Free Wings of Steele - Destination Unknown (Book 1) by Jeffrey Burger

OFFICE
    A
woman’s voice, crisp with professionalism spoke through the
intercom, "I'm sorry to bother you sir, but there's a messenger
here with an important communiqu é for your eyes only." The man behind the large mahogany desk
leaned forward from the overstuffed leather chair, put down the
official papers he was reading and reached over to the comm-phone on
the desk. "Thanks, Maggie, send him in."
    Obviously
no ordinary messenger, a young man in a suit and tie, entered the
office, sealed manila envelope in hand.
    "This
came for you only minutes ago, sir..." he said, handing over
the envelope, "I got it here as soon as I could..." The
young man's voice trailed off, he always felt uncomfortable in this
office, too close to the top he decided.
    "Sit
down, Special Agent Cummins," said the man behind the desk with
a sweep of his hand. "Coffee?"
    The
young CIA agent was surprised by the offer but did not refuse. "Why,
yes sir, thank you very much." He sat at the table in the
center of the room, surveying the trappings of rank. The walls,
paneled in mahogany, were covered with souvenirs of foreign wars,
medals, decorations and commendations for every conceivable valor.
Behind the desk hung two large flags, the Stars and Stripes and the
flag of the CIA. A silk banner strung between them read; John
8:32: "Ye shall know the truth and it shall set you free."
    The
man behind the desk spoke into the comm before leaving and walking
out to the conference table in the middle of the room, "Maggie,
coffee for two please." Before he reached the table, Maggie
entered with coffee service for two. She poured the fresh, steaming
coffee into two white mugs emblazoned with the seal of the President
of The United States. "No interruptions, Maggie," said the
Director of South American Operations. "Yes, Mr. Miles,"
said the girl as she left the office.
    Stephen
Miles could not bear to review bad news without a good cup of
coffee. "Ok, let's see what this is all about." The CIA
man of twenty odd years tore open the envelope after a sip of smooth
Colombian bean. Cup in hand, he read the confidential report. “Holy
shit," he said, staring at the paper trying to read between the
lines. He took a sip from the cup as he stood. "Ok Cummins, you
were there when this thing came in, weren't you?" Stephen's
back was turned to the agent as he slid the document into the
shredder, the pieces falling into a confidential burn-bag
underneath.
    "Yes
sir, I was."
    "What
other information came in," said the veteran, sitting back down
at the table. "That..." he said, pointing at the document
going through the shredder, "was pitifully brief."
    The
young agent took a sip from his cup. "Yes sir. The details are
still coming in..." Stephen nodded, "but there wasn't much
more than that. At this point, quite a bit is supposition, like our
Latin Island operation has been compromised. That the B25 aircraft
owned by Miles Aviation, has disappeared with its cargo and crew..."
The young agent had suddenly made the name connection but tried not
to hesitate. He sipped briefly from his cup before going on, "Our
Latin operative is believed missing too." Stephen Miles rubbed
his face, he hated involving civilians in operations because when
things went wrong it always made damage control so much more
complicated. Agent Cummins continued, "There was also some
communication traffic about a number of San Juan Police Officers
killed - but that is unconfirmed and may be totally unrelated."
    Stephen
groaned, rubbing his temples, this was getting more complicated by
the minute. " Maggie!"
    Stephen's
aide poked her head in the door, "Yes sir?"
    "Get
Bob Wolf on the phone, tell him I want a plane, not one of mine and
not one of the Company's .
Tell him to rent one, a Lear maybe, something fast, but we need
complete anonymity..." he stood up, "and I need it
yesterday, got it?"
    "Got
it," she replied, attempting to leave.
    "Oh,
and tell Kevin to bring the car around. He and Mr. Cummins here,
will