“Couldn’t help noticing your Purple Heart.”
“The enemy marksmanship badge…” Macintosh chuckled and patted his lapel. “Nothing too serious. Caught a little piece of a one-twenty-two rocket on the march up to Baghdad. Your service record indicates we’ve got that in common.”
“Shake is a well-known shrapnel magnet, Director.” The man who calls himself Bayer said from across the room where he was working his laptop. “He’s got three Purples. Likely rates more, but who’s counting?”
They both laughed and sipped at their coffee. Macintosh jerked his head in the direction of the dining table. “He tells me you two have a long and lurid history.”
“Yes, sir. I’ve known him—for good or ill—more years than I like to admit.”
“Well, I’m really lucky to have him on the team. We’ve got a long, hard road
