Note: This story contains references to Slothrop's series: I Can See For Miles.

 

The Protector: Race Against Time

by

Julie O

 

Chapter 1

Agent Ally Burns sat at her desk lost in thought. She was in the middle of creating a new department for the agency, one whose mission was dedicated to protecting teens from Internet predators. There would be four regional offices; each covering a geographic area of the United States. These locations would then coordinated by the lead office to be located in Washington, DC.

It was a very daunting task and Ally took her assignment very seriously. Actually creating the mission statement for the department was pretty easy, since it would just be an expansion of what she'd been doing since she joined the agency. Less than two years earlier she had been brought in to take over a moribund department, and had transformed it into a well-respected and efficient crime fighting operation. Even creating the regional offices wouldn't be that bad, as they had just set up a west coast office a few months earlier, thought Ally.

David had done a superb job setting up the Agency's west coast office in Seattle, There was a lot of pressure on him to duplicate the success of DC office. He had been one of Ally's first recruits and now he was heading a regional command.

Some in the Agency thought that Ally's department was just a waste of resources. However they couldn't argue with success. She was pleased to see that David's office had just helped the Portland Oregon PD capture a pedophile that had molested dozens of teens. Ally was very proud of him.

It was becoming clear that the biggest problem was finding the right people to run and staff the additional offices. Ally had groomed Donna to take over the east coast office, which would also be run out of DC. That was sure to ruffle some feathers of others in the Agency. Donna had been hired initially as a computer technician. She had only become a full agent after working in the department. Ally didn't care what others thought, as Donna had earned the right to lead the department. Ally also knew that the other agents in the department would fully support Donna.

That still left two leadership vacancies to fill along with the problem finding suitable personnel to staff each office. She had a couple of agents who were showing promise, but they didn't have the experience to run a department.

Writing up a job description was proving to be a challenge .The mix of skills and personality traits was atypical of the agency and senior management struggled with that. Ally had a good idea of what sort of skills were necessary to excel in the job. Computer skills were a given. However, the agents had to be good actors, in addition to having a sixth sense when it came to sniffing out the predators. Ally had found some of her best agents wasting away in administrative positions. They weren't the typical agents, but then again neither was the job. Her agents went into Internet chatrooms, posing as teens, to catch sexual predators. They had to be part psychic, part actor, and part Sherlock Holmes.

One thing that Ally insisted upon was that her agents be open-minded. To her, any targeted teen was worth protecting, regardless of the teens' nationality, gender, or sexuality. She had to wash out several promising applicants because they didn't feel "comfortable" dealing with LBGT (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgendered) youth.

Thankfully her present boss was extremely supportive. Robert Ledyard had taken Ally under his wing and treated her as a top agent, not as a token transgendered agent. He promised to provide her with a list of prospective agents for the remaining office heads. Ally would let the office heads select their own personnel, but she would retain the right to disapprove of any agent.

Ally opened another can of Diet Coke and stared at the map next to her computer. It was her third of the day. She still had to nail down the locations for the other two offices. Atlanta would be a logical choice for the Southern office. It had the all the requirements she was looking for. Besides the local police had a very good department trained to search for Internet criminals.

The Midwest was a problem. Chicago was in the running, as was Denver. St. Louis was also a good choice. She wished she could add another office, as she felt it was too big of an area to be covered by just one group. Robert told her to be patient, that more offices would be added in time.

Ally began to rub her right shoulder. It had grown stiff from typing. She found it hard to believe that fifteen months had elapsed since she had been stabbed. Thankfully, it hadn't gotten any worse. Three times a week she worked out to try and recover some of the lost strength. Her doctor, Dr Oliver, was pleased with her progress had told her that it was unlikely that she would need additional surgery.

There were other things bothering her. Ally reached into her purse and pulled out the letter from her SRS doctor. She re-read it for what seemed like the one-hundredth time. He was retiring and that he wouldn't be able to perform her surgery. He did at least provide a list of other surgeons and stated that he would heartily recommend Ally to any one she selected.

It was so disappointing. Ally had hoped to have her surgery next month, now it was pushed back indefinitely. At best, six months from now! She let out a long, tired sigh.

The frustration drove Ally to take a walk around the office. While she had pretty much turned over the day-to-day control to Donna. Ally still liked to see what was going on in the operations center that she had helped create.

Ally walked around the center and talked to the each agent. They updated her on their caseloads and ongoing operations. She was pleased to see that Kelly was at her desk.

"How're your classes going?" asked Ally.

Kelly looked up from the report she was reading. "Oh, just great! They're very difficult, but I love them. It's so interesting."

Kelly had been enrolled in the agency's profiling course. Granted, she had a long way to go, but she had already assisted on several cases. Ally had specified that they needed to have a permanent profiler attached to each office and Robert agreed to let her be the initial one.

"I just want to thank you again for going to bat for me," stated Kelly.

Ally smiled back. "I just gave you the chance."

"Still, I know that you fought hard to get me into the course. I won't let you down."

Ally nodded. "I know that."

Ally excused herself and walked over to Donna's office. Donna was just walking out.

"Escaping from the office again?" asked Donna, with a grin.

"Just like you," replied Ally.

"Guilty as charged," answered Donna.

"Question for you. St. Louis, Denver, or Chicago?"

"For the Midwest office? I'd go with St. Louis," replied Donna.

"Why? Because it's more centrally located?"

"No. It's because it has the least worst winters!"

Ally laughed and nodded. "I'm so sick of winter."

"It's only the end of January, we still have several months left," reminded Donna.

"Don't remind me. I'm too much of a So-Cal girl to ever like winter."

They walked down to Ally's office and sat down. Ally offered Donna a Diet Coke.

"Thanks," replied Donna as she took the soda from Ally. "Any big plans for the weekend?"

"I have to go shopping. I want to get something nice for Beth's birthday."

"That's right. I can't believe that she's going to eighteen next month! She's so mature for her age."

Ally smiled at Donna's comments. Beth still hadn't told Donna of her secret, that she had once been a twenty-six year old male naval officer.

"Carol and I are helping Maggie plan the party," added Ally.

"How's Maggie doing?"

"Everything's going as planned. The baby is due in early March. I think Steve is more nervous that Maggie," reported Ally.

Donna laughed.

"How's Ed?" asked Ally.

Ed was Donna's husband.

"Homesick. He'll be deployed for another three weeks."

"The joys of being a Navy wife," quipped Ally.

Donna laughed. "I'm still not used to that title. I really miss him, but he loves his job. Besides, he puts up with my job."

Ally nodded. "Is he still considering joining us?"

"I know he's honored that the agency has made him an offer, but he also loves being a naval officer. A lot will depend on his next set of orders," replied Donna.

"How will that affect you?"

Donna sighed. "We knew going into this marriage that there would be periods of separation. It's far easier discussing it than experiencing it."

Ally nodded. "Where might Ed be stationed?"

"Right now, it looks like San Diego, Norfolk, or Everett, Washington."

"Well, if he gets transferred to Everett, you can temporarily transfer to the Seattle office. I'd hate to lose you here, but you can't put you're job above your own happiness. Besides you can always transfer back here," suggested Ally.

"Thank you. I know that's an option. However, I really love my job. I didn't think that I'd like being in charge, but I was wrong. I love it. Not as much as I love Ed of course!"

Ally laughed.

"If I haven't thanked you lately for giving me this opportunity, I just want to say thanks," commented Donna.

"You're welcome. I knew you could do it," replied Ally.

"Changing the subject, how're you doing?"

"I'm still a little disappointed about the canceling of the surgery," replied Ally.

Donna stared back at Ally and tilted her head slightly. "A little disappointed?"

Ally laughed. "Okay, I'm really, really disappointed about it. I've sent out applications to two other doctors and am waiting for their response."

"Good, I'm glad to see that you're human."

Ally smiled. "Oh, I'm human. I have an addiction to Diet Coke, caffeine, and a constantly aching shoulder!"

They were interrupted by a young female agent knocking on the door. "Excuse me. Donna you're needed in the Op-Center. We made contact with the guy in Trenton."

One of their ongoing investigations involved a suspected pedophile in the Trenton, New Jersey area. The police had been trying to get him or several months.

Donna nodded and stood up. "Thank you, Misty. I'll be right there."

Misty nodded, turned around and left. She was the newest agent in the office, recruited to fill the vacancies David had made by taking two agents with him to start the Seattle office. She was the first agent that Donna had personally interviewed for the department and this was her first assignment.

"Good hunting, Donna."

"Thanks. I think we're close to adding his name to the Wall of Shame," answered Donna, referring to a listing of all the predators that they had captured. Those names were prominently painted on the wall of the Op-Center.

"I look forward to it."

"The rate we're going we may need a bigger wall. Or we might have to paint over the names and start over."

"Just as long as Margo Simon's name stays up there," interjected Ally.

"Oh, she'll always have top billing!"

 

Chapter 2

A refreshed Ally returned to her task. She looked at the potential St. Louis location and saw that it might be a great choice. The fact that it was centrally located also played into its favor.

Her contemplation was interrupted by a phone call from Robert Ledyard.

"Ally, I need to see you," stated Robert. There was no need for him to say immediately.

Ally knew it must be important and she headed up to his office.

Out of respect, she knocked on his door; even though he had told her many times it wasn't necessary.

"Ally please come in. We just got a call from Tyrone concerning Margo Simon," stated Robert.

Tyrone was the Federal prosecutor in charge of Margo Simon's case.

"What does she want NOW?" asked an obviously annoyed Ally. Ally sat down across from Robert.

"That's the catch, we don't know. She specifically demanded to talk to you."

Ally leaned back and absorbed what Robert was saying. Ally had made her career catching Margo Simon and breaking up her teen-slave ring. She had also been instrumental in the seizure of Margo's vast wealth. Even though Margo had been arrested the previous spring, they were still turning up teens that she had kidnapped and sold into sex slavery. As recently as October they had recovered six more teens, and Ally was absolutely convinced that there were more out there. Margo had hinted at making a deal several times, but always backed out at the last minute. Ally knew she did it just to piss all of them off.

"Demanded huh? When?"

"Tomorrow morning, nine sharp."

Ally nodded. "Please don't tell me that we're considering a deal with that monster?"

"There are those out there who would love to have someone of Margo's skills working for them."

Ally stared back in disgust and disbelief.

"She's an expert in mind control. You know about the problems we've had deprogramming the teens we've rescued. There are those in the government who'd love to know how she did it," continued Robert.

"Including us?"

Robert shook his head. "I've talked to the Director. He doesn't want anything to do with her. However, he's just one man."

"So, you think that she's going to offer a deal?"

Robert nodded. "That would be my guess."

"Do you think she has something to deal?"

Robert nodded.

Ally stared back. "So do I. That's what scares me."

"After you talk to her, report to me and we'll go see the Director," added Robert.

"She's pure evil, Robert. She doesn't care about the teens, or the money, or even her own freedom, she loves power."

"I agree. However, I'm asking you to meet with her. We might learn something."

Ally sat there thinking about her response. "I don't like it, but I'll do it."

 

Chapter 3

That night over dinner Ally told Carol all about her conversation with Robert.

"I'm not surprised that there are those that would like to use Margo's techniques, disgusted, but not surprised," commented Carol.

"What do I tell people like Celeste or Beth, if they release that bitch?"

"It hasn't happened yet," interrupted Carol.

"If it does, I'm thinking of resigning in protest. I've had private offers to work against Internet crime. I love the agency, but if my government wants someone like Margo Simon to work with them, then it might be time to leave," continued Ally.

Carol reached over and took Ally's hands. "Don't do anything rash."

Ally nodded. "I won't. Sorry, I'm just so angry about this. Margo Simon needs to spend the rest of her unnatural life behind bars!"

"Don't apologize, but you need to work out this anger before tomorrow. From what I've read of Margo, she'll use it against you."

"You're right. I guess I'm also pissed about my surgery too."

"It'll happen eventually. I love you either way…. even when you're cranky."

Ally laughed in spite of herself.

"Look how far you've progressed. You're about to become one of the youngest department heads in agency history. You're respected and well liked. Think of all the good you'll be able to do once you get those regional offices up and running," soothed Carol.

Ally nodded as she listened.

"Have some faith in the Agency. Tomorrow when you talk to Margo and IF she makes an offer, get proof of any teens still out there. Once you get that we can start an investigation. Use what you know about Margo against her. She's egotistical and a total control freak. She'll try and dominate the conversation, don't let her do this. And whatever you do, my love, don't loose that temper of yours!"

