Access Denied

Flynn and Nicole had taken the responsibility of mowing the lawn. Kiara had suggested that someone clear any evidence of threats being made or their already compromised location would be exposed wholly.

So, after cutting the grass from the grounds, everyone had gathered into the make-shift dining room. Hours had passed since the message had been delivered outside the window but it still felt new. As if the actual event happened over and over again in a never ending sequence.

Flynn was the calmest in the room. He didn't have Genevieve's sense of quiet panic or Kiara Deaton's rage. He didn't seem to be occupied with assembling his gun like Carlos. And he didn't seem blissfully ignorant like Nicole was. He was just calm.

She had started to think that he hadn't processed the situation like the others had, but then she realized that he couldn't afford to process the situation like the others had. He was assigned as the main mission operator. He had to think about what to do next, not worry about what already happened.

When he muttered something, she took sigh of relief. It was the first time he moved his lips, confirming that he wasn't suddenly paralyzed. Nicole must have heard what he had muttered because she was the first one to speak out loud.

"Let me be the first to say that we need to leave. And fast," she announced. "Whoever did that has no regard for lawn maintenance."

"Not even a day in and they know where to find us." Kiara uttered, ignoring Nicole's words. She seemed like she was talking to herself more than to the rest of the room. "They know more than us. They're a step ahead of us. Either that or," she turned, finally including people in her conversation. And when Kiara's gaze landed on her, Genevieve knew exactly what she meant to say.

She laughed. "It's either that or they have an insider. And I have a good hunch on who she is."

Genevieve knew the tension in the room was high. And she knew that ignoring the comment would have been better but she was a prideful person. And criminal or not, she was not going to let someone take a jab at her just because they thought they were better than her. She would not. "Listen Kiara—"

"People on the wrong side of the law don't get to call me by my given—"

"Fine, Deaton." she seethed. "I may be on the wrong side of law but don't you forget that it was your esteemed Director that thought me fit for the job."

"Genevieve—"

"—I have had Redstone on my tail for five years now and I'm still alive which is much more than your agents who are being killed. And so maybe instead of accusing me you should try do your job." She huffed as she made her way to the corner of the room.

Deaton looked about ready to lunge at her but Flynn had already reached her, sitting her down. Genevieve would have said more but the glint in her eyes stopped her. She looked hurt. And that was all the emotion she saw before her stance was again defensive.

Deaton turned to Flynn, waiting for him to give an order. To devise a plan of action. But luckily before anyone could say anything, Nicole spoke: "Oh, there's no need for a fight now. We have enough of those waiting for us."

She was inspecting the wood on some old frames. When he knocked on it, Genevieve thought that Nicole may have to be the only person who wasn't afraid of Kiara Deaton. "We can meet up with an old source of mine. He's not far away from here. I'd say about a few hours but—"

Carlos interrupted, laying down his assembled gun. "Who is this source?"

Nicole stopped mid rant as if checking if someone had actually taken her seriously. After a moment's wait, she answered. "Hal—"