Page 53 of Wrecked
Every ALPHA Operative had a tracker chip in their necks. All other employees, including the trainees, had the phone app. After Hawk downloaded the app, he went in search of an empty office, but found none, so he headed into the cubicle area.
“This is where the Internet team works,” Hawk explained. “They track down the criminals.”
Donetta popped over. “Hey, Hawk.” She smiled warmly at Tommy.
“Hey, babe,” Hawk said. “Donetta manages our Internet team. Tommy’s an Op-in-training. Can he camp out here until an office opens up?”
“Sure thing,” Donetta replied. “We just hired several new Ops, so space is pretty tight. Danielle’s going to move into Emerson’s office. Once that happens, Tommy can move in there.”
Hawk glanced at the time.
“If you need to take off, I can help Tommy get settled in,” Donetta said.
“You sure?” Hawk asked.
“Totally.”
“How ‘bout I grab you guys Vietnamese take-out?”
“Bro, you don’t have to,” Tommy said.
Donetta grinned. “The one around the corner?”
Hawk pulled up the menu on his phone. “Look this over and I’ll get you whatever you want.”
Two minutes later, Hawk had placed their order.
“Donetta, can you get Tommy set up for scanner entry?” Hawk asked.
“No worries,” Donetta replied. “I’ll take him over to IT. I do this all the time for my team.”
En route to pick up the food, Hawk called his brother back.
“What took you so long?” Prescott answered.
“Easy, baby,” Hawk replied. “I got reeled into being someone’s mentor.”
Prescott laughed. “What a time suck.”
“No shit. Guess who?”
“Seriously, Nicky, how am I even gonna—”
“It’s Tommy,” Hawk said, cutting him off.
“Our cousin? How’d he get into ALPHA?”
“He must be good. Anyway, now, I gotta deal with him.”
“What’s the problem? You’ve always liked him.”
“I’m short on time. Where are we meeting?”
“I’m working at the black site,” Prescott replied.
“Be there in thirty. I’ll bring you something from the Vietnamese restaurant.”
Hawk hung up, fished out his cigarette pack, tapped one out, and lit up. That first puff filled his lungs and he held it an extra second before blowing it out. He’d started smoking ten years ago and, while he’d cut back, he hadn’t quit.
