“What happened, Alex?”
“What happened? We got ambushed. Brogan showed up, we were attempting to get him to come in of his own accord, and in the middle of the discussion, we were attacked. It was a blatant, frontal assualt, and it should have brought our backup police friends running, or at least calling for help, but it didn’t. Ken and Rick left their two-way radio in the vehicle because they expected that the two in the drive car would be within reach of their set. They were told to stay in the car; why they didn’t do it, I don’t know.”
“And your police backup?”
“When we checked in with Wister before Brogan showed up, he said he was in position. We’ve heard nothing since.”
Teren cleared her throat. Harnisch looked up at her. “You are?”
“Teren Mylos. CIA. And you?”
“Jeff Harnisch, Director, Philadelphia FBI.” The agent narrowed his eyes. “I’ve got two conflicting reports on you, Mylos. Cliff Jackson said I could trust you. But I got another call that said I wasn’t to allow you anywhere near this investigation.”
“I heard that. I’d like to know who that second call was from.”
“Assistant Deputy Director Calvin Bishop, FBI, Washington. He said he wasn’t happy to hear that the CIA was getting involved in domestic affairs, and he wanted it stopped.” Harnisch crossed his arms. “Can you give me a good reason why I should disobey orders, Mylos?”
“I can’t tell you what to do. But I can point out a few things.”
“Like?”
“For one, even before that call was made to you, someone had called the Philadelphia PD and countermanded a request from Agent Jackson. And the caller did not identify himself as the Director, but as Agent Jackson, though Cliff said he had nothing to do with it.”
“And that means?”
“Someone didn’t want me here.”
“Obviously. But just because the FBI doesn’t want the CIA —”
“But that’s the point. I’m not a current CIA operative, and the CIA is not involved in this case in any way, official or unofficial. I am currently on loan to the Bureau as an instructor in their self-defense recertification program. While I may have used a contact from my days at the CIA I have not filed an official report, or been officially connected with this FBI case in any way.” She tilted her head and looked at him. “So, this leaves two questions. One, who told Bishop that I was involved, two, and who countermanded the order from Agent Jackson?”
Harnisch stared at the tall woman, thinking that what Jackson had told him about her was correct. She wasn’t someone to be taken lightly. “Got a question for you, Mylos. Did you take out those thugs by yourself?”
She nodded. “Pretty much. One of them was holding his shoulder, though, it looked like someone got a lucky shot on him.”
Alex hadn’t realized that Teren had been the one to rescue them, and she stared at the former spy. “You shot them? All three of them?”
“Yes. I tried to tell them to freeze, but they turned and fired, and I shot back.”
“How did you get here?”
Teren smiled. “I commandeered a police officer and his vehicle. We heard the gun shots as we got nearby, and I left him to call for backup. I came around the corner from that direction,” she pointed down the street, “and got behind them from across the street.”
Harnisch put a hand to his forehead. “Are you telling me you kidnapped a police officer?”
“No. Federal law says that a federal agent in pursuit of a felon has the right to commandeer a vehicle from local law enforcement to continue pursuit of said felon.” She shrugged. “I may have used a rather broad interpretation of the law, but I was after a felon.”
The older agent shook his head, rubbing at his temple. “And I thought Davies was pissed at me before. He’s gonna be really mad if he finds out about that.”
“No,” Teren said. “What he’ll likely be even more upset about is the fact that the two police officers set for back up are both dead.” Alex and Jeff Harnisch stared at her. “I checked the area out a few minutes ago. I found the police car on the path behind the wall. Both men in it were shot to death.”
The three of them were silent for a moment, then Harnisch blew out a breath. “Have you told anyone else?”
“No. I thought I should tell Alex first.”
Alex looked up at her. “Why?”
“Because both of them were shot in the back of the head at point blank range. Which means whoever shot them was sitting in the back of the car. And I doubt they’d let anyone sit back there with a gun unless they knew them.”
Alex’s eyebrows rose. “Are you saying another policeman killed them?”
“Not necessarily. But it does make you wonder.”
Harnisch was looking at the ground. “Ms. Mylos, you’re telling me that not only did someone from the FBI illegally countermand an official request from the Washington office, but that someone, possibly from the police department, is a turncoat.” He raised his eyes to meet hers. “Does that sound very likely to you?”
The smile she gave him held no humor. “You’d be surprised what I find to be likely, Agent Harnisch.”
He nodded again, and went to clap a hand on Alex’s shoulder, opposite of the one Teren had placed her hand on. He was surprised when the blond woman jerked away from his touch.
“Reis, you alright?”
“Couple scrapes. Nothing major.”
“So, some of that blood you’re wearing is your own?”
She shrugged. “Maybe a few drops. I’m fine.”
“Right. You go get them scrapes looked at, you hear?”
“I will. As soon as —”
“No. Now. I’ll make sure all the information gets to headquarters. You just get your ass out of here.” He looked around and then gave her a smirk. “And try to do it before our buddy Davies shows up, okay?”
Alex nodded, but could not return even the barest grin. “Yes, sir.”
Harnisch nodded again, and left, running a hand through the gray hair at his temples.
Teren took Alex’s arm. “Come on, Reis. Let’s get you looked at.”
The small agent shook off the hand. “I’m fine. I just need to find a ride to the hospital.”
“I think I can help. I spoke with the officer that drove me in from the airport, and he said he’d take me there when I was ready. I think you should come with us.”
“Fine.” Alex turned to her. “But only because I need to find out how David is.” She started walking towards the car. “And then I need to call Miri.”
*******************************************************
Alex refused to let anyone look at her shoulder or arm, even though Teren could see there was a spreading stain of fresh blood across the inner sleeve of her jacket. In the lights of the hospital corridor, the path of the bullet across the top of her left shoulder could be seen, and the rip on the underside of her right arm testified to the intensity of the battle. But Alex was adamant; she wanted to know how her partner was doing, and then she was heading back to the park.
Alex was still arguing with a nurse when Teren’s phone rang. She glanced at Alex, and slipped around the corner in the corridor.
“Mylos.”
“Teren, where are you?”
“Cliff? I’m at the hospital, trying to get information on David. He was shot in the chest.”
“Oh, no. Goddamnit. Is Alex with you? Is she alright?”
“She’s being stubborn and won’t let the doctor examine a couple bullet scrapes. I think that means she’s mostly okay.”
“You’ve got to get out of there. Both of you.”
“What? Why?”
“Listen to me, and listen good. I got a call from Harnisch. It seems a police captain named Davies has decided that you caused all the excitement tonight, and he wants you for questioning in the deaths of two police officers.”
“Fuck. I should have known not to stick around.”
“Yeah. Well, if you leave, take Alex with you. And whatever you do, don’t let her near Harnisch, and don’t let her call me.”
“Why not?”
“Because the order has come down from Deputy Director Bishop. He’s blaming the whole fiasco on her, even though he doesn’t know the whole story. If Harnisch sees her, he’s to take her ID and her weapon. If she talks to me, I’m to order her to relinquish them.” He hesitated. “They’re trying to railroad her, Teren. Get her out of there.”