by C. R. Daems
"This is Director Liang, sir," Liang said while backing into Matel's office, closing the door, and placing the cell on speaker.
"Director Liang. I'm informed your people have LA in an uproar. There are dead bodies all over town. Calls are coming in from the mayor and the CEO of the Four Seasons. What the hell is happening? It sounds like you have a rogue agent or two."
"No, Chairman. You are aware that someone has been killing ZAP agents. We sent two of our agents to set a trap for them. I don't have all the facts yet, but it appears they fell for the trap and have been killed."
"The Committee will want your report ... tomorrow, Director Liang. Your people have very broad power and we must make sure it's not being abused." He hung up.
"He has an excellent communications network." Matel gave Liang a wry grin.
"Bad news travels at the speed of light; good news by mule train." Liang laughed as Matel's cell rang and Dory appeared with a sign reading: DHS.
"Good evening, Director Wagner, how may I help you?"
"I hope this isn't as bad as it sounds. Congress hates bad news." his voice sounded worried.
"We don't know the details, sir, but I believe it's good news. Two of our agents caught the ones killing ZAP agents."
Matel held up his left hand with two sets of crossed fingers and gave her a worried facial expression.
"That would be good news. The Chairman wants Liang, you, and me at the Capital tomorrow at six." He hung up.
"Well Ann, let's go and find out how rough that meeting is going to be tomorrow."
* * *
When I woke, the light coming in the window said it was a new day, the IV in my arm said I was in the hospital, and Maria Lozoy’s presence said ... I wasn't sure what that said.
"About time you woke up," Jasmin said from the other bed in the room.
"Are we under arrest?" I asked.
"No. Director Liang wanted to make sure you weren't bothered by the police or reporters. Everyone wants to know what happened last night. They claim you executed an innocent man in public and left bodies all over the city," Maria said, shaking her head and grinning. Just then Liang and Matel entered the room and closed the door.
"You two made the headlines. I'd imagine any reporter who got an exclusive from you would be up for a promotion and a large bonus. So what happened? You first, Kate. You were supposed to be watching Jasmin's back."
"When Jasmin checked in at the Four Seasons, I recognized ..."
They wouldn't let me give a general synopsis and insisted on hearing each and every gory detail. Then it was Jasmin's turn. They let her give a general accounting up to me entering the hotel shooting.
"... As I was getting out of the taxi, I got the message from Kate warning me that Tasha and Neil were planning an ambush in the hotel. I recognized Neil sitting in the lobby reading a newspaper and assumed he would inform Tasha I was on my way up to my room. I pressed five, eleven, and thirteen and got off at eleven and then raced up the stairs to the thirteenth floor. Tasha had positioned herself to shoot into the elevator with her back against the wall so she could see the door to the stairs. I arrived a couple of seconds late because the elevator had already arrived empty, so she was watching the door to the stairs. I got off a shot, but it was hurried since her automatic weapon was spraying bullets, and I took two: one in the vest and one in the arm. After that it was pretty much a standoff. I took another in the vest and leg and think I hit her in her vest and twice in her legs. Then Kate warned me she was coming in the elevator. When the elevator door opened, Kate fired at Tasha, causing her to turn toward the elevator, so I finally got a clean shot. After we made sure Tasha was dead, we rode the elevator to the lobby and were taken to the hospital."
"You think you got them all?" Matel asked.
"Yes. Sammie was very talkative while he kicked me for his failure to pass the training."
"Why did you kill Neil?" Matel asked.
"ZAP Protocol." I raised my hand and regretted it instantly as a hundred little men with clubs beat against my damaged ribs. "If you think of Jasmin as my client who needed my help ASAP," I said through clenched teeth.
Liang laughed, and after a minute Matel smiled.
"Not for revenge. He was in her way and a potential danger to Jasmin. I'm satisfied, Phil," Liang said.
He nodded, and after a "job well done," they left.
