Operation Hell Gate - Marc Cerasini [9]
Hensley frowned. "Then you don't have any proof to back up these absurd assertions, do you?"
"What are you getting at, Agent Hensley?"
"Well, Mr. Chappelle, Dante Arete most certainly smuggled weapons across the United States border in the past two years. But he's very careful to be far, far away when those weapons are used. And the notion of Dante's greasy gang-bangers blowing themselves up to avoid capture..." Hensley snorted, shook his head. "They're urban punks, not Japanese kamikaze or Muslim terrorists. Suicide isn't their style."
Ignoring Chappelle, Hensley faced Jack. "Any chance your guys were popping off so many rounds it was you who blew up the van?"
"No," said Jack evenly. "No chance."
Hensley sensed Jack's animosity, pulled back a bit.
"Well, you couldn't have known about the FBI investigation, anyway. And a newly formed unit like yours is bound to stumble a few times before learning to walk."
Hensley fixed his dark blue eyes on Jack, who ignored the slight, glanced away. Jack understood now that Hensley was a master manipulator. It was time for Bauer to rise to the level of play.
"Look," Jack began with the proper tone of contriteness. "The FBI put a lot of hours into this investigation. I understand that. But we put in some sweat and a little blood, too — not to mention the fact that I have to deal with all the paperwork that comes with a casualty situation."
Jack rested his arm on Hensley's shoulder. "Why don't we go in right now and interview Dante Arete together. He's been sitting in that cell for hours. I'll soften him up, you make the deal you need to make with him. I'll even stay out of it. When I have enough information to write up my report, you can take the prisoner back to New York City and we've both covered our asses."
Hensley shook his head, just as Jack knew he would.
"No can do, Bauer. What Arete may or may not say impacts at least half a dozen separate investigations — FBI investigations."
"Let's talk to your superiors, then," said Jack. "Maybe we can work something out."
Again Hensley shook his head. This time he barely bothered to hide his smirk. "They're going to want to sit in on the interrogation too. Arete's a big catch. A lot of folks are going to want to hold the net. But he's not big enough to have half the New York bureau fly out here to CTU just to chat with him..."
"I'll fly to New York," said Jack.
Hensley blinked. Jack pressed: "You came in an FBI jet, right? I'll just hitch a ride with you to the East Coast, fly back on a commercial flight."
Jack glanced at Chappelle for support. Ryan shot warning daggers, but didn't overturn him.
"Jack's proposal has merit," Ryan said. "I think even Senator Cheever will be comfortable with the arrangement. If you have doubts, I'll speak to Mr. Spain about it right now." Chappelle then gave an admirable impression of reaching for the phone.
Jack forced himself to mask a smile. When Chappelle got his priorities right, it was a thing of beauty.
Hensley threw up his hands. "All right, you win. But if this is some ploy to stall for time and talk to Arete by yourself, forget it. He's not cutting any deals with CTU. To make sure of that, I have two Federal marshals outside who are going to be with Dante from now until we arrive in New York City."
Jack folded his arms, met Hensley's gaze. "He's my prisoner, and CTU protocol requires that Dante Arete be in my custody until we reach your jurisdiction. That means he's to be handcuffed to my wrist — just to make sure nobody tries to talk to him when I'm not around."
Hensley nodded. "Fine, Agent Bauer. Play your games. But as soon as we're wheels down in New York, Dante Arete is mine."
1
THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 9 P.M. AND 10 P.M. EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME
9:04:52 P.M. EDT
The sky over Queens, New York
The steady drone of the jet engines suddenly changed pitch. Jack opened his eyes, instantly alert, surprised he'd slept at all. He sat in an airline seat next to Dante Arete, the fugitive still chained to his arm by a pair of nickel-plated steel bracelets.