Epilogue
The Coffee House
Bethesda, Maryland
Tom Dix sipped his coffee, relished the solitude. Since he’d been back from Jordan, his wife had been on his ass day and night about what was happening with him at work. He’d tried to sugar coat his new position as a move up, but she knew him too well. After twenty-eight years of marriage and two kids, there was an inability to hide things from her. Something in his body language was setting off warning bells.
God, she was a pain in his ass. He should’ve divorced the bitch years ago, but he needed her for show. The happy homemaker and diligent mother, stalwart supporter of her CIA husband, able to throw the best dinner parties to schmooze his bosses, and kiss up to their wives. But for all her assets, she hadn’t been able to save him from his current predicament.
He had reached a pinnacle in his career with the company. All the people he’d screwed over to get ahead were now bitter, and refused to help him in his hour of need. And he was relegated to a job that screamed, “retire soon because it’s not going to get any better than this.”
And it all fell on one person—that whore, Riley Bray. She’d ruined everything for him. She had made him look like a fool in front of Knight which was apparently enough for him to decide against offering the open analyst position to Dix. He’d never liked that little cunt, Bray. She’d come in with her fiery red hair, on her high horse, thinking she was the golden child because she had moved up the ranks so quickly. Dix had been sure it was because she slept with all her bosses, but she’d never made any moves to get in the sack with him. And he had actually been looking forward to it. He wouldn’t have minded getting blown by her on a regular basis. And he had been more than curious about fucking some ginger minge.
His wife rarely had sex with him anymore, and it was always missionary wham-bam and done. And she hadn’t given him a blow-job since before their first child was born. He was lucky to get three lucks of his lollipop before she was done and left him hanging.
A man walked into the coffee shop and ordered a black coffee. He walked past, and Dix waited for the tinkle of the bells hanging from the door handle as the man left. Instead, he pulled out the chair across from Dix and sat as if they were old friends, and had a standing Saturday morning coffee date.
Dix stared at the man. Young. Late twenties, early thirties. Approximately six-feet tall, maybe taller—hard to be specific from a sitting position. Dark blonde hair. Light gray eyes. Round face. Bulbous nose. Almost non-existent chin. Russian.
“Do you mind if I join you?” The young man asked.
“Have we met?” Dix asked.
“No, but I’m here to remedy that, if you’ll allow me.” He blew on his coffee and took a tentative sip. “Nikolai Stepanov.” He extended his hand across the table.
“And why do I give a shit about you, Nikolai?”
A smile slid across the kid’s face. A shiver traveled down Dix’s spine and sat heavy on his tailbone. “We have a mutual enemy.” He pulled a photo from inside of his jacket and slid it over to Dix.
Riley Bray was walking along the National Mall. He’d heard she was back in town. Had not only managed to avoid suspicion of being a mole, but had ruined Dix in the process.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He pushed the photo back toward Stepanov.
“Our former associate, Andrew Kelly, told us you were creating quite a stir around Ms. Bray in Amman. Accused her of being a spy for ISIS. She was able to avoid those charges. Made you ineligible for a promotion. We also know she has since become a distinguished analyst within the CIA. Aren’t you curious about what she is doing now?”
Dix stared at him. He wasn’t about to give this fucker any information.
Stepanov smiled and slid the photo back over to him. “Perhaps you did not recognize the man she is with?”
Dix glanced at the photo. His heart pounded and a dull thump beat at the base of his skull. Knight. He hadn’t recognized him in civilian clothes.
So, the commander and Bray were hanging out on personal time. Probably sleeping together, too. He should’ve known the cunt would spread wide for the Navy SEAL. Slut.
“Our sources seem to believe Ms. Bray was able to procure the position you were vying for.”
Red blurred Dix’s vision. He shook with anger. His hands balled into fists on the tabletop. The fucking bitch. She was going to pay. Somehow…he didn’t know how, but Dix would do whatever he could to make sure Riley Bray was taken down. Or taken out. Either would do just fine.
“I see from your expression that you’re upset about this new…alliance.”
Dix glared at the man. “What the fuck do want?”
“We want to help you.”
“Help me what?”
“Get the revenge you so obviously seek.”
Dix stared at the man. He should get up, walk out, and report the visit to his new boss. He caught sight of the picture on the table. Knight and Bray strolling along the mall without a care in the world. Their fucking lives were perfect.
His sucked.
“How?” He asked.
Stepanov grinned and leaned back in his chair. “We need to know what Knight is doing these days. There is no record of where he is currently assigned. What do you know about the position you were being considered for?”
“They never told me. Highly covert. Said I would be read-in once I got the spot. Not even my bosses know anything about it.”
Stepanov placed an envelope on the table. Dix stared at it. Stepanov gestured for him to open it.
A stack of one hundred dollars bills were nestled inside. Had to be at least ten thousand dollars. Fuck me.
“We would like for you to find out whatever you can regarding this mysterious unit, and anyone involved with it. You can consider that incentive, and expect to see more in the future.” Stepanov drained his coffee cup and stood. “Much more.”
Dix shoved the envelope inside his coat and zipped it. A dark cloud shrouded him. He was dealing with the devil and about to cross over into hell. “How will I contact you?”
“Your contact will be Alina Sokolov. She will reach out to you.” The Russian walked out without another word.
Dix left the coffee shop and walked toward his home. For the first time in weeks he felt in control of his life. Had a purpose. And could see success in his future.
And the downfall of Riley Bray, Commander Knight, and all those who had taken everything away from him. They would pay.
They would all pay…dearly.
The End