Embedded Memories

Charles stood and clicked the answer button while he strode away.
“Seth.”
“Charles.”
“Any news?”
“Yes. Three of the men who were on the hit squad that you and Logan were assigned to entered the country.”
“What?” Charles struggled to keep his voice down and looked back at Brittany. She caught his glance, smiled, and nodded before going back to scratching Bjorn behind the ears. “How did they manage that?” he demanded.
“The same way everyone does Charles. By paying off the right people. You know that.”
“I thought they were under surveillance. That we were going to make sure this didn’t happen.”
“Charles,” Seth sighed, “you know the system isn’t perfect. At least we know they’re there.”
“Perhaps. But that doesn’t help me at all. If anything that makes this assignment that much more important.”
“Assignment? Charles, you took a leave of absence to keep a promise to a dead man.
“Seth!”
“Charles, I don’t like to speak ill of the dead, but you’re taking this way too far. Besides, worrying about something that will eventually find you anyway won’t stop them and it won’t help you.”
Charles took a deep breath, “You’re right. I’m sorry I was short with you, but Logan was my partner and my best mate- do not insult him. As for these butchers, I just don’t like them getting past our network.”
“I know Charles, and I’m sorry, but you know it happens.”
“Yes it does.”
“Anything from the girl?”
“No,” Charles said, leaning against a tree he’d wandered towards and turning so that he could watch Brittany, who had taken a tennis ball out of her bag and began to play fetch with Bjorn. “Right now my only focus is to gain her trust, but otherwise it’s common knowledge that her family is dead, though no one seems to know the details. She’s been smart about hiding out. Picking a small town where everyone knows everyone and newcomers stand out and are heard of long before they’re seen.”
“Sounds like she might be hiding intentionally. Maybe she does know something.”
“No. And I still haven’t found or seen anything to indicate that she does.”
“You know there are other ways to get information out of her, Charles. Perhaps it would be best to employ something a bit more… direct.”