Numbered Account

Strait deflected the outstretched arm and hopped away from the desk. He slid a chair between himself and the irate agent. "Just so we're clear on things, Thorne, let me recite the charges. One, strong-arming one of this country's most respected businessmen. Two, convincing Studer to place Mevlevi's account number on the USB surveillance list without the approval of the director. And three, something else I learned yesterday, harassing a U.S. citizen on foreign soil. A Mr. Nicholas Neumann."

The name stopped Thorne in his tracks. He hadn't figured on the kid being a tattler.

Strait said, "I have it on good authority that twice you've stopped and harassed this individual with the sole intent of gathering information on Ali Mevlevi."

"Whose authority is that? Did Neumann call you up and cry on your shoulder?"

Strait looked surprised. "Neumann? Of course not. The kid is probably scared stiff. You need to look a little closer to home." He offered Thorne a smug smile. "Your driver, Agent Wadkins. Next time, make sure you choose your accomplices with greater care. Is it a surprise to learn that your fellow agents don't share your zeal for flouting the laws of the country in which you're stationed? That they don't like disobeying orders?"

Thorne was relieved that Neumann hadn't ratted him out. The kid represented his last chance at nailing Mevlevi. As for Wadkins, he'd kick his pansy ass later. "Is that what this is about? Breaking a few rules to get a job done?"

"No, Sterling. This is about Eastern Lightning. We won't let you put the operation into more danger than you already have."

"More danger?" Thorne felt like falling to his knees and clawing the ground. These boys would never understand what it took to get a job done. "It seems to me I am the only man trying to save this op. You're ready to sit on your hands for the next six months praying that someday you'll receive a speck of information about his shipments."

"And you're ready to flush all our work down the toilet so you can nab a few guns and crow about stopping the next Colonel Qadhafi. This is about drugs, Sterling, not arms, and it's our opinion that you're out of control. This operation does not belong exclusively to you. You don't have the patience necessary to see it out."

"Patience?" cried Thorne, as if he possessed carloads of the stuff. "Bullshit. I'm a realist. The only one for miles around."

"We haven't heard from Jester for ten days. If he's been compromised, if he's dead-" Strait took a breath, "and I pray to the Lord that is not the case- it is because of you and you alone."

"Jester is my agent. I've run him since he went in eighteen months ago. Any decision I make, he knows about. He can cover his ass when the time comes."

"Like Mr. Becker covered his?"

Thorne bit his lip. Only the sharp pain kept him from beating the living hell out of Terry Strait. "He was only doing what his conscience told him."

Strait smiled smugly. "Believe that if you want to. From this moment onward, Eastern Lightning is officially my baby. Per the director's instructions. Not only will I handle communications with Jester, I'll be running the whole show." He withdrew an envelope from his jacket and tossed it onto the desk beside Thorne. "From now on we're doing things my way. If you're caught talking to Neumann or anyone else at USB, you're getting a one-way ticket back to the States. Destination of your choice 'cause you're history."

Thorne picked up the white envelope and looked at it. He knew what the letter would say. Take a step down the ladder. Do as we tell you and keep your big yap closed. He slid his thumb under the flap and tore it open. A fax from the director's office. Shit, not even a letter. He read the text. It confirmed what he suspected, what he should have guessed the second he saw Strait's grinning mug. Demotion to second banana.

Thorne tossed the letter into the trash. "So this is how it's going to be?"

"No," answered Strait. "This is how it is."

"Congratulations, Terry. Welcome back to the field." Thorne offered his hand. "Or have you ever been out of admin before?"

Strait waved away the hand. "Clear out of my office now. Get your crap and move. There's a desk for you across the hall. The one next to the trash can."

"Terry, you can be a real s.o.b.," Thorne said mockingly.

"It'll do you good to take orders again. And believe me, I have plenty for you. Tomorrow, I'm seeing Franz Studer to go over how we might patch up the mess you've made."

"Be sure to give him your bank account in case any of his buddies want to give you an early Christmas present."

"Fuck you, Thorne."

"Careful now, Terry. God won't let you into heaven if you use the F word."

Strait stalked out of the office.

Sterling Thorne placed his hands behind his head and looked out the window. Snow fell, dusting the cars parked along the street. A low cloud cover gave the night a downy softness. For a moment, he considered packing it in. Strait wanted Eastern Lightning, let him have it.