Ally pointed at her chest. "I don't have a temper."

Carol shook her head in mock disgust. "Remember who you're talking to."

"Okay, okay, I'll watch my emotions."

"Now, help me clean up so we can get to bed and make mad passionate love," ordered Carol.

Ally giggled. "Yes, Ma'am!"

 

 

Chapter 4

Ally stood outside of the prison interrogation room and waited until they brought in Margo. She was wearing a slate gray skirt with a scarlet colored turtleneck sweater. She was also wearing her favorite pair of black leather boots. Ally was careful to dress as she would for a normal day's work.

She had arrived early at work that morning specifically to re-read the file on Margo Simon, hoping to gain some insight into her adversary. Margo's academic record was impressive and much to her dismay; Ally discovered some similarities with herself. Margo was a single child. Both her parents were college professors. Margo got her first degree when she was nineteen. Ally wondered if Margo's academic success was a way of overcompensating for her health issue.

However, this is where the differences started. Margo's parents were killed in a car crash and she inherited a large sum of money. According to the file, Margo was too "grief-stricken" to attend the funerals. She immediately departed on a three month European vacation. A later investigation turned up the fact that she had purchased the tickets one month prior to the accident. Ally found that fact very interesting and wondered if Margo had anything to do with the "accident."

Margo continued to pile up degrees and began to specialize in the study of the mind.. By the age of twenty-nine, she was a recognized expert in the processes of human mind control.

Margo met Thomas Simon while they were both teaching in New York City. She was filling in for a professor at NYU and he was teaching a course on plastic surgery. They immediately hit it off. They were often seen at S&M clubs and parties together.

Ally reviewed the notes of interviews held with Margo's classmates and co-workers. Most described her as cold, aloof, and very domineering. A few described her as scary. The file noted that she had few close friends and Ally wondered if Thomas Simon was the first person Margo actually dated.

Margo was also described as an extremely dedicated and conscientious worker, just as long as she was allowed to be in-charge of her particular task. She had been reprimanded and counseled on her inability to work with others. No surprise there, thought Ally.

Ally then got to the section where Margo worked for the government. She had been hired to assist in analyzing cults, interviewed several imprisoned cult leaders and then wrote a paper on the various techniques that they used to maintain dominance over their minions. She then defined how these techniques could be easily applied to maintain loyalty in any organization. She secretly tested her theory on a department of government workers. Margo argued that her techniques had improved workplace efficiency. The scary thing was, noted Ally, that Margo was right. The efficiency of the department in question did improve. When her superiors found out what she was doing they were furious and Margo was reprimanded for her actions. She immediately resigned in protest. Ally looked at the date and saw that it coincided with the time that some of the teens recovered in the Maryland raid had been abducted.

While the information in the file was interesting, it failed to give Ally the insight she had hoped for. She closed the file and headed over to her appointment with Margo.

Thirty minutes later, Ally checked in at the prison housing Margo Simon. It was a new facility especially designed for 'special handling' criminals. Ally found herself greeted by the federal prosecutor who had prosecuted Margo and Thomas Simon's cases.

"We'll be right out here watching. Margo insisted that she meet you alone," stated Tyrone. He stood around six foot-two and obviously worked out. There was a touch of gray in his close-cropped brown hair that only added to his dignified manner. He had gained a reputation for being an aggressive prosecutor and had pressed for a maximum sentence for Margo. He clearly wanted her locked up for the rest of her life.

"I'm so honored!" quipped Ally with a heavy dose of sarcasm.

"Hey, you're lucky. I've had to talk to her numerous times. I still owe Todd for passing me this case," replied Tyrone. "She's such a bitch."

Ally laughed. "How's Todd?" asked Ally, referring to the prosecutor initially assigned to Margo's case. He had been recently promoted.

"Good. He's adjusting to Seattle," stated Tyrone. "He told me that if David is half as good as you, then they'll start racking up the convictions.

Ally smiled. "So, do you have any idea of what's she's up to?"

Tyrone shook his head. "Not exactly. She mentioned that it was about some other abducted teens and that she will only deal with you. I just want you to know that my office is totally against releasing her."

Ally nodded and smiled. "By the way, I like the moustache."

"I had one for years and decided to grow it back," grinned Tyrone, stroking his reborn moustache.

"There she is," interrupted Ally, as she looked in through the one-way mirror.

Margo Simon, wearing an orange jumpsuit and a black navy watch cap was led in by two guards. She lacked any trace of body hair due a physical condition called Alopecia Universalis. Her ankles were shackled. Her wrists were also shackled to a chain around her waist.

Margo sat down and stared at the mirror. She lifted up her right hand and waved by wiggling her fingers.

"Well, I guess it's game time," remarked Ally. She let out a long breath.

"Good luck," offered Tyrone.

Ally walked into the room and sat down across from Margo. She turned to the guards. "Would you step outside please?"

The guards obeyed and closed the door behind them.

"Nice outfit. I must admit that for a transsexual, you have good fashion sense," noted Margo. "You don't mind me calling you a transsexual do you? Anyway, those are really nice leather boots. They look like they're Italian. I love the way leather feels against the body, don't you?"

"I'm not here to trade fashion tips with you."

Margo cracked a slight smile and licked her lips. "Of course not. I suppose we should get right to the point. I've enjoyed my vacation, but I think it's time I got back to work."

Ally sat there in silence.

"I'm willing to tell you the location of the remaining teens I processed - in exchange for my freedom."

"That's all?" asked Ally.

"No, I want some of my money back. I'm not greedy, just two million a teen. I think that's fair, don't you?"

"Sixteen you say? Does that include the six we recovered from the Halloween raid on the sex show in Maryland?" asked Ally. She watched Margo's reaction. Ally noted a momentary look of panic, which quickly disappeared. A sly smile appeared on her face.

"So you finally caught those two losers? Can't say that I'm surprised. Personally, I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did."

"We also got their guests," added Ally.

Margo smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "Okay, so I can offer you ten teens. I won't even increase my monetary demand. I can live comfortably on twenty million."

"Why should I, or anyone believe you? You've lied to us before about additional abducted teens."

"True, but I needed the rest. I must admit that this has been the most relaxing vacation that I've ever been on. But like I said it's time to get back to work. I have a few job offers. I also know that idea that there are still some of my creations out there bothers you. We're not that different, we just operate on opposite sides."

Ally just glared back. "You might be safer here."

Margo laughed, almost hysterically. "Oh, that's rich! You don't mean to imply that my creations would harm me, do you? My sweet Ally, if any or all of them waltzed in here right now I'd have them under my control like a sheep dog would her flock. They only think they have freedom of will."

"Don't be so sure," retorted Ally. She thought about some of the teens she had met and their collective hatred for Margo Simon.

"You just don't understand do you? They want to be controlled. They need to be controlled. It's in their nature. You should understand that. After all, I can see a strong submissive streak in you."

Ally bristled slightly.

"Let me guess, you're in a relationship with a dominant person. I imagine it's a woman. Yes, she's also older than you. You pretend that she loves you, but she just keeps you around so she can control you. There's nothing to be ashamed about. You're submissive and you must serve."

Ally forced back her anger and smiled back. "You don't know me."

"Oh, I think I do. I'd love to have you under my whip. I'm sure you'd submit rather quickly."

Ally shook her head. "Now, tell me about the teens."

Margo frowned. "Hmm, I thought you were more fun. Still, I haven't given up on you. I'd love to have you as my personal maid….along with that little bitch from the farm. What was her name again? Oh yes, Beth. Now there was a tasty treat. I'm not done with her either."

Ally wondered if Margo knew if Beth was the daughter of two agents.

Margo seemed to be inspecting Ally. "Of course, I'd have to give you a boob job. I must admit for a T-girl, you have nice breasts from hormones. But for my needs I'd make sure you got implants, at least E-cup."

"Who would do the surgery, Thomas?" asked Ally, with a sarcastic tone.

"Of course. Did I mention his freedom is also part of the deal?"

Ally didn't respond.

"I'll let you keep your tiny penis. You haven't had your surgery yet, have you? No, you've been too busy with work to take the time off to have the surgery. Anyway, it will be a daily reminder of what you used to be. Yes, my dear, I'd keep you in between, not a complete woman, and just a shadow of your former male self. I'd use the promise of sexual reassignment surgery as the carrot to keep you obedient."

"Enough. I have better things to do that sit here, listening to your fantasies. I thought you were going to give me proof," interrupted Ally calmly.

Margo smiled and licked her lips. "Okay, I tell you what. I'll give you the names of the teens that are still out there. You can check them on against the missing persons database."

Ally slid a legal pad and a pencil across the table to Margo.

"So… you do believe me?" asked Margo, as she took the pad and pencil.

"I'm a trained investigator. It would be foolish to overlook any possibility of rescuing some victims of your crimes."

Margo laughed as she wrote. "I do love your sense of humor. I think I'll let you keep it when I add you to my stable. You like that idea don't you?" Margo looked straight into Ally's eyes. "The more you think about it the more it appeals to you."

Ally just stared back, trying not to show any emotion. It was difficult as Ally could feel her temper rising.

"Yes, that's right, act strong now, my pet. But you'll submit readily enough. I've broken stronger people than you."

"Just give me the names."

"I'll do even better than that. I'll give you the dates that I abducted them too. That way you'll know they were mine. As a bonus, I'll give you the names and dates of abduction of the six you rescued."

In a few minutes Margo passed the pad back to Ally, along with the pencil.

Ally looked at the names. There were sixteen names and dates neatly written down on the pad. The six rescued in October had asterisks neatly drawn next to their names. Margo had even included the names of the two men she had sold them to. Ally immediately knew that Margo was telling her the truth about the teens; still she would have to verify the names.

"There is a time limit on my offer. If you don't accept it I do have other options," explained Margo.

"What's the limit?" asked Ally, wondering who else Margo had talked to.

"Thirty days. I'm feeling generous, besides I like you."

Ally didn't say a word. She signaled to the mirror and stood up.

"Thank me for the information," ordered Margo in a soft voice.

Ally turned and looked back at Margo. "Thank you."

"See, how easy you obeyed me? Oh, you'll make a delicious little morsel."

"I was just being polite," replied Ally as she slowly walked out of the room. Once outside of the room she leaned against the wall and let out a long sigh.

"You okay?" asked Tyrone.

Ally nodded.

"She's sick."

"Yes, but she might be holding the cards. I'll run these names through our database and get back to you. If they're real then we have thirty days to find them," explained Ally.

"You don't mean that you're serious about accepting her offer?" asked an astonished Tyrone.

"I'm not, but there are others who will. They make a deal with that bitch and recover the teens and become heroes. Additionally, they'll probably give her a job!"

"You don't think that will happen, do you?" asked Tyrone.

"What happens if this list gets leaked to the press? My God, Tyrone, we'd be pressured to release her immediately in exchange for the teens!" exclaimed Ally.

"Let me know if I can help," offered Tyrone, cringing at the idea that Margo would be released.

Ally nodded. "I will."

The entire trip back to the Agency, Ally replayed the conversation her conversation with Margo.

Ally went right to Robert's office when she arrived at the agency. She immediately briefed him on her meeting with Margo.

"I've had to deal with some psychopaths in the past. They really know what buttons to push. I'm pleased you handled it so well," stated Robert as he reached into his desk drawer.

"I'm not sure how well I handled it," replied Ally softly. She continued to replay the conversation back in her mind and was very critical of her own performance.

Robert pulled out a bottle of twenty-year-old scotch and poured some into her coffee mug.

Ally nodded and took a sip. "Thanks."

Robert smiled back. "It's only natural to be frazzled slightly by someone like that. Now, what's your plan?"

Ally set down her fortified coffee and began to think. "I'll run this list through Missing Persons. If it turns out to be legit, then we start the search. We have all of Margo's belongings. I imagine that there might be clues there. We also have the Primus rep in custody. We can question him some more."

"That's a good start. I'll give you as much help as you need with this case. Now, we need to go and brief the Director."

Ally nodded and debated taking another sip of the high-octane coffee, but declined.

"By the way, this is your primary task right now," stated Robert.

"What about the planning report for the new department?" asked Ally.

"It will happen. Forward me what you have so far," answered Robert.

Twenty minutes later, Ally departed the Director's office with the assurance that he would do everything in his power to help her. Ally understood that it wasn't just the matter of recovering ten abducted teens. It was supremely vital that Margo Simon be kept behind bars. It was obvious that she was making this offer to humiliate both Ally and the Agency and the Director firmly stated that it would not happen on his watch.

