Page 182 of Dark Angel
“Yes.” She got in her car, started the engine.
“I’ve done business with Riccobene. You want me to handle this for you?”
“I don’t need no stinkin’ man taking care of me.” With a wink, she added, “Love you, G.”
“Love you, Monroe. Thanks for today. Be safe.”
“What’s the fun in that? We’re Santinis. We live for danger.”
As she drove away, she stuck her arm out the window, flipped Marco Riccobene the bird, and vanished around the corner.
Gabriel chuffed out a laugh. If there was anyone who liked poking the bear more than he did… it was Monroe.
She’d been nothing but trouble since the day she was born.
18
ALPHA
HALSTON
At eight in the morning,Halston entered the embassy, the semi-lit lobby a reminder that the electricity was still out, the building’s generators doing their job. She hadn’t been able to hail a rideshare, but even if she had, the traffic lights were out. DC was in total gridlock.
Stopping in the executive lounge, she filled the ambassador’s carafe with coffee. As she readied his tray, she listened to the morning news anchor’s reminder that this was the second time the DMV had been hit with a power outage in recent weeks.
“Power companies in the District, the Maryland suburbs, and throughout Northern Virginia are perplexed,” reported the anchor. “They’re saying the outages aren’t from the weather. It’s not unusually cold or hot. There are no major weather events like hurricanes to take out the lights. Right now, power companies are in thedarkas to what has happened.”
“Good one,” said the co-anchor. “We’re getting multiple reports from our sister affiliates that there are blackouts in New York City, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Seattle.”
“This can’t be a coincidence,” said the first anchor.
The two exchanged worried glances. “Let’s hope it is.”
Halston placed the carafe, a mug, a single sugar packet, and a tiny pitcher of creamer on the tray and hurried to the ambassador’s office.
While risky, she’d brought the rubber finger and thumb drive. If Bulgrov left for another off-site meeting, she’d continue pulling documents.
His door was open. He was meeting with Dmitri Petrov, but she couldn’t knock since she was holding his tray.
Bulgrov looked up. “Minka, come in.”
She set down the tray. “Good morning, Mr. Ambassador. I didn’t know you had a visitor. Let me drop my things and I’ll bring you some coffee, Mr. Petrov. May I pour for you, sir?”
“You brought ambassador coffee first?” asked Petrov.
“Yes. I was running a little late and didn’t want him to wait. Normally, I’m more presentable.”
She was still in her winter coat, her computer bag slung over her shoulder, her small crossbody strapped over her.
“Very dutiful,” said Petrov.
Bulgrov smiled. “Minka does excellent job.”
She acknowledged him with a nod. “I can bring you breakfast, sir. Both of you. Something from the cafeteria?”
“I’m good,” said the ambassador.
“Just coffee,” said Petrov.
