Work has been different lately and not in a good way. The past 8 months I have had too many close calls when out in the field. That goes for my team members as well, I lost one member two months ago, and then another a few days ago.
These past 4 operations I was given were supposed to be quick easy in, bug, surveillance and then easy out. 'Moderate' security for the areas and low amount of feet on the ground on their end. Instead it's been a major headache with more security and our maps of cameras and surveillance was outdated because they tended to have twice the amount or were placed in different areas.
All of our bad information tends to come from or through the INL office in Panama, the same office under the prick who's ego is too big for his head. The same one who would have probably left me and my team to die, if he had been able to get the intelligence that he wanted. Oh man, this will not be easy, but it's better than losing anymore people over bad intel.
After I lost the last team member, I've decided to go to the National Security Council about it. If the we're being fed bad information from an international agency that's supposed to be working with us, we may have a bigger problem on our hands. Only two are physically here for the meeting, others are all watching via secured video servers up on computer screens. This is different, but at least they're willing to talk to me, even though I have been asked several times to join, I've declined. I can make better use of the curse as an officer than a damn string puller. They don't pull my strings, but they sure do push my buttons.....
"Special Activities Division Head Officer Sin, we have officers that unfortunately die on these specific operations all the time! You of all people should know this. It's happened to you numerous times." One of the lovely council members is doing their best to be condescending to me through a computer screen...
"Yes, Sir, I know this, but do you know how many times I've died for this country? How many more times I will and willingly do so?" I retorted.
"I'm unaware of how many times exactly, but my point is, if you were not gifted you would not have made it here today." The brave screen councilman belittles 76 years of service?
'The fact that you're just on a screen is the only reason you're even saying that. Grrrr.... ' Dang I wish I was on the council right now. I'd be fucking your shit up. I'm thinking to myself how I'm going to tell this guy off when he's cut off by one of the actual physical attendants.
"Officer Sin, I, personally feel the same way that you do, this is ridiculous that our information has been out of date or incorrect coming in from that office. However, when our informants go missing as well, there's not much we can do since they can not attest the accuracy of the information. There is nothing we can do except send in the one officer who can get the job done and always come back home alive." He pauses a moment and continues.
"Which is You, which means your team is at risk, but that's part of the job description when you all decided to become officers. The loss of officers and agents happens and is not a reason to request an audience with us, which I know you are well aware of." The council member speaking gives me a frustrated look over the situation not necessarily at me.
Well, I guess I'll have to clarify my point then....
"Sir, I'm upset about losing my fellow officers but that is not my biggest concern, nor the reason, for asking for an audience. I would like to add that, yes, I will always be the one who gets to come home alive from these missions. What it doesn't mean is that over 76 years of service that I would not remember every stab, gunshot, broken bone and violation of my person and those who were lost as a member of my team." I look at ever single face before I continue.
"The information from the agents coming through a particular office that has been giving us the intelligence, is my focus for concern. The informants go missing, they're dead, or the information is wrong, out of date."
"All of it we tend to receive after someone else has seen it as well. INL for example blacked out parts of transcripts and some pages are just missing altogether that were from our agents. The same ones who went missing or are dead, they have just so happened to meet with an INL officer and they gave them this information days before they disappear? How coincidental some would say it's becoming rather convenient too."
"Then INL takes it upon themselves to black out information, destroy parts of it, and then gives us the crumbs. I think it's worth looking into it and seeing if or what they are trying to hide. We can't work with agencies or even people that want to be the wolf in sheep clothing. I hope I am wrong on this matter for that means bigger issues for the security of this nation. but I will not turn a blind eye to so many red flags that continuously pop up." I stop hoping my point has been made.
"Officer Sin, we know that you have dedicated more years then we are alive to the service and protection of our country. No one denies the atrocities that you and others have experienced or have to live with. I trust your judgement and I believe we should give you the opportunity to observe and collect evidence of any nature to support or devalue your concerns."
'Wow, they're openly supporting me.' I think to myself.
"However, if it is a field operation, unless a team is needed and you have them as willing volunteers, you shall go in solo. Otherwise, your team will remain behind and only go in if they can accept that they will be denied in all aspects by our government if caught and their identity is compromised. This of course will result in torture and more often then not death."
"Council they already accept that before we ever leave the states for all missions." I interjected.
"I'm not finished Officer Sin."
"My apologies."
"Thank you, if they are caught, however, they will not be honored on the wall, unless you get the necessary proof to justify the operation. Only with that proof will they be given the honor and recognition on the wall. There will be no rescue from the United States government, not even for you, Officer Sin if you are caught and captured unless we receive proof."
"Then I better not get caught, so I can make sure I am able to prove to you that your trust in my intuition is rightly placed on this matter."
"Indeed Officer Sin, I hope you do. I will make sure the complete outlines of your restrictions and responsibilities are sent to your office. You're dismissed from this meeting."
