The Code - Genesis - Book I (9 page)

Marsh replies, “The language involved and the matter discussed raised some flags.  Right now it’s deemed an unofficial inquiry.  But, as I said, I’ve been instructed to clear things up.”

“Clear things up, Sir?”  Natan pulls on her jacket tail as she cocks her head at Marsh. “You know me, Marsh.  What would I be conspiring to do…make Knight’s coffee taste better?  I mean really.”

“This came from the top, Agent Natan.”  Marsh looks down, unable to look her in the eye.  “There are concerns that you and this professor are involved in some sort of covert operation…possibly smuggling Mexican artifacts or something….  Congressman Bradshaw, the congressional official who requested help for the Professor, will even be questioned about his involvement.”

             
“What?!?  How’d they come up with smuggling?” Natan fumes.

             
“Some history with the professor and his experience with artifacts.”

“And what about you, Chief Marsh?  Are you being investigated for issuing the order as a favor?”

“I was asked to state my case and that seemed to appease them…for the time being.  Though, this could get very sticky very quickly for you, Agent Natan.”

Natan throws her hands up. “Only an inquiry, Sir?  With all this?”

“You know, Agent Natan, I do know you and I’m surprised that you haven’t yet told me
why
the professor arranged to meet with you.  What is this about?”

“Sir.  It sounds like you all have manufactured your own story already.
”
  Natan loses patience. “With a version like that, mine would only pale in comparison.”

“Don’t look at me like that
,
” Marsh replies, “I’m on your side here, Agent Natan.  I don’t know how this whole investigation began or why.  But, you should also know that they’ve interviewed the customs agents that you both checked in with at the airport.  They’re reviewing everything.  Agent Natan, I hope you can recognize the seriousness of this.  Even with
Boston
on your record, I’m worried.” 

Natan takes a breath. “You shouldn’t be, Sir.  I’m at a loss here.”

“Well, you better get a solid explanation pronto because Baxter wants one within the hour.”  Marsh taps his pen on his desk.  “That’s all I got.”

Natan gets up from her chair and starts to leave.  She stops, turning back to him. “Thank you, Sir…for informing me ahead of time.  I hope you aren’t dragged into this any more than you have been.”

“Don’t worry about me, Agent Natan.  Just cover your own ass.  And, I know you value privacy, Agent, but you need to get whatever this is out in the open.”

“I’ll do my best, Sir.”  Natan leaves the office as Marsh sits at his desk, tapping a file in front of him.  He slowly opens a file with Josh’s photo and information in it.
Who are you, Professor Sails?

Chapter Thirteen

Inside the N.S.A.’s general offices, Agent Knight greets Natan holding a present wrapped in cartoon police officer wrapping paper.  The blue paper depicts cartoon cops with guns chasing bandit crooks with stolen toasters.

Knight addresses his partner. “Agent Natan.  I heard you have to visit with the top bull dog today, so I thought you’d need some cheering up.”

Natan replies, “If only the rest of the world knew that the N.S.A. just can’t keep secrets…”

Knight smiles coolly. “We keep the most important ones.”

“Right.” Natan isn’t convinced.

Knight hands her the gift.

Natan is curiously shocked. “You got me a gift?  My birthday is months away.”

He replies, “I wanted to.  Besides, it’s for both of us.”

Natan unwraps the gift, “Both of us…”  She laughs when she sees that it’s a very typical alarm clock.

             
“Very clever, Knight.”

“Now you won’t be late again, Agent Natan, and it won’t reflect negatively on me…your handsome and prompt partner.”

“I see.”  Natan gives Knight a miniature curtsy. “Well, thank you for the self-absorbed gesture.”  She puts her hand over her heart.  “It truly means a lot.”

Knight half salutes her, “My pleasure.”  The two chuckle.  Knight redirects the conversation. “Now are you ready to tell me why you’re in the doghouse just after you were wearing the robes of heaven from the
Boston
case?
”

Natan doesn’t budge. “Another time.  I want to relish this moment with our gift.”

Knight pats Natan on the shoulder. “I can’t wait to hear it.  I always knew you had a naughty side.”

“Yeah, that’s me, Agent Naughty.”

Knight teases her, “Great nickname.  That’s definitely a keeper.”

Natan realizes the mistake. 
Uh oh.  I can hear it already.

Knight walks over to his desk, sits down, and starts typing on his computer.  He turns to Natan. “Oh…Natan…some package came for you from the lab.  It’s on your desk.  You aren’t working a case without me, are ya?”

“No, no.  Just routine stuff.  Did you open it?”

“No.  Lab courier said it was for your eyes only,” he replies.

Natan walks over to her desk, ten yards from Knight, puts the alarm clock gift down, and picks up the envelope, opening it slowly.  “Thanks for the gift, partner.  It should come in handy.”

             
Knight teases, “That’s my job, Agent Naughty.”  Natan waves Knight away as she reviews the page from the envelope.  Knight returns his attention to his computer.

Natan looks at her watch. “Ugh.  I’ve got to get to my meeting.”  She hastily sets aside the package that has information about Josh and her and rushes out the door. 

Natan walks down the hall toward Baxter’s office. 
Alice
spots her and approaches with urgency. “Kate, I need to speak with you.”

Natan continues walking. “I don’t have time right now,
Alice
.”