* * *
Jasmin and I spent the first two weeks after leaving the hospital resting, at physical therapy with a private nurse the company provided at the condo facility, and watching the ZAP training at Edwards. The next four weeks we went on a few short trips visiting the sites along the California coast, consulting at Edwards, and making revision suggestions for the ZAP training and protocol manual.
"I still don't understand how having an AK-whatever shooting at you gives you an adrenaline rush. Walls aren't even any protection against the avalanche of metal they spew," Jasmin said while lounging on her couch with a cappuccino.
"You aren't supposed to get hit. That does take away some of the fun."
"You forgot to mention that last time." She punched me on the arm. "I'm glad you showed up. Tasha and I were at a standoff. It was only a question of who would run out of blood or bullets first."
"I’ve concluded I’d rather be a ZAP agent protecting clients than an undercover FBI agent chasing bad guys," I said, thinking back over our recent experience.
"I suspect our convalescing and vacation time won't last much longer. Liang's short on agents, and we are the only two currently working alone," Jasmin said. "Which is good, because I can see you are getting antsy to dance with another AK-whatever. I on the other hand, wouldn't mind another assignment; however, I can do without the combat weapons."
CHAPTER TWELVE
Senator Burns
"How are you feeling?" Liang asked. She had requested Jasmin and me for an early morning meeting.
"I'm good. I've been working out and feel ready for an assignment," I said, thinking that was what she was getting at.
"I'm also ready for an assignment," Jasmin said. "So long as I'm not paired with Kate. She attracts AK-like weapons like wood attracts termites."
"She does, doesn't she?" Liang nodded agreement. "As you are aware, we only have five agents currently, and it will be another six months before the second-year candidates graduate. And they will need to apprentice under experienced agents before they are given independent assignments. That murderous triad set back the program by more than a year. Not only are we down two experienced agents, but that will slow bringing the new agents up to speed. I need you two, but the Committee has a priority client who they claim can't wait. So it's you or Jasmin." She scanned us, waiting for some sign.
I looked to Jasmin, who was frowning at me.
"I wouldn't let AK-Kate near new agents. Besides, she's been acting like a racehorse in the starting gate," Jasmin said, grinning in my direction. "I found helping to train the new candidates interesting and think I'd enjoy breaking in the new agents."
"What about you, Kate?"
"I think Agent Williams is a living saint." I bowed in her direction.
"Who you owe her big-time," Liang said.
I nodded agreement.
"Thank you, Jasmin," said Liang. "I do believe you are the best choice, as I believe Kate is the right choice for this assignment. The client is Senator Robert Burns. Because his daughter has a congenital heart disease, he used his position on several health-related subcommittees to get the FDA to issue a Humanitarian Device Exemption for a new pulmonary heart valve. Since then, doctors have inserted fifty such devices; however, there have been five deaths. An extensive investigation by the FDA has concluded the deaths were not related to the new device. However, there are several lawsuits which claim they have experts who disagree. The problem is that two of the children who died are related in some way to persons connected with organized crime, which may or may not be connected with Senator Burns getting emails and letters thre
atening to kill his ten-year-old daughter."
"An eye for an eye," Jasmin said quietly as if remembering some past instance. "That was the prevailing philosophy where I grew up."
"Call Cohn and Cohn." I snorted in amusement. "A renowned law firm on the speed dial of everyone in my neighborhood. They were the solution to most perceived problems. The pain and loss are the same in both instances, but not the restitution."
"Good point, Kate. Lawsuits have been filed, except they aren't against the senator or FDA but the manufacturer of the device. But because some of the children's relatives are connected to organized crime, we have to assume the eye-for-an-eye scenario may be imminent, in which case professionals would be involved."
"What about the senator and his wife and any other children?" I asked.
"The senator has two grownup children from a previous marriage, but they live in other states and aren't considered at risk, nor is the senator or his wife. The emails were very specific, targeting his daughter as the cause for approving the device—a daughter for a daughter."
"That sounds exciting and difficult. I assume the girl is going to school, to medical appointments, and is in general active."