"Thank you, Council." I turn to leave and the Council member who backed me calls my name.
"Oh and Officer Sin."
"Yes, Sir."
"Try not to get caught, we don't want an international scandal going on or your secret getting out."
I nod and leave to head back to my office and start pulling up everything I can to link the dots. So far I have received enough information to begin investigating the office of the asshole down in Panama.
'Damn, I wonder how happy he'll be to see me again?" I grimace at the thought. I send a short memo with the necessary information out to the team members that I know are trust worthy and good in the field. They have a month to think it over, after I find out who's with me I'll give them the rest of the information.
Just when I thought the hard part of my day was over I see a familiar face running down the hall towards my office.
Next thing I know Head Director Lewis comes into my office, huffing out of breath like he just ran 4 flights of stairs, "Sin, Lacroix, Hospital, kid." He gasped out.
"Which hospital?!" I ask frantically grabbing my bag and keys.
"UCSD!" Lewis gets out, "they're heading to ER!" He yells at my disappearing figure.
.....
I was there in 20 minutes, freaking out since no one was answering their cell phones. So I gave Moll a call to see if she knew what was going on.
"Auntie, M." Moll was crying over the phone.
"Moll what happened?! Are they ALIVE? I don't know what's going on. I'm at the hospital where can I find you?" I am now on an adrenaline high, my heart is beating like crazy, my breathing is quick and short, my body is starting to sweat, and I'm running to the damn ER entrance.
"Room 312 West."
I change route and head to normal entrance for visitors, running full speed.
Since I had the room number, I headed in towards the halls only to be stopped by security, so I can be signed in with a visitor pass. After taking 5 minutes to sign me in and get my sticker, I'm pointed in the right direction and take off running.
I'm so glad I'm not a nurse anymore. They make these damn hospitals worse then a rat maze and all the hallways look the same in the room areas, so if you miss a sign, you have to back track.
Thankfully I got through, only back tracking once and that was just around a corner.
Room 312 West.
"312 west" I'm repeating it like it's my mantra as I check the room numbers.
I arrive and hurry through the door after a quick tap tap tap. I open the door to see Cass, laid up in the bed with a temporary cast on his right leg and bandages on his arms, hands, as well as across both cheeks.
Next to him in the other bed is John, left arm in a temporary cast as well with bandages on his chest and head . Monitors beeped and pulsed that were hooked to them with IV's and they seemed to be resting.
"Auntie Mary, Oh thank goodness. John had picked up Cass from class cause I was stuck in traffic after getting late out of my meeting. Mark is in Dubai still. They had said they were going to surprise you at work with something and they had just pulled on to the street in front of your office and a van ran a red and nailed them coming off the freeway exit. ..."
She took a couple of breaths, "If they had been driving a newer car they'd be dead, thank god for the fact they were driving an older car...." she trailed off.
"An older car?"My heart stops, did they take the Aston today?
"Moll, you're going to give her a heart attack telling only half the story like that." John groaned sitting up.
"John. Are you okay? Where are you hurt?" I rush to his side looking him over and I kiss him hard, not believing that it was such a close call today. "I don't care if the Aston is ruined, as long as you both are alive." I let him know I don't care, it's just a silly car.
"We were not in the Aston, Sin. Cass and I had pitched together to get you a surprise, but the surprise was ruined unfortunately for you."
He smiles a little sadly and while I caress his cheek he continues, "Cass and I got you a 1940 Hudson, the car that you wish you still had from your pictures at the house. We had been working on this for a year, we just got it out of the shop."
John looked at Cass and nodded to him.
"Cass is one lucky kid the glass shattered from the rear and side window where the van hit us. The van tagged us on the passenger side rear end making us spin even more into him. Glass flew everywhere and bounced off everything and the car bent in on the passenger side. Cass had covered his eyes when he saw the van was going to hit us. The glass cut his hands and cheeks up but his eyes were not hurt. Thankfully the car bending in like it did only broke Cass's leg, if we'd been in my Lincoln we'd probably be dead."
"I hit my head on the driver window and broke my arm at the same time, plus the glass got me real good on my back, side and chest." He lifted his arms and sat forward to show me the bandages for all the areas that had been cut up from the glass.
I covered my mouth from the anxiety that was building up, all over what could and almost did happen. I walk over to Cass and take a closer look, he's pretty cut up and bandaged well.
"Sin, we were right out front of our office building and no one had arrived yet. Cass not knowing got me out of the car with a broken leg. With his hands all full of glass, he pulled my semi-conscious body, mind you, after securing my neck with his jacket and the broken armrest foam insert. I found this out once the paramedics arrived." He added really praising Cass.
"That's how I got the glass in my chest, he didn't want to injure my neck and had to drag me at an angle out of the car window. Director Lewis and others who saw the accident or spotted us from the parking lot showed up and that's when I was coming to. Cass told him to tell you what happened and once the ambulance showed up he went to you and we were off."
