Read Online Rogue Asset (Book 3 of the Wade Hanna Series) by Joseph D'Antoni - Free Book Online Page B

soda with a twist of lime. The meeting hall was getting louder as more people entered and became engaged in conversation. Wade wandered around smiling at different people and groups who acknowledged his presence with a nod. He was clearly feeling a little uncomfortable in the crowded room until he spotted a man standing alone next to a piano in the far corner of the hall.
    No one was playing the piano in favor of piped-in hotel music. The middle-aged man stood alone with his drink resting on the piano. What caught Wade’s attention was the fact that his glass was wrapped with the napkin just like Wade’s wrap.
    Wade guessed the piano man was in his late forties with graying temples and sideburns. His napkin wrapped drink rested on a coaster on top of the piano. The man seemed comfortable in his space alone among groups nearby seemingly ignoring his presence. Wade labeled the person as “Piano Man” and moved closer.
    He didn’t know why he was attracted to his presence. If nothing else, it was curiosity about how they both wrapped their glasses. That was enough of a topic for Wade to make an introduction.
    “Hello, my name is Wade Hanna. I’m in my final year of intelligence officer training and will be graduating in the next couple of months.”
    The man shook his hand and replied, “You can call me Leo. I’ve been in the business for 24-years.”
    “May I ask, do you work out of the D.C. office?”
    “You already asked two questions, but the answer is no, I work all over. It’s rare I’m in the States and even rarer that I’m in D.C.”
    “Do you come to this event every year?”
    “No, I haven’t been to this event in over five years. It’s not something I have time for.”
    A silent pause lasted for a while. Wade wasn’t sure what to say next.
    “When do you finish your training?”
    “Technically, I finished this week. Today was my final surveillance class and polygraph exam. I’m not sure if they want me to take any other classes. As far as I know I’m done.”
    “There’s always some class to take with the company. In fact, sometimes I think we’re nothing but an educational institution. I guess that’s how they justify their federal budget each year.”
    The Piano Man was rough and not a social type. Wade was curious about what he did for the Agency. There was something about his style that gave him grit - a feature Wade hadn’t seen much of since coming to Washington. For some reason, he wanted to know more about Leo and decided he would continue the conversation.
    “I’m trying to decide which direction to go with my career at this point.”
    “How long did you sign up for?”
    “I’ve been in since I started college and think I have two years left.”
    Leo just nodded with an expression that said “typical recruit.” Wade wanted to know more. “What part of the service do you work in?”
    “Well let’s just say my work with the company is unconventional. I’m what they refer to as a ‘Sweeper’. I don’t work for the Agency directly. For the most part, I work alone and contract out associates.”
    Wade had a surprised look on his face. The Agency hadn’t covered that position in the training classes. Before he could ask the next question, Leo continued the conversation.
    “I’m never in the same place for very long and not affiliated with any federal office or department. I’m also referred to in the business as a ‘Ghost’ as far as intelligence work goes.”
    Wade was intrigued. At the risk of sounding dumb he asked, “What does a ‘Sweeper’ or ‘Ghost’ do?”
    “I deal with messy things the company needs to be cleaned up. I’m like a magician. I make people or things disappear depending on what the company needs.”
    “Isn’t that part of what most agents do at the company?”
    Leo’s brow narrowed. He looked at Wade as being very naïve, “No. All these other agents, except one I’ve seen here tonight, are part of large departments. They work in