by Mary Alford
“Don’t know.”
“She’s a problem. She knows too much. We need to have someone keep an eye on her.”
Michael could almost read Hughes’ mind. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll take care of it.”
“You’d better,” The director added with the implication clear. “I don’t want her coming back to bite us. This thing is too important.”
Michael hit the end call button without answering.
“Booth. Why’d you have to go and get yourself in trouble?” He couldn’t think about the possibility Booth might be dead. Booth had always seemed invincible, like Superman. Had Superman finally met his kryptonite?
He’d been friends with Booth since their college years at V-Tech. He was closer to Booth than he was with his own brothers, which was why he’d cautioned Booth about getting involved with Rachel from the beginning. Mostly because he’d never seen him react the way he had to Rachel with any other woman. For her, he’d almost been willing to give it all up. Would have, too, if it hadn’t been for Michael.
There was no way Michael was going to let his friend throw it all away for a woman.
Now, Michael glanced around the parking lot, examining the most innocent of activities with the experience of someone trained to spot a covert threat. A habit he couldn’t shake. Booth’s disappearance had him spooked.
It had everyone at the Agency spooked, including Director Hughes.
Michael fired the car’s engine, not bothering with lowering the volume of the state-of-the-art sound system. Someone needed to be tracking Rachel Weiss’ movements right away.
“Yello, Sam here.” Sam Masters, Michael’s subordinate, might be still wet behind the ears, but he had all the makings of becoming one of the great ones, like Booth. Michael could see the same self-assuredness Booth possessed at that age. It would take Sam far in the business if he didn’t let his emotions get in the way as Booth had.
“I need you and Henry to tail someone and keep me updated.”
“Okay. Will do. Shoot. What’s the name and where can we find him?”
“Her. It’s a her. Rachel Weiss.”
Sam blew out a long slow whistle. “The Assistant Ambassador to Israel? Is someone threatening her or does this have something to do with the ambassador himself?”
“Neither. At least not as far as I’m aware of. Keep an eye on her and I need you to have someone watch her house. She and her young daughter are staying at Houston Avenue along with the nanny.”
“Someone’s done his homework. Got it. We’ll take care of it.”
Michael ignored the typical Sam smart aleck comment. Since Rachel left the CIA, he’d made a promise to Booth and himself to keep an eye out for her. Michael had made it a point of keeping both Rachel and her daughter under his protective care. He’d known she was back in the States, but when Booth went missing things got hairy. He hadn’t expected her to find out, much less care about what happened to Booth anymore.
“Oh and Sam, she doesn’t know I’ve asked you to do this. Make sure it stays that way.”
He was ready to end the call when he remembered the text message Rachel mentioned that started this whole thing in motion. “And I need you to pull Rachel’s cell phone records. I want to know who’s been calling her since she arrived here and in the days prior to leaving Jerusalem.”
“Got it. I’ll let you know the minute I have anything.”
* * * *
“Ah, Rachel, there you are. Is everything okay with Ava? Jeff told me you had to take care of some personal business.” Ambassador Judah, always an affectionate man, engulfed me in one of his world-renowned bear hugs. I’d arrived outside the Secretary of State’s offices with minutes to spare, hot and exhausted from the long walk.
When I could breathe calmly enough to speak, I tried to keep from showing the man I’d come to love as a father all of my fears. “Oh, no. No, Ava’s fine. I was talking with a friend having some marital troubles.” I tossed Jeff a stern look. This underhanded get-ahead-at-all-costs thing was starting to wear thin. Once I took over the helm of ambassador in a few months, I’d have a serious talk with Jeff about his future.
“Good, good. I don’t want anything bad happening to my goddaughter.” I smiled at Jeff’s surprise. He knew I was close with David, but he had no idea David and his wife Hannah were Ava’s godparents.
“Jeff tells me we’re all set for our meeting with the secretary’s team.” In the almost three years I’d worked with David, I don’t think I’d ever caught him in a bad mood. At sixty-eight, he’d served his country with an honor and grace that made me proud to be both an American.
“Yes, we have every minute of her visit to Jerusalem prepared. I think her team will be pleased.”
“I’m sure of it. I trust your judgment implicitly, Rachel. But let’s not keep them waiting. I adore Madam Secretary, but that Martin scares me.”
* * * *
“Gentleman and lady.” David spared me an affectionate grin. “I believe we are all in agreement. Given that all the added security procedures go into place without any unforeseen issues, the peace talks will begin on the twentieth. The Secretary of State will arrive two days prior to allow for any additional preparation.”
The SOS’s team of five men nodded in agreement.
“Excellent. Then we’ll see each of you in two weeks. Have a pleasant journey to the Holy Land.”
David waited until the car was on its way before assessing the outcome of the meeting. “I believe that went well. Rachel and Jeff, I thank you both for your diligence.”
I smiled, hoping David couldn’t sense my distraction.
“I couldn’t agree more.” Jeff seemed thrilled by the vote of confidence.
The limo came to a seamless halt in front of our makeshift offices. “I’ll drop the two of you off. Hannah and I have dinner plans with friends for the evening. I’ll see each of you on the plane tomorrow.”
My hesitation further peaked David’s curiosity. “David, do you think I could have a moment of your time?” I saw Jeff glance my way and added, “It’s a personal matter.”
“Of course, of course. Ride with me. I can have the car drop you off at your quarters.”
“Thank you, David.”
We said our goodbyes to Jeff and made our way through the light early afternoon D.C. traffic in silence for a while. I didn’t know how to ask for David’s help. He knew most of my secrets. I’d long ago explained my past life to David. After all, it would come up in the background check.
The compassion and gentle concern he and Hannah showed me while I mended my broken heart and made my way through pregnancy and single parenthood had been a gift from God.
Next to me, his soft chuckle intruded into my troubled thoughts. “Will you have me guess what’s troubling you, child?”
I turned to him. I’d almost forgotten how intense those gray eyes could be. As if he was searching my soul.
It was part of his magic. David had the personality of a kindly grandfather and the sharp intellect of a wise teacher. It had served him well throughout his career. David could relate to anyone.
I smiled at him. “No. I’m sorry. This is hard. David, it’s Booth. He’s gone missing,” I added reluctantly as if admitting this truth to someone else was like accepting my fate.
When I first took the job as assistant ambassador, I’d stayed with David and Hannah. They’d witnessed more than I wished they had during that time. It had been all my decision to leave Booth, but that hadn’t made it any easier, getting over him or moving forward with my life without him in it.
David was silent for a moment. Another stalwart piece of his character. He considered all options before weighing in on a problem.
“I see. Do you have any idea where?”
“Yes. Near Kandahar.”
“Dangerous ground, Rachel. Especially for a Jew.” He eyed me carefully. “What do you need to do?” He phrased it as a question, but he knew.
“I have to go there
.”
“You think that’s wise, my dear? I know he’s Ava’s father and you still have feelings for him, but you’re not part of that world anymore. Perhaps it’s best to leave this matter to those still in the game.”
It was hard telling the truth. “I can’t. They aren’t planning on doing anything to help him.”
This would