Operation Hell Gate - Marc Cerasini [77]
"Special Agent Ferrer? I'm Jack Bauer, CTU." The man flashed his ID. "I just got word you were on your way in from D.C., so I came to meet you."
* * *
12:21:06 P.M. EDT
FBI Headquarters, Los Angeles
The FBI's Los Angeles headquarters was one of a cluster of Federal buildings on the corner of Wilshire Drive and Veteran Boulevard, between the UCLA Medical Center and Westwood Park. Despite rush hour traffic, Tony Almeida and Captain Schneider drove there in thirty minutes. They displayed their false IDs to security and were immediately cleared.
Jeffrey Dodge, the Los Angeles District Administrator of the FBI office in Los Angeles, met them at the elevator. A balding, heavy-set man of middle age, Dodge displayed the instant affability of a trained bureaucrat. "Ms. Van Dyne, Mr. Newsom, welcome to the Bureau. I had no idea you were coming."
Tony smiled, shook the man's beefy hand. Then Jes-sica stepped forward, brushed aside her windblown, straw-blond hair. "Things have been just a whirlwind since Senator Baxter accepted a chair on the Senate Intelligence Committee," she said breathlessly. When they shook hands, Jessica's lingered in his.
"Please, follow me." Dodge ushered the pair into his spacious corner office, closed the door behind them. He had trouble keeping his eyes off Jessica Schneider, who wore a black pin-striped jacket over a matching mini-skirt and stiletto heels that emphasized her tanned, athletic legs. Under the jacket, her wispy blouse was open to display the Captain's other attributes.
While Dodge escorted Jessica to a chair, Tony studied his surroundings. The Bureau Chiefs office was spacious, its faux wood-trimmed walls decorated with framed diplomas, portraits of his two adolescent children, along with vacation snapshots. Images of the former Mrs. Dodge were noticeably absent, suggesting a bitter split. There was a photo of Bureau Chief Dodge posing with the current President. On a large, polished oaken desk, Tony spied what he was looking for — Dodge's keyboard and monitor. The computer was idle; on-screen the FBI insignia floated on a red, white, and blue background.
Dodge took position behind his desk, waited politely for Jessica to sit down. She did — directly in front of him, crossing her long, naked legs.
"Well," Dodge said, visibly nervous, "how can I help California's esteemed Senator?"
Jessica leaned forward, smiled. "I'll just get right to the point, Mr. Dodge. During her long political career, Senator Bonny Baxter has been unfairly cast as a politician who is hostile to our nation's law enforcement and intelligence services..."
"Oh, now I wouldn't go that far," said Dodge.
"No, no, Mr. Dodge, it's true. My boss is fully aware of her reputation; that's why I came here today. You see, Senator Baxter would like to show America that she can forge strong relationships with America's premier law enforcement agencies, starting with the FBI."
"I think that's a fine idea."
"The Senator thought you'd feel that way."
"She did?"
"She even mentioned you by name. And I can see why she chose you, Mr. Dodge. You're quite... photogenic."
Dodge grinned shyly, fumbled with his tie. Tony noted how pronounced Jessica's Texas drawl had become. He smiled to himself. Obviously that whole debutante thing was something she could turn off or on at will — and, he had to concede, a fairly handy little tool for undercover work.
"Well, Ms. Van Dyne..."
"Call me Tandi, Mr. Dodge."
"Well, Tandi. What can I do to help?"
"The Senator was thinking a photo opportunity, right here at FBI headquarters, with its director. A nice dramatic shot, with a really interesting background."
"How about our new training facilities? They're located right here in the basement. We just opened the newly renovated wing last week."
"Why that would be simply delightful, Mr. Dodge. Could you possibly