| Subject: Chapter 12 |
Author:
Rita
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Date Posted: Friday, February 08, 01:39:02pm
In reply to:
Rita
's message, "TMTC" on Tuesday, July 24, 12:04:39pm
Chapter Twelve
********
Before they parted, Nikita instructed Walter to start spreading the news of Michael’s return through Section right away. Walter’s reputation in Section for being ‘in the know’ would lend credence to the rumor and Michael’s presence would quickly become expected rather than questioned.
Once Nikita concluded her impromptu but valuable meeting with Walter, she headed for Michael’s quarters. On the way, she made one stop at what used to be Madeline’s office. Kate Quinn had taken the space over upon her promotion to second in command. Quinn needed to hear the news from no one else but Nikita.
Nikita punched her code in and the door slid silently open to admit her. Quinn was sitting at her desk, looking over the statistics of the most recent Section missions when her computer beeped, warning of her visitor. The numbers weren’t bad, but they weren’t as high as she knew they needed to be to get Center off their backs.
Quinn may not have been Nikita’s biggest supporter, but she’d pledged her loyalty to Section’s current leader long ago. Once earned, Quinn’s loyalty very rarely waned. True, Quinn had had doubts about Nikita’s longevity when the other woman had taken over Section soon after Paul Wolfe’s death. Quinn believed Nikita’s compassion and impulsiveness would eventually be her downfall.
In Quinn’s mind, it would be unfortunate, as of all those she’d met throughout her various stops in the Agency, Nikita was still the best candidate for the Perch. Working in various sectors of the Agency before she came to Section One afforded Quinn a familiarization with many of the Agency’s higher ranking personnel. Michael Samuelle had been the only other operative she’d known who’d had what it took to run Section One, but he was as good as dead to the Agency.
To Quinn’s pleasant surprise, Nikita’s perceived weaknesses did not interfere with Section interests and respect for her new leader gradually grew. Nikita was tough when she needed to be and didn’t shirk the difficult decisions or pawn them off to Quinn. However, Quinn could see that living with the consequences of some of her actions took a toll on Nikita. She didn’t envy or covet her boss’s position, especially now that they were under the gun.
Glancing up at the door as it opened, she saw the subject of her musings walk in, looking uncomfortable. Sure that she had done nothing to warrant concern, Quinn wondered at the cause and gazed at her immediate superior expectantly. “I thought our meeting was later this afternoon.”
“It was. But there’s something I need to discuss with you now.” Nikita sat down across the desk from Quinn, purposely relaxing the tension from her features.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, not wrong. Very right in fact,” Nikita paused. “Rumors will soon be flying in Section and I want you to know the real story.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’ve asked Center for permission to bring someone in from the outside,” Nikita stated. “They’ve consented.”
“Who?”
“Michael Samuelle.”
“I take it you have more in mind for him than field command,” Quinn stated evenly after a few beats, seeming to accept the news almost in stride.
“Your responsibilities will not change and you are not being demoted.” Nikita went straight to the heart of Quinn’s concerns.
“I don’t understand,” Quinn confessed.
“Michael and I will be working jointly,” Nikita explained. “In partnership.”
Quinn mulled that over, “Who will have final say?” A partnership was all well and good, but if they disagreed on a matter, only one of them could come out the winner.
“I will continue to have operational control,” Nikita replied.
“I see,” Quinn nodded then finally smiled, surprising the other woman. “Is there anything I can do to facilitate the transition?” She had a feeling Center would get more than they bargained for when they consented to Nikita’s request. Quinn knew a winning team when she saw one and she did not want to be left sitting on the sidelines.
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