Attracted to Fire

by DiAnn Mills

  If Erin was involved with Burnette, she could have recruited a couple of her Marine buddies to help. If only Ash trusted Warrington. Then the right people could dig deeper.

  Meghan stood at the helicopter pad, her heart beating nearly as fast as the whirling blades. Lindsay stood between her and Bob. She could almost feel her protectee’s reservations. It amazed Meghan that a wise man like the president hadn’t seen through Burnette. She prayed the hours ahead brought the president to the realization of what the VP had done.

  Meghan and Ash had pieced enough together to know the death of Kyle Burnette and foreign policy were at the root of the situation. Speaker of the House Randolph could be involved—another chess piece, as Ash would say.

  If the president failed to accept Lindsay’s story and the proof from Meghan and Ash, this meeting had the potential of ruining her and Ash’s career or even getting them killed. Worse yet, if this failed, Lindsay and her parents could be assassinated.

  The president exited the helicopter and shook Ash’s hand. The moment he glanced at Lindsay, she was in his arms. Meghan wondered how long it had been since the two had embraced. Father and daughter sobbed.

  A few moments later, the president and Lindsay, arm in arm, strolled toward the house.

  He kissed the top of her head. “My girl, my beautiful girl.”

  Meghan clothed herself in professionalism and prayed the reunion stayed intact.

  Lindsay gazed into her father’s face. “Thank you so much for coming. I can only imagine your schedule.”

  “This worked out fine. I have an excellent staff, and they know how to get in touch with me.” He scanned the ranch, probably thinking of the last time he’d made this trek under much different circumstances.

  “I wish you could stay a few days.” Lindsay’s voice quivered, but she seemed in control. “Better yet, I wish you and me and Mom could spend a few days together. Even Kelli.”

  “We’ll make it happen.”

  “I want to leave here, but . . .”

  “What?”

  She smiled. “I think I’m more of a country girl than a city girl.”

  He laughed, a deep-throated sound. “That surprises me.”

  “I know. We have lots to catch up on. Carla has made lunch for us. Would you like to sit inside, maybe in the operation room?”

  “An unusual place for us to talk, but that’s fine with me.”

  “I’d like Ash and Meghan with us.”

  Again the president displayed his surprise.

  “I have so much to say, and they’ve supported me. Poor Ash. I owe him as much of an apology as I do my family.”

  “And we’re getting you off this ranch. Scottard thinks this is the safest place, but he’s wrong. I’ve listened to his reasoning about this long enough.”

  Meghan looked away to keep from voicing the truth about the VP.

  Carla had sandwiches prepared in the kitchen. The president and Lindsay filled their plates, but Meghan and Ash declined.

  Meghan captured Lindsay’s attention and smiled. You can do this.

  After being seated at the table across from each other, President Hall took Lindsay’s hand and asked God to bless the food. He thanked Him for the opportunity to spend time with his daughter.

  Lindsay took a deep breath. “I’ve been reading the Bible. I have questions. Guess I’m exploring.”

  The president’s eyes moistened. His reaction proved to Meghan that he was not only a great leader, compassionate and wise, but a man capable of deep love.

  “Wonderful. I’m very pleased.”

  Lindsay took a small bite of her sandwich. “Before I begin, I want to say how deeply sorry I am for the past several years of screwups. Words are not enough, so I plan to show you my sincerity in the days ahead.” She took a drink of her water and breathed in deeply. “I understand our relationship has been severely damaged by what I’ve done and said. Honestly, I still have questions about what happened during my growing-up years. So I’m hoping after I leave here, we can get involved in counseling. Possibly Dave, if he isn’t sick of working with me.”

  “A prayer answered.”

  Tears flowed from Lindsay’s eyes. “Daddy, I’m not an answered prayer. I’m an alcoholic and drug addict, and I still crave them. But I want to stay clean. No matter what. That’s why I called you yesterday. I’ve hid the truth about many things, including the horrible crimes that have happened.”

  The president narrowed his gaze. “I get the impression that what you are about to say will help the authorities make arrests.”