"Yeah Lewis came in like he'd run a marathon and barely got out that you were in this hospital." I told him.
John nodded and continued, "In the ambulance he was sitting with a broken leg not a murmur in protest until we got to the ER and had to get down. The EMT saw the odd shape bulge and had him stay until another stretcher arrived. If he had hopped down his femur bone probably would have jutted out through his leg. They were stunned to say the least that he had got up in the vehicle after pulling me out of the wreck."
Moll started crying and quietly praising Cass, "My brave, lad. My strong, brave, son. I love you." as she gently held his hand.
"Mum, stop with the water works, please. I need to rest for surgery in a few hours and can't have any more pain meds till the anesthesia nurse comes here. Doc said it was shock and adrenaline that got me to pull John out and that I probably shifted the bone when I got into the ambulance. I love you mum, but really I'm alright." He got her to nod and she went out to collect herself and call Mark.
Cass tiredly looking at me gave me a regretful smile.
"Sorry about your Hudson, Sin. We can't fix it unfortunately, it's totaled. That van was in a lot worse shape though. Did the guy make it or do we know yet?"
I shook my head not knowing with my hands up and gave him a kiss on the forehead.
"I'm sorry I didn't get to appreciate it either, but if it saved both of your lives, I feel that it was well worth whatever price you paid." I smiled warmly at them both.
Just then a doctor came in and gives me a look, "I'm sorry ma'am I have to do a procedure here and I can't have you here in the room while I do it. It shouldn't take long and you may rejoin them as soon as I take my leave."
I nod and stand out side the door as a nurse walks in with a tray of items. A few minutes later I hear a cry of protest from Cass, a firm sound from John, then just muffled talking. The nurse comes out carrying the tray now full of samples for the lab.
The doctor walks out shortly and gives me a sad smile and walks away.
'Weird, do I look that anxious out here?'
I go back in and Cass has his arms crossed over his chest and looks upset.
"What happened? Did it hurt Cass?" I ask seeing his demeanor.
"I hate doctors and hospitals." Cass says sounding childish.
"Cass you're 14, soon going to be 15, you're going to have to trust me when I say somethings are better if you just let them do it the way they feel they need to." John gives him a firm look and tone.
"Fine." He says arms still folded and looking away.
"By the way, Sin, I'm just waiting on discharge paperwork, It's only a hairline break with my arm so they said the temporary cast is fine. I just need to come back in a week or so to check how its healing." John says putting his bare legs over the edge of the bed.
"Can you put on some clothes, John. Heavens Mercy!" Moll came in at that time to only turn around and walk out. "At least pull the curtain." she piped in from out of the room.
We all kind of started to snicker and chuckle, Cass burst out laughing and we all joined as Moll egged it on.
"Sure laugh at me, I donna care ta see what John hides innes underwear, ya ken." Moll's Scottish accent came dripping out and I swore I heard Sarah. My heart hitched a beat in my chest and ached for her memory.
"Okay Moll, I'll hide his YARD O' BEEF from your eyes!" I call out emphasizing what she was most embarrassed about.
"Auntie Mary, You can be a downright shameless sometimes." She counters.
I smile down at John and he's redder then a tomato.
"Yard O' Beef? Really. Sin." He shakes his head and stands up to get his pants on.
"Moll, my bits are covered!" He calls out to her.
She walks in slightly embarrassed and he returns the awkward smile.
"Mark is catching the next flight back he can, Cass. He's, I'm sorry, WE'RE taking some time off so we can be together as you heal."
"Ah, Mum you didn't have to do that. I thought I was going to get to hang out at John and Sin's place to heal! John was saying he was hoping she would wear a nurses outfit and everything to take care of him, I want to see what she looked like in her old nurses uniform and see how good of a nurse she is other than taking splinters out!" Cass whined not realizing what John actually had meant when he had said that.
Moll was looking appalled and I was stupefied looking at Cass, then Moll, then John. John was sheepishly looking away scratching behind his ear, giving us a nervous laugh.
"Did he now?" I finally say. "News to me, I thought I was Nurse Ratchet."
"John Lacroix, What the hell is wrong with you!" Moll said coming over and smacking his good arm and wiggling her finger in front of him.
"Moll." I stop her firmly. "Cass, as much as I would love to nurse you boys back to health, your mum and dad have already arranged things to take care of you. Besides, I'm not very good at the 24/7 nursing, its mainly just removing splinters that I'm good at." I give John a pointed look.
"Hehehe...?" John smiles knowing that his wishful thinking put us all in this awkward atmosphere.
"Alright Mr. Lacroix, I have you discharge paper work, your follow up appointments, and the extra information the doctor needed to give you. If you'll just sign right here, you can be on your way." The nurse paused feeling the awkwardness in the room.
"Everything alright in here?" she asks looking at all our faces.
"Perfect! You have a pen for me nurse?" John stands quickly and goes with the nurse to sign the papers.