The Gates of Winter - Mark Anthony [55]
“You were using us,” she said.
He peered over a pair of bifocals. “Certainly, Miss Falling Hawk. We gained a great deal of knowledge from observing your actions in Colorado. I know you were placed in some degree of peril. However, you and Farr were willing participants in the experiment, were you not?”
Deirdre didn't know what to say. She hadn't expected this level of honesty. Maybe her new rank had brought her more than just Echelon 7 access.
“I believe you gained a valuable experience,” Nakamura went on. “It's useful for the observer to know what it feels like to be the subject. I know it changed my own perspective. Good, here's Lucas with our tea.”
A white-haired man shuffled into the room carrying a silver tray. It was said Lucas had served the Seekers since the time of the Great Depression. He certainly looked old enough for the story to be true; he was stoop-shouldered and hawk-nosed, and he seemed lost inside a dusty black suit that had obviously been worn by a much larger man years ago.
Lucas set the tray down on Nakamura's desk, porcelain teacups rattling. Deirdre hardly noticed as, with a trembling, white-gloved hand, he set a steaming cup of tea before her. What had Nakamura just told her?
I know it changed my own perspective. . . .
Had Nakamura once been the subject of observation by the Seekers, just as she and Farr had been in Denver?
“Thank you, Lucas,” Nakamura said with a smile.
The old man bowed stiffly, remaining bent over for such a long time Deirdre grew alarmed he was having a stroke. However, he finally straightened again, shuffled from the room, and shut the door.
“I'm sure you're curious about your new assignment, Miss Falling Hawk, so I won't keep you in the dark any longer. While it's not quite as glamorous as your most recent assignments, I think you'll agree it's important work.”
Nakamura handed her a manila folder. Deirdre opened it and scanned the directive clipped to a slim bundle of papers, then shut the folder.
She had guessed as much. It looked to be an exercise in cross-database cataloging. It was just the kind of work she had been doing two years ago when she discovered the link between the Graystone and Beckett cases. Important? Yes. Dull? Yes again. It was just as Sasha had said. The Seekers wanted to make sure she stayed out of trouble.
Only it doesn't make sense, Deirdre. Why give you a promotion and Echelon 7 clearance if all they intend for you to do is a safe and boring desk job?
Then again, with Echelon 7, there was a whole new world of files and information open to her. Maybe it wouldn't be so tedious after all.
“Thank you,” Deirdre said, holding the folder on her lap. “I'm sure it will be interesting work.”
Nakamura sighed. “Well, I suppose I shouldn't have expected an outburst of excitement.” He sipped his tea, then regarded her over the cup. “This isn't a punishment, you know. You're very important to the Seekers, and I don't mean as a subject with otherworldly connections. You have a gift for seeing pattern, symbol, and meaning others can't. You're one of our finest agents—now more than ever.”
Deirdre's heart ached. It would be so easy to let herself think Nakamura didn't mean what he said, that it was nothing more than a cynical ploy intended to engender her loyalty to the organization. Except somehow she couldn't make herself believe that.
“You can let yourself out, Miss Falling Hawk.”
Only as he spoke did she realize she had been staring. “Of course,” she said, clutching the folder and standing. She hurried to the door.
“By Hermes himself, I nearly forgot.” Nakamura removed his glasses. “It will take him a day or two to wrap up his previous assignment, but he'll be contacting you very soon.”
Deirdre shook her head. “What?”
Nakamura picked up his teacup. “It's simply our standard procedure. We really prefer Seekers to work in tandem. And don't worry—he isn't your superior. In fact, with your promotion, you'll be the senior agent this time.”
Deirdre's mind buzzed;