Reckoning Day

“Deputy Director O’Sullivan, welcome to the National Defence Agency”, Kim said, then stuck out her hand. It was 9am the next day.

“Thank you Director Little”, Dense said, shaking Kim’s hand. “This is Katie McCabe, she works for me as an operative at INTERPOL.”

Kim smiled politely at Katie and then made a half turn. “This is Agent Caitlin Foord and Agent Hayley Raso, they work for me here at the NDA.”

“Nice to meet you both”, Caitlin said, and Hayley nodded. Denise politely smiled back but Katie looked at Caitlin and Hayley with a frosty gaze.

“Please, sit”, Kim gestured to the chairs at the conference table.

“Frigid much?” Hayley whispered to Caitlin as they took their seats, and Caitlin smiled slightly.

“So, what do you have for us?” Kim asked.

“We understand you busted a large drug and gun running operation under the Arnold crime family a couple weeks ago, correct?” Denise started.

“That’s correct”, Kim said.

“And during that bust, you killed Derek Arnold, the second in command, and younger brother of the head of the family, Macca Arnold?”

“Correct”, Kim said.

“We were defending ourselves”, Caitlin jumped in. “We had to return fire.”

Denise looked at Hayley and smiled slightly. “Agent Foord - you don’t need to defend your actions. I’m not here to question them.”

“Then what are you here for?” Hayley asked.

“A few days ago, I received word from one of our other offices regarding some movement by the Arnold family”, Denise said. “Macca Arnold and her top staff have taken up residence in a small hotel outside of Helsinki, Finland. They’ve taken the entire top floor for themselves. None of them have left the hotel for a week, except for one man. He goes out for food, drinks, and other supplies every day at 3pm. Two days ago, INTERPOL agents were able to apprehend him and take him into custody. We weren't able to get much out of him. He hung himself in his cell. But we were able to get two names. One of those names was ‘Leah’.”

“Who’s Leah?” Caitlin asked.

“She’s an elusive high-level criminal. Arms deals, espionage”, Denise said. “She’s also an assassin.”

“What do we know about her? Full name? Where is she from?” Kim asked.

“No full name. We think she might be English, but we're not sure. We don’t really have much on her. She’s very secretive. Here’s everything we have, but it’s spotty”, Denise said, sliding a folder over to Kim.

“Okay, so we have a possible assassin on the loose”, Kim said, looking at the intel in the folder. “What else?”

“We got another name from the man in custody”, Denise said, then looked at Kim. “Yours.”

“What?” Caitlin said.

“The man we interrogated had biographical information on Director Little in his briefcase, as well as a photograph”, Denise said to the table. She paused and then looked at Kim. “Director - we believe Macca Arnold has put out a contract on your life, in revenge for the NDA killing her brother Derek, and that she has hired Leah to assassinate you.”

“Jesus Christ”, Caitlin said.

“How credible is your intel?” Kim asked, unshaken.

“Not ironclad, but if the Arnold family has left the country and is taking up residence in a small hotel in Finland, then it seems like they are waiting for something to happen, and hunkering down until it’s over”, Denise said.

“Okay, so there’s a possible threat on my life”, Kim said. “How serious is this? I’ve been threatened before.”

“Not like this”, Denise said. “The Arnold family has always made it a point of exacting revenge themselves. They do the dirty work, and make it public and bloody. If they're hiding out in Finland and have hired an outsider, then it’s something Macca is taking very seriously. We should take every precaution.”

“Okay - so why is INTERPOL here?” Kim asked. "You could have just sent us all of this information. Can't the NDA handle this? The Arnold family operates primarily in this country.”

“But Leah doesn't", Denise said. "She operates all over the world. And, Operative McCabe can be of help. She may have seen Leah.”

“Really?” Kim said, looking at Katie.

“Three years ago, a woman we think may have been her was present at an arms deal we were busting in Germany”, Katie said.

“Did you get a good look at her?” Kim asked.

“Yes”, Katie said, and her jaw clenched.

“We don’t know for certain if the woman Operative McCabe saw is in fact the same woman who is working to assassinate you, Director Little. As I’ve said, the information on her is spotty, but as far as we can tell, it’s Leah”, Denise said.

Kim exhaled, then said, “What do you need from us?”

“Cancel all of your public appearances. Double up your security detail. And don’t go anywhere you don’t need to.”

“I’d rather not be a hermit”, Kim said.

“My guess is it will only be for a few weeks, until we can catch her”, Denise said. “Better a hermit than dead.”

“Agreed”, Kim sighed. “So, how do we proceed?”

“We’ll need to partner up. Operative McCabe will work alongside your people to find Leah, before she can execute her plan”, Denise said. “I need to return to INTERPOL headquarters but can be available whenever you need me. It’s your show, Director.”