  She nodded and took another sip of water. “Before I begin, I’d like for Ash to tell you what he found in this room and to present you with proof of what I’m about to say.”

  The president stared at Ash in obvious confusion.

  “Mr. President, there is a bug in the air duct above us. Everything that has gone on in this room since the Secret Service arrived has been recorded. Even now. We decided to leave it there so whoever planted it would not realize we were on to him. Now, of course, the issue is moot.”

  “Is Warrington aware of this?”

  “Not to my knowledge, sir.” He handed the president a manila envelope. “The contents will back up much of what Lindsay is about to tell you.”

  The president pushed back his sandwich. Concern etched his features.

  Lindsay watched her father’s every move. Good girl. Show your confidence.

  Yet Meghan held her breath.

  “Do you remember when my rebellion skyrocketed, the summer I was fifteen?”

  “I do.”

  “Back then, you wanted me to talk to Uncle Scottard. He’d lost his son, and you thought the diversion would help his grief.”

  The president nodded. Meghan observed him. His eye twitched. Did he suspect the truth?

  “It didn’t happen the way you were told. He told me I wasn’t loved or wanted. Instead of helping me to work through those feelings, he confirmed them.”

  The president’s eyes widened. “No, he—”

  She held up her hand. “Let me finish, please. This is very hard because I know you respect him. But it has to be said.” She looked at Meghan.

  You can do this, Lindsay.

  She pressed her lips and inhaled. “Who do you think gave me the grass once I was home from boarding school?”

  The president rubbed his face.

  “Yes, Daddy, Uncle Scottard. He did other things too.”

  His shoulders arched. “Did he ever assault you?”

  “Not physically. Once I was home, he gave me pills. Said they’d make me feel better.” Lindsay continued with her story, while the president’s face hardened.

  “Since I’ve been here, he’s called and made threats. Even told me where to find coke. It was pure cocaine, Daddy. It would have killed me.” Lindsay cited the torn wire mesh in Meghan’s bedroom that permitted the scorpion to fall onto her pillow, Wade’s murder, Meghan’s near encounter with death, Pepper’s role in killing Ethan, and the extra key to the liquor cabinet. Lindsay took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  The president paled. He stood and walked to the window overlooking the pool. “I can’t believe this. He’s . . . he’s been like a brother to me since college days.” He shook his head. “Warrington phoned me last night and said he had an urgent matter to discuss about Scottard. I assumed it was about moving you, that having you remain here was entirely too dangerous. I blew it off. Said I was too busy, and I’d already decided to take you back with me today.” He turned to Lindsay. “If you leave the ranch, then Scottard loses control.”

  Lindsay stared at her father. “He said my history would discount anything I ever said to you. But he’s gotten bolder. Meaner.”

  The president turned to his daughter. The color of his face had changed to crimson. “He will pay for this.” He picked up the manila envelope and reached for his phone.

  As he flipped it open and punched in a number, the door flew open. Burnette stepped i
nto the room. Glock in hand, he kicked the door shut. “Just how am I going to pay for this?”

  Chapter 74

  Ash reached for his SIG and stepped into Burnette’s line of fire just as Meghan took her position in front of Lindsay.

  “Don’t even try, Ash. I’ll kill you both. Put your gun on the floor. Kick it toward me, and keep your hands high. By the way, this room is soundproof, and none of the agents waiting outside will hear a thing. Don’t really need my silencer, but it comes in handy. Meghan, you too.”

  Ash and Meghan did as they were told.

  Burnette kept his back to the wall with Ash and Meghan on either side of him. “Meghan, move away from Lindsay.”

  Neither Ash nor Meghan budged.

  “Shall I open fire and see who goes down first?”

  “Scottard, what’s this about?” The president’s soft voice from behind Ash stole Burnette’s attention, but his gun did not waver. “Hey, we’re friends. Let’s talk about what’s got you so worked up.”

  “A way to change our country. Make it strong again. I hate to do this, but I don’t have a choice.”

