28. Charlotte
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Charlotte
The FBI was swarming my parents’ property. Agents were speaking into radios, going in and out of the buildings. Taking photos. Cordoning off the dead bodies of the attackers River and Brynn and I had neutralized.
This was not good. But compared to Stillwater trying to kidnap or kill us all?
An agent ushered me and Brynn inside my parents’ house. “Lieutenant Governor, Agent Somerton, please wait in the living room. SAC Stanford will be with you shortly.”
He spoke as if this was now FBI property, and not the home I had grown up in.
“Where’s River Kwon?” I asked. “I want to see him. Now .”
“Mr. Kwon is in custody. I’m sure SAC Stanford will be able to answer your questions. If you’ll excuse me.”
Brynn lifted her chin in acknowledgement. I paced in front of the fireplace.
Dammit, this was such a mess. And yet, it could’ve been so much worse.
River had been vastly outnumbered. Brynn and I had run for the ATV, but we’d heard the sounds of the battle raging behind us. It had been awful running in the opposite direction, knowing that River could’ve used our help.
Instead, he had gotten an entire phalanx of FBI agents. At least he was alive. That much, I had confirmed shortly after the FBI had charged in.
The problem was, there could be corrupt agents here even now. People working for Stillwater. That was exactly the problem, wasn’t it?
I leveled a glare at my friend. “When were you planning to tell me you’d called your FBI colleagues?” I whispered. “Was that before or after you promised we could trust you?”
“It was when you and River were talking to Jud in the garage, and I was very clearly not invited. You’re keeping things from me too. Like the list you and River mentioned? And a key to Jud’s safe deposit box?”
I shushed her, glancing around. “Keep your voice down.”
“I didn’t demand explanations from you yet, and I haven’t mentioned those little details to my boss either. But that trust has to go both ways. Yes, I made contact and let my boss know our location. I had to let them know I was bringing Jud Hale into custody. I also confirmed that River was one hundred percent not the bad guy here. SAC Stanford believes me.”
“Then why is River under arrest?”
“It’s a formality. If my backup hadn’t arrived, River would probably be dead. Like Jud is now.”
I flinched at that reminder. “Do not compare them. River is nothing like Jud.”
“You know what I mean.”
I had left any sympathetic feelings for Jud far behind. But then seeing him gunned down right in front of me…
No, I couldn’t spare any emotion for that man. In the end, River, Brynn, and I had tried to give Jud a chance to make up for what he had done. But it had been too late .
I didn’t want to think about the fact that Jud had been cuffed when he’d died. Defenseless.
And now, River was the one in cuffs.
I pulled her closer. “We don’t know who else in the government is working for Stillwater.” Exactly the reason we’d been trying to stay away from the authorities since the attack on the fundraiser had first begun. Until we had our hands on that list, we remained in the dark.
“I’m telling you, SAC Stanford isn’t one of them,” Brynn insisted.
She straightened, snapping to attention as an older man walked into the living room. He had a stern, dignified air. An FBI windbreaker over his dark suit pants. I had met SAC Stanford before, but I hadn’t worked closely with him. He had a reputation for having a stick up his ass and an obsession with rules. Which, frankly, gave me hope that he’d never accept bribes. Brynn was willing to vouch for him, and that did carry weight with me.
If the man gave me what I wanted, then we wouldn’t have any issues.
“I want to see River.”
Stanford removed his FBI ball cap. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible just yet, Lieutenant Governor. There are questions that need to be answered first.”
“Such as?”
“Such as where you’ve been since the attack on the botanic gardens. Why you, River Kwon, and Jud Hale all wound up at your parents’ house, and Mr. Hale is now lying dead in the driveway.”
“Jud Hale was working for Stillwater. I have his full confession on video, as I’m sure you’ve already heard. Or didn’t Brynn send that to you earlier along with her request for backup?”
I glanced over at my friend, and she shrugged .
