Glen slipped in at the back of the meeting during the briefing on Monday afternoon. Joe noticed his arrival but did nothing to acknowledge the man. It all worked better when Glen was allowed to slip in and out unrecognized.
'Ok folks, thank you all so much. We'll pick this up again on Thursday I believe', Joe said, looking towards Jeff. His Chief of Staff took over and began to shepard the attendees from the Cabinet room, giving the President space to exit through the other door. 'Walk with me', Joe said quietly to Glen, as he passed him.
They crossed the corridor to the Oval office without any additional stops. The agent stepped aside as Joe entered.
'So, what do you have for me?' Joe asked Glen as they stepped into the hallowed space of the Oval Office. 'How's Amethyst doing?'
'Remarkably well sir', he said, taking a seat on the sofa as Joe indicated him to do. 'His health is good but he took quite a beating over there, he'll never have the dexterity he once had, the ease of movement. Psychologically he's doing well too but he did admit that it's been difficult to put it all behind him, close the doors on his thoughts, was the way he explained it. He wants to get back, feels he has a lot to give but he's not up for active undercover work yet and I think he needs delicate handling, sir'. Glen was succinct, to the point. Just as he knew his boss liked.
'What do you mean by delicate handling?' Joe asked. It was a question he'd been pondering himself. How best to utilize Amethyst' skill set. He could never return to Moscow, that was clear. He'd be rumbled in five seconds. But Joe did need the man's extensive expertise, did have an urgent use for his talents but he was also afraid to push the man too far, too fast.
'I think he needs someone who would be firm but patient, someone who won't ask too many questions but won't be afraid to push him within his limits too. Someone who has a good deal of knowledge about the situation ideally', Glen said. 'He needs to have his confidence built up, know he's doing a good job. I think if he was given a task to do and report back, left alone to do it but chastised if it's not done properly or on time it would really build him back up, reinforce his confidence. Sir', he finished.
Glen saw the reaction on the President's face. 'You have someone in mind sir?' Glen asked.
'I do. I think I know the perfect handler for him', he said, slapping his hands against his thighs.
The President stood, walked towards his desk and pulled the nearest folder closer to him and opened it, glanced inside. Pondered for a moment. He looked back at Glen, 'get back onto him. Tell him to get ready to come to Washington. I want to see him with my own eyes, and give him his orders directly'.
'Certainly sir', Glen answered, turning to leave.
Joe called him back. 'Glen'. The other man turned, stood ramrod straight, waiting for his next orders. 'That's good work, very good work. Thank you', the president said.
'You're welcome sir', Glen replied, before leaving the Oval office behind and stepping out into the annex.
As the door closed behind Glen's retreating back, Joe's iPhone rang. He looked at the screen. Answered, 'just a sec', he said before lifting the receiver of the bank of phones on his desk. 'Yes Mr. President?' Ashley's voice came down the line from her desk just outside. 'Hold my calls for the next fifteen minutes please'. 'Certainly sir', she replied. He hung up, retrieved his iPhone, held it to his ear. 'Go ahead', he said.
He listened mostly. Asked some questions, made some notes on a notecard, making sure to slip it back in his pocket when he was done. 'Ok, thanks, stay safe', he said ten minutes later as a closing salutation. He ran his hand along his jaw, eyes running through the notes he'd taken, mind working feverishly. He tapped his pen on the desk, thinking.
