When she graduated from high school, Lauren Keren was best described as asocial, a workaholic, and overly passionate about fairness. Thirty five years later, she was best described by the same three terms. So she never understood why everyone in the federal government liked her so much.
Whatever the reason, though, they definitely did. On average, it took a government minister about a half hour to get from the front gate of the Blue House, through security, up to see the President. That was with an appointment. It took Keren only half as long and that was with everyone she met making pleasant conversation.
Her greeting upon entering the Spherical Office was no different. “Lauren! Why, no one told me you were coming!” Terrus boomed, rising from his desk, a broad smile on his face. “Please, sit down, sit down! What can I do for you? How about a drink?”
The Director of the National Law Enforcement Agency smiled. “No, sir, I’m on duty, I really can’t.” Coming up to the desk, she laid down a folder on top of it. “We’ve identified the killed kidnapper.”
The smile on the President’s face immediately faded as he switched into business mode. “I thought you never would.”
“We thought the same.” The NLEA Director stated, sitting down in one of the chairs facing Terrus’ desk “But we got lucky. One of his finger prints was in the FBO’s system.”
“The FBO?” Terrus asked. “Why was he in the files of the Federal Bureau of Oversight?”
“Apparently, he was an informant on some illegal government activity in the town of Brownwater, state of Blueland.” The NLEA Director stated. “He has held residence there for a number of years. And, most importantly…”
Already reading the file, Terrus cut Keren off. “He’s a Fictionist.”
“Actually, its Fictionologist,” Lauren replied. “They have a church there, as well. And we were able to tie both vehicles to it, once we started looking.”
“So you think she’s being held there?” Terrus asked.
The NLEA Director shrugged. “We don’t know. Its a small town…just a few hundred people…local police force consists of a Sheriff and two deputies. We’ve got a team en route to begin surveillance. We’re working to get warrants to search, bug…the whole works.”
“Alright.” Terrus replied. “Thanks for letting me know. I’ll contact the Loopians.”
The NLEA Director nodded. “Good luck, sir.” With that, she rose, and left.
Taking a deep breath, Terrus reached forward, picked up the red phone on his desk, and hit the button connecting him to Kelssek. After apologizing to a sleepy Alan Kerk, he then hit the next button, connecting him to 1 Infinite Loop.