A Viewer
Assistant executioner
Chapter 1
Kate waited by the printer as pages fell on to the tray. After it had finished printing, she took her report and walked back towards her office.
Kate passed the large FBI seal on the wall and turned in to the small but neat office that she used. She placed the report on her desk and sat down before opening a database on her computer. After typing a few words in the search box, she pressed enter and a list of results came up. She quickly scanned them. None of these people have the right birthdate either. Kate spent a few more minutes going through the files. Occasionally she would stop to make a mark on the report that she had printed out.
There was a knock at her opened door and Kate looked up to see her partner, Jessica in the doorway. Like her she was blond only much taller.
“Hey, what you’re doing,” asked Jessica. “Going over your theory again?”
“It’s still panning out,” said Kate. “I keep checking all the records in the area and there’s no one with his name being born on the date that he gave us.”
“Maybe he changed his name,” said Jessica.
“That would’ve come up on the background check,” said Kate.
“Maybe he lied about his age,” said Jessica. “That’s happened to me before.”
Kate gave her a look. “I expanded the search by a few years. Both making him younger and older than he said but nothing. All the hits I get are for other people. I checked the DMV photos.”
“Maybe he’s not from around here,” said Jessica.
“But he said to the governor that he’s always felt a connection to the area. Of course, that could’ve all been BS, but I don’t know. I would like to expand the search nationwide, but I would need to get approval from Director Conway for that.”
“Oh yeah, you would hate going to see him,” said Jessica sarcastically. “And to think, if this thing panned out you would have to have a whole bunch of briefings, just you and him. Oh, the horror. I can just imagine your dread.”
“Stop,” said Kate annoyed. She looked back at her computer screen. “This is serious.”
“All the more reason to go see him,” said Jessica leaning on Kate’s desk. “You’re a good agent so if you say that there’s something there then there’s something there. Let’s go.”
“Now?”
“Yeah, I just finished the report on the white-collar seizure.” Jessica started to leave the office. After a moment Kate picked up her report and followed her.
Kate caught up with Jessica. “Seriously, you can’t say anything to the director,” said Kate.
“What, I’m going to say “Hey, Agent Rollings wants to jump in to bed with you”,” asked Jessica. “I think they told us that kind of talk was a no-no at the seminar that we just had.”
Kate looked around nervously. “Don’t say that so loud. Anyway, it’s not like that. I just have a lot of respect for him.”
“Yeah, respect,” said Jessica with a chuckle.
Kate groaned. They turned around a corner and continued to the director’s office.
As they walked down the hallway a man wearing a suit missus the jacket sprinted around the corner and came towards them.
He maneuvered to avoid hitting them turning to look at Jessica as he went. Anyway, what’s the point, thought Kate. When he would probably only notice you. For not the first time she felt an unwanted pang of jealously go through her.
Kate and Jessica arrived at the office of the director. A sign that read Samuel Conway, Director was on the door.
Kate felt anxious as she knocked. “Come in,” said a voice within the office. Kate opened the door and went in followed by her partner.
Kate and Jessica entered the office. As usual it was neat and organized with a number of commendations lining one wall, large bookcases on either side, and the large desk of the director before them.
“Agent Rollings, Agent Hinds, what can I do for you,” asked the man behind the desk. He was an older man who still had a sharp appearance. His dark hair only had gray on the sides and there was barely a wrinkle on his chiseled face.
“Director Conway, I found something that I think you should see,” said Kate going towards him.
“What is it,” asked the director.
Kate and Jessica stopped in front of his desk. “That philanthropist George Lander; the one that met with the governor during that photo op, well I’ve been going over the info that he gave for the security check. Some of it isn’t ending up.”
“Like what,” asked Director Conway.
“For starters, I can’t find a birth certificate for a George Lander in the area,” answered Kate as she handed the director her report. “I tried different birthdates, giving and taking a few years.”
“Maybe it got lost somewhere,” said Director Conway looking through the report. “If we make noise about it then we’ll sound like those nuts who claim that the President’s a foreigner.”
“There’s more,” said Kate. “He claimed that he went to Hyrider University about six years ago, but I called them. They have records that say that he attended but I can’t find a single person who knew him personally. No teachers or students.”
Director Conway was quiet for a moment. “That is strange.”
“And there’s the fact that I can’t find any records of him at any of the local high schools,” said Kate. “He talked at length about being connected to the area but there’s no trace of his childhood around here. I’ve searched throughout the county.”
“That’s also weird,” Director Conway said putting down the report. He looked up at Kate. “I’ll send this up the chain. Good work, Agent Rollings.”
