Dead Promise

by Linda Wells

  Doug grabbed his phone and tried once more. Nothing. His heart was racing. He walked to the tall mahogany cabinet to the right of his desk and pulled open the double brass knobs, revealing a beautiful set of crystal tumblers engraved with the US State Department insignia. He placed one of the glasses on his desk, opened the frosted glass door of the small built-in refrigerator, and pulled out the chilled Absolut vodka and a tray of lime slices. He rimmed the glass, added the slice, and poured a double. He swirled it before taking a sip, savoring the tart lime. The cool liquid felt soothing as he drank, calm flooding him. His euphoria increased with each swallow, and he kept checking his pocket. He knew the phone would ring soon.

  65

  He couldn’t risk a limited-access toll road, so he’d skip the PA turnpike and I-95 through Delaware. He got on 70 West out of Baltimore and then picked up I-68, which meandered through the less traveled areas of Maryland and West Virginia. The silver Camry he’d rented was inconspicuous, and when he got off at a rest stop, he pulled out his cell and did a search for a tuxedo-rental shop. Perfect. There was one in Cumberland, not too far off the highway. Only one car in the parking lot. It was almost closing time, and a woman, probably fifty, with dull brownish hair, was behind the counter, tallying the day’s sales on an old adding machine.

  Without looking up, she said, “Can I help you?”

  “Just point me to the forty-two regulars,” he answered.

  “The rack on the right side, along the wall,” she said. “I’ll be right with you.”

  “I think I found what I want.” He grabbed a plain black tuxedo with shirt, tie, and cummerbund tucked inside the jacket. “Do you have shoes?”

  “Yes, what size?” she answered.

  “Nine and a half,” he said.

  She disappeared in the back and returned with a shoe box. “Here we go. Have a seat and try these on. They’ll be perfect.”

  “I’m sure they’re fine,” he said. “I’m in a hurry.” He just wanted to get back on the road.

  “The cost will be half if you rent it,” she said.

  “No, several of my fraternity brothers are getting married this summer, so I may as well buy it,” he said.

  The clerk seemed happy with that explanation. She put the tuxedo and accessories in a clear hanging bag and rang up the sale.

  “You’re lucky prom season is over, or we wouldn’t have many in your size,” she said, smiling at him.

  He handed her the cash, grabbed the clothing bag and shoe box, and said a quick thanks. He didn’t want to talk, just get back on the road. He hung the garment bag in the back, tossed the shoe box on the back seat, then headed north toward Lake Erie. His plan was working.

  All the driving was exhausting him. He’d tried to get anything but the news on the radio. But every station seemed to be talking about the virus. The local stations were hopeful that it wouldn’t spread any further. “Good luck with that,” he thought. And the authorities said they had no leads. He guessed the FBI was keeping it all under wraps. He’d have to find a rest area and sleep before he got to Buffalo. The state park at Dunkirk would probably be a cool spot to catch some z’s. He’d drop pieces of the cell phone’s SIM card in two separate trash cans at the rest stop before heading to the Peace Bridge. With his Canadian passport, he’d cross the border easily. The tux and wedding story were more than believable. And if the border guards noticed it was a rental car, he’d say he’d flown to a wedding and rented a car to get home to Hamilton, Ontario, the phony address on his passport. His plan would work.

  66

  “Katherine,” he whispered.

  He didn’t want to startle her, but this couldn’t wait. She was sleeping, her head on the blue velvet pillow on the love seat in their private quarters. The television was humming, volume low.

  “What is it?” she asked. She knew from the sound of Jake’s voice that it was bad.

  “Where are the kids?” he asked.

  “They’re in bed, Jake. Tell me. What’s wrong?”

  She looked so vulnerable, like the young girl he had married, only more beautiful. He hated telling her more bad news. But she’d hear it on the news soon enough.

  “The FBI has discovered a hidden bank account that’s tied to my name,” he said. “It’s has millions in it, set up to look like some kind of charitable organization.”

  She said, “You’re joking,” shaking her head in disbelief. She must be groggy from sleep. She clicked off the television with the remote.

  “You heard me right,” he said. “Hamler said they have records. Some secret account, and a big withdrawal was made, and the money deposited into another account. A research scientist who works at the Edgewood biological lab,” he said. “A research scientist,” he repeated, seeming perplexed. “Hamler said they had the account number of the scientist, and they traced the deposit to an account linked to me.”

  Jake was speaking clearly, and Katherine was trying to keep up. A mysterious bank account in his name.

  “What are you saying?” she asked.

  “Someone opened an account in my name, a phony account, and some of the money in that account was transferred to the account of a possible suspect,” he said.

  “It’s not your account, Jake,” she said. “It’s impossible.”

  She was shaking her head, too. He abruptly stood up. She could feel his anger building.

  “We both know that. It’s impossible. But it’s there. They have the account numbers. In black and white. Hamler wouldn’t make this shit up,” he said. “And it’s linking the account to one of the suspects in the terrorist attack.”

  His voice didn’t sound natural to her.

  “It’s all a mistake, Jake,” she said, standing up, putting her hands on his shoulders.