“She didn’t send the full video, but the clips I saw were enough. I am on your side, Lieutenant Governor. I want to get to the bottom of this as much as you do.”
“I guarantee you don’t. Because you barely have any idea of the full extent of what’s been going on.”
“Exactly why I’m asking you to enlighten me.”
“I will. After I’ve had a chance to talk to River and confirm that he’s not hurt.”
Stanford crossed his arms, shifting his weight. “You have my word that he’s fine. He had some minor injuries and received treatment from one of our medically trained agents.”
“Forgive me if I’m running low on trust at the moment. I’m not asking you to turn him loose yet. Just let me speak to him. The man is a hero who’s saved my life countless times in the last few days. Not to mention a former Navy SEAL with an exemplary record. If you want, I can get the governor on the phone and turn this into a pissing contest. Or better yet, give an exclusive to the media. Whichever newsroom answers their phone first. I’ll tell them how you’ve besmirched a war hero as a terrorist, blaming him instead of the criminal organization you’ve been denying even exists. I could keep going.”
I stopped talking to catch my breath.
I was bluffing so hard, I could’ve blown down the forest with all this hot air.
But it worked.
Stanford heaved a beleaguered sigh. Then signaled to the agent guarding the doorway. “Take the lieutenant governor to see Mr. Kwon. She can have ten minutes.”
“I want privacy. I’m speaking to him alone, or I won’t cooperate further. You haven’t begun to see my stubbornness.”
Stanford gave Brynn a sardonic glance. “You said the lieutenant governor wouldn’t be too happy to see us. You were right.”
Brynn smiled. “I often am.”
“Ten minutes,” Stanford said again. “Then you and I will talk. You will answer my questions.”
We’ll see about that , I responded silently. But I nodded, eagerly following the other agent out the door.
They had River out in the garage, sitting up against my father’s worktable. Like Jud had been before. He had his ankles crossed casually, hands cuffed in front of him, but otherwise he looked comfortable enough.
Except for the nasty swelling that peeked out from beneath the bandage over his nose.
I made sure the door was closed, and we were alone. They were probably listening right outside, but this was good enough.
I rushed over to River. “What happened? Who did this?” I checked him over, turning his head this way and that.
“A man who is very much dead, thanks to Agent Stanford.”
“So you’re part of the man’s fan club too?”
“Hardly. But I can see you’re on the warpath, and I don’t want you worrying about me.”
“You never do.” I pressed soft kisses to his forehead. Ran my fingers through his hair to smooth it down.
“See? A few kisses from you is the best medicine. I feel much better now.” He grinned at me.
“I was so scared,” I murmured. “I don’t care if the FBI saved our asses. They had better let you free.” I hated to throw the weight of my office around. But the sight of those handcuffs on River had me seething. “I’m not going to let them treat you like this.”
“I appreciate having you as my champion. But there are other things you need to focus on.”
He meant the list of Stillwater moles. And I knew that was the priority. Of course I did. But it still pissed me off.
“It’s going to take a little while for them to let me go,” River said. “The wheels of government bureaucracy have to turn. Stanford probably has to fill out forms in triplicate. Who the hell knows. Meanwhile, Stillwater is out there plotting. We slapped them back today thanks to the FBI, but it’s not enough. You know this, Charlie.”
I sat beside him and snuggled in as close as I could. River lifted his arms and put them around me. “So I’ll have to leave you here after all,” I said. Exactly what I had refused to do earlier. Now, there truly was no other choice. I had to get to Jud’s safe deposit box.
“Yes. Do what we talked about before. Take Brynn with you. Get out of here and get what we need.”
We had been keeping our voices low in case the FBI was listening. Of course they were listening. But they wouldn’t know what we meant.
If Stanford found out what I was planning, though? That list would become official FBI property. Out of our control. I could not let that happen.
“I’ll figure it out,” I promised.
I looked into his eyes. Too many emotions were flooding me. We had waited almost twenty years for this chance to truly know one another. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to him, especially knowing that he was trapped. Regardless of Brynn’s or Stanford’s promises, he was in danger so long as he was in custody, hobbled by cuffs and guards. Vulnerable if a Stillwater agent chose to strike.
