Storm Surge (Quantum Touch Book 5)

by Michael R. Stern

  “Ash, when all this began, when we first met at the Russells, I told Fritz that I would tell him what I could when I could. Now I can tell you.” He reminded Ashley of when he tried to get into the White House that past summer. Jane had almost died protecting him from the sniper. When Ashley arrived at the gatehouse, Jane's rehab had just begun and her injuries were still serious. “The fact that you both survived surprised the doctors, but we couldn't predict the outcome. We knew we were confronting a conspiracy, but not how to take them down. I asked Jane if she was willing to continue to the end of it. She agreed and the plan took shape. But until Declercq came into the picture, we weren't sure how we would attack. Ash, you and Fritz made the plan feasible. Jane needed to be convincing and she couldn't have you to distract her.”

  “I wouldn't have been distracted, Mr. President,” said Jane, taking Ashley's hand.

  “But he might have been, Jane. We couldn't take that chance. The mole would pass anything he had. Turns out he did.”

  “Who is he?” asked Fritz.

  “The plan was convoluted. Koppler masterminded all the pieces. We've had to sift through all his false leads. We've found four moles, not one.”

  “Have you arrested them?” Ashley asked.

  “Two have been. Fritz, that's why I'm letting Koppler go. We need their network communicating to be certain we've found them all. He's been thorough, Koppler has. And he has both the skills and resources to evade us. Tom Andrews has a team monitoring every move. We can't put the final touch in place while he's out of contact.”

  “Aside from him, what are you planning for after the election?” Fritz searched the president's face, watching for a lie or a dodge, his stomach knotted. For the first time in their relationship, doubt had stepped between them.

  The president stared back, unsure of how much to say. Telling too much might put Fritz, all of them, in jeopardy again. “I intend to push to complete the Palestine harbor, and get the water systems working. The wind farms are way behind schedule, but money is now flowing from their Arab neighbors. More and more workers are being hired. Training programs are being started, the bombed out sections of Gaza, Damascus, well everywhere, are being cleared. The cement and rock are being transported to the shore to be pulverized and used for the port. So it's beginning. I'm going over to see for myself.” He told them he had domestic issues he wanted to tackle if he could, depending on the election outcome. “And I need to find a place to live when I leave here. We haven't had time to look. But what about you? How's Linda? Have you heard from her? And when are you two getting married?”

  Fritz answered first. With a despondent voice, he said, “I haven't heard from her. I want to go see her, but I don't want to see Tim. She doesn't need another fight.” The president reported that he'd spoken with Dr. Kramer. Linda would be uncomfortable for a while, but would recover.

  “That's good. If I can see her, maybe we can straighten this mess out.”

  “If I can help, just ask,” the president said. Turning to Jane and Ashley, he asked, “And a wedding date?”

  “I need to discuss a plan with my mother.”

  Ashley jumped in. “It'll be soon.”

  “One last thing, Ashley. You can open the portal now. I want to talk to you and Fritz about some things I have in mind. And Fritz, we'll deal with Koppler and Tim together.”

  * * *

  SHORTLY AFTER, they returned to Riverboro and Ashley's classroom. Fritz looked through the door's window, blinking away tears. He turned away from them and walked alone to his own room, and without looking back, went in. Ashley started after him, but Jane grabbed his shirt. “Leave him for now, Ash. After all that's happened, all he's done, now he's even lost the portal.”

  Chapter 7

  Friday, November 11

  REMOVING HER GLOVES, Dr. Kramer smiled at Linda. “You're a fast healer. The grafts are taking hold, and without infection.”

  “When can I go home? Will I be able to sit up?”

  “It'll be uncomfortable, especially if you're in one place too long. Where are you going?

  Your father said to contact someone in Cleveland, but your mother said you live outside Philadelphia.”

  Linda hesitated. “Dr. Kramer, can I tell you later? My son is in New Jersey, with Fritz's mother.

  “Neither place is too far from here if you fly. But the president asked me to keep him apprised. He said he'd take care of everything.”

