Operation Hell Gate - Marc Cerasini [75]
"I've already discussed this issue with Ryan. He's dispatched a CTU agent named Carlos Ferrer out of the D.C. office. Special Agent Ferrer is scheduled to arrive on the Amtrak Acela in less than an hour. He'll contact you then. Agent Ferrer will take custody of Caitlin, escort her to a safe house."
"Good work, Nina. I'm going to Wexler Storage next."
"Why there, Jack?"
"I'm figuring that the missile launchers for the New York attack have to be stored somewhere — a central location where the leader of the terrorist cell can keep tabs on them, and a place from which the weapons could easily be dispatched. Wexler Storage fits the bill. It's in the heart of Manhattan, within driving distance of three major airports."
"It's your call, Jack."
"It's going to take me some time to get to Houston Street. The car's been compromised so I'm taking the subway. I'll be out of touch for a while."
"What about the package?"
"Caitlin is coming with me. Keep gathering data on Felix Tanner, and find out what you can about Frank Hensley."
* * *
11:19:11 A.M. EDT
Office of New York Senator William Cheever
Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.
Dennis Spain had just ended a conversation with WestWing Airlines CEO Gilbert Hemmer when his intercom buzzed.
"I said I was not to be disturbed," Spain snapped at the woman. "You know the Senator's teleconference is this afternoon. I have more calls to make."
"It's Mr. Reichel, sir. You said I was supposed to notify you immediately whenever Mr. Reichel calls."
"Put him on."
A moment later, Spain addressed the Assistant Undersecretary of Budgetary Affairs for the United States Government Travel Office. "Hey, Ted. What's up?"
"Listen, Dennis. You asked me to tell you when travel vouchers are issued to anyone at CTU. We got one this morning. For an Agent Carlos Ferrer, D.C. to New York City."
"I'll need Agent Ferrer's itinerary," Spain said, examining his fingernails.
"The usual fee?"
"You bet."
"I'll fax that information right over to you."
"Wait. I have another number I want you to use." Spain read it off.
"212? That's a New York City area code."
"That's right. Fax the information ASAP."
"I'll do it now."
Dennis Spain ended the call, buzzed his secretary. "Get me Felix Tanner at Prolix Security's Manhattan office."
* * *
11:20:09 A.M. EDT
CTU Headquarters, Los Angeles
A shaky Milo Pressman finished recounting the disaster at Green Dragon Computers to the members of Crisis Management Team Alpha. Jamey Farrell was especially affected. She had known Nell Henkel quite well. Sometimes they went clubbing together.
Ryan Chappelle listened with the others, then spoke. "First let me say what happened was a tragedy, but no one in this room should blame themselves. My assistant will compose letters of condolences to the families of Michael Chen and Danielle Henkel. Needless to say, their loss has further strained our manpower resources. Mr. Pressman and Ms. Farrell will have to take on additional responsibilities..."
"What about the plan, Mr. Chappelle?"
All eyes turned to Captain Schneider, still clad in the civilian clothes she wore when she single-handedly assaulted Green Dragon, her blond hair loose and falling around her shoulders.
"I really don't think this is the time..."
"I think it is," Captain Schneider replied. "You want to find out more about FBI Agent Frank Hensley, right? This might be the only way to gain access to such information. The California Senator's running feud with the Bureau is something we can exploit."
"What you're suggesting is nothing less than a raid on another government agency."
Jessica Schneider shrugged. "A potentially corrupt agency, Mr. Chappelle. At the very least an agency that has been compromised by a traitor or double agent."
"You can't be serious," Nina Myers protested. "CTU has already been marginalized by the other agencies. If word of this ever gets out..."
Chappelle waved Nina's concerns aside. "What do you think, Tony?"
Agent Almeida's eyes shifted from Nina to Jessica.