Free Web NovelThe man named John continued speaking with a sly smile on his face.
“It means we should help each other. Don’t misunderstand me, Charlie. I just want to get some information.”
“Since when does the NSA get its information from people?”
“We need to change too. Things are different from the old days.”
“I’m not interested.”
I turned to leave, but John showed no sign of stopping.
“If you walk away now, you’ll regret it.”
I stopped mid-step and turned back to face him.
“Regret?”
“Yes. Charlie, what you’re doing has caught my attention. I’m planning to dig deeper into you now... Are you sure you won’t regret it?”
It was so absurd I couldn’t even laugh. I looked at him with a cold gaze.
“Should I take that as the White House’s stance?”
“Well...”
“Go ahead and try, then.”
“Don’t take the long, hard way around, Charlie. Just hand over the information I want. It’ll help you, not hurt you.”
While I kept my tone icy, John continued to talk in his easygoing way.
“I said I’m not interested. You keep repeating yourself.”
“I don’t know how much you know about the NSA, but when we decide to do something, we do it. Don’t ignore my words.”
He handed me a business card.
Without a word, I took it, and John waved casually as he left without a trace of hesitation.
“I’ll be waiting for your call.”
When he disappeared from view, I handed the card to Manager Ma.
“Find out about that man. It won’t be easy.”
“He said he’s NSA, didn’t he? That might be even harder than the CIA. They’re more secretive.”
“The NSA isn’t as famous as the CIA since it’s within the U.S. military, but look into it anyway.”
“Yes, understood.”
Even as I gave the order, I wasn’t expecting much.
There wasn’t much publicly known about NSA operatives.
They only became widely recognized after Al-Qaeda’s terrorist attacks on the United States.
I glared for a long time in the direction John had left, then shook my head.
“Let’s go. I’m not in the mood to laugh or drink.”
I glanced briefly at the crowd gathering around Bush and the Prime Minister, then left the banquet hall.
But when I took the elevator down to the hotel lobby, I ran into someone unexpected.
“Charlie, it’s been a while.”
It was Jessica — the same woman who’d once come to see me in Pyeongchang-dong.
She came closer, smiling as she extended her hand. I took it lightly and shook it.
“It’s been a while, Jessica.”
“It really has, hasn’t it?”
After the handshake, she checked the watch on her wrist and said,
“But why are you leaving so early? The night’s just getting started.”
“I’m not in the mood to stay long. By the way, what brings the CIA to the banquet?”
“Oh, right. I actually transferred — to the newly formed Department of Homeland Security.”
“Really? Congratulations.”
The Department of Homeland Security had been newly established after Al-Qaeda’s attacks on U.S. soil.
Despite having the CIA, FBI, and NSA under the Department of Defense, they still failed to prevent the homeland attack — the first in U.S. history.
So they created a new agency dedicated to domestic intelligence and defense.
Recalling the details about Homeland Security, I studied Jessica’s face.
If she had been assigned to the new department, that meant she had the administration’s trust.
“This is all thanks to you, Charlie. I came here tonight just to say thank you, even though it wasn’t on my schedule. But really — leaving this early? Did something happen?”
I shook my head. There was nothing good about bringing it up.
“No, just not in the best mood, that’s all.”
“Oh, come on, I don’t buy that. How about a drink with me? When you’re down, talking it out over a drink is the best cure.”
Jessica smiled brightly, urging me along.
It was a transparent move, but I let it slide.
She’d been a fairly high-ranking CIA officer; maybe she had connections in the NSA.
“Since you offered, I’ll take you somewhere nice.”
Jessica and I walked through the lobby and out the front entrance.
After helping her into the car, I drove her to a secret bar in Gangnam.
As usual, the bar was crowded. The madam spotted me and hurried over.
“Boss! It’s been a while since you’ve visited.”
“Get us a private room where we can talk quietly. And as for drinks... Jessica, do you have a favorite?”
“Not really. Anything’s fine, Charlie.”
Old habits from her intelligence work showed — she kept scanning the room as she answered.
“Bring the usual.”
“Yes, sir. Right this way.”
Following the madam’s lead, we entered a special room at the back.
Jessica and I went in; Manager Ma remained stationed at the door.
Not long after we sat down, the madam returned with staff to set the table.
A variety of appetizers and bottles were laid out. She lifted one and spoke in English — probably for Jessica’s benefit.
“It’s cognac — Louis XIII, one of the most popular kinds.”
Jessica’s eyes lit up at the sight of the bottle.
She must be quite the drinker. I smiled faintly and asked,
“Will that do?”
“Yes, perfect.”
“Then let’s have that.”
“Of course. Call me if you need anything.”
The madam bowed and closed the door behind her.
I poured a little into each glass and handed one to Jessica.
She held it up under the warm light, swirling it slowly before sniffing the aroma.
“Mmm, it smells wonderful.”
