Dark as Daylight Ch. 08

"Are you interrogating my date?"

"I wouldn't dare do that sir. I was just trying to get her address and phone number."

"You do realize you would be looking for a job Monday."

"It's one reason I'm glad I was unsuccessful. Your jacket sir."

"I think this is the only reason I keep you around Bill. Every time I get my jacket back it's warmer than when I give it to you."

"I run to the other bathroom, and put it under the hand warmer."

"Very inventive Bill, but it leaves me unguarded."

"Never sir, I pay two 6-year-olds to guard the door."

"I feel much better now."

*********************

The remainder of the evening went as planned. James brothers insisted on dancing with Nancy, and she charmed them both. When they asked her who she really was, she laughed.

"I work for an agency. I get $6000 dollars for the evening, more if he wants sex. I also get a generous tip at the end of the night to keep my mouth shut. I am married, and my husband knows all about this. It is a wonderful way to keep our standard of living above average. We live in Georgetown, and we drive Mercedes. How terrible can life be."

"How often do you do this?"

"It depends. Sometimes it's slow and it is only twice a week. Other times I'm very busy, and it is every night of the week. Those weeks are exhausting, but the cash is marvelous."

"You get paid in cash?"

"I won't accept anything else. Checks and credit cards can be traced. They pay cash, or they won't get me. We never mention that word, and we never say payment, envelope, or any other word that would indicate I am being paid. I will point to my purse, leave it open, and move to another room. I will do the same thing if were in a restaurant. I'll leave my purse open and go to the restroom. I am never around while the money is being transferred."

"You are one amazing woman."

"You will have no idea, until you call the agency."

"Do you have their card?"

"They change their number weekly. I will pick up some and give you one. You will have to give my name."

"What name shall I give them?"

"Rebecca De Mornay."

"Oh, Risky Business."

"I prefer, 'Frisky Business."

******************

As the hours passed, whispers spread throughout the ballroom. People began to laugh at James, and his 'date.' He let it go, as it spread, and he and Nancy danced the night away.

Bethany and Peter went over to them and asked when they were going to put an end to these rumors, and put their brothers in their places.

"Would you like to help us now Princess?"

"I told you I would do anything for you James. What would you like us to do?"

"I would like you to go to the stage and introduce us. Me, as your brother, and the director of the FBI, and Nancy Wells, also an employee of the FBI. The vicious rumors started by your brothers have been just that, rumors. They hate me because of my success, both in business, and in the law. They will do anything to make me look less than what I am: a good and valued member of society, and Nancy, a hard working member of the FBI, and single mother, with 3 children. Can you remember all that?"

Bethany replied, "I'm a college graduate. I can remember all of it, and what I can't remember, Peter will remind me."

Beth and Peter went on the stage and took command of the room. As she was talking she turned bright red as she mentioned her brothers and their complicity in the spreading of these horrible rumors about her brother, James, and the woman who is his escort for this evening, Nancy Wells."

Her oldest brother Adam shouted out, "If Nancy Wells works for the FBI let her prove it."

There were several judges and law enforcement officers in the room. James asked them to come forward. Nancy removed her identity cards, and handed them to the men and women standing before her. Without advising anyone of her occupation, they turned around and advised everyone that Nancy Wells truly worked for the FBI in their Washington field office.

Adam and Charles Comey were booed by the crowd and were called charlatans and hateful men trying to harm the reputation of the Director of the FBI, their youngest brother, and the young working mother that was his date for the evening.

Their parents told their two eldest sons to leave the reception, with their wives and children, and to never show their faces at their home again."

James said, "Nancy, you have made this the most memorable evening of my life. How does anyone thank you for that pleasure?"

"We have a 4 day-work week coming up. If we left right after work, Wednesday night, Bermuda and is only 4 hours away."

"Please tell me you're not joking with me."

"Please tell me you weren't joking about a private jet."

"I have a private jet."

"I'm not joking with you. I'm still not promising you anything, but we could talk a lot, and stay in the same room."

"You're trying to kill me."

"Wouldn't it be a wonderful way to die?"

