Notes from Underground – Shot through the heart

Short Story 3: Part 5 – Bette is under Tina’s spell, Helena is ready to seduce, Dylan makes a phone call, and the rest is not important

DC, Sunday morning

Before their morning briefing and the meeting with the senator and her staff, Agent Wayland went into the surveillance room that was his personal domain and listened to the recording of the conversation that has taken place last night. He picked up the phone and dialed the extension, “Something interesting came up from the bug that I’ve planted in the senator’s office a few days ago…it’s about Tina Kennard.”

He quickly relayed information from the tape and listened to the other caller’s instructions, “Make a copy of the conversation and give it to me later. I will pass this information along because it might me useful to us.”

“Consider it done,” Mark hung up the phone and did what he was asked. When he finished, he put on a new tape, locked the door and went straight to the conference room for the morning briefing.

The whole team, except for Bette and Shane, was already there with Angus Partridge sitting at the head of the table, “Senator Grisham and her staff will be here in a few minutes, so let’s get a quick update on our positions and the situation agents Porter and McCutcheon.”

Tim Haspel, as an acting team leader, reviewed everybody’s shifts and schedules and passed on information that he received from Bette and Shane, “The commander is in London, she booked a hotel not far from where the senator will be staying. She’s waiting for us to arrive to assess the situation. Agent McCutcheon made a contact with Ms. Morales yesterday and the subject took the bait. They are planning to have a poker game tonight where Shane will try to get information on the Rothberg-Arden situation. The time for her first contact is tomorrow at 08:00 hours. She will report directly to you, sir, while I’m in London,” Tim looked at the Assistant Director, who nodded in agreement.

“Great,” Partridge got up and pressed the intercom button, “Hazel, show the senator and her staff in, please.”

“Right away, sir,” Hazel was as efficient as ever and in just a few seconds the door opened and Senator Grisham walked in, followed by Tina, Alice and Dylan. Hazel asked if there was anything else and after Partridge shook his head in negative reply, she closed the door, leaving the Secret Service agents to get acquainted with the people they were sworn to protect.

Good Ol’ London, Monday

It was right before 7 pm on Monday when a courier knocked on Helena’s flat and delivered a sealed envelope. By this time Helena almost finished a whole bottle of Glenlivet, which was unusual for her. For almost ten years she didn’t drink anything stronger than wine but the circumstances were too shocking for her to stop after she opened the bottle on the night of the phone call.

Helena staggered into the living room and fell down on the sofa, tearing the package open. There were her new travel documents for her trip into the United States, some information on Tina Kennard and her picture.

“Hmm…maybe this won’t be that bad after all. She’s cute at least. Interests are writing, photography, painting and…what a shock…brunettes. Easy…so easy,” Helena mumbled drunkenly, scattering the papers on the floor and resting her head on the cushion. She closed her eyes, aware of a major headache and hoping that after she will finish with this so-called assignment she could return to her life without the fear of constantly waiting for another phone call.

She woke up in the morning and frowned, looking at the papers all over the floor. The events of the past few days came back and Helena growled, wincing at the pain in her temples. Her eyes fell on the picture of Tina Kennard and she couldn’t help but smile, “Wow…she’s not just cute, she’s gorgeous. At least it will be fun to seduce her and I like a good challenge. It has been awhile since I played a cat-and-mouse game. Oh yeah…it will be fun.”

Meanwhile, in the air on the way to London

The senator and Tina were sitting on a front row of the first class, discussing Grisham’s schedule and meeting for the upcoming week. A few rows behind them Agent Schecter was fast asleep, with an open magazine on her lap and headphones.

Alice and Dylan were sitting on the back of the first class section, shamelessly flirting with Mark and Max, while Agent Haspel was right behind Jenny, working on his laptop. The FBI just sent him an updated list of all known assassins for hire and he was scanning their photos, comparing with anyone in the senator’s circle of acquaintances.

Barbara glanced behind her shoulder and said softly to Tina, knowing that everyone was far enough and busy enough not to overhear, “Sorry, dear, but it seems that you’re out of luck with a tall gorgeous brunette female Secret Service agent. There’s only one woman on the team and she’s…well, quite frankly, she’s a little weird.”

“She’s really nice,” Tina shrugged her shoulders, checking the time table for the senator’s trip itinerary.

“And she’s brunette,” the senator winked and Tina laughed quietly.

She also looked behind their seats and glanced at sleeping Jenny, “Just because she’s a brunette doesn’t mean I automatically want to fuck her… pardon my language, Senator.”

“Well, she was extremely nice to you, that’s for sure. Maybe she’s into blondes,” Barbara winked again.

Tina shook her head and smiled, “I think I’m ready to begin looking for something permanent in my life. I don’t like that emptiness inside anymore.”

“Good for you, Tina…good for you,” the senator briefly patted Tina’s hand that was resting on her lap and smiled fondly at her assistant, “Let’s get back to my schedule.”

London

Tuesday, June 12…11:00 am

To: IceQueen

From: SwimCoach

Arrived late last night. ‘Grumpy’ has a full schedule until Friday, which sounds like fun. She’s speaking at LMU today. Let you know about ‘Bashful’ and her plans later.

