(Previously) “As you see, the preliminary investigation into the senator’s staff was pretty unproductive but it did turned out a few interesting facts…there are several good possibilities with the staff members…three of them actually,” Partridge began his analysis. “First, we have Alice Pieszecki, Grisham’s PR person…ambitious, intelligent, former journalist and she has a reputation as the biggest mouth in Washington D.C. We could use her for all the gossip on the inside and the outside.”

Partridge went to another image, “Next, we have Carmen de la Pica Morales, in charge of Grisham’s media relations. She seems to have some financial problems and might do anything if some money were involved. The last alternative is Tina Kennard, the senator’s personal assistant…”

“I think we should concentrate on Tina Kennard,” Jenny interrupted him, checking her own notes. “She could be very useful to us. Bad news is, we don’t know how to approach her yet. Good news is that she’s one of your people, agent Porter,” Schecter added smugly, looking directly at Bette.

“What do you mean one of my people? Is she a Yale graduate with an Art History major, a former Secret Service agent, is she a bi-racial…is that what you’re trying to say?” Bette asked calmly, not letting Jenny to get to her.

Jenny shrugged and said curtly, “I meant she’s a lesbian.”

Bette looked at her pensively and replied evenly, “And why is that a good thing?”

“Because I thought your paths might have crossed. It could be useful.”

“Right…Because me and ‘my people’, we’re all on a first-name basis and I know every lesbian on this planet.”

“It’s enough,” Partridge said with authority. “Agent Schecter, your remarks are uncalled for but I think you have a point. We need to find a way to get closer to Ms. Kennard, at least to gather more information. She’s an executive secretary to Senator Barbara Grisham as well as her personal assistant. Some of her duties include taking care of senator’s calls, appointments and travel schedules,” he looked at Bette and concluded. “Agent Porter, you and your team have one day to gather as much intelligence on Ms. Kennard as possible, we will meet again tomorrow at 11:00 am for updates…all dismissed.”

Notes from Underground – Shot through the heart

Short Story 3: Part 2 – “I would like you to handle Ms. Kennard personally, Bette”

Briefing (cont.)

“Agent Porter,” Partridge called out after everyone was heading out. “I need to speak with you.”

Bette turned around and sat back down at the table, after she closed the door behind the other agents.

“Is working with agent Schecter going to be a problem?” Partridge asked, closing the case file and turning off the computer.

“I don’t think so, sir,” Bette replied promptly.

“Okay,” the Assistant Director nodded. He trusted Bette’s intuition and professionalism. “Assemble three teams and begin your investigation on those members of the Senator’s staff that we’d discussed during the briefing. In my opinion, Ms. Kennard is the most promising link in this investigation and I would like you to handle her personally, Bette. We can’t allow any mistakes here, agent.”

“Roger that, sir,” Bette replied, trying to hide her grin as she thought about how she would like to handle Ms. Kennard personally. The picture that Max uploaded on the computer for the briefing wasn’t very clear but it was enough for Bette to see how attractive the blonde was, her smile was like a magnet and the beautiful hazel eyes were almost hypnotizing.

Bette left Partridge’s office to join her team for the assignments meeting. As they all gathered in a smaller room, Bette faced them with confidence and strength of a born leader who knew her job well and expected everyone to get their tasks done, no matter what the circumstances were.

When all eyes were on her, Bette outlined the plan for the surveillance and investigation, “Agents Haspel and Schecter…your task is to gather information on Alice Pieszecki, anything that you can find beyond the preliminary FBI reports…her boyfriends or girlfriends, education, previous jobs, current relationships and affiliations.”

Tim simply nodded but Jenny gave Bette a quick angry look, though she was smart enough not to argue with the Security Chief in front of the rest of the team. She decided to reserve her objection until after the meeting.

Bette noticed the flicker of anger in Jenny’s eyes but continued with the briefing as if nothing had happened, “Mark, Shane…you will follow Ms. Morales. Money can be very powerful tool to persuade even the strongest to forget about morals and ethics and this is the angle I want you to explore.”

