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.

to quite a few people now, after an incident involving the President.

this statement hung heavy in the air. Each agent recalled the news reports from a few weeks ago-a fire after a meeting, the President briefly hospitalized.

mundane at the time.

what exactly is our mission here, Director?

grim. "Our mission is to protect the stability of our nation. If the truth about the president were to come

they had been dragged

hand."

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

a crisis; it may not survive. Yes, that means working alongside the Dark Hand. It means operating in a gray area that goes against everything you've been trained

fell silent again as the agents had already come to terms

Lies and coverups. It was not as though they were novices that this knowledge

the Shaw family? They're not exactly known for their

"They have... methods to get into the

day when we'd be working with the mob to protect a corrupt president. It's like something out of

his voice softening slightly. "But I 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 no judgment, no repercussions. But once we move forward,

agents exchanged glances, a mix of emotions playing across their hearts. Shock, disbelief, anger, and fear, but their faces remained blank. They had all

by one, they nodded their

for the group. "It's

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

stood, signaling the end of the meeting. "Call your contacts. Daniel Shaw and his wife a in Appletown. We'll reconvene tomorrow morning at 0800. By then, I'll have more details our moves.

agents filed out of the room, each lost in their own thoughts, the weight of their new reality