Chapter 48
During his thirty-minute commute in the back of a black limo, equipped with both an armed driver and a shotgun guard with antennas in his ears and an arsenal around his waist, Keefe had skimmed the morning newspapers, some in print, others online.
The story was on fire. Hints of a government cover-up were already being tossed about online.
“Who’s behind it?” Keefe asked as he fell into his chair and looked at Dexter Maceas and Eddie Lofton, who grunted and said, “I’m sure it’s the one and only Cully Pratt.
He’s very good at manipulating the press.
So far we’ve found at least eight stories in the past decade or so, most of them in The Guardian, most of them by Alistair Bacon, in which Pratt is profiled for pulling off another sensational legal victory. It appears to be a tag-team.”
“And the Journal reporter?”
“One Amy Rowe. She did her homework a few months back and discovered the story, then we leaned on the Journal. By the way, Jock Buchanan is quite livid about the matter.”
“And I’m supposed to be worried about Jock’s feelings? Dexter?”
“It’s viral, on steroids. And it’s not going away anytime soon.
This will be a long day and an even longer weekend.
It’s out of control and there’s no way to stop it.
We contacted the three families last night and recommended they lock the doors and unplug the phones.
They’re really upset. Fritz Tanner in particular got hot and reminded us that he wanted to go public months ago.
Now it smells like a cover-up, and he said he might go public himself and blast all of us.
These people are fragile and frightened. ”
“Understood, but they are not priorities right now. Our priority is the safety of the three men, and that’s been thrown into the great unknown.
I spoke to the vice president last night, by phone.
The chief is in Tokyo. The veep says they’re taking a hard line and the U.S.
will not negotiate with terrorists. Period. ”
A long silence followed. If given the authority, Keefe and company would pay the ransom, secure the release of the three, then swear up and down that the mighty United States does not negotiate with terrorists.
What the VP refused to discuss was the real possibility that an execution could take place and the world would see it.
But the first conversation always led to a second, then many more.
At some point very soon, Keefe would sit down in the Oval Office with the president and discuss realities.
Keefe asked, “How’s the Russo Honeymoon Project coming along?”
Lofton replied, “On track. The wedding is in early December, then off to Paris. Both bride and groom are being prepared, just a few more sessions. It’s still a long shot but the possibilities are interesting.”
“Nothing but a long shot,” Keefe sort of mumbled. He had never been thrilled with the idea, but had nonetheless approved it because there were few other options. “Ms. Russo doesn’t know about the ransom demand, right?”
“No, and she doesn’t need to know. She is focused on getting married and living happily ever after—that is, if her husband survives her little operation. Wanna go to the wedding?”
“I’m busy that day. Let’s meet in an hour and assess the damage.”
—
Rae Claire sat at her breakfast table, sipping tea and nibbling mindlessly on a piece of dry toast as she watched the headlines on her laptop.
She was surprised the story had remained hidden for so long.
She had heard rumors of reporters digging around D.C.
and pestering friends of Chelsea and Paul Tanner.
But public or not, she could only watch from a distance.
It didn’t affect her operation. She would be married in a month to a man she didn’t love and would soon discard.
He was not particularly good-looking, but then she had never been considered a beauty.
He had a great body, though she had yet to see all of it.
Would that ever happen? At the moment she was not sexually active and kept telling herself she was fine with celibacy.
But there were moments when she felt a twinge of temptation.
Okay, more than a twinge. She had never been one for an overnight romp, but the closer she got to her wedding the more she thought about his body. What was wrong with having a go now?
Back to the morning’s headlines. The wave of publicity that was just beginning only added pressure to their operation. The obvious fear was of retaliation by the kidnappers. They had demanded a blackout, and now that it was being shattered, how would they react?
No one knew.
An email from Nyall Leblanc, her case officer and “handler,” startled her. It was only ten minutes after seven.
An hour later she was being hustled and escorted through the maze of hallways and elevators at Langley.
The office suites, floors, and doors were unmarked and all looked the same.
She was lost and overwhelmed but the two officious gentlemen with her were not.
They finally led her to the big office and she was greeted at the door by Trevor Keefe himself.
“Thanks for coming on such short notice,” he said as warmly as possible. He jerked his head at the two escorts and they vanished.
Thanks for coming. As if I had a choice. “No problem at all,” she said.
They sat on opposite sides of his desk as he began, “Just wanted to check in. You’re watching the news like the rest of the world. Things are all set with the wedding and your first husband?”
“Yes. The wedding and honeymoon are on track. Got an invitation for you if you’d like to make an appearance.”
He forced a smile. “Thanks, but I can’t do weddings. Had enough of my own. Look, I want your insight. What will this publicity do for the operation?”
She shook her head as if she wasn’t sure.
“I don’t know. We assume this gang wanted silence so the flow of tourists to Paris would not be disrupted, but I never bought that.
As you know, there have been several bloody attacks on westerners in Paris in recent years, I mean blood in the streets and dead bodies. ”
“Yes.”
“And the American tourists keep going. Over four million last year. I don’t see how this story can frighten anyone, especially honeymooners.”
“I tend to agree. Would you like coffee?”
“No thanks. I’ve had enough.”
Another smile, a tad warmer. “We appreciate the sacrifice, Rae Claire, I want you to know that. It’s asking a lot, to sacrifice a marriage and a divorce.”
“It was my idea, sir. I’m ready for action.”
“And your groom? The reports are rather glowing.”
“He’s looking forward to it. He’s trained hard, sir. A few more hours at The Farm and he’ll be ready to join the agency.”
“Just don’t let him get hurt.”