  “There’s always a better option than violence.”

  “Only when all else fails.” Burnette’s voice rose. “Ash, get out of the way.”

  Ash calculated his next move. Could he kick the gun out of Burnette’s hand before it fired? But Burnette had a clear shot, and Ash would need to take a long stride to physically stop him. “You’re a dead man, and you know it.”

  “Doesn’t matter at this point. The good old USA has taken everything I ever had.”

  “Scottard, I thought you loved your country.” Maybe the president could talk some sense into him. He’d been known to talk his way out of dangerous situations in Uganda.

  “Once I did. Before I realized the US would rather throw its sons and daughters into a terrorist’s path than look bad in the eyes of the world.”

  “Is this about the Middle East Peace Summit? We talked about foreign policy at Camp David. I thought we came to an agreement.”

  Burnette sneered. “You support your own views. You didn’t listen to anything I had to say. You didn’t have a son commit suicide after facing a humiliating court-martial for defending his men. It was all political. Nothing about truth or defending our nation. As president, I’m going to stop the stupidity of worrying about what Islamic countries think about us. I’ll put legislation in place that shows the Middle East that the US is the most powerful country in the world.”

  “What kind of legislation? Help me understand, Scottard.”

  He waved his gun. “All Arab countries are our enemies. They’re infiltrating our country. Getting into politics. Building their mosques. Destroying our economics with rising oil prices. Why can’t you see it?”

  “Scottard, I agree there are problems. Let’s talk. I value your feedback.”

  “Talk? Kyle was my son, not yours. I’m going to put the US back on the globe.”

  How sanctimonious. Ash needed time for Burnette to lose concentration.

  “I’m so sorry,” the president said. “Kyle’s death was a tragedy—”

  “A tragedy?” Burnette’s voice rose. He laughed, an insane sound that alarmed Ash. He needed Burnette to climb out of his anger, get him to brag.

  “Found your bug,” Ash said. “Smart move.”

  “Oh, you did?” Burnette didn’t budge. “Thanks to Bob and Victor’s very informative discussions, I heard about the president’s little trip here. Learned a lot by listening in on what happened in this room.”

  “Why not let the president and Lindsay go? Then we can talk.” Ash kept his tone even. “You make sense.” His cell rang.

  “Ignore the call.”

  “What if it’s DC?”

  “Answer it and be quick.”

  Tom Warrington’s name read across the ID. “Yes, sir.”

  “I’ve got men within a mile of the ranch,” Warrington said. “Got wind that the VP is there. Can you talk?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Is the president in danger?”

  “Affirmative.” Ash kept his focus on Burnette.

  Warrington swore. “Stall him.”

  “I’ll call you later.” Ash flipped the phone shut and slipped it into his shirt pocket.

  “Get your hands back up. What did he want?” Burnette kept his Glock trained on Ash.

  “Said the agents needed some time off. I’m to call him later.”

  “Oh, you’ll have plenty of idle moments when I’m finished.”

  Ash offered a tight-lipped smile. “I’d like for just the two of us to work something out.”

  “Don’t think so. This is Lindsay’s fault. If she’d done what I told her, I wouldn’t have to kill the president.” His gaze narrowed. “Too bad the attempted shooting in Atlanta wasn’t successful. Thanks, Connors, for eliminating the only witness.”

  “I’d like to understand what Lindsay didn’t do for you?” At the sound of the president’s voice, the lines across Burnette’s forehead relaxed.

  “Use the drugs. Let the media have an interview. Stick to her behavior from the past. Not one American would support you if she’d have obeyed me.”

  Ash feared Burnette’s madness would move him to open fire. His attention had to be diverted so he could move closer.

  “Did you have Wade killed too?” Meghan said.

  If she could secure his attention long enough . . .

  “He was getting a little suspicious. Started asking Pepper too many questions about her affiliation with me. Fortunately, his wife went into labor, which gave me time to figure out how to eliminate him.” He waved his gun at Ash. “My bullets will go right through you and Jackson. Don’t you see? All I need is a straight shot to end this.”

