THE MISFIT UNIT: 13) THE J. EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING
My Saturday Evening Post: A Serial Novel of Intrigue & Lunacy
The Hoover Building in Washington, D.C. is the only place in the world where Jeff Dalkin is not mistaken for Bruce Willis. Most employees, especially ten-year veterans, know exactly who Dalkin is—and know enough to steer clear of him. Any association with the curse-spewing ex-special agent—so goes the myth—means immediate demotion. And Dalkin likes it that way. In fact, he helped spread this rumor himself.
So, whenever Dalkin appears at the Badge Room, where all visitors must sign in and await an escort, the whispering begins, preceded by a hush. Those who must interact with Dalkin, do so at their own peril. Because for Dalkin, just having to be present at the bunker-like concrete building with suits around him is enough to warrant the unleashing of Grade A Tourettic outbursts.
The big black woman who looks at all badge-seekers as potential terrorists does not even stand a chance.
"Big boobs," says Dalkin when she asks his name.
"Excuse me?" he said.
"Big boobs bouncing over my blowtorch."
"Oh, I remember you," she says, picking up a phone. "You'z that foul-mouthed fool who thinks you'z Bruce Willis."
Dalkin smirks.
"Got any ID?" she demands.
"Fat ass on my face."
"Oh, that's real cute. Keep it up and I'll sue your ass."
"I’m already getting sued,” says Dalkin. "Take a number." He produces his California driver's license.
The receptionist does more than just note Dalkin's likeness on the license; she jots down his address. "I'm gonna tell the sisters where you live."
"Yeah, tell 'em they can take turns licking my…”
"That's it." She throws the license at Dalkin. "I'm calling security."
"Call the Easter Bunny if you want."
The big woman huffs and puffs, and Dalkin sits in a chair to wait for an escort. Two visitors sitting next to him get up and move.
When Cloverland's secretary appears to vouch for Dalkin, the big woman refuses to hand over a badge, and an argument ensues over who is in control of such procedures.
Ten minutes later, Dalkin finally prevails, making it to R. James Cloverland's office.
The assistant director for national security, having learned of the commotion downstairs, is already sorry he'd summoned Dalkin to headquarters. "Can't you go anywhere without insulting people?"
Dalkin shakes his head. "Sorry, boss—Nazi schwinehund, blow-a-fart up-your-nose."
"I had my boss blowing farts up my nose yesterday. All because of you."
"Hey, none of this was my idea," says Dalkin. "I'm just doing what you wanted."
“Allowing that maverick Brit to return to London?"
"I didn't actually allow that Brit go to London. I actually ordered him there."
"For God's sake, why?"
"We're on a mission, to get the goods on Zudex. Our raw intelligence comes from our Brit—from his special source. It was only when he actually started delving into the Red Mafia-SVR overlap though his special source that Thornington actually got his ass kicked out of MI5. He insists there's a Russian mole inside MI5. And I'm starting to believe him."
"Who the fuck cares what you believe? Your mission—and it's going to be brief, very brief—is Zudex. What the hell does a possible mole in MI5 have to do with Zudex?"
"Think about it," says Dalkin. "If, that is, they still allow freedom of thought in the Hoover building."
"Why don't you just explain it to me."
"Okay, I will," says Dalkin. "Before Thornington came to us, he was working on the Red Mafia-SVR overlap. That's how we knew about Zudex—mostly through his special source, who his superiors at MI5 did not want to believe. So of course I'd like to see those files. Because if the special source was right about Zudex then..."
"Then nothing," said Cloverland. "Your mission ends with Zudex. Or in two weeks, whichever comes first, by order of the Director.”
“As I was saying, if the special source was right about Zudex, it means Zudex is connected to a lot of other Russian entities," says Dalkin. "More Red Mafia-SVR overlaps. That's actually why I want the files. But the files were destroyed. Add it up, Jim. This Brit’s superiors get rid of him when he buys into this special source, a source that turns out to be highly credible. Then someone, apparently his division chief, destroys the files. Thornington is actually onto something. There is a Russian mole—a high-level one—at MI5."
"Like I said,” snaps Cloverland. “Not your business.”
"Sure it is. If there's a mole tipping off Moscow, I can actually use that to our advantage handling Zudex. But I had to be certain Thornington was actually right about this. And now I'm certain."
"So what?"
Dalkin shakes his head, incredulous. "This is good stuff. At what point in your career did you actually get your nuts neutered? Actually?"
"Two weeks," says Cloverland. "You've got two weeks. No, your time is running out. You've actually—shit, it is contagious—you’ve actually got one week and six days. And that's the Director talking, not me." Cloverland pauses. "Oh, and I've got a new recruit for your unit. The way your unit was supposed to operate, which, in fact, means non-operate. And good luck." Cloverland chuckles to himself, savoring his revenge. "She's a militant feminist. And where's that other maverick of yours?"
"Serafina?"
"Yeah, the CIA prick."
"Dunno." Dalkin shrugs. "I let him take a vacation."