readying himself for the next question.
***
Michelle’s boots clicked on the red bricks as she walked to the dining hall at a brisk pace. She’d spent the afternoon doing one of her occasional lectures at Georgetown University, but a flurry of student questions had made her late for a coffee date. She hated being late. The lectures were just part of the façade of legitimacy that all of the senior staff at the Foundation had to have, but they also helped with her campaign.
She looked back over her shoulder and smiled at the sight of Andrei Shadd. Though he kept a respectable distance, she had no doubt that she was well protected. Given the likelihood of a second attempt on her life by Anton, she’d made a habit of having one of the Czech brothers in tow whenever she was out. The brothers were part of the dark work that the Foundation did. There was a cell in each major US state and some foreign countries, each responsible for agitation, low-level terrorism and whatever else needed doing. Beyond that, there was an investment branch that sponsored overseas subversives, and a wet squad of ex-special forces guys. The light side was a think tank, well funded and politically hyperactive. It was involved in everything from presidential campaigns to policy advocacy and research. It looked and acted every bit the legitimate organization. It also carried a lot of punch in Washington.
As she neared the door of the Leo J. O’Donovan Dining Hall, she rubbed her hands together, trying to coax some warmth back into them. She took out her cell phone, and fired off a quick text to Andrei. I’ll need some privacy, Andrei. No interruptions unless someone hits the big red button. A glance was all it took to see he understood. She entered the hall.
The room was abuzz with the evening undergrad rush, each seeking a slice of pizza or equally dismal fare. The tables were full with groups of students eating or doing work on their laptops. There was very little spare space, and Michelle was worried that she’d missed her appointment. She paused and looked around, then nearly jumped into the air when someone placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Sorry.” Sarah McDowell flashed her white teeth and held out a cup. The dimples on her cheeks were pronounced and she was pleased with herself. “Couldn’t resist.”
Michelle took the coffee from Sarah with a smile and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. “Hey, Sarah, how’s it going?”
Sarah turned and nodded back toward the door. “Alright. Thought I’d get us some takeaways. It’s crazy in here.”
Michelle nodded. “Hey, tough break for your dad today.”
The younger woman frowned, and Michelle realized she’d need to be careful. Even though Sarah McDowell seemingly took very little interest in the professional affairs of her father and his business empire, she was still a loving and loyal daughter. Michelle risked poisoning the well of opportunity with misplaced words.
“They didn’t give him a chance.” Sarah pushed the door open and Michelle followed her outside. “He’s going to get crucified.”
Michelle glanced toward Andrei, who’d had the foresight to sit well away from the dining hall. “How many days of questioning does he have?”
Sarah brushed her blond hair behind her head. “At least a couple, his assistant tells me. Peter isn’t usually wrong.”
They walked together in silence for a few moments, past the law building and toward the center of the Georgetown campus. While parts of her plan were ticking along nicely, her efforts to recruit McDowell to her cause had been a massive failure. For now, at least. The inquiry had been hotter than she’d expected, so she retained some hope.
Sarah broke the silence. “How was your lecture?”
“It was alright. First time I’ve spoken on terrorism since my PhD, so I think I was a bit rusty. But they had an appetite for it, given everything that’s happening in China.”
Sarah nodded and frowned. “What was the
***
Michelle’s boots clicked on the red bricks as she walked to the dining hall at a brisk pace. She’d spent the afternoon doing one of her occasional lectures at Georgetown University, but a flurry of student questions had made her late for a coffee date. She hated being late. The lectures were just part of the façade of legitimacy that all of the senior staff at the Foundation had to have, but they also helped with her campaign.
She looked back over her shoulder and smiled at the sight of Andrei Shadd. Though he kept a respectable distance, she had no doubt that she was well protected. Given the likelihood of a second attempt on her life by Anton, she’d made a habit of having one of the Czech brothers in tow whenever she was out. The brothers were part of the dark work that the Foundation did. There was a cell in each major US state and some foreign countries, each responsible for agitation, low-level terrorism and whatever else needed doing. Beyond that, there was an investment branch that sponsored overseas subversives, and a wet squad of ex-special forces guys. The light side was a think tank, well funded and politically hyperactive. It was involved in everything from presidential campaigns to policy advocacy and research. It looked and acted every bit the legitimate organization. It also carried a lot of punch in Washington.
As she neared the door of the Leo J. O’Donovan Dining Hall, she rubbed her hands together, trying to coax some warmth back into them. She took out her cell phone, and fired off a quick text to Andrei. I’ll need some privacy, Andrei. No interruptions unless someone hits the big red button. A glance was all it took to see he understood. She entered the hall.
The room was abuzz with the evening undergrad rush, each seeking a slice of pizza or equally dismal fare. The tables were full with groups of students eating or doing work on their laptops. There was very little spare space, and Michelle was worried that she’d missed her appointment. She paused and looked around, then nearly jumped into the air when someone placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Sorry.” Sarah McDowell flashed her white teeth and held out a cup. The dimples on her cheeks were pronounced and she was pleased with herself. “Couldn’t resist.”
Michelle took the coffee from Sarah with a smile and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. “Hey, Sarah, how’s it going?”
Sarah turned and nodded back toward the door. “Alright. Thought I’d get us some takeaways. It’s crazy in here.”
Michelle nodded. “Hey, tough break for your dad today.”
The younger woman frowned, and Michelle realized she’d need to be careful. Even though Sarah McDowell seemingly took very little interest in the professional affairs of her father and his business empire, she was still a loving and loyal daughter. Michelle risked poisoning the well of opportunity with misplaced words.
“They didn’t give him a chance.” Sarah pushed the door open and Michelle followed her outside. “He’s going to get crucified.”
Michelle glanced toward Andrei, who’d had the foresight to sit well away from the dining hall. “How many days of questioning does he have?”
Sarah brushed her blond hair behind her head. “At least a couple, his assistant tells me. Peter isn’t usually wrong.”
They walked together in silence for a few moments, past the law building and toward the center of the Georgetown campus. While parts of her plan were ticking along nicely, her efforts to recruit McDowell to her cause had been a massive failure. For now, at least. The inquiry had been hotter than she’d expected, so she retained some hope.
Sarah broke the silence. “How was your lecture?”
“It was alright. First time I’ve spoken on terrorism since my PhD, so I think I was a bit rusty. But they had an appetite for it, given everything that’s happening in China.”
Sarah nodded and frowned. “What was the
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