 

Chapter 5

Ally found the head of Missing Persons talking to one of his agents.

"What brings you into this neck of the words, Kid?" asked Rich, with a smile.

Rich was the only one in the agency to call her Kid.

"I have something to show you, regarding an old friend of ours," answered Ally.

Rich nodded and waved for Ally to follow him. "Come into my office. I have some fresh Kona brewing."

Rich could always be counted on to have the best coffee in the agency, and Ally eagerly accepted a mug. She then handed him a copy of the list of names that Margo Simon had handed her. Rich looked over the list.

"I'll have my agents check it out," stated Bob, as he read the list. "You think this is real?"

Ally nodded. "The names of the six we recovered in October match those she wrote down. She also seemed genuinely surprised that we had recovered six from the list. We had never told her about the Halloween arrests, as there wasn't enough direct evidence to connect her. Of course, she could have found out and is trying to play with our minds."

"Well, you can count on our help to keep her locked up."

"Good. I know you're busy, but we're on a tight schedule with this one," stated Ally. "We also need to keep this quiet for now."

"Of course. I'll get back to you this afternoon. If they're really missing we should have them in our database. Did she give you the dates?"

"Yes, she said that was her proof that she was the one who did it. Of course, I did read that Margo had an exceptional memory."

"I'll give you a call."

Ally stood up. "Thanks for the coffee."

"Say hi to Michelle for me," added Rich.

"How did you know that's where I was going next?" asked an amused Ally.

"Hey, I haven't always ridden a desk!"

Ally smiled and made a quick stop at her office to grab her coat. Michelle, the agency's top researcher kept her computer room cold. Michelle said she did it for the computers, but Ally suspected she did it to keep out unwanted visitors.

"What do you need?" was Michelle's forceful and immediate response after hearing Ally's explanation of the case.

"First, run a check on these names," stated Ally, handing her a copy of the missing teens. "Next, I want an inventory of everything confiscated at the Maryland barn."

"I already called up the information on Margo. Robert called me an hour ago. I should have the information on the teens by late this afternoon. The evidence from the Maryland farm will be delivered here tomorrow morning."

Ally smiled. "You're good."

"The best!"

"Also keep this list to yourself for now," added Ally.

Ally returned to the warmth of her office. Since she could do nothing now but wait, her mind kept churning over the way Margo had tried to get under her skin. What bothered Ally most was that Margo had started to succeed. Ally accepted that she was sexually submissive, but until now she always thought that no one, other than Carol, could tell.

Ally knew what she had to do. She picked up her phone and called Jenna, her therapist.

"I was expecting this call," stated Jenna.

"Let me guess, Robert called you?" replied Ally.

"An hour ago."

"So when can you see me?"

Twenty minutes later, Ally was sitting across from Jenna telling her all about her meeting with Margo.

 

Chapter 6

Carol and Ally sat on the couch in front of a crackling fire drinking chai tea. Van Morrison was playing on the stereo.

"I'm glad you went to see Jenna. Margo knows how to play mind games. I imagine she's been planning what she would say for weeks, if not months," said Carol, as she pulled Ally closer to her.

"I was caught a bit off guard by her assessment of my sexual nature," replied Ally.

"Remember that Margo isn't your average everyday criminal. She's extremely intelligent with several degrees. And she was also a psychologist once. She's an expert on reading other people"

"I'll be better prepared the next time I see her," replied Ally in a very determined manner.

"You're fighting the clock now. How much help are you getting?"

"As soon as Rich confirmed that all the names and dates are accurate I was given permission to draw as much help as necessary. Rich's department is re-examining the cases. I'm having Cathleen go through Margo's computer files again. Michelle's department is calling up everything we have on the teens. I'm pulling two agents out of my department to assist in searching Margo's belongings. I'm going through the stiff myself this weekend."

"You think that's enough?"

"For now it is. Margo's very egotistic. She never thought she'd be caught, if she had, she'd hidden her assets better."

"What else are you going to do?"

"We also need to question the Primus rep, remember him?"

"Yes, he's the one who found the teens for the Simons. He worked for a college test prep service, didn't he?"

"Yes. He was partially transformed by Thomas Simon into a living Barbie doll. He's presently in a mental institution. I'm not sure how much help he'll be."

"Don't forget to check the prison visitation logs for Margo and Thomas."

Ally nodded. "I've already requested them. The only visitors that either has had are from their lawyers."

"Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help," offered Carol, as she ran stroked the side of Ally's face.

"Hmmm, you're doing it right now." Ally purred contently. "Carol, there's no way I could have survived all this without you. I'm so in love with you!"

Carol leaned down and kissed Ally. "Margo was dead wrong about me not loving you, my sweet. You're the best thing that has come into my life. I can't image life without you."

Ally tried to speak, but was too choked up on emotion.

"It's okay, my sweet. I know exactly what you mean." Carol then pulled Ally closer to her own body.

 

Chapter 7

The next morning Ally arrived at her office and was met by Michelle's new assistant.

"Agent Burns, I have some files for you," stated the pleasant looking young woman.

Ally took the files and searched her memory for the young woman's name. "Thank you, please tell your boss I appreciate this, Jessica."

Jessica looked pleasantly surprised that Ally knew her name and smiled. "I will, Agent Burns."

Ally sat down at her desk, opened her habitual can of Diet Coke, and began to review the files of the missing teens. Unlike the ones recovered in the Maryland farm raid the previous spring; they weren't from elite private schools. Most were regular students from local high schools. Of the remaining abducted teens, there were eight boys and two girls on the list. All were from the metropolitan Washington, DC area. Several had been listed as runaways. Apparently Margo hadn't been as picky when she was starting, mused Ally. All sixteen had been abducted in a one-year period, the last one taken only a few weeks before the first of the private school students had been snatched.

Ally wondered if they had been used to perfect the brainwashing process that Margo used on her victims, like a set of trial runs or product tests. Six had been sold to the two men arrested back in October. So far they were cooperating, but apparently knew little. Their arrests were due to a tip given directly to her from some sort of vigilante named Angel.

Ally was a little surprised when she had been told not to investigate the organization that Angel belonged to.

She had learned that Angel's organization had recovered a number of abused teens over the years. While she approved of their motives, she didn't exactly approve of their methods. From what Ally had learned, they often acted as judge, jury, and executioner. The case files listed the deaths of the suspects as probable justifiable self-defense, but she had been in law enforcement long enough and could read between the lines. Cops often looked the other way when an obvious bad guy was killed.

Ally also noted that the six teens recovered were all in the recovery program started with the funds taken from Margo Simon. They were slowly recovering from their captivity.

By mid-morning Ally was on her third Diet Coke and began to review the database of Margo's belongings. She suspected that the key to finding the teens was locked somewhere in Margo's belongings. The question remained, where? She began to page through the inventory, hoping that something would standout.

Just then Ally's phone rang. It was Robert Ledyard.

"Ally, I hate to do this to you, but I'm going to need you to give a tour to a congressman."

"Why me?" asked Ally, as she reached for her Diet Coke. "I thought Margo was my main priority?"

"She still is, but he specifically asked to see your department. After all, he does sit on our funding committee."

Knowing that it was useless to protest. "So, who do I have to give the dog and pony show to?"

"Sterling Leyton. Does the name ring a bell?"

"Yes. He's that ultra-conservative law and order guy, who's always on the talk shows," answered Ally.

Congressman Sterling Layton was the darling of the TV news talk show circuit. He could always be counted on to launch some sort of diatribe against any group he felt was destroying the morality of the county. His latest crusade was crime and the Internet.

"Correct. I didn't know that you watched those shows," chided Robert.

"Only for the comic relief. They make it all sound so simple."

"True. The good congressman will be here Monday morning."

"Okay. But you owe me one," replied Ally with a chuckle.

"I know. Have a good weekend," stated Robert as he hung up the phone.

Ally noticed that he didn't ask her about Margo. She felt a sense of pride in that Robert trusted her enough not to constantly request updates. He trusted Ally to keep him appraised.

Ally called Michelle. "What can you get me on local sex clubs?"

"Planning an interesting weekend with Carol?" quipped Michelle.

Ally laughed and shook her head. "You know what I'm looking for. I want info on any and all clubs in the area. If there's a rumor of one, I want info on it."

"That will take a while. I should have it to you by Monday."

Ally smiled to herself. "Thank you, Michelle."

"Hey, we're all in this one together. No one wants to see that creature out of her cage."

Ally hung up the phone and decided that she needed to go for a walk. She couldn't believe that she had to give a congressman a guided tour, especially with her present workload. She walked over to Spec-Ops and knocked on Maggie Williams' door.

A very pregnant Maggie wheeled around in her chair and broke out in a big smile. "Ally, what a pleasant surprise! I wasn't expecting to see you until tomorrow."

"I'm looking forward to dinner. I needed to ask a favor of you." Ally then told Maggie about Margo Simon and the missing teens.

"What do you need?" asked Maggie.

"I was wondering if Beth was available to help me go through Margo's possessions. I have a strong feeling that Margo left something in them that will lead us to the teens and could use Beth's help. It would be strictly going through the items in an evidence room," explained Ally. "Besides, I could use her company."

"Beth will be thrilled to help you. She's just counting the days until graduation," replied Maggie.

"Cool. I'm planning on starting tomorrow morning. I can pick her up and have her back in plenty of time before dinner."

"That would be perfect. Steve and I wanted some time with Carol to discuss Beth's birthday dinner. Why don't you keep her all day and we'll meet up at your place?" suggested Maggie.

"Excellent. I was going to go shopping for a gift this weekend."

"Working with you is the best gift she could have. You know Ally, I never wanted her to follow me into the agency, but she loves the work. I also have to admit that she's a natural."

Ally nodded. "I imagine the added incentive of keeping Margo locked up will make her even more motivated."

Maggie's face got very serious. "If Margo ever gets out she'd better stay far away from Beth."

Ally nodded. She knew that Maggie wasn't bluffing and so she told Maggie about her conversation with Margo.

"I should have shot her right then and there," stated Maggie firmly as she shook her head. "I would have been doing the world a favor. The Agency would have probably given me a citation for doing it!"

"I'm not going to disagree with you on that point. I'm going to do my best to keep her in prison," added Ally, thinking about Margo's desires for her.

"Do me a favor and don't tell Steve or Beth what Margo said, okay?"

Ally nodded. She cringed thinking about what Steve would do if Margo tried to hurt Beth.

"I'll call Beth and tell her the good news. What time will you be by tomorrow?" asked Maggie.

"Is eight too early?"

Maggie shook her head. "Sounds good. By the way, I have the greatest confidence in you."

"Thanks." Ally hoped that Maggie's belief wasn't misplaced.

 

Chapter 8

Saturday morning was gray and gloomy. The weatherman stated that there was only a thirty percent chance of snow, but Ally didn't believe him. She felt that it would start snowing the minute she stepped outside, just to spite her. She was wearing jeans, hiking boots and a forest green sweater, under her winter coat. Beth was waiting outside of the Williams' townhouse.

"Good morning, Agent Williams, ready to do some work?" asked Ally.

"You betcha! I was so excited when Mom told me that you wanted me to help you," replied Beth, who was dressed in jeans and a gray Penn sweatshirt under her coat.

"When did you get the sweatshirt?"

"Celeste sent it to me. She was just in Philly finalizing her paperwork. I can't wait until the fall! It's going to be so much fun going to college with her."

"That's great," replied Ally. "Did Maggie tell you what we're going to be doing?"

"Yes. You don't really think that they'll release her?"

Ally shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. I know that the Director is going to do everything in his power to keep her locked up."

"So, this is going to be a slow methodical check of her stuff?"

"Yes. Take your time and look for anything that might be related to the abducted teens. If anything looks strange or out of place let me know immediately. My plan is to have several sets of eyes go through this stuff. Donna and Kelly are going to repeat what we're doing as soon as we finish."

Beth nodded. "Is Cathleen going through her computers?"

"Yes. If there's anything there I know she'll find it. There's a Starbucks on the next block. Might as well get something before we get to the agency." Ally pulled her car into a parking spot a few feet in front of the coffee shop.

"Wow! I parking spot right in front, this could be an omen of something good!" quipped Beth.

 

Chapter 9

A short time later Beth and Ally passed through security at the Agency. Beth still got a thrill when the guards examined her Agency ID.