  “I need to talk to my family. Thank you.”

  When the doctor left, Tim and Emily visited with Linda.

  “She said you can come home in two days,” Tim said. “I'll make a reservation to fly out Sunday afternoon and I told her to call her contact at the Cleveland Clinic. I've also arranged for a nursing service when you get home.”

  “Thanks, Daddy. But we need to get TJ.”

  “Don't worry about that yet. I spoke to Lou Roseman. He'll come to see you on Monday.”

  Emily said, “You didn't tell me that. And you didn't talk to Linda. Linda, he's a divorce lawyer. I don't like him.”

  “You don't have to like him. He's effective,” Tim said.

  “Linda, do want a divorce?”

  “Mom, I don't know how I feel. But I don't trust Fritz anymore. The portal is why I'm here.”

  “He called you, all summer, and you ignored him.”

  “Stop defending him, Emily. She needs a clean surgical cut, unlike what he's put her through.”

  Tears slid down Emily's cheeks. Her plan had failed.

  Chapter 8

  THE PRESIDENT HAD ordered all election results to be held until Friday at noon. Ashley had portalled Jane to her parents, and had only stopped by for a few minutes the evening prior. Although the parade of visitors had kept TJ happy, Fritz had no interest in company for himself. He wanted to see Linda. He had called daily but left no messages. Even Emily had answered only once, said she couldn't talk but would call him back. She hadn't.

  Taking his time on the stairs, the only noise came from the kitchen. He intended to check the election outcome. So much of the past month, the past year, revolved around the outcome. He stared out the window at a squirrel looking in. A wind gust sent the squirrel closer to the tree trunk. He skittered around the trunk when Martha handed Fritz a cup of coffee at his desk.

  “You should eat.”

  “I should do a lot of things, Mom.”

  “Then eat first and go do them. If you need a ride, I'm sure Lois would stay with TJ.”

  “I'm fine, Mom. I just need a while to think.”

  “Thinking's overrated, Fritz. Doing is what matters. So no moping. If you're going to think, think about what you need to do. Then do it. Start with Linda.”

  “Easy to say, but not so easy to do.”

  She stroked his head, the same way she rubbed TJ's. “You'll figure it out.”

  When she left, the squirrel returned, holding a nut in its paws, nibbling and watching. Fritz opened his computer to his to-do list file, and began reading the most recent entries, all aimed at the Caballeros, the portal and rescuing Linda. Once more, he tried to call. After the third ring, and without a reason to leave another message, he hung up.

  * * *

  WHEN HER PARENTS had gone, Linda debated. On the one hand, Fritz would keep using the portal. On the other, he's not a loser. Daddy's wrong, but I don't want to go through more battles. And what happens to TJ? She envisioned the classroom door, wide open, and Fritz inside, walking away. She called to him, but he didn't turn around. Trying to follow, her feet stuck where she stood. Maybe Daddy's right. Divorce papers might make Fritz understand at last. Where is he, anyway?

  * * *

  THE PRESIDENT SAT alone in a conference room that had survived the attack. In the hallway, men in white coveralls and leather tool belts proceeded to rebuild the West Wing. As before, no claim had been made for the attack, leading him to think that his hunch about Koppler had been correct. As the sweep hand on the wall clock reached twelve, he flicked on
the single television. He opened his laptop to the Washington Post and the New York Times, looking for the election results. The precinct data had just been released, and he expected a delay. The networks and cable channels would battle to be the first to announce winners. Almost all the initial reports were “too early to call.”

  In spite of the work to do and projects needing attention, he leaned back, the sense of relief and release covering him, like a cool shell sliding down his body. In a matter of a short time, his presidency would be over. He allowed a small grin, and his slumped shoulders showed the lifting of the weight of the past eight years. He rubbed behind his left ear.

  The single desk phone barked for his attention. He lifted the receiver and listened to the operator. He told her to put the call through, but to hold any more until the results were complete, at the same time warning that he had a few to make.

