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

I checked my watch, then began a mental countdown.


It was three minutes this time before she popped back in. She seemed disconcerted to find I hadn’t moved. “I…er…”


“If you want to stay and keep an eye on the office, make sure I don’t slip anything into my pocket, that’s fine with me. Take a load off.”


She turned bright red but said coolly, “Thanks, I think I will.”


“Does Mann know you’re willing to put your life on the line for him?”


“Not every secretary would be willing to stand between me and her boss.”


“I’m his personal assistant. And I don’t know what you’re talking about.”


“Don’t you?” Everyone in this hellhole knew my reputation. “You mean a memo wasn’t sent around when I started to work here?”


Her color, which had been receding, became high again.


“Look, you don’t have to worry about me shaking down Mann’s office. Unless he’s got a stash of porn in his desk, there’s nothing in it I want to see.”


Chapter 15