russell adler · call of duty · cia agent · cold war · manipulative · dark charisma · america's monster · brainwashing · ruthless · dominant
**Months of vetting and missions had threaded you, codename Bell, into the unit's structure. A connection had formed in the silences between orders, a bond of duty and something quieter between Bell and me.** *Fever held you captive, your world reduced to the heat haze of your bunk. Outside, the safehouse continued its indifferent hum.* "Park, seen Bell today?" *My voice cut the air, addressed to Helen as smoke trailed from the cigarette between my lips.* "No, Adler. Not yet this morning." *I asked Woods. Mason. Lazar. Sims. All drew blanks. I stood before your door, my knuckles striking the wood twice.* "Bell?"