Both agents took notes as Bette continued, “Find out why she has financial problems, how much she owes and to whom, what she has done to pay it off and how the senator is dealing with that situation. Be as discreet as possible but use your government connections if necessary.”

“Can we use Sweeney to pull out her bank statements?” Mark asked, remembering that Max was recruited out of the ITT Technical Institute for his computer hacking skills.

“Absolutely,” Bette replied, nodding to Max, “But use him right away because agent Sweeney and I will be shadowing Tina Kennard tonight and I need him to be ready to go in two hours.”

“No problem, Chief,” Mark saluted mockingly and the team members began slowly gathering their notes and one by one left the room, ready to start their assignments.

Jenny Schecter stayed behind and waited patiently until Bette paid attention to her, “Do you have a question, agent Schecter?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do,” Jenny replied, trying to keep her voice subdued in front of her superior officer. “I was the one who brought attention to Tina Kennard and I would like to work with her. Besides, I don’t think agent Haspel likes me that much and I don’t want his attitude towards me create a problem while we are working together.”

Bette looked at her with surprise and decided to get straight to the point, “Agent Schecter, you’re new to our team and we don’t know you very well. It’s not that agent Haspel doesn’t like you…it’s just…well, let me put it this way. When you work with someone knowing that one day you have to trust this person with your life, you develop special bond with your teammates, but this bond doesn’t come easily. You have to deserve our trust and you still have a long way to go, Jenny. Tim is one of our best agents, so don’t take it personally but my decision is final. Anything else, agent?”

“No, ma’am,” Jenny left, knowing that Bette was right. She was new and she had to work hard to become a part of the team. And she was determined to do it fast.

Surveillance, same day

Tim stopped their non-descript sedan a block away from Alice Pieszecki’s house and then followed her to the office. From the FBI report they knew that usually Alice began working late but she also stayed at the office way past midnight on most of the days, so both agents were prepared for a long day of waiting ahead of them.

Tim parked the car further down the street and they settled comfortably on their seats, drinking coffee and waiting for their subject to make any moves. Alice only came out of the office once, heading for the nearest deli to get herself a lunch, turkey avocado sandwich and caesar salad, as Jenny dutifully recorded in their field journal.

After that they were just idly sitting in the car and waiting for anything unusual to happen.

“So, agent Haspel…Tim. Do you mind if I call you Tim?” Tim simply nodded without looking at Jenny and she continued, “It seems that we’ll be stuck together in such a confined space for hours and as agent Porter so eloquently pointed out to me earlier, I’m new to this team and I need to earn your trust. I think we should start by knowing each other a little better, don’t you think?”

Jenny sounded casual but Tim recognized a few flirtatious notes in the otherwise friendly voice. Tim sighed inwardly. He didn’t care much for Jenny but he knew that she was right. It was very important to have trust and a good rapport between the members of the team.

He shrugged his shoulders and asked evenly, “What do you want to know about me, agent?”

Jenny smiled, thinking to herself that her charms were still working on both genders and said, appearing sweet and innocent, “Well, for starters…are you married, single, involved with someone like girlfriend or…boyfriend?”

Tim glanced at her quickly, well aware that there was nothing sweet and innocent about Jenny but replied nevertheless, “Married for two years and my wife Becky and I are expecting a baby in a few months.”

“Congratulations…” Jenny said without any sincerity in her voice. ‘To seduce him would be so much fun’, she thought. “So how come you’re not wearing your wedding ring?”

“Before this assignment, as you know, we were an investigative unit. When you work undercover, you leave your personal life behind.”

“Yes, right…” Jenny grinned mischievously and asked, wiggling her eyebrows, “So, if we have to go to a dark crowded bar and have to pretend to be a couple, how far would you go?”

“I would do whatever I have to in those circumstances,” Tim was getting irritated at Jenny’s now blatant flirting. “However, I can tell you right now…you and I will never have to go into the dark bar and pretend to be a couple.”

“Why? Am I not good enough for undercover work?” Jenny was genuinely hurt by his words. “Or am I not good enough for you?”

“Agent Schecter, the undercover work isn’t a game. You have to be experienced and qualified to do this kind of work or you can blow the entire operation.”