"Yes, the girl will be starting school, so she will be active and that will make it extremely difficult to protect her. Her father must decide whether he wants normal FBI security or ZAP security or both. I would hate to disrupt her life, but if he decides he wants a ZAP agent, you set the rules."
"Where do I meet him?"
"He's expecting you tonight. Our plane is standing by at the Burbank Airport to fly you to DC where a limo will take you to the senator's house to discuss security and meet his daughter, Lexi."
"Sounds like an exciting assignment for you," I said with a dead-pan expression.
"For me?" Liang frowned with her coffee cup stopping halfway to her lips.
"Yes. I imagine you'll be getting multiple calls every day for the first week or two. 'I want her replaced.' 'Can she really do that?' 'I want her arrested.' 'The woman's a maniac.' 'I want her replaced,' etcetera," I said as I stood to go.
Liang snorted. "I wouldn't change places with you, Kate. I expect a ten-year-old kid may be a greater challenge than the criminals out to kill her."
* * *
I had Dory notify the pilot I'd be an hour or two late and had the limo driver stop at the Empire Center Mall in Burbank so I could do some shopping—guarding a preadolescent girl wasn't going to be the same as guarding a senator. There I purchased some casual wear: jeans, shirts, running shoes, and a denim jacket. When I entered the plane, Carolyn met me with a smile.
"Good morning, Agent Mathis. Are you up to handling complex decisions this morning, like where to sit and what to have for breakfast?"
"After two hours of shopping for clothes to fit in with guarding a preadolescent girl, I think I'll leave those weighty decisions to you."
"I'd suggest the couch. You could lie down, and I'll start with a hot towel for your head." She nodded in sympathy before heading for the galley. I had barely sat when I heard the engines starting, and Carolyn was back with coffee, orange juice, and a steamy-hot towel. "The pilot says we should be taking off in the next six minutes. We're third in line. Flying time will be five hours and twenty minutes with arrival estimated to be seven thirty-five DC time."
This was the life: non-stop flight from LA to DC, a private plane to myself, and a gourmet lunch and dinner. By the time we landed at Reagan National Airport, I was relaxed and ready for the next adventure.
A clean-cut young man in a dark-blue suit was waiting as I entered the airport. He smiled when he saw me.
"Agent Mathis, I'm Agent Timothy Matthew. I'm in charge of Senator Burns’s detail. I thought I'd take you to Senator Burns’s residence, since I'd like to be there when you meet the senator so that I'll understand the arrangement."
"Kate," I said, shaking his extended hand. "Are you assigned to the senator or to the family?"
"I have a team of six assigned to provide the senator and his family protection because of the threatening emails. Hopefully, they are just rants, but two of the kids who died have some nasty relatives with mob and gang connections." He gave me a once over before continuing. "I've heard rumors and had a memo from the director ... you're FBI, but ..." He left the real question open: Why are you different?
I could understand his confusion, so I pulled out my ID and showed him the front then turned it so he could read the reverse side.
His eyes grew wide as he read.
"Wow! Would you?" The implied question: Would you shoot any faster than we would?"
"The ZAP training emphasizes intuitive responses. So where you would hesitate if you weren't sure, we wouldn't—better the client lives—which is the reason for the safeguards."
He shook his head. "Not sure I'd want that responsibility." He lapsed into silence as he led me to the black Chevrolet Tahoe out front.
It was around eight, and the traffic was light. I wasn't really paying attention since I had no intention of driving. I did notice we crossed the Potomac River into Washington DC, and I got a glimpse of the Capital building. Not too long afterward, we pulled up to a five-story red-brick building.
"This is where the senator stays when he is in DC. It's a twelve hundred square-foot condo. He has his wife and daughter here because of the recent emails. They are in unit 309. I always have one man on duty in the hallway and one with any family member when they go out," he said as we proceeded up the brick path flanked on either side by grass and trees that led to the entrance. An elevator took us to the third floor, where a man in a suit sat in a chair at the end of the hallway.