  Glancing at the TV, the first results were coming in. He had forgotten for a moment that the noon release applied only to the eastern time zone. Unmuting the sound, the anchor announced that recounts were likely in New Hampshire, North Carolina and West Virginia, all too close to call, even with the extra time that had been available. Those three had been considered lost, so he listened for a few minutes. His list of calls beckoned. He asked the operator to get General Beech on the phone, and hung up, waiting for a call back.

  “Hello, Mr. President,” said the general. “It appears we've got a new government, thanks to you.”

  “Thanks, Jim, but a few others deserve thanks, too. When the final presidential results are announced, I want you to release Koppler, let him make his phone call, and I'll have the FBI ready to arrest him. Then prepare for the storm. Stop over here later. We'll have a drink to celebrate.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”

  “Gotta go. New York just came in. 53–47. Closer than we expected.

  He made a note and crossed “Beech” from his list. His cell phone sat next to his laptop. He took a deep breath and dialed. “Hi, Fritz. How are you feeling?”

  “Do you want a real answer, or are you just passing time?”

  “So you're still mad at me? I wish I could make things different.”

  “I've spent the morning wondering what happens next. I feel like the man in the guillotine. No matter what happens, I lose my head. Frankly, being mad at you is pretty low on my list.”

  “Well, I have a news item for you. We're not telling anyone for a few days. The First Lady and I agreed that for the rest of the school year, we're taking a house in Riverboro. One of those big old things on the river.”

  At a different time, Fritz would have found pleasure having the president as a new neighbor. His voice cracked in response. “I'm glad for you. It's a nice town. But it won't be the same for me, not anymore.”

  “Things will get back to normal, Fritz.”

  “No, Mr. President, they won't. Not for me. Linda's gone. TJ doesn't remember me. And the portal is Ash's now. My desk doesn't work anymore.”

  “Do you think a new desk will work? That's easy.”

  “The lightning electrified my desk. Anything new won't have that magic charge. And I promised Linda no more after you leave.”

  “You might want to tell her you mean it, Fritz. I need to talk to her anyway. Do you want me to give her a message?”

  “Yeah, I do.” His anger assaulted the president's ear. “Tell her to pick up the damn phone.”

  “Fritz, if I can convince her, what do you really want me to say?”

  “Tell her I miss her and I want her to come home.”

  “I'll tell her. See ya, neighbor.”

  * * *

  BOTH MEN LEANED back and exhaled, although they were miles apart. For the president, his talk with Fritz took some of his energy. For Fritz, his mind raced to the possible places they could go together. He would miss his trips to the Oval Office.

  The president called the FBI director and gave instructions for Koppler's arrest, called Tom Andrews to alert him to be watching for increased traffic by dinner time, and called Dr. Kramer for an update on Linda's condition. She told him Linda would be released on Sunday.

  “Mr. President, I think she'd go home if not for her parents, but Mr. Miller is adamant she's going with them. Are you arranging a plane for them?”

  “Doctor, I appreciate everything you've done. If I could ask one more thing, it would be to sew his mouth shut.” She laughed. “When Linda tells me where she wants to go, we'll get them a ride.”

  Before calling Linda, he asked his wife to join him. News reports continued to indicate a close race for his office, but the House and Senate races were leaning to a shift in control.

  “So you want some advice in matters of the heart?” asked the First Lady.

  “I'd rather deal with the North Koreans. Fritz hasn't talked to Linda in six months. He told me he wants her to come home.”

  “Poor guy. He's done so much for you. But you can't fix everything.”

  “In this case, I have to try. I can be pretty convincing. Got you to marry me, didn't I?”

  “Then if she takes your call, tell her straight what Fritz said. She's just been through a traumatic event, and that's got to be coloring her thinking.”

  “Dr. Kramer just told me that her father is in between the two of them. And he's with her, Fritz isn't.”

  She leaned in to him and said that Linda had a husband, a child, friends and a life in Riverboro. “Tell her Fritz is the one who found her and saved her life. Use your gentle persuasion.” Then she told him to ask to speak to her father. “Tell him that Fritz asked you to drop the case against him. That might back him off.” She went to a chair in the corner and sat. “I'll be here in case you need me.”

