Agent M: Testament (The Agent M Series Book 2)

by L. M. Vila

  Another eight agents filled the interior of the White House as Meryl walked passed. They were pressed against the walls with sunglasses tightly bound to the eyes. She was beginning to see why Michael was picked to hang out with these guys for the job. He’d fit right in.

  Meryl turned the corner and headed towards the West Wing of the building. These were her instructions after all. Every effort was made to make Meryl appear like a normal employee. Higher ups at the Secret Service were made aware of her presence but the individual agents in the building were clueless. To them, she was the political liaison to the President of the United States appointed and cleared by their superior. As far as they were concerned, she didn’t need any other stamps of approval.

  The door to the Oval Office was open. Meryl’s heart began racing again. Several men in various drab colored suits were seated on the couches inside. They were talking amongst themselves quietly. The topics being discussed were of the usual fare but nothing that directly concerned Meryl. As she reached the door frame, Meryl took one final deep breath, stood up straight, and gently tapped on the open door.

  “Pardon my intrusion Mr. President,” she spoke. “My name is April Winters and I am here at your request.”

  Suddenly dozens of eyes locked onto her body. The aged gentlemen in the room began to survey her from top to bottom. Some out of pure curiosity while others had a subtle lecherous look to them. With this group it couldn’t be helped.

  Behind the desk, the President turned around. He was about average in both height and looks but carried himself very well for his age. Neatly trimmed white locks stood firmly on his head. They traveled all the way around his face forming a beard that was so sharp it could cut glass on contact. His pressed blue suit accented the soft tan skin of his face and hands. Steel blue eyes stared back at Meryl that screamed of power and confidence.

  “Welcome Ms. Winters,” he called.

  His voice was majestic and deep, like that of a king.

  “Please come in and have a seat.”

  Meryl puckered a quick but short smile and walked through the office. All eyes continued to follow her. This was a lot more intense than she imagined. The voice in her head kept telling her to be calm and professional and thankfully it was quickly translated in her posture and movements.

  The President used on hand to pull out a chair right next to his desk and the other to shake Meryl’s.

  “George Marshall. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “The pleasure’s all mine Mr. President,” Meryl replied.

  It was hard enough to believe she was shaking hands with the President of the United States. The fact that he was such a gentleman was extremely reassuring.

  “Please, sit,” he directed.

  His eyes looked up to the rest of the room as Meryl took a seat in the surprisingly comfortable piece of furniture across from the President’s desk.

  “Gentlemen, if you please.”

  The rest of the audience got up and left without so much as a second look back. That’s the kind of power wielded by that man. Moving missiles from one country to the next could be done at the push of a button. Moving the masses took a certain level of trust and respect many people were too shy to give.

  The door was shut by the last man to leave the room leaving Meryl and the President all alone in the most powerful office in the world.

  “Thank you for coming down on such short notice Agent Lewis.”

  A rush of relief swept over Meryl. At least for the time being she could ditch the act though the disguise would take a bit more effort.

  “I appreciate the opportunity Mr. President,” she replied.

  “Please call me George,” he said. “Actually I’m very glad you agreed to this assignment. Your parents and I are old friends.”

  Meryl didn’t directly respond. Her efforts were spent trying to hide her disappointment. Being the only heir to the Lewis Foundation came with a lot of baggage on top of the ever pushed responsibility. Most business people on this earth would kill for even a peak at her parent’s Rolodex let alone be a part of it. The fact that her parents knew and were friends with a President didn’t surprise all things considering. The fact that they still considered her as their daughter was an actual shock given the last time Meryl saw her mother. Exiting in spectacular fashion was the going rumor in their headquarters but was probably embellished considerably over the last decade or so. Being reminded that she even had parents only proved to sully her mood.

  The President took his seat and continued.

  “They were very adamant as well as generous with their contributions to my campaign. Actually, I’m supposed to have lunch with them next week.”