"It would be the best way to die."

"Please take me home, I have children to worry about."

"Your wish is my command."

****************************

The next morning, she called William Zabo's home.

"I'm sorry ma'am he's not awake yet."

"Is anyone in the family awake?"

"William Junior is awake, and having breakfast."

"It's very important I talk to him."

"One moment please."

"This is William Zabo."

"Mister Zabo, this is Nancy Wells. Do you know what I am doing for your father?"

"Yes I do. Have you changed your chip within the last 3 days?"

"Yes I have, in accordance with your father's instructions."

"What do you have for me miss Wells?"

"The culprit is not James Comey. Everything he has is being recorded by someone else. I accidentally saw it happen, while we were at his sister's wedding reception. I watched as his aide removed and then inserted a device into his I-Pad, and his cell phone. In my discussions with James, he could not plant a seed into the ground, unless you gave him a sheet of instructions on how to do it. He is hopeless as far as anything technical, or mechanical is concerned. He is truly magnificent as an academic; but if you ask him to turn a screw into a wall, it would take him a week to figure out how. He's not your man. Whoever his aid is working is."

"You figured all of this out in one evening miss Wells?"

"Mister Zabo, if you sat down with him for 30 minutes, you would know it for yourself. When his sister was 4-year-old, she had to tie his shoes, because he still couldn't figure it out. He was getting 100% on tests in every school and university he attended, but he could not tie his shoes, or put staples into a stapler. Does that sound like a master criminal to you?"

"No Miss Wells, it does not. I'll speak to my father when he awakens, and we will contact you sometime during the day. Change your chip right now."

"Yes sir, I'm going to work."

"Miss Wells, it's Saturday."

"Oh shit, I forgot. I'll pick up some donuts and go home. Thank you Mister Zabo."

****************

"I couldn't find him. I checked every place you sent me, and he always left the area just before I got there. What the hell is going on Janine?"

"Where are you now agent Burkart?"

"Without your approval, I returned to New York to get clean clothes, and some sleep."

"Excellent, because that's where the director wanted you to be. He totally forgot about his sister's wedding, which was Friday evening. Even though he had 6 meetings in Mobile Alabama, he had to cancel them all and fly back to Washington. He asked me to tell you that no administrative action would be taken against you, and no mention of this incident would be placed in your file. It would be like it never happened, and he told the Attorney General if he didn't like it, he could fire him. Director Comey really went to bat for you, and even though you flew all around the country trying to find him, this was your reward. He need you to do one more thing this morning. You are to go to the home of William Zabo, and pick up all the findings of the 12 scientists. You are to be there by 10 a.m., and fly to Washington on JetBlue flight 704, leaving LaGuardia Airport at 12:35 p.m. You will put the findings in a secure briefcase, attached to your wrist. You will not relinquish your weapon at security, and a notice will be sent to you, and Homeland Security that you will be carrying a weapon on board. You will be seated by the window, on the left side of first class, to give you ease of access to your weapon. Do you have any questions agent Burkart?"

"Yes, will there be back-up on the aircraft?"

"Yes, she will be seated in coach."

"One more thing, can the backup pick up the scientific findings at the Zabo residence?"

"Yes she can; but there will be an incident report in your file."

"The Director is really a bitch."

"The Director is saving your ass. You could have been discharged from the service. You could have been thrown out on the street without any retirement benefits or health insurance. You would never have been able to join any police department, or agency that required a background check. You would have been out in the cold agent Burkart, and the director is the one that kept you safe and warm inside the Bureau."

"Why, he doesn't know me from Adam or Eve?"

"He read your file. He knows you from the day you were born. He said to me personally, the Bureau cannot afford to lose agents like you. So get yourself in gear agent Burkart, and get over to the Zabo residence, pick up the paperwork, and get it down here now."

"Okay Janine, I will be at the Zabo residence at 10 a.m. I hope they don't shoot me."

"There is always room for one more agent on the wall."

"I don't want to be a star on the wall. I want to help solve this case. After I do that, I don't care what happens to me."

"Don't get killed, the director has plans for you."

