The Book of Adam, page 14
Vance and Nicolas glanced at each other. Royce glanced up at Ned.
"I believe you have earned the right to lead this investigation," Ned spoke. "Other than your friend Flex, you are the only one being sacrificed here."
"I agree," Brent spoke up.
Adam turned in his seat to the back of the room, surprised at the statement.
"Surprised, right?" Brent stood. "Yeah, me too. I see a man who did something for his country. He only asked for one thing in return. That was to become an Agent with the FBI. Now, because some mad person has taken his device, that I remind you, was in the government’s control, he is being stripped of the one thing he wanted. Instead of us rallying to protect him, we're throwing him out. What a gracious way of rewarding him for his service."
"You have made your position quite clear, Agent Pierce," Vance roared.
Brent stared at Vance, then at Nicolas. He shook his head then he walked out of the room.
Kalli stood there for a moment, then followed her partner out the door.
"It doesn't seem as if justice is being served here," Amber argued.
"Amber," her father cautioned.
"Are you speaking as my father or Deputy Director right now?"
"There are other issues at play here, Amber."
"I'm sure there are. But the very agency that heads the Department of Justice has failed miserably in their mission. Dr. Lassiter did not cause the death of Flex Lander, or Dr. McCoy. As Special Agent Pierce mentioned, the device he invented was under your control, not his. Yet, he is the one being held responsible." She turned to Adam, then looked at her father. "In my opinion, it is the Department of Defense who should bear the responsibility for the events of the last few days. If Dr. Lassiter is dismissed from the Bureau, consider this my resignation as well."
"Okay, everyone, let's take a breather, a moment to reflect on what we are doing." Adam stood. "Let the emotions settle before we make rash decisions. Director, thank you for the opportunity. My things are packed. I will not be returning to Quantico."
"Adam..." Amber started to speak.
"It's okay. I don't want anyone else to lose their life because of me." He turned back to the Director and extended his hand. "Thank you, sir."
"Any other circumstance, Lassiter."
"I understand, sir." He turned to Nicolas. "Sir, it was a pleasure." He glanced at Amber. "Please keep your daughter safe."
Nicolas extended his hand. "I will, son. You take care as well."
"Secretary Davenport, I'm certain we will speak soon." Adam walked towards the door and turned when Ned followed. "Where are you going?"
"With you," Ned replied. "I can't allow anything to happen to that mind of yours."
"Don't you have a job here?"
"You, are now my job." He grinned.
"Isn't that special," Adam joked.
"Adam?" Amber called out.
He could see the tears threatening to fall. This was the hardest part, walking away from her. But he knew for her safety, he had to...for now. "You take care, Redbird." He smiled then walked out of the room.
Samuel was standing outside the door. "Let's go, Adam." The tone of his voice indicated how pissed he was. The walk demonstrated how determined he was and the look on his face let everyone know to get the hell out of his way.
"I'll follow you," Ned said to Adam.
"Don't want to jeopardize your life in the car with us?" Adam grinned.
"Not at this moment." Ned walked to his car.
Adam stopped when he walked outside of headquarters to see Karen and Clive standing outside. Karen walked over and gave him a hug. "Take care, Lassiter."
Adam returned the hug. "I will. You do the same."
"Adam." Clive shook his hand. "If you ever need anything, call."
"I appreciate that, Clive." He opened the door and slid into the passenger seat. "Do Flex proud," he said then turned to his brother. "Let's go, Sammy."
Samuel pulled off as he glanced over at his little brother. "I'm sorry about this, Adam."
"It's okay, Sammy. It was only a dream," Adam said as he unfolded the piece of paper Karen placed in his pocket.
"What's that?"
"A number." He smiled.
"You were unjustly dismissed from the Academy and you are smiling about a phone number from a woman." He shook his head. "You are as bad as Joshua."
"This number is different. It has an 'I know who did this' message attached.
"What?"
Adam held the piece of paper up, showing it to Samuel.
"How?"
"I don't know, but now that I am out of a job, I have time to devote to nothing else but solving this case." His cell phone buzzed. Adam looked at the caller ID. "What can I do for you, Special Agent Pierce?"
"Where are you headed, Lassiter?" Brent asked.
"My brother's place. Why?"
"Give me the address. I'll meet you there."
"You don't have to do that, Brent. I understand the position of the Bureau."
"I don't understand it at all. Other than they want to cover their ass."
"Hold up. What's happened to ‘follow the rules’ Captain America?"
"Look, the rules are in place to protect us. I respect that. But there is something more in play here. They know it and you know it too."
"Listen, the last thing I want or need is any more casualties."
"We have a case to solve. Don't you want to know who this son of a bitch is that killed, not one, but two of your friends? And what about Amber? Do you think because you are no longer with the Bureau she is no longer a target? I think she is more of a target away from you than with you."
"I think she has a better chance of survival without me around her. I'm certain her father is putting security around her as we speak."
"How do you think she feels about you walking out? Leaving her before you two even have a chance at something special." He hesitated. "Look, she is not into me. To tell the truth she never was, but with you...hell, I see it. There is something there."
Adam had to admit, leaving Amber behind was not what his heart was telling him to do. He knew it was best, but that was his brain talking.
