In the Shadows

Chapter Three

Season Two, Episode Five: A Hen in a Wolf House

My gaze was fixated on the screen before me, flickering over the crime scene photos we had received. Eight people had died, six of which had affiliations with the navy, and we had no idea what had killed them. All we knew was that the effects were similar to those from the obelisk. I heard a sigh come from behind me, causing me to turn and look at Coulson, who was rubbing his forehead as he gazed at the papers on his desk. 

Before I could even have a chance to question Coulson as to if he was alright, though I already knew the answer, May, Skye, Trip, and Hunter entered the office. May was barely past the threshold of the door when she spoke. "Have you heard back from your navy contact?" She question. I gave Skye a small smile as I moved to stand beside her. 

"No." Coulson shook his head. "Radio silence." 

Skye clasped her hands in front of herself before speaking. "Any chance we could find a way in, maybe poke around a bit?"

"The entire fleet is closing ranks. These were their men." He pointed to the pictures and broadcast's on the screen. "No one other than the CDC and navy's top brass are setting foot in that room." 

"Okay then," Hunter spoke. "That's a dead end."

"What about Agent Simmons?" Trip suggested. "She's inside Hydra. Any chance she has some intel?"

Coulson moved his gaze to look at Trip, shaking his head once again. "Still waiting for her to make contact."

"Sir, what is that?" Skye questioned as she moved toward his desk, pointing out the fresh carvings in the wood, which he quickly hid underneath a pile of files.

"Just some sketches." He quickly brushed off her concern, but years of being friends with Skye and the look on her face told me that she wasn't going to let it go so easily, even if she was willing to drop it for now. "If the obelisk is back in play, we need to know what this writing means. Any progress on your end?" He questioned Skye.

"I put some feelers out to my Rising Tide contacts about the painting we recovered in Miami, and no one has seen anything like it." She shook her head gently.

"Keep looking, something will turn up." He instructed her.

"What about the writings you've been giving me? Why don't you tell me your source, and I'll follow up?" She was beginning to press Coulson, which I knew wasn't going to end smoothly.

"I'm afraid that's classified."

Hunter scoffed before speaking. "Well, you're the boss man, maybe you could de-classify it."

I turned my head toward Hunter, a warning expression on my face. "You need to drop it, Hunter." From the corner of my eye, I saw Skye's expression shift as she turned to face me once the words had left my mouth, but I ignored it, turning back to Coulson. 

Skye's mouth opened to speak to me, but Coulson beat her to the punch by answering Hunter's question. "I could, but I won't."

"Why not?" Skye questioned, her tone shifting from curious to irritated and suspicious. 

"I already answered the question, Skye."

"No, you didn't. You skirted it. There's a difference."

"Then it's a difference I am comfortable with, but if you continue questioning my authority, then you and I are going to have a very different conversation. One you will not be comfortable with." There was a warning tone in Coulson's voice, telling her not to push the subject more than she already had. "Is that clear?"