TEN

ASHLEY KOHEN GAVE herself plenty of time to find the Albuquerque Field Office on her first day of work. Being late would not be the best way to start a Federal career. When she approached the imposing three-story red brick building on Luecking Parkway, she noticed it sat isolated in a dense network of city life, as if it were an island guarded by a perimeter of neatly trimmed shrubs. A public parking lot and a wide walkway led to large wooden doors intended for use by the public. Around back, Ashley found a fenced and guarded employee parking lot with a sign that read: Warning: Staff Only.

Showing her identification at the gate, she parked and followed other agency workers into the building. A receptionist on the first floor, with a grim expression, directed Ashley to the office of the Special Agent in Charge–the SAC, room 300, top floor.

In keeping with his importance as head of a field office, Ashley expected the outer office of Walter Kent to be large and impressive, instead she entered a small room with six hardback chairs and a gray metal desk backed by a wall of four-drawer file cabinets. All neat, functional, and ordinary. Not ordinary was the young and attractive woman standing behind the desk. Her nameplate read, Ms. Dorothy Hogan–Executive Assistant. Dressed in a tailored pants suit, much like the one Ashley wore, she made a handsome impression. "Good morning, you must be Ashley Kohen, from Quantico."

"Yes, I am. I'm reporting for duty."

Ms. Hogan presented a friendly smile. "First up, we have to get you processed and registered. It won't take long, well, only most of this morning. When finished, please come back here." She smiled again and handed Ashley a sheet of paper with directions of where to go and who to see.

Ashley spent the morning following instructions that would prepare her to become an official member of the Albuquerque Field Office. As if to prove she had joined one of the largest bureaucracies in Federal service, she had to fill out forms asking for information already on file in Washington.

At the Academy she had been issued a semi-automatic 9 mm Glock 17L handgun, and locking holster used during firearms training. Today, at the Quartermaster's Supply Depot, she picked up the rest of the gear assigned to every new agent: an Advanced M26-C Taser gun with three rechargeable cartridges, handcuffs, two leather belts, a shoulder holster, a bulletproof vest, an outer vest and coat with big yellow FBI letters on the back, a field investigators uniform, pepper spray, ammunition clip holders, and a portable two-way radio transmitter with a pin-on-mike.

The man behind the counter suggested she buy a small handgun and ankle holster and always wear it. He explained they were not Government Issue, but all the agents carried one. He gave her a black duffle bag to carry everything. She signed for each item.

At one o'clock, Ashley arrived back at the SAC's office lugging all her stuff in the black bag. Ms. Hogan greeted her with another expression of friendliness. "Be seated, Ms. Kohen, Mr. Kent will be with you shortly."

Ashley perched on the edge of a straight backed chair. There were no magazines or newspapers to read. No ashtrays or any form of office decoration. Smiling photographs of the President, Vice President and the Agency Director hung on the opposite wall. This office had all of the necessities and nothing more.

She waited. Would her associates be friendly like Ms. Hogan or sour like the downstairs receptionist? It didn't matter. I'm here to do a job. That's what this is all about. She heard voices in the SAC's office. He must have an open-door policy.

"You can go in now, Ms. Kohen. Sorry for the wait." Ashley rose, smoothed the front of her navy blue pants suit and thanked Ms. Hogan. She entered the office and was confronted by a stern looking man who motioned her inside, and introduced her to her new boss. "I'd like you to meet Special Agent in Charge, Mr. Walter Kent."

The well-groomed man behind the desk stood and offered his hand. His mouth curved upward slightly. "Good afternoon Ms. Kohen, welcome. This is my assistant, Marcos Ramirez. Have a seat."

Ashley noticed Agent Ramirez ogled her as if he were bidding on prime beef at the farmer's auction. While continuing his appraisal, he pointing to a metal chair. "Sit here, Ms. Kohen."

Kent settled into the chair. "Henry Michael at headquarters had good things to say about you. I'm pleased to have you join our team. Have you found suitable living quarters?"

"Yes, sir. Near the university. Not too far from here. Thank you."

"Well, I'm pleased to hear that. I've arranged office space for you. You will work in the bullpen on open assignment. A free agent for now"

"Free agent, sir?"

"Yes. I'm working on a staffing realignment plan. We'll get you properly placed, don't worry,” he said, “So let's get on with it. To be official, I will swear you in to our Field Office. Marcos, get Ms. Kohen the bible."

"I'm already sworn in, sir. I took my oath at the Academy."

Ramirez handed her a small leather bound book. "We do things our way here, Ms. Kohen. It not a bible. It's the FBI's Manual on Personnel Conduct. Our bible."

Ashley noticed Ramirez continued to admire her figure, his gaze fixed on her breasts. "Yes, I know what you mean. Agent Ramirez," making direct eye contact. "I'm sure you live by these rules of decent conduct all the time. Don't you?"

Walter Kent glanced back and forth between the two sensing some hostility, then began reading the oath administered to every agent new to this office. Ashley stood at attention and responded as needed. When he finished Kent walked around his desk and shook her hand. “Welcome, Agent Kohen.” She felt a wave of emotion come over her, something she didn't expect.

