I am sorry that it has taken so long for me to get this next part up. As most of you know, this story is a little different from the first one. For those of you who don't know exactly why, let me explain.
In Part Seven, two new characters were introduced...Justin and Jhondie. These characters are in fact, from Cat Carroll's stories and she has been writing with me. From time to time, you will see her pop up. So, if you have not read her J&J stories, I would suggest checking them out. Also, she is gone for a few weeks so posting on this one will be slow until she is back.
Thanks for your support and understanding.
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Broken Wings - IX -
She turned around in her chair as Briggs entered her office. While standing at attention, he could feel her eyes examining him like small magnifying glasses. They could burn you if you weren't careful.
"You weren't here yesterday soldier." She tapped her fingers impatiently on the desk, waiting for an explanation.
"I was sick, sir." He had learned a long time ago that it was best not to call her ma'am.
"You look fine to me."
"It was a 24 hour flu, sir."
She leveled her eyes at him. "The work we do here is to be your utmost priority. We have not time for sickness. Understood?"
He nodded.
"Good. Now that we have that out of the way, let's talk about more important things." She looked down at the paper in front of her.
"Lieutenant Cardoza gave me a very interesting report yesterday."
She didn't wait for a response but walked over to him and waved the report in front of his face.
"Do you know what this report says?"
"Yes, sir. I read it this morning when I came in."
"According to sources and surveillance, who has been seen within a few miles of this facility?"
"Colonel Lydecker, sir."
"And who is it that I hid this project from and whom I don't want anywhere around here?" Her voice remained steady and even as she walked back and forth in front of him.
"Colonel Lydecker, sir."
"And who will I hold responsible if he interferes in any way with this project?" She was right in front of him. Her eyes connected with his.
"Me, sir." Came his crisp reply.
"That is correct. You make sure your security is on alert at all times. Also, we will need to send a team to monitor his movements. I don't expect him to stay still for long. You will bring all reports about him to me. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"There are two last things. The first, make preparations for the boy, the Doctor, and the necessary medical staff to be transported to the China facility."
"Sir?"
She sighed impatiently as if explaining things to a toddler. "I don't want anything going wrong with this project. If that means transferring to the new facility earlier than scheduled, so be it."
"And the second thing?"
"Make sure we have taps and surveillance on all four of our international friends and their staff."
"Sir, that will take a lot of manpower."
She stood directly in front of him.
"Lieutenant, you don't seem to understand. Colonel Lydecker is getting his information from somewhere. I won't be satisfied until I have that person in front of me."
"Yes, sir."
"Dismissed."
Lieutenant David Briggs left the office and closed the door behind him. Breathing a sigh of relief that the meeting was over, he continued down the hall to begin his given assignments.
In her office, Renfro pushed a button. A few seconds later, a side door opened and a uniformed woman entered the room.
"Lieutenant Cardoza, have you taken care of the special assignment I gave you?"
"Yes, sir. The taps will be in place. Here is the data from this morning."
"Very good. You are dismissed."
Heading back to her desk, she flipped through the folder and smiled to herself. You could never be too careful.