The Backup Asset

…74

Alex bypassed the line for the public TSA screening and went toward the gate reserved for flight crews and traveling law enforcement. That was her only option, if she wanted to travel anywhere with her weapon.

She presented her FBI credentials to the TSA officer, then she proceeded through the gate, and walked right out of there staring intently at the TSA officer who had just waved her through.

“Is there something wrong, miss?” the man asked, surprised by her intent gaze.

“N — no, nothing,” she said. She pulled her cell phone and dialed Weber’s number, walking away from the checkpoint.

“Miss? You forgot your bag.”

“Shit,” she mumbled, then grabbed it and walked away just as Weber picked up the call.

“Hey, Jeremy, it’s me.”

“Hey, you,” he replied. “Ready to go home?”

“Yeah. Just cleared TSA, which made me think we should ask them if they see sandwiches or any other food go by.”

“Right,” he said, “good point. I’ll get right on that. Safe travels, Ms. Hoffmann.”

“Thanks. Oh, and by the way, I hated working with you. So you know, Agent Weber,” she said, smiling widely. “You’re good people, Weber.”

“You, too. Hey, could you just hold on for a sec, I have another call coming in.”

He put her on hold before she could answer. There wasn’t really anything much left to be said, anyway.

“Hey, you still there?” Weber’s voice sounded grave and urgent as he picked up the call again.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“Smolin’s gone. Escaped, vanished.”

“Oh, crap, how the hell did that happen? When?”

“He left the Naval Medical Center in an ambulance, headed who knows where. Left two people down in this wake. “

She suddenly halted her brisk walk toward the gate and did a 180, running in the opposite direction.

“Weber, listen, I think I know exactly where he’s going.”

“Another hunch?”

“He’s going to church.”

“To pray?” Weber sounded incredulous.

“Nope… to seek assistance,” she said, panting a little from her jog. “I’ve been wondering how they communicate, how they organize without ever being seen or noticed. Ethnic churches are the best way possible. Even judges resent issuing surveillance warrants for churches. It’s the perfect hiding place. There’s a Russian Orthodox Church nearby; I’m going there right now. I’m only minutes away.”

“Don’t engage him until we get there. You hear me?”

“Yeah, sure,” she replied, almost chuckling, then hung up and hailed a cab.