“I am.”
“Why weren’t we informed that POTUS and FLOTUS were coming tonight? We aren’t set up for their security?”
“It was deemed ‘need to know.’ It was also a…last-minute decision,” the man said, lowering his voice.
“I see.” Ahh, the whims of the President and his wife. “Do you need extra security?” she asked.
“I think the Secret Service is perfectly capable of handling their security,” the man replied.
Murphy didn’t appreciate the smarmy tone of the man, but she didn’t want to push her luck. “If you need anything, let me know.”
She was about to disconnect the conversation but thought she should at least let them know. “Agent Malone, we received actionable intel that the leader of the CLA appears to be making her way toward DC.”
“Why haven’t we heard this?” Agent Malone asked.
“I just found out myself.”
“From whom?”
She paused, trying to figure out how to describe Dr. Hennigan. She went with, “A security agency outside of the US. They wouldn’t explain their methods.”
“Interpol?
“It’s an extra-governmental security agency. Think more like private contractors.”
“Well, until one of our security agencies raises a red flag, I wouldn’t trust those private contractors. They’re always trying to make a name for themselves. And if you want to maintain your career, I suggest you keep that intelligence to yourself. You don’t want to be known as ‘the little girl agent who cried wolf.’”
The patronizing tone in the man’s voice made Murphy want to stalk him down and punch him in the face, but she kept her temper together. “You can do whatever you want with the intelligence. But if I were you, I’d inform the President and his wife.”
“Don’t tell me how to do my job, young lady.” He continued talking, but Murphy switched off the walkie-talkie. She was tempted to go back and join the pot-smoking rocker.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Dr. Hennigan
Her team came in on three different buses. It was easier to separate and enter the grounds that way. She dressed like countless other tourists, planning on being outside in the autumn cool. Thankfully, it wasn’t raining, so she was at least glad she wouldn’t be wet on top of the cold.
“We are approaching the US Botanic Garden,” a voice said over the intercom. “Buses leave from this location every twenty minutes. The last bus will depart approximately two hours after tonight’s concert. I recommend being at the bus stop at least thirty minutes before the last bus to ensure you secure a seat.”
The squealing of the bus’s brakes was followed by the sound of the doors opening as the back part lowered to let someone off in a wheelchair. Hennigan took a deep breath of the evening air as she stepped off. She walked back up the street to the entrance she was using. She wore a long overcoat that concealed several pockets that wouldn’t reveal their contents.
“Have your tickets and driver’s license ready,” a gate attendant said as they formed people into queues to head through security.
She retrieved her driver’s license and the ticket she had purchased online, handing them over to the security agent, who examined the ID then her face. “Name?”
“Phillipa Courtenay,” she said, using her father’s last name.
“Reason for your visit?”
“The concert. I just love ZERO.”
The guard handed her back her ID and kept the printed ticket. Phillipa walked away to head through the metal detectors. She’d already checked that day to see they weren’t using full-body screeners, only magnetometers. She immediately recognized the make and model, so she knew the best way to bypass its security.
She pulled out her phone and made it look like she was answering her phone. “Ms. Wilson, I have a walkthrough TitanScan Metal Detectors Model 3000 in front of me.”
“I understand. Walk with the phone toward the machine. I just need it to detect its signal near the machine for a few seconds.”
Phillipa walked forward. “Please take off your coat and put everything in the bin beside the scanner,” a security officer said.
