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Just as I gave Courtney's hand one last squeeze, a sense of finality touched me, and the hum of the plane's engines suddenly grew louder. Our shared silence abruptly broke as Downing emerged from the terminal's doorway. The casual atmosphere that had enveloped Courtney and me dissipated instantly, replaced by the stark reality of the mission at hand.
Downing, in his impeccably tailored suit and tie, was a walking embodiment of readiness. His very authoritative and commanding presence was a stark reminder of the gravity of the situation Courtney was about to plunge into.
Downing wasn't merely a facilitator of the mission. His role was far more nuanced and critical. He was our strategist, who saw the entire chessboard when we could only see our next move. His decisions and instructions weren't just orders, but lifelines woven with years of experience and tactical acumen. And with his guidance, we moved through every mission's maze of dangers.
Whenever we stumbled upon a roadblock, he was there with a new route. He and Giuseppe were our navigators in these turbulent waters, our beacon when things got dark. The wire, the safe house, the backup, and the exit strategies were signs of Downing's meticulous nature and the extent of his involvement.
He accompanied us towards the gate, walking at the same pace as us and maintaining a composed expression. "Your travel details are ready," he said calmly as we walked. "I've confirmed with Dylan; he and Jenna are already at the airport waiting for you. They will pick you up and take you back after the meeting."
Downing stepped closer and explained, "I just got confirmation that Clint has been spotted and is, indeed, in Seattle. He flew commercial this morning from San Jose." His voice cut through the air, stark and unflinching, but he quickly followed this with an assurance that his team had laid the careful groundwork. Despite the adversarial forces we were up against, Downing's words offered some solace, a promise that the upcoming face-off with Clint was not one we were stepping into unprepared.
Although his words comforted me, I still felt concerned about Courtney walking into a potentially dangerous situation alone.
"Don't worry, Courtney. You'll have some time to unwind before Clint's 3:00 PM meeting in the hotel lobby," reassured Downing, as if he could read my mind. "Brad and I and the rest of my team will leave here in about an hour. We don't want to ride in the same plane with you for obvious reasons, but we will be in the hotel long before three o'clock, your meeting time with Clint."
Courtney's voice cut through our conversation, bringing a new wave of realism to our preparations. "That's good to know. Now, do you have my gear? The wire I'm supposed to wear?" she asked. Her words carried a sense of finality, an acknowledgment of the cloak-and-dagger nature of what lay ahead.
Downing took a case out of his pocket and handed it to Courtney. She wasted no time in opening it and examining the small black device inside. She trained her eyes on the tiny screen, scrolling through the various settings until she was sure everything was working perfectly.
"I'm ready," she declared, her voice steady and resolute. She was not just stating a fact but affirming her readiness to herself and to us. There was no room for doubt in her words, only an unwavering commitment to face whatever lay ahead. She stood tall, her back straight, a picture of grace under pressure.
As the airport gate came into sight, Downing started unfolding the intricacies of the plan for the looming meeting with Clint. His words, crisp and to the point, painted a meticulous strategy designed with an acute understanding of Clint and his tactics. It was a blueprint for maneuvering through Clint's defenses and unearthing his secrets.
Downing turned to Courtney, his voice carrying a gravity that punctuated the silence around us. "Remember, Courtney, the goal is to pierce through Clint's veneer and discover what he's working on. He must confirm he is working with Valley Technologies to develop a new app."
His instructions clearly highlighted the risks and the cunning required to navigate this clandestine meeting. "If anything goes awry, utter the word ‘headache.' That's your cue, a signal for us to step in."
The words hung in the air as we reached the gate, the hum of the plane's engines a backdrop to the gravity of our conversation. Courtney nodded again, a determined glint in her eye.
My phone buzzed, the vibration causing me to jump slightly. I pulled it out, glancing at the message displayed on the screen. It was from Chase. The news was unexpected but not completely surprising.
"New development," I murmured, my gaze shifting to Courtney and Downing. They both paused, looking at me with anticipation. "Ms. Hawkins, the witness who contacted Vandenburg, has stepped forward before her scheduled deposition. She's the grant coordinator from Homeland Security. She's claiming that Clint Tyree bribed her assistant to ensure Valley Tech was awarded the grant after we relinquished it for Amy's ransom."
The news was met with silence, the gravity of the revelation seeming to suspend the moment. Downing's expression hardened, his analytical mind no doubt assessing the implications of this development. Courtney's hand gave mine a reassuring squeeze, her resolve unwavering.
Downing nodded, acknowledging the significance of this information. His gaze was thoughtful, the cogs in his brain visibly turning as he processed the news. "Tyree is after your patent of the Golden Key Project!"
"Bingo!" I hissed. "We need Clint to admit he needs help… And presumably, he does in earnest. The reason for wanting to hire you in the first place, Courtney!"
Downing put his hand on Courtney's shoulder, "You’ve got to confirm he has a contract with Valley Tech," he explained.
Courtney nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Yet, my focus had shifted. Courtney and I had discussed the option a month ago. With all the drama, I hadn't found the opportunity to nail down my desire to make Courtney mine. It was time to fulfill that promise I had made to myself. There was no way Courtney would come face-to-face with Tyree unless she was wearing my engagement ring on her finger. Period!
So, I pulled Downing aside while Courtney was busy texting Jenna. Curious, he raised an eyebrow as I started, "Downing, I have a favor to ask."
A momentary pause ensued, his features remaining impassive as he responded, "And what might that be, Brad?"
I drew in a breath, glancing back at Courtney, who was still busy with her phone. "I need a bit of alone time with Courtney. You see... I want to propose to her before she leaves. I've got a ring for her and everything," I added hurriedly, trying to suppress my nervousness.
Downing's eyebrow rose another notch, a flicker of surprise breaking through his usually imperturbable facade. "You're serious about this, aren't you?" he asked, looking straight into my eyes.
I nodded, unable to suppress a smile, "I've never been more serious about anything in my life."
His face broke into a grin, the sight of it strangely reassuring. "Well then, I'd better give you two some space. I'll go speak with the pilot to confirm he will come back here to pick us up after dropping off Courtney in Seattle." With that, Downing strode off, leaving me alone with Courtney.
I approached Court, who was now giggling at her phone. "What's so funny?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light despite the weight of my planned proposal.