  A black hole entered Meryl’s stomach. She got the feeling that the President was going to ask her to join them. Turning down the President’s offer would be a huge disrespect. If only he knew their history and why Meryl couldn’t face them again. Not like this and especially not now.

  “But I digress,” the President calmly said.

  He had no idea how much of a relief those words brought to Meryl.

  “We need to make a good impression on our visitors. There is a lot riding on these meetings and we need to make sure everyone is on the same page by the end of it.”

  “Yes sir,” she promptly replied.

  “That’s what I like to hear Agent Lewis.”

  The President then handed her a small file.

  “Here is some additional information on our guests. I trust you’ve been briefed on all of the other details. This data details what you are allowed to know in their presence. I only ask that you treat them with the utmost respect and courtesy. The last thing we need is an international incident occurring in my office because of a misunderstanding.”

  Meryl nodded but felt a slight pain tickle her ear. The way the President said that last part made her feel like he knew of that unfortunate accident a couple of nights ago. That kind of reputation will only go to prove everything she’s ever done in life was wrong. Despite the trail of success in its wake, one big screw up could cost her dearly. It was challenging to shut down her impulses when they had given her so much luck in the past. However, today she had to play by the rules. This moment in history will be one that would be forever told in textbooks for years to come. When people ask each other where they were on that day, Meryl will be one of the proud few that can say she was in that very room. She promised herself she wasn’t going to screw this up. Time to play nice and be a good girl. After all, there’s a first time for everything.

  March 27th, 2013 8:49AM

  Las Vegas, NV

  The familiar bleach infused stench of the interrogation room was wearing on Charles Logan’s senses. It was bad enough he was forced to wear this hideous orange jumpsuit. The money he has spent on sunglasses could buy a whole factory’s worth of those things with enough left over to buy a nice outdoor lunch to enjoy them with. He didn’t even want to acknowledge the steel bracers binding his wrists. A gold Rolex watch should have been there but instead, he was chained up like a common thief. Charles Logan was no thief. He is a visionary and pioneer. The fact that the government can’t even comprehend the magnitude of his business only shows just how behind the times democracy sits behind the fast moving force of capitalism.

  Standing next to his seated client was Miles Andrew Monroe, head of Monroe & Connelly law firm. He was aged, much like his client’s but a bit chubbier and paid good money for suits that hid that fact as much as possible. His stone cold blue eyes showed no weakness as he came here this morning with a plan to get his esteemed client out of this dungeon and back home where he belongs. No amount of force could waver his already steeled resolve. Justice was on his side.

  A loud creak signaled more guests were joining the party. Vegas locals Thomas Prince and Lawrence Smith causally entered the room and they were followed by their newest companion Adrian Fischer of the Los Angeles district bureau.

  “Good morning Mr. Logan,” smiled Pri
nce, “Sleep good last night?”

  “I’ll sleep a lot better knowing you’re going to tank this one again,” scoffed Charles but was quickly silenced by his attorney.

  Anything he says can and will be used against him. There was no point fighting a battle that couldn’t legally be decided by the present company.

  “Gentlemen,” Miles stated while standing. “Let’s make this real easy. While you have already detained my client for far too long, we may be looking to forgo that should you offer a lucrative plea bargain.”

  “Plea bargain?”

  Lawrence raised an eyebrow.

  “You’re telling me Charlie over here is willing to admit he did something wrong? Now I’ve seen everything.”

  The portly lawyer offered a sarcastic smile.

  “Plea is a strong word I admit. We’re going to be pushing for a dismissal of all charges. Whatever evidence against my client you’ve procured was obtained illegally.”

  A pile of papers slammed on the desk silencing the boisterous Miles in mid argument.

  “Relax Mr. Monroe. We’re not here to fight. Actually, I’ve put together a nice offer for your client here.”

  Miles looked on with mild anticipation. The Federal Government was never this cooperative when facing an investigation with so much money. There had to be a catch and judging by the thin stack of papers laying before them, it wouldn’t be too hard to find. He began to carefully look them over, making sure to immediately note any little out of place syllable that wasn’t to his liking.

