Read Traitor for Free Online Page A

Counter Terrorism Center,” announced Turner. “That’s going to be our base of operations. Passes and ID badges are being prepared for you as we speak.”
    As comfortable as the President’s operations center was, it was hard to get over the fact that it was simply a very large safe buried deep in the ground, not really a place where any normal person would wish to spend a great deal of time. The room emptied quickly and left Frankie alone with Harry Carson, who seemed perfectly comfortable in the tomb-like environment. Frankie, it seemed, was going to be the kid nobody wanted to play with.
    Carson stood up and walked over to Frankie. He offered her his hand to help her up from her seat where she sat as dejected as she had ever felt in her life.
    “He fooled many more people than you and I,” he said, pulling her up both physically and mentally. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about.” He smiled at Frankie trying to put on a brave face.
    “Thank you,” she said.
    He held the door for her. “So how long were you seeing him?” he asked nonchalantly.
    “About five months, three weeks and four days,” she replied. “Give or take a few hours.” He nodded acknowledgment. “Why?”
    “Nothing to do with you, it’s just… nothing, sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”
    “No, if there’s something you’re trying to say, just please say it,” she insisted.
    “I promise you, it’s nothing to do with you. He just never informed his department of a relationship, something he should have done. It came as a shock to us that he was involved with you, that’s all.”
    Frankie stopped and looked more closely at Carson. “Why on earth would he have to inform his department?”
    Carson looked around to check that no one was listening. “As I said, he fooled a great number of people. Nick Geller had security clearance as high as it goes. He was one of our most trusted and capable agents. His actions and the danger he poses to us are without precedent.”
    “He did want to keep our relationship quiet,” she said. “But I couldn’t.” She smiled and as quickly as the smile came, tears began to flow once again.
    Carson led her by the shoulder towards the elevators. The last of the task force had already left without waiting for the two stragglers.
    “I should resign,” blurted Frankie.
    “Don’t be ridiculous,” replied Carson.
    Frankie knew she couldn’t. As long as her country had a use for her, she would give it her best. She wasn’t a quitter.
    Boarding the elevator, Carson turned to her. “Ready?”
    She knew he was meaning more than just pressing the button for ‘up’.
    “Yes,” she replied confidently.

Chapter 11
     
     
    Carson insisted on driving, which was just as well. The massive explosion that had wiped out the West Wing had emanated from the car she had shared with Nick that morning. The parking spot that he had selected had been perfectly planned. The shaped and directional charge of an experimental explosive, still in testing, had meant that the damage to everything except the West Wing was minimal. Almost the entire force had been sent directly into the building, destroying its structure and bringing it down on itself. How more people had not been killed was being described as a miracle. The fact it was a Saturday morning had of course made a big difference. The fact that the Vice President had made it clear that he had wanted his videoconference to be private and confidential had also helped. His security detail had left him to it. After all, he was in one of the safest and most secure buildings on the planet.
    “Would you mind if we swung by my house?” she asked Carson. “I’d love to grab a change of clothes. It’s on the way to McLean and the NCTC.”
    Carson checked his watch. “I’m not sure we’ve got time.”
    “Please,” pleaded Frankie. What she really wanted was to get out of the clothes she was wearing. They smelled of Nick. His aftershave hung on