Something he couldn’t quite read flashed in the older man’s expression, and for an instant he looked older than his sixty years. “You confirmed the location of Dr. Morrow,” Hatch said. “You found out where DeBruzkya’s headquarters is located. Those two things are vital and, in my eyes, you did what you were sent over there to do. Operation PHOENIX was a successful mission.”
“Morrow’s still missing,” Robert pointed out.
“True,” Hatch conceded, then leaned back in his chair. “Luckily, I have an ace up my sleeve.”
Robert contemplated him for a moment, intrigued. “Anyone I know?”
“You ever heard of Jared Sullivan?”
“Everyone even remotely connected to CIA has heard of Sullivan. Best damn search and rescue expert in the business. I thought he retired and went back to Texas.”
Hatch waved off the statement as if the operative’s untimely retirement were an insignificant detail. “I’ll take Sullivan’s retirement.”
Robert knew he would. Samuel Hatch was an amazing man. He took care of all his operatives the same way he took care of that scraggly strawberry plant.
Rising, Hatch met Robert’s gaze and extended his hand. “You take that gift home to your wife. Open it together. I’ve arranged for you to have as much time off as you need. I suggest you take it.”
“I will, sir.” Realizing the debriefing had ended, and a new phase of his life had begun, Robert stood and accepted the other man’s hand, grasping it tightly. “Thank you.”
As he walked toward the door, Robert thought about Lily and Jack and wondered if Hatch had any idea that Operation PHOENIX, one of the most dangerous missions of his career, had made him the happiest man in the world.
Keeping that thought in mind, he left ARIES headquarters and headed for home where his family waited.
Special thanks and acknowledgment are given to Linda Castillo for her contribution to the FAMILY SECRETS series.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8260-9
THE PHOENIX ENCOUNTER
Copyright © 2003 by Harlequin Books S.A.
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*High Country Heroes
Linda Castillo, The Phoenix Encounter
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