Court said, “I approve all contracts. I get to take jobs from others if I want.”
Hanley nodded. “Of course. You are a subcontractor. Self-employed.” Hanley smiled. “I just aim to be your biggest and best client.” He stuck a hand out, and Court shook it.
Hanley said, “Glad that’s settled. Court, I want you to know that you always have a direct line to me. Always.”
Court understood what was coming next. “But since you’re D/NCS now, running all Agency ops, you will bring in a handler to deal with me directly.”
“That’s right. But don’t worry, I’m giving you one of the best officers in the Agency. Trust me on this, you’re in excellent hands.”
“Sure,” Court said, not convinced.
Hanley pulled out his iPad, touched a few keys on the screen, and then handed the device over to Court. He took it, somewhat confused, then suddenly he realized he was on a video chat. He saw an empty chair.
He looked up to Hanley. “Really, Matt?”
“A shitty way for a meet and greet with your new handler, I’ll admit. But she had to man the fort while I snuck around out here in the boonies.”
“She?” Court asked.
As he said this, a woman appeared on screen and sat in the chair. She looked to be in her late thirties, not unattractive, with brown hair pulled back, fashionable frames, and perfect makeup. She beamed into the camera with a wide smile. “Good evening, Mr. Gentry. My name is Suzanne Brewer. I am so looking forward to working with you.”
Court looked up to Hanley for guidance, then, when none came, back down at the screen. “Uh . . . yeah. Me, too.”
“Matt let me know just a little about your career here, and I will get up to speed quickly. I just want you to know all the unpleasantness of the past is behind us. I am going to treat you with the respect and deference you deserve.”
Court nodded, feeling awkward about the exchange, but satisfied Hanley hadn’t pawned him off to some young case officer just out of the Farm.
“Cool,” he said awkwardly. The three of them talked a minute more, then Hanley disconnected the video chat and slipped the iPad back in his briefcase.
Standing up, D/NCS said, “I can’t begin to thank you for all you’ve done for the Agency. We didn’t deserve you. We still don’t, but with me and Suzanne on your team, I think you will know you are back in the fold. The family.”
Together the two men walked back out to the hangar. In front of the two aircraft, they shook hands again.
“What about Zack?” Court asked.
Hanley said, “I have a role for Zack. He’s not you, but he’s not half bad.”
“What will he—”
Hanley put up a hand. “Sorry, Court. Can’t tell you. It’s classified.”
“Cute.” Court let it go with a little smile. “You’re going back to Langley?”
“Yeah. Meeting tomorrow with the director. He’s got his head so deep in the sand he probably won’t hear a word I say, which is good, because I’m going to bullshit the hell out of him.”
“What about me? Where am I going?”
Hanley patted Court on the shoulder. “Something’s cooking in Hong Kong. Need you there, stat.”
“I have approval on all my contracts. Did you forget that deal you made with me ten whole minutes ago?”
Hanley chuckled. “You’ll get the intel on the flight over. If you say no, then you just got a free flight around the world.” Hanley winked. “But you won’t say no.”
“Why not?”
“Let’s just say it involves an old friend.”
“I have friends?”
“Not if you don’t get your ass to Hong Kong, you don’t. Don’t dick around with this one, Court. No time to waste.” And with that Matt Hanley turned around, headed up the stairs into his Gulfstream, and disappeared.
Court stood there a moment, then he looked up to the other aircraft. His aircraft. With the faintest of shrugs, he turned for the stairs and began climbing.