G.U.A.R.D. Book #3: Recusant

-17-

    I was in the director's office. It felt like I had seen these clattered tables and filled cubby holes so long ago—but it had only been a little over an hour. The director himself sat behind his desk. With graying, curly hair, his eyes were hazel underneath thin glasses. He had a lanky build with a very slight potbelly, something I wouldn't think a director would have. He wasn't especially tall, either.

Agents in tactical gear stood in the room with us. More guarded the door. And lastly, two very angry commanders were also with us: Commander Barnes and Commander Lawson.

"Why did you do it, Natasha?" Barnes asked.

"Because no one was telling me anything," I said in an even voice, staring at the wall ahead.

"And did you find your answers?"

My eyes slid over to him. "No. Because G.U.A.R.D. had blotted out all the words that actually meant something!"

I leaned back and looked back to the wall with a glare. It unnerved me that Director Egypt hadn't said anything. He just continued fiddling with a gadget in his hands, looking at me with scrutinizing eyes.

"Well," Commander Lawson said, "the paragon of Leslie obviously had no effect on your rash personality."

Wonder why...

"Director, this is her third offense," the female commander continued. "Not to mention, this one is a lot more serious."

Barnes sighed, eyes falling downcast. It looked like he was truly disappointed. A flicker of remorse came in, but I pushed it away. If they didn't want me taking the initiative, they should've given me answers when I first asked.

"I recommend a much more serious punishment," Lawson said.

I felt my lip curl as my eyes rolled.

The director continued staring at me. "Maybe."

I looked to him with a suspicious expression. Commander Lawson scoffed in disbelief.

"Director, perhaps I should make my point more clear-"

"No, I understand your point perfectly, Abigail," Director Egypt stood, making his way around the desk to lean against it and look closer at me. I repositioned uncomfortably. "Thank you. I just don't believe the same tactic will work again."

I huffed. "Are you going to kick me out or something?"

Director Egypt actually seemed to consider my question for a moment. "Do you want to be kicked out?"

His gaze was so intent, as if he was actually asking. I looked away. "No."

"I might have a solution," a new voice said.

"I'm sorry, sir," one of the agents apologized. "We tried to stop him from coming in."

I turned around, wary of the new arrival. He was a tall man with a lean build. He looked younger than the director, but still had a few age lines underneath his black, shaggy hair.

Director Egypt sighed, waving at the agent. "It's fine. Go back to your station."

"Yes, sir."

"Brandon," the man said with a slight smirk, nodding towards the director.

Brandon? This guy was on a first-name basis with the director?

Egypt sighed, as if he had been bothered by the man before. "Lee."

Lee... Lee Slade? Daniel's mentor? What was he doing down here? More importantly, how did he get down here?