Page 129 of The Atlas Maneuver

“I told the director that promoting you was a horrible idea. You’re nothing but trouble.”

Koger pointed. “That’s right. Trouble that has you now in its sights. You lose this one.”

“Don’t be so sure,” his nemesis said.

Beyond where they stood, at the street, another car approached and stopped. The rear door opened and a woman emerged. Striking, with steel-blue eyes and thick dark hair. She marched straight toward them sporting a long wool coat, hands in the pockets. Expensive. Chanel, if Cassiopeia wasn’t mistaken.

“I’ll be,” Koger muttered. “TOO herself.”

She recognized the moniker. Cotton had told her about this woman. Trinity Dorner. Little sense of humor, with a penchant for avoiding small talk. An accomplished listener, thinker, and watcher, an expert at political weather forecasting, practical and pragmatic, attuned to the slightest change in breeze. Supposedly, her stoicism was legendary. During briefings she’d always sat in the back of the room, out of the way, so nondescript that people who didn’t know her would ask afterward,Who was that other one in the back?So many asked the same question that the tag stuck.The other one.TOO.

Dorner marched straight over to where they all stood. “Mr. Deputy Director, I’m here on behalf of the president of the United States. You are ordered to stand down. Operation Neverlight is ended. Is that clear?”

Cassiopeia could see that PIMA seemed unsure how to take the rebuke.

TOO was unfazed. “I also was told to convey to you that your services are no longer required. You’re fired. The director is alsobeing fired by the president himself, as we speak. Operation Neverlight is over.”

PIMA said nothing.

“All of this is now classified,” Dorner said. “And be grateful that you’re not being arrested and charged for a variety of crimes, including murder.”

“That gold is going to be a huge problem,” PIMA said. “More than you or the president realize. A big problem.”

“I think we are more than capable of dealing with the situation,” Dorner made clear. “You may go. And take these others with you.”

TOO stood tall, hands still in her coat pockets, waiting for her commands to be obeyed. The deputy director turned to leave and motioned for the others to join him.

“And you,” Dormer said to Koger. “You’re also lucky not to be charged with murder.”

“The little prick had it comin’.”

“That’s what I was told. And losing Rob Citrone is not the end of the world either. He pushed everyone to their limits.”

“Obviously, Kristin called you,” Koger said.

“For some incredible reason she actually likes you.”

“And you just happened to be in the neighborhood?”

“Something like that.” Dorner faced Cassiopeia and introduced herself. “We appreciate all of your assistance here. Needless to say, it has to remain confidential.”

“Not my first rodeo.”

Dorner smiled. “I know where you learned that phrase.”

“What now?” Cassiopeia asked.

“Derrick sent me a video. But I’d like to see, firsthand, what you found.”

They reentered the subterranean vault, this time with Dorner in tow. Kristin Jeanne was there speaking to one of the uniforms. The two women spotted each other and smiled, then hugged.

Dorner surveyed the crates, circling their outer perimeter. “This is amazing. Only the CIA could have pulled this off for so long.”

“You know about the Black Eagle Trust?” Cassiopeia asked.

“I do now. Something the agency created, just like bitcoin.”

“Somebody’s been doing their homework,” Koger said.