Peter always knew he was a sleaze and a pervert but to go as far as trafficking women into forced sex work? The thought sickened him.
His mind drifted back to the visit to the Doll House Upwood had insisted on making. He swore it was to meet an asset, but Peter didn’t buy it. The CIA Director rarely did things like meeting assets. Upwood claimed he was a hands-on kind of director, so Peter couldn’t exactly argue with him.
When they arrived and he discovered the director was meeting Dino Carranza, Peter just assumed Upwood had manipulated him so he could meet with the man they had refused to let him see.
Now he wondered if the meeting had to do with something illegal. Dino had struck him as oddly familiar, but Peter couldn’t place him, and he just chalked it up to the years he spent running down drug cartels.
He had to do his job and protect Upwood, but with all the unanswered questions, he could also monitor him for suspicious activity.
His experience told him not to put faith in whistle-blowers and reporters, but there was something about this that was screaming for him to pay attention.
As he was putting his phone away, Director Higgins approached his desk.
“Agent Mercer, I see you’re enjoying the wonderful task of paperwork that comes with being in charge.”
Peter grinned. “Yes, Sir. It’s a real thrill.”
“You’re doing good work with the Upwood assignment. He seems as happy as one can be about a secret service detail, and your men respect you.”
“I’m glad to hear it, Sir. We have a solid team in place.”
His boss perched on the corner of his desk.
“I have two more field office positions opening in a few months. By then, this thing with Upwood will be wrapped up. How do you feel about Colorado or Los Angeles?”
“That’s pretty far from D.C., but I’m a fan of keeping my options open.”
Higgins nodded. “Well, keep up the good work and you can pick the office you want when this is over.”
Peter kept his expression neutral. “I appreciate that.”
Higgins stood and leaned over the desk, his palms flat against the surface.
“You’ve earned it. I just need for you to not rock the boat with Director Upwood. He’s a powerful man. Let’s keep him happy and you’ll be headed in a good direction in your career.”
Peter wasn’t so thrilled about the promotion he had just been offered.
The threat in his boss’s tone was less than subtle. This was another warning not to investigate Upwood.
He had no doubt he was being threatened with the loss of his job if he rocked the boat.
Rocking the boat was exactly the thing a threat like that made him want to do.
***
“How would you like to get out of there for a bit?”
Peter sat in his SUV outside of the UNN studio.
“Are you serious? You’re not teasing me?”
“Nope. I’m out front. How quick can you get out here?”
He pulled the phone away from his ear when Carrie squealed. “I’m on my way.”
The line went dead, and Peter stared at his screen. The girl was a ball of energy that couldn’t be contained.
Two minutes later, Carrie exited the building at a full run and hopped into his SUV.