Senator Grisham had meetings, lectures and talks scheduled for the rest of the day. The Feminist Women in History Group that invited them, put the whole team up at the Soho Hotel on Richmond Mews, where they all had their luxury suites on the seventh floor, and as the senator requested, her suite also included an office. Most of the suites were adjoining each other and everyone was staying pretty close. Tim and his agents had their own suites right across the hall from the senator and her staff.

Tuesday, June 12…11:30 am

To: SwimCoach

From: IceQueen

I’m glad you’re having fun because I’m bored to death. I’ve got the list of gay/lesbian bars in case ‘Bashful’ wants to go hunt for brunettes. Keep me informed of any movements or changes.

After a brief rest, Grisham’s team went to their first meeting. It was held in the classrooms of London Metropolitan University where the senator was going to address one of the feminist groups on the issues of abortion and pregnant teenagers.

Tim and Jenny exited the limousine first and checked the street and buildings in front of them. They were followed by Mark and Max with Barbara between them. The senator motioned for Tina to get closer and they all walked towards the University building.

“My fellow Americans…” Barbara smiled at Tina who was walking beside her with the folder that had copies of the presentation. “I always wanted to say that when I’m surrounded by the Secret Service. Makes me feel like a President…or at least a First Lady.”

“Thank God, you’re neither or you won’t have any privacy at all…and neither are we,” Tina replied, smiling at several members of the press who were walking right a long with them and taking pictures. It was Barbara’s second visit abroad and the British public loved her.

“Well, you know I love the attention or I would remain just another college professor. The politics and power excite me…it’s like I was born to do this,” Barbara waved at the press and a few bystanders, acknowledging them with her most charming smile.

“Most of the time I wish I remained a teacher or continue with my writing…that’s what excites me,” Tina sighed, not paying attention to her surroundings. After her conversation with the senator as they were getting ready for their trip to London, she was seriously thinking of quitting her job and going back home to Los Angeles, back to teaching and away from the public scrutiny.

“Welcome, Senator…” Barbara and Tina were approached by one of the organizers of the meeting as soon as they entered the building. “Thank you for coming…we have a full house today.”

“Wonderful…let’s start then,” Barbara shook the woman’s hand and glanced at Tina, before entering the auditorium. “Oh, I love this.”

~~~~~~~~

Bette knew that she should stay away from the senator and her own team while they were in London but she couldn’t help herself…she wanted to see Tina before approaching her. After Tim emailed her Barbara’s final itinerary for all her meetings and lectures, Bette decided to attend one.

She quietly crept inside the huge classroom and sat down on the back, her attention fully on Tina. The pretty blonde was sitting on the side of the stage, away from the senator but close enough to assist with anything her boss would need.

Bette almost forgot to breathe as she was watching Tina, noticing her unconscious movements, like the brushing a few stubborn locks off her forehead, licking her lips, or smiling gently. It had never happened to her before that another woman affected her so much and Bette didn’t have the strength to fight this nor did she wanted to.

This was one of those moments when she hated her job. Only once before Bette let herself get emotionally attached to the subject of an ongoing investigation while she was working undercover in Atlanta…and it didn’t end well.

Bette, Mark Wayland and Henry Dickenson, who was now in recovery after the Candace Jewel operation, were assisting the Atlanta’s law enforcement team with monitoring the local drug trafficking. They were all part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program.

Working undercover, Bette became attracted to Nadia, the daughter of one of the small drug lords, though it didn’t stop her from doing her job. Nadia’s father was arrested and killed in jail by an angry competitor who was arrested in the same bust. Nadia found out about Bette’s involvement and blamed her for everything, including her father’s death.

After the last very emotional and physically violent scene, when Nadia had to be restrained from attacking her, Bette made it her personal rule not to get involved with subjects of her investigation or protection. It was pretty easy to do until now as Tina Kennard came into her life.

“I don’t even know her,” Bette muttered under her breath as she was leaving the auditorium before the senator ended her talk. “How could she get under my skin so fast without knowing it or doing anything? I’m in so much trouble…”

Wednesday, June 6…10:00 am

To: IceQueen

From: SwimCoach

Another day, another lecture…did I see you creeping out of the room yesterday? Just stay in the shadows.

Senator Grisham looked at the door when she heard Dylan coming in with her morning coffee, “Anything else, Senator?”

“No, thank you…” Dylan turned around to leave but Barbara snapped her fingers as she remembered, “Oh, wait…I need you to RSVP my acceptance to attend a few openings of the women’s centers in California and Oregon next month, but tell them it is tentative, based on my schedule and the Senate subcommittees’ hearings. I would ask Tina but she is working on my notes for this afternoon lecture and I have a meeting with Alice in 5 minutes about the media coverage…”

“Of course, Senator,” Dylan smiled, returning to the desk and picking up the invitations. “I will send them right away.”

After finishing the task and filing away a few papers, Dylan grabbed her purse and knocked on Tina’s suite, “Hey, Tina…I’m going to run to the corner bakery to get bagels for breakfast…want some?”