“I get it,” Hawk said. “That doesn’t make it any easier though.”
“Your paths will cross one day,” Blunt said. “And when they do, I’m sure you’ll be ready to bring the killer to justice. In the meantime, we have to stay vigilant and courageous as we battle on against these forces wreaking havoc on our country.”
Alex gave Hawk’s hand a squeeze before she scooted back in her seat. Hawk forced a smile as he looked at her. Then he mouthed a “thank you” to her before she smiled back.
“My mother used to talk about courage all the time,” Hawk said. “She told me that without courage, I’m just an average person trying to survive in life. But she used to tell me all the time, ‘Brady, be brave. Be extraordinary.’ She was the first person to believe in me like that—and now she’s gone. I can hardly stomach the thought, knowing that I’m somehow to blame for all of this. She didn’t ask to be hunted down and gutted by some coward just to try to get at me. She was a good woman.”
“A great woman,” Blunt said.
Hawk nodded. “Well, the best way for me to honor her legacy is to keep doing what she urged me to do, which was to follow my passion for helping others.”
“That’s something you’re damn good at,” Blunt said.
He stopped and turned his attention to the television on the back wall. Snatching the remote from the center of the table, Blunt turned the volume up as a reporter shared the details about the government’s new focus on centralizing intelligence to better protect the American people.
“Many here on Capitol Hill are calling next week's dedication of the National Security Complex near Langley, Virginia to be one of the most well-attended events of the year from parties on both sides of the aisle,” reported Lindsay Baker. “This bi-partisan effort serves as a reminder of the power of Congress when representatives put aside their party ideology and do what's best for the country. State officials from all branches will be on hand for the ceremony that marks the dawn of a new era in the way the United States intelligence community gathers information. The NSC will be the hub for every intelligence agency under the auspices of the U.S. government, both civilian and military.”
Blunt shook his head and chuckled. “The dawn of a new era? Just cram everyone into one building, and suddenly the public will think your country is safer.”
“We weren’t invited to join them in their shiny new building, were we?” Alex asked.
“We don’t exist, remember?” Blunt said with a wink. “The Phoenix Foundation officially helps with policy, not actual intelligence gathering and logistical security.”
Linda, Blunt’s secretary, rapped on the outside of the door. “Pardon the interruption, sir, but you have a call on line one from CIA Deputy Director Al White. He said he needs to speak with you and it’s urgent.”
Hawk bolted upright in his chair. “White wants to speak with you? I thought Fortner had a closed loop on who knew about us.”
“Apparently, the loop has expanded,” Blunt said before turning to his secretary. “Thanks, Linda. I’ll take the call in here.”
Blunt waited until Linda shut the door before he answered the phone. “It’s been a long time, Al.”
“The last time I saw you was at your supposed funeral,” White said with his thick South Carolina drawl. “But only one of us showed up.”
“Sorry for all the trouble and pain,” Blunt said. “It was, unfortunately, necessary for me to disappear.”
White laughed. “Don’t worry, J.D. I didn’t shed any tears. I was just wondering if you were going to bequeath me that signed Nolan Ryan baseball in your office.”
“I’ve got something better. How about we go hunting with him the next time you’re in Texas.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“Well, Al, I wanted to let you know that you’re on speaker with a couple of members of my team here—and I’m sure you didn’t call to just catch up.”
“Certainly not, though I did just learn about your organization about a week ago in a meeting.”
Blunt scowled. “Only Fortner and one other special agent were supposed to know what we’re up to here at the Phoenix Foundation. Who told you?”
“Fortner let it slip in a meeting with several other department heads last week.”
“That’s unusual,” Blunt said. “He’s careful to avoid disclosing any intel like that.”
“Well, we were discussing our options in handling an issue down in South America with a drug lord who has moved into the illegal arms sales business. This particular guy happened to be the brother of the country’s president and we couldn’t handle things how we normally do. So he suggested an alternative method, which was your foundation.”
“Wonderful,” Blunt said. “The last thing we need is for everyone figuring out the true nature of what we do here.”
“I wouldn’t worry about it,” White said. “It was only Casper, Riggins, and Mitchell in the meeting.”
“I always worry about Henry Riggins,” Blunt said. “He was a thorn in my side when I served in the Senate.”
“Riggins is harmless.”
Blunt knit his brow and tapped his pen on the table. “So, did you just call me to tell me that the cat’s out of the bag? Or is there something else you wanted to discuss?”
“No, there is a reason for my call. I wanted to let you know that we received a curious communiqué last night from the Middle East that I thought you might be interested in.”
“One of my good friends over there wanting my address so he could send me a Christmas card?” Blunt said with a chuckle.
“This one had to do with a proposed prisoner exchange from a source we verified that works with Al Fatihin. Can you list your roster of agents for me?”
“Come on, Al. You know that’s classified. Only Fortner, a special agent, and the president know who’s working here in
