Chapter 21 Beacon #2
Kingston and Gunner were at the far table when we came in. Doc sat across from them.
Kingston stood when he saw us and met Bishop halfway as he crossed to him. The two embraced and spoke in quiet tones, saying words only meant for each other.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I said when the two separated.
“I heard it was a rough night,” he said.
“Part of the job,” I said, which made both men chuckle. “Fortunately, this one had my back.” I nudged Bishop, who put his arm around my shoulders.
“So I asked her to marry me.”
Kingston’s eyes opened wide, and he shook Bishop’s hand. “Other than Amaryllis and me, I don’t know two people better suited for each other.”
“And Merrigan and me,” said Doc, joining us.
“And Henry and me,” said Lyra.
“We’d like to take a few days to celebrate,” said Bishop.
“Where are you thinking?” Kingston asked.
“Mom and Dad’s place in the Bahamas.”
“Excellent choice.”
“If we can arrange leave,” Bishop added.
“About that,” Doc began. “Before the briefing gets underway, there’s something I’d like to discuss. Mercury, Gunner, Razor, and I, along with the two of you.”
“Of course. Where?” I asked.
“The conference room on this level. Give us ten minutes.”
Doc and Lyra were standing when we came in. Gunner and Razor were on the far side of the conference table. Bishop and I sat across from them.
“When Gunner, Razor, Eighty-eight, and I founded K19 Security Solutions many moons ago, we had no idea what it would grow into,” Doc said.
“In that time, we’ve built partnerships with agencies and governments around the globe.
We’ve also added four operational units run by their own managing partners.
When we say we’d like to add a fifth, we don’t do it without careful consideration.
“What the two of you have built in the weeks since the bombing at the Minerva Protocol’s headquarters is among the best and most capable intelligence operations I’ve seen assembled outside a national service. And you’re just getting started.”
Gunner spoke next. “We’d like to make the partnership official. That means a structure, not a handshake.”
“K19 Genesis Consortium,” said Razor. “That’s the name we’re proposing.”
“The organizational structure would be subsidiary run autonomously,” Doc continued. “With the two of you serving as managing partners. K19 provides infrastructure, cyber capability, tactical support, and access to everything we have. Genesis Consortium runs their own missions.”
My eyes met Bishop’s, but neither of us spoke.
“Mercury,” Doc said. “You, Eleanor, and Edgar started Minerva Protocol. You’re part of this decision.”
She nodded and faced the two of us.
“Horatio and Mikhail gave their lives trying to expose what Vasiliev built. Minerva Protocol was founded to finish that work. Out of the ashes of what that organization once was, Beacon stood in a room full of people and said she wouldn’t give up.
Even if it was on her own, she was prepared to go to war.
Every person in this command center stood with you too but none more than Blackjack.
The work had passed to both of you, whether any of us named it or not.
All you have to do now is say you accept the mantle. ”
“I accept,” I said.
Bishop was half a second behind me. “I accept too.”
We all stood and shook hands across the table.
“One more thing,” said Doc. “You mentioned you’re heading to the Bahamas once the briefing is over. Is that right?”
“If—” Bishop started.
“No ifs,” Doc interrupted. “You’re in charge now.” He turned to Razor. “Are the arrangements made?”
“Affirmative. K19’s plane is at the Johnstown airfield on standby.”
“That’s generous, Doc,” I said.
He nodded once and winked. “Perks of the partnership.”
Doc and Lyra went to the front of the room. We followed and stood beside them. Anna and Julian were seated next to Henry.
“Before we get started, there’s an announcement.” Doc stepped aside, and Lyra came forward.
“As of today, the Genesis Consortium and K19 are formally unified as K19 Genesis Consortium. The managing partners are Beacon and Blackjack.”
She didn’t elaborate. Everyone in the room had built it right along with us.
Doc spoke next. “This changes nothing about how the teams operate. It changes everything about what we can do together. Beacon and Blackjack have the floor.”
“Let’s get started,” I began. “As you all know, Nikolai Vasiliev arrived at Onteora by boat last night with enough military-grade explosives to do to this property what he did to the Minerva Protocol’s headquarters.”
I turned to Bishop. “Due to the efforts of MI6 officers Anna Hyde and Julian Loxley, he was intercepted and taken out.”
All those in the room clapped.
“Former MI6 officers,” said Anna when the room quieted.
“What we need to address today are the things we learned prior to Vasiliev’s death. First, and I’m quoting what he said to Anna, ‘You think this is about you? You think I had a choice? Or that it ends with me?’”
“Over the last few days, we’ve learned that while Vasiliev had FSB backing and Kremlin protection, he was running a private banking scheme Moscow knew nothing about.
A man with that kind of cover doesn’t say he had no choice unless someone above him was making the decisions.
If that’s the case, we need to find out who that is,” I added.
Bishop turned to Kingston and Gunner. “What happened in Dubai?”
Gunner nodded, and Kingston stood. “The man we believed was Vasiliev was a decoy. Before we had the chance to interrogate him, he was taken out by someone we believe is FSB affiliated.”
“Moscow moved fast,” Bishop said. “The freeze exposed Vasiliev to his own people. They eliminated the double and would have eliminated him if he hadn’t come here first.”
“Second item,” I said. “Vasiliev told Anna he’d like to take credit for Horatio Hyde’s death but that another of his enemies got to him first.”
Anna’s expression didn’t change.
“We were never able to prove who killed our father,” said Lyra. “Vasiliev’s statement means we still haven’t.”
I turned to Dagger. “You and Givre will lead the investigation into Vasiliev’s claim that he wasn’t calling the shots. Reaper and Amaryllis, since Briggs is already on your radar, that’ll be your op.”
“Roger that,” Reaper responded first.
“Whatever resources and support you need are here and available to you. We’ll determine the mission timeline when we return from leave,” Bishop said. “Questions?” he added.
“That’s it, and thank you,” I said when no one spoke.
“Ready?” Bishop asked when those in the room stood to get to work.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this, but yes.”
“I’ll let our pilot know you’re on the way,” said Razor when we passed him on our way out. “And enjoy every minute. As you know, the next mission will be waiting for you when you return.”
“Bishop, I think I might have a problem,” I said on our walk to the camp.
He stopped on the trail. “What’s wrong?” he asked, snaking his arm around my waist and pulling me close to him.
“I didn’t bring many clothes with me.”
He grinned. “Do you think you’ll need any? I won’t.”
“You can’t just be naked all the time.”
He brushed my lips with his. “Says who?”
“Come on, be serious.”
He rolled his eyes. “Okay, we don’t have to be naked all the time.”
I swatted his arm, and he laughed.
“There are beach shops on the way from the airfield to the house. We’ll stop and get whatever we need on our way.”
“You couldn’t have just said that, to begin with?”
“And miss seeing how cute you are when you’re annoyed with me? Not a chance.”