1
As the morning smoothly turned into the lunch time, and the CIA officers headed out to grab a cup of coffee at the starbucks, and maybe some food, not many could notice Arthur Campbell rushing thru the corridors, his face angry and frightened at the same time. He moved fast, turning to the DPD, and approaching his wife's office.
"Arthur?" she called his name the moment he appeared in her doorway. "What happened, you look pale."
He shut the door behind him, approaching Joan, still silent.
"I've just got this from my source in the headquarters" he began. "They blame you for the last mission fail, although I can't yet tell why. You know anything I don't?"
Joan looked concerned for a moment and then shook her head negatively.
"What else did they say?" she asked, sighing.
"I… " he didn't finish the phrase as his cell phone rang. "Yes?" he turned away from Joan, facing the window. The weather was getting worse with the sun nearly gone from the sky, replaced by the heavy black clouds, the wind was weak so far, but the rain would soon begin. "Of course" Joan heard him finally speaking. "Are you sure?.. I know, I've seen the reports." There was a pause in his speech as he was listening to the speaker. "Can you give me some time?" He turned to face his wife again. "No," he continued. "But I'd like to handle this quietly. Thanks" he put the phone into his pocket.
"Was it your source again?"
"No… more like my boss. Joan," he approached her and squeezed her shoulders with his arms. "Things just got complicated, sweetheart. And I need you to tell me everything regarding the last mission in Toronto."
"I put it all to my report," she began, but he interrupted her impatiently.
"Okay, here we go," he sounded irritated. "You gave a briefcase to one of the agents assigned to Toronto, and he disappeared. What was in that briefcase?"
"I didn't give anything to anyone, Arthur. You know the profile of that mission, everything went as planned right until the third party interfered." She choked lowering her head.
"Where is that agent?"
"What?" she suddenly looked surprised. "He's dead I suppose. Why? What's this about, Arthur?"
"What was in the briefcase?" Arthur ignored her question, he still sounded harsh.
"I didn't give any briefcase" she crossed her hands on the chest, calming herself down.
"Don't, please."
"So, when are you going to tell me what's this about?" Joan became angry. If her husband asked her these senseless questions he had to give her some sort of an explanation.
"You gave a briefcase full of the materials that can jeopardize our security system to an agent who is now missing. This is a high treason." He spoke slowly, carefully pronouncing each word as if not yet believing these allegations were addressed to his wife.
"Wait, .. what? You know I didn't do that."
"They have proof." Arthur said bitterly. "Look, whatever it is, I just need you to tell me the truth."
"What, you don't believe me? I wouldn't…" she was angry, but the fear has already cracked her voice.
"I believe you had your reasons to do so. But whatever they are, I need to know them. Now. Because this briefcase is about to be sold to the Russians, and my bosses are about to send a team to get this information out of you at any cost."
I know it's creepy – first of all, cos I haven't written English fics for like a year. But I'dstill love some feedback – any of it, suggestions, criticism…