I'd already sealed off this portion of the facility-even if Merle and his followers came knocking, they'd never find this part. Maye looked uncomfortable at being locked inside what now appeared to be a shallow cave, but I was ready to take her out of those confines.
"Ready?" I asked.
"More than ready," Maye studied her boots.
"We're gone."
* * *
Notes-Colonel Hunter
"We're good," I said, flopping onto a chair in Shaw's new office. That was code between us-Leo would understand that what remained of the Program had just arrived in Anchorage.
Shaw nodded-he'd gotten the message from Corinne, just as I had. It amazed me that she could insert the words straight into our heads, when we were as telepathic as two stumps.
I just wished we could send messages back. Even with the phones she'd given us, I worried that Askins and the others were watching us too closely. It made me want to visit Alaska, just to dodge that scrutiny.
I'd be followed, so that was out of the question. Instead, Laci was attempting to settle into her life again in the Capital's shadow, while Shaw and I worried about our charges.
"Want lunch?" Leo rose and nodded to me.
"Yeah. What sounds good?"
"Philly cheese steaks?"
"Sure."
* * *
Corinne
It was breakfast time, where we were. Auggie and Leo were about to have lunch. They were about to have company.
Disguised company.
We looked like a group of middle managers from a nearby office building as we wandered into The Sandwich Line, a popular lunch destination in Silver Spring.
Leo, we're here, I sent. Long, communal tables were scattered throughout the small shop, which served hot and cold sandwiches. Nick's guarding the table at the back-he's wearing the gray suit coat.
I watched as Leo nudged Auggie as they stood in line, waiting to order.
Cabbage, what are you getting? I don't see anything on the menu you might want, Rafe informed me. We now stood at the back of the line, but it was moving efficiently. Names would be called whenever an order was ready, so all we had to do was order for Nick and ourselves, then sit down to wait. I'll have a toasted sub with everything except meat on it, I responded to Rafe's question.
"How the hell?" Auggie stared at us as we took seats across the table. He and Leo saw us as we were-I found I could manage that. Everybody else saw men in suits.
"Anybody trying to listen will only get the conversation around us," I shrugged.
"How's the place in Anchorage?"
"I feel like I'm in a Bonanza episode," Opal said.
"Logs. Big logs," Nick grinned. "I like it."
"You would," Maye frowned at him.
"I need you hooked up," Auggie said to me. "I want updates on what Askins is plotting, or what he knows. You can tell me that, I assume."
"I can tell you that-as much as I can see in him," I said.
"Good. You're sure those phones we have can't be compromised?"
"Yes."
"Good. I'll start sending stuff to you. Feel free to let me know what you think-in the same way you set up lunch."
"I can do that," I said. "Are Nelda and Ray still watching Laci?"
"Yes. They're on the job," Auggie said. "We both feel better about that."
"I want to know if Askins ever leaves town," Rafe said. "Are we prepared to follow him? Are his calls monitored?"
"Matt is working on both those things," Auggie said. "We just can't be seen together very often, you understand."
"I'll be watching to see if any politicians start making a stir about running for the White House," I said.
"Are you saying that this one could already be in office?" Leo breathed.
"It makes sense," I shrugged. "Somebody doesn't run for the Presidency after appearing from nowhere. Auggie, can you get me photographs of all Members of Congress, Governors and big city mayors?"
"I'll do that," James said.
"Current photographs, James," I turned to him.
"Why are you asking for current photographs, now?" Leo was curious.
"Because I want to know whether our enemy is now wearing a disguise and posing as a legitimately-elected politician. I won't know that from an old photograph."
"Holy, fucking hell," Auggie muttered.
"In fact, make sure all photographs sent to me from now on are current. If he's hiding behind somebody else's face, I want to know."
"Anything new on the fifteen?" Opal asked.
"No new sightings, but that could change. We have people-and dogs-in the Juneau area, but so far, nothing has turned up," Auggie replied. "Tracks end in water, that kind of thing."
"So, other than looking at politicians, our hands are tied," Maye huffed.
"For now. We have to lead them to believe you're dead," Leo pointed out. "Don't forget you're all in danger if they learn otherwise."
* * *
Merle Askins' Office
"Sir." A tablet was set in front of the CIA Director.
"Hunter and Shaw went to lunch?" Askins watched the video.
"You asked that they be followed-this is all we have."
"Look at that jerk in the gray suit at the end," Askins snickered. "Bet they're sorry they didn't get their sandwiches to go. Shaw and Hunter are just sitting there, grimacing while the idiots at their table are laughing and joking."
"Want to retain these images?" Askins' assistant asked.
"Hell no. Don't bring me more of the same, either. If it doesn't look useful, trash it."
"I will, sir."
* * *
Corinne
"Home again, home again." I studied the kitchen after we landed in it. A shopping trip to the grocery store was in order-I'd brought what we had from the facility, but supplies had run low before we left. I'd also traded appliances-the ones in our new home weren't up to my (or Rafe's) standards.
"Want to make a list?" Rafe asked, pulling the phone I'd given him out of a pocket.
"Yeah. Put milk and bread on there first."
