Chapter 26: Guilty by Association
The next week was a blur of rehearsals and meetings. As the Agency worked through decoding the files from Germaine's safe deposit box, they were finding more and more evidence in the case against LaSalle. He'd been at the turn coat business for 10 years, ever since he'd left the international scene and moved back to the states. Apparently it had been his retirement plan. Internal Affairs was on the hot seat, particularly Allen Hanson, for ignoring evidence that had pointed to LaSalle in the past. By Tuesday, Hanson had been suspended by the Agency brass and Casey Case was put in place as Interim Chief of Internal Affairs, and charged with sorting the whole mess out. Casey was in his element, and though he complained incessantly about being put in charge, Nancy could tell that he was really quite proud of being identified out of the ranks as the one IA Agent with enough integrity and fortitude to see the group through the difficult period ahead.
It was now Wednesday, and Nancy was entering her third meeting at the CIA that week with some trepidation. It had become obvious, throughout the questioning, that they were looking to implicate her Uncle with LaSalle, and it was starting to get frustrating answering the same questions over and over.
This meeting was with the upper level directors of the Agency, and Nancy smiled at Casey, who sat at the end of the table, and was the least senior manager present. He smiled back encouragingly. The questioning started out the same as usual, and Nancy answered succinctly as they methodically took her through the events of the last week, again.
"So, your Uncle asked you to look into this to clear Phillipe LaSalle. Was he upset when he realized that you had instead convicted him irrevocably?" Nancy couldn't remember the name of the man asking the question. She'd had different people asking the same questions for three days, and they were all beginning to look the same.
"Obviously, he was disturbed to find out that a man he considered a colleague and friend was guilty," Nancy said matter-of-factly, "If that's what you mean by upset, then I suppose he was."
The man who had asked the question snorted, "General Hunt Stockwell has no friends," he said derisively.
Nancy pursed her lips, she was tired of the innuendos, "Hunt Stockwell is quite careful about who he calls a friend, perhaps that is why you don't realize that he has any," she said quietly, "He was no more involved in the Columbian Cartel incident than Caswell. He didn't know the network to disclose it, and he wouldn't have given up the lives of three loyal and well-trusted Abel agents for all the money in the world. If you think so, than it is obvious that you do not know the man."
The man smiled at Nancy condescendingly, "With all due respect, Ms. Murdock, you may be blinded by your love for your Uncle. He has often been an opportunist, and we believe that this is a case in point. We've had several dealings with him over the years . . ."
Nancy's eyes flashed in anger as she stood, "Well, if you've already made up your mind, then I don't know why I'm here, again," she said fiercely, "I for one don't think that Hunt Stockwell is in any different position than you gentlemen sitting at this table today. LaSalle duped you just like he duped my Uncle. Perhaps you should consider that had my Uncle not gotten me involved you might still have your heads . . . ," Nancy took a deep breath and reconsidered her words, "you might still be unaware of LaSalle's culpability in so many incidents over the years. Incidents which you yourselves had investigated and closed as solved. It never is a good idea to shoot the messenger, gentlemen. Much too often the messenger is the ally."
As she moved around the table, the man who had been doing most of the questioning stood, "Where do you think you're going, young lady?"
Nancy stopped and looked him squarely in the eye. Though she was only 5'4", she could be quite imposing, particularly when she was angry, "I'm quite finished here. If you have any further questions, you can make an appointment with my secretary. Good day, gentlemen."
The room erupted in talk as Nancy walked out. Casey caught her arm at the door, "Stop by my office, I want to talk to you," he said quietly.
Nancy smiled thinly, "I'll see you there in a few minutes."
Casey walked in, a broad smile on his face, "You really set them in their place," he said in satisfaction, "I've been telling them that they're barking up the wrong tree. They'd just like to discredit the man who is currently being perceived as having set this whole mess in motion."
Nancy was slumped in a chair, her hand absently rubbing her belly, which was starting to do visible acrobats as the twins started reacting to their mother's adrenalin rush, "I'm sick of this Casey," she said wearily, "I'm through. I know you tried to tell me what I was getting into when this started, but I don't really think I was prepared."
Casey smiled at her in understanding, "You're doin' fine, kiddo. Just stand your ground like you did today. I honestly don't think they can touch your Uncle anyway. They haven't got any proof, and they are beginning to realize they can't turn you against him."
"Thanks, Casey," Nancy said sincerely, "What did you need, anyways?"
"Well, I figured it was time I took you out for that lunch I promised you. Besides, there's someone that wants to meet you."
Nancy smiled gratefully, "Lunch would be wonderful - I'm starving! Do you mind if I call a friend and invite her along? I owe her a rundown on recent events anyway."
Casey smiled knowingly, "Yea, give Tam a call. We owe her, too."