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Like most law enforcement officers, active or retired, Steveken studied people. For better or worse he'd developed the habit of sizing them up in short order. Occasionally, though, he'd meet someone who really piqued his curiosity. As he and Rudin descended the stairs, he thought the congressman might be one of those people.
Steveken reclaimed his weapon from the Capitol Hill police and went outside to catch up. Rudin was already halfway up the block standing impatiently, gesturing for Steveken to hurry. Steveken started toward him and to his irritation, Rudin began to walk again. He quickened the pace and two blocks later he pulled up alongside the congressman from Connecticut. Steveken caught up and asked, "Where are we going?"
"Coffee. There's a little place up the street a ways." A half minute later Rudin said, "I don't like talking in my office."
"Yeah, you said that." Steveken had decided he was going to have to jerk Rudin's chain a bit.
"Its those bastards out at Langley. I don't trust them a bit."
Steveken couldn't believe what he was hearing. He knew the CIA was capable of doing some pretty bizarre stuff, but there was no way they were stupid enough to bug a congressman's office. Steveken looked over both shoulders. "It must really freak you out to talk like this out in the open."
Rudin looked around. "Why?"
"Directional microphones. They can pick up everything we say, even whispers."
Rudin mumbled a few things and then pointed ahead saying, "The coffee place is up here. Just past Second Street. "They traveled the rest of the way in silence.
Rudin entered the shop first and approached the counter. A young white woman with dreadlocks and a pierced nose paid little attention to the congressman as he ordered an extra large cup of French Roast. In deference to his bladder Steveken ordered a small cup. Rudin's coffee arrived first. He grabbed his cup and went and sat at a table near the back. Steveken noted that he'd made no effort to pay for his coffee. Steveken gave the woman three dollars and told her to keep the change. He joined the congressman at the table and took off his trench coat.
He gave Rudin a chance to thank him and when he didn't, Steveken said, "You're welcome."
"Huh?"
"For the cup of coffee."
"Oh, yeah thanks." Rudin clutched the tall cup with his bony hands and took a sip. "Hank says you're very good at what you do." Steveken said nothing. He just stared at Rudin.
"We don't have much time," said the congressman. "Kennedy starts her confirmation hearing tomorrow."
"What is it that you're looking for?"
"Are you familiar with congressional oversight in terms of the intelligence community?"
"Somewhat."
"Well, Thomas Stansfield, thank God that bastard is finally dead, he didn't much believe i
n congressional oversight. He tried to keep us in the dark as much as possible, especially when it came to covert operations."
"And what does this have to do with Kennedy?"
"She's one and the same. She's the female version of Stansfield."
"I've heard she's pretty sharp." Steveken blew on his coffee.
"Oh God," grimaced Rudin. "Don't tell me you believe that."
"So what are you telling me? That she's stupid?"
"No, she's not stupid. She's far from stupid."
"So she's pretty sharp."
"I suppose, but that has nothing to do with this. The bottom line is that the CIA needs to be reined in, and the best chance we have of doing it is right now. Before she becomes entrenched."
"What proof do you have that she's broken the law?"
Rudin looked like he was about to jump out of his own skin. "I don't have any, you idiot. That's why I'm talking to you. You supposed to get me the proof."