The Target (Will Robie 3)
“No, he didn’t. He would never decline to execute a direct order. He’s not wired that way.”
“But how could Tucker ever expect us to sign a confession?” said Reel. “Even if we were tortured?”
“He’s not really CIA,” answered Robie. “He was never in the intelligence field. His appointment to head up CIA was a political payback. He probably thought waterboarding works on everyone.”
“As if a coerced confession is valid,” noted Reel. “And he wanted us to sign it, despite the bullshit he tried to feed us back there.”
“I don’t think he was going to use it in a court of law,” said Marks.
Reel shot her a glance. “What, then?”
Robie answered. “Probably proof to the president that we were bad guys.”
Marks added, “And maybe the president signs off on your official termination. Not the kind where you clear out your desk and are escorted to the exit.”
“If Tucker thought that was going to happen and he’s running CIA, America is in a world of trouble,” observed Reel.
“I don’t know,” said Robie. “Maybe he just wanted to kill us.”
“He might just want us to feel the pain,” said Reel.
“Mission accomplished there,” said Robie.
Reel stopped running and the others pulled up and looked at her.
“Which brings us back to the question of why you’re doing what you’re doing, Deputy Director,” she said.
Marks jogged in place, keeping her body warm and loose. “I’m a team player, Reel, make no mistake about that.”
“But?”
“But I draw the line at certain things. Waterboarding our own is one of those things.”
“Anything else?”
“Tucker said he wanted me to push you right to your limit and then beyond. He really wanted to see if you were fit for duty and redeployment. Either you could cut it or not. I assumed that was his goal. To find that out.”
“And now?”
“And now I don’t know. His instructions had undertones that maybe he didn’t want you to see the outside of this place again.”
“And you chose to, what, ignore them?” said Reel.
“I chose to think he couldn’t mean that,” said Marks.
“Or convinced yourself that he couldn’t,” said Robie.
Marks started to run again and the pair followed her.
“So where does all this leave us?” asked Reel.
“I don’t know,” admitted Marks. “But I can tell you that from now on I will train with you.”
“Why?” asked Robie.
“To be our guardian?” suggested Reel.
“I’m just going to train with you.”
“This is not your problem or your fight, DD,” said Robie. “Don’t hang your career on this. You don’t deserve the possible fallout.”
“I’m the DD, as you pointed out, Robie. And the DD is responsible for her assets in the field. Well, you two are part of those assets and it’s my responsibility to look out for you.”
“So you’re setting yourself up for a pissing contest with Evan Tucker over this?” exclaimed Reel. “Number one against two has a predetermined outcome.”
“Maybe,” replied Marks cryptically. “But then number twos tend to try harder.”
Reel said, “You looking to make an enemy of Tucker?”
“I’m not intentionally making an enemy of anyone. What I’m trying to do is my job.”
“I thought your job was to follow orders,” said Robie.
“My job is to perform my duties as a DD to the best of my abilities. I intend to do just that.”
She picked up her pace, leaving the pair of them behind by about ten yards. This seemed to be intentional to allow them to discuss what she had just said.
“You think she’s on the up-and-up, or is she pretending to be our friend for some ulterior reason?” said Reel.
“I don’t know. She seems sincere. And why the need to be our friend? She’s got us here. She can do what she wants with us.”
“And it’s not like she’s asked us to do anything,” said Reel thoughtfully.
“Not yet,” corrected Robie.
“So what do we do?”
“We let it play out. I think that’s all we can do.”
“And if she is on the up-and-up?”
“Then I hope she doesn’t end up being collateral damage. Because I don’t think Evan Tucker cares who gets in the way or who gets hurt.”
Reel slowed down and then stopped.
He came back to her. “What is it?”
“Robie, I’m putting everyone in danger. You, her, Julie, anyone associated with me.”
“Don’t be stupid.”
“You just said it! Anyone who gets in his way. In his way to get to me. Because, let’s face it, I’m the one he really wants.”
“So what?”
“So I need to go this alone, Robie.”
“Go it alone? Against the CIA?”
“I’m not putting you or anyone else in danger. Any more danger. I’ve nearly gotten you killed more times than I can count.”
“Do you remember what I told you while we were standing in the rain, Jessica?”
“I know that, but—”
“I’ve never said that to anyone else. Ever.”
At his words Reel’s eyes glimmered, and she seemed taken aback, but quickly regrouped.
“But this is not survivable, Robie. They waterboarded us last night. What’s next? A firing squad?”
“Whatever it is, we’ll take it on together. That way we double our chances of survival.”
“No, we just double the potential number of casualties.”
“Let’s go. Marks gets too far ahead she might hold back dessert tonight as punishment.”
Robie ran off. Reel waited a few more seconds and then shook her head and ran hard to catch up. But the worried look in her eyes remained.
Chapter
17
MR. FONTAINE?”
Earl, who had been dozing in his prison hospital bed, roused, opened his eyes, and looked around.
“Mr. Fontaine?”
He focused on her, the young doctor. He sat up straighter. “Yeah, Doc?”
She pulled up a chair and sat next to him. Earl noted that a guard other than big Albert was with her. But the man was still keenly watching Earl. He probably knew Earl’s crimes even if the young doctor didn’t.
“I wanted to let you know that I made some calls.”
“Calls?”