BooksBarbecue
Back The Neighborhood
Chapters (59)
  1. Part I Reconnaissance
  2. Chapter One
  3. Chapter Two
  4. Chapter Three
  5. Part II Incursion
  6. Chapter Four
  7. Chapter Five
  8. Chapter Six
  9. Chapter Seven
  10. Chapter Eight
  11. Chapter Nine
  12. Chapter Ten
  13. Part III Under Siege
  14. Chapter Eleven
  15. Chapter Twelve
  16. Chapter Thirteen
  17. Part IV Course Correction
  18. Chapter Fourteen
  19. Part V Balance of Power
  20. Chapter Fifteen
  21. Chapter Sixteen
  22. Chapter Seventeen
  23. Chapter Eighteen
  24. Chapter Nineteen
  25. Chapter Twenty
  26. Chapter Twenty-One
  27. Chapter Twenty-Two
  28. Chapter Twenty-Three
  29. Chapter Twenty-Four
  30. Chapter Twenty-Five
  31. Chapter Twenty-Six
  32. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  33. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  34. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  35. Part VI Spy versus Spy
  36. Chapter Thirty
  37. Chapter Thirty-One
  38. Chapter Thirty-Two
  39. Chapter Thirty-Three
  40. Part VII Winds of War and Flame
  41. Chapter Thirty-Four
  42. Chapter Thirty-Five
  43. Chapter Thirty-Six
  44. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  45. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  46. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  47. Chapter Forty
  48. Chapter Forty-One
  49. Part VIII Strong to the Finish
  50. Chapter Forty-Two
  51. Chapter Forty-Three
  52. Part IX Spy Games
  53. Chapter Forty-Four
  54. Chapter Forty-Five
  55. Chapter Forty-Six
  56. Part X What Goes Around
  57. Chapter Forty-Seven
  58. Chapter Forty-Eight
  59. About the Author

Zack nodded and said, “Come on. Let’s talk out back on the screened-in porch. Don’t worry—it’s heated. Before we head out, can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Something stronger?”

Matt smiled. “There was a time when all the executives had stocked bars in their offices, but that time has long passed. I think I’ll take one of those Nespresso’s, if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. They’re good, especially with the foam,” Zack said.

“You really do have a beautiful home, Zack. It’s obvious you’ve done well since you left us,” Matt said as the machine revved up quietly and began to dispense its thick, luxurious brew. “You ever miss it? I know you don’t miss the agency, but the work, the direct action of it.”

Zack handed the director a black mug and considered his answer as the machine dispensed a second one for him. “Before two weeks ago, I would’ve said yes, but now? I don’t know, if I’m being honest.”

The Nespresso finished, and Zack grabbed his mug and walked through the open door to the screened-in porch. Two plush tan loveseats and matching full-size couches were arranged in a square around a stone table. Zack sat at the right end of a couch, and Matt dropped onto the left end of the adjacent loveseat. The two men looked at each other, but Zack waited for Matt to initiate the conversation.

“I’m not going to beat around the bush. Whatever you’ve heard about me is likely or partially true. I’m a bit of a straight shooter, often to my wife’s chagrin,” Matt started, smiling. “But before I get to the real reason I drove all the way out here, I have one question for you.”

“Shoot,” Zack said, acutely aware of the poor choice of words as they left his mouth.

Matt nodded. “Okay. You’re an incredibly smart guy. You’re one of the best operators we likely ever had. I don’t say that to set you at ease for something else; it’s just the truth. Now, I read all—and I do mean all—of your debriefs multiple times. But I’m pretty sure you held one thing back.”

“Is that so?” Zack replied, amusement written all over his face as he raised his eyebrows quizzically.

“It is. And here it is—do you know what was on the laptop?” Matt asked.