“How soon do you think we’ll be able to leave?”
Dutch smiled. “For South Carolina?”
Malin nodded.
“I’m ready to go right now.”
“Hold on there,” said Doc. “First, Malin has to wrap this mission.”
“Can’t someone else do it?”
Malin slugged Dutch’s arm. “And have them take credit for all my hard work?”
“Ouch.” Dutch rubbed the spot where she hit him. “I was thinking more along the lines of delegating it to someone.”
“I’m a junior agent, Dutch. No one works under me.”
“About that,” said Doc.
Both Malin and Dutch shook their heads.
“I’m taking leave, and Malin is not open for discussion about her future employment, whatever that may be.”
“Taking leave?” said Doc, laughing. “You’re long since out of the military, boy.”
“I’ll resign, then.”
“The hell you will.”
“Come on, Doc. Give me a break. I’m not kidding when I say I need some time away.”
Doc put his hand on Dutch’s shoulder. “Merrigan already told me she’ll refuse to put you on any schedule for at least six months. After that, it’s at your discretion.”
“Are we going to have anyone who’s actually working left?” asked Razor, walking in with Gunner.
“Who’s in the active column?” asked Dutch.
“Striker and Monk. I don’t know about Mantis and Alegria,” answered Doc.
“We need to rethink this partner policy,” said Gunner. “Every time we make someone a partner, six months later, they want to retire. Maybe we should consider adding a few employees.”
“Merrigan said the same thing.”
“Smart woman.”
“Hey, Gunner, are you gonna tell them, or am I?”
“What’s that, Raze?”
“Montgomery.”
“Right. That sonuvabitch was ready to confess everything before we even got him in the car.”
“Malin asked what happens next, and I told her I had no idea.”
Doc rubbed the back of his neck. “Jesus, I guess it’ll be up to the Supreme Court to decide. There certainly isn’t a precedent.”
“There are no political recall mechanisms available to voters at the federal level at all. Not even congressionally,” said Razor.