The evidence room was in east wing of the building. The room was secure and they had to pass through an additional security check in order to enter.

Inside were boxes of Margo and Thomas Simon's possessions.

"Okay. Each box has an inventory sheet on the front. The first thing I want you to do is verify the inventory. Notify me immediately if anything is missing. Then make sure everything goes back in the box, before you start on a new box," explained Ally, as she read the master inventory sheet. "Also put on gloves before you start." She pointed to a box of gloves on the table.

Beth nodded and set a box on a table, and started to get to work. Ally verified that all twenty boxes listed were there. She then lifted a box of books up on a separate table. Ally opened up a book on the history of torture. Inside the margins of the book were Margo's handwritten notes. If all the books were like this, it would take a long time to go through them all, thought Ally.

Beth looked up from the book she was examining. "Mom told me about your surgery being postponed. I'm sorry."

"Thanks. I appreciate your concern," answered Ally, as she began to page through a book on the human mind. "It's just a delay."

"I'm amazed how well you're handling it. I can't imagine the lifelong conflict you've felt."

Ally looked up and smiled. "This is coming from someone who was forcibly changed from male to female."

"Not to mention being turned into a teenager!" added Beth with a grin.

"Speaking of which, how're you doing?"

"If you mean the upcoming anniversary of my transformation, I'm doing okay. I've accepted that I'm now Beth Williams. I love my family, although I'd love to see my old family again. Thankfully, I have Gran."

"How's Andrea?" asked Ally.

"Great. She's planning a trip to Denmark for early summer."

"That's wonderful. I hope I'm half as active as her when I'm her age!"

"I know what you mean. She's pretty cool."

"Anything else going on in your life?"

"I'm still dating Kevin. I like him, he's so much more mature than the other boys his age."

"Are you including yourself in that grouping?" asked Ally with a grin.

"Absolutely! I was totally immature when I was in school. I don't think I really started to mature until I became an officer," replied Beth. "Seriously, Kevin is really sweet."

"Since we're pseudo-sisters, do you might if I ask how far you've gotten?" asked Ally.

Beth giggled. "I'm still a virgin, if that's what you mean?"

"Hey, I'm just concerned that's all," replied Ally.

"I know. We kiss and sometimes play around a little, but we've never had sex."

"How do you feel about it?"

Beth sighed. "It's confusing at times. Still, I get tingles when he kisses me. I try not to analyze everything and just let nature take its course."

Ally nodded. "Where's he going after graduation?"

"He's staying around here. He's going to Georgetown."

"And when am I going to meet him?" asked Ally.

Beth smiled. "I wanted to invite him to the agency dinner next month, but he doesn't know I'm an agent."

"Among other secrets."

Beth laughed. "So, I'm bringing him to my birthday dinner that you and Carol are planning."

"That's supposed to be a secret."

Beth rolled her eyes. "Please! I'm an agent."

"Try to act surprised."

Three hours later Ally and Beth took a break. So far they hadn't detected anything suspicious. As they stepped out of the room the security guard asked Ally if she was done for the day.

"No, we'll be here most of the day and also tomorrow," replied Ally. She was about to walk away, but she stopped. "Why do you ask?"

"We just got a request to transfer all the evidence this afternoon," replied the guard.

"Request? By who?" asked Ally.

"Treasury Department. The man who requested it said something about a financial investigation," replied the guard.

"That doesn't sound right. What was the agent's name?"

The guard looked down and read the name off of the request. "Agent Robert C. Davis." He showed Ally the request.

Ally took the request from him and studied it. "Do not release the evidence in that room without my permission. Do you understand?" ordered Ally. She copied down the agent's name and badge number.

The guard nodded. "I understand Agent Burns."

Ally and Beth walked down the hall to the break room.

"What's wrong?" asked Beth.

"Why would Treasury want what's in those boxes? I have to make a phone call. I'll meet you back there in a few minutes."

Ally walked to her office and called the Treasury Department. She got the duty officer.

"This is Special Agent Ally Burns. Please call me back on a secure line," stated Ally. She then gave the number and hung up.

A few minutes later the phone rang. Ally asked about Agent Robert Davis. The duty officer checked their records.

"You said Robert C. Davis?" There was a confused tone to the agent's voice.

"Yes. Why what's wrong?" asked Ally.

"The only Robert C. Davis I have listed was placed on medical leave six months ago."

"The request was placed with our agency today," stated Ally.

"Let me call you back in a few minutes," stated the duty officer.

Ally hung up the phone and opened her mini-fridge and pulled out a Diet Coke. Five minutes later her phone rang.

"This is Agent Burns."

"Something is amiss. I just checked with Robert C. Davis' supervisor. He told me that Agent Davis died from heart failure three weeks ago."

Ally sat there in silence.

"Hello? Are you still there?" asked the duty officer.

"Yes. It looks like someone got his identification and tried to interfere with a case I'm working on. I'm contacting my supervisor and I'm sure that he'll want an investigation started immediately."

"Of course. I'll get things started on our end. Thanks for the heads up."

Ally called up Robert Ledyard and told him what happened.

"Looks like you're on the right trail. I'll have internal security get started on the investigation," stated Robert.

"I want an additional security on the evidence," added Ally.

"It will be in place within the hour."

"Okay. Thank you. I'm going back down there."

"Good hunting. By the way, say hi to Beth for me."

Ally didn't bother asking how he knew Beth was helping her. She just smiled and said that she would.

Ally walked back down to the evidence room. The guard let her in and she found Beth was already back at work. She told her what had happened.

"Do you think that they'll try again?" asked Beth.

"Maybe. It just confirms that someone is helping Margo," answered Ally. "By the way Robert Ledyard said hi!"

At four Ally decided to call it a day. They had only gotten through eight boxes.

"You want to come back tomorrow?" asked Ally as they walked out of the room.

"You bet!" replied Beth, her enthusiasm undimmed..

Ally noted that there were now two guards standing in the hallway to the evidence rooms. They probably didn't appreciate the extra duty, but she didn't care. Somewhere out there, ten teens were in sexual captivity, and it was up to Ally to rescue them. It also meant that Margo Simon would stay behind bars.

Chapter 10

Carol had made a beef stew for dinner and it really hit the spot. Additionally, she had baked some fresh biscuits.

Steve was very interested in the fact that someone tried to take the evidence.

"Whoever did it knew the correct procedures. This tells me were not dealing with an amateur," stated Steve, as he spread some butter on his biscuit.

"Do you think it's someone in the agency?" asked Beth.

Steve shook his head. "He would have just taken the stuff if he was."

"Well, this tells me that we're on the right track," stated Ally. "I can't wait to get started tomorrow."

"Whoever the guy is, he's sharp. Somehow he got wind that we were onto him. We tried to catch him by setting up a fake delivery of the evidence."

"When did that happen?" asked Ally.

"One hour ago," replied Steve with a smile.

"Why would Margo give you a chance to find the teens?" asked Beth.

"I think she wants to show up the Agency. Additionally, she gets to humiliate the agent who tracked her down," answered Steve looking over at Ally.

Ally pointed at her chest. "You mean me? I didn't act alone."

"No, but Margo sees you as the person responsible for her present predicament," continued Steve.

"That's my Ally, making friends in high places," piped in Carol.

"I'm insulted! After all, I was the one who knocked her on her bald head!" interjected Maggie.

Ally laughed and took a sip of her wine. "Speaking of friends in high places, Monday I get to show off my department to a congressman."

"Which one?" asked Beth.

"The great and honorable Sterling Layton," answered Ally sarcastically.

"Ah, the darling of the rightwing!" quipped Steve.

"Why does he want to see your department?" asked Maggie.

Ally shrugged her shoulders. "He's running for re-election and is anti-crime. I think he's also favoring restrictions on the Internet. He can use my department to prove that it's dangerous."

"Then why is the agency supporting him?" asked Beth.

"They have no choice. He's on our funding committee," added Ally.

"I'm sure he'll find your department interesting. You going to have them clean up the Op-Center before he arrives?" asked Carol, knowing the answer.

Ally shook her head. "Screw him. The private lives of my agents have nothing to do with their performance."

"I was just bringing this up, because he's also anti-gay rights," added Carol.

Ally smiled. "If he brings up our relationship, I'll just show him that I'm still physically a male!"

That caused everyone to start laughing.

"Oh, that will make things much better!" interjected Steve, still laughing.

 

Chapter 11

Ally had additional help the following day. In addition to Beth, Carol, Maggie, and Steve assisted her in the search for clues.

She opened up another box and inspected at the inventory list. Most of the books were professional texts, related to human psychology. There was one surprising item; a book on the Academy Awards. She rummaged through the box and pulled out the book. Somehow Margo didn't seem like a movie buff, thought Ally.

Holding back her excitement, she opened up the book and found, instead of notes, highlighted sections. Names and dates were outlined in different colors. She paged through the book and saw that the book was filled with a variety of different markings. Some sentences had words highlighted in as many as six different colors.

"I think I found something," she announced, as she showed the book to the others.

"It definitely looks like a code of some kind. I don't suppose she left a key in the book," asked Steve.

"No such luck," commented Ally. "The highlights are names, places, and individual letters and numbers. There are many different colors."

"How much do you want to bet that there are at least sixteen colors," noted Carol.

"Well, we have the names of six of the teens and we have the names of the men who had them. We can use that to break the code," added Maggie.

Ally nodded. "If it is a code. It might just be that Margo is really crazy."

"No, she's not crazy. Sick and perverted, but not crazy," chimed in Steve.

"Who should we give this to?" asked Ally.

"I know a few of the cryptos who'd love to get their hands on a challenge like this," commented Steve, referring to the Agency's code breaking technicians.

Ally nodded. "Steve, you want to take this to them?"

"Sure. I'll also need a list of the all the teens. Also the names of the guys we caught back in October."

"I can get that for you right now."

"Great. But this might just be a red herring. I suggest we all get back to work," stated Steve.

"After a short break," added Maggie as she struggled to stand up. "I need to use the facilities."

They worked until mid-afternoon before calling it a day. They hadn't found anything else that looked even remotely suspicious.

On their way home, Carol and Ally stopped at a mall to look for Beth's birthday gift.

"I want to give her something memorable, after all you only turn eighteen once," explained Ally.

Carol stared at her with a silly grin on her face.

Ally realizing what she'd said, started to laugh. "Okay, MOST people only turn eighteen once!"

They looked in a few stores without finding anything. They decided that they wanted to give her jewelry.

"You know, I don't think we'll find the gift here. I think we should look in some of the antique shops," said Carol.

Ally nodded. "You have any place in mind?"

Carol nodded. "They're closed now. We can stop by next Saturday morning."

"Cool. You want to stop somewhere for dinner?"

"I'm in the mood for Mexican. What about you?" asked Carol.

"That sounds great, my treat!"

 

Chapter 12

Monday morning Ally arrived early in her office. She was wearing a wool skirt and jacket, planning to look good for the Rep. Layton.

She checked her messages and found one from Steve.

"We found a bug in the Treasury Department. The Duty Officer's phone was tapped," stated Steve. "So, our counterfeit agent knew we were onto him as soon as you asked about him."

"They bugged the secure line?"

"Yes. It was a very sophisticated bug. We're attempting to trace it."

"Wow," replied a concerned Ally. "Umm…. have you done a sweep through here yet?"

"Last night. Nothing showed up. We also did a sweep of Tyrone's office."

"Thanks for the info."

"No problem. Let me know what else I can do," replied Steve.

"I will."

Ally hung up the phone and thought about what Steve told her. Margo was getting help and that meant that their task would be that much harder. She called up Tyrone.

"Do you have the list of Margo and Thomas Simon's visitors?"

"Sure Ally. I'll e-mail it to you right now. According to the prison, her only guests have been her lawyers."

"Okay. Still, I want to look it over," stated Ally.

"Incoming," stated Tyrone.

Ally looked at her email and opened up Tyrone's message attachment. "Thanks. I'll get back to you."

"Okay, keep me informed."

Ally looked at the short list of names. There were only three. The first name Ally immediately recognized as Margo's second lawyer. Her first was awaiting trial for trying to help Margo escape.

The next two names were listed as defense lawyers. Ally forwarded the mail to Michelle with a note for her to do a background check on the two men.

She checked her watch and saw that it was time to go and greet Rep. Layton. Ally passed through the Op-Center and observed everyone was hard at work. She had told them about the visit, but she had also told them not to change their routine.

