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

“Holmes really has it in for you.” Was DB changing the subject?


The DCI Threat Analysis had stepped into my director’s shoes when Bram Rayner had taken some leave to help his wife after she’d given birth to a child Mother’s generation would have called a change-of-life baby.


“No, I don’t think it’s me personally. He’s simply trying to find the right fit for Vincent.”


“Dammit, he’s not trying very hard, Quinn.”


“Oh, I’m not under any illusion that this is to be anything other than a punishment assignment for me. Holmes is riding roughshod over everyone.”


“Yeah, and no one says a fucking thing.”


“He does have friends in the Administration.” As a result, the officers in Threat Analysis had no choice but to suck it up.


And now it seemed the rest of us had no choice either.


Except for Vincent, of course. Word had it when Holmes threatened him with demotion, Vincent had smirked and sneered, “I’m working for the CIA. How much fucking lower can I go?”


Chapter 10