Within the first few minutes of meeting in Peterson's office, Tennant decided she was going to like the woman. She was calm, relaxed and much more open to conversation that Jackson had been.
It felt good to be able to talk things out with the DIA supervisor. Originally, Tennant had been strongly against calling into the main line to reach her DIA officer as she thought it included an unnecessary middleman. But as Peterson explained the desired outcome to her, she could understand why, as a supervisor, Peterson had implemented it.
"And I will definitely review OS2 Smith's case file and ensure that you are getting the proper information to help with your investigation. I am sorry you feel that we have been less that forth coming with assistance in the matter."
"Oh no, I'm sure with all the changes in the office, the DIA staff is under stress." The last thing Tennant wanted was to get Whistler in trouble and create more animosity between her and the NCIS staff. "It is just that time is of the essence in these matters."
"I assure you I realize that. I will get on it first thing after this meeting and have DIA Anderson make any necessary adjustments." Peterson started typing into her computer, deciding that her meeting with the NCIS department had concluded.
"DIA Anderson?"
"Correct."
"Ummm," Tennant was trying to decide how to broach the topic in a polite and respectable manner. "I know with any change in command structure there will be changes in the lower levels as well. And I definitely don't want to try to dictate your job and your staff. I was just hoping to appeal…" Tennant paused trying to think of her words carefully, "you see.. mmm…"
"You can just say it, Jane," Peterson told her. "It will take a lot to insult me, I assure you."
"We were really hoping to keep DIA Officer Whistler. We see her as an extended member of our team and she has been an valuable asset to us. I honestly cannot not see us having the success we have had without her. That is, of course, if she is still going to be part of the liaison crew."
Peterson looked back over the Tennant, folding her hand in front of her. For the first time since Tennant had walked in the air of the office turned uncomfortable. "I am very happy to hear that Kate has been such a help to NCIS. Helping agencies close cases is, of course, one of our main goals. And Kate will be continuing to work as a liaison at least for the time being. I would love to honor any request an agency has to match a particular agent in order to keep a congenial working relationship."
Tennant let out a sigh of relief. She was excited to see the back of Anderson.
"Unfortunately," Peterson paused. "Kate and I have had several conversations in the last week and a half. She has requested, and I have already granted her transfer to be the primary DIA Liaison for the CGIS and the Honolulu Police Department. Officer Anderson has already replaced her as your primary."
Tennant was in absolute shock. "She requested a transfer?"
"I may have encouraged her to seek one. She is unaware that I know,". Peterson paused, revisiting her words. "I have been informed of a less than professional relationship between Whistler and one of your agents that didn't exactly end well."
Tennant was surprised, "DIA knows about that."
Peterson raised her eyebrows. "Secrets are our job. We wouldn't be very good at it if we didn't also keep tabs of the one's belonging to our own staff." Tennant should have guessed that DIA would keep tabs on their own agents. They probably had their phones and activities monitored. Their whole lives under scrutiny to avoid another betrayal like Maggie Shaw.
Tennant still tried to appeal, "I assure you, I have known both women for some time now and I have no doubt that both are professional and will have no problem working applicably together in the future. We could really use Whistler on our team."
"I can't say that I am too eager to return her to you. I feel that in terms of her career, Kate would be better off moving on from NCIS and from the position of liaison in general. However, since it will be a while before we have any openings to progress her career in that respect… if you have a discussion with her and mutually decide on her return, I would transfer her back for the time being. As long as I am sure that that would be what Kate wants."
"I would love to speak with her. Whistler seems to be a hard woman to get ahold of these days," Tennant's reply was terse. Her original impression of Peterson had soured. It seemed that the woman had come in guns blazing to make changes before fully grasping what was already established and working.
"Just call the main line and I'm sure one of the secretaries will happily set you up with an appointment."
Tennant couldn't help but react with a bit of an exasperated laugh. "I'm sorry, Kandi but I have been trying to schedule an in person meeting with DIA officer Whistler for nearly a week and have been rebuffed. I assumed it was due to the internal changes of the DIA department but I see now that that was probably an inaccurate assumption on my part."
"Yes… I'll have a word with both the front secretaries and Kate. I'll make sure they make you an appointment in the upcoming days. At this point, however, I will have to ask that you restrict any formal request for information to Anderson or for emergencies after hours to our on call officer."
"Of course," Jane replied. She stood up preparing to leave. "Just one last question. Does that mean that the report we got yesterday was prepared by Anderson and not Whistler?"
Peterson nodded. "Thank would be correct."
Tennant held out her hand. "Thank you again for meeting with me. I do appreciate your time."
"It was my pleasure," came the friendly reply.
As Tennant walked out, she saw Whistler in her office. She was handing Neil Pike and the Senior CGIS Agent Tom Carter a few files. She opened them up to show them different information. Tennant stepped to the side, she was already in the building she decided. No need to check in again and hopefully she could just get a quick word in with Whistler.
"Well, thank you again, Whistler. We really appreciate the information and we are more than delighted to be working with you," Carter said enthusiastically as he shook Whistler's hand.
"As am I," Whistler replied politely. As the men walked away, Whistler shut the door and returned to her desk.
Tennant took a deep breath before she knocked on the officer door. Not waiting for an answer she opened the door and walked in pulling it closed behind her.
"Tennant, this is a surprise," Whistler said, standing up from where she sat behind her desk and straightening her suit nervously.
"Is it?" Tennant asked. "I've been trying to reach you for the past two weeks. I would have assumed that at least one of my many messages through the different official and unofficial channels would have made it to you."
It gave Tennant some satisfaction that Whistler at least had the decency to look slightly ashamed. "I'm sorry," Whistler almost whispered. "But I am no longer the liaison for NCIS."
"As I have JUST been informed." Tennant sat down uninvited in front of Whistler's desk. "Look…. I know things have been slightly awkward over the past month or two, but I do consider you a member of our team and I don't want to lose you."
"Tennant," Whistler began calmly. "With all due respect, I have never been a member of your team nor do I ever foresee myself or any other DIA agent becoming a member of your team. Which is fine, that is not a requirement of the job."
"I disagree with that statement." Tennant replied hotly.
"You continuously disregarded orders from DIA to halt investigations. You tried to hide a CIA operative that I was tasked to bring in. Your office has continuously attempted to manipulate or steal information out of my office."
"We are doing what we deem necessary to bring about justice," Tennant interrupted.
"And I would expect no less from you or your agents. But then you can't act like we have some sort of trust in our working relationship." Whistler sighed, calming herself before she continued, "I recognize now that I am not the best agent to provide you with the necessary information regarding your investigations."
"And I would 100% disagree with that. You are by far the best agent from our perspective."
"Perhaps, but I wasn't speaking in terms of NCSI perspective. I am only concerned for DIA matters and National security. I became too familiar with your agents..."
"With Lucy". Tennant concluded aloud before she could stop herself.
"With ALL your agents.". Whistler took another deep breath. "Yes, I regret my actions with Lucy. From the start to the end. Which again just reiterates that I should not be the DIA liaison for NCIS."
Tennant sat in Whistler's chair for a moment in silence. She finally gathered her thoughts and spoke again. "We are not as efficient without you. I am asking that you please come back to us."
Whistler moved towards the door, holding it open for Tennant. "I'm sorry, but my answer is no."
