Arch Enemy by Leo J. Maloney Read Free Book Online Page A

known as Paco, in order to make contact with the Saavedra cartel, to in turn find their connection in Acevedo International, suspected of involvement in smuggling weapons into and drugs out of Colombia.”
    â€œAgent Morgan,” said Smith, “please relate the events that transpired yesterday, from last night until your airlift from the Saavedra compound this morning.”
    Morgan told the story with no interruptions but the occasional request for clarification from Bloch or Kirby. Smith didn’t speak at all.
    At least until Morgan got to the good part.
    â€œI drew Paco Ruiz’s sidearms and shot Saavedra’s armed bodyguards.”
    â€œAnd why did you do that, Agent Morgan?”
    â€œThe op was blown,” he said. “Saavedra was having me sent away, possibly to kill me. I saw an opening, and I took it.”
    Kirby interjected. “We had the tactical team at the ready to extract you at the first sign of danger. We could have used the connections and information gleaned from this operation to find out more about this Mr.”—he looked at his notes—“White. Instead, we lost our only promising thread in this investigation.” He looked at Morgan for a response with all the smug superiority of a schoolmarm facing a child caught misbehaving.
    â€œSaavedra is dead, and so is his cartel,” said Morgan.
    â€œAnd another will rise to take its place,” said Bloch. “Meanwhile, the Acevedo operator is still at large.”
    â€œDo you realize,” said Kirby, “that not only does this sever our best lead to connect Acevedo with their arms dealings, but that they now realize that someone is after them? Worse, that someone at Acevedo now knows what you look like?”
    Morgan bristled. The heat in the room was suffocating. “It all looks so clear from behind your desk, doesn’t it, Kirby? Ever wonder what it’s like on the ground?”
    Kirby scoffed. “Don’t pretend this was a tactical decision. Why—”
    â€œYou have no idea—”
    Kirby raised his voice. “You are a professional, and you made a decision—”
    â€œâ€”a decision that ended a bloody criminal—”
    â€œTell us why you did it, Morgan.”
    â€œ Because the son of a bitch deserved to die! ”
    Morgan gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. Wrong thing to say.
    â€œI think I’ve heard enough,” Smith said. Then, to Bloch: “I want the full report by morning.” He stood up and walked out without saying a word.
    Kirby held a tight-lipped sneer as Morgan finished his report and stood, collecting his notes. “I’m going to bring up a list of Acevedo employees and associates. Report to the War Room when you’re done, Morgan. Let’s see if we can’t ID your Mr. White.”
    Bloch motioned for Morgan to stay behind as Kirby cleared the door. She clicked off the camera.
    â€œWhat were you thinking?” she demanded.
    Morgan leaned against the glass. “I couldn’t let him get away with it.”
    She banged her hand against the table. “There is a chain of command. When you subvert it, you put the mission and everyone’s lives in danger.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “No one on our side died, last time I checked.”
    â€œYou are my weapon.” Her voice was sharp, ice-cold steel. “You’re here to do as you’re told.”
    â€œI made a judgment call—”
    â€œYou disobeyed a direct order. Rabid dogs are put down. Remember that.”
    He pushed himself off the wall. Fully upright, he loomed almost a full head over her fragile frame. “Is that a threat?”
    Bloch stepped forward, undaunted. Her thin nostrils flared in anger. “It’s a statement of fact. We do not work for the US government. We are a clandestine operation, accountable to no authority but a group of anonymous financial backers. It won’t come from me and it