The New Year of 2002 starts off with a literal bang, when Mark Vincent is called to WBIS headquarters and learns the Washington Bureau of Intelligence and Security has been disbanded. He's not happy with the situation, but he's ready to make his own way in the intelligence waters of DC. However, when Trevor Wallace, known as The Boss, requests he accept the CIA's offer of a job, Mark reluctantly agrees. He isn't surprised to find working for the CIA is exactly what he expected, with the Company not allowing him to do his job. Mark lets his resentment be known as he's partnered with one officer after another, with no success. As a result, he's determined to leave the CIA, in spite of his promise to the man whose opinion he valued so highly.<br><br>Quinton Mann is viewed as royalty in the intelligence community. He had a run-in with Mark Vincent a few years before, while Vincent was still senior special agent for the WBIS, and Quinn had developed a healthy respect for him. Now, however, it's his turn to partner with the man considered by the alphabet agencies to be a sociopath.<br><br>Quinn can see what the problem is, and he's aware Vincent might not remain CIA for long. Now, the year is drawing to a close. Will a drink on Christmas Eve change things for both men?

No One Should Be Alone

My secretary wasn’t at her desk in the outer office, but that didn’t surprise me either. None of the support staff were required to work on any of the major holidays. Most of the agents and directors weren’t either, but I hadn’t achieved the position of senior special agent by taking the odd day off. As far as I was concerned, I was always on the clock.


I pulled up my chair and turned on my computer, but instead of the wallpaper with Robert Sperling’s face in a bull’s-eye coming up—I’d lost good men because of that shit, and one day I’d make him pay in spades—a Word document opened.


By order of the President of the United States of America:


As of this date, the Washington Bureau of Intelligence and Security has been disbanded, and your services will no longer be required.


It was signed by the CEO of Huntingdon Corporation.


“What the fuck?” I wasn’t buying this. I stormed up to Trevor Wallace’s office on the tenth floor.


Chapter 5