.”
“I see it differently,” Newman replies. “You are no longer an asset to this agency.”
“I demand to have this reviewed by the director of operations, then,” Greer says.
“You can save your time and your breath,” Newman replies, her tone victorious. “He’s already approved my decision.”
“Then I demand to see Director Rasmussen.” Now she’s talking about the top dog, the head honcho of the CIA, the one who has President Alexander’s ear.
Newman laughs, genuinely amused. “Good luck trying to get time with him. But you’re more than welcome to give it a go.”
I have no clue what the hell is going on, but clearly something personal is driving Newman’s decision. This isn’t protocol, and there is no good reason I can see for Greer to remain disavowed.
No, Newman is doing this to punish Greer and the malice I see in her expression verifies it.
“Now,” Gayla Newman says as she stands. She looks down at me. “Once again, thank you very much, Mr. McDermott.”
Her gaze returns to Greer, who stares stonily back at her. “As you know, there is a significant exit process from our agency. You’ll be expected to cooperate when—”
“Fuck you,” Greer snarls.
Newman actually jerks as if slapped. “Excuse me?” she demands.
Greer stands up. “I said, fuck you. You’ll get no cooperation from me. I’ve been disavowed… remember?”
I’m still pretty bitter toward Greer, so I have to wonder why I want to start clapping right now. Newman’s so stunned, she can’t reply, but Greer doesn’t give her the opportunity. She strides from the room with her shoulders thrown back, not sparing Newman or me a glance before walking out.
Rising from my chair, I head to the door to follow Greer, but before I leave, I can’t help myself. “Director Newman… none of my business if the Company disavows Agent Hathaway, but I think your attitude toward her was pretty shitty.”
“Is that so?” she asks smoothly, using her hands to tug her jacket crisply into place.
“Probably would have been more appropriate for you to at least thank her for the fourteen years of dedicated service she gave this country and for managing to gather important intel that will take down a major enemy of the United States, but that’s just my way of thinking.”
Newman’s face turns red, but I don’t wait around for her to react. I exit and barely make out Greer turning left at the end of the hallway.
I race after her.
?
Sitting in the parking lot of the Embassy Suites, I try to talk myself out of what I’m about to do. I had indeed caught up with Greer after she left the meeting with Gayla Newman. She was pissed and hurt and snarled at me to leave her alone. I couldn’t, though—or at least my conscience couldn’t—when I knew she had nothing but the clothes on her back.
When I told her as much, she laughed. “I’m a spy, for fuck’s sake, Ladd. You don’t think I would ever leave myself without means?”
And I knew.
She’d never leave herself vulnerable. She’d have a contingency plan.
We walked outside, and she turned to face me. Her voice had softened somewhat, but I could see the pain of anger and betrayal etched on her face. “Thank you for coming after me.”
I nodded, not sure what to say.
But then she said all that needed to be said. “We’re even now.”
And with that, she turned and walked straight to a car parked at the curb. It had dark tinted windows, and I couldn’t see who was inside. I wasn’t stunned that she had transportation, but that she knew she’d need it. Simply put, Greer knew this was coming and was ready.