Author's Note: Just a quick note to correct an earlier chapter. In an earlier chapter it says Autumn was born on July 4th 1999. With this timeline, this does not work so I'd like to correct that to July 4th 1996. I will eventually get around to fixing that but it may take awhile. Thanks!
Chapter 35: A NEW DANGER
Joan's POV
As the weeks go by Autumn makes progress with Keegan. Keegan, from the sounds of it, has started to trust and maybe even fall in love. He was going to get hurt when the mission came to a climax and I had a funny feeling so was Autumn.
In her reports she was becoming more and more distant. From the sounds of it she was trying to avoid sleeping with him and fighting her heart. But that's the thing. She may have the genes of a Campbell but she all has the genes of a Mackenzie. The women in my family always fell weakness to their heart. Including myself.
I sit silently at my desk doing the paperwork that never seems to end. It had been a quiet day and I hope it stays that way. It was nearly time to go home. Thank goodness.
Suddenly Calder walks into my office looking scared and that consequently scares me. Something was wrong. Something big.
"Joan, something has come up. Something big," He says quickly. "I need you to come with me to the conference room now. Annie and Auggie are already there."
"Calder, what's going on?" I say getting up and following him to the conference room.
"I'll explain when I have you all together."
So I follow him, the only sound being our fast foot falls. Finally we make it to the conference room. Inside are Annie and Auggie both sharing the same confused look. We all watch as Calder locks the door and closes the blinds. Something was desperately wrong.
"We have a problem," He says quietly.
"What kind of problem?" Auggie asks.
"We have a leak," Calder says. "A leak that has put all ongoing missions at risk. An operative died on mission in another division but I think the leak is someone with clearance."
"How bad was the leak?" Annie asks.
"It brought down a four year mission that was two years in. Two causilties so far," Calder says.
Then one thought goes through my head.
Autumn.
"Is Autumn at risk?"
"Her mission is a high risk high reward. It's aiming to take down one of the biggest terrorist organisations in the world. Her mission may be on the leak list."
"How much danger is she in?" I ask.
"You know how dangerous Seyal is… She'll only be in danger if he finds out," Calder says.
"We need to pull the plug," I say quietly.
"No, we don't," Calder says sternly.
"Why not!? My daughter is at risk! If she dies…" I start.
"She won't. We will find out the mole by then," He says surely. Something was up but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.
"Promise me she won't die Calder," I say sternly.
"I promise."
Before I can respond Auggie cuts in. "Why are you telling us this?"
"Because I want you three to find the mole," Calder says. "I trust you three to get the job down. Now we need to get back to work before your colleagues slash employees suspect anything."
"Okay," I say.
And with that we leave.
Something was seriously wrong. And not just about the fact there was a leak. The fact that only three of us was being told. Something was going on and I think Calder has been betrayed by someone close to him. And I'm going to find out who it is. Not for my sake. Not for Calder's sake. But for Autumn's.
I was going to tell her though. She had a right to know. She wasn't safe and because of it she now had to be extra careful.
Gosh. I hope she's careful.