"He wants me to become a courier between Washington and Moscow?"

"You're very close. He was thinking more like Washington and Beijing."

"I'll retire first."

"It's been nice knowing you, agent Burkart."

"I've changed my mind Janine; it's not the director that's a bitch, it's you."

"That's why the director does not want to get rid of you. It doesn't take you long to solve a case. It's 915 a.m., you have to be at the Zabo's in 45 minutes. Don't be late."

She hung up the phone before Burkart could reply.

She screamed at the top of her lungs, "Why me Lord, why does it always happen to me? When I walk into their home, I'm going to be put through a meat grinder, because of what I did to his sons. Please give me the strength not to say something stupid again, and again, and again."

She called her office and told them she needed a car, with lights and sirens, at her home within 10 minutes. She had to be at the Zabo residence by 10 A.M.

It was acknowledged.

She took a quick shower, put on clean clothes, checked her weapon, and made sure it was on safe. By the time she checked her travel bag, she heard a beeping outside her window. She left her apartment, and locked the door.

She hopped onto the passenger side, secured her seatbelt as the car was already in motion. With lights and sirens blaring, they turned up the FDR Drive North, and then turned west towards William Zabo's home. They pulled up in front of it with 4 minutes to spare.

Carrying only the secure briefcase, she walked up the steps, and knocked on the door.

Alfonse opened the door, with a big smile on his face.

"Come in agent Burkart, you are expected."

She was expecting grief, not a greeting with a smile.

She was escorted to the kitchen, where William and Jemma were having breakfast.

William said, "Good morning Laura, have you had breakfast yet?"

"No, not yet. I just got in early this morning, and had to check in with the director's office. I spoke with them at length, and was told to report here by 10 a.m. I barely had time to get a Bureau car, shower, change clothes, and get here on time. I know how you like punctuality."

"I certainly do. It is one of my pet peeves when someone wastes my time. Gloria would you make Miss Burkart breakfast please."

"That's very kind of you, but I have to leave for the airport to catch a JetBlue flight for Washington at 12:35 p.m. I really don't have that much time to waste."

"I guarantee you will be at the airport on time Linda. The aircraft will not leave without you."

"It must be wonderful to have all this power Mister Zabo."

"Yes it is, but can we talk about business for a moment?"

"I thought we were no longer exchanging information."

"You've had your punishment, and now everything is back to normal."

"You set this up? You had me flying all around the country, chasing after the director, when he was safely home in Washington?"

"It was my testimony that gave the Attorney General his job. He owed me a favor, and the director of the FBI works for him. It was very easily done. Wait until Junior comes down, you will see why I was very angry with you."

"Alfonse, will you get my eldest son down here please. Frisk him first, make sure he's not carrying brass knuckles, or any other weapon that could cause Miss Burkart harm."

"Yes sir."

"Through an intermediary, we found out that the director of the FBI was involved in the plan to destroy the rocket."

"You're kidding; I would never have thought that Mister Comey had that in him."

"It turns out that you are correct, and we were wrong. During the festivities Friday night at his sister's wedding, it was discovered that his aid was planting listening devices into his I-Pad and his cell phone. Is there any place in the FBI building that neither of those devices work?"

"Yes sir, the elevators. Sometimes the signals get through but most of the time they don't. If there is construction or a delivery of furniture going on in the building, and they put those mats up against the walls, there is no signal in that elevator at all."

"Wonderful, now we have to get you, my son, an electronics geek, and the director into that elevator at the same time."

"I think I can arrange that for you, sir."

William Junior walked into the room.

Laura Burkart looked at his eyes, and his smashed in the nose, and wasn't sure if she should cry or laugh. She laughed.

"I don't find it very funny at all Miss Burkart."

"I'm sorry William, I really am. My behavior was abominable, but I've never seen anything so cute in my life."

Gwen walked in and put her arms around William.

"Laura, you have to try to make love to a raccoon. It is truly stimulating. He can't get his nose fixed, until all the swelling goes down. I've decided to give him Patrick's nose, so he can remember where his old nose went."

"I hope you two are having fun at my expense, but my brothers left hand still hurts like hell."

