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

“You got it! Two Glenfiddiches, coming right up.” The bartender turned to get the bottle and poured two fingers each into a couple of scotch glasses, then set them down on the bar.


I reached for my wallet, and Mark put a hand on my arm. “I’ve got this one, Quinn.”


“You want to run a tab?” Scotty asked.


Mark glanced around the crowded bar. “Not tonight.” He handed him a twenty. “Keep it.”


I waited until Mark had lifted his glass, and then raised my own and tapped it lightly against his. “Merry Christmas, Mark.”


I sipped. This was a malt whiskey to be savored. Mark seemed intent on savoring it as well. His eyes were closed and there was a slight smile on his face. The hard expression he usually wore was gone, and he looked more at ease and younger than I could remember seeing him in the past year.


Chapter 20