Page 38 of Destroyer
One of the guards approached, handed Greystone back his ID. “Good to see you, Commander Santini.”
Greystone slid his ID into his wallet. “How you been?”
“Good, thanks.” The guard regarded Teddy. “Mr. Santini, what’s in the locked case?”
“My weapons,” Teddy replied. “I’m headed to target practice after.”
“Where do you work?” the guard asked.
“I run Santini Ristorante in Old Town, Alexandria,” Teddy replied.
And I’m an ALPHA BLACK OPS.
The guard made his way back to the other guards.
“This is BS.” Greystone pulled out his phone, made a call.
“Evelyn, we’re here, but the guards have a security issue with my brother.” Greystone listened, then hung up.
Seconds later, the phone at the security station rang. The guard answered, glanced over, and hung up.
After he approached, he handed Teddy his ID. “Let me bring you inside.”
Only Greystone has this much power.
The guard handed them off to a woman who escorted them down several hallways. Teddy flicked his gaze from painting to painting while he peered inside any open office door. Several staffers were dressed in their Halloween costumes, and he chuffed out a laugh. He passed a Batman, a Superman, and a Spiderman. He spotted a woman dressed as a black cat, another wearing a chef’s costume, and a third dressed as a rock star.
For these employees, it was a fun day at the office. For him, it was a chance to visit a building steeped in American history.
The aide stopped in front of an open office door, and a middle-aged woman glanced up from behind her desk. A smile lit up her face and she hurried over.
“Hello, son,” she said to Greystone.
A mix of emotions washed over him. Gratitude toward a woman who took his brother in when he ran away. But something else crept into Teddy’s heart.
Envy.
Their biological mom hadn’t been there for him, but Elsahadbeen there and that had made all the difference.
“Mom, this is my baby bro, Theodore,” Greystone said. “Teddy, this is Evelyn Baker, White House Chief of Staff.”
Teddy extended his hand. “It’s a pleasure, Mrs. Baker.”
While shaking it, Evelyn beamed up at him. “I’m delighted to meet you. Greystone talks about you so often.” She raised her eyebrows. “I read your file. Your family calls you Teddy, but everyone else knows you as Tank. What should I call you?”
“Tank works,” he replied.
“The President is running behind,” she said. “C’mon in. I’ve got a little something for you guys.”
They entered her spacious office. On the small conference table sat a large tray loaded with several delicious-looking sandwiches, some on croissants, others on whole grain. Next to the sandwiches sat a large bowl filled with fruit salad, along with several cans of flavored sparkling water. Sitting on the sofa were two black leather overnight bags.
“Help yourself to food,” Evelyn said. “The leather bags are for you.”
“Thank you.” Teddy paused at the table, picked up a china plate with the White House insignia in the center. “This looks great. I’m starving.”
After both men filled their plates, they sat at the small conference table, but not before Teddy opened one of the leather bags. Inside was a bath towel set, a ballpoint pen, a pickleball set, and a watch. All embossed with the White House emblem.
Teddy wasn’t expecting any of this. With a smile, he said, “Thanks for all these gifts. Totally unexpected and definitely appreciated.”
