While Brown was on the phone with Dahl, saying a whole lot of nothing, Morin received a message from Ethan.
Ethan Hunt: "I have the item. Clean getaway."
FBI Employee: "Contact me once you leave. Don't forget our partnership."
Ethan Hunt: "I have a good memory."
FBI Employee: "Just in case."
After giving Ethan a subtle warning and receiving confirmation, Morin put his phone away and waited for Dahl to return.
Even if Ethan decided to run off with the item or stab him in the back, Morin already had countermeasures prepared. He wasn't worried about things going sideways.
It would just be troublesome.
Morin didn't fear trouble, but he disliked unnecessary hassle. So issuing a preemptive warning to eliminate potential risks was simply standard procedure.
Since Ethan already had the item, Morin's task here was finished.
Ethan had moved too quickly. Morin hadn't even reached the real point of his visit yet.
If he had already revealed his true purpose, he would've been forced to follow through. Abruptly changing topics would only invite suspicion.
But the situation worked in his favor.
Up to now, Morin had just been chatting casually with Dahl, never once getting to the point.
Which meant now, he could say whatever he wanted.
As long as it sounded reasonable.
So Morin calmly stated that his purpose was a "friendly exchange."
No more need to stall.
And compared to "investigating the CIA's tax issues," this new purpose was far safer for both sides.
It didn't hurt anyone.
Unfortunately, it hit Dahl like a truck.
If this were a cartoon, several large question marks would already be floating over his head.
Not the kind that meant new quest available.
The kind that meant-
"When I type '?', it's not because I'm asking. It's because I think you have a problem."
And right now, Dahl thought Morin had a very big problem.
"Mr. Morin..." Dahl said carefully, emphasizing the words friendly and exchange while struggling to maintain his professional smile. "Since that's your purpose... why didn't you say so earlier?"
"I was going to," Morin replied matter-of-factly. "But you never asked."
"Besides, I never even got the chance," he continued. "Mr. Dahl, weren't you the one who kept talking to me about CIA systems and building renovations?"
"Well..." Dahl's face stiffened. "It was a little strange that you kept bringing up funding issues, but I assumed you were offering management advice. Wasn't that the case?"
Dahl was completely dumbfounded by Morin's words.
I was stalling for time to wait for the director so I wouldn't have to take responsibility.
I brought up high costs to preemptively justify tax issues because I also took a little for myself.
Who's giving you advice? Am I so bored that I'd teach you how to do my own job?
He almost blurted it all out.
Years of experience in saying one thing while thinking another barely saved him.
"Aren't you here for tax matters?" Dahl asked, his smile noticeably strained.
After all that back and forth, they were back at the starting point.
Only this time, their roles were reversed.
Now it was Dahl trying to steer Morin toward the CIA's tax problems.
He knew he was in trouble.
As administrative director, he had spent an hour talking to Morin and still hadn't figured out his true purpose.
That alone was dereliction of duty.
If Morin's purpose really had been debt collection, like Dahl and Brown believed, it wouldn't have been so bad.
But now?
Morin wasn't here to collect anything.
He was here for a "friendly exchange."
Which meant Dahl's stalling had caused a massive misunderstanding and needlessly worked Director Brown into a rage.
Thinking about Brown's earlier irrational fury, Dahl could already imagine what would happen once Brown arrived and realized everything had been for nothing.
He'd explode.
Whether it was for negligence, trying to push responsibility onto Brown, or simply being the closest target for Brown's anger, Dahl knew his ending wouldn't be pleasant.
At this point, he was actually hoping Morin was here to investigate the CIA's tax issues.
That way, everyone would share the blame.
Brown's anger would shift to the IRS.
Even if the CIA took heavy losses, at least Dahl wouldn't have to face Brown alone.
Morin understood Dahl's little scheme perfectly.
But why would he cooperate?
The item was already secured.
Morin's objective was complete.
Why would he suddenly claim he was here to investigate CIA taxes?
That would just waste time.
As for Dahl's fate?
That had nothing to do with him.
Dahl brought this on himself.
He could deal with it himself.
With that thought, Morin frowned slightly, looking confused.
"What?"
"The CIA's tax problems?"
"Yes!" Dahl was visibly anxious now. He didn't know how soon Brown would arrive.
If he could redirect Morin before then, he could minimize his own losses.
"I'm not sure what you mean, Mr. Dahl," Morin tilted his head. "Does the CIA have tax problems?"
"I-this-" Dahl's eyes widened.
I've been this obvious and he still doesn't get it?
Did he really have to spell it out?
There was a world of difference between Morin bringing it up and him bringing it up.
The conference room had recording devices.
What he'd already said was risky enough.
If he stated it outright and it was recorded, he'd be finished.
Dahl froze.
Then-
Brown arrived at CIA headquarters.
Stepping out of his car, he glanced at the fire trucks leaving the area, dismissed it, and strode toward the conference room.
His momentum was building.
He was preparing for a dramatic entrance.
An assertion of authority.
But just as he reached the door and pushed it open, he heard a voice say-
"Well, it's been a pleasure working with you~"