Kate stiffened. “Thank you, sir.”
“You’re excused,” said the director. The two agents headed for the door.
“See, I told you he would be impressed,” said Jessica as they left the director’s office.
Kate gave a small smile and they walked away.
The next morning Kate was at her desk typing on her computer. Suddenly there was a knock at her door. “What is it, Jessica,” asked Kate.
The door opened and a man with dark hair poked his head in. “Not Jessica,” he said.
“Agent Parks, how I can I help you,” asked Kate.
“Kate, when are you going to call me Rob,” asked Agent Parks leaning against the doorframe.
“What do you want, . . . Rob,” asked Kate.
“I heard that you put in a request for the file on Lander’s background check,” said Rob.
Kate looked at him. “Yes.”
“I’m just curious about why you wanted it,” said Rob. “Those things are basically routine, especially if you give a million dollars to an orphanage like he did.”
Kate was silent for a moment. “I just want to make sure that every I was dotted, and every t was crossed.”
“Of course, I just wanted to know because I was one of the agents who worked on it.”
Kate tried to keep her expression blank. “I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah, so if there’s anything that you want to know you can just ask me.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s really just bureaucratic nitpicking. Shouldn’t take that long once I have the file. I just need to check the forms.”
“Oh, well I just wanted to help.” Rob took a moment then left Kate’s doorway.
Kate started to go back to work but stopped. She looked at her open door and went over to close it.
“It could just be a coincidence,” said Jessica. They were sitting at Kate’s place, each with a drink in their hand.
“I’m telling you, something’s going on,” said Kate. “He worked on the background check and now wants to know why I wanted to see it.”
“He could just feel like you’re criticizing his work,” Jessica said.
“There’s another thing,” said Kate. “I called the Dean of Admissions at Hyrider University to ask what agent called about Lander because I couldn’t find the record for it. She said that no one ever called asking about him.”
“It could be that someone forgot to do it,” said Jessica. “This whole thing could just be a case of sloppy work.”
“What I know is that someone managed to get close to the governor without going through the process that’s designed to keep dangerous individuals away from him.”
“Let’s just stop talking about it,” said Jessica pulling her legs up to her chest. They were both dressed in sweats and casual clothes. “We can handle work tomorrow. This is supposed to be our downtime.”
Kate sighed and brought her glass to her lips.
“So has our distinguished director talked to you about your theory,” asked Jessica.
“I thought we were done talking about work,” said Kate annoyed.
“I wasn’t talking about work,” said Jessica smiling. “I was talking about the man that makes your heart skip a beat.”
“Enough,” said Kate. “I’m an agent and he’s my director. It’s not like anything can happen.”
“You never know,” said Jessica. “When it comes to men and pretty blonds, things can happen.”
“Oh please,” said Kate.
“Come on, you’re very pretty,” said Jessica. “Guy’s hit on you all the time.”
“Yeah, when I’m not with you,” said Kate.
“I’m OK,” said Jessica.
“You look like a supermodel,” said Kate. “Everyone says so. I’m the girl next door and you’re the girl out of their steamy dreams.”
“Stop it,” said Jessica. “You know that you’re attractive and besides that you’re accomplished. You scored the highest in our class at Quantico at handwriting analysis.”
“What every guy looks for in a girl.”
“You also cracked that smuggling case a few months ago. You got a commendation for that. You’re talented, hardworking and the director’s bound to notice all that.”
Kate leaned back in her chair. “Right now, I just want to focus on my work. Maybe see a movie this weekend and then I’ll see how everything goes.”
“No matter what you decide I’ll have your back.”
“You always do. Ever since Quantico. God, I can’t believe it’s been six years now.”
“Yeah, time flies when you’re busting your butt.”
Kate got up from her chair and went over to Jessica. “Thanks for looking out for me,” she said before she clinked her glass against Jessica’s.
“Anytime,” said Jessica.
The next morning, Kate was in the parking garage of the FBI office. She went around a massive concrete column. As she was checking the stuff in her shoulder bag, she heard footsteps behind her. Odd. Usually there’s not a lot of people in this early.
Kate passed some cars and then looked behind her. A figure in a gray sweatshirt came around the column. He had his hood up and he was walking in Kate’s direction.
Kate picked up her pace. After a moment she turned to look back. The man in the sweatshirt seemed to be going faster to.
Kate went around another column. She was nearly running now. She heard the man’s footsteps loudly behind her.
She saw the elevator ahead, so she put in a little extra speed and shot towards it.
