Dead Promise

by Linda Wells

  “Where do you want us?” asked George.

  “Stick around there,” said Fran. “Our team is still at Edgewood, but they’re wrapping things up. We’re probably going to release Adams later today.”

  “You’ve talked to Wally?” asked George.

  “Yes, and he’s impatient to finish the investigation,” said Fran.

  “Where are you?” asked George.

  “At the main field office. A lot of us are here, Hamler’s orders, unless absolutely necessary. He wants us to avoid exposure,” said Fran.

  “Yes, makes sense,” she said. “You know where to reach us.”

  “Wait, let me see who this is.” said Fran. “I have to take this call. I’ll call you back.”

  George looked at Mark. He’d been trying to hear what they were saying.

  “What is it, George?” he asked.

  “The US ambassador to the UK has been murdered, and Fran said that it all happened after Wally told our agents in London to make a social call on the Chinese embassy,” said George, and as she was filling him in on the rest of it, her phone rang.

  “Yes, Fran,” she answered.

  “That was Director Hamler. They found a photo in Ambassador Bishop’s desk in his apartment. The photo is of Suzy Chen.”

  “May I tell Colonel Graham?” asked George.

  “Yes.”

  As she hung up, she saw Max walking toward them.

  84

  Katherine had gotten out of bed when the phone call came in. She made coffee and brought it back to Jake, who was at his desk in the residence office. She sat in the chair, handed him his cup and waited.

  “It’s bad, Kathy,” he said. He hadn’t called her that since college.

  “What, Jake?” she asked.

  “Doug Bishop is dead,” he said.

  She sat in stunned silence as he went through the details. He couldn’t keep this secret from her. It would be all over the news anyway. He could tell she was upset, but she wasn’t crying. She was in shock. Doug had been their friend, but he’d been close to Katherine at one time. He knew she’d cared for him in a special way, but it had never gone anywhere. That wasn’t what Doug had wanted, and Jake knew that Doug had bitterly resented Jake, and not just because of Katherine. Now all this.

  Katherine sipped her coffee, still trying to understand everything.

  “I never thought of Doug like this,” she said.

  “I know,” said Jake. “We don’t know anything yet. We’ll just have to wait for all the facts. I’m waiting for a call back from the prime minister and the CIA director.”

  Jake picked up the remote from his desk and switched to one of the network news stations. The AP was reporting the sudden and shocking death of the US ambassador to Great Britain, suggesting possible foul play. The media was on top of the story already. Jake turned up the sound, listening to the reporter.

  “We have breaking news out of Beijing. The Chinese ambassador to the UK, Ambassador Wang Jie Han, was en route to Beijing from London on a private jet when the plane disappeared from radar. According to air traffic control, the plane was at cruising altitude when it disappeared. We have no further information at this time. We’ve been told by the Chinese government that the ambassador was returning to China on official state business. No statement has been released concerning the whereabouts of the plane, and no wreckage has been found. The location of the last sighting on radar has not been confirmed. Terrorism has not been ruled out.

  “Additional breaking news from our London affiliate. The American ambassador to the UK, Douglas Bishop, was found dead in his private residence in London this morning. No official statement has been released. We’ll break in when we have further details.”

  “Oh my God,” said Katherine. “None of this can be happening.”

  Jake’s phone rang. It was Hamler. They’d found a photo in Doug’s desk. The connection.

  85

  Max had slept by her bedside all night, waking off and on to check on her. She was sleeping, and she looked just the way she had when he’d awoken next to her in bed. Life had changed now. He didn’t know how it could be possible. He leaned over and kissed her mouth gently, so he wouldn’t disturb her. Losing her twice was the hardest thing in his life.

  He spoke to Ann Heath, Suzy’s nurse, saying he was going to the family waiting area, in case anyone came looking for him. He walked to the nurses’ station, and a nurse pointed toward the waiting area. He saw Mark and George in the hallway.

  “Hey, Max,” said Mark.

  “Morning,” Max said to them both.

  They told him everything they’d learned.

  “So they got the Director,” said Max. “I guess it’s over.” He seemed detached.

  He turned to leave.

  “Wait, Colonel,” said Mark. “How’s Dr. Chen?”

  “She’s sleeping,” said Max.

  “Did you get to talk with her again?” asked Mark.

  “No. I’d like to go home, if that’s all right.”

  “Are you sure?” asked Mark.

  “I’m sure,” he said. “Will you drive me home? I need to shower and change.”

  “We’ll have to keep you under surveillance,” said Mark.

  “Whatever.”

  George said, “We’ll both go with you.”

  “I’m fine,” said Max. “Don’t you need to stay here with Suzy?”

  “We’ll come back later,” said George. “She’ll be here for several more days, and she’s secure.”

  “What’s going to happen to her?”

  “She’ll be charged, but the investigation is open,” said George.

  Max just looked away.

  “You sure you don’t want to stay?” asked George.

  “Not now,” he said.

  He started walking to the elevators.