Dorothy Hogan knocked on the open office door, and entered. "Mr. Kent, sorry to interrupt, but you might want to take this call. It's from the Lea County's Sheriff's office in Lovington. It's about an alleged murder there. They want us to investigate. I told them it's not our jurisdiction, but he insists on speaking with you."

"That's okay, Dorothy. Thanks. I'll take it here." Kent turned to Ramirez. "Stay, Mark. I want you to hear this for the record. I'm putting it on speakerphone." He pushed the phone button. "This is Special Agent in Charge Walter Kent."

The hollow sound of the tiny speaker filled the room. "Good morning Mr. Kent, I'm Sergeant Johnny Gallaher of the Lea County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Hargraves asked me to call. We have a situation here and need your help."

"What kind of help do you have in mind, Sergeant?"

"Well, we just got this call about a dead body wrapped in a white linen sheet buried in the middle of nowhere twenty miles from Tatum. The BLM found it earlier this morning and called it in. It's on public land. I thought you ought to know. We aren't prepared to handle something like this, and would like you to investigate."

"Sergeant Gallaher, I appreciate you calling; however, local authorities handle these matters. We are restricted from interfering."

"Yes, sir. Your secretary said as much, but since it's on Federal land, I thought you might want to check it out."

In an effort to get his attention, Ashley leaned over and scratched a quick note, and tentatively pushed it forward. Her face wore an expression of urgency.

Kent peeked at the note. "Hold the phone a minute, sergeant." Switching the speakerphone to mute, he frowned at Ashley. “What’s this about?”

She hesitated, then spoke. “I apologize for this intrusion, sir. I know this is awkward, my first day and all, but I’m alarmed at what the good sergeant is telling you. I think we need to find out more. If invited we could conduct a joint effort."

Irritated, Kent asked, "What are you talking about? This isn't our business."

Ashley continued. "I understand we don't deal in local matters, but I know terrorism is our agency’s first priority."

Puzzled by her forceful response, Kent switched the speaker back on. "Sergeant Gallaher, let me call you back. I have to check something first."

Agent Ramirez stepped forward. "Listen lady, this doesn't concern you. You're new here."

Ashley turned and fixed a glare on Ramirez. "I'm not a lady, Agent Ramirez, as of two weeks ago, I'm a Special Agent of the FBI, and unless you have changed the primary mission of this Bureau, terrorism is our business."

Walter Kent stood and motioned Ramirez to back off, then turned to Ashley. "I'm not sure what to make of you, Ms. Kohen, but I think you’re out of line. Please explain yourself."

Ashley stepped back and tried to remain composed. She knew this didn't look good. The new girl pushing herself in without an invitation. "First, I want to apologize for being abrupt, but I hope you will understand why in a few minutes." She took a deep breath. "May I sit?"

"Of course. We all need to calm down." Kent eyeballed Ramirez.

Ashley began. "In Chicago, as a detective, I dealt with cases that involved narcotics, homicides, and terrorism. I worked on half a dozen cases involving national security, and helped the FBI on two cases that preventing terrorist bombings. I learned a lot about the Muslim culture and their religious practices."

Ramirez interrupted. "What's this have to do with Muslims?" Ashley ignored him.

"As is true of all religions, most Muslims are good, law-abiding citizens and trustworthy members of their faith. Also true, is the fact there are certain rituals obeyed by all Muslims worldwide. One is ceremonial burials that follow a well-established practice. The first rule is to clean the body. The second is to wrap it in white cloth. The finest cloth available to them. It's done throughout the Muslim world."

"You're suggesting the body in a white sheet is connected to a Muslim burial?” Asked Kent.

“No, not a Muslim burial, but a burial by a Muslim."

"I don't understand."

"The third rule is to bury the person in sanctified ground. If the body in Lea County is not buried in ground designated for that purpose. The body is not of the Muslim faith, but was buried by a believer following traditional practices.”

Walter Kent nodded. "I see what you are getting at, Ms. Kohen. I'm not aware of a significant Muslim presence in this state, outside Gallup and Albuquerque. A proper burial most likely would occur in northern New Mexico, not down south."

"Yes. This burial sounds more like hiding a criminal act by a Muslim than a proper interment. With all due respect, I think we should consider Sergeant Gallaher's request to take part in the investigation in Lea County."

Ashley watched Walter Kent lean back in his leather chair and consider the proposal made by his newest member of the staff. "Okay, Agent Kohen, since the Bureau has been asked to take part, I agree we should check into this matter, but only as observers. Normally I would assign an on-scene investigator to assist you, but no one is available right now, and officially you're not investigating anything."

"Yes sir. I understand. I'll do my best, sir."

"I'll call Sergeant Gallaher and tell him you are on your way."

"Do I have your permission to requisition necessary equipment and transport?"

"Of course. See Ms. Hogan for contact information." Kent glanced at Ashley with a hint of skepticism. "You represent Uncle Sam, now, Agent Kohen. Try to stay out of trouble, you hear?"