Ally arrived at the front of the Agency and waited. Ten minutes later Rep. Sterling Layton arrived with two aides, one carrying a camera.

"Congressman Layton, I'm Special Agent Ally Burns. I'll be your guide this morning."

"Pleased to meet you Agent Burns," greeted the congressman. He flashed his well-practiced campaign smile. Ally noted that he looked just like he did when he was on TV.

From his biography Ally knew that he was forty-six and a graduate from the Citadel. He got his law degree from Yale and then served as an assistant district attorney for three years. Politics inevitably came next and he rose quickly from city councilman to congress. Now comfortably in his third term, Sterling was five-nine and still thin, his jet-black hair cut short. Ally suspected that he used coloring to keep the gray out. He had perfect teeth and she wondered how much that cost him.

"I'm afraid that you'll have to leave the camera here. We don't allow photography inside the Agency," stated Ally to the aide.

"Is that really necessary Miss Burns?" asked the man.

Ally bristled slightly when he called her Miss. She also didn't like the tone of his voice.

"We did state that we wanted to take photographs in our visit request," piped in the second aide. "What's the harm? We do work for a congressman."

Ally decided to save time and disliked the two aides immediately. The first one was twentyish and oozed with overconfidence. He was wearing an expensive suit and a Harvard class ring. The second man was a few years older. He was also dressed classy. Ally wondered how much congressional aides made.

"We have our photographer standing by," stated Ally. "He'll be able to take some photos for you."

He shrugged his shoulders and handed the camera over to the guard.

"I also need to see your cell phones," stated Ally.

"Don't tell me those are banned too," stated the older aide sarcastically. "What's next, a strip-search?"

"No, regular cell phones are authorized," answered Ally politely, ignoring his other comment. "But phones with cameras aren't."

"Bradley, don't be an ass. Agent Burns is just doing her job," chided Rep. Layton.

"Yes, Sir!" replied Bradley, the older aide and he handed Ally his phone. It was a camera phone and Ally handed to the guard.

"You too, Arthur," added Rep. Layton.

His phone also had a camera.

"You'll get them back when you leave. Thank you for cooperating," explained Ally in an overly polite tone that bordered on sarcastic.

Ally led them up to her department. Along the way she told the congressman how her department worked.

"So your agents are the hunters?" asked Rep. Layton.

"That's one way of looking at it. We do go after specific sexual offenders. However, we also act as the lifeguard. We often cruise the chat rooms without looking for a specific suspect," explained Ally. "We've caught many offenders before they've had a chance to hurt an actual teen."

He nodded in approval. "I understand that you're requesting funding to expand your operations."

"Yes. While we've assisted police departments all over the country right from our Op-Center, it will be more efficient to have regional offices. That way we can train local departments to run their own operations."

"I'm very interested in seeing your Op-Center."

Ally nodded. "I want to remind you and your aides that my agents are presently working on cases. I also want to let you know that we use some rather unorthodox methods. Please ask me before you interrupt any agent. I don't want to distract them from their job."

"You mean that you have investigations going on right now? Children should be school at this time of the day," asked a confused Rep. Layton.

"We've found that the predators often hit on the kids who are unsupervised and alone. They also target the loners and outcasts. They befriend the teen and slowly enforce their will on them. Often a predator will get the teen to skip school so they can talk to them. It's all part of their building control over the teen," explained Ally.

"Of course," noted Rep. Layton as he shook his head in disgust.

"We run investigations during all hours of the day. We also have bait teens in several of the rooms," continued Ally.

"Bait teens?" asked the congressman, clearly puzzled.

"That's our term for a teen we've created to attract the predators. We have them show up in chatrooms on a regular basis. We create an extremely detailed biography for each character. One thing I want to make clear, we never ever initiate contact. We wait until they come to us. We don't want to be accused of entrapment."

"Has that been a problem?" he asked.

Ally shook her head. "All our computer conversations are recorded with the date and time. We've submitted them into hundreds of trials and have never had a problem."

"Very thorough."

Ally continued to show him around, while at the same time keeping an eye on the two aides. She still didn't trust them.

"Looks like your agents spend a lot of time goofing off," noted Arthur sarcastically, as he picked up a stack of teen magazines. He also pointed out the boxes and bags of junk food that was on the table.

"Please don't touch anything. Those are used to help my agents blend in," stated Ally, holding in her anger.

"What do you mean by blend in?" asked the congressman.

Ally noted that he seemed generally interested in the work of her department. "My agents have to fool, not just the predators, but the other teens in the chat rooms. They have to keep up to date on the latest news, music, fashion, food, and slang And it's not as easy as it sounds. The slightest mistake can ruin an investigation," explained Ally. "The biggest problem that law enforcement has is not being detected by the teens in the rooms. We've actually seen them "out" adults trying to pose as fellow teens. They're better at detecting fakes than the criminals."

Rep Layton smiled. "Very thorough."

"We've constantly adapting to keep up," answered Ally.

"Do you worry about the, what was that you called them…. oh yes, predators, do you worry that the predators will learn that you're after them?"

"No, in fact we count on it. Many know we're out there and it serves as a deterrent," explained Ally. She then told Sterling about the name Protector. "We can't catch them all, so if we scare some off that too works."

"What about this sort of stuff?" interrupted Bradley in a derisive tone.

He was pointing at an award from PFLAG, which was mounted on the wall.

By the tone of his voice Ally knew he was disgusted by the award and the group who honored them. "That was presented to us for a recent case in which we nailed a pedophile praying on gay teens. We make no distinction between, straight or LBGT teens. We're after all the predators," stated Ally.

Bradley rolled his eyes in revulsion.

She noticed that several of her agents were flashing angry stares at the aides.

"Do you really mean that? Do you think that tax money should be spent on protecting those who put themselves in danger by their own behavior?" asked Rep Layton.

Here it comes, thought Ally. "Yes I do. We're here to protect the entire public. Not just a segment of the population." She didn't bother to point out that the straight kids were just as careless as the LBGT teens.

"So does that mean that your agents are forced to play homosexuals?" asked Rep Layton.

"None are forced. They play gays, lesbians, bisexual, transgendered, and straight teens. I have male agents who sometimes pose as girls and female agents who play boys," responded Ally.

"Did I hear you right? You said that your agents 'play straight teens.' Does that mean that you have agents that aren't straight?" asked Rep. Layton. He was still using a friendly tone to his voice, as if he was campaigning, but there was an underlying feeling that he was disgusted by the idea that some of Ally's agents weren't straight. He glanced around the room, as if he was sizing up the sexual preference of each agent.

"Yes. The sexuality of my agents in irrelevant. Besides, the Agency has a nondiscrimination code. I'm concerned with their performance here," continued Ally.

Many of the agents were soaking in the verbal battle taking place a few feet away from them and silently cheering on their boss.

"Well, I guess I can't argue with your success," noted Rep Layton with a smile. "Even if I disagree with your beliefs."

Ally noted a slight tone of frustration in his voice.

"What can you tell me about this wall?" asked Rep. Layton, pointing to the wall with the many names of the captured predators on it.

"My agents call it the Wall of Shame. When we get a conviction we paint their name on the wall."

"I see," he stated. "Judging by the number of names you may need a new wall soon. Who is this one? His name looks familiar."

Ally noted he was pointing to Brian Steven Wilcox, the man who had stabbed her.

"He was the Monday Night Football Serial Killer."

Rep. Layton nodded. "Oh yes, I remember him now. Didn't he almost kill an agent when he was apprehended?"

Ally nodded. "I was the one who was wounded."

The congressman's eyes widened in respect for Ally. "Really? If I remember right you killed him."

"In a matter of speaking I did. My shots wounded him and he died several months later in a prison hospital."

"I want to shake your hand," stated Rep. Layton. He broke out in a large smile. "You saved the taxpayers a lot of money by killing him."

Not to mention stopping a psychopath who was killing innocent transgendered women, she thought. Ally reluctantly extended her hand, which the congressman enthusiastically shook. The agency photographer took their photo, much to Ally's dismay.

"I can't say enough about our brave men and women in law enforcement who put their lives out on the line every day," he stated, as if he was making a speech.

Ally wondered if would be so full of praise if he knew that she was transgendered.

"What about this one on top?" interrupted Bradley.

Ally turned and saw that he was pointing to Margo Simon.

"She ran a major teen sex slave ring. We arrested her last year," answered Ally, "along with her husband."

"Obviously you consider her a 'big catch,' judging by the prominence of her name on the wall," noted Bradley. There was a slight grin on his face.

Ally noted the sarcasm in his voice. She struggled to hold in her anger. "Margo Simon abducted and abused dozens of teenagers, turning them into sexual slaves. Her husband modified them physically through plastic surgery. She then sold them to a variety of clients around the world. Yes, I consider her a very big catch. However, I consider the recovery of the teens to be an even bigger catch."

Bradley stared back without saying a word.

"We appreciate the work that you and your agents have done in the service of their country," interjected Rep. Layton with a smile. "I'm also glad to see that you're passionate about your job."

Ally calmed down. "Thank you, Congressman."

The agency's photographer began to take sanitized photographs of Congressman Layton in the Op-Center. Sterling then talked to several of the agents regarding their views on Internet safety.

"Excuse me, Agent Burns, is there a phone I can use to call the congressman's office?" asked Bradley. "I'd prefer a more private place than this room."

Ally looked around and motioned for one of her agents. "Joe, would you take him to my office. Please make sure my computer is off," ordered Ally.

Joe nodded and took Bradley to Ally's office. They returned a few minutes later.

"Well, thank you Agent Burns. I'm very impressed with what I saw today," stated Rep. Layton.

Ally escorted them out of the Agency. She let out a long sigh of relief as she watched them drive away. When she walked back into the Op-Center she was immediately greeted by a standing ovation by her agents.

Ally was caught off guard by the emotional response of her agents and was visibly moved.

"Great job, Ally!" shouted out Kelly.

Joe let out a whistle.

Ally stood there, smiled, and in her best mock angry tone addressed her agents. "Okay, get back to work!"

"Yes, Mom!" chorused her agents.

Ally smiled and left. She didn't want then to see that she was about to cry. The hardest thing about her promotion would be leaving the team she created.

"You okay?" asked Donna, standing in the doorway to Ally's office.

Ally nodded as she blew her nose.

"You did good in there," noted Donna. "I'm really proud that you're my boss."

"Don't you start! I'm just getting my emotions back under control," quipped Ally.

"I can't believe what assholes his aides were," remarked Donna.

"Tell me about it. At least the congressman was polite. Bigoted, but polite."

Donna laughed. "Well, I better get back to the Op-Center. See you later."

 

Chapter 13

Ally called up Robert and told him that the tour was over.

"What did you think?" asked Robert.

"I'm just glad that he's not representing me," replied Ally.

"I got your report on the evidence. Good job so far," commented Robert.

"I just hope Steve's friends are as good as he is. Oh, I'm going to see the Primus guy tomorrow."

"Do you think he'll be any help?" asked Robert.

"I don't know. From what Jenna said his grasp on reality is shaky," answered Ally.

"Good luck anyway," replied Robert.

Ally hung up the phone and read the file on the man who had helped Margo select her victims. Jeffrey Cole worked for a college test prep company called Primus that allowed him access to the type of students that Margo Simon desired. Later betrayed by his employers and transformed by Thomas Simon, Jeffery now looked like a cartoon version of a beautiful woman. He had a supermodel face and the curves of a porn star. Thomas left him with his penis, as if to mock him.

Presently Jeffery was undergoing therapy in a facility for the criminally insane. Tyrone stated that there was no other place to put him.

She doubted he would be of much use, but she had to explore every avenue.

Ally grabbed her coat and headed down to the computer room to see if Michelle had turned up anything.

"I swear, it's warmer outside," quipped Ally to Michelle.

"Oh, like I haven't heard that one before! Please, if you're going to joke about the temperature, be original!" smiled Michelle in reply.

"Deal. So any luck on the other two lawyers who have visited Margo?" asked Ally.

"Well, neither is a lawyer," answered Michelle.

"What do you mean?"

"Correction, they were lawyers. The first one, Jacob Lewinski, died in 1993. The other, Roy Willingham died in 1988."

"Shit. You sure?" asked Ally, her face clouding over with new concern.

Michelle just stared back with her head cocked to one side.

"My bad, of course you're sure," replied Ally with a mischievous grin. "I apologize."

