FF: Sinkin' Too Soon Ch2 pg3 - Page 2

Please leave a review. I would like to hear what you think of the story.

CIA Headquarters, Langley, Viginia

"Joan, wait up". Barber fumbled behind to catch up to his all too busy boss. His cries would have gone unnoticed had it not been for the heightened hearing of a certain soldier.

"Looks like my techie has something important to say", Auggie put on a charming grin latching on to the woman's elbow.

"I hear him but I think I'd rather not miss my dinner reservation. Why don't you take care of this Auggie?"

A knowing smile was exchanged between the blonde woman and her dutiful employee. Tonight was Arthur and Joan's long awaited date night. So, Auggie decided to help her slip out on this rare occasion. He didn't have anything pressing to do, if you don't count picking women at the tavern as pressing.

"What is it Barber?" It was only a matter of time before the techie's nerves got the best of him and something tore, broke or exploded amidst the clumsiness. Brace yourself Anderson.Auggie reluctantly followed his employee into a room full of equipment and a melodious voice humming in the background. Wait, what? A woman was singing what sounded like a mix of Nickelback (why does one commit such as sin?) and a folk song in a devanagri script.

"You into Indie films now?" The words may have been intended in jester but Auggie's expressions told another tale. He had heard that language recently and if this was anywhere close to what he suspected, a major aop and multiple assets could be in danger.

"Boss, it's umm about Red Panda. This woman umm I don't know how but she knows something. They got surveillance in the area and I picked up the signal a couple of times. At first it was nothing, she talked about childbirth and men and food. Mostly food".

"Interesting", Auggie's reply was dripping with sarcasm. "Now get to the point".

"Today, she said something about Red Panda and I thought it was a coincidence but her timing is always way too close to when our operative is meeting an asset".

Auggie was still not convinced if bothering Joan at this hour was the best idea. So, he tried to stall the increasing inevitable by prying Barber for more information.

"Does she come there often? Always on the meeting days?"

"No, but..."

Barber should have seen this coming. The field agents weren't joking when they said Auggie was the master of twisting your words. If he wasn't in the CIA, he would be a loaded attorney somewhere in the D.C. circuit. One would expect nothing less from a man with the manipulation skills of his level.

"So, this can still be a coincidence".

Barber's jaw dropped. As he was about to sweep his sorrows (and a chance of getting in the boss' good books) off the floor, Auggie retracted his statement.

"I am not certain about your hunch but, I would be a fool to ignore a fellow nerd. I will have Joan look into it. Your efforts will not go to waste, my friend".

Auggie had briefed Joan on Barber's conviction and, on Arthur's advice, he was chosen to be the operative landing himself in the middle of this mess.

"Hey, don't look at the brown guy! Not every Indian person looks the same. Plus, we have a bad name in the east hills. Maoist violence and all. India isn't as peaceful as you people think".

The only person questioning Jai's inability to objectively accomplish the mission was Jai himself. His hookup and subsequent mess of a breakup with the girl near Pelling monastery was an urban legend among the local spies. He had made quite the laughing stock of himself at Langley as well. So much so that he was taken off any potential ops in east India for the fear of an encounter with his ex-girlfriend. Jai swore she was a crazy one and he feared his life to even step foot inside Sikkim.

"Do not worry Jai. I assure you, your only job is to get Auggie to Gangtok. I was hoping you could offer him a ride up to Pelling but, seeing you scale of panic, I will pass". Joan was trying hard to control her laugh. Auggie wasn't so generous with his concern for Jai's pride and let out a hearty laugh.

"Go ahead and laugh. Wait till you fall for one of the forest girls. Then, we'll talk".

Auggie dismissed Jai's seemingly serious curse in good fun. Little did he know what awaited him seven seas away.