Read Online Rogue Asset (Book 3 of the Wade Hanna Series) by Joseph D'Antoni - Free Book Online
Authors: Joseph D'Antoni
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looked around but concluded the right place for him was downstairs at the AITA meeting hall. He took in the high-end atmosphere as he proceeded down the wide marble split staircase, which made two half-circles. The black stone handrail offset the polished chrome ironwork under it. Ascending the large staircase made everyone feel important, and Wade was no exception.
The AITA registration sign led Wade to a smiling blonde receptionist behind a table who took down his name, checked him off a list, and handed him a badge. His name was preprinted under the AITA logo. He was then greeted by two large bald headed muscular men in tuxedos with radio receiver earpieces. They stood on each side of the double doors to the ballroom. Their black jackets bulged under their arms showing they were armed.
Wade watched as the two men carefully checked each visitor. He looked at his badge again and saw a small security code number on the bottom of the badge just under the word “International.” As he stood in line, he watched the eyes of the doormen go directly to that code on the badge.
Passing through the double entry door Wade gazed at the immense ballroom hall. Gold reflections bounced off the walls and the ceiling. Fine white tablecloths covered the more than a hundred large round tables. It was still early, and men and woman in formal dress mingled among the crowd with drinks in their hands. Only a few other guests had arrived and were milling around the long refreshment bar inside the great room. He tried to imagine what this hall would be like when it was filled later that evening. Wade saw a few men standing near a long table that served as a bar.
Wade saw Megan standing across the room at a table talking on the phone. He moved closer to catch her eye. Megan looked up and saw Wade. She immediately waved him over while still holding the phone to her ear. She was beautiful; all dressed up in a formal black cocktail dress and shiny burgundy heels.
They both made eye contact and smiled. Megan was still holding the phone so Wade closed the gap. It took him a while to cross the large room. As he approached, Megan ended the call and greeted Wade with a big smile and hug.
“So glad you could make it before the traffic got insane.”
Another woman standing next to Megan approached the couple, “This must be Wade. Hi, I’m Dorothy. I work at the Pentagon. Megan and I have been friends for a long time. How are you enjoying D.C.?”
Wade replied with a smile, “So far so good.”
Megan wanted Wade to herself and politely gave his arm a little tug away from the table and out of earshot of people standing around, “There are a couple of other people I want you to meet. Let’s move over here.” Repositioned, Megan continued, “I want to know how your day went with the polygraph.”
“It was an interesting experience. I’m still itching.”
“Itching?”
“I was allergic to the tape they used.”
Megan found his response a little humorous, “Maybe that was part of the test?”
“Ha, very funny.”
Megan was looking for a more serious answer, “I want to hear more about the poly when there aren’t so many people around. You have to meet Shaw. He stepped out for a short meeting with one of the agents. I’ll grab you when he gets back. Would you like something to drink?”
“You seem like you have a lot of things going on. I’ll get the drinks. What would you like?”
“Just get me a 7-Up. Thanks.”
Wade walked over to the bar and ordered a 7-Up for Megan and a plain soda water with lime for himself. As the bartender handed Wade the glasses Wade slipped his hand under the two napkins and folded them around the glasses so his fingers didn’t rest against the glass, thinking to himself, I’ve got to get rid of this napkin obsession.
Megan returned to the organizing table with her drink as Wade looked at the increasing crowds of people coming through the entrance doors. Instead of two they now had four gorilla
The AITA registration sign led Wade to a smiling blonde receptionist behind a table who took down his name, checked him off a list, and handed him a badge. His name was preprinted under the AITA logo. He was then greeted by two large bald headed muscular men in tuxedos with radio receiver earpieces. They stood on each side of the double doors to the ballroom. Their black jackets bulged under their arms showing they were armed.
Wade watched as the two men carefully checked each visitor. He looked at his badge again and saw a small security code number on the bottom of the badge just under the word “International.” As he stood in line, he watched the eyes of the doormen go directly to that code on the badge.
Passing through the double entry door Wade gazed at the immense ballroom hall. Gold reflections bounced off the walls and the ceiling. Fine white tablecloths covered the more than a hundred large round tables. It was still early, and men and woman in formal dress mingled among the crowd with drinks in their hands. Only a few other guests had arrived and were milling around the long refreshment bar inside the great room. He tried to imagine what this hall would be like when it was filled later that evening. Wade saw a few men standing near a long table that served as a bar.
Wade saw Megan standing across the room at a table talking on the phone. He moved closer to catch her eye. Megan looked up and saw Wade. She immediately waved him over while still holding the phone to her ear. She was beautiful; all dressed up in a formal black cocktail dress and shiny burgundy heels.
They both made eye contact and smiled. Megan was still holding the phone so Wade closed the gap. It took him a while to cross the large room. As he approached, Megan ended the call and greeted Wade with a big smile and hug.
“So glad you could make it before the traffic got insane.”
Another woman standing next to Megan approached the couple, “This must be Wade. Hi, I’m Dorothy. I work at the Pentagon. Megan and I have been friends for a long time. How are you enjoying D.C.?”
Wade replied with a smile, “So far so good.”
Megan wanted Wade to herself and politely gave his arm a little tug away from the table and out of earshot of people standing around, “There are a couple of other people I want you to meet. Let’s move over here.” Repositioned, Megan continued, “I want to know how your day went with the polygraph.”
“It was an interesting experience. I’m still itching.”
“Itching?”
“I was allergic to the tape they used.”
Megan found his response a little humorous, “Maybe that was part of the test?”
“Ha, very funny.”
Megan was looking for a more serious answer, “I want to hear more about the poly when there aren’t so many people around. You have to meet Shaw. He stepped out for a short meeting with one of the agents. I’ll grab you when he gets back. Would you like something to drink?”
“You seem like you have a lot of things going on. I’ll get the drinks. What would you like?”
“Just get me a 7-Up. Thanks.”
Wade walked over to the bar and ordered a 7-Up for Megan and a plain soda water with lime for himself. As the bartender handed Wade the glasses Wade slipped his hand under the two napkins and folded them around the glasses so his fingers didn’t rest against the glass, thinking to himself, I’ve got to get rid of this napkin obsession.
Megan returned to the organizing table with her drink as Wade looked at the increasing crowds of people coming through the entrance doors. Instead of two they now had four gorilla
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