Recap of Chapter 33
A large white bubble mailer arrived at the main mailroom of the CIA's Langley, Virginia complex. The return address said Nassau, Bahamas; the recipient was Tom Gage. Inside the mailer was a bundle of letters addressed to six of the CIA's finest...
Each of you has been my friend and touched my life in some way and I wanted you to know the truth; our Agency, our country, deserves better than Robert Quinn.
Goodbye one last time,
Terri."
The rest of each man's letter was personal.
CHAPTER 34
Sorry this one is a bit short; It was just the best way to end the chapter.
Gage and Carl had similar messages:
To Tom Gage and Carl: "Don't let Quinn get away with it. Quinn told me you are not aware of his deception. Please live up to the reputations each of you has earned. The country deserves that much; my family deserves that much; I deserve that much." **
To Jackson: Terri informed Jackson that she named her son after him—someone she would like her son to know and emulate. "I always knew I could count on you to tell the truth, to do what was best for our country, and to be a true friend. I sincerely hope that you have found the ultimate happiness—you deserve it. **
To Lex: "Lex, were always more of a younger brother to me than just a coworker. I have truly missed you. Thank you for being my friend, for listening to my relationship woes, for convincing me to give Stiles a second (and third and fourth) chance. You are a special person. I hope you have found the happiness you deserve. I love you,
Terri
P.S. I had twins! I hope you don't mind that my son's middle name is Lexington, after you. I hope you can be part of his life." **
To Joshua: "I know the truth about your role in my kidnapping. Quinn told me the rest of the story; the part you left out about working for him. You know that I was angry with you when I thought you were betraying your country and our friendship; however, after time and thought, I have forgiven you. I've asked myself what I would have done in similar circumstances and the truth is I don't know; I may have chosen the path you did. Maybe I wouldn't have. Either way, I want you to know that I understand. I also want you to know that I love you; you've been my "dad" at the office, counseling, listening and consoling me. Your friendship meant the world to me." **
To Quinn: "You cannot imagine the misery I've suffered the past four years. I have solace in knowing that you will finally get what's coming to you. Your big mistake has been in thinking that you are bigger than the Agency, and the laws of this country. The last laugh I have will be the one as I imagine you in an orange cotton jumpsuit picking up trash on the side of the highway while a procession of 'All the President's Men' pass by, when all of your "friends" pretend they've never met you. Your years of so- called service and influence won't get you out of this one."
One by one the men finished their letters. With mouths open and brows furrowed, each of them turned to look at Quinn. The older man didn't blink.
Tom Gage was the first to speak. Before anyone says anything, Joshua, I suggest you have your people verify the authenticity of these letters."
"Of course.
"How long will it take to make verification?
"I'll need about 30 minute's sir."
"Gentlemen, meet back here in 40 minutes."
The men filed out and headed to their respective departments in silence. Joshua and Lex took the mailer and their individual letters down to OTS to begin the analysis.
It was the longest 30 minutes any of them had experienced in a very long time. No one dared talk about what they had just read before they reconvened. Once everyone returned and was seated, Joshua gave them the results of his analysis.
"The mailer and letter were covered with fingerprints—Terri's fingerprints."
"Is there any chance that it is an old envelope, one she handled years ago?"
"Uh, no sir. The envelope is made with C-speck paper, produced by a Canadian manufacturer. It's only been on the market a year or so."
The men sat in shocked silence for several moments. Finally, Gage spoke. "Robert, is any of this true?" Gage knew a great deal of it was, but he hoped, no prayed for a different answer.
Quinn tilted his head and swiveled his chair to his left to look at Gage. With his usual smirk Quinn answered, "Tom, you know what I know, I work under you, remember?"
Quinn's smug attitude infuriated Gage. "Robert we're in the business of protecting this country. We're in the business of allowing our people to risk their lives in the furtherance of that goal, but we do not, nor will we ever support or authorize the purposeful endangerment our people to suit our own egos!"
Carl had been quiet as long as he could. "You sent Terri away and threatened her, then let all of us believe she'd been murdered by the North Koreans? That's low even for you."
"Carl, you say that with such contempt. I love this country and this agency; my job is to protect both, whatever the cost."
Carl couldn't believe the arrogance of this man. "How many of our agents have been killed because of your little project with the Koreans?"
Before Quinn had a chance to answer, the door flew open.