  “Did Erin do it?” Meghan grasped his attention but only long enough for Ash to inch closer.

  “Bright girl. She saw what the government had done to Kyle. By the way, Erin did a fine job with your little sister. She didn’t refuse a hit of coke and died in euphoric bliss.”

  Stay calm, Meghan. We can do this.

  “What about Ethan?” Meghan’s even tone plodded ahead.

  “That’s all Pepper. She was the best cook around. Smart gal, too, until she got a little too greedy. Wanted more money. Said she had a journal filled with incriminating evidence. Told me she had it when she left the ranch, but if she was telling the truth, it was destroyed in the fire. She realized Ethan was on to her and decided to brew him a little oleander tea.”

  “What if she kept a copy? What are you going to do then?” Meghan bored her gaze into Burnette’s face.

  “She wasn’t smart enough to do that. Thought I was going to marry her. What a tramp.” Burnette’s hand trembled. “That’s what happens to those who stand in my way. The way of our country’s greater good.”

  Ash knew Meghan could take out Burnette if given the chance. But she’d have to get her gun first, and it was three feet from her right foot. Ash calculated the timing needed to snatch his SIG from the floor and bring down Burnette. All they needed was the right moment.

  “I suppose when you’re president, your wife will want to come back.” Meghan tilted her head.

  Keep it up, Meghan. He leaned forward while Burnette focused on Meghan.

  “She will. Trust me. Once I’m the most powerful man in the country, she’ll beg to come back.”

  “Will you let her?”

  Burnette’s head snapped back at Ash, as though he understood Meghan’s diversion. She dove for her SIG and shouted for Lindsay to get down. Burnette whirled back to Meghan and took aim.

  Ash pushed the president to the floor at the same time he reached for his gun.

  “Not this time.” Burnette turned his weapon back to Ash and fired, sending a bullet into Ash’s arm.

  That was all the opening Meghan needed, and she closed in with a shot to Burnette’s heart.

  It was finally over.

  Chapter 75

  Six We
eks Later

  Meghan linked her arm into Ash’s, mindful of the sling where Burnette’s bullet had shattered a bone. She pointed to two riders heading their way. “I see them.”

  He looked around the Virginia countryside. “This farm is beautiful.”

  A few of the trees were dressed in shades of orange and gold. Rolling. Picturesque. “The red barn looks like it stepped out of a magazine.”

  “I agree—a real estate magazine with a fancy price.”

  She laughed. “Not like the Dancin’ Dust.”

  They walked toward the white fence. “I admit it had a different kind of appeal. But I don’t miss the scorching heat, the snakes, or the jalapeños.” He kissed her cheek. “But there I found you.”

  “And changed your image.”

  “I’m still the detailed, pain-in-the-rear agent, except when I’m around you.”

  “Keep talking and you might dig yourself out of this.”

  “Would an ‘I love you’ help?”

  She patted his arm, the one without the sling. How she loved this man. “Maybe if you were five and wanted a cookie.”

  “Oh, the next fifty to sixty years are going to be rough.”

  She frowned. “Is there no pity for me, A2Z?”

  He moaned. “Maybe a little.” The riders drew closer. “Hey, Chip and Lindsay look good.”

  “It’s called love, and they’re happy.”

  “I know the feeling.”

  So did she, like living in a fairy tale where she was a princess who’d found her prince.

  The couple rode to the fence and dismounted. Ash reached out to shake Chip’s hand, while Meghan hugged Lindsay.

  “You have one beautiful piece of property.” Ash whistled. “This city boy could do some serious R&R here.”

  Chip wrapped his arm around Lindsay. “Thanks. Far enough from DC to be comfortable and close enough to see my girl.”

  Lindsay flashed him a smile. “I couldn’t believe he’d bought this place. Wait ’til you see the farmhouse. It’s stunning.” She turned to Meghan. “I understand you’ve been permanently assigned to me.”

  “I have. And Ash is now a part of the PPD.”

  “I’m so glad. Did Daddy tell you my plans?”