  86

  The Situation Room was quiet, everyone waiting for the president. He was conferring with his press secretary before the news conference, which was already thirty minutes behind schedule. The door opened, and two Secret Service agents walked in and stood on either side as President Jake Howland gave his usual greeting, “Good afternoon.” Then the president spoke personally to others in the room, including Secretary of State Russell Karr, CIA director St. Clair, FBI director Hamler, head of the Joint Chiefs, and cabinet members. Someone raised the volume on the television monitor as the press secretary, Andie Marks, walked to the podium in the press briefing room.

  “Thanks, everyone. I apologize for being late,” said Andie, looking around the room. “I will take a few questions after the press conference, but this will be brief since we don’t, as yet, have all the facts.

  “As many of you have heard from earlier reports, our US ambassador to Great Britain, Douglas Bishop, appears to have been murdered in his private residence. He was found in his apartment early yesterday morning after his assistant at the embassy was unable to reach him. The president has spoken with Prime Minister Mitchell, and her government is working with our agencies in the UK to find those responsible for his death. President Howland was a personal friend of Ambassador Bishop’s and is saddened by the loss, not only of a close, personal friend, but of a loyal servant to the government of the United States. He and Mrs. Howland offer their sincere condolences to the family of Ambassador Bishop.

  “The cause of death is unclear, but there is an investigation into the possibility—and I stress the word ‘possibility’—of a link between his death and the disappearance of the Chinese ambassador to Great Britain, Wang Jie Han. It was reported by the AP that the private jet that was transporting Ambassador Han and other Chinese embassy officials disappeared from radar after leaving London airspace, approximately one hour into the flight. According to the Chinese government, he was returning to Beijing on official business. The plane’s disappearance may be a totally unrelated event, but because of the mysterious circumstances that surround the death of Ambassador Bishop, undisclosed sources suggest a possible link t
o the two events. The ambassadors were close personal friends and had a very congenial official and personal relationship. The president extends his condolences and those of the people of the United States to the People’s Republic of China, President Delun, our great Asian ally, and to the family of Ambassador Han and those families of others of the Chinese government who were also on the plane.

  “We have no information at this time as to any link to the disappearance of Ambassador Han’s plane and Ambassador Bishop’s death, or to any specific terrorist group or threat from any terrorist group. We continue to gather information, and as soon as we have any conclusive evidence, we will share this information with you. Our government is committed to finding those responsible.”

  She paused. “I will take a few questions.”

  “Yes, Nate,” Andie said, looking down at the local news reporter in the front row.

  “We’ve heard claims that Ambassador Han had been considering defecting to the United States,” he stated. “Is this true?”

  “We have no knowledge of such a claim,” said Andie, turning to another raised hand. “Yes, John.”

  “Is there any possibility of a connection to the terrorist attack in the New York City subway?” he asked.

  “We don’t know anything at this time,” said Andie. “As I said earlier, we’re just starting the investigation, and we have nothing conclusive to report. As soon as we have anything, you and the American people will be informed.

  “Thanks, everyone,” she said, gathering her papers and walking away from the podium, ignoring the questions that were being shouted at her.

  Someone turned off the set in the Situation Room.

  “I think that went well,” said Jake Howland. “A shot across the bow. I hope our Chinese friends got the message.”

  The room was dead silent.

  87

  Chris watched his chest going up and down, his breathing steady and relaxed. She held his hand, trying not to fall asleep. She wanted to be awake in case Dave needed something. He’d been very sick, but he’d been one of the lucky ones. No longer contagious, Dave had been transferred to a private room in an intermediate unit, and Chris had taken a break from working in the emergency room to be with him.

  Staring at his face, she thought of their last night together before he got sick. They’d spent it in his office, everything almost perfect, except for the shadow of his marriage. Vicki was still there, no matter how much she and Dave loved each other. And Carolyn, Dave’s daughter. Their child, not hers.

  Dave’s hand moved. Chris saw his eyes open, and he started to cough. She poured fresh water into his glass and held the straw to his mouth. He drank, then saw it was Chris, and smiled.

  “Hey, Chris,” he whispered.

  “Hey, Dave,” she said. “How are you feeling?”

  “Great,” he said, resting his head back on the pillow. His face was thinner, his voice weak.

  “Yeah, me too,” she said. “I’m so glad you’re better.” Her voice was filled with relief.

  “Some excitement, eh?” he asked.

  “Yes.” She smiled. “Let’s skip it next time, OK?”

  “Are you all right, Chris?” He sounded worried.

  “I’m fine. I’m a tough girl, remember?”

  “Thank God,” he said.

  “Yes,” she said. “Thank God.”

  “How’s Carolyn?” He hesitated. “And Vicki?”

  “They’re both fine, Dave,” said Chris. “I talked with Vicki. I told her not to come in. I knew that’s what you’d want.”

  “Yes, thank you. And the hospital?” he asked. She could tell it was hard for him to talk.

  “Good. Stable. Jim has worked hard, keeping us supplied, the staff going. We had to lock the doors. It was crazy, so many sick,” she said. She heard the exhaustion in her own voice. “Everything is OK, for now, anyway.”

  Dave’s eyes were closed, his head on the pillow. She saw his face relax, knowing things at the hospital were under control.

  “How many patients did we have?” he asked.

