Steve shrugged. “I’d bet, if you checked, you’d discover a lot of overtime put in by agents in Denver, Casper, Cheyenne and D.C., looking for a turncoat agent. Me. A couple of them flew on the same flight with us.”
“I’ll ask Miss—”
“Don’t do that, sir. I think your secretary tried to get rid of us because someone asked her to make sure no one official got to you until they found me. She’s probably being paid.”
“I don’t think so,” Jessica said. “I think she’s doing it for a deeper emotion than greed.”
“What?” Steve asked.
“She’s an old maid. I think someone has been flirting with her, probably Miguel Antonio. He sounds like the Latin lover type.”
Steve looked skeptical.
Grouse’s eyes widened again. “I have noticed him flirting with her. I meant to warn him not to do that, but he started talking about something else.” He got up and paced back and forth several times. “Okay, how do I find out about the extra forces used the past couple of days if I don’t use her?”
“Who else besides Miguel would know that you can trust?”
Grouse thought for a moment. “Jason Cadill. I trust him very much and he hates Miguel.”
When he reached for the phone, however, Steve said, “Just a minute. Let me check your phone.”
He unscrewed the speaker part of the phone and pulled out a small piece of equipment. “Here’s part of the problem. Someone is recording your phone calls. Now go ahead.”
Grouse stared at him. “I can’t believe it! Who would’ve managed to plant that?”
“Either your secretary or Miguel himself.” Steve gave him a steady look and Grouse nodded.
Both the men started checking the room, under lamps, under the tables and the edges of the desk. They found two more.
“I don’t know what you want to do with these,” Steve told him.
“Just stomp on them,” Grouse advised.
“Does security ever sweep your office?” Steve asked.
“Miguel told me it would be a waste of time since no one but good guys ever got in here,” Grouse said with a wry smile. “I guess he forgot about himself.”
“I’d reinstate regular sweeps,” Steve suggested.
After he’d stomped on the bugs, Steve put them in the trash in Grouse’s private bath and closed the door. “Okay, make your call.”
With a nod, he reached for his phone and dialed a number. “Jason? This is Walter. Did we have any agents on overtime here in D.C., Denver, Casper or Cheyenne the past couple of days?”
“I see.” After a pause he said, “From my office? Yes, please, bring me a copy.”
He hung up the phone. “He’s coming up with a copy of a memo he received authorizing the manhunt for a drug dealer.”
“You’d better let your secretary know,” Jessica interjected. “You can tell her he’s an old friend of Howie’s father or you can say he’s going to show us around. Either of those reasons will work without raising suspicions.”
“You have a good imagination, young lady,” Grouse said. Then he picked up his phone and called his secretary. He told her Jason had been friends with Howie’s father and Howie wanted to meet him, too.
He hung up the phone and said, “I think she wasn’t happy about that, but if he isn’t shown in here in five minutes, I’m going out after him.”
“Do you have any questions about what I’ve shown you?” Steve asked.
“No. It’s very clear. What isn’t so clear is linking Miguel to it.”
“Have you seen his home?” Jessica asked.
“No, I haven’t seen Jason’s house, either, for that matter. What difference does that make?”
“That’s one of the things Steve discovered easily. Can’t you see what property is in Miguel’s name?”
“Yes, I could. It may take a little time.”
“May I use your computer?” Steve asked.
“Yes, of course.” Grouse exchanged places with Steve.
“Steve, do you know his wife’s name?” Jessica asked, her eyes narrowing as she stared at him.
“No. Do you, Mr. Grouse?”
“I believe it’s Linda. I don’t know her maiden name.”
“I’ll see what I can find,” Steve said. He started the computer search, Grouse looking over his shoulder.
When they heard a knock on the door, Grouse opened it and invited a young man in. Then he shut the door firmly behind him.
“Jason Cadill, let me introduce Jessica Randall and Steve Carter.”
The man’s pleasant smile disappeared when he heard Steve’s name.
