The Texas Job: (A Case Lee Novel Book 9) by Vince Milam

Author:Vince Milam [Milam, Vince]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: TRG, Inc.
Published: 2021-11-28T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

The world’s most powerful spook called as I lounged with Jess at her Charlotte townhouse. Sixteen days had passed since the Buenos Vientos departed Barcelona, now docked in Veracruz for the last twenty-four hours. Townsend, even though she’d called me, waited until I spoke.

“Director.”

“Your location, Mr. Lee?”

I considered providing another North Carolina city, an outright lie, as a protective measure. Jess remained unknown to Marilyn Townsend, and I intended to keep it that way. But I tempered my answer with another consideration—Townsend’s question could mean but one thing. She intended to send a plane and fetch me. The finger-snap question grated, but no point avoiding a hard reality with the CIA’s Director of Clandestine Operations. She could sniff out most lies eight ways to Sunday, although I’d slipped a few past her over the years.

“Mr. Lee?”

“Charlotte. North Carolina.”

“I will have a plane there in two hours.”

“Before you scramble the Company air force, what’s going on?”

“We will not discuss matters over the phone.”

We both used 256-bit encrypted communications—about as secure as you could get. The “about” nixed operational elaboration for Townsend. On the flip side, she and I had passed through too much together over the years for a tail wag at the opportunity to do her bidding.

“This is about activities in Spain. Government departments should have it well in hand. I’m a bit player at this point.”

“I will pay. May I assume you still use the Zurich connection?”

“It’s not about money.”

“Fine. Then allow me to address higher motives. In person.”

Townsend had a bee in her bonnet regarding the Buenos Vientos and freshly gained intel. Plus, something else. She wouldn’t pull me in for nuts-and-bolts issues—the Company and FBI and Homeland Security would handle those.

Across the couch, Jess raised a single eyebrow, curious. I’d cruised the Ace of Spades north when we returned from the wedding, after dropping Jess off in Charlotte. She’d headed back for her NYC job, with a promise for a Charlotte liaison within a week. Back in Charleston, I kissed Mom and CC goodbye and headed for New Bern, lollygagging, and extended a several-day trip. I docked the Ace and rented a car, now parked outside Jess’s townhouse. We had no definitive plans, although she would hit NYC again, once the estate’s attorney on her contract straightened out a few things. She hadn’t committed to a return date yet but would if I waded back into spookville among Iranian spies and Chinese connections. Helluva way to maintain a relationship.

“I’ll call you back in thirty, Director.”

“No. Time is of the essence, Mr. Lee.”

“Standby one.”

I put a hand over the phone’s mic, aware the act would piss off Townsend to no end. Too damn bad.

“I’ve been summoned,” I said to Jess.

“By who?”

“A top dog.”

“Will it gnaw on you if you don’t go?”

Great question. If a major issue loomed, doing the right thing became a prime motivator, with one large red flag. Doing the right thing in spookville was a moving and often amorphous target.

“Yeah. Maybe.”

“Then go, bub. Otherwise, you’ll mope over a missed shadowland opportunity.

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