"I thought you cared about her, Lassiter. Or was I wrong?"
Adam glanced out of the window. "I do care."
"Then give me the address."
Adam gave him the address then disconnected the call. "Sometimes your best ally is the person you once looked at as your enemy."
"Pierce?" Adam nodded. "He's a damn good agent. It's good to know he has your back. What do you think Johnson knows?"
"I have no idea. As soon as we get settled at the house I'll reach out to her."
"How much do you know about her?"
"I know she, Clive and Flex had my six."
The drive became quiet again. "Flex could have been you." Samuel finally spoke. "We should have protected you better. Joshua and I wanted to give you some space because we understood what you needed to discover for yourself. The Bureau was not for you."
"I agree," Adam replied as they pulled onto the private road that led to Joshua's home. "But I think we have a much larger problem than that."
Samuel glanced at Adam. "What's that?"
Adam pointed. "That's Sally's car in front of us."
"She can't know already."
"No, I think the Bureau is going to contain this. They do not want the public to know Quantico was infiltrated in any way. I should have placed the detector in their security system. It just didn't dawn on me to do that. As soon as we get inside, I'll call the Deputy Director. He could have it installed."
Samuel parked the vehicle in the underground garage then turned to Adam. "The Bureau just kicked you out and you are thinking of ways to improve their security system?"
Adam held his brother's glare. "You would do the same thing, Sammy. Look," Adam sighed. "Am I happy with the turn of events? No. But the facts are clear. I'm a threat to anyone around me right now. That includes Nicolas' daughter. I would have made the same move to protect her."
Sammy watched as Adam glanced out the side window. "You like her."
Adam smirked as he continued looking at the back of the house. "I feel like I left a part of me behind." He turned to Samuel. "The last thing I want is for her to become a target because I'm one."
"That's just it, I don't get why?" Samuel stated, then stopped Adam when he was about to speak. "Hear me out. It would be insane to try to kill you. They want your brain. Whoever they are they want you to cooperate with them of your own free will. That's the best way to get you to produce. What I don't get is why do they want you isolated?"
"It's the divide and conquer theory," Adam suggested. "They want me vulnerable to the point that they can win me over."
"You're a patriot, Adam, you would never side with another country against the United States."
"True, but suppose this isn't another country. What if the person, or persons behind this is us as the President suggested?"
Sammy stared at his brother as he contemplated his statement. "It's been known to happen. We have rogue agents within our midst."
"Joshua has brought down one or two right under our nose," Adam stated. They both sat thinking. "I had several agencies recruiting me for different reasons. At the top were Department of Defense, Central Intelligence Agency, and the Department of Justice."
"We can rule out the Department of Justice, they just put you out."
"That leaves DOD, CIA and...Homeland Security."
"You can rule out Davenport." Samuel shook his head. "He is loyal to this President."
"Then that leaves DOD and CIA."
"We're leaving out independent contractors who work with outside entities. We sometimes contract out services to them."
"There are too many possibilities. We need to narrow it down." Adam turned to Samuel. "There is one name that popped up during the investigation. In fact, it was Flex who found it."
"Who?"
"General McGarry."
"The ex-Secretary of Defense?"
"Getting to him is not going to be easy." Adam nodded. "I say we put all the scenarios into the computer and see who comes to the top of the list."
Samuel looked out of the window to the door that just opened. "I say we will deal with the larger problem first."
Adam turned to see his mother Sally Lassiter standing near the door with her arms folded across her chest. "She doesn't look too happy," he said as he stepped out of the vehicle. "I'll clear things up with her." He frowned as he walked towards her. "Mom, Sammy and Joshua got me put out of the Bureau," he cried.
Samuel froze when he heard Adam’s words. "I'm going to kill him," he mumbled as he followed his brother inside.
CHAPTER TWENTY
"What do you mean you were put out of the Bureau?" Sally stood in the kitchen of Joshua's house with his wife Rochelle, better known as Roc behind her, pregnant and all. "You've only been there for two days. Did you blow up something?"
"You were released by the Bureau?" Roc asked, surprised. "Why?"
Adam turned to Sammy. "You want to explain to Mom what happened?"
"Yes, I want to hear this, too." Monique grinned as she walked into the kitchen.
The front doorbell chimed.
"That would be Ned," Monique offered. "You continue with your explanation." She nodded to Adam. "This should be good."
"Who is Ned?" Sally asked.
"You don't want to know who Ned is." Roc smirked as she took a seat at the table.
"Where is Joshua?" Samuel asked.
"That's the reason I'm here," Sally said as she took a seat next to Roc. "He's missing in action again."
"We were with him last night. He's not on an assignment or working a case." Samuel placed Adam’s suitcase near the door.
"That is partially correct," Ned advised as he rounded the corner from the living room.
"I told you, you didn't want to know." Roc smirked as she popped a grape into her mouth.
"You must be the lovely Sally Lassiter. Mother of Joshua, the most difficult, but efficient employee I've had to date." He sat his computer and briefcase down on the table. "The reason the beautiful Rochelle is not happy to see me is because when I call she must pack her bags. Now that she is married to Joshua, she fears I will call him off to an assignment at a time when she will need him the most." He pulled out a chair and sat across from Sally and Roc. "The mere fact that I am here should ease your worries, for I am stepping down from that role. So as you see, you have nothing to fear from me."
