Arctic Wargame (Justin Hall # 1) Read Online Free Page B

She brings years of experience in similar missions.”
    Justin wanted to blurt out his thoughts. What great assistance? Their satellite was barely functional, and she’s giving us nothing else. Maybe she can cough up more details, as CSE receives them. But if she has already made up her mind these icebreakers are Russian, how can she be impartial?
    Justin knew from previous missions that as a career pencil-pusher, Johnson had perfected the inter-departmental game of favors and back-scratching. Assigning the colonel to the investigation team meant the credit for resolving this case would go to both agencies, proving Johnson’s competence in forging strong cooperation. But the colonel would serve as the scapegoat, single-handedly responsible for a potential failure of the operation. Johnson was covering all angles.
    “And because of the sensitivity of this mission,” Johnson continued, “and CIS’s increased concerns about our interaction with our citizens, I’m adding the counsel to this mission. She’ll provide her expertise during questioning of witnesses and collecting their testimonies.” She gave Anna a nod.
    Justin looked up in time to catch Anna’s smile. Her eyes resembled a splendid sunrise over a calm ocean, with glitters of sun rays sparkling off the water’s surface. She’s so excited, as if making the cheerleading team. Justin suppressed a grin. Poor girl doesn’t know what she’s getting into.
    Johnson looked at Justin. “You’ll be in charge of this operation.”
    His heart pounded in his chest. The opportunity for a field mission was finally in his hand. “You’ve got it, boss.”
    Johnson said, “Carrie will assist you in gathering evidence about these ghost ships.”
    Carrie nodded after two long seconds, which under the circumstances was a considerable delay.
    Johnson ignored Carrie’s passive objection and returned her gaze to Justin. “I expect this team to cooperate fully with Joint Task Force North and its Rangers in carrying out this operation. The Arctic is under their jurisdiction.” Johnson tapped a folder with her index finger and pushed it toward Justin. “In addition to maps and pictures of the area, here’s a list of useful contacts, Rangers, and local chiefs. Trustworthy sources who have proven themselves during our operations in the North.”
    Justin browsed through the folder, his eyes running through names and pictures, searching for a familiar face. Johnson was assigning him a sensitive mission, with two strangers, whose credentials were yet to be tested in the frigid Arctic environment. The support of a former partner would be extremely valuable.
    He stopped on the fourth page and smiled. A middle-aged man with thin lips and a thinner line of gray moustache, a long, curved nose, a pointed chin, and almond-shaped brown eyes smiled from the portrait. Justin did not need to check the name of the Canadian Ranger typed under the portrait. The friendly face had refreshed his memory. “Kiawak Kusugak,” he mumbled, “it’s been a while.”
    Justin locked eyes with Carrie, reassuring her with a quick wink. Unnoticed by Johnson, who was writing on her notebook, the wink was caught by Alisha, who replied with a slick grin. I don’t want to be an outsider, Justin translated her grin. I’ll work my way to the inner circle.
    “Sounds perfect.” He closed the folder and looked at Johnson. “I’ll contact JTFN right away and talk to one of their Rangers.”
    “I’m sure there’s no need to remind you about the importance of this mission,” Johnson said in an almost solemn tone. “It’s a time-sensitive priority, but the need for secrecy trumps the need for a hasty completion. We’re keeping this very low-profile. The populations of Ellesmere and Baffin are quite low, but the potential for mudslinging is still incredible, especially if things get out of hand. I don’t want to be accused of interference or pressuring the locals into cooperation. This mission should