Alien Proliferation

this women’s bathroom and call us when you’re in.’”
    “Right, standard procedure. So why the hell wasn’t it followed?”
    Had a horrible thought. “Maybe it was. Gladys! Do we have any agent teams who haven’t checked in?”
    Jeff was back and exchanged my purse for Jamie. “The Poofs didn’t want to come. They were freaking out about something.”
    “What and where?”
    “No idea what they were upset about. They were in their little condo you love so much.”
    “Tim left a clue there, go look for it, now .”
    Jeff sighed, handed Jamie back to me, and took off again.
    “Commander? Several agent teams haven’t checked in.” Gladys sounded worried. “All teams were dispatched by Commander White. The team Captain Reader assigned to Alicia Young was sent home by the team assigned by Commander White,” she added.
    “Oh, great. White’s our mole?” Chuckie sounded like he was going to kill himself.
    “No, but it explains why we missed them—Christopher’s not functioning, and he’s not around to ask why the teams haven’t checked in. Why did he switch teams?”
    “Per the orders, Commander White felt the team he dispatched was better prepared to handle any issues,” Gladys shared.
    “Okay, so he wanted a more experienced team going out. Under the circumstances, can’t blame him. So, Gladys, who were they going for or where were they headed?”
    “The one replacement team was at Pueblo Caliente International, waiting for Alicia Young. The other three were in D.C.”
    I got a funny feeling. “Gladys . . . where are the A-C Diplomatic Corps?”

 
    CHAPTER 31
     
    “T HE DIPLOMATIC CORPS ARE SECURED in the Embassy, Commander.”
    “All of them? You’re sure?”
    “Yes, Commander, I’ve scanned the building.”
    “I’d put my money on them, not Amy or Alicia, and sure as hell not Christopher.” Reader’s voice was clipped. “What’s Reynolds think?”
    “Chuckie, your thoughts?”
    “Nice. Now we have so many mole options.” He sounded tired. “Camilla could be the mole, too, you know. Jesus.”
    Jeff returned. “I vote for the Diplomatic Corps.”
    “James thinks so, too.”
    “I vote for locking everyone we know up in a Centaurion Base and just hibernating.” Chuckie sounded ready to lose his mind.
    “Dude, relax. Just let the conspiracy wheels spin for a bit. I’ll handle the light thinking.” Back to Reader. “James, thoughts?”
    “Yeah. Tell Reynolds he could be the mole, too.”
    “Um, no, he couldn’t. And why?”
    “Yeah, fine, I agree. But why? Love to hear him sound like he’s about to crack. Happens so never.”
    “You really have an evil streak, don’t you?”
    “One of the many reasons you love me.”
    “True. But I’m not saying that to him.”
    “Tell Reader he’s hilarious. And that your mother checks me on a monthly damn basis.” Chuckie’s tone was extremely snide.
    “Geez, dude, did it sound like I thought he was right? Or that he was serious?”
    “Didn’t hear his side, just could tell what you two were talking about.”
    “Yeah, you’re good, Secret Agent Man. Keep working on the theories. James?”
    “I have no missed call or message from Tim. I don’t know what that means.” He sounded worried.
    “Well, Tim has Alicia, or at least he got to her first.”
    “Commander? We have no contact with the four missing agent teams. Unable to raise on cell.” Gladys sounded worried and pissed.
    “The fun never stops around here, does it? Okay, lemme get my cell.” Dug it out of my purse one-handed; Jamie didn’t seem to mind. I had several missed calls from Tim’s phone, but only one message, not from Tim’s number. “Okay, James, handing you to Jeff. Gladys, hang on.”
    Tossed the phone to Jeff. “Yeah, you know, I think that’s a brilliant idea.” He hung up. “James decided since he’s in the same damn building, he’d just come on back and talk to us in person.”
    “Whatever.” Hit my voicemail and turned on the speakerphone.
    “Kitty, I’m sorry. They’re after us and I can’t get to a gate. I think they’ve messed up Home Base’s ability to track us somehow, too. My cell took a bullet. We’re not hurt, yet. I’m on Alicia’s phone, but the battery’s going. Shit!” I heard what sounded like tires screeching, and then the phone went dead.
    “Well, that was illuminating not so much.” I looked at Jeff. “What did you find on the Poof tree?” He held up a CD. Help! by the Beatles. “Geez,