Operation Hell Gate - Marc Cerasini [87]
Caitlin slumped down on the curb. "I need a rest."
Jack leaned against a Village Voice stand. What he needed most right now was a CTU Crime Scene Unit, an "autopsy team" to work with local authorities and gather intelligence from the remains of the terrorist safe house on the sixth floor of the burning building and the shattered missile launchers in the ruined elevator. But the establishment of field offices in some cities was slow in coming, and often resisted by entrenched bureaucracies like the FBI, or local law enforcement agencies concerned with protecting their own turf. New York City was just one political hornets' nest since its police department had its own counter-terrorist team in place. Richard Walsh was lobbying hard to increase CTU's presence, but change was coming slowly.
Jack's cell chirped. He listened while Nina told him about CTU's massive tactical response to the terrorist threat. Jack told Nina what he'd discovered at Wexler Storage.
"They are going to have a tough time hitting the New York airports now. I've destroyed the missile launchers stored here and killed most of their operatives. Except for the leaders, Frank Hensley, the Lynch brothers, and Taj Ali Kahlil, the New York cell has been neutralized."
"We're not so sure about that, Jack," said Nina. "A missile launcher got away from us at Green Dragon, LA. It will turn up somewhere. And Omar Bayat has yet to turn up."
"What have you found out about Felix Tanner?"
"Tanner used to work for YankeeLife Insurance, a firm that specialized in insurance for airline clients. Tanner has since moved over to the CEO's spot at Prolix Security. Day to day, he works out of his mid-town Manhattan office.
"I'll need the personnel files from YankeeLife downloaded to my PDA and then I'm on my way," said Jack.
"Not so fast, Agent Bauer." It was Ryan Chappelle speaking. Jack was surprised Nina had not warned him the Administrative Director was on the line. "We need you to take down the rest of the New York cell, Jack. That's your first priority. You hurt them with the attack on the storage building, but they still have the resources to carry out the JFK attack. The FBI and local authorities are not cooperating with us, so it's up to you."
"Listen, I can't do it, Ryan, but I think I know someone who can."
Jack explained his plan. Ryan was — no surprise — highly skeptical.
"Trust me, Ryan," said Jack. "This will work. Finding Tanner is more important than anything else right now."
"Listen, Jack," said Nina. "There's more to deal with than Tanner. Tony Almeida and Captain Schneider interrogated Hensley's ex-wife. Turns out Frank Hensley had an extramarital affair two years ago. The woman in question was Fiona Brice, an FBI stenographer working in the New York office..."
"Can we find her?"
"We found her, Jack. Fiona Brice is currently employed by Prolix Security. She's Felix Tanner's personal secretary."
* * *
2:22:43 P.M. EDT
Green Dragon Computers
Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills
Taj was gone but the Lynch brothers would see him soon, at the bridge. Griff glanced at his watch.
"The shipment arrives in ninety minutes. That gives us an hour and a half to clean up the mess before we can cut and run."
"Do you think Liam still has the case?" Shamus asked.
"I think we should determine that right now. If he does have the attache case, this will solve our problem."
Griffin drew a black box remote control box from his jacket. On its featureless surface the device had one gray button and a tiny liquid crystal display. With his thumb, Griff pressed the button.
* * *
2:44:15 P.M. EDT
Houston Street, Lower Manhattan
Jack and Caitlin were making their way to a subway entrance when Jack's cell chirped again.
"This is Special Agent Carlos Ferrer, D.C. Division," said the stranger's voice. "Ryan Chappelle sent me to rendezvous with you and pick up an Irish national named Caitlin O'Connor. Is the woman with you now?"
"She's close," said Jack.
"Good. When can we link up?"
"I have to take care of something before I can meet you," Jack