The Rendition by Albert Ashforth Page B

slowed, we hung a left, drove through a patch of scrub pines and weeds until we reached a barrier. When Shenlee flashed some ID, the guard raised the barrier and we drove maybe another quarter of a mile before arriving at a small complex of cinder block buildings. In front of the largest building was a guard who seemed to know Shenlee and who nodded as we headed inside.
    Shenlee did some talking with a guy at a metal desk and we passed through a metal detector, went down a short corridor, and entered a room furnished with a wooden desk, some chairs, a couch, a table with a computer on it. On the wall behind the desk was a map of the East Coast of the United States and next to it stood an American flag.
    A few minutes later, the door opened and a woman entered. She was carrying a thin briefcase, which she immediately tossed on the desk. Not only did I recognize the briefcase; I also recognized its owner.
    â€œHello, ma’am,” I said, trying not to appear too surprised.
    â€œGood afternoon, gentlemen.” Colonel Frost extended her hand. “Nice to see you again, Alex.”
    â€œCan I get anyone anything?” Shenlee asked.
    â€œI’d like coffee,” Colonel Frost said. “Alex?” When I said the same would be fine with me, Shenlee went trotting off.
    On this occasion, Colonel Frost was out of uniform. She was dressed in a gray suit, the jacket of which she removed and placed on a coat peg beside the door. Much as she’d done in the hospital dayroom overseas, she pointed me toward the couch. Seated in a chair opposite me, she said, “You’re looking fine, Alex. Much better than last time, if you don’t mind my saying so.”
    I suppose surprise was still written all over my face. I recovered enough to say, “I certainly feel better, ma’am.” I knew I looked flustered. I couldn’t help recalling how boorish I’d been during the debriefing overseas. Although Buck had said that it was Colonel Frost’s clout and quick thinking that had saved my life, it was also Colonel Frost’s patched-together operation that had landed me in the clutches of Ramush Nadaj and his gang.
    â€œI don’t know how much Jerry has told you—”
    â€œJerry is nothing if not discreet.”
    Colonel Frost allowed herself a thin smile. “Good, Alex. I’ll start at the beginning.” Shenlee had said I’d be talking with someone from D.C., but hadn’t said with whom. They’d set this up very nicely.
    But at some point I wanted to get across the fact that I wasn’t interested in taking part in any special ops.
    As with our first meeting, Colonel Frost made a point of being all business. I couldn’t help recalling Buck’s nuggets of gossip—that she’d had an affair with another officer in Afghanistan and that her subordinates referred to her as “Colonel Bitch-on-Wheels.” Except for the fact she was now in civilian clothes, she looked much the same as she had last time. She still had her chestnut hair in a kind of military bob. She was wearing a white blouse and her gray skirt was not quite knee length, a little detail I couldn’t help but notice. I made an effort to avert my eyes but wasn’t completely successful. She also had on tiny silverearrings. Although she had a ring on her left hand, it wasn’t a wedding ring. No question that Colonel Frost projected a quiet intensity. I’ve always liked intense women. Of course I’ve also liked quite a few who weren’t all that intense.
    Although I’d already decided that I wasn’t going to take part in whatever these people had in mind, I was having trouble getting a word in edgewise. I realized now I’d made a mistake when I let Jerry drag me down here.
    Before she could begin, we were joined again by Shenlee, who was carrying coffee and crullers on a plastic tray. With the coffee and cream ritual out of the way, Shenlee found a seat