“Sir! Steve Carter is who we were looking for the past few days!” He pulled his gun and pointed it at Steve.
“Put that gun away!” Grouse ordered.
“But—”
“Listen to me! Miguel told me over a week ago that Steve was dead. If he was lying to me, as is obvious by Steve’s presence here, why?”
“He told us it was because Steve was a turncoat and he didn’t want to admit that failure to you.”
“Take my chair here and go through this information,” Grouse told Steve and Jason.
Grouse stood by the window, watching the two men, while Jessica retired to the sofa against the wall.
“I’m glad you were able to stop him from shooting Steve,” she told Grouse. “He deserves better than that.” She smiled as Steve appeared to be totally involved in his search, not even fazed by Jason’s earlier reaction.
“Yes, I would think so. He’s been through a rough time, I would think, what with his injury and being pursued.”
“Yes, but he never gave up. He said he had a job to do and he wouldn’t quit until he could get to you and plead his case.”
“I’ve found it!” Steve exclaimed.
“What did you find?” Grouse asked.
“Miguel and his wife have a 150-acre estate in Virginia.”
“What is it worth?” Grouse asked, leaning forward.
“He bought it for twelve and a half million.”
“What?” Jason gasped. “How did he afford that?”
Steve looked at him. “The same way my partners did. And I suspect Miguel has other operatives working for him in different areas.”
“I told you Miguel was underhanded!” Jason exclaimed, looking at Grouse.
“I know you did, son, but you didn’t bring me any evidence.”
“I didn’t think about looking for his house. Who would think he’d be that stupid?”
“People who manage to pull the wool over people’s eyes get arrogant,” Jessica said quietly. “Hollywood is full of them.”
“So, now what, boss?” Jason asked, switching gears.
“Now we find out how many people Miguel has on his payroll. Starting with my secretary.”
Jason frowned. “Is that why I couldn’t get through to talk to you about the witch hunt?”
“When did you try?”
“When I first got the memo. What’s the date on it?” he asked.
Grouse picked up the false memo. “It’s dated almost a week ago. I think we need to call my secretary in here.”
He rose and hit the button on the intercom. “Miss Carson, could you come in here, please?”
“Of course, sir.”
She bustled in, full of self-importance. “Do you want me to escort this couple downstairs and get an agent to give them a tour?”
“No, Miss Carson, I don’t think that will be necessary. Will you sit in this chair, please,” Grouse said, patting the empty chair in front of his desk beside Ja son. “Steve, if I may have my chair for a few minutes?”
“Of course, sir.” Steve jumped up at once and moved to the sofa with Jessica.
Miss Carson watched their movement, confusion on her face.
Mr. Grouse settled in his chair and folded his hands on the desk before he looked at Miss Carson.
“Will you tell me who you work for?” he asked.
“Why, you
, sir,” she said with a smile.
“So I dictated this memo to you?” He slid the memo across the desk to her.
“Why, no, sir, Miguel…I mean Mr. Antonio gave it to me. He said it was what you wanted done.”
“I see. Did he also tell you that I wanted to see no one on my staff for the past week?”
She didn’t quite meet his gaze for her response. “Yes, sir.”
“Is there anything else he told you?”
“N-no, sir.” Her voice was now trembling.
“Did he ever come into my office when I wasn’t here?”
“Well, he asked to use your office for a special call a couple of weeks ago. I didn’t think you’d mind. He—he asked me not to mention that to you, but I think he was being silly.”
“Did you stay in the office while he made the call?” Grouse asked gently.
“Why, no, sir! He wanted privacy.”
“May I tell you what he was doing, Miss Carson?”
“Y-yes, sir.”
“He was bugging my office and my telephone so that he had complete access to everything that went on here. And it’s all thanks to you!”
“No! I wouldn’t do that to you, Mr. Grouse! I promise!”
The three men stared at her, anger on their faces.
“I believe her,” Jessica said softly.