"Gary, this is the ZAP Agent, Kate Mathis," Timothy said.
Gary waved but stayed seated.
Timothy knocked, and a short while later a silver-haired man in his fifties answered the door. His eyes locked onto me.
"Senator Burns, this is ZAP Agent Mathis."
Silence followed as Burns seemed to be evaluating me against some unknown criteria. "A woman agent would be best for my daughter, but ..."
"Assassins and I won't be arm wrestling or boxing, Senator Burns."
"No. I guess not. Come in, Agent Mathis, and I'll introduce you to my wife and daughter." He stepped aside so I could enter.
Timothy followed me in and closed the door behind us. From the small foyer we walked into a large open area with a dining table with four chairs off to my left and a living area straight ahead ending in a wall of windows looking into the city. A three-section couch faced the wall on the left, which had a fifty-something inch television hanging on the wall. A large square coffee table sat a few feet in front of the couch. A two-section couch sat to the left of the table and a leather lounge to the right. The living and dining rooms were carpeted with a light tan rug. A thirty-something woman sat on the three-sectioned couch and a young girl on the two-sectioned couch. The woman rose as we entered.
"Agent Mathis, this is my wife. Darling, this is the ZAP Agent." Burns said.
Mrs. Burns was a five-foot six shapely blonde who looked like she worked out regularly.
"Nice to meet you, Agent Mathis. What do you do that the other FBI agents don't?" She asked.
"Kate will do. I follow the ZAP protocol, which is invasive and therefore only worth the inconvenience when the threat appears real and likely to come from professional assassins," I said, preferring to get the rules straight early on. "On the one hand, the FBI tries not to inconvenience you, and, therefore, will not always be in position to protect you. I on the other hand will not hesitate to inconvenience you if I feel it necessary to protect you."
"I don't understand," the senator said, frowning.
"It varies depending upon your activities, but if your daughter turns her head at any time, she will be able to see me. Right now she can see me but not the FBI agent in the hallway."
"You are going to be in the room with us?" Mrs. Burns asked, sounding incredulous.
"Only if you daugh
ter is in the room," I said, trying not to show my amusement.
"What if that is unacceptable?" the senator asked in an authoritative tone meant to intimidate.
"Then I leave." I held up one hand to stop any knee-jerk response. "I cannot protect your daughter if I can't see her. If you believe the threat is real and might involve a professional assassin, then the additional protection I provide should outweigh the inconvenience. The decision is yours, but if I do stay, the protocol is nonnegotiable."
"How are they going to get past the agent in the hallway?" Mrs. Burns asked, sounding smug.
"Shoot him," Lexi said, looking up from her tablet. "But why can't he shoot you next?"
"Very good, Lexi. The man in the hallway sees people coming and going all day, so when someone steps out of the elevator, he's not assuming it’s an assassin. The assassin however knows an agent is in the hallway and steps out ready to shoot. But if someone breaks in the door or shoots the lock, I'll be ready when he enters."
"All the FBI agents are nice, but I think Kate's right. I'm scared. If nothing else, she'll make me feel safer," Lexi said with her eyes locked on her father. She had him wrapped around her little finger, judging by the change in his expression and his nod.
"All right, Agent Mathis. Who takes the next shift?"
"It's me until the issue is settled. I'll sleep in the lounge chair. I need to be able to see Lexi's bedroom door and the door to your apartment." I said before he could ask where I'd sleep.
"Seven days a week?" Mrs. Burns asked.
I nodded. "Lexi, would you show me your room, please?" I asked, needing to see if it had windows and where it was located relative to the entrance. She rose and walked through the dining area and turned right into a narrow hallway.
"That's my bathroom," she said, pointing to the left, "and this is my bedroom." She walked into the room to her right. It was a medium-size room with a double bed, nightstand, dresser, and large double window. The drapes where light-weight, which meant someone on the street could see shadows under the right conditions.
