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

Quinn smiled. “I ply them with expensive wines. Sometimes we’ll go dancing. I—”


“I’m not a date, Quinn. You don’t have to wine me or dine me.”


His smile faded. “No, I imagine not.”


“There is one thing you’d have to do, though.”


“Yes, Mark,” he said, utterly serious. “I want that. I want everything you’ve been describing to me tonight.”


I’d been playing, but I didn’t want to play anymore. I opened the door leading out to the fifth floor. “My place is right this way.”


Chapter 27