“One of the many perks of the job,” Harper said. “Even if the candidate in question thinks he can do better without us.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“Will that be all?”
Leopold took a step closer to the desk. “We’ll need to borrow a few of your agents. While the President is off site, I’m sure you can spare them. We’re a two-man team, so we need the extra eyes.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Quite the opposite.”
“Melendez made his choice to use an outside security team. That’s his right. But it doesn’t mean we have to hold his hand every step of the way.”
“It does, actually. Jack Melendez is entitled to his own protection, but he’s also entitled to reasonable attention from the Secret Service.” He leaned on the desk. “If you’re feeling a little over-stretched, I’m sure we can find someone else to ease your burden. I can make a few calls.” He smiled again. “It shouldn’t take long; Senator Baldwin is an old friend.”
“Are you threatening me, Blake?”
“Me, threaten a federal agent? Of course not. I’m just offering my help, for the greater good of course. We’ve got to put this nation’s security above our own personal issues, Agent Harper. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Harper folded her hands. “You have my permission to tour the building and I’ll make sure copies of the reports are sent to you. I can spare two agents, no more. You’ll have them tonight, but I’ll need them at their posts tomorrow morning. After the speeches, Melendez can have an escort to the airport. That’s all I can offer you.”
“See, that wasn’t so hard.” Leopold heard Johnson shuffle uncomfortably behind him. “Now, where should we start?”
“Officer Johnson can escort you to the auditorium. I’ll call down and have them let you in.”
“Excellent.”
Harper opened up her laptop. “Now get the hell out of my office.”
***
“That went well,” Jerome said, as they took the elevator down to the lower floors. “Maybe you should call the director of the FBI next, throw a few insults his way.”
Leopold laughed. “Richard Ward and I go way back. He can give as good as he gets, believe me.”
“How about we try a different approach next time,” Johnson said, as the elevator slowed to a halt and the doors opened. “Otherwise I’m going to end up getting it in the neck if Harper complains.”
“I’ll do my best,” said Leopold, stepping out into the hallway. “Let’s run the sweep and get back to the hotel. Our guests will be arriving soon.” The auditorium doors were up ahead, heavy double doors. Locked. Leopold knocked. Someone opened up; a man dressed in a dark suit.
“This is a restricted area, sir.”
“Harper call down?” Leopold said.
“Your name please, sir.”
“Leopold Blake. Melendez security detail.” He held up his ID pass, printed out at the hotel. The Agent studied it carefully.
“You armed?”
Leopold tilted his head at Jerome. “He is.”
“You’ll have to surrender your weapon once the President arrives, if you want to be anywhere near. You can register it with us later. Come in.” He pushed open the doors and stepped to the side. “We ran the usual sweep for explosives, poisons, fox holes.”
“I’m sure you won’t mind us taking a quick look. Protocol.”
The agent nodded. “Do what you need to do. Just be quick.”
Jerome set to work. He checked the podiums and flags for chemical residue, scanned for explosives and RF signals. Next came the closets and equipment rooms, which he inspected for hidden weapons or other contraband. Johnson hung around near the doors while Leopold discussed exit routes and ingress points with the agent before scoping out the balconies for hidden lines of sight to the speaker floor. After thirty minutes of careful searching, Jerome gave the all clear.
“If something should happen and Melendez is put at risk, do you have an evac plan in place?” the agent asked.
“We have two unmarked vehicles in the garage, parked near the exit,” Leopold explained. “Evacuation should take less than two minutes from his hotel suite, and even less from here.”
“What vehicles?”
“Escalades. I’ll have the license plate details sent over. Melendez is coming by chartered aircraft, in and out of Boeing Field. Anything goes wrong, that’s where we’ll take him. Better to get him in the air and out of town if something happens.”
“There’s a scheduled protest demonstration this weekend. Traffic might be a nightmare.”