Art Jeffries

Art Jeffries is the main protagonist in Mercury Rising. He is an FBI Agent, who goes on the run to protect 9 year old autistic boy Simon Lynch from corrupt NSA agent Nicholas Kudrow who is also ranked as Lieutenant Colonel in the military His real name is Arthur David Jeffries III. He was working undercover assignment infiltrating radical 's militia group in the town bank of, and striking operational Supervisor & A-SAC , Art was removed from undercover duty and placed on 'rookie' assignments by his boss,  SAC. Mostly he was upset that messed up the operation and the agents let a kid die who was in the field. He was scared that he would have gotten fired, but he didn't. He was doing rookie assignment and no longer do undercover work. He was demoted to surveillance work. He was called by his friend and partner Tommy Jordan who helped him to keep his job from Lomax. Tommy asked Art, about a missing a nine-year old boy who disappeared his parents were killed by an assassin. Art has excellent detective skills and figure out the kid is still in the house. Mostly Chicago P.D. is called it Murder-Suicide since they think the boys father killed his mother and himself. By Art doesn't by it, because the gun he is carrying cost 1500 dollars. This guy is a blue-collar worker, you don't get a gun like that in his salary and I hardly doubt you can get it in the black market. Art found the kid, his name is Simon Lynch he is nine years old. Simon was totally frightened and shocked and we find out he is autistic. It is a communication disorder, where he has trouble expressing feelings and emotions. But he is savant, he solved a government code in a Geeks Puzzle magazine. They bring him to the hospital, the nurse told Art about Simon's condition and I hardly doubt you can ask him questions. Art figure the guy who killed Simon's parents is back. Art took Simon out of the hospital and protect him. The reason why they're after Simon because he cracked a top secret super code in a geek's puzzle magazine, NSA Agent Nicholas Kudrow who is corrupted agent send in assassins to kill him. But luckily Art intercepted him and protected the kid himself. He is willing to go outside the law to find Simon's killer. His friend Tommy helped him out, but he will keep low profile since the FBI thinks Jeffries went rogue. Jeffries doesn't trust anyone, who might be corrupted. Simon and Art went back to the house in the morning and reenact the scene of the crime, how Simon parents were killed. It was the geeks puzzle magazine, that Simon figure out the government code and called the number. Art took it from here and made arrangements Dean Crandell to meet him in the Wrigley Building. He had to email him where to find him to talk. Art and Simon found the email in the library and meet him in the Wrigley building. They both made friends with Stacey Siebring and Art ask her to watch Simon for a minute. Crandell explained why Simon's life in danger and his boss is a corrupt NSA agent who wants Simon dead for cracking the top secret code. Before Crandall was going to tell Art who is boss is, but he was killed in plain sight by the same assassin that was hired by Crandall's boss. Leo who worked with Dean and his best friend typed in a letter that their boss Nicholas Kudrow a corrupt NSA agent killed Simon's parents. He typed in carbon paper that is untraceable and has his finger prints on it. He was going to deliver it to Jeffries, but it was too late. Art who made friends with Stacey and told him he was an FBI agent and Simon life is in danger. Leo's girlfriend saw his body and decide to send the letter Jeffries herself, he called Art's friend Tommy. She met Art and gave him the letter who is the mastermind behind this and this letter will have enough proof to put Kudrow behind bars. Art decide to see Kudrow for a minute and ask Tommy to put Simon witness protection. Art gives him 24 hours to call off the manhunt on Simon and tell the papers that his government was cracked by a nine year old autistic boy or he sends the letter to senate oversight committee that can put Kudrow behind bars. Art knows Kudrow is bluffing and he will give in Jeffries demands. Kudrow visited the FBI building played Art and Tommy's boss,  Kudrow turn the tables on Jeffries by using his authority and the fact that Jordan arranged the Witness Protection under false pretenses. He plans to have the NSA take over the protection for the meeting location. After Kudrow leaves, Jordan shows the evidence to Lomax and despite his initial doubts, Jordan confirms that the fingerprint markings on it were Pedranski's, now fully validating the evidence against Kudrow. Jeffries, with Jordan and a small FBI task force's help, sets a trap at the meeting spot. During the battle, Jordan protects Stacey, and the FBI team takes on Burrell, who is killed, trying to escape, when the windows blow out slashing his face open. Jeffries and Kudrow fight on the roof during which Simon walks to the edge of the roof and grabs Kudrow's gun, giving it to Jeffries and allowing him to take control as Jordan and the team come in. In a last-ditch effort to get his victim back, Kudrow grabs Simon, is shot at point blank range by Jeffries, and subsequently falls to his death over the edge of the building. The case is over, Art is cleared on any wrongdoing and keeps his job as an undercover agent. Stacey drove Art to meet Simon at his new school and Simon is happy with his new foster parents that took him in. Simon owes Art his life and embrace him as his FBI agent friend.