* * *
"How did you create a bank account for all of us with our new IDs?" Rafe asked as we browsed the produce aisle later.
"It was easy," I shrugged. "I didn't want Auggie connected to anything like that-we could be found out. I had the money stashed in a private account, which I don't care to name, so I just created accounts for all of us. Everybody gets a credit card to match their ID, which is connected to their new bank accounts. End of story."
"Under what pseudonym?" Rafe demanded quietly.
"Not under a pseudonym. Under a Swiss bank account, registered to Harriett Majors, which only I and my husband knew about," I snapped. "I pulled the money out and redistributed it. Congratulations-you now have a million or two at your disposal."
"What about the others?"
"They only have a few hundred thousand to spend. I love you the most," I shook a bunch of celery at him.
He rubbed his forehead, but I didn't miss the slight curl at the edge of his mouth. "Are you going to beat me with that celery or will it go into the soup tonight?" he dropped his hand and grinned.
"Soup," I said.
"Very good. Onions next on the list, cabbage."
The Range Rover we'd inherited with the log cabin was filled with groceries when we got back. Grateful that there'd been a freezer in the garage for extra storage, we unpacked with help from Nick and Opal.
Although it was made of logs, the house looked as if a wealthy family had built and owned it at one time-it had five bedrooms, an entry, living area, media room, large kitchen with pantry, and six bathrooms. It also had several fireplaces and two wood burning stoves-in case the power went off, I suppose.
We now owned it-utilizing James' technical expertise, I'd bought it, Range Rover included, from someone looking to leave Alaska before cold weather set in.
Still, we needed at least one more vehicle. "Who wants to buy another truck?"
I asked, once all the groceries were put away.
"I wouldn't mind," James grinned.
"I'll come with you," Nick offered.
"Get something useful," I called out as they headed for the back door and the Range Rover.
"They'll come home with a Corvette," Rafe said.
"I sure hope not," I said. "It'll be snowed over until spring if they do that."
* * *
"Another sighting-different ones, this time," James handed a tablet to me while Rafe and I cooked dinner later. He and Nick had come back earlier with a four-wheel-drive SUV, which warranted a hug for James. I might have hugged Nick, too, but Ilya was watching.
"There isn't a single thing on the planet-even in mythology-that looks like that one," I sighed, pointing to one of the creatures. To me, it looked as if a giant capybara mated with an alligator. The head and long tail-all alligator. In between-capybara.
The whole animal stood around five feet tall at the shoulders and looked meaner than a rattlesnake. Its partner was smaller and looked more like the other one's dinner.
"What the hell are they doing-out for walkies?" Nick asked, peering over my shoulder.
"I think they're still trying to draw us out, testing whether Auggie was telling the truth," I said. "Any damage?"
"Nothing reported," James said. "The tabloids are going crazy with this, and I gotta tell you, some of them may be closer to the truth than most people believe."
"Any finger pointing at the President?" Opal asked after joining the crowd.
"Not yet. I figure it's only a matter of time."
"Where, this time?"
"Outside Sitka," James said.
"That means they're definitely in Alaska somewhere," Rafe wiped his hands on a kitchen towel before lifting the tablet from my fingers.
"We can't go after them-for obvious reasons," Maye said.
Opal lifted an eyebrow at Nick, who shrugged.
"How long will it be, you think, before they begin to believe we're really dead?" James pointed his question at Rafe.
"If it were me, I'd wait at least a month and place as much temptation to draw them out as I possibly could."
"What sort of temptation, honey?" I asked.
"I don't want to frighten you," he said, setting his hands on my shoulders.
"More people are going to die, aren't they?" I whispered.
"It's likely," he said.
* * *
"Cabbage, wake up, my love."
"Huh? What's wrong?"
I was still trying to get used to the hours the sun kept in Anchorage. I knew something was wrong, just from Ilya's voice.
After wrapping me in a robe, he herded me toward the media room, where the others were already gathered, watching the early morning news.
"To recap," the D.C. journalist announced, "The White House and the Secretary of Defense have been tied to an experimental program, which went terribly wrong. Classified documents were passed to a New York Gazette reporter, who published the story this morning. There has been no comment from the President on these allegations, and the Secretary of Defense has refused requests for an interview."
"Three guesses who released those documents," Maye huffed.
"The photographs taken recently of those survivors from Montana were printed with the article in the newspaper," James said. "Only they're not labeled as such. The whole thing is listed as experiments on animals that went wrong. They're saying the animals escaped and could be dangerous."
"And it gets better," I mumbled. "How is Askins going to dance away from that? He was in charge of that part."
"He may have photographs of us at the Nevada facility," James hung his head. "From the security cameras they have, there."
"So we get tied to that shit while he stays squeaky clean?" I snapped. Yes, I needed coffee. And sunshine. I had no idea how quickly I'd get either.
"We're dead, remember. I wonder what they'll say about that? You notice nothing was said about human experiments, instigated by former President Phillips."
"Are they expecting us to prove the lie by coming out and defending ourselves?" Nick asked. "To spell out why we were in Nevada to begin with?"