“River… ”
He kissed my cheek. “No need to say it now. I’ll see you again soon. A day or two at most, okay Charlie-baby? Then you can tell me whatever you want.”
Reluctantly, I gave him one more kiss. “You’d better stay safe.”
“Right back at you.”
He lifted his arms and rested them back in his lap. Then I forced myself to get up, turn my back on him, and walk away.
I found Brynn waiting for me outside the garage. “Hey, can you talk with me privately? Is that allowed by the All-Powerful SAC Stanford?”
Brynn rolled her eyes, shooing the other nearby agents away. I tugged her further from the buildings and into the woods.
“They’re still watching,” Brynn warned. “And Stanford will ask me to repeat everything you say.”
“I’m sure. But I need you right now, B. I am going to finish this, even if I have to do it on my own. But I hope you’ll help me.”
“That’s what I’ve been doing the whole time.”
I gave her a hug, and whispered in her ear. “Jud had a list of Stillwater’s operatives in the government.”
She inhaled sharply. “No wonder you’re trying to keep that secret.”
“The hard drive is in his safe deposit box. I’m going to get it. Absolutely no one can know, including your boss.”
“All right. What exactly are you planning?”
“A getaway. If you can put the pieces into place for me, I’ll take care of the rest. And one more thing. After I’m gone, promise me you’ll stay near River. Do everything you can to get him released and make sure nobody touches him while he’s in custody.”
River wanted Brynn to come with me, but that wasn’t going to work. How many times had he prioritized my safety over his? This time, it was my turn. I wasn’t leaving him undefended. Stillwater had taken us by surprise when they’d shot Jud. But we probably could’ve taken more precautions.
“I don’t want River out in the open,” I added. “Not for a second. Please .”
Brynn nodded. “I’ll watch out for River. But only if you swear you’ll share the intel with the FBI as soon as you’ve got it. Not so we can take over, but so we can work together.”
“I can’t guarantee that.”
“Charlotte, this is the deal,” she said gently. “Aren’t you politicians all about compromise?”
“There are still gaps in your story,” SAC Stanford complained. “Like how Mr. Kwon realized there was a threat against you in the first place.”
“You’ll have to ask him.”
I resisted the urge to check the clock on my parents’ wall again. I’d been answering Stanford’s questions for about as long as I could stand it.
Well, answering the parts I felt like explaining.
I’d told Brynn I would give her an hour. But I was getting impatient.
Stanford looked down at the notepad he’d been scribbling on. “Now, you said that you and Mr. Kwon stayed at a cabin. But you have no idea where this cabin is located. Is that right?”
“Yep.”
“Nor could you remember exactly when you arrived at that cabin or when you left.” The special agent made no effort to conceal his skepticism. I couldn’t blame the guy. I was being difficult. “Any recollection of what happened at the cabin? ”
Oh, I remembered that part. Vividly. “I stayed in bed, mostly. Resting.”
“Are you sure you weren’t in contact with anyone else before that? No one else helped you?”
“Not that I can recall.”
He lifted a bushy eyebrow. “You’re not testifying in front of Congress, Lieutenant Governor. I need you to be forthright because lives could be at stake if what you’ve told us about Stillwater is to be believed.”
I rubbed my eyes. I didn’t have to feign my exhaustion. “I realize that. But it might help if you let me take a break. I need a shower and a change of clothes. A hot meal. Or is that not allowed? I thought this was my parents’ house, but you seem to have taken it over. Agents are breathing down my neck even when I try to go to the bathroom.”
He sat back in his chair. “You’ll stop bullshitting me if I agree to a break? Because right now, it seems like you’re giving me the runaround.”
“Guess we’ll just have to see.”