Kim nodded and then turned to Hayley and gave her the folder. “I want you to start digging into this. Find out any more information you can on Leah, and stay on any movement by the Arnold family.” Hayley nodded and then Kim turned to Caitlin. “You partner up with Operative McCabe. Start running down all scenarios where I can be a target - my home, travel to and from this office, etc. I’ll cancel all of my public appearances, including the one I was going to make at the grand opening for the country’s new tech center in a couple weeks, but I want all other scenarios. And if leads pop up, you two are to follow them.”

“Yes Ma’am”, Caitlin said. “Ready?” she smiled at Katie, who did not smile back.

“Let’s go”, Katie said with a stone face, then stood up, turned and walked out on her heels.

“Thank you, Deputy Director O’Sullivan”, Kim said, and extended her hand.

“Let me know if you need anything”, Denise said, as they shook hands.

“Good luck with Frosty McFrosterton”, Hayley said to Caitlin, who rolled her eyes.

********

“They’re beautiful”, Leah said, admiring the work.

“Thank you”, the forger beamed. “I used ethyl acetone to give the passport an aged look, and I used a biplane overlay to replicate the watermarks, and a new chip technology for the magnetic strip on the driver’s license”, she continued, pointing to the forged passport and driver’s license.

Leah looked at the driver’s license and passport. She had seen a lot of forgeries in her life, and these were by far the best. She had just added Lisa Casper to her list of identities. She smiled charmingly at the forger and then said, “What do I owe you?”

“Four hundred”, the forger said, smiling back.

Leah pulled out a wad of bills. “Here’s five hundred”, she said, and handed it to the forger with a wink.

“Ooooh, thank you”, the forger said, her smile even bigger. For a brief moment, she thought about asking her beautiful customer out for a drink, but then thought better of it. As beautiful and charming as the woman in front of her was, it may be better to keep their relationship professional. Lord only knows what she does for a living.

Leah put her new documents in her purse, then flashed one last charming smile, mouthed a flirty goodbye to the forger and left.

********

“So, where do you want to begin?” Caitlin asked Katie. They were in Caitlin’s office at the NDA. Katie was looking at her laptop and didn’t answer, so Caitlin said, “Hey - did you hear me?”

“Yes, I heard you”, Katie said, still looking at her laptop.

“So, where do you want to start?”

“I don’t know”, Katie said in a short tone of voice.

“Okay…what are you looking at?”

“Something.”

Caitlin sighed and then reached over and shut Katie’s laptop.

Katie looked up at her. “I was looking at something”, she said, in an annoyed tone of voice.

“And we’re supposed to be working together”, Caitlin said. “So, are we gonna work together or not?”

“I don’t need a partner”, Katie said.

“What’s your problem, Operative McCabe?” Caitlin asked, putting her hand on her hip. She stared at Katie for a moment and then exhaled. “Look, I get maybe you don’t want a partner. Maybe you don’t usually work with a partner. I don’t know. But our bosses said to work together.”

“I don’t need a partner, Agent Foord. You’re just going to get in my way.”

Caitlin stared at Katie for a moment and then said, “My boss’s life may be in danger. Our best chance of stopping this is to pool our resources. We have the human power here for the manhunt. You are the only person who has actually seen Leah.” She paused and then said, “Look - I won't get in your way. I just don’t want to see my boss shot dead.” She stared at Katie for a moment and then said, “Please.”

Katie stared at Caitlin for a moment and then said, “Fine.” She opened her laptop and said, “I was looking at ways that Director Little could be vulnerable. If she travels only from work to home, and we double her security and vary her routes, she’s going to be hard to get.”

“Well, she’s canceling all of her public appearances, including the one at the new tech center. She was going to appear with the chancellor and the head of the center, Dr. Sleger.”

“Does Director Little go anywhere else? Like does she travel for meetings in the capital building, that sort of thing?”

“She does sometimes, but she can hold those remotely if need be.”

Katie sat for a moment. “Okay. As of now we don’t have much. We’re going to have to keep digging, and maybe get a break.”

“I agree”, Caitlin said. “So, how can I help? Without getting in your way?” she said and then smiled slightly.

Katie stared at her and then nodded. “I guess…just keep looking into ways Director Little could be exposed."

“Sounds good”, Caitlin said. She smiled slightly at Katie again and then sat down at her computer.

********

Leah walked into First National Bank, dressed in a sharp pant suit. She checked in at the front desk and was shown to a private area.

“How can I help you, Ms. Casper?” the bank official asked as he sat down.

“I need to open up an account for one million dollars”, Leah said. “I’ll also need a credit card as well”, she said, then reached into her purse. “Here’s my passport and a routing number to transfer funds.”