"This is completely fucked up," Opal sighed.
"Auggie will be forced to resign," I said. "Because all this is top secret. He can't say what all of us are or can do, or what the Program really is. Merle Askins is a dick, and he's using the usual scare tactics to freak out the population. They'll expect monsters under beds and in closets. For real."
"All they'll have to do is hand over photographs of DB," Nick said. "And then say they don't know where he is, now. Which is true."
"Better yet, they only have to produce photographs of DB in the Bering Strait, and everybody will go batshit," Opal said.
"You know, that's probably what they're letting the others out for," Maye observed. "They're looking for signs of DB."
"Too bad he doesn't look like a dolphin," Opal offered.
"Too bad they all don't look like dolphins," Nick agreed. "Everybody loves dolphins."
"Maybe Merle Askins should be a dolphin. I'd like him better that way," I said. "By the way, who all knows where Richard Farrell and the facility staff are? What I really mean is-are they in danger because of this?"
"I'm not sure anyone else knows," James began.
"Right. If he's using a phone or e-mail, somebody knows," Maye snapped. That threw me back for a moment-Maye liked Richard. Since I'd shut off reading those around me, I hadn't realized that, yet.
"Maybe we should get you there-in disguise," I said.
"What?" At least three people threw that question at me, all of whom were not Maye.
"Hey, nobody will know it's her," I said, attempting to defend myself.
"Colonel Hunter will object," James began.
"Colonel Hunter is in enough hot water," I said. "Richard Farrell may need somebody who can kick ass," I added. "If Merle Askins is looking for DB, too, what are the odds he's looking for Dr. Farrell first?"
"We should consult with Colonel Hunter," Maye said. I could see the hope in her eyes, however, and had no desire to kill it.
"I have an idea," Nick said. "Why don't you disguise him and bring him here? Let one of his guards take his place."
"That may be a death sentence," Rafe pointed out.
"At least they'll be alert to the fact that they're in danger," Maye said. "They can request more troops-that's standard and has nothing to do with us."
"Let me think about this," I held up a hand. After all, I'd be involved if we went forward with that idea.
"Cori, I know you can send him a mental message-you've done that before," Nick turned to me. "At least let him know he may be in danger."
"I can do that much," I agreed. "Richard is more than trustworthy, and I'd pull him away from there now, if I thought I could get away with it."
* * *
Dr. Richard Farrell
Private Journal
"The sighting turned out to be a whale," the radio crackled at my elbow.
"Understood," I held the button down to reply. "Keep looking in the area."
"Yes, sir."
I released the button with a sigh. I sat in the back office in a small building in Wales, Alaska, wondering how things had come to this. I'd gotten word from Leo Shaw that information on the supposed animal experimentation done by the Program had been leaked to the media.
A photograph of the team sent to the facility in Nevada to investigate the disappearance of the creatures was included in a follow-up article, which clearly showed me as a member of that group.
Oddly enough, none of those stationed at the Nevada facility were shown anywhere. Clearly, the public now believed that the Secretary of Defense, a noted scientist and several others were involved in this illicit experimentation.
I wanted to laugh, but the situation was far too serious.
I wondered, too, who would come looking for me first-the media or the enemy.
Ou
r research facility was spare and rough-only a few comforts had been hurriedly provided as it hadn't been used in several years. The personnel I had with me were more accustomed to assisting with research rather than carrying rifles and guarding anyone.
Richard? Corinne's voice floated into my mind. We think you're in danger. I know you're alone right now-I just wanted to give you a heads up to lock the door-I'll be there in two minutes.
My sudden movement sent the metal chair scraping across the bare, concrete floor as I slid off it. The lock was forced shut as quickly as I could manage it.
* * *
Corinne
I couldn't convince Ilya that I would be fine going alone, so he went with me. Richard was waiting for us when we arrived.
"What can we do?" Richard asked the moment we materialized inside his tiny office.
"Isn't this below your pay grade?" I looked around me-there was nothing comfortable about this place, including his office chair.
"Scientists are often the last ones considered where comfort is concerned," Richard offered a smile. "Tell me there's a way you can get me out of here without causing a fuss."
"I have a way, but you may not like it," I said.
Actually, the Ukrainian mountain had suggested it, and the idea was a sound one.
"What's that?"
"You're about to have a heart attack," I shrugged. "A small plane will arrive to carry you out of here to a hospital. Sadly, you won't make it. You'll be dead like the rest of us."
"Not in the literal sense, I hope." His words were dry.
"I hope not, too. Rafe says he can fly the plane, so we'll be your disguised medical personnel."
"What about the body-when you get me to a hospital?"
"I'll take care of it," I said.
"When?"
"How about before dinner? Say-seven or so?"
"Sure."
* * *
Notes-Colonel Hunter
If Corinne hadn't sent a mental message, I'd believe what I was watching on television. Dr. Richard Farrell, the scientist everybody was currently vilifying in the media, was dead of a heart attack, according to physicians in Nome, Alaska.
He'd been flown from Wales to Nome for treatment after suffering the attack, and was now dead.
Cloud Dust Page 13