Fated Identity (Red Star #6) Read Online Free
Telfer stated bluntly, cutting to the chase and giving Brienne what she needed to know. Her career as a covert agent for the CIA was officially over. “We’re doing what we can to locate the source of the leak, but you’ll be placed on administrative leave as the board reviews the damage this has caused to your current caseload, as well as to the other agents involved on your desk. You know the process and we’ll…”
Administrative leave. Brienne suppressed the manic laugh that built within her as SSA Telfer continued to outline her immediate future. Her employment—the very thing she’d invested her life in—within any branch of the United States government was now tainted. She was going to be terminated because of a simple article written in a Pakistan newspaper and there wasn’t a thing she could do to change that. She would deal with the emotional fallout in private. Right now, there were things that needed to be addressed and she would handle it like the definitive professional she was.
“I will turn over all of my files for…”
Three hours. That was how long it took Brienne to delegate her current caseload and her life’s work over to her desk’s executive replacement within her section’s hierarchy. She hadn’t allowed herself to comprehend the raw emotion burning inside of her or to acknowledge the compassion her associates were trying to convey. She would have completely come undone had she permitted anything other than maintaining a distant demeanor.
It was only when she was by herself that she leaned against her office door for support and laid a hand over her chest to prevent the physical pain from becoming overbearing. All she needed now was the courage to walk out of the Company with her head held high.
“Are you ready to leave?” Grady asked from his position by the window, only turning toward her after he’d spoken. It surprised her to find determination within his dark eyes instead of sympathy. His appearance was as immaculate now as it had been this morning and his composure was something to envy. It wasn’t until he continued his train of thought that she understood the reason why. “We need to get in touch with Catori Starr. She has the contacts we need to take care of your problem.”
Chapter Three
‡
T he long, flat ride through downtown Washington D.C. was made in silence. Traffic was at the usual near stall rate, held up by the ever-present red stoplights and eternal flow of jaywalkers. The annoying sounds of car horns and shrilling brakes being applied too quickly were muffled by the premium ride package of his Mercedes-Maybach S600. The smell of vehicle exhaust was minimized by the cabin fragrance system injected through the vents as other vehicles crowded around, trying to cut in front of one another, jousting for position. These city people were like well-oiled machines as they gathered at the intersections waiting for the crosswalk lights to turn, allowing them to move in a somewhat staggered line.
City life. It wasn’t for everyone.
It could raise anyone’s blood pressure.
Grady gripped the Napa leather-wrapped steering wheel harder than necessary. It was better than the alternative. He wanted nothing more than to reach over the center console and hold Brienne’s hand to let her know everything was going to be all right.
It wasn’t.
At least, her professional life wouldn’t be anything like it had been before. As for her personal life…well, she’d stated she wanted that to change as well. It wasn’t fair to bring up their relationship given the extraordinary events that had transpired since her personal revelation. His brooding platitudes regarding her current situation weren’t going to be welcome.
“What exactly do you think Starr can do to rectify my situation, Grady?” Brienne asked, her steady voice cutting through the relative silence of the car.
Grady admired Brienne’s ability to keep her composure under the mounting stress, but then
Administrative leave. Brienne suppressed the manic laugh that built within her as SSA Telfer continued to outline her immediate future. Her employment—the very thing she’d invested her life in—within any branch of the United States government was now tainted. She was going to be terminated because of a simple article written in a Pakistan newspaper and there wasn’t a thing she could do to change that. She would deal with the emotional fallout in private. Right now, there were things that needed to be addressed and she would handle it like the definitive professional she was.
“I will turn over all of my files for…”
Three hours. That was how long it took Brienne to delegate her current caseload and her life’s work over to her desk’s executive replacement within her section’s hierarchy. She hadn’t allowed herself to comprehend the raw emotion burning inside of her or to acknowledge the compassion her associates were trying to convey. She would have completely come undone had she permitted anything other than maintaining a distant demeanor.
It was only when she was by herself that she leaned against her office door for support and laid a hand over her chest to prevent the physical pain from becoming overbearing. All she needed now was the courage to walk out of the Company with her head held high.
“Are you ready to leave?” Grady asked from his position by the window, only turning toward her after he’d spoken. It surprised her to find determination within his dark eyes instead of sympathy. His appearance was as immaculate now as it had been this morning and his composure was something to envy. It wasn’t until he continued his train of thought that she understood the reason why. “We need to get in touch with Catori Starr. She has the contacts we need to take care of your problem.”
Chapter Three
‡
T he long, flat ride through downtown Washington D.C. was made in silence. Traffic was at the usual near stall rate, held up by the ever-present red stoplights and eternal flow of jaywalkers. The annoying sounds of car horns and shrilling brakes being applied too quickly were muffled by the premium ride package of his Mercedes-Maybach S600. The smell of vehicle exhaust was minimized by the cabin fragrance system injected through the vents as other vehicles crowded around, trying to cut in front of one another, jousting for position. These city people were like well-oiled machines as they gathered at the intersections waiting for the crosswalk lights to turn, allowing them to move in a somewhat staggered line.
City life. It wasn’t for everyone.
It could raise anyone’s blood pressure.
Grady gripped the Napa leather-wrapped steering wheel harder than necessary. It was better than the alternative. He wanted nothing more than to reach over the center console and hold Brienne’s hand to let her know everything was going to be all right.
It wasn’t.
At least, her professional life wouldn’t be anything like it had been before. As for her personal life…well, she’d stated she wanted that to change as well. It wasn’t fair to bring up their relationship given the extraordinary events that had transpired since her personal revelation. His brooding platitudes regarding her current situation weren’t going to be welcome.
“What exactly do you think Starr can do to rectify my situation, Grady?” Brienne asked, her steady voice cutting through the relative silence of the car.
Grady admired Brienne’s ability to keep her composure under the mounting stress, but then
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