The room was quiet until Monique spoke. "I swear that is the most I've ever heard you talk."
"You're stepping down, Ned?" Roc took his hand. "Why?"
"Right before your last mission when you rescued Joshua, it seems I was discovered."
"How could that be?" Samuel pulled out a chair and sat, surprised at the announcement.
"Yes." Ned nodded. "That was part of the reason we knew it was an inside job."
"So what exactly do you do?" Sally asked.
"I-" Roc kicked Ned under the table before he could answer. He took the subtle hint. "...manage people."
"For the Government," Monique quickly added.
"You are Joshua's boss?"
"Exactly." Ned smiled at Sally.
"Well it is nice to meet you. Then you are able to tell us where he is."
Monique glared at Ned, as did Roc. Both curious to see how Ned would respond.
Before he could the front doorbell sounded again. "I got it," Lucy, Joshua's housekeeper, called from another room. "This sure is a busy front door today. What ever happened to using the Bat-cave?" They all heard her then grimaced when Commando, the dog let out a series of warning barks.
"Commando, down," Roc called out. The dog immediately stopped barking.
"Well, I see you have gained control of the house in a short period of time." Ned smiled at Roc.
"Hey, I'm responsible for taming the biggest dog of them all." She laughed.
Lucy walked in frowning as Brent and Kalli followed her. "Adam." She looked over her shoulder. "These two say you are expecting them."
"I am."
"They're FBI." Lucy rolled her eyes heavenwards.
"So was I until an hour ago."
"I knew you would come to your senses." She looked the two up and down as she turned to walk out. "Commando, heel." The dog sat. "Watch those two," she said, then walked out of the kitchen.
"My apologies for Lucy. She's not too fond of agencies with initials." Sally stood. "Would you like to have a seat?"
"No, ma'am, thank you. We're here to speak with Adam and Ned."
"And you are?"
"Special Agent Brent Pierce, ma'am." He shook her hand.
"Special Agent Kalli Hayes." She smiled at Sally.
"Are you two a couple?" Sally asked.
"Mom," Adam warned.
"Well, they should be." Sally smiled. "You don't feel the chemistry between them?" She turned back to Brent. "You two are good partners, aren't you?"
"Yes, ma'am, we are," Kalli responded.
"See," Sally exclaimed. "I’m not so far off."
"Why don't we carry this down to the situation room?" Samuel stood.
"Someone better answer my question about Joshua before anyone goes anywhere," Sally demanded.
It took a minute with her very round stomach, but Roc stood. "Joshua had to fly out of the country. He should return by tomorrow night." She grabbed a bunch of grapes. "If everyone will follow me to the Cave, we can get this meeting started."
"What meeting?" Sally asked.
"We'll fill you in later, Mom." Adam kissed her on the cheek, then motioned to Brent. "Follow me."
Ned picked up his items then followed Monique out of the kitchen. Only Samuel remained.
"Joshua is fine, Mom. It's Adam I'm concerned with. But I'm sure we'll get everything ironed out." He kissed her cheek. "How's Pop?"
"Your father is fine." Her eyes lit up as she spoke.
"I knew that would put a smile on your face." He kissed her cheek again then left the room.
Samuel walked into the Cave where Lucy was declaring certain areas off limits to Brent and Kalli. "I've told her they are good people," Adam whispered to Samuel, "but she's not feeling them. How is Mom?" Adam looked at his brother.
"Worried."
"I'll handle her. You handle this."
Adam walked upstairs to the kitchen. His mother was standing at the sink staring out the window. He walked up behind her and hugged her. "Stop worrying. I'm going to be okay."
Sally patted her baby boy's hand then turned to lean against the sink. He stepped to the side and did the same. "You want to tell me what happened?"
"I can't tell you much due to security constraints, but I can say one of my inventions got into the hands of some bad people. Now we have to figure out how to get it back and contain the fallout."
"Did the Bureau really dismiss you?"
"Yes, ma'am. For safety reasons. Two people have lost their lives because they were connected to this investigation. I don't want anyone else to die for that reason."
"Baby, I'm sure they don't blame you."
"I blame me, Mom. Not for the lost lives. I know that responsibility doesn't fall on my shoulders. I should have listened to Joshua. I tried to fit into a world that wasn't right for me. The truth of the matter is I'm a geek. If I had accepted that from the beginning I would have never been at the Bureau and Dr. McCoy and Flex would still be alive. Now I have to find a way to balance it all out."
Sally hugged her son. "You will, Adam. You will find your place in this world. Joshua recognized who he was early. For you, it may take a while. But that's okay. You can come back home until you do."
"Thanks, Mom, but I think I'm going to stay here with Joshua and Roc until I find my own place. If it's okay with them."
"I'm sure they would love to have you."
"We'll see." He hugged her again. "I'm going back downstairs." He walked towards the opening then stopped. "I met her, Mom."
"You met who?" Sally asked as she turned back to her son.
