The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 129

"The dark hand?" Agent Rossi interjected. "I thought they were just as bad as the them

"I can assure you, they're very much there," Director Ricci said grimly. "But not as degrees

Agent Conti's brow furrowed. "I don't understand, Director. If this, whatever it is, could bring down the president, why would a criminal organization want it? Haven't they benefited from destabilizing the government? They prefer to destabilize, not remove. Control the government instead of bringing them down. Is it possible they just want to control the president?"

The tension in the room ratcheted up a notch as Director Ricci took a deep breath. "What I about to tell you goes beyond top secret. It's information that could get us all killed if it ever leaves this room." He paused, making eye contact with each agent in turn. "The Dark Hand wants this information because their leader... is the President himself."

The silence that followed was deafening. The agents sat in stunned disbelief, their faces a m of shock, confusion, and dawning horror.

Agent Bianchi was the first to find his voice. "That's... that's impossible. Can you confirm this, director?."

Director Ricci shook his head. "I'm afraid it is confirmed. We know. The President of Italy is the head of one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the country."

The way he said it made them sure that they had always known. This sent chills down their spins.

Agent Moretti leaned back in her chair, her face pale. "Director, I dare to ask, how long have you known?"

this relevant?" Director Ricci admitted.

This made them uncomfortable. The director knew. Not only did he know, he is trying to play both sides. It seems the risk of this being revealed is high. The director is trying to give himself an advantage by having the agency find it first. As long as the agency finds this evidence first, even if it gets revealed, there are many ways to make it seem as though they had been investigating this.

spread to quite a few people now, after an incident

agent recalled the news reports from a few weeks ago-a fire after a

mundane at the time.

exactly is our mission here, Director?

"Our mission is to protect the stability of our nation. If the truth about the president were to come out, it would plunge Italy into chaos. The fallout would

they had been told, they had been dragged into the same camp as the director. "We're going to contain it," Director Ricci corrected.

hand."

blank as he asked. "Director, are you saying we're supposed

crisis; it may not survive. Yes, that means working alongside the Dark Hand. It means operating

agents had already come to terms with this new

were novices that this knowledge about their job, about the country they served, would turn

the Shaw family? They're not exactly known for their cooperation with law enforcement. Attacking them is out of

Director Ricci explained. "They have... methods to get into the Shaw family's way so that we don't need

his head, a small laugh escaping his lips. "I never thought I'd see the day when we'd be working with the

need to know right now if each of you is prepared to do what needs to be done. If anyone feels they can't handle this assignment, speak now. There will be

Shock, disbelief, anger, and fear, but their faces remained blank. They had all sworn an oath to protect their country, and even if the

one, they

the group. "It's like any other job, bar

across at everyone seated. "You are all professionals. What we do here could well

our moves. Until then, speak of this to no one. As far as the rest of the agency is concerned, you're on a

lost in their own thoughts, the weight of their