The Slip

Chapter 10

10

“MR. STORM I HAVE A Ms. Cacerek here for you,” the building security escort announced to Brian, knocking on his open office door.

Standing bent over his desk reading some papers, Brian gave an automatic “thank you” as he looked up with a brief stutter, caught off guard by the stunning woman standing in his doorway.

Julia Cacerek was wearing black dress slacks, high heeled closed toe shoes, and a crisp white shirt underneath a fitted suit jacket. She had sharp features with dark blue eyes accentuated by her black pixie hair cut.

Brian remained frozen. Julia c****d her head to the side as if looking underneath something, met his eyes and smiled introducing herself, “Hi, you must be Brian Storm. I’m Agent Julia Cacerek with the CIA.”

His hands still planted on his desk, Brian realized he had not moved and quickly straightened and pulled himself together as he walked around to shake hands. Her grip conveyed a sense of coiled strength underlying her professional exterior, like she could inflict sudden and permanent harm on him if she so desired. Well, she is with the CIA, he thought. “Yes, I’m Brian. Nice to meet you Agent Cacerek.”

“Please call me Julia. Sorry to catch you off guard. You looked deep in thought.” Julia was aware of the effect she could have on men (and women for that matter) and was practiced at playing it down to avoid awkward situations. Connecting with his dark brown eyes, Julia could see a deep intellect - maybe he truly had just been stuck in deep thought.

Brian was wearing a black polo shirt, dark jeans with what looked like black leather skater shoes. He was taller than her at about 6 feet, and in what looked to be good shape, but was not physically imposing.

His curly light brown hair bounced as he shook her hand. The lines at the corners of his eyes made it look like he could burst out laughing at any moment.

“Not at all, and please call me Brian. I was reading over some information that just came in regarding the current situation we are going to be working on together,” Brian said, fully recovered and back to his confident self.

“I have assembled some of my team to help us get started. Let’s go down to the conference room and greet them together,” Brian said.