A Team of One by Brad Lee

Author:Brad Lee [Lee, Brad]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-09-29T22:00:00+00:00

54

The False Flag

This time, Haley called Gregory. She didn’t waste time beating around the bush. “The entire explanation is a hoax. There is no United Environmental Front.”

Gregory had his tie loosened and top button of his dress shirt unbuttoned. He looked like he’d been up all night, though he’d only been at the office since eight. His graying hair, normally smoothly arranged, stuck out in all directions.

He shook his head. “I’ve seen the intel, Haley. It’s all there.”

“That’s my point. Intel is never all there.”

He smiled, not disagreeing. “And the other crumbs?”

His reaction surprised her. She had expected more push back.

“I’ve found a few things. Threads I’m pulling… but I don’t like what I’m finding.”

“I knew you’d find them. But I need you to stand down.”

“What? Why?”

He spoke patiently. “Those threads, as you call them, have been unraveled already. I set up an inter-agency task force. They’ve been focused on getting to the bottom of this. They were told to find who had financed and executed the attacks, no matter where it took them.”

Relief rushed over her. He knew. “I agree. But we need more data. You have to get a team to Montauk in case there’s more to come.”

“Montauk?”

Once again, his reaction caught her off guard. She realized she’d misjudged the situation badly.

Too much stress, too little sleep.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“It’s…” Did she dare divulge her hunch? She had no direct evidence. Again. But it felt right. The data were pointing towards it, though not spelling it out in flashing lights like the United Environmental Front. No. She had to hold back. She’d gotten burned last time. She turned the tables. “What are you talking about?”

“Iran.”

“Iran?”

He’s still on that? I thought he and the team would see it for what it is: fake.

“No. You’re wrong. I saw those threads.” The data on the Iranian angle felt like someone extremely clever had made it just obvious enough for dedicated, desperate analysts to find. “They reek of a false flag operation. Can’t you see that?”

He shook his head in frustration with her. Again. “Haley, I have ten of my best people on this.” He tilted his head in acknowledgment of her abilities. “Not including you, of course. But they’re unanimous. The data were extremely well hidden and cleverly disguised, but it’s as definitive as it gets in our business. The Iranians are behind this.”

“Sir,” she started, then tried again. “Gregory, listen—”

“Haley, you were right about this originally and I should have listened to you. I’ll admit it. But this time you’re wrong. Don’t let success make you think you’re infallible. You’re not.”

She did her best to keep her face still, betraying little. But she let the tiniest bit of embarrassment through, coupled with reluctant acceptance. “Yes, sir.”

Will he buy it?

“Good, you’re learning. In time, you’ll be the best. Hell, you might already be. But never forget you’re part of a team. And other people are excellent at their jobs, as well.”

If he didn’t believe her about the Iran situation, she couldn’t tell him about Kelton Kellison.

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