“Come on, Jess, leave this to the professionals,” Steve said, dismissing her comment.
“I suppose it was the professionals who got you here?” she snapped back.
“Look, Jess—”
“Why do you believe her?” Mr. Grouse asked.
“I believe she was foolish and unprofessional, but I don’t believe she was trying to hurt you.”
“She’s right!” Miss Carson exclaimed. “I— He flattered me. I was lonesome and I thought—”
Beside her, Jason snapped, “You didn’t think at all!”
“I think she could help us now,” Jessica said.
“How?” Mr. Grouse asked.
“She could lure Miguel up here without rousing his suspicions.”
Silence fell after Jessica’s suggestion.
Finally, Mr. Grouse said, “Can you do that, Miss Carson?”
“Yes, sir! Of course, sir!”
“I’m not making any promises about your job, you understand. I have to be able to trust my secretary.”
“Yes, sir,” Miss Carson said with a sob.
“All right, call Miguel and get him up here.”
“But—but I don’t know what to say!” Miss Carson protested.
Everyone looked at Jessica.
“Why don’t you tell him that Mr. Grouse has visitors that you think would be beneficial for him to meet if he just happened to drop by,” Jessica suggested. “You might even whisper so he knows you’re trying to conceal your activity.”
“Yes, he’d expect that. I can do that.”
Mr. Grouse waved her toward the phone. “Use this one.”
With shaking fingers, she dialed Miguel Antonio’s extension.
“Miguel? It’s Abby. Mr. Grouse has the relatives of a high-powered senator in his office. I thought you might want to drop by and get introduced.”
After a moment, she said, “I couldn’t turn them away. They had an appointment.”
They all watched as Miss Carson grew irritated. “Well, I’m sorry. I did my best. Just forget it.” Then she hung up the phone. “That should get him here quickly,” she said, with a grateful look at Jessica. “I really wasn’t trying to hurt you, Mr. Grouse.”
Grouse ignored her and looked at the two men. “We should’ve called for some guards first. I’ll make that call,” Mr. Grouse said, taking over the phone. He asked for four armed guards or four agents, whichever could be found first, to report to his office.
Just as he hung up, there was a knock on his door.
Everyone froze. Then as Mr. Grouse moved toward his office door, Steve and Jessica stood, as did Jason.
“Hi, Chief, I just thought I’d check in with you— Oh, I didn’t know you had— Jason, what are you doing here?”
“Just checking in with the chief, like you,” Jason said. “Come on in.”
As Miguel came in, he saw Steve and Jessica standing to one side. “I don’t believe I’ve met you two. I’m Miguel Antonio, one of the chief’s underlings,” he said with self-deprecating humor. “Are you visiting the capital?”
“Yes, we are,” Steve said, “but not for the first time.”
Something about Steve’s voice stopped Miguel. “You know, you remind me quite a bit of a dear friend, one of our agents.”
“Really?” Steve asked, playing along.
“Yes, he was unfortunately shot recently.”
Jason took a step forward. “Was he? Are you talking about Steve Carter? I thought you told us he was a turncoat and had to be cut down if we found him.”
Miguel glared at Jason before he sent an apologetic look at Grouse. “Sorry, boss, but I was hoping to keep my buddy’s name clean…for his family, you know?”
“Yeah, ’cause I’ve got so much family, right, Miguel?” Steve drawled.
Miguel’s head whipped around and he blinked several times as he stared at Steve. “If you had brown eyes, I’d think—”
Steve popped out his contact lens. “You mean, like this?”
Before anyone could move, Miguel pulled out his gun and grabbed Jessica, yanking her in front of his body. Then he put his gun to her head. “Take a step toward me and she dies.”
Chapter Fifteen
Steve raised both hands. “Calm down, Miguel. You don’t want to hurt her.”
“No, amigo, I don’t want to hurt the pretty lady, but I’m not going to die now, just when I’ve really hit the jackpot!” He sent an evil grin in Steve’s direction.