“Glad you like it.”
I followed her motion, letting the liquor warm to my touch.
Before the real drinking began, I decided to talk a bit.
“So, what brings you to Korea? As far as I know, Homeland Security only handles domestic matters.”
“Oh, presidential security was transferred to us recently.”
Because of the latest terrorist incident, then. That explained her presence.
The U.S. President, in order to prevent concentration of power, didn’t have a dedicated personal security office.
Despite countless assassination attempts, that separation of powers remained.
Traditionally, the Secret Service under the Treasury Department handled presidential protection, but the attacks had sparked reform.
That duty was now transferred from Treasury to Homeland Security.
“So, are you in charge of the Secret Service division within Homeland Security?”
“That’s classified.”
Jessica grinned playfully, but I just shrugged.
“I see.”
“You’re no fun.”
“If it’s a secret, what’s the point in asking more?” freewēbnoveℓ.com
“Ha, you really don’t get the push-and-pull thing, do you? Come on, drink.”
Pouting, she clinked her glass against mine.
I caught the cognac’s soft aroma and took a sip.
“Wow, this is amazing.”
She kept marveling at it, clearly pleased. Then, in a subtler tone, she asked,
“So, Charlie — what’s bothering you? Did someone from our side mess up?”
“Hmm.”
“Tell me. Maybe I can help.”
Finally, the words I’d been waiting for. I set my glass down and dropped the smile from my face.
“Jessica, the NSA came to see me.”
“What? The National Security Agency contacted you?”
Jessica’s eyes widened — she looked genuinely surprised.
Maybe she truly didn’t know, or maybe she was acting.
“Yes. They came to give me a warning.”
Her playful demeanor vanished, replaced by seriousness.
“The NSA rarely moves directly... You’re sure it wasn’t the CIA?”
“Positive. They said they were NSA.”
“Did they give you anything?”
“A business card.”
“Can I see it?”
I nodded and called for Manager Ma.
He entered the room, and I extended my hand.
“Manager, bring me that card I ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) received earlier.”
He took it from his case and handed it over.
With a glance, I signaled him to step back outside.
I passed the card to Jessica. She examined it closely, front and back, then held it up to the light. Her brow furrowed slightly.
“It’s real. That’s an authentic NSA-issued card.”
“You know the man?”
“I don’t. Honestly, even I don’t know much about the NSA — the CIA maybe, but not them.”
Returning the card, she pulled out her phone.
“I need to make a quick call.”
I nodded, and she moved to a corner, speaking quietly.
Her voice was low, but the room was silent enough that I caught parts of it.
“...They say the NSA made contact with Kim in Korea.”
I couldn’t hear the reply, but she listened for a long time.
“Yes, understood. I’ll relay that.”
Ending the call, Jessica returned to her seat.
“Our Secretary says he had no idea. He asked me to apologize on his behalf.”
That meant Jessica held a pretty high position — she could report directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security.
I gave her a long, assessing look.
“He said that himself?”
“Yes. We really didn’t know. If we had, do you think I’d have let them get to you first?”
“I see. I’m just wondering if it’s the White House’s doing.”
“No way. You’re meeting with Secretary Rumsfeld and National Security Advisor Rice soon, right? Why would we do something like that?”
Her answer was firm, but I still couldn’t dismiss my doubts.
“The NSA is under the Department of Defense. And they came to warn me. Hard to believe it’s coincidence.”
“It must be. I don’t know why the NSA acted, but the White House has no intention of opposing you, Charlie.”
“Hard to believe, considering that the IRS has started investigating Dreamhigh and my affiliated companies in New York...”
Jessica’s confident tone faltered. She didn’t deny it. The audits were real, after all.
“I understand the situation. After the biggest accounting scandal in U.S. history, they had to divert public anger somewhere. And the firms tied to me were easy targets. But the trust was broken then — and today they have the nerve to show up and talk nonsense? You can imagine my mood.”
Jessica looked embarrassed. She emptied her glass before speaking softly.
“What exactly did he say to you, Charlie?”
“He demanded I give them whatever information they want. Otherwise, they’ll start digging into me properly.”
“Ha...”
Jessica rubbed her forehead and let out a deep sigh.
“I’m really sorry. I’ll call Rumsfeld myself.”
“No. I’ll ask him directly tomorrow.”
I stopped her before she could reach for her phone.
Learning that she had direct access to the Secretary and insight into the White House’s position was already enough.
Anything more would be overreaching. I smiled faintly, softening my tone.
“I like you, Jessica. That’s why I don’t want you mixed up in this.”
“Thank you, Charlie. But I really didn’t know.”
“Then let’s drop it.”
She nodded, obediently.
“If I find out anything, I’ll share it with you.”
Instead of answering, I lifted my glass toward her. Jessica smiled and raised hers too.
The sound of clinking glasses echoed through the quiet room.
