Free Mad Powers (Tapped In) by Mark Wayne McGinnis Page A

pen in her breast pocket and opening her notepad — Pippa realized the room had gone quiet. Looking up, she saw everyone staring at her.
    Embarrassed, Pippa smiled and said, “ Sorry, didn ’ t mean to disturb —” Then she saw Rob ’ s face looking back at her on the sixty-inch TV monitor behind Assistant Director Hayes ’ shoulder.
    “As I was saying, Agent Rosette, after eighteen months we’ve had our first solid indication that Chandler is still alive.”
    He is alive! Pippa’s mind raced. Looking at Chandler’s image, her heart nearly leapt into her throat. She had to physically check herself from jumping to her feet.
    Giles lifted a pen into the air.
    “Agent Giles?”
    “Yes, I was just wondering if he’s still in custody?”
    “No, he was never in custody. Local Kingman PD ran his prints and DNA early this morning. Apparently, it was voluntarily given following an automobile accident—one that involved one or more fatalities. He was hospitalized, then released. That same day, he walked into the Kingman police department. They didn’t hold him.”
    Pippa listened intently, ignoring the occasional glances in her direction. It was no secret she and Chandler were partners. For three years they worked together at the CIA as field agents assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Berlin. They also worked out of Lebanon and Ankara, Turkey. Eighteen months ago her partner, her friend, disappeared and was assumed to have gone rogue. Reports of possible sightings, usually unsubstantiated, cropped up from time to time, but no one, until now, knew for certain if he was actually alive or not.
    Other hands went up, some just blurting out questions, but the assistant director was quick to take control of the meeting again.
    “Listen, it’s too early to give any particulars. Agents will be dispatched within the hour. We’ll know more within the next twenty-four hours. Needless to say, none of this leaves the room.” Hayes changed the subject and continued on with the typical day-to-day information-gathering minutia she was in no mood to listen to. Pippa was impatient for the meeting to end. Forty-five minutes later, the room started to clear out. Hayes, collecting the remainder of his notes from the table, didn’t bother to look up as Pippa approached.
    “As I said, it’s too early to know anything, Agent Rosette.”
    “You and I both know that every international agency in the world is now aware Rob, Agent Chandler, is still alive. Some will wait and see what turns up; others, undoubtedly, have already dispatched teams. I’m sure you’re aware Chandler’s made his share of enemies over the years.”
    Assistant Director Hayes looked up, irritated. “You work for the DHS now, Rosette, not the CIA—if you haven’t forgotten. The Agency has its own agents investigating.”
    “The CIA thinks in terms of black and white. They’d just as soon terminate a possible threat as—”
    “This, Agent Rosette, is not a conversation to have standing in an open conference room.” He’d raised his voice and continued to gaze down at the younger agent. He spoke again, but in a lower, hushed voice. “What is it you would have me do?”
    “Let me go to Kingman. Let me join the team you’re sending. I can evaluate the situation. I know how he thinks. I’ll be able to anticipate his moves. I’ll find him.”
    “You had plenty of time after he’d gone to ground. Why’s now any different?”
    “Something’s obviously changed, unless he’s purposely trying to attract worldwide attention. No, something’s happened to him. And if I do find him, I’ll be able to evaluate him far better than agents who never knew him.” Pippa was aware desperation had crept into her voice.
    “Listen, I knew you would request to be part of the Kingman team. But I need to know you haven’t lost your objectivity. If Chandler can be brought in, fine. If he’s been turned, which is the likely assumption, then you’ll be expected to act