“Very good”, the official said, and started to type on his computer. A few minutes later he said, “Okay, funds are transferred. Here’s your account information. I’ll go process your credit card now. Be back in a minute.”

“Thank you”, Leah said and smiled politely, as the official got up and left the room.

A few minutes later the official came back. “Here’s your credit card. It’s active immediately.” He smiled and then held out his hand. “Thank you for banking with First National”, he said with a big smile.

“Thank you”, Leah said, smiling back, then put the card in her wallet, stood up, shook the official’s hand, and walked out of the bank.

********

A few hours later Katie stood up.

“Where are you going?” Caitlin asked.

“I’ve had it for today.”

Caitlin looked at the clock. “Well, it is 9pm. We can call it and meet up here tomorrow morning.” Katie nodded and the two of them got up and left the office. “Feel like some dinner?” Caitlin asked, as they exited the building. “I know a great pub nearby. Serves food late. They’ve got a good corned beef sandwich.” Katie stared at her, so Caitlin smiled slightly. “You’re Irish, right?”

“Yes, I’m Irish. And no, I’m fine.”

“Okay…where are you staying? Can I give you a ride?”

“I’m at a hotel a couple blocks away. I can walk.”

“Fine, suit yourself”, Caitlin said, starting to lose her desire to be cordial to Katie. She started walking to her car.

“Hey”, Katie said. Caitling stopped and turned around. “I’m sorry if I was testy earlier. I’m just…not used to working with a partner.”

“It’s okay”, Caitlin said and walked back. “I know these inter-agency missions can be dicey. No one wants to step on anyone’s toes, or have their toes stepped on.”

“It’s not that…” Katie said.

“Okay…so, what is it? You don’t have partners at INTERPOL?”

“We normally do. It’s just that…I haven’t had one in a few years.”

“What happened?” Caitlin asked. Katie looked down, so Caitlin said, “You don’t have to tell me.”

“Maybe some other time”, Katie said. She paused and then said, “Goodnight, Agent Foord.”

Caitlin smiled slightly. “Call me Caitlin”, she said, and stuck out her hand.

At that Katie softened her expression. “Katie”, she said, then shook Caitlin’s hand.

Caitlin smiled and held onto Katie’s hand for a moment and then said, “Can I get your number?”

“Sure”, Katie said. Cailtin handed Katie her phone and Katie punched in her digits.

“Thanks”, Caitlin said, taking back her phone. “I’ll text you so you have mine.”

“Sounds good. And raincheck on the dinner, alright?”

“Deal. Goodnight, Katie”, Caitlin said, and smiled slightly.

“Goodnight, Caitlin”, Katie said. She smiled slightly at Caitlin, for a moment, then turned around and walked away.

********

“How was your first day with the ice queen?” Hayley asked, when Caitlin picked up the call.

“It was okay”, Caitlin said, driving home.

“What’s that chick’s deal?” Hayley asked. “She’s like a popsicle, cold with a stick up her ass.”

“She’s guarded”, Caitlin chuckled.

“Seems like she won’t be the next ex-misses Foord”, Hayley joked.

“Thanks for reminding me I seem to be unable to keep a lover”, Caitlin said sarcastically.

“I was just joking, Foordy. Well, frosty as she is, she’s a looker, I’ll give her that.”

“Hayles, the last thing I’m thinking about is-”

“Got nice eyes. And body…she looks great in that leather jacket”, Hayley said. “Looks like she might be a handful in bed, if you can get past the frozen exterior and thaw her out-”

“Hayles!”

“I’m just joking, Foordy. Hey - you gotta work with her, if she’s gonna be a total prick, we can at least make light of it.”

Caitlin laughed. “I guess you’re right. Look, I’m almost home, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Alright- see you tomorrow”, Hayley said and hung up.

A few minutes later Caitlin pulled into the parking lot of her flat. She parked her car, went into her flat, dumped her keys on the counter and took off her jacket. Long day, she thought. And it may be a long month. Even if Katie McCabe did end up thawing out, it’s still gonna be non-stop chasing down leads and trying to thwart this threat. She sighed and then pulled out her phone. She pulled up Katie’s number and then paused. What do I type? She thought. She thought for another moment and then typed:

It’s Caitlin. Here’s my number.
See you tomorrow.

Pause again and then typed:

I promise I’ll keep out of your way

She paused again and then hit send, then put the phone down. She went into her bedroom and got ready for bed, and was about to turn out the lights, when her phone buzzed.

Katie:
Sorry about earlier. It’s nothing against you.
I’m just not used to working with others. But
I promise to play nice. Goodnight Caitlin. 🙂

Caitlin re-read the text, then smiled, put down her phone, and turned off the lights.