“As you know, with the election over, we have deployed new teams to protect the president-elect’s family. Agent Tanner will be moving to Fallon Donnelley’s detail.”
Providing security for immediate family members was standard procedure after an election, but I was surprised Tanner wouldn’t be staying with Patrick Donnelley.
Tanner proceeded to explain, “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but Fallon, code name Windstorm, is currently a student at Hawkins Law, and we have a need for agents on his team who can blend in with the students on campus. Unfortunately, one of the guys we’d selected was sent away for a mission overseas.”
Instantly, I had a bad feeling about why I’d been called in, because at twenty-nine, I was probably close enough in age to the average law student to not draw too much attention.
He added, “Therefore, we’re reassigning you to Fallon Donnelley’s detail.”
My stomach sank. Not only did it feel like a demotion to be moved from the future president’s team, but I also didn’t think being around Fallon all the time would be the best situation for me. He seemed quite determined to get under my skin whenever we were in close proximity, and the constant distraction could potentially hinder my ability to do my job. Yet, I couldn’t tell my boss I didn’t want to be a part of Fallon’s detail because I was attracted to him.
“When do you want me to start?” I asked although it didn’t matter. In my line of work, we didn’t get much time to prepare for new protection missions.
“You and I will be heading over to the command post to join the rest of the team in time for you to escort Mr. Donnelley to class this morning,” Tanner responded.
Monroe cleared his throat. “Agent Davis, you’ve made quite the impression on this agency. We know you have family connections here in Boston, and your reputation in the field office is stellar, so it only made sense to choose you as a replacement on the team.”
Staying in Boston was the only bright spot about the detail change. It would allow me to live in the same city as my daughter, Poppy who I’d spent more time over the last three years video calling her than being with her.
He continued, “Additionally, it hasn’t been announced yet, but Agent Tanner is retiring this summer, and we believe you would be an excellent candidate for the detail leader position on this assignment. If you’re interested, I would like you to take this opportunity to prepare for the additional responsibility when the time comes.”
Pride welled inside me at his praise while I maintained my outwardly composure. “I wasn’t expecting that, but thank you for considering me.”
“We firmly believe you’re the right man for the job,” Agent Tanner added.
* * *
At 0700 hours,Agent Tanner and I pulled into the parking garage of Fallon Donnelley’s condominium building, where our command post was located as well. The agency had their ways of getting us what we needed to do our job in a short period of time. For this assignment we were renting a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo next door to Fallon.
As we made our way up to the eighth floor of the high-rise, I took note of the surroundings to get a better understanding of the building’s layout. When we stepped into the command post, the place was filled with agents who were packing up someone’s belongings. Tanner motioned for me to follow him to where three other agents were waiting next to a table with monitors on it. I recognized two of them immediately.
“Davis, good to see you.” Agent Colin Day came over and shook my hand.
We had met and become friends at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia when we first joined the agency. After that, we both began working at the Boston field office; however, once we began working protective missions in D.C., we hadn’t been assigned to the same team, and then Day was transferred overseas for the last six months.
“You too,” I replied. “Can’t believe we’re both back in Boston.”
He grinned. “Should be a nice change of pace to stay in one place for a while.”
According to the intel Tanner shared on the drive over, Fallon usually stayed in the area because he was busy with law school, and after going all over the country for political rallies, I agreed with my friend’s assessment. Traveling with a detail required a lot more work to keep everyone safe.
“You gettin’ soft, Day?” Agent Jones, the other guy I knew, teased.
“Says the guy who’ll be sitting around watching camera feeds all day,” Day jabbed back.
Brian Jones was another colleague I’d met while working in Boston. He was a hell of an agent and a whiz with computers. Knowing he’d be the one watching our backs while we were posted in and around the building was reassuring because nothing got past him. Plus, having two people I considered friends on the team had me a little more excited about my new assignment.
“Jones, how’s it going?” I shook his hand.
“Just living the dream,” he joked.
I turned and introduced myself to the only person I didn’t know. “Rhett Davis.”
“Justin Leigh.” He grasped my hand.
With greetings and introductions out of the way, Agent Tanner showed us around. The living room was full of computers to watch the feeds from various cameras placed around the property that Jones would monitor. The condo also provided bedrooms for us to stay between shifts, especially if we were working overtime. Since I was rarely home while on the campaign trail with Senator Donnelley, I’d moved out of my place months ago, which meant I’d be staying at the command post until I found a new place to rent.
As we held a quick meeting to discuss logistics for our first day, I noticed movement on one of the cameras. “Who’s that?” I asked, watching a man walk out of Fallon’s front door.
