Hidden Agenda - Chapter Three

About an hour later, the room was in an uproar. Alex had called in the entire team to form a plan of action. The pressure of the dwindling time had everyone on edge. This was a one time shot, a tiny window of opportunity. If they screwed this up, Mancerias would be completely untouchable. She sat there, leader of these people, with the stress just building on her. A small hand tapped her on the shoulder and she turned. One of the techs handed her a piece of paper and nodded to her meaningly. She read it silently and her heart jumped.

"No, no, stop. Everyone listen up!" She practically had to shout.

"I've just gotten word that we have found the Russian. She has been identified as Natalia Korsikov."

She let it sink in, as she read the rest of the paper again.

"She's been rumored to have been linked to numerous cartels. Best manager money can buy. And believe me people, Manceria money can definitely afford her. Again, she's super careful. Never been linked, never had proof. CIA has their own case, Jenkins and Roberts, I need you to go as emissaries, work out something with them. I don't want the hassle of stepping on the wrong toes here, I've got enough to deal with."

The two men nodded and left the room silently. Okay, she thought to herself. One step at a time.

"Korsikov's plane is due to land at noon, tomorrow. I want a whole team to intercept her before she comes out of the tunnel. She will be seized and taken out of an employee entrance. By no means are we to cause a scene."

All eyes were on her, waiting for their orders when Nathan spoke up.

"What exactly are we going to do with her? We have nothing to hold her, as you said. We'll lose the whole case on technicality."

Murmurs of agreement were heard around the room.

"I don't care," she shot back hitting her fist on the desk.

"I am sick to death of this family. I am done playing by the rules. If you have a problem with that, there's the door. But if you stay, this will be done my way. I don't care what you have to do, lock her away somewhere until we have what we need. I will catch the Mancerias, and I will not let this opportunity slide."

Chest heaving with anger, her eyes glittered daring anyone to question her actions. Not a soul moved to leave.

"I'm in. I always was." Nathan replied.

"Good."

She walked over to the computer hooked up the screens on the wall, pulling up a large picture of Natalia Korsikov.

"This is the only picture we have of her. It's unknown whether Natalia is an alias, or her real name as we don't have the files. Lets hope CIA is willing to help us out there but let's not expect much.

"I think I know where she's going here-" Nathan cut in, "I assume you're wanting to plant an undercover agent."

"Naturally," she replied with a smile.

The picture was slightly blurry but there was no mistaking she was dangerous. A stunning, strong boned woman, of average height and physically toned. She oozed sex appeal, even from the candid photo. She began the search to find the right agent with the ability to pull this off.

"So, anyone interested? Anna?" She asked the brunette in the back, who looked closely like the photo.

The agent nodded her head, "My Russian is shaky at best, plus I promised the husband I'd spend more time with him and my son."

"Okay that's fine. Naomi? How about you?"

"Sorry boss, my workload is incomprehensible. All my other cases will fall apart if I just drop everything for an undercover assignment."

Damn. She'd known it'd probably come to this.

"Fine, I'll do the assignment myself."

Snickers were heard around the room.

"Yeah, yeah laugh it up. But I don't hear anyone else volunteering," she said grumpily.

Nathan spoke out above the room. Sometimes she wished he would just zip it.

"You know, this requires a bit more... femininity," he joked.

More laughter around the room.

"Enough from the peanut gallery. I've split you into two teams. One will recon the South Bay Port drop tonight while the rest set up the airport op. I want no mistakes. None. Think of everything, we cannot afford mistakes. You let me worry about my transformation into Natalia Korsikov."

The lighthearted joking, she knew, was just good fun. They knew she would do whatever it took to get the job done. It's not that she wasn't feminine, she was just extremely professional. In this field it was hard to be taken seriously, so Alex had made a name for herself as being strictly business, no personal contacts. The closest thing she had to a friend in the Bureau was Nathan. Using the friend term loosely seeing as she was halfway in love with him. That sarcastic bastard.

"How do you plan on starting your switcheroo escapade?"

"Hell, I don't even know." She replied honestly as she turned to face Nathan.

After a moment's pause, he replied, "I do."

His eyes twinkled mischievously.

"Oh yeah?" She asked curiously, turning her eyes to his.

"One word. Shopping."

At the horrified look on her face, he laughed out loud for a minute solid.

Great, she thought. Just great.