Agent Taylor led the way down a hallway to another room, while Agent Brunner brought up the rear. In this room Mark was told to remove everything from his pockets and any jewelry. Mark sighed, but followed the directions, removing his change, keys, and wallet first and placed them on the table. He then removed his watch and finally the medallion from his neck; he looked at it briefly before placing it on the table.
Mark was ushered through another door; inside he was told to strip. He glared at the agents but he slowly complied. He was handed a cotton jumpsuit to put on.
Well at least they skipped the cavity search and the finger printing.
Mark was then ushered down another long hallway, to an elevator down several floors, another hallway, through several locked doors and finally to a solitary cell. It was a six by six foot cement block cell with a solid door except for the small observation window with a sliding panel so a guard could look into the cell without entering. A single cot bolted to the wall and floor covered with a thin mattress and a blanket, along with a small sink and toilet, were the only contents of the cell. Mark paused at the door, his stomach butterflies again kicked into high gear.
Hold it together, Marky boy, don't let them see that you're shook, act as if nothing bothers you.
Mark took a hesitant step into the cell, and then he got himself under control and walked in several, turned and looked at the agents with a calm blank face, his body language again cold and rigid.
Both agents realized they were probably not gaining any ground, and closed the door of the cell. Mark flinched slightly as the cell door banged closed, he heard the key in the lock and then latch slam home. Agent Brunner reached up and slid closed the small panel, effectively covering the small window in the door. Mark took a deep calming breath and slowly let it out. Looking around the cell, he sat down on the cot.
Okay, now you got yourself here, just stay calm and Hardcastle and Frank are gonna get you out as soon as they can. And believe me, I wouldn't want to be these FBI agents when Hardcase gets a hold of them, they'll probably end up pushin' paper in the mail room.
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"Judge Milton C. Hardcastle and Lieutenant Frank Harper are here to see Agent Brunner and Mr. Mark McCormick, now! You have kept us waiting for hours," spat Hardcastle through his clenched teeth, to the pasty faced, under-aged agent behind three inches bullet proof glass at front the desk. After approximately five or six hours of making them wait after showing proper identification and making them sign in, Hardcastle realized that this agent was stalling for time. "Agent? What's your name, sir?" Hardcastle asked politely in his gruffest tone.
"Anderson, sir," the agent supplied reluctantly.
"Well, Agent Anderson, I can tell you right now that if I have to wait another five minutes, I will be making a phone call to a Jurisdictional Judge . . . and I guarantee they are going to be extremely upset with anyone in the Bureau that has been the cause of these difficulties that we are having," Hardcastle added with a frozen smile.
Agent Anderson suddenly looked as though he was becoming ill. He nervously picked up the telephone and in stuttering gibberish he explained that a judge and a police lieutenant were here to see Agent Brunner and Mr. Mark McCormick now. He didn't like the response he evidently received as he raised his voice and shouted 'now or the judge will be prosecuting someone and it isn't going to be me.' Slamming the phone down, Agent Anderson motioned for Hardcastle and Frank to enter through a door for which he activated a buzzer to disengage the lock. After they entered through the door, the agent gave them directions to the elevator and told them what floor to exit on.
Judge Hardcastle and Frank Harper made their way through the building to the floor young Agent Anderson had directed them to. Finding the first available agent, Hardcastle again introduced themselves and repeated the same threat he had given young Agent Anderson; quickly they were directed to Agent Brunner's office. Knocking on the open door, they both entered his office. Agent Brunner looked up from his computer as Judge Hardcastle started explaining the legality rules of interrogation, as well as the punishments for failure to properly execute said rules, in a harsh authoritative tone. Agent Brunner's face quickly shone with a sheen of sweat.
"Judge Hardcastle, I am just following my orders, as I was when I took Mr. McCormick into custody," he stammered.
"Then I would suggest that you introduce me to the person or persons who are making these decisions, before you get caught in the middle of something that might just end your career," he advised.
Agent Brunner guided them to the far end of the hallway, knocking on a closed door. A voice beckoned them into the room. Pushing past Brunner to enter the room, Hardcastle appraised the man within.
"Well, well, Special Agent Morris, I believe," Judge Hardcastle spat with contempt, "I thought you were busted down already for your unethical behavior."
Oh great, Hardcase, Hardcastle, this just keeps getting better and better. I think I'm about to find out if the rumors I've heard are true.
"I want to see Mark McCormick now or you might be looking at the inside of a jail cell yourself."
"He's fine, Judge Hardcastle; we were only trying to get him to answer a few questions."
"I want to be taken to him, NOW!" Hardcastle yelled.
Special Agent Morris led them down to the solitary holding cells, and opened the one in which Mark sat.
Hardcastle pushed past Morris and entered the cell quickly; Mark sat on the cot with his back up against the wall, his feet on the edge of the cot, his head rested on his arms that were crossed on top of his knees. Mark had heard the rattle of the key in the lock, the lock disengage, and the door opening. He slowly raised his head to see Hardcastle standing in front of him; he smiled. "What took you so long?" he asked, his words dripping with sarcasm.
I knew he'd get me out; I just had to keep calm and wait, why is it I'm always the one waiting on him, anyway? Okay, Mark, two more points for our team, now let's see if I can put this game in the bag.
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