  “The FBI believes that this scientist, or the head of the lab, a Dr. Adams, was involved in the attack,” he said. “They have plenty of evidence pointing to these two.”

  “Jake, it’s impossible.”

  “I know that. You know that,” he said. “But Hamler has evidence. He wants to believe me, but he has to investigate.”

  “He’s your friend; he knows you,” she said. “It’s absurd. It could be a political enemy. Who would do something like this?” She was frightened.

  “Or a personal enemy,” he said, looking at her. “We have a shrewd bastard, a killer, a twisted mind who has conceived this plot,” he said. “Implicating me. And he calls himself the Director.”

  Jake turned to Katherine.

  “And whoever he is, he’s made a huge blunder. Electronic footprints don’t disappear.”

  “What else, Jake?” asked Katherine. “You think it’s someone who has something against you?”

  “I only know one thing. I’ve made some enemies along the way. It’s normal in politics. And with no group claiming responsibility, the FBI is looking at a lone wolf. And the connection to the assistant lab director has given us a lead. We’ll know more soon. The techs at Quantico have something specific. Hamler will let me know when he’s sure.”

  “I’m afraid, Jake,” she said.

  “Don’t be. This is going to unravel very soon. And it will be quick when we get a few more pieces,” he said, putting his arms around her in reassurance.

  Jake walked to his desk in the study and picked up the White House office line.

  “Jake, who are you calling?” asked Katherine, following him.

  “I need to give Andie a heads-up. If the press finds out that the FBI is investigating me, linking me and a secret bank account to a possible enemy of the state, I don’t want her blindsided,” he said, waiting for his press secretary to answer. He didn’t want any rumors speculating that the president of the United States might be involved with this horrible terror attack. He had gained the trust of the American people, and he would never do anything to break that trust.

  “Sorry, Andie, I know it’s early. Can you come up to the residence?” he asked. “Thanks.”

  He hung up. Find
ing the terrorist behind the attack was the priority, in case another attack was planned, but the virus was still out there. It had to be stopped, and time was critical.

  He called his assistant in the Oval Office. “Get Dr. Ambrose for me,” he said.

  He had to know the status of the virus. If it was out of control, nothing else would matter.

  67

  Max was tired of sitting but didn’t want to leave Suzy’s side. The television was on with no sound, but he read the news crawl at the bottom of the screen. Details were sketchy, and the authorities were keeping it that way. The president was in meetings with the vice president and his cabinet. The Joint Terrorism Task Force and other government agencies were acting to contain the spread of the virus, and further information would be released as it became available.

  One of the nurses came over and rested her hand on his shoulder. “Colonel, would you like some coffee or a Coke?” she asked.

  He stood up. “Yes, ma’am, thanks. Coffee, please,” he said.

  “Call me Ann.” She smiled. “How about I bring you something to eat, too?”

  “No, just coffee, Ann,” he said. “Thanks.” He sat back down.

  “Sure, I’ll be back in a minute,” she said, leaving the room. The other nurse was sitting at a desk in the corner of the room, looking at a monitor.

  Max looked at Suzy. Her eyes were open, and she was looking at him.

  “Hey, Suzy,” he said, standing up again, grasping her hand.

  “Max, I’m so glad you’re here,” she said.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked.

  “I don’t know, a little sleepy,” she said. “You’ve been here for a while?”

  “Yes. I didn’t want to leave you,” he said.

  “I’m glad.” She looked around the room and stopped with her gaze on Captain Washington.

  “Do you want something, a drink?” he asked.

  “Yes, Max,” she answered.

  Elliott walked over to the bed. “You look like you’re feeling a little better,” he said, as he checked her blood pressure.

  “My head is hurting, but not as much,” she told him.

  “How about I raise the bed a little, and then I’ll bring you something to drink,” Elliott said.

  “Yes, thank you.”

  Elliott told Max, “I think the sedation is helping with her headache.”

  It was just a statement. Max was glad she was awake. He knew it meant she was getting further out of danger from the concussion. And he hoped she could talk to him.

  “As soon as the other nurse comes back, I’ll get her something,” said Elliott. He went back to the desk and sat down.

  “Suzy, can you talk to me?” Max asked. “Can you tell me how all this happened?”

  68

  Max held her hand as she talked.

  “It was exciting at first. He said he had connections, and he’d help me find a prestigious position at any government research lab in the country.”

  “And you weren’t to tell anyone, right?” asked Max.

  “Yes,” she answered.

  “How did he know about you, Suzy?” asked Max.

  “I’m not sure. He seemed to know all about me, Lee, everything,” she said, her thoughts drifting.

  “Did he tell you anything about himself? Where he was from?” Max asked. He wanted the answers, not just to find the mysterious Director, but to try to comprehend what had led to all of this.

  “No. He was interested in me. This voice over the phone, making promises,” she said. “But then he told me about my sister. And he became frightening, his voice threatening. I wanted to help my sister, see her again,” she said. “If I didn’t do what he said, she would never be released.”

  “So you agreed to do what he asked,” Max said.

  “Yes,” whispered Suzy.

  “Tell me about his voice. Was he American?” Max asked.