"My son, if Patrick knew what he missed out on from Thursday through Sunday, he would be hurting a lot more than you."

"What would I have missed out on dad?"

"We were going to introduce you to the outside world Patrick. You were going to have 4 days of dancing lessons. When you were introduced to young women, you would not be a bump on a log. You could ask them to dance, and they would be surprised. Most young men have no idea how to put one foot in front of another. After you accomplished this, we were going to allow you to attend high school, and college dances and have you meet young women your own age. You are very confident in yourself, and with your knowledge of dancing, and being the head of NASA, you should be able to do very well."

"Wow dad, how long do you think it would take me to learn how to dance?"

"That would be totally up to you. Your teachers will come here, so you will be protected. The library would be set up as your dance studio, and screened off so you would not be embarrassed as you learn. The quicker you learn, the faster you will be introduced to students your own age."

"When do I start dad?"

"How does Wednesday of next week sound to you?"

"Not as good as Monday."

"Okay, one week from Monday, you start dancing lessons. How does 10 a.m. sound to you?"

"Not as good as 1 p.m."

"Okay, then it's agreed. Patrick starts dancing lessons next Monday at 10 a.m."

"1 p.m. dad."

"Wednesday."

"10 a.m. is fine."

"So is Monday."

"Why do you always get your own way?"

"Did I get my own way Patrick, or did we negotiate to an agreeable settlement?"

"We negotiated."

"No sneakers, no flip-flops, real shoes with laces or loafers. Suits, or sports coats and slacks. You may as well get used to the way you will be dancing in public."

"We did not negotiate that one at all."

"There was nothing to negotiate. If you're going to learn how to dance, you have to dance in the clothes you will be wearing on the night of the festivities."

"You are too cool dad."

Jemma said, "William during our many years together I have heard people call you many things, but I don't believe anyone has ever called you cool."

"I agree with you darling. I have been called: cold, calculating, cautious, cerebral, charlatan, crusader, careless cantankerous, and many of the words that start with the letter 'C', but I don't believe I have ever been called, 'Cool.' We will have to add that one to the list."

"I'm very pleased you left out the ones that started with 4 letter words."

"I was obliged to my dear. Patrick was here."

"Yeah dad, like I've not heard those words before."

"Yes Patrick, but you never heard those words in this house, or from your mother, brother, Gwen, or myself. I believe I can also say you never hear them from any of our staff. If you don't use those words regularly, you will never use them in polite conversation. You are about to enter the adult world, and deal with adults all the time. Those words are not acceptable at any time, and those are the rules. You must act like a gentleman, even though you're only a teenager."

"One more thing, I have been advised that your testimony before the Senate committee is in 3 weeks. Will you be ready?"

"Yes dad, I will be completely finished with the paperwork on the rocket by the end of next week. If they ask me about the linear workings of the agency, I will chew them up and spit them out."

"Remember Patrick, you will be dealing with these people for years to come, don't embarrass them, just tell them what you think has to be done internally, and you need their help in doing it."

"Dad they're the ones that cause these problems."

"That's why you need their help in fixing them."

"Okay, I understand."

"Mister Zabo, thank you for breakfast, but I need the paperwork from the scientists, and I have to leave for the airport."

"William will you take Laura into the panic room and give her the paperwork please?"

"Sure thing dad. Can I lock her in there?"

"Not today son, maybe some other time."

"Lock me in there with Patrick, and a chessboard. I always wanted to learn how to play that game."

"He will drive you crazy."

"If I know nothing about the game, he can't drive me anywhere."

"I hate you, because your logic is flawless. Come with me, I'll put the paperwork in your briefcase."

The paperwork barely fit into the secure briefcase, and William had to press hard to get the locks to close. Laura attached the handcuffed to her left wrist, checked her weapon and went to the kitchen to say goodbye.

"Thank you for your hospitality Mister Zabo, I have to leave. I will just barely make that flight now."

"Sit down for a moment let me make a phone call." He opened his cell phone, flipped through his address file, and hit call.

"Jeff, William Zabo, how are you?"