Chapter 5
Over the next couple of months, most of their Drawer 7 comrades were parceled out to other leads who would decide how and when they would be deployed going forward. All got glowing recommendations from both Rita and Jackson, and they hoped some would actually look kindly on those very capable orphans that were suddenly thrust into their embrace. They could do no more, and with their own retirement just weeks away, they doubted they would ever meet any of them again unless tragedy struck.
That left just two souls to deal with. They were important, but not in a way you might expect. Both lived in Denmark and had incredible personal access to top intelligence operatives in all the Nordic countries. Rita had bumped into them on a solo mission years back where her first impression was both seemed far too cautious for her liking.
That all changed when mission complications arose. She was ready to pack her bags until they persuaded her to listen a bit more and stop being so 'AA' or American arrogant as they called it. It was a teachable moment Rita would never forget. She had arrived with a very headstrong mindset about the correctness of her mission and left with a far more nuanced perspective about the shrewd insights provided by allied security organizations that was curiously not part of her brief.
The intel they provided suggested her prime target was a ruse designed to embarrass her employer. The real target was hiding in plain sight just hoping to watch and gleefully report on the American foolishness. Renewed agency vetting proved their conclusions right, and Rita made sure the real culprit was far from gleeful when she left.
Afterward Rita offered both some very effusive praise. What she didn't know was they were deliberately auditioning for a job they hoped to create. The light went on at their last meeting where both suggested having someone wired into the various allied security services might be something her bosses would find useful.
Spies always want to know more, but rarely want to share it especially outside their familiar silo. She guessed quite rightly that her foreign counterparts would feel the same and wondered if those charged with this type of liaison really broke through what was a natural inclination towards secrecy. The reception from the top echelon was receptive and guarded at the sametime. The loved the idea of gaining an inside perspective, questioned the veracity and motives of the providers, and feared the consequences of discovery leading to them.
While the idea was being considered, a clandestine vetting of the pair showed no real red flags except that the generous Nordic social safety net wasn't providing enough for the lifestyle this duo aspired to. There lifestyle was not sustainable, and a bit more surreptitiously delivered would make all the difference. Bribery was the mother's milk of the spy business, and none of her superiors were put off by the proposed arrangement.
The bigger problem was the scenario to create a plausible cover if any of this ever came to light. None at the top wanted an international kerfuffle over this so the story had to make this look like a rogue operation. The obvious, but unfortunate choice was Rita and Jackson. Both had a checkered reputation that would fit right in with this false narrative.
They protested, but knew their objections were going nowhere. Besides, this would be just for a trial period to gauge the usefulness of their back channel intel. If all proved satisfactory, another more permanent arrangement could be discussed then. The problem was the then never came. It was now coming up on the five year anniversary of this temporary relationship, and not one peep from the top about how the now nicknamed 'J Squared' source would be transitioned. The only vague idea put forth had them continuing for a small stipend.
Both Jackson and Rita were not fans of the idea. Being in the spy business was a like being pregnant. You are, or you aren't. The top dogs played on their sense of patriotism and emphasized how little they really had to do. A once a month check-in would suffice. Was that really asking too much? In the end Rita and Jackson capitulated, and their last full day on the job went by without any fanfare just like they wanted.
The more pressing problem was their dilemma with Castle. In all the years Rita had known Jackson, she could count on one hand the number of people whose opinion of him really mattered. The top two were Ian, his first handler, and a master fighter named Elaine, who he said was the finest instructor he ever trained under.
Now, out of nowhere, Richard Castle had catapulted on to that exclusive list without even trying. The why totally baffled her. He had minimal contact with him for close to forty years. They were not related. The misinformation campaign by all accounts was working. Time to leave well enough alone - she thought.
Unfortunately, her husband was having none of it. "Look, he and I are both victims of Martha's deceit. Because he thinks we are family, he rightly felt I abandoned him. Then Paris comes along and endangered the one thing he holds dearest all because of his ties to me. Now we know all that was based on a lie, and we have taken steps to break that narrative once and for all. Now, he deserves to know, if for no other reason than to relieve him of any lingering concern that his family could possibly be once again drawn into our world. You can't think it is OK for us to leave him wondering if Lilly is a target for the rest of his life?"
Rita was surprised by his vehemence, and chose her words carefully. "Don't you fear the ensuing fight he is sure to have with Martha? Do you think tearing his family apart for this is really worth the bit of comfort you think Castle deserves?"
"Look, Martha chose to set all this in motion, and now, she must be held accountable. If I could, I would be happy to lead that charge. That is not possible, but her son certainly has a right to. How this plays out is up to them. We have no dog in this fight. We inform, leave, and let the pieces fall where they may."
Rita sensed his determination and knew today was not the day to continue the fight. Better to wait and let Jacks stew in the spiteful brew he kind of hoped for. Turnarounds were rare, but not unprecedented. Hopefully his vehemence would cool, and some appreciation of its potential cruelty would dawn on him. He was not a member of this family, yet he was plotting to destroy it with no sense of remorse.
To her it all seemed gratuitous. The status quo kept them safe without adding any new drama. What was wrong with that? A week later, she learned much to her chagrin that the drama she feared was inevitable.