Kate reached the elevator and quickly pushed the down button. After a very long second the doors opened, and she got in. Kate watched as the man ran up to the elevator. The doors closed just as he was about to reach her.
Kate leaned against the wall and sighed.
The man in the sweatshirt stood there looking at the doors. He pulled down the hood revealing that it was Agent Parks.
Later that day, Jessica was in a conference room with a group of other agents. They were all sitting around a table looking at a screen.
Jessica pushed a button on a remote causing the image on the screen to change. “As you can see by how their cargo areas are farther down, the trucks seem to be carrying a heavier load leaving the factory than when they’re coming in. I recommend installing sensors at specific checkpoints on the roads leading to and from the location. These trucks are supposed to be making deliveries, but I think that they’re actually making pickups. The drug lab is in the factory. Once we prove that they’re getting heavier coming out than going in we can get warrants for the place.”
“Nice work, Agent Hinds,” said the agent sitting across from her.
“Thank you, Sir,” said Jessica.
“It’s nice to know that you’re more than just smoking hot,” said the agent.
He took the remote and changed the picture from a truck to that of the factory owner. Jessica turned to face the screen trying to hide the scowl that was on her face.
A brief time later, Kate was in Director Conway’s office. She put some papers down on his desk. “I think I found something,” she said.
“What,” asked the director taking a book off a bookshelf. He returned to the desk but did not sit down.
“I talked to Agent Dowater,” said Kate. “He was the one that supervised the background check.” Agent Parks works under him. “At least that’s what it said in the file but when I talked to him, he said that he got the order to hand it off to someone else. He wasn’t told who would be taking over the investigation. However, in the file he’s the one listed as the agent in charge.” She pointed at Agent Dowater’s name in the file.
Director Conway put his hand to his chin as he looked down at the paper. “Could this be a mistake? Maybe someone forgot to change the name?”
“I’m not sure, Sir, but whoever ordered the handoff did so by going through some people at very high levels.” It couldn’t be Parks. He doesn’t have that kind of authority. Still, maybe he’s involved somehow. “Like I’ve said, the governor met with someone who wasn’t properly vetted. This is a serious slip, and it needs to be look at.”
“You’re right, Agent Rollings,” said the director. He put a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll get right on it. Tomorrow, I want you back here and we’ll discuss how we’re going to handle it. Good work.”
“Thank you, Sir,” said Kate.
She left the office trying to hide the smile that was on her face.
A couple of hours later, Jessica was arriving at her home. I wonder if Kate wants to do anything tonight. Maybe we can watch a movie or something. I’ve got to ask how her meeting with the director went. There’s definitely something there.
Jessica put her keys on a small table by her door. Suddenly she was grabbed by someone behind her.
Jessica barely had time to register the man in a ski mask that grabbed her before he shoved her against the wall stunning her. The masked man began to bring her arms behind her, but Jessica regained her senses enough to grab the door and shove it open hitting the man’s head with it.
He stumbled back as Jessica grabbed for her gun. The man punched her in her throat. Jessica’s hands went up to her throat as the man grabbed her. He then swung her at the wall. She struck it face first and he grabbed the door and swung it open hitting Jessica in the back with the doorknob. “Ahh,” she cried.
The man grabbed her and threw her down on to the floor. She struck out for his crotch but missed. The man kicked Jessica in the stomach, and she was momentary stunned.
The man got down on one knee and punched her in the face. She grabbed him by his belt and swung him off his feet.
Jessica got on to her feet as the man scrambled to get up. She sent out a kick that struck him in his face. He took out a baton and swung it to fully extend the weapon. Jessica raised her leg to kick him again when he stuck her other leg at the knee with the baton.
She cried out and fell to the floor. Jessica looked up at him as the man swung the baton at her head. He stuck her and she was knocked out.
The man got up, looking at her as he did so. She better be worth it. He then went over to her and picked her up.
Kate was in the parking garage again. She kept her hand on her gun during the whole trip to her car. I’m not going to act like some damsel in distress again. It was so embarrassing, the way I ran.
Kate got into her car. I bet Sam will get to bottom of this thing with the governor. After this . . . Suddenly she heard something behind her. She quickly turned around reaching for her weapon when a figure in the backseat sprayed mace in her face. “Ahh,” Kate cried bringing her hands up to her eyes.
She then felt an arm wrapping around her neck, pulling her back against her seat. Kate struggled for a minute as she desperately tried to breath. After that, her struggles started to slow down. Soon she went limp.
The masked man in the backseat let go of her. He checked and found that she was still alive. We have both of them, he texted with a cell phone.