  “We had over forty cases, with the isolation room filled. We still have a temporary unit, also,” she said. “Some of the staff became sick.” She hesitated. “Connie.”

  “Is she OK?” he asked.

  “No,” said Chris. She started crying.

  “God, not Connie,” he said. “I can’t believe it.”

  “Yes, and my best friend,” said Chris, overcome with sadness and fatigue.

  “All of this is so hard to believe,” he said. “Can you tell me what happened?”

  “Some kind of weaponized virus, released on a subway platform, an attack,” she said, pulling herself together. “They aren’t saying who did it, but they have someone in custody.” She paused. “We’re still on lockdown; people are being told to stay home unless absolutely necessary.”

  Dave was quiet.

  “I have to tell you something, Chris,” he finally said, struggling to get the words out.

  “Sh, not now,” she said. “Just rest.”

  “No, I want to say this,” he said, upset. “Please listen.” He turned his head to look at her, reaching for her hand. “I’m sorry for everything, for not being there for you.”

  She could tell it was an effort for him to talk. He was still very weak.

  “It’s OK, sweetheart. You’re going to be fine now,” she said. “We can talk about that later, when you’re feeling stronger.”

  “I’m trying to tell you that I know what’s important now, Chris. Nothing matters but being with you. I’m going to marry you,” he said. “Do you understand?”

  She did. All she’d thought about was losing him. She knew what was important now, too.

  88

  “What will happen to the money?” asked Mark.

  “Fran talked to Hamler. He said that after the investigation is officially closed, the money may be placed in a special fund for victims and their families,” said Georgiana.

  “It’s a lot of money,” said Mark.

  “Yes, Bishop was powerful, and he controlled an organization that had a far reach,” she said. “The money given to Suzy, the phony JKH Society, Lee’s family—it will all be seized. But the money in foreign accounts will be harder to track.”

  They had finished their breakfast, eating in the small kitchen in Georgiana’s apartment. Mark watched her walk across the room to get more coffee. She looked beautiful in the mornings, with no makeup, in her soft pink silk robe, barefoot. Her long red hair was still tousled; he loved her relaxed, away from work, her natural self, not worried about what anyone thought, not having to be careful not to look at him. He hadn’t quite mastered it yet.

  “What about his family?” he asked. “Won’t they have a claim on some of it?”

  She stood at the kitchen counter, the light from the window behind her as she turned to look at him. He saw her silhouette, her face shadowed.

  “He didn’t have a family—never married,” answered Georgiana.

  “That makes things simpler,” he said.

  “Yes,” she said. “It makes things simpler.”

  George turned and faced the window.

  Mark gulped down the rest of his coffee. “I’ll grab a quick shower, then head to the office.”

  “Mark,” she said. “Wait.” She was asking, but he didn’t know what she wanted.

  “What is it, George?” he asked.

  “Please wait,” she asked.

  “For how long?”

  “I don’t know.” It was a statement.

  “I don’t know, either,” he said.

  He walked over to Georgiana, wrapped her in his arms.

  “Georgiana, what are we doing?” Mark whispered the words.

  She didn’t answer. He looked into her eyes, still in shadows.

  He felt her watch him as he walked out of the room. He shut the bathroom door, tossed his clothes on the floor, and turned the shower handle to cold. He needed some cold reality.


  The knock was faint. He opened it, and she was standing there. He pulled her close to him, tight. He kissed her forehead, her mouth, locking her against him. He looked into her eyes. She was pleading with him to understand. He didn’t.

  “I love you, Georgiana,” he said, still holding her. Her arms were wrapped around him.

  “I love you, Mark, more than you can understand,” she said.

  “I know.” He let go of her and said, “I have to get ready for work.”

  She nodded as he closed the bathroom door.

  89

  Dr. Ambrose looked at the map, the red zones of the viral spread beginning to shrink. It wasn’t over yet, but everything was going the way it should, and the way he had prayed it would. The H5N1 virus was still a threat, but the number of cases was decreasing. The vaccine the CDC and the large pharma companies had developed was effective. The United States was the only country that had been severely affected, with only a few small reported outbreaks in three other countries, twenty-plus cases in the United Kingdom, and a few cases in Mexico and Canada. The vaccine was still being distributed nationwide, with some shipments to other affected countries. As vaccine supplies increased, more countries would get additional H5N1 vaccine, in case pockets of the virus emerged.

  The CDC had nearly exhausted the stored flu vaccine that had proven effective against the common flu. People were given this vaccine until the H5N1 vaccine became available. It may have slowed down some of the spread. Without testing, it was hard to say if it had been effective. But Ambrose had needed to try everything. And his efforts had been rewarded. Six months later, the H5N1 was considered contained. But he wasn’t ready to stop all the measures in place.

  Flights in and out of the country had resumed, and only those cities most affected were still in “caution” status. No new cases were being reported. Studies of the H5N1 were now showing some mutation, and a less virulent strain had developed. The United States was starting to function normally again, although many still used precautions. Mask distributions continued, and those who became sick with flu-like symptoms were immediately quarantined until testing confirmed their diagnosis. Fewer and fewer with symptoms were testing positive for the H5N1. The start of the regular school year had been delayed, with students scheduled to return in January.