[An office, somewhere in Brooklyn]
"John, I need you to do me a favor." Thaddeus Cross III always went straight to the point.
"What kind of favor, Sir?" John was careful never to use Mr. Cross' name over the phone. The line was supposed to be safe, but it was better to be safe than sorry.
"The fiancée of an enemy of mine is in New York City. I want her floating face down in the Hudson before this weekend. This enemy is going be taught a lesson, he'll never forget."
"What's the catch?"
"She's with the FBI, plus she's no push-over."
John hesitated for a moment. "Hitting someone with the 'G' will cost...a lot. What's in it for me?"
"How about the names and current addresses of the five key witnesses in your upcoming RICO trial?"
"If you can get me such a list, I would even knock over the mayor of New York City for you."
"That won't be necessary," Thaddeus smiled, "but I'll get back to you if Mr. Giuliani ever gets in my way..."
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[JFK Airport, New York City]
Emily didn’t feel much like meeting this Cassandra Hollister, whom Martin had found so attractive. Funny how you can really hate someone you’ve never met. Emily tried to shake it off, but failed miserably. Annie was looking at her, trying to figure out what was wrong, but Emily never noticed it. She was too preoccupied with her own thoughts.
After renting two Tauruses, they were off to the New York Field Office. Cody spotted a black van following them for a few miles, but it disappeared after a while. Later it was replaced by a white Lexus. The Lexus was more inconspicuous, so none of the agents noticed it, not even Cody, despite his training as a legionnaire.
The FBI Field Office was located in a large building on Broadway between Duane and Worth Streets. They parked the cars in the underground garage and rode up to the 23rd floor, where Assistant Director Thomas Alexander greeted them. Behind him was very beautiful woman in a white lab coat. AD Alexander introduced her as Dr. Cassandra Hollister. Emily shook her hand and introduced herself as Agent Emily Hanson, Martin Reed?s fiancée. Her voice was colder than ice. Cassandra took an involuntary step back, but then greeted Emily with a smile.
"So you’re Emily," she said, "Martin told me about you, but his description didn’t do you justice. You’re even prettier in real life."
Emily didn’t know how to react. Part of her was flattered that Cassandra found her pretty, but parts of her still hated Cassie’s guts for being so attractive to Martin. She tried to smile back, but managed to make it more look like a frown. Annie decided to put an end to the cold war, so she addressed Cassandra.
"Have you had time to do a more thorough autopsy yet?" she asked.
"I was just on my way down to have another look at the colonel. Perhaps any of you wants to join me?"
Emily was about to say something sarcastic when Miranda interrupted her.
"I’d like to join you, if I may," she said.
"Of course," Cassandra replied and the two of them trotted off.
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