Demons in your mind

Copyright © 2023 by Jessica GirkeAll rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. First edition Cover Design by AS Designs Content Warning This book contains the following topics that might possibly trigger you: Physical and mental violence Blood Detailed description of accidents and injuries Nightmares Anxiety Panic Attacks Suicidal thoughts “The demons living in the nooks of your mind are your own. You can either defend them or defeat them” - Tabassum Hasnat To everyone who never believed in themselves; You can do it. You don’t see it now, but you will. Keep going and keep fighting for your dreams. Believe me, it’s worth it. Contents Prologue Welcome to Langley New faces everywhere Background stories Training accidents Dinner party Nightmares Apology Conversation at night New dynamic Guilt Recovery process William Taylor It’s him Anxiety attack Movie night What they did to him You’re going to be okay, Nate! Shock and disbelief Ann Rescue mission Mad World You & I Message Acknowledgments Prologue February 22nd, 2022 "Deputy Director Gómez, I am sorry to bother you with a request like that, but the Washington Police Department really needs the support of the CIA." "Captain Miller, it's always good to talk to you. What kind of support do you need?" Marta Gómez, first woman in the position of “Deputy Director of Operations” at the Central Intelligence Agency – better known as CIA – sat on her desk and answered the call from the man that was known as one of the big shots in the Washington Police Department. He was in the end of his 50s and had more criminals arrested than Marta could ever imagine. She had met him before, during her time as an active Agent. But things were different now that she was in charge of a few teams with different specializations within the Agency. While the grumbling voice of the captain came out of her phone, Marta grabbed a spiral notebook and a heavy metal pen to be prepared if she needed to take some notes. The pen was a gift from her mother when she got promoted last year. "There is this mafia clan we have been observing for years. Half a year ago we were finally able to get two guys undercover that are significant members by now. They sell huge amounts of drugs and we know that they get a new delivery tomorrow. They expect them to come to a small and mostly abandoned harbor called ‘Fletcher’s Cove’ north of the city. Usually, we would arrest them on our own, but we are not sure if we can handle the situation as the mafia clan is known for its brutality. That's why we ask for support from your men." Captain Miller said on the phone and she could hear shame in his voice. The officers of the WPD were really proud of their capability of handling things their own way and asking for help was the last thing they liked to do. Marta sighed heavily about the last part of his monologue and gripped the bridge of her nose with her thumb and index finger before she furrowed her brows. “Men and women. Yes, of course we could help you, but I think the Drug Enforcement Administration would be the better Agency to contact in your case.” she answered. Of course the CIA had a task force for drug trafficking as well, but the colleagues from the DEA were more experienced with those cases. She also knew that her task force – as she was in charge of those Agents as well – were having their own big case at the moment. Three Agents were currently in Mexico trying to get more information about an upcoming delivery to the U.S. "I think this could be an interesting case for your terrorism task force." It took Marta’s brain three seconds until she realized what the captain had just said. In an instant her hand moved from her nose to the metal pen that was lying next to the notebook and she could feel her heart beat slightly faster. “Pardon? Did you say terrorism task force?” “Yes! The mafia clan does not only smuggle drugs but also large amounts of weapons which they don’t use for themselves. Our men got the information that the mafia boss Paolo has some special deals with terrorist groups in the Middle East. They are selling the weapons to groups like the ‘Islamic State’ or ‘Al-Qaeda’ via a broker and I thought you would like to ask Paolo a few questions about that.” Marta peered down on the notebook in front of her, that showed a still empty page. “In that case of course we will help you, Captain. Maybe we can interrogate the mafia boss after we help you arrest him and his mafioso. It's always good to know what threats are out there and who is supporting it. Regarding the fact that my Agents are very busy at the moment, I am planning to send you the Agents Sheppard and McGreen from the terrorism task force, as well as Agent Smith, from the drug trafficking task force. I think these three could be a big support for you.” "Thank you, Deputy Director Gómez. The debriefing will take place tomorrow at 10:00 am in our headquarters. It would be great if your Agents could join us." Marta nodded, mumbled a quiet "Uh-Huh" as a response but when she realized that the captain maybe hadn’t heard it, she answered: "I'll send them to the WPD headquarter at 10:00 am tomorrow." "Thank you, Ma'am!" "You're welcome. Is there anything else I can do for you, Captain?" she asked with a little smile on her face. She knew that he would never ask for a second favor in one