'My superior had his office fried ' McCaskey said.
'We were very sorry to hear that.'
'I'll pass that along when I see Paul. Meanwhile, I want to discuss the attack with the senator.'
'In what context? And by what authority do you come here and even make a demand like that?'
'Section 611 of the NCMC Operational Code,' McCaskey replied. 'I quote, 'If an ongoing operation is impeded by a tactical strike, the NCMC has the responsibility and the authority to investigate the person or persons who were a target of said operation.' Said operation is the investigation into the murder of William Wilson. Said target is Senator Orr. As the chief law enforcement officer for Op-Center, it is my duty to speak with him.'
'From the start, Mr. McCaskey, I have believed this investigation to be politics, not police work,' Kat said. Her gaze shifted from the former FBI officer to Rodgers. 'General, you are still this man's superior. Would you, perhaps, suggest a less inconvenient and obvious avenue of harassment?'
'That is not what this is about,' McCaskey insisted.
'No, not to you,' Kat replied. 'I believe you are an earnest man, a knight being moved on a chess board, convinced of his virtue but blind to the end game This whole thing, first the death of Wilson and now the attack on Op-Center, is clearly being hung on the senator by someone who does not want him to become president. That is what this is about. Hey, why don't you interview Lucy O'Connor? Her journalistic career is going to benefit a great deal from all of this.'
'Ms. Lockley, I don't think I'm the one who needs a reality check '
'Hold on, Darrell,' Rodgers said.
'No, Mike. Someone hit us. I have the obligation and the right to question people who may have knowledge of the event.'
'William Wilson was a guest at the senator's party!' Kat exclaimed.
'That is the extent of his involvement with this situation!'
'Wilson was a guest just hours before he was murdered by someone who understood covert operations. That makes Admiral Link a suspect and throws a shadow on Senator Orr,' McCaskey said. 'Ms. Lockley, I cannot make it any more concise than that.'
'You'll have to,' Kat replied. 'The senator has made it clear that he will not see you.'
'Darrell, why don't you let me handle this?' Rodgers said.
'Handle what? The investigation or getting me in to see the senator?'
'There is nothing to handle,' Kat said. 'This is a non-starter, Mr.
McCaskey. The interview is not going to happen.' She turned to go.
'Ms. Lockley, I am prepared to ask our attorney to seek a writ of mandamus. That will order Senator Orr to make himself available,'
McCaskey said. 'If the writ is granted, and it will be, the senator will not be permitted to leave the District of Columbia until I see him.'
'We have attorneys, too,' Kat said over her shoulder.
'Darrell, I said I'll take care of this,' Rodgers told him.
'Really? If you had helped before, we might have nailed the perps before Op-Center was tagged.'
Rodgers moved McCaskey toward a corner, away from the receptionist.
'That isn't fair,' the general said.
'Like hell. You were off licking your thorny paw because Paul Hood hurt your feelings.'
'Darrell, you're stressed. This is battle fatigue talking '