“Miguel! Turn the woman loose. She’s not going to be able to help you,” Mr. Grouse ordered. But his order wasn’t as effective as it had been with Jason.
“Sure she can, Walter,” Miguel said. “She’s going to be my shield. When I’m safely away, I’ll probably let her go…unless she wants a little fun.”
Jessica’s eyes widened with fear. The man’s hold was painful, but his words were even more so. She looked desperately at Steve.
Miguel gave a derisive laugh. “See, Steve? You shouldn’t have come after me. I’ve got a lot more experience than you.” He suddenly yanked Jessica backward toward the door.
Steve struggled to hold himself in place. He knew any movement might mean Jess’s death.
It took only seconds for Miguel and Jessica to disappear, the door closing behind them.
As he headed for the door, Mr. Grouse ordered him to stop.
“But, sir, I’ve got to rescue Jessica!” Steve shouted.
“He’ll still be out there, Steve. If you go out that door now, you’ll be risking Jessica’s life. I’m going to call the guards downstairs. They won’t let him leave the building.”
Steve returned, “Make that call. But I’m going after him!”
Jason followed Steve out the door.
Grouse was issuing an order as they left the room.
“Does Miguel park in the parking garage?” Steve asked Jason as they reached the elevator.
“Yeah, he does. Damn, I hope Walter thinks of that. There are no guards there.”
The elevator opened up and they jumped in and pushed Basement, where the garage connected to the building.
“You should’ve at least gotten a gun, Steve,” Jason pointed out.
“Never mind that. Call Grouse on your cell phone and alert him to where we’re going.”
Jason did. When Grouse’s secretary answered, he passed on the message and hung up.
Just then, the elevator opened in the basement.
“What kind of car does he drive?”
“A black Mercedes. His space is just over—” He stopped when he saw the car moving, its tires squealing. “There he goes!” he hollered, pulling out his gun.
Steve shoved his arm down. “Don’t shoot. You might accidentally hit Jessica. Is your car here?”
“Yeah, come on.” He led the way to the next aisle. They both jumped in and followed Miguel’s car.
JESSICA WAS NOW WEARING Miguel’s handcuffs, her hands behind her back. He’d shoved her into the car, not worrying where she landed. She struggled to sit upright.
“Let me go now. You’re free from them, so you don’t need me anymore,” she said, trying to keep her voice from trembling.
“Oh, no, little lady. We’ve got a ways to go before I let you go. When I do, you probably won’t care anyway.”
Jessica gulped, but she said nothing else. This man wouldn’t be easy to persuade. Not with what he had to lose.
After a moment, though, she tried again. “You don’t really have a choice, do you? I mean, how can you get your money out of your property? Unless you have an account out of the country.”
“Of course I do, my dear. Do you think I’m stupid?” While he talked, he sped along, his gaze checking the rearview mirror frequently. “I have a lot put away. The guys in L.A. earned me a lot of money, but they weren’t my only sources. I’ve been at this for a while.”
“So let me go, and the search won’t be so fierce!” she suggested.
“Don’t think you’re that important. They’ll want to kill me. I pulled the wool over their eyes. They’ll want revenge. And names. They’ll definitely want names.”
He pulled out a cell phone and hit a button on it before he held it to his ear. Speaking in Spanish, he gave rapid-fire orders into the phone.
Jessica wished she could speak Spanish, but she couldn’t. The only word she thought she recognized was helicopter. But she could be mistaken.
He made a turn and seemed to suddenly be driving at a reasonable pace. She scooted closer to her door, sitting more upright. If he slowed for a stoplight, she might be able to get out of the car, if she could get the door open without drawing his attention to her—
“Get back over here!” he snapped.
Jessica froze. “I’m not going anywhere,” she said. “I was just trying to sit up. This position is painful.”
“I don’t care about your pain. Stay next to me or I’ll break some bones.”
She was no coward, but she wasn’t interested in being abused. She’d just have to hope Steve could come after her.
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