  * * *

  “DAD, HAND ME THE phone, please.” Her phone vibrated on the night stand, just out of reach. Tim looked at the screen and instead of passing it, he answered.

  “She can't come to the phone, and she doesn't want to speak to you anyway. Neither do I.” He pushed the end call button. “That was the president.”

  “You were pleasant,” said Emily. “Not only rude, but he called Linda, not you. Tim, he's responsible for getting Dr. Kramer here, and all the transportation and care she's had.”

  “I didn't need his help. The sooner we're out of here, the sooner Linda can get proper treatment, and we'll make sure she's cared for. At home. Where she belongs.”

  “I'm right here. I can hear you.” Linda said.

  “And you couldn't even reach far enough to take that call.”

  The phone, still in his hand, buzzed again. “Give it to me, Daddy.”

  “It's him again.” Tim slipped the phone in his pocket.

  * * *

  “MAYBE FRITZ IS RIGHT. I should throw the entire Justice Department at him.” The First Lady recognized the set jaw and lowered eyebrows. He started to make another call.

  “Wait. Dr. Kramer is sending her home. Do what you promised. Get them the plane. Get Linda home with her mother, and arrest him once they reach their house. Call those FBI agents. But I think you need to plan a trip to Cleveland.” She scratched her chin. “Call Ashley. Use the portal, right into their living room.”

  He rubbed behind his left ear, and grinned at her. “You are devious.”

  “I got you to marry me, didn't I?”

  * * *

  THROUGHOUT THE afternoon, election results were placed on his desk. His press secretary had asked if he wanted to say anything when the results were in. The six yellow pads in front of him included one with his press statement. With almost four hundred and seventy House and Senate seats in play, he made a number of calls to both winners and losers. But he waited until all the major networks had agreed on a winner and a concession speech had been made in the presidential race to make calls to both candidates.

  Before the results from the western states were released, he called Ashley. “Good. You're still at school. Ash, I need a favor.”

  “If I can. Why didn't
you call Fritz?”

  “I want him to relax, away from what's about to happen. Listen up. Here's what I need.” The president told him he wanted to keep Fritz away from the television and computer. Koppler would be allowed to get his network active and then would be arrested as publicly as possible. “Ash, a new storm is coming and this time, I'll be at the center of it. I'll need you and Fritz at the school tonight. And I'll need the portal on Sunday at some point. I'll be talking to Fritz about that trip. We're going to Ohio to scare the hell out of Tim Miller.”

  “Bring some sneakers.”

  Chapter 9

  ASHLEY ASKED, “Any winner yet?”

  “Nope,” Fritz said. “This thing's a dog fight. Weird too. No calls in traditionally blue states. Pennsylvania will decide it. It's hard to believe it's this close.”

  “Anything on turnout?”

  “It looks like the House stays red. The Democrats lost the Senate an hour ago.”

  “I spoke to the man. He needs us tonight, so you and I are going out for dinner, and then to the school. He said it's gonna hit the fan.” Ash watched Fritz stiffen and straighten. “Don't put on your stubborn shoes. We're going. Besides, I need to talk to you and I do that better when I'm not hungry.”

  “You're always hungry. When do you want to go?”

  A little surprised at how easily Fritz agreed, Ashley said, “How about five-thirty. We'll beat the crowds.”

  “Let me get a shower.”

  “Then go now. By the time you're done, we'll have a new president.”

  * * *

  A CROWD BEGAN to form in the hall outside the glassed-in room, sensing something about to happen. Like a zoo animal on a busy day, the president watched them watching him. He returned to viewing the screen as fingers pointed to the TV banner. A new president had been elected. He rose, and with each step, the applause from his staff increased. When he opened the door, cheers filled the hall. He thanked them and said they still had work to do, today, tonight, and for the upcoming two months. He signaled the vice president and First Lady to join him.