The Raid (Ryan Decker) by Steven Konkoly

Author:Steven Konkoly [Konkoly, Steven]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-10-07T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Decker took the front-row seat Harlow had saved for him between her and Pierce. A tripod-mounted video camera sat just below a live digital image of the group projected on the wall behind it.

“Looks okay,” said Harlow, not sounding satisfied. “Should we close the blinds a little more? I feel like the picture is a little washed out.”

Joshua got up from the computer station just out of the camera’s view and to their right to examine the picture head-on.

“If we close the blinds any more, you’ll wash out even more on their screens,” he said. “This is the best we can do under the circumstances. You’ll look crisp to them.”

“That’s fine,” said Harlow. “As long as they can see us.”

Decker laughed. “I’m not sure we want the senator to get too good a look at us. She might think twice about who she’s pinning her hopes on.”

“Did he just call me a mess?” said Jessica, generating a feigned uproar from the group.

Decker turned to address her question. “I apologize. Flannel shirts and designer camouflage are a good look for you.”

Harlow elbowed his shoulder, both of them well aware that Jessica was further out of her element than anyone in the room, including the SCIF team. She fought her battles in a power suit, unwinding at the end of the day with a Kir Royale in the black-and-white-themed bar across the street from her Westwood apartment.

“I had to scrounge to put this outfit together,” said Jessica.

“I’m just kidding,” said Decker. “I mean, they do suit you, but—”

“You should probably quit while you’re not too far behind,” said Harlow.

“Good idea,” he said, nodding at Jessica. “There’s a Walmart in Trinidad. We’ll get you a more appropriate wardrobe before we leave.”

“Nice,” said Jessica. “I’ll remember this.”

“Behave yourself, please,” said Harlow.

He looked over his shoulder at Jessica, who glared at him. “Sorry.”

“Keep digging, Decker,” said Pam, who sat directly behind him.

He was about to engage his favorite target on the team when Joshua flagged their attention. “Reeves and the senator have joined the videoconference,” he said. “Shall I take us live?”

“Do it,” said Harlow, squeezing Decker’s knee and whispering, “Behave.”

The projected image on the wall in front of them blinked, changing to a split screen featuring the contrasted images of Supervisory Special Agent Reeves in a dark hotel room and Senator Steele in a brightly lit office.

“Before we get started, I’m truly sorry to have put you in this precarious and inconvenient position. If there’s anything I can do to alleviate the situation, please do not hesitate to ask,” said Steele.

“Ma’am,” said Decker, “I’d like to upgrade the security posture at the Pierces’ homestead. Whether we hunker down here for a few weeks or head out tonight, I think it’s only fair that we give Brad and his family that added peace of mind.”

“I agree,” said Steele. “I’ll trust you to make the arrangements, which will be covered by the account I established for our mutually agreed-upon operations.”

“Thank you, Senator,” said Pierce.

“It’s the least I can do, Mr.

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