Alice
stops her with her hand. “Katherine.  I’ve left a dozen messages.
”

Natan stops just feet from Baxter’s door. 
Alice
lowers her voice, “There are things in the works.”

“Don’t I know it.  I’ve got a meeting with Baxter.  I can’t be late,
Alice
.”

“Watch your back, Kate.”

Natan looks
Alice
in the eye. “I will.”

Alice
vanishes down the hall as Natan lingers outside Baxter’s door.  She takes a breath and knocks.  Baxter answers, “Come in.”

Natan enters and approaches Baxter as he stands looking out the window.

“Sir.  You requested me?” she asks.

Baxter doesn’t greet Natan but instead continues looking out the window. “Agent Natan.  You mind telling me why you went outside agency protocol and continued having contact with that professor you retrieved from
Mexico
?”

Natan shifts uncomfortably, “He contacted me, Sir, and I wasn’t
exactly
outside of agency protocol.” 

Annoyed, Baxter turns to face Natan. “I’m a busy man
,
Agent Natan…defending
America
against terrorism.  You know…the
entire
United States
…that’s fifty states that are dependent upon me doing my job. I don’t need preoccupation with this type of internal situation.” 

Natan looks at him calmly and tries to speak, “Sir…I…”

Baxter interjects, “What I’m trying to say is I don’t have time for this crap, Agent Natan.”

“Yes Sir.  I understand, Sir,” she replies.

“Do you?”  Baxter maneuvers toward his desk, placing both hands down as he leans into Natan.  “It’s also puzzling to me just exactly how you were requested for that assignment, Agent.  Marsh attempted to answer that question and it only led to additional questions that need to be asked of Congressman Bradshaw.  And, I have many other unanswered questions about several different areas of your dealings with this professor.  My gut says that something isn’t right.  Though I’m sure it will all come out in the wash in due time.”

Natan tries to retaliate. “Sir, my trip to
Mexico
in the first place would qualify more as stepping outside of agency protocol then my contact with the professor…”

Baxter interrupts her again. “I’m aware that Agent Marsh issued the order as a congressional favor.  Marsh has already attested to that fact and has stated that when the case was issued to you, it was met with inquiry and borderline protest.”

“I wouldn’t say protest, Sir.”

“Would “resistance” work better for you, Agent Natan?”

“Yes Sir.  It would.  And, I can explain…”

Baxter doesn’t want to hear it, interrupting her yet again, “Now I know you’ll succinctly construct the perfect excuse for your actions which your report will reflect, so please spare me your response, Agent.  And, given your record, that may be sufficient for the powers that be, so let’s save time for both of us, shall we?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Good.  I want that report on my desk before the end of the day.”  Baxter takes a deep breath, straightening his stance. “I want you to understand that even with your glowing commendations and a detailed report outlining your angelic motives, because of the nature of this, your actions will be reviewed.”

“I understand, Sir,” she replies.

“Consequences will be rendered for any inappropriate conduct, Agent,” Baxter asserts.

“Sir, I can assure you that none of my actions warrant those measures.” 

Baxter answers condescendingly, “Let’s hope not, Agent Natan.”

“I’ll file my report this afternoon, Sir.”

“Good.  And, the truth will emerge.  Of that, I’m sure,” he replies.

             
Baxter sits as if he’s a king on his throne.  “Just remember, that like God, the N.S.A. is omniscient.”

“I understand, Sir.”

“I don’t want to see you back in this office unless the President himself requests it.”

“Yes Sir.”

“And, Agent Natan, I suggest you end contact with Professor Sails…it would behoove you.  That’ll be all.”

“Yes Sir.”  Natan turns on her heel and leaves the door cracked open as she exits.

Baxter watches her leave. 
It’s only a matter of time, Agent Natan.

Agent Natan collects herself as she walks down the hall toward the elevator.  She pushes the button.  The elevator dings and she gets on. 

Baxter’s yes agent emerges from a hidden door in the office as Baxter sits behind his desk.  “Fill me in on your progress,” he says as he addresses paperwork in front of him.

The agent flips through a file in his hand. “Yes Sir.  She had contact with the professor again yesterday.  I believe she also met with his research assistant, Amanda Clark.”

Baxter replies, “There will be no mention of this in her report, I can assure you.  We’ll let her hang herself.  Do you know why they were meeting?”

“Not yet, Sir.  I’m still investigating.  And I have this for you, Sir.”  The agent hands Baxter an envelope.

“More evidence?”

“Yes, Sir…copies of a photo of Agent Natan and Professor Sails and a letter also, hot off the presses.”
             

             
“Good work, Agent.  Add it to the file.”

“Thank you, Sir.  I secured the copies this morning.  And, if I may, I have a hunch that Marsh may know more than he’s revealing.  You’re aware that he’s soft on Agent Natan and will be an ally to her.”

“I’m aware of that,” Baxter replies.

“Should I follow him up, Sir?”

“Do it.  Find out whatever you can.  Use whatever means necessary.”

“Yes, Sir.”  The agent disappears through the door he came in.

Chapter Fourteen

             
Natan sits in her parked car in a parking garage on this crisp starlit evening.  Josh approaches, looks around carefully, opens the door, and gets in the passenger seat.

             
Natan greets him, “Thanks for coming.”

“I feel like a secret agent.  Things touchy at work?” he replies.

“You have no idea.  You better get used to this because this is how we’ll have to meet from now on.”