"You're forgiven. Here's the information on CD," stated Michelle, "and here's a paper report."

Ally reviewed the report. The names and social security numbers were identical. "Thanks Michelle. I owe you for this."

Ally reported immediately to Robert.

"What do you want to do?" he asked.

"I want to pay a visit to Margo's present lawyer," replied Ally.

Robert nodded.

"Margo's got to know that we'd find out eventually about this. I just wonder if her lawyer knows."

"I agree."

"I'd like to take Steve with me."

Robert nodded. "Have fun."

 

Chapter 14

Two hours later Steve and Ally were sitting across from Howard Nevin, Margo and Thomas' current lawyer.

Ally was slightly surprised that Margo had hired him. He was relatively inexperienced. Tyrone had told Ally that Nevin wasn't exactly brilliant, and he suspected that Margo selected him because she could use him, as she did the previous lawyer.

"I'm sorry but you know I can't discuss my client's case with you," explained Howard with a smug grin on his face, obviously enjoying the fact that two agents wanted to question him.

"According to prison records, three times you saw your clients with two other lawyers. What can you tell me about them?" asked Ally.

"Again, I can't discuss the case…"

"Who were they?" interrupted Steve angrily.

"What? Are we playing good cop-bad cop now?" asked Howard. He leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head.

"No, we're about to play bad cop-psychotic cop," continued Steve. He then slammed his fist on the desk and raised his voice. "Now tell us who the two imposters are!"

Howard sat up and nervously looked at Ally. "Imposters?"

Ally nodded. "They used the identification of two dead lawyers."

"I…I don't know what you're talking about," replied Howard fearfully. All his smug self-confidence drained away as with the color from his face.

"Dammit! Don't lie to us!" demanded Steve as he slammed his fist on the desk again.

"Please, you've got to believe me. He's crazy," stated Howard anxiously to Ally.

Ally smiled softly and pointed to Steve. "He's the bad-cop. I'm the psychotic cop." She then pointed to herself.

"Look, if you cooperate you may keep stay out of jail. We might even be able to save your license," explained Steve, softening the tone of his voice.

Howard glanced back and forth at Ally and Steve. "If I talk to you, I want protection. I don't think they'll appreciate me talking to you about them. They warned me not to talk about them."

Steve nodded. "You'll get it. Just tell us about the two men."

"They came in my office three months ago and asked to me to introduce them to Margo. They said that they wanted to talk to her and I didn't see any problem with it."

"How much did they pay you for this?" asked Steve.

"Ten thousand," replied Howard sheepishly.

'I'm sure you reported that to the IRS," interjected Ally. "Did you do a background check on them?"

He shook his head.

"What are their real names?"

Howard glanced at Ally and wiped some sweat from his brow. "I only knew them by the names they used in the prison. I had no reason to suspect that they were lying to me."

"What did they talk about when they were with Margo?" asked Ally.

"I really don't know. They had me step out whenever they talked. I don't think they trusted me."

Steve rolled his eyes. "That's a surprise," he mumbled.

"We'd like you to come down to the Agency with us and help us come up with a description of the men," asked Ally.

Howard nodded. "I'll do whatever you ask. I didn't see the harm."

Three hours later they had two composite drawings of the two men. Ally was impressed by how ordinary they looked. Both looked like they were in their late twenties. They both wore their hair short. Neither had facial hair or glasses. Additionally, they were of average build.

Steve looked at the drawings. "We're dealing with some real pros. They guys were selected because of how common they look. I talked to the prison officials while you were with Howie, and most of the guards can barely remember them. They remembered Howie, but neither of our two ghosts."

"Do you think were dealing with someone else in the government?" asked Ally.

"No. I'm betting either foreign or private."

"This is getting better all the time," stated Ally.

"Oh, my code-breaker friends are hard at work with the book. They definitely think it's a code."

"And?"

"They think they'll have it broken by the end of the week," added Steve.

"Finally some good news."

"After meeting Howie, I understand why Margo selected him. What an idiot. She knows that she won't get out on any appeal, so she's using that shyster to serve as her line of communication."

Ally nodded in agreement.

 

Chapter 15

The following morning Ally was about to leave the office to go see Jeffrey when her phone rang.

"Agent Burns? This is Dr. Karmen. I was told that you were coming out here to talk to Jeffery Cole."

"I'm about to leave right now…why? What's wrong?" asked Ally, noting the tone of his voice.

"I'm sorry. He's dead. He hung himself last night," stated Dr. Karmen sadly. "We just discovered his body this morning."

"Shit! Doctor, don't touch a thing. I think that Jeffery may have been murdered."

An hour later Ally arrived at the hospital. The Agency's CSI team had arrived twenty minutes earlier.

"Doctor, was Jeffery suicidal?" asked Ally.

Yes, but he wasn't serious about it. He wasn't happy with what had been done to him, but we were making progress."

"Did he have any visitors?" asked Ally.

"None."

"Who had access to his room?"

"Just myself and the staff."

"Who was on duty last night?"

Dr. Karmen pulled out the night's log. "Hmm, that's odd. I don't recognize this name. Nurse Martinez, you were on duty last night, who was your orderly?"

"He was a new guy. He said he transferred in from the second floor."

"I want to see him, immediately," ordered Ally.

"We tried calling him, but there's been no answer," stated Nurse Martinez.

"Let me guess, he's white and very average looking?" asked Ally, knowing the answer.

The nurse nodded.

One of the CSI guys came out and waved Ally towards him.

"It wasn't a suicide. The victim's neck was broken before he was hung," he explained. "It was done very expertly. If we didn't suspect something like this we never would have noticed it."

Ally thanked him and finished taking the staff's statements. She then headed back to the Agency. On the way back she checked her rearview mirror often, just in case she was being followed.

 

Chapter 16

Ally spent the rest of the day trying to figure out how they knew she was going to question Jeffery. She thought of a variety of ways. The missing orderly had been working part-time at the hospital for two months and just like the fake lawyers, his identification matched that of a dead man. Ally wondered how much help Margo was getting.

Carol picked up Ally after work and they drove to the gym. They planned to go to the antique shop after working out. The owner of the gym was a friend of Steve and had arranged for a separate changing room for Ally. As she worked out, Ally looked around the gym for any new faces and was pleased to see none. She remembered an old joke; that just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean that they're not out to get you.

Ally spent the first half of her workout doing her shoulder exercises. She then joined Carol on the track. Carol had been running for almost an hour had had barely broken a sweat.

After working out they headed out to look for Beth's present. Ally told Carol about the case.

"Sounds like Margo has some new friends," commented Carol.

"I just have the feeling that she's playing with me, like a cat with a mouse," answered Ally.

"We'll get her."

"I hope you're right."

As they arrived at the shop it began to snow. Just a few flakes were falling softly to the ground.

"Oh wonderful! They just got the streets cleared from the last storm," complained Ally as she watched the snow falling.

"They say we might get one or two inches. On the bright side, it snowed nine inches overnight in North Dakota."

They walked in the store and were met by the owner, a short gray haired older man wearing glasses.

"I want something classy. It's for a young woman celebrating her eighteenth birthday," explained Carol to the storeowner.

"Hmm, I think I have just the thing," he said as he pulled out a string of pearls from a display case. "We just got these in an estate sale. You don't see quality like these very often."

"They're stunning," remarked Ally, as she admired the pearls.

He handed them to Ally. "They're from France, pre-war."

"World War II?" asked Carol.

He shook his head. "The first war."

Ally looked at the price. It was a little out of her range, but Beth was worth it. She turned to Carol. "Well?"

"I like it."

Ally handed them back to the storeowner. "We'll take it."

"I even have the original box!" added the owner.

 

Chapter 17

Thirty minutes later as they arrived at their townhouse and were about to pull into their driveway, Carol suddenly stopped the car. It was snowing steadier by now, and a there was a light dusting on the ground.

"What's wrong?" asked Ally.

"Someone's been in our driveway. Look, you can see that they just left, judging by the bare spot."

Ally saw what Carol was talking about. There was an outline of snow where the vehicle had been parked. Ally got out and noticed that that someone had walked back from their front door. There were no prints leading up to the door.

"That car was there for at least thirty minutes. Judging by the prints, I'd say that someone was in our home. They obviously arrived before the snow started," noted Carol, as she eased out her semi-automatic. Ally nodded and did the same.

They opened the door and stepped inside. Nothing seemed out of place or missing.

Carol leaned over and whispered. "Act normal."

Ally nodded. They set down their bags and acted if nothing was wrong. Carol picked up a piece of paper and wrote down a message.

Ally read it. "I think the house may be bugged. I'm going to step outside and call the Agency."

"Damn, Ally that hall toilet is overflowing again! I'm calling a plumber, see if you can turn off the water," stated Carol for the benefit of anyone listening.

Less than an hour later what looked like a plumbing van pulled up in front of their home. The agency technician immediately conducted an electronic sweep. Carol was right; someone had planted bugs in their home. In addition to the phones, their computer was also bugged.

"They're state of the art. Real cutting age stuff." stated the agent who found them; in the way techno geeks always get excited over new toys.

"I bet they're the same as the one found in the Treasury Department this weekend," noted Ally.

"We'll check them against that one later. For now my orders are to leave them in. We'll set up a tap and see if we can detect who's listening to you. They won't pick up conversations in the house, just when you use the phone. As for the computer, anything you do on it they'll get."

"So we just let them stay in for now?" asked Ally.

The agent nodded. "By the way, I was told to install a new security system for you. It will only take me an hour."

Ally nodded. "Okay."

Meanwhile Carol was quietly seething. "How dare THEY violate our home!"

"To quote Bugs Bunny, 'Of course you know, this means war,'" stated Ally.

 

Chapter 18

Ally arrived at work and immediately went to Robert's office. She sat down across from him. "Well, whoever they are, they've managed to piss off Carol."

Robert smiled and nodded. "We also found bugs in Tyrone's home. I'm ordering another sweep of your office and Op-Center."

"Do you really think they could get in here?"

"It doesn't hurt to be cautious. There are only a handful of known companies that could do something like this. I've ordered an investigation of all of them."

"You really think this is a private company?" asked Ally.

Robert nodded as he sipped his coffee.

"Why would they want Margo?"

"She's an expert on mind control. There're a variety of jobs they could use her for."

"They're taking a huge risk in what they're doing. They must know that we're looking for them."

"These sort of companies are made up of men and women who think they know more than us. Not all of them are former agents. Many of them wanted to agents and couldn't get in. I imagine the persons who did this feel very superior to us."

"Just like Margo," added Ally.

Just then the phone rang. Robert answered it. He listened for a few seconds. His expression hardened. "Okay, initiate an agency wide sweep."

"What's wrong?" asked Ally.

"They found bugs in your office. Both your phone and computer."

"My office was just swept. How could someone get in there?" asked Ally. She thought about it and then it came to her. "Shit! It was the aide of that congressman. He used my office while the congressman was talking to my agents."

"What's his name?" asked Robert.

"I only remember his first name, Bradley," replied Ally. "How effective are these bugs?"

"Your computer would be safe, other than unencrypted e-mail, assuming you use Agency procedures," replied Robert with a smile.

"Good. So my files would be safe?" asked Ally.

"They should be. The main thing they would get is your unencoded phone calls. That's how they knew you were going up to see the Primus Rep."

"The question remains, how is Bradley involved and is the good congressman also involved in this?" asked Ally.

'I don't know, but we're about to find out."

"You going to bring him in?" asked Ally.

"No, not yet. I'm authorizing an investigation of him. I want to know how a congressional aide is tied to all this. This just got to be a bigger effort, with more challenges."

"Am I still running the Margo side of it?" asked Ally.

Robert nodded. "One more thing, where's your car?"

"In my spot."

"Where was it yesterday?" asked Robert.

"I left it here. Carol and I went to the gym together after work," replied Ally.

"I'm just playing a hunch, but I'm willing to bet that they've bugged your car too. That's why they felt safe to go into your home. I'll have your car scanned, Carol's too."

"Will you leave those in place too?" asked Ally.

"Yes. We'll also move the ones in your office, so you can use your phone and computer," answered Robert. "We should be able to trace them. My guess is that they're using a van. The range on the bug found on the Treasury phone had a short range, less than a mile, depending on interference. They were designed more for stealth than range, they'll be their undoing."

Ally nodded. "Thanks for the update. I want to watch when you interrogate Bradley."

Robert cracked a sly smile. "Promise."

Ally walked over to Steve's office. It was time for an update on the code breaking.