“I guess we will. I have the feeling you’re someone who usually gets what she wants. Fine, we’ll play this your way.” Stanford chuckled and grabbed his notepad. “But if you don’t start talking to me after this little break of yours, then I’ll be the one calling and complaining to the governor.”
Stanford dismissed me, and I made a beeline for the stairs. I had an agent babysitter on my heels. But when I got to my parents’ room, I closed the door in her face. “I’m showering,” I said. “Be right out.”
But instead of going to my parents’ bathroom, I went to the window overlooking the side of the house.
No agents in sight. Perfect.
I shoved open the window and stepped carefully onto the roof of the porch, moving as gingerly as possible so I didn’t alert anyone downstairs. I’d asked Brynn to make sure this side of the house was clear. But I had to assume that agents were moving around. Doing whatever it was they were doing. I would have to be quick.
From the porch roof, I stretched my arms toward the nearest tree. Once I had a firm grasp of a couple of branches, I jumped, clinging to the trunk. The branches rustled. I froze, waiting for someone to realize I was escaping. But no one had heard.
From there, I jumped into the next tree and managed to shimmy down, winding up with splinters all over my clothes and pine needles in my hair.
I was way too old for this.
But at least I was down on the ground.
The ATV was uphill, just where I had asked Brynn to leave it. Beneath a tree scarred by lightning. Brynn had also left my pack with the satphone, some supplies, and a handgun. Too bad I couldn’t take my bow and the hunting arrows, but that wasn’t very practical in reality.
Most importantly, the front pocket of my pack held the key to Jud’s safe deposit box. I took a deep breath when I saw that. My friend had come through. Just as I should’ve trusted she would.
Thank you, Brynn. I’ll owe you one.
I started up the engine and got the hell out of there before anyone could stop me.
Two hours later, I was parked beneath the shade of a cliff. Waiting.
My head drooped as I nodded off, resting my forearms against the ATV’s handlebars. The sun was setting, and I’d been fighting off exhaustion for a while.
Then I heard an engine and snapped upright .
A truck stopped on the side of the road, though I couldn’t see it from my hiding place. A car door opened.
“Charlie?” a deep voice asked. “You here?”
“I’m here!” I jumped off the ATV, grabbed my pack, and ran through the trees.
Trace Novo stood on the embankment with his thumbs hooked into his jeans pockets. His tanned face and sun-bleached hair looked just like his image on the screen the other day. But his smile was far bigger.
“There you are.” Trace held out his hand, bending to help me up the embankment.
“I am really glad to see you. Thank you so much.”
“Not a problem. Anything for a friend of River’s.”
Trace took my pack and opened the passenger side door for me. The moment I was sitting in the oversized seat, I slumped with relief. I’d decided not to ride the ATV back to the 4Runner, opting instead for a shortcut to meet Trace as quickly as possible just off the nearest main highway. River’s plan had been solid. But mine was better.
Trace came around the other side and climbed in. “I thought something might be up. The FBI suddenly withdrew from Hartley a few hours ago, taking their watchers with them. Convenient for us, since there were no agents left to follow me when you called. So River’s gotten himself arrested?”
I hadn’t had the chance to explain everything on the satphone. “He’s with the FBI. I didn’t want to leave him, but I had to.”
“I’m sure he’ll be fine.” Trace put the truck in gear and pulled away, glancing over at me. “You said something on the phone about going to Silver Ridge. No offense, but you look pretty worn out. River will get pissy if I don’t take care of you, and so will my wife. Sure you don’t want to head back to Hartley first? Get some rest and good food? I’ll find you a secure spot if you’re worried the FBI or Stillwater will come looking for you.”
He had no clue how tempting that sounded. I was a grimy mess and barely keeping my eyes open. But thoughts of River kept me going. “This is almost finished. I have to see it through to the end. You know?”
The sooner I had that list in my hands, the sooner I could breathe easier. And hopefully, know that River was safe.
“I do understand how that is. Most definitely.” Trace grinned, skin crinkling around his eyes. “I’m at your service, Lieutenant Governor. Let’s go get this done.”