A Darker Shade of Dead by Bianca D'Arc Page A

they were looking for something.
    Curious, Matt checked the desk minutely, even getting down on the floor to look underneath. There, adhered to the underside, he found a small black speck. A bug.
    Someone was spying on him.
    Matt debated his next move. He could remove the bug, in which case he would alert the spy that Matt was onto him. Or he could leave it and perhaps use it to his own advantage. It only took a moment to decide. He left it where it was and began the slow and deliberate elimination of all sensitive information from his workplace.
    Matt would treat the office and all within it as suspect.
    Â 
    An hour later, Matt admitted John to the secure communications bunker on base. Matt had an important call to make, and John Petit’s intelligence background and deep, personal family connection to the success of this team made him the most logical person to trust.
    The call was to no less than the admiral who was currently head of USSOCOM. He was the centralized authority over all Special Forces and the ultimate military authority where this mission was concerned, reporting directly to the president.
    The call connected, and Matt faced a large screen that showed the secure communications room at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. The admiral was there, alone. Just as there was nobody monitoring Matt’s side of the conversation except his invited guest, John. No techs. Nobody who wasn’t supposed to hear what was said here.
    The techs did their job connecting the call, then left. They also maintained the security of the equipment at all times. Matt had asked John to watch over the technician’s shoulder this morning before the call went through as an added layer of protection against eavesdropping and espionage. Matt was satisfied the call was as secure as he could make it.
    â€œSitrep,” the admiral barked without preliminaries.
    â€œSir, we have an internal security problem, which is why I requested this secure call. I found a listening device in my office.”
    â€œIf I may,” John interrupted, “I’m not surprised. Agency intel suspected a leak coming from Fort Bragg based on increased chatter from certain foreign intelligence outlets. Specifically among known agents of the Chinese military.”
    â€œAnd they’re talking about the contagion specifically?” the admiral cut in.
    â€œCan’t be one hundred percent sure, sir, since they’re careful to use code words. But there is a big sale being discussed. A sale of some kind of biomedical technology. Certain key names were mentioned in conjunction with the negotiations enough times to raise a few red flags.”
    â€œWho else knows about the intel?” the admiral asked sharply.
    â€œNo one, sir,” John replied. “I set up a computer search of the Internet and what phone conversations we have access to when I was read into this mission with results filtering directly to me. It’s standard enough it won’t raise any eyebrows and secure at the highest levels. I’m confident the data search is secure on the Agency end.”
    â€œCommander, needless to say, this is not good. Either get your house in order or I’ll find someone who can. Am I clear?”
    Matt felt anger stiffen his spine. “Clear, sir. I’ll take care of it. I wanted to be certain you were aware so that sensitive communications don’t go through my office. I plan on trapping the mole.”
    A gleam entered the admiral’s eye on the other end of the video monitor. The old man actually cracked a grin.
    â€œMisinformation can be a powerful tool as well.”
    â€œYes, sir,” Matt agreed with an answering grin. “I will be working all angles to uncover the extent of the rodent problem.”
    â€œGood. Keep me apprised. I’ll give you some leash on this, Commander, but wrap it up quickly. We can’t afford to let this go on too long. The information is too