"They're getting closer. Having the names of the six of the teens has been very helpful," explained Steve.

"I have two agents going through Margo's stuff again. So far we haven found anything else. So I hope this is the key."

"If it there then we'll find it," replied Steve confidently.

"I wish I was as optimistic as you," replied Ally.

"Look at it this way; Margo obviously thinks you're dangerous, otherwise she would not go to this great effort to monitor you," stated Steve, as he leaned back in his chair.

"So I should feel honored?" replied Ally.

"That's one way to look at it. I've had a few bounties on my head. I always looked at them as a sign that I was doing my job right."

Ally raised an eyebrow. "You have to tell me those stories some night."

Steve just smiled back.

"I want to thank you for being my friend," said Ally, a hint of tenderness in her voice.

"Thank me? Why?"

Ally let out a sigh. "You have a reputation for being very selective in who you associate with outside of the agency, and well, I am a bit different."

"Oh," interjected Steve with a nod. "In what way?"

Ally smiled. "I just appreciate that you accepted me as a friend."

"Ally, you're a damn good agent. I've seen you operate. You're also a remarkable young woman. I've never seen you any other way. If others want to judge you just on the ordeal that life has dealt you, then they're idiots. I'm honored that you're my friend."

"Thanks."

"Seriously, if you weren't so damned good at your present job I would have recruited you into Spec-Ops," replied Steve. His sincerity was evident, and carried through in every word he said.

"Really?"

Steve nodded. "I don't kid about that."

"Thanks again."

Ally got up and headed back to her office. Steve watched her leave and shook his head. He had overheard the occasional joke or put-down of Ally by others in the Agency. Granted they were becoming fewer and fewer, but there were still bigots around.

He mused to himself " It must be tough for her knowing that there are those working around you who despise you."

Thankfully none were in his department. His agents knew and respected Ally and saw her as one of their own. She had proved herself in the field and that's all that mattered to them.

 

Chapter 19

Ally drove her car home; a bit uneasy knowing that there was a bug under her right front fender. Occasionally she glanced in her rearview mirror to see if she was being followed. It was dark and only headlights were visible. She knew it was silly, as a good agent wouldn't allow themselves to get close enough to be seen by their target.

She had a few errands to run on her way home; first the bakery, and then the drycleaners. Next she stopped at the market to pick up a few things for dinner. As she walked back to her car in the vacant parking lot she heard someone walking up behind her. There was no one else around in the cold dark parking lot.

A man's voice called out "Excuse me, SIR?"

Ally ignored the man and kept walking.

"I said, excuse me SIR, or would you rather me call you Al?" demanded the man.

Ally kept walking towards her car. Her semi-automatic was in its holster on her left hip. She would have to drop her bags and open her coat to get to it.

The man ran up and grabbed her by the right shoulder. It was a violent act and it spun her around. Ally winced in pain, dropping her groceries.

A man in a trench coat was standing in front of her. He was white, with short brown hair. He looked very average. "Oh did that hurt? That's right, that's where that trannie serial killer stabbed you."

Ally instantly knew that she was facing one of the mystery men that were somehow involved in the investigation.

"Now, that shouldn't have hurt. This on the other hand will hurt!" The man fired out a quick jab and hit Ally square in the right shoulder. She felt a sharp wave of pain sweep through her body. The pain forced her to drop to her knees. As she recovered she glared at the man who punched her.

"Ohhh, did that hurt, freak?" asked the man, obviously enjoying the pain he was inflicting on Ally.

"I'm a Federal agent," grimaced Ally as she began to reach inside her coat.

"Hey, hey, I wouldn't do that. You're outnumbered and outgunned," warned the man, waving his finger in front of her. He pointed to a nearby sedan. Inside a man was pointing a silenced handgun at her.

"Only two of you?" asked Ally, as she studied the man in the car. He was only ten feet away.

"For a sissy like you? Two's overkill," replied the man with a sneer. "Get up, that couldn't hurt that bad. Hand me your gun and get inside. We need to talk. If we wanted you dead we'd have killed you already."

"Whatever," whispered Ally to the microphone implanted in her coat. The word was the key to the other agents to move in.

"Come on, get up. No one's coming to your rescue, sissy!"

Ally immediately noticed a small red dot on the chest on the man. She glanced over and saw two more on the man in the car. "Don't be so sure. Don't move a muscle or you will be dead before you hit the ground."

"Oh? Is that a threat?" The man cocked his head to the side and shot a look at his partner. It was then that he saw the red dots. He immediately looked down at his own chest and saw that he too was targeted.

"They're not bluffing and they never miss," stated Ally coldly. "If you want to live, drop the guns, and put your hand slowly up in the air."

It was then that the man in the car noticed that he was targeted and he panicked. He cocked the gun and was about to pull the trigger when he was thrown back violently as a round from a silenced high-powered rifle struck him in the center of his chest. He died instantly.

The man across from Ally watched in horror as his partner bled out. He turned back towards Ally, staring at the barrel of her handgun. Two more agents were stepping out the SUV with their weapons ready to kill him instantly.

"You set us up, you fucking freak!" growled the man, as he was apprehended.

Ally flashed back a smile and nodded. She rotated her right arm and winced slightly in pain.

"You have no idea of who you're fucking with," threatened the man.

Steve walked up and watched as his agents cuffed the man. "That's right. But I have a feeling we're about to find out who you are, and who you're working for."

The man was quickly hustled into a waiting van and driven away. Other agents began to remove the body of the dead man. In less than a minute it was as if nothing had happened.

"You okay?" asked Tom, a member of Spec-Ops, as he helped Ally up.

Ally nodded as she continued to rub her shoulder.

"Still, I want you to have it looked at," added Steve, glancing over at Ally.

"Later. I want to see what that bastard knows," replied Ally.

Thirty minutes later they were sitting in an interrogation room in the agency. The man so far refused to answer any questions. He had no ID. The dead man was also without ID.

Ally stood outside the room next to Steve. "Do you think they were the men who talked to Margo?"

"They could be. We're running prints on both of them."

"He's a cocky bastard," added Ally as she rotated her shoulder.

"True. But I've seen worse," noted Steve. "You stay out here for now."

Ally nodded and watch through the one-way mirror.

Steve walked into the room and sat down across from the man.

"I want to see my lawyer," demanded the man angrily.

"You haven't been arrested," replied Steve in a calm manner.

"Oh, so I suppose that I can just get up and walk out of here then."

Steve grinned slightly. "No, that's not going to happen anytime soon. We're just working up the charges against you. So far we have enough to lock you away for the rest of your life. The courts don't like those who assault then attempt to abduct a Federal Agent."

"Federal Agent? That freak?"

Steve glared at the man, who suddenly realized that his choice of words might have been incorrect.

"Let's start with the easy stuff. What's you're name?"

"Go fuck yourself!" cursed the man in a cocky tone.

Steve nodded calmly. "I see, unusual name you have. Do you like to be called Go, or Mr. Fuck Yourself?"

"I'm not telling you a thing until I have my lawyer here," reiterated the man.

"You see, Go, once lawyers get involved it gets all complicated. Our hands are tied in what we can do. If you were smart you might consider that. You're the small fish. You're really not that important. I want your boss. If you deal with me, you might see the light of day again."

"You don't understand. The people I work for are big time."

"And what do you think we are Mr. Fuck Yourself? No one knows where you are right now."

"I have rights. You have to operate under rules. My boss doesn't!"

"Yes, that's what my boss keeps reminding me about. I keep forgetting that," snapped back Steve. He then smiled threateningly at the man. "Now, Go, do you want to talk?"

The man sat there in silent thought, as if he was contemplating Steve's threats. As Ally watched Tom walked up and handed her a file. She opened it up and read the report. The man in the room was Larry McDonald, age thirty. He had served in the Army for six years and honorable discharged. He had applied unsuccessfully to several law enforcement agencies, and had actually been enrolled in the FBI Academy, but washed out after six weeks. He was presently working for a small private security company called Halberd.

The dead man had also been employed at Halberd. He was Derek Stewart, thirty-two. Like Larry, he had served in the armed forces. He had also applied to CIA. DEA, and FBI. All three agencies had rejected him, along with several police departments.

Ally nodded. "Now we know who we're dealing with." She tapped on the glass.

Steve stood up and walked out without saying a word.

Ally was smiling as she handed him the file. "Here's the file on Go."

Steve grinned back. "You liked that, huh?" He began to read the file.

"Do you know this company?" asked Ally pointing to the Halberd reference.

"I've heard the name. They specialize in protection for executives. They've been moving into counter-industrial espionage," stated Steve. "I've never heard anything bad about them."

"They used to have a branch that dealt with recovery of kidnapped executives," added Tom.

"Wait a minute. Didn't Marcus do that before he was hired by Margo?" asked Ally.

Marcus Castillo had been an employee of Margo and Thomas Simon. He was the one who performed the actual abductions of the teens. Maggie had killed him during the raid on the Simon's farm.

"Hey, you're right. I'll check to see if he also worked for Halberd," stated Tom.

"So we have the connection. My guess is that Marcus maintained connections in Halberd."

"And when Margo was arrested they were brought in to get her out," added Ally.

"Has Howie arrived yet?" asked Steve, referring to Margo's lawyer.

"He's upstairs. He just identified the photographs of Larry and Derek as the two men who he snuck into the prison. We also have confirmation that Derek was the orderly where the Primus rep was killed," answered Tom.

"Good. Tom, when you check out Marco, see if our congressional aide has any connections to Halberd," ordered Steve.

"I'll get right on it boss. How's your shoulder, Ally?" asked Tom.

"Sore, but I think it's okay. Thanks for asking," replied Ally, as she instinctively began to rub it.

Steve turned to Ally. "You're still seeing Doc Oliver. That's not a suggestion, it's an order."

"I will. I'll see him first thing in the morning," replied Ally.

"In case neither of you noticed, it is the first thing in the morning," quipped Tom as he pointed to the clock. It was presently a few minutes past midnight.

"I'll go talk to Larry and see if he's more cooperative," stated Steve.

Steve walked back into the interrogation room. "So Larry, do you have your own lawyer or will Halberd provide one? I doubt you'll want to use Howie Nevin, he's already ID'ed you and Derek as the men he snuck into Margo's prison."

The color went out of Larry's face. It was as if he never expected anyone to find out his identity.

Steve noticed this and went for the kill. "Look, you wannabe, you may think you're some private spy or whatever, but to me you're no better than a rent-a-cop. Did you really think that we wouldn't find out who you were? You've been ID'ed as pretending to be a lawyer. We know that your partner killed Jeffrey Cole. It's just a matter of time until we connect you to the buggings in the Treasury, here, and in several private residences. We have the equipment that you were using to track Agent Burns. We also have you on assault of a Federal Agent, and attempted abduction of the same agent. Add to that interfering with a Federal investigation and you're looking at a lot of time in jail, a lot of time!"

Larry sat there in silence.

"Now, do you want to talk, Larry?"

"I…I can't. They'll get me if I talk to you," replied Larry softly.

"Who? Halberd?"

"No. They didn't know what we were doing," replied Larry.

"Marcus Castillo is dead and Margo Simon is in Prison."

"Marcus had a partner."

"Who?"

"I don't know his name."

"How does a congressional aide to Sterling Layton figure in this?"

Larry didn't seem surprised that Steve knew about Bradley. "I was introduced to him a few months ago."

"And you showed him how to install the bugs?" asked Steve, pleased that Larry was starting to talk.

Larry nodded.

"Who introduced you to him?"

 

"I don't know. I got an e-mail. Marco had set up a system to contact us for a job. We'd get an e-mail requesting information on an object being sold online. The person then sent me instructions to meet with Bradley. It's also the way we were contacted about that fucking weasel Nevin."

"And you never questioned this?" asked Steve.

"No. It was the standard way we got notified of a job. That's also how I was notified about Margo Simon. We'd do the job and money would be deposited in our overseas bank accounts."

"And you've been following her orders ever since?" asked Steve.

Larry nodded. "Can I get some water, please?"

Steve nodded and motioned to Ally. She grabbed a bottle of water and brought it into the room.

Larry lowered his eyes and wouldn't look her in the eye as he took the bottle from her. "Thanks," he mumbled. He wiped the top off with his shirt before taking a sip.

Ally left and sat back in the observation room.

"What's the matter, Larry?"

"How can you stand working with HIM," grumbled Larry, as he took a sip of water. "Fuckin political correctness! I can't believe that I couldn't get in, but they took HIM!"

