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

“Riddle me this before we begin—how did you know I lived here?” Zack asked. The question nagged at him, as he’d never once seen Brandon in the neighborhood, even though he was only one street away.

“Old habit. Call it professional paranoia,” Brandon answered, opening his hands wide to emphasize the point. “Once we moved in, I used the wonders of Google and Zillow to pull up the listing for each home, and when I saw ‘Z. Chambers’ listed at 103 Arrow Drive, I had a friend in the FBI run a background search on the property, only to discover that it was you. I’ve considered reaching out to you so many times, to try and explain, but then I always talked myself out of it. I figured you’d moved on and I should let sleeping dogs lie . . . lay . . . or whatever the hell they do. One of the great things about Hidden Refuge is that with more than two acres for each home, you can see your neighbors, wave to them, but you don’t have to talk to them if you don’t want to. Personally, that’s just the way I like it, and I figured you did too, after what happened.”

Zack had to give it to the retired director and clandestine case officer. He always knew how to assess a situation and make the right decision based on that assessment. Then again, if he’s so smart, what the hell are we all doing here tonight?

“I guess it was bound to happen, two former agency employees living in the same neighborhood, especially this close to DC. But it sucks that it had to be you,” Zack said.

“Come on, Zack. You know the Intelligence Community is one of the largest employers in the Capital Region. Between NSA at Fort Meade, CIA at Langley, and DIA, as well as a host of others, there are always multiple spies or analysts living in the same place, even if they don’t know it.”

Zack sighed. “You’re right. More importantly, you were wise to keep your distance. I’m just sad that it’s come to an end, but I guess it was inevitable.” Zack turned to the son, Josh, and said, “Listen, I know you’re young—what, eighteen or so?—but I need you to think clearly and tell me what’s going on, and more importantly, what’s on that laptop you have in your backpack? No BS. Just direct answers. We don’t have much time. The ringleader for this circus and I were talking when I heard your screams. He’s going to be reaching out to me soon. Start from the beginning, but as a former boss of mine once said, be quick, be concise, and be gone—although you can ignore the last part. I’ll likely interrupt you with questions. Answer them and move on. Good to go?”