A large white bubble mailer arrived at the main mailroom of the CIA's Langley, Virginia complex. The return address said Nassau, Bahamas; the recipient was Tom Gage. Inside the mailer was a bundle of letters addressed to six of the CIA's finest...
Each of you has been my friend and touched my life in some way and I wanted you to know the truth; our Agency, our country, deserves better than Robert Quinn.
Goodbye one last time,
Terri."
The rest of each man's letter was personal.
CHAPTER 34
Sorry this one is a bit short; It was just the best way to end the chapter.
Gage and Carl had similar messages:
To Tom Gage and Carl: "Don't let Quinn get away with it. Quinn told me you are not aware of his deception. Please live up to the reputations each of you has earned. The country deserves that much; my family deserves that much; I deserve that much." **
To Jackson: Terri informed Jackson that she named her son after him—someone she would like her son to know and emulate. "I always knew I could count on you to tell the truth, to do what was best for our country, and to be a true friend. I sincerely hope that you have found the ultimate happiness—you deserve it. **
To Lex: "Lex, were always more of a younger brother to me than just a coworker. I have truly missed you. Thank you for being my friend, for listening to my relationship woes, for convincing me to give Stiles a second (and third and fourth) chance. You are a special person. I hope you have found the happiness you deserve. I love you,
Terri
P.S. I had twins! I hope you don't mind that my son's middle name is Lexington, after you. I hope you can be part of his life." **
To Joshua: "I know the truth about your role in my kidnapping. Quinn told me the rest of the story; the part you left out about working for him. You know that I was angry with you when I thought you were betraying your country and our friendship; however, after time and thought, I have forgiven you. I've asked myself what I would have done in similar circumstances and the truth is I don't know; I may have chosen the path you did. Maybe I wouldn't have. Either way, I want you to know that I understand. I also want you to know that I love you; you've been my "dad" at the office, counseling, listening and consoling me. Your friendship meant the world to me." **
To Quinn: "You cannot imagine the misery I've suffered the past four years. I have solace in knowing that you will finally get what's coming to you. Your big mistake has been in thinking that you are bigger than the Agency, and the laws of this country. The last laugh I have will be the one as I imagine you in an orange cotton jumpsuit picking up trash on the side of the highway while a procession of 'All the President's Men' pass by, when all of your "friends" pretend they've never met you. Your years of so- called service and influence won't get you out of this one."
One by one the men finished their letters. With mouths open and brows furrowed, each of them turned to look at Quinn. The older man didn't blink.
Tom Gage was the first to speak. Before anyone says anything, Joshua, I suggest you have your people verify the authenticity of these letters."
"Of course.
"How long will it take to make verification?
"I'll need about 30 minute's sir."
"Gentlemen, meet back here in 40 minutes."
The men filed out and headed to their respective departments in silence. Joshua and Lex took the mailer and their individual letters down to OTS to begin the analysis.
It was the longest 30 minutes any of them had experienced in a very long time. No one dared talk about what they had just read before they reconvened. Once everyone returned and was seated, Joshua gave them the results of his analysis.
"The mailer and letter were covered with fingerprints—Terri's fingerprints."
"Is there any chance that it is an old envelope, one she handled years ago?"
"Uh, no sir. The envelope is made with C-speck paper, produced by a Canadian manufacturer. It's only been on the market a year or so."
The men sat in shocked silence for several moments. Finally, Gage spoke. "Robert, is any of this true?" Gage knew a great deal of it was, but he hoped, no prayed for a different answer.
Quinn tilted his head and swiveled his chair to his left to look at Gage. With his usual smirk Quinn answered, "Tom, you know what I know, I work under you, remember?"
Quinn's smug attitude infuriated Gage. "Robert we're in the business of protecting this country. We're in the business of allowing our people to risk their lives in the furtherance of that goal, but we do not, nor will we ever support or authorize the purposeful endangerment our people to suit our own egos!"
Carl had been quiet as long as he could. "You sent Terri away and threatened her, then let all of us believe she'd been murdered by the North Koreans? That's low even for you."
"Carl, you say that with such contempt. I love this country and this agency; my job is to protect both, whatever the cost."
Carl couldn't believe the arrogance of this man. "How many of our agents have been killed because of your little project with the Koreans?"
Before Quinn had a chance to answer, the door flew open.