Hiatus.....

Doyle called. We agreed to meet at the Woodbridge Veteran's Memorial, between the Main Library and the High School. It was early when I got there. The school lot had cars already, so I parked by the library and walked down the hill. It's peaceful there.

I sat on one of the benches, and waited for Doyle. It didn't take long. He came walking up from the school lot.

"Hiya, Denny? How're you doin'?" He was dressed in his best "Men in Black" suit, and he unbuttoned the jacket before he sat down next to me.
"About as well as a sociopath can, I guess."
"Ouch...Look..I deserve that. I didn't explain that too well. You gotta understand that it's a good thing. Everyone I know in this business - everyone good, that is - is a sociopath, in some degree. It's the only way we can do this work. You have to be able to detach."
"Really? You're telling me that you're a sociopath, too?" I smirked at him.
"Denny, I'm some kinda 'path. The shrinks just don't know quite how to classify me. And you, my friend, are a "neo-sociopath". You came to this anti-social attitude later in life, so you maintain control better."
"Gee..I feel so much better." But I'd actually accepted it. I was just giving Doyle a hard time.
He shook his head.

"Anyway, that's not why I asked you to meet me." He looked around. "This is a memorial to the veteran's from Woodbridge who died in wars going back to World War I. Did you know that?"
I didn't answer, since it was pretty obvious from the different memorials. He was leading up to something. I waited him out.

"We're at war, Denny. Have been since 9-11. And with the Bin Laden kill last week, it's only gonna get worse."
"Yeah, I guess so. We'll just have to be extra-vigilant for a while."
"No. Not for a while. For a long time. My people are on high alert, and that's where you come in."
"What? You want me to guard something? I'm not really trained for anything security-related, you know?"
He chuckled. "No. Thanks for the offer, though." He paused....
"Every field agent assignment in DHS is being re-evaluated. Every operation is being re-assessed. Since this operation never got out of the Project phase, it's gonna be scrubbed. Sorry, Denny."
My turn to pause.
"Wow..I guess I never thought that this could happen...I understand, though.." I took the Flasher out of my pocket, and held it out to him.

He pushed it back towards me.
"You don't really understand, kid. What I mean is that we have to pull the teams that trail you, and have been covering you 24/7. We'll also be shutting down the phone numbers you're familiar with. We can't justify them."
I was confused. He continued.
"We will still be monitoring the implant, since we can "hide" it among all the other field agents, but for all intents and purposes you'll be on your own."
"Really? What am I supposed to do now?"
"Mr. Smith still has faith in the Project, but it will really be up to you. You'll have no backup, and we still don't  know what Mr. Jones might do." He gestured towards the Flasher that I still held out in front of me. "Put that away. You might need it, and I wouldn't feel right leaving you without some way to protect yourself, though I have to remind you that it won't work against field agents. What you decide to do with it will be up to you."

I put the Flasher back in my pocket.
"What happens to you, Doyle?"
"I can't tell you, Denny. Even if I wanted to." He grinned. "You know, the "I'd have to kill you" joke."
 He took something out of his inside pocket. A business card. He gave it to me. It was for an attorney.
"If you have any questions in the future , call the number on this card. He's worked with us in the past, and he'll contact us, if necessary. If you get in any trouble because of the Flasher, definitely call him."
He stood up.
"that's all I can do for you now, Denny. I hate to leave things like this, but I don't have a choice."
He stuck out his hand. I shook it. He smiled, nodded, and turned away.

He said nothing as he walked back down the hill.

There was nothing left to say.