  “I think he was American, but the accent was unusual, maybe British,” she said, uncertain.

  “But he didn’t tell you his name or where he lived,” said Max.

  “No.”

  “So he bought you,” said Max.

  “Max, I was young, and I believed him,” she said.

  Max was trying to understand, but he couldn’t. He pulled his hand away.

  “And what is your involvement with this virus? It was being studied at Edgewood, and you had access. You were in the right place at the right time?” asked Max.

  “Yes, I guess you would say that,” she said, her head down.

  “What about Adams? You had an affair with him, right? Was he involved in the plan, too?” he asked.

  “Max, I hated Adams. That was over, a long time ago. He’s a horrible person. I didn’t know it at the time. I believed his lies, too. He had prestige and was highly respected, and I wanted the job. I was the one who was betrayed. And the Director told me that people would only get sick, not die,” she said. “Can’t you believe me?”

  He ignored her question.

  “You didn’t answer,” Max said. “Was Adams involved?” he asked, his voice louder.

  “No, he knew nothing about it,” she said.

  “Why should I believe you?” asked Max, very quiet.

  “Because you know I love you, Max, and you don’t know how it feels to have part of yourself missing, my twin sister, living a horrible life. You saw her photo. You must understand.” She was crying.

  “You manipulated me. Did you enjoy it? Hurting me? You couldn’t tell the man you said you loved with all your heart and soul? What else didn’t you tell me? Was I your cover?”

  “No, Max. You’re everything. My life changed when we met. I was in so deep, I didn’t know how to get out!”

  Max was furious, losing control. “I had a ring. An engagement ring. You belonged to me. We had everything, Suzy.”

  Her tears turned to hard sobs, her hands covering her face.

  He leaned in closer to her, whispering in her ear. “And, by the way, my friend Greg? My best friend? He’s dead now. Is that what you wanted, too?”

  He stood up, looked at her.

  “Max, please believe me. Can’t you understand? He threatened to kill you if I didn’t do as he said. I had to save your life. You’re all that matters to me.”

  “Why should I believe you now?” he said, very quiet.

  “Because you know I love you, Max,” she said. “You must understand.” Her eyes were pleading with him, crying.

  His voice was low and measured. “You’re wrong. I do know how it feels to lose part of myself. The moment I was told I’d lost you…” He hesitated. “You betrayed me. You betrayed us. And you betrayed everything I believe in. Don’t you understand who I am? Why didn’t you ask me to get Lee out? I would have done this for you, for Lee, for us. Why couldn’t you trust me?”

  Tears began to fill his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me? You could have told me, Suzy. I love you. I would have done anything for you. Anything!” He was crying. He wiped his tears away with the palm of his hand.

  “Please, Max, stop,” she begged him.

  “Oh, one more thing.” He leaned down close to her. “Your sister, Lee? She’s in Hong Kong.” His voice was as cold as his heart. “You have everything you wanted.”

  He turned and walked out and didn’t look back.

  Max left Suzy’s room and walked to the end of the hall, stared out the window. He didn’t see the guards stand at attention as he passed. He heard voices approaching from down the hallway. Agents Reed and Strickland were coming toward him.

  “Did she talk to you, Colonel?” George asked.

  “Yes,” he said.

  69

  Suzy loved Max so much. All she’d wanted since they met was a life with him. A full life with everything. To share his life, have his children, build their life together. The only world she knew for certain was a world with him in it. Now everything had fallen apart. When she had gone to her mother with the photos, she had seen the shock
in her mother’s face. Suzy had known her mother’s secret, but she’d never asked about Lee. She hadn’t wanted to cause her mother more pain by bringing up the past. And she didn’t want her mother to know how she’d gotten the photos.

  Her mother had given the greatest of all sacrifices to keep Suzy alive. Her child, Suzy’s twin sister. Suzy could have been the one living in Shanghai as a prostitute, not Lee. Suzy would never know the years of loneliness Lee must have suffered growing up in the orphanage. Suzy had the privilege offered to her, and she had used it, to save her sister. Suzy knew the life Lee had been forced to live just to survive. And she wanted to save her from that life. God only knew what Lee had endured.

  She had often seen the pain in her mother’s eyes, tears brushed away, when she thought no one was looking. Suzy hadn’t understood until the Director had contacted her. After she’d found out, she’d never told anyone. Those were the rules, or Lee would die. Then she’d been threatened again. Max’s life. If she followed the rules, she would see her sister again, and her mother would be reunited with her daughter. And Max would live. The money would repay her parents for all they’d given Suzy. Every time she looked at the photos, one of herself and one of Lee, Suzy knew she had no choice.

  The Director had been the contact, and Suzy did what she was told to do, assured of her sister’s safety. She’d finished school with high honors, graduating at the top of her class, getting her PhD in bio-chemistry. With the Director’s connections, she landed the position in research and development at the Edgewood Laboratories. She had her motives, and the Organization had theirs.

  Now it was too late. She’d done everything she could. She had also managed to get her revenge on Eric Adams for breaking her heart. She had thought he’d loved her. What a fool she’d been. She could never forget how he’d betrayed her. But he would pay. And now she would have to pay for what she had done.