  “It’s all there in black and white Mr. Monroe,” Began Thomas. “We will drop all charges against your client here for a sworn statement as noted on the last page. We’ve already taken the liberty of writing the language, now all we need is his John Hancock on the bottom.”

  “Bullshit,” Charles spat. “What’s the real catch Agent Prince?”

  The Vegas S.A.C. shot his colleague a knowing look. They had to sell this properly in order for their ruse to pay off.

  “As much as I’d love to, and believe me when I say I’d really love to, it seems that we’ve found something belonging to Mr. Logan that would aid us in another ongoing investigation in the Los Angeles field office. Given the nature of the case, we were willing to strike out a compromise,” Prince replied.

  Charles glanced up and after a long icy stare at his rival, turned towards his lawyer who continued to perform his due diligence and review all of the documents presented. They whispered amongst themselves for a few moments. The longer they stalled meant the longer they had to completely reconsider this mildly generous offer. An ongoing court battle for Logan’s current list of offenses would take years to get a conviction and cost the taxpayers millions. Nailing him today would mean a quick and clean one-way ticket to prison where Mr. Charles Logan would not pass “Go” nor collect two hundred dollars.

  “You think I’m stupid, don’t you Agent Prince?”

  Thomas felt sharp shards of glass filling in the pit of his stomach. His poker face notwithstanding, list was definitely the less desirable reaction he had hoped to hear.

  “You’ve been on my ass for years, praying for the day I would slip up and make a mistake. And now, while I’m sitting here before you, presented on a platter, ready to be ruined you’re just going to let me go?”

  The billionaire mocked their futile efforts.

  “Bluff called Agent Prince,” he said while pushing the papers aside. “You’ll have to do better than that.”

  Adrian could feel their plan crumbling. Despite their best efforts, the history between Charles and Thomas was too much for their plan to overcome. It was time to initiate plan B. There was one thing the wealthy always had in common. No matter how much or how little they had in the bank, all of them loved a good pandering.

  “Believe or not Mr. Logan, there are a lot of fish in the sea,” Adrian interrupted. “Much bigger fish than you even. As much as my colleague would love to put your bust on his resume the one thing that we both agree on is that no matter what happens on our plot of soil, we all serve the same unified ground. Agent Prince is willing to put his ego aside for the greater good. We’re offering you the chance to do the same.”

  The S.A.C. took a deep breath, looked Charles dead in the eye.

  “Help us out here and all of this goes away.”

  “These documents appear to be in order Charles,” Miles stated. “Everything regarding your alleged involvement will be absolved.”

  The once grimaced expression of Charles Logan subsided for one of apathy. It took a quick turn for the worse as his smug brow grinned widely as he began to open up that sinister mouth of his.

  “Isn’t this quite the turn of events? You’ve chased me for years, like a dog begging to find a home and now, when you’ve come the closest you have ever gotten to truly getting what you what, you’re not only going to pass that up but oh ho!”

  He laughed making sure to dig into his rival with every passing breath.

  “Now you’re asking me for a little charity?”

  Logan nearly burst out in full blown laughter. Apparently time behind bars has done strange things to his psyche.

  Unlike his cunning colleague, Thomas couldn’t bear to watch. If only Charles had signed the stupid thing without raising a fuss. It would have spared this agent the humiliation of the following few moments. They were pushing their chips all in now. They had nowhere else left to go.

  “Look at that look on your face Tommy,” Charles arrogantly teased. “I bet this is eating you up inside. This was your one shot and you blew it.”

  He immediately grabbed the papers and flipped them open to the desired page.

  “You know, tonight, when I’m at home in my mansion, eating a few pounds of caviar, washing it down with a 1985 bottle of Dom, I’m going to be thinking of you Agent Prince.”

  Ink flowed from the pen in his grip as his unique signature soon stained the document.

