The CIA agent, Winters, sat in his chair. He continued to hold the chemical ice pack to his jaw. Beads of condensation ran down his neck.
Since Cody had appeared in the hallway, Winters hadn’t said a word to Goose. Maybe he was confident that Cody could get him released. Or he’s afraid, Goose thought. He didn’t know which.
Barnett stood behind Winters and leaned against the wall. His presence next to the smaller man remained a constant threat, but Winters didn’t acknowledge that either.
The CIA team was hiding something, Goose knew, and his mind kept prying at what it might be. Icarus’s abduction, the satellite phone call that might have precipitated the Syrian strike into Turkey, and the game of cat and mouse playing out through Sanliurfa’s war-torn streets danced through Goose’s mind.
Icarus was a key player. Keeping the rogue agent out of CIA hands was important for the moment.
“First Sergeant.”
Goose looked at the Ranger private manning the security station. “Yeah.”
“Captain Remington is here.” The private pointed at one of the screens.
Crossing the distance to the security desk, Goose looked at the screen. Electronics teams had moved some of the security cameras outside the building when they’d converted the hotel into a makeshift hospital. The fields of view overlapped so no blind spots existed.
Captain Remington stepped from the Hummer’s passenger seat and walked purposefully into the building. The private made the necessary adjustments to the camera feeds to stay with Remington.
Interest and a little trepidation thrummed inside Goose. The captain hadn’t mentioned that he planned on visiting the hospital.
Remington hadn’t communicated on the way over either. Usually the captain stayed with the nerve center even after the close action was finished. And usually nearly every move Remington made Goose knew ahead of time, either by knowing the man or by being kept informed.
Remington’s presence now was a surprise.
Somebody bumped the table stakes, Goose guessed. He hadn’t relayed the information that he had one of Cody’s agents in custody. That fact wasn’t a salient point during the battle for the city. Cody and his team were an internal problem, small when compared to the effort required to hold Sanliurfa.
Only Remington’s presence testified that wasn’t true. He wouldn’t have come to the hospital to inspect the wounded and the dead. That wasn’t his way. He would wait until the company officers made the reports their staff sergeants gave them.
Goose’s mind cleared as anticipation filled him. From over his shoulder he studied Winters. The CIA agent’s eyes showed bright hope. Catching Goose staring at him, the man smiled.
“Officer’s coming,” Barnett bawled. “Button it up and dust it off.”
The Rangers inside the security office attended to their attire out of habit.
Goose walked to the doorway and peered out.
Remington moved briskly down the hallway in stained BDUs. Enlisted saluted him as he approached. His jaw was a hard, clenched line.
“Captain,” Goose greeted, firing off a quick salute.
“First Sergeant,” Remington returned as he came to a halt in front of the door.
Goose noticed there was no immediate command of “at ease,” the way Remington normally handled their relationship. He stayed at attention as did the enlisted men around him and inside the security office.
“You’ve got a man in custody in this room, First Sergeant,” Remington said.
“Yes, sir,” Goose replied, keeping his eyes locked and level.
“Why wasn’t I informed?”
“Sir, this man’s arrest had nothing to do with the battle, sir.”
Goose replied in crisp tones, maintaining the complete professionalism Remington demanded.
“That was your assessment, First Sergeant?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And you chose not to bother me with this detail?”
“Sir, not while you were otherwise engaged in maintaining the safety of this post, sir.”
Remington gave a grudging nod. “Point taken, First Sergeant.”
“Yes, sir.”
Nodding toward Winters, Remington asked, “Have you identified this man?”
“He says his name is Winters, sir.”
“And who is Winters?”
“He won’t say, sir, but CIA Section Chief Alex Cody tells me the man belongs to him.”
Remington’s eyebrows lifted. “Cody did, did he?”
“Yes, sir. He asked that I remand Mr. Winters to his custody.”
“Asked, First Sergeant?”
“Captain, Section Chief Cody made it plain that he was dissatisfied with my reluctance to hand Mr. Winters over to him.”
“I suppose he would be.”
“Yes, sir.”
Remington studied Winters. From the corner of his eye, Goose noted that the CIA agent no longer looked as hopeful as he had.
“Have you seen this man before tonight, First Sergeant?”
“No, sir.”
“Do you believe that he is a CIA agent?”
Goose considered that, wondering if Remington knew something that he didn’t. “I decided that wasn’t my decision to make, Captain. Thought I’d leave it up to you.”
“You were holding Mr. Winters here for me.”
“Yes, sir. I planned to notify you of Mr. Winters’s arrest when you signaled an all clear.”
“Have you talked with Mr. Winters?”
“Mr. Winters is reluctant to talk, Captain.”
A cold, cruel smile spread across Remington’s lips. “All right, First Sergeant, I’ll take over.”
“Yes, sir.”
Remington stepped into the room. Barnett and the privates manning the security station remained at attention.
“At ease,” Remington said.
The enlisted men relaxed.
Goose followed Remington into the room, staying at the captain’s six almost two strides behind.
Remington turned around and locked eyes with Goose. “I’ll take it from here, First Sergeant.”
“Sir?” Goose stood his ground. As fatigued as he was, comprehension came slowly. He’d fully expected to be present while Remington dealt with the prisoner.
“You’re dismissed, First Sergeant. Get my squads back together and get the defense of this city back in shape. I want the security perimeter reestablished, and I want to know how badly we were hurt by that attack. And I need that information five minutes ago.”
Stung by the unexpected dismissal, Goose saluted. “Yes, sir.” He put the toe of one boot behind the other and executed an about-face that strained his injured knee. He kept his head up as he walked out of the room.
