Outside In

Chapter 4-1

Chapter 4

It was toward the end of April. Six weeks of grilling and study had passed. Cam stood in the shadows near the street corner where she’d been told to meet her ride. A-block away, laughter erupted as two young men emerged from the quiet corner bar. The usual black unmarked sedan pulled up to the curb in front of her. Leaning down to look inside, Cam was surprised to see Craig there. Usually, it was Wendell who picked her up.

As she’d done for the past how many nights, on how many different street corners, she quickly slid into the passenger seat. Tonight, however, there was a hesitation. “Want to stop somewhere for a drink?” Craig asked.

“I thought you didn’t want to be seen in public with me.”

He laughed.

“It’s almost one,” she continued. “Everything’s closing.” She didn’t want to add that the quiet corner tavern he’d pointed to was a gay bar, the same bar Pauly had taken her to when it first opened.

“You’re right. Besides, there is a lot to do tonight.” He didn’t add that he’d spent the last eight hours going over her file with Wendell and Maggie and with Richard C. Deems, Head of Internal Covert Operations of the DEA. They’d read and discussed Maggie’s and Wendell’s reports on her progress and abilities and finally agreed with him that she’d be the perfect person to handle this assignment. It had been a hard discussion. Tonight they’d lay it all on the table and see if the pieces fit. In his heart he knew that Cameron could, should do this assignment, but he also knew that if there were any other way, he’d never offer this to anyone, let alone someone he knew and liked.