"Unlike you, Agent Burns is a real agent. I'm honored that she wants to work with me," answered Steve. He then glared at Larry. "By the way, you're very lucky that you didn't seriously hurt her. My team is rather protective of her…. and so am I."

Larry understood the implied threat.

Ally smiled and suddenly realized that she hadn't called Carol. She quickly pulled out her phone and called home. As she waited for Carol to pick up the phone she watched Steve at work.

"By the way, why did you hit her in the right shoulder?" asked Steve.

"I was told that he had been injured there once," replied Larry.

Steve raised an eyebrow. "Who told you that?" he demanded.

"It was in the orders," replied Larry.

Ally watched the unfolding drama as the phone rang.

"Lose your phone?" asked Carol with a laugh.

"Sorry. I'm okay," apologized Ally.

"I heard. Maggie called me earlier. Still, I'm glad to hear your voice. How's your shoulder?" replied Carol.

"It's sore, but don't worry I'm seeing Doc Oliver later this morning. I love you," replied Ally.

"I love you too. See you when you get home."

"I should be leaving soon."

"Be careful driving home."

"I will. I love you."

Inside the interrogation room Steve continued his line of questioning. Ally watched as Steve began to draw more and more information of out Larry.

"Okay, we'll get back to who gave you your orders later. Why Margo Simon?"

"She's an incredibly intelligent woman. She promised that she get us positions worthy of our expertise," replied Larry.

"With Halberd?"

"No, they wouldn't appreciate a woman like Margo."

"Who would?"

Larry's head dropped down. "I…I can't say."

"Sure you can. Let me guess, there's going to be a new security company and you were promised a promotion. But to get the promotion you had to get Margo Simon out of jail. Am I right so far?"

Larry nodded.

"Do you have idea why Margo is in prison?" asked Steve.

"She told me she was framed," replied Larry.

"Framed? That's rich. We caught Margo red-handed, in a matter of speaking," replied Steve, as he glanced over at mirror and winked. "She abducted and sold teens to rich clients. The teens were first mentally and physically transformed to better serve their sexual masters and mistresses."

When Margo Simon had been captured she had been riding a sawhorse with both anal and vagina plugs attached to the top. Maggie "accidentally" knocked her over and the medical techs had to use sedatives to remove the plugs. Ally smiled at Steve's inside joke.

"I…I don't believe you," replied Larry meekly.

"The agent you were trying to abduct is in the middle of an investigation to find some of those teens. If those teens turn up dead, we'll add additional charges to your already lengthy list."

"Abducted teens? No, that's not true. We were trying to get him to tell us what happened to Margo's money."

Steve rolled his eyes. "She conned you. You swallowed her tale, hook, line, and sinker."

"Margo wouldn't do that."

"The person that your partner killed once worked for Margo. He assisted her in the abduction of the teens. His reward? She let her equally disturbed husband physically turn him into a human Barbie doll."

"That freak? Margo said that he was a government informant and had gone undercover to frame her," stated Larry. He wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"She probably would do something similar to you and your deceased buddy."

Steve continued with his interrogation of Larry. They now had enough evidence to bring in Bradley. The question remained; who was the person running the operation?

 

Chapter 20

True to her word, later that morning Ally stopped in to see Dr. Oliver. Her shoulder was still sore and it limited her mobility slightly.

As Doc Oliver examined her, he seemed to know the exact place to press to cause pain.

"You say that he knew exactly where to hit you?" asked Doc Oliver.

Ally nodded. "Yes. His punch was right here." She pointed to the scar on her right shoulder.

"I don't think that there's any permanent damage. It looks like he just irritated the scar tissue. I want you to take it easy and see me again next week," explained Doc Oliver.

"What no sling?" asked Ally innocently.

"Humph! Like you'd wear it in the first place," grumbled the doctor.

Ally smiled. She knew that he really cared about her and all the other agents despite his manner.

"Thanks Doc."

"Get dressed. I'll write you a prescription for pain and another one for anti-inflammation. I insist that you actually take them."

"I will," replied Ally.

Doc smiled slightly. "That damn Steve Williams. His bad influence is rubbing off on you."

Ally smiled.

"Seriously, tell him I appreciate him calling me last night about you," continued Doc Oliver.

"I will." Ally was secretly pleased that Steve had contacted Doc Oliver.

Ally dressed and headed up to see Robert. He was in the middle of reading Steve's report on Larry McDonald.

"What's the diagnosis?" he asked.

"I'll live. So what's next?"

"We've got Bradley Kemper under surveillance. Apparently he doesn't know what happened to Larry and Derek. I'm also paying a visit to Halberd Security this morning. You want to tag along?"

"Absolutely," replied Ally.

After grabbing their coats, they drove to the headquarters of Halberd. It was located just outside Alexandria, Virginia. It was sunny, but cold and Ally shivered slightly in Robert's car.

"The heat will start up in a moment," stated Robert, noticing Ally's discomfort.

"Sorry. I don't think that I'll ever get used to winter," replied Ally. "So who are you going to talk to?"

"I know the president of the company. He was in the FBI and I still consider him a friend. I seriously doubt that his company knew what was going on," explained Robert.

"You sure?"

"Yes. Halberd has a good reputation. However, every organization has bad apples."

"What about Bradley?"

"We're going to monitor him for now. We're building up our case against him. His prints are on your computer and on one of the bugs," replied Robert.

"We still need to find out who the silent partner is."

"Whoever it is, they're very security conscious. He or she apparently doesn't trust any of their workers."

Ally nodded. "What about Larry?"

"He's telling us everything. I honestly don't think he knows who has been giving him his orders. He's not that bright," replied Robert.

"You sure?"

Robert nodded. "That's why he was recruited. Someone saw that he was ambitious and angry, and they took advantage of him."

They arrived at Halberd and were taken up to the office of Scott Jennings.

Scott got up from his desk and greeted Robert and Ally. He was short and stocky, with gray hair. Ally estimated he was in his early fifties. He was dressed in an expensive tailored three-piece-suit.

"Scott, this is agent Ally Burns," introduced Robert.

"Pleased to meet you Agent Burns," replied Scott, unsure of the situation.

"Thank you, Mr. Jennings," replied Ally.

"So what brings you out here today? I don't think this is a social call," stated Scott, as he offered them a seat.

"We had an incident last night with two of your employees. We have Larry McDonald in custody and Derek Stewart is dead."

Scott sat down heavily and appeared to be in shock. He composed himself and spoke to Robert in a calm voice. "Can you tell me what happened?"

Over the next thirty minutes Robert told Scott what Larry and Derek had done. He left out some parts of the investigation regarding Margo Simon. Without asking, Scott called his secretary and requested the personal files for the two men. They were delivered within a few minutes.

"We've had some problems with both of those two. Mainly insubordination. I was hoping that we would work that out of them, I guess I was wrong. Everything has been documented in their files," stated Scott as he handed Robert the folders.

"What can you tell us about Marcus Castillo?" asked Ally. "I believe he worked here a few years ago."

"Professionally, he was excellent. However, he scared the crap out of most of his coworkers. Some of our employees refused to work with him. There were no tears shed when he left," replied Scott, "and fewer shed when we heard he had been killed."

"We think Marcus had a partner. Is there anyone here that was friends with him?" asked Robert.

"No. Wait a minute; he tried to get us to hire a friend of his a few years ago. We did a background check and there were some problems."

"What sort of problems?" asked Ally.

"If I remember right, our investigation turned up some issues involving sex clubs overseas. The man withdrew his application before we had a chance to question him."

"Do you still have the file?" asked Ally. This looked promising, she thought.

Scott nodded and picked up his phone. A few minutes later Ally and Robert were immersed in the file.

The man's name was Antonio Cortez. Born in Alicante, Spain. He joined the French Foreign Legion and served in the same unit as Marcus Castillo. Following his discharge he became a bodyguard. He seemed to specialize in protecting people who walked the tightrope between legitimate and criminal activities. One of his clients ran sex holidays in Asia. The man died mysteriously and Antonio conveniently took over the company. He sold it a year later for a huge profit. To their surprise, Cortez had no criminal record. He was obviously very careful.

"I assume that the company provided their clients with a variety of sexual pleasures, including children," noted Robert.

"That's what I suspected. However, I never had a chance to ask Mr. Cortez about it," replied Scott.

"May we keep this file?" asked Ally.

"Sure," replied Scott.

"Scott, I recommend that you conduct a company sweep of all your electronic equipment," advised Robert.

"Yes, of course," replied Scott. "Let me know if there's anything else I can do."

Robert nodded. "Keep our conversation in here, for now."

"Will do. By the way; neither Larry or Derek were married," replied Scott.

"There will be a press release today that two Halberd employees were in a car crash. One was killed and the other is in critical condition."

"Of course. We'll cooperate completely. Thanks for the heads up, Robert."

Robert nodded. "Larry may end up in protective custody, depending on how cooperative he becomes."

 

"I understand. Do you want access to their offices?" asked Scott.

"Yes. We'll have a team here shortly. They'll be low key and will cause as little disruption as possible," stated Robert.

Scott nodded. "Thanks."

On the way back to the office Robert and Ally talked about their meeting with Scott.

"Looking at their files, both Larry and Derek started working at Halberd while Marcus Castillo was still here," noted Ally as she read the files.

"So, he initially recruited them. I'm very interested in where Mr. Cortez is today," remarked Robert.

"We'll still have to investigate Halberd and Scott Jennings," said Ally.

"I know. However I'm pretty sure that Scott and the rest of his company is clean. That's why it was selected."

 

Chapter 21

By mid-afternoon Cathleen was soon busily digging into Larry and Derek's computers.

"Any trouble getting in?" asked Ally.

Cathleen turned around and shook her head. "Please! I love private security agents; they're so arrogant about their computers. These two numbskulls used access codes so simple a child could have broken in."

"If you find anything related to Marcus Castillo or Antonio Cortez call me immediately. Oh, add to that list Rep Sterling Layton and Bradley Kemper."

"Will do. You did say Sterling Layton?

Ally nodded.

"The congressman?"

Ally nodded again.

"Cool! I've never caught a congressman before."

Ally smiled and headed back to her office. The events of the past couple of days began to take their told on her and she fought off another yawn. It was time for some caffeine and she popped open another can of Diet Coke. She rubbed her sore shoulder and reached for the medication that Doc Oliver gave her. She swallowed two of the pills and went back to work.

A short time later Michelle called her.

"Ally, I've got some interesting information for you. I'll even save you a trip and come up to your world," stated Michelle.

A short time later Michelle stepped into Ally's office.

"What do you have?" asked Ally.

Michelle sat down across from Ally. "Before we start I need to let you know that you look like hell."

Ally nodded. "Thanks. It matches how I feel."

 

"Ally, you can't kill yourself over this case. Get some sleep tonight."

"I'll relax when we get the teens back. We're still looking at a deadline from Margo."

"Well, let me get to Bradley Kemper. He joined Rep. Layton's staff a year ago and quickly moved up into the inner circle. He's presently in charge of fundraising for Sterling's reelection campaign. Surprise, surprise! He's received several large contributions from the private security industry," stated Michelle.

"Was Halberd on the list?"

"Yes, they donated $5,000, along with ten other companies."

"Anything else with Kemper?"

Michelle nodded. "He was previously on the staff of another member of congress."

"Who?" asked Ally.

Michelle showed Ally the name. He had been one of the men arrested in the raid back in October. He had been a three-term congressman, but after failing to be reelected he became a lobbyist.

"Hmm, I guess it be a coincidence, except I don't believe in those. He's previous boss is currently in jail. I wonder if he'd be interested in discussing Bradley?"

"It gets better. I have that list of sex clubs for you. Several are owned by legitimate businesses. It took me time to dig through the cooperate maze, but several are owned by a large cooperation that also owns a small security company."

"What's the name of the company?" asked Ally.

"Aztec. It's based in San Diego. Originally they just protected businessmen dealing with Latin American companies. They've grown to include anti-industrial espionage in manufacturing factories. Another area they deal in is private bodyguards."

"Aztec? Cortez? Come on, that's a little too obvious isn't it?"

Michelle shrugged her shoulders. "I can start a search of Aztec's employees."

"Is Aztec on the list of contributors?" asked Ally.

Michelle checked. "Yes, here they are. They donated $5,000 too."

"Great. I think we'd better go see Robert."

 

(continued)

  

  

  

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