  “There will be no television, no music, not a single disturbance present. I want to thrive in your agony. That look on your face will be all the entertainment I will need for a very long time.”

  Logan pushed the documents forward. Thomas begrudgingly picked them up. He wouldn’t even pay the billionaire a glance. Humiliation wouldn’t allow him to do so. No amount of pride could have survived that thrashing.

  “Thank you very much for your cooperation Mr. Logan. We really appreciate what you’ve done for us here today,” Adrian stated as he collected the documents.

  “Now let’s talk release,” Monroe chimed in.

  “Hold it there pal,” the D.A. interrupted. “We need to bring these all before the judge. He’s the one in charge, remember? Sit tight for one more hour. Then we can put this whole messy endeavor behind you.”

  Charles stood up and causally stepped right into the D.A.’s comfort zone. “I bet this is killing you too eh Smith? Another one bites the dust as it were.”

  “This is a big empty desert Mr. Logan. No matter how far you crawl, it won’t be that hard to find you.”

  “Better luck next time gentlemen,” Miles nodded as he escorted his client out of the room and back into the awaiting cell.

  The door came to a slow close. Once the metal frame slammed shut, all three men inside breathed a sigh of relief.

  “I still can’t believe that worked,” said Agent Prince.

  “I can’t believe you didn’t want to punch him right where he stood,” Smith replied.

  “I didn’t say I didn’t want to. I just couldn’t let our plans die just as good old Fischer resurrected them for us.”

  “We’re not out of the woods yet gentlemen,” Adrian stated snapping both men back from their brief sabbatical from reality.

  “He’s right. I’ll take these papers and present them to the judge immediately. I’m sure he’ll want to draw up the new documents and press charges just as soon as he drops the priors,” Lawrence replied. “I’ll be tied up on the phone with my contacts in D.C. until then bu
t I’ll be sure to see you two inside the courtroom for the fireworks display.

  Both agents nodded. The D.A. took his leave and left the bureau men to their collective space and thoughts.

  “This is going to be some victory for us. Thanks again for all of your help Adrian. You want to grab a bite to eat after it’s all said and done? My treat of course.”

  The S.A.C. smiled.

  “Thanks but I really need to get back. I’ve still got some work to do after the charges are filed. I’ll be heading back to L.A. as soon as the gavel slams.”

  “Ever the workaholic,” Prince joked. “Then at least let me offer you a first class ticket home and an escorted ride to the airport. We’ll get you back at your desk before lunch is called. It’s the least we can do for all that you’ve done.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  The agents shook hands and stepped out of the interrogation room. Adrian was content with the results but couldn’t share the same enthusiasm as his colleagues. Though one criminal will surely see justice served today, there is even a greater mystery that awaits him. They were going to need the judge’s order to proceed but after coming this far, Adrian was damn sure not going to let up now.

  Things were starting to look up despite the messy circumstances it took to get here. All in all, today was proving to be quite the productive day. Adrian sat in silence for a moment hoping to relish in this bit of fortune that has stumbled on his path when suddenly he felt his phone vibrate. A new email had arrived. The brief flash of content in the subject line stabbed his vision and sent a terrible jolt of pain swimming in his gut. This message had obviously been through the rounds before Adrian was even notified which added to his growing apprehension and concern. He knew this was inevitable. It was by the book after all. He just never thought he’d actually see the day where they finally pulled the trigger on Michael Madison’s career.

  March 27th, 2013 12:49AM

  Washington, D.C.

  Local and national film crews swarmed outside of the White House gates. Hundreds of reporters, cameramen, and crew members pressed against each other vying for the prime spot to witness the beginning of history. Barely one tenth of a mile separated the ravenous media crowd from the entrance. All other roads, entrances, and walkways have been blocked and were under tight security. The United States Secret Service spared no expense or ounce of manpower. Every available agent and local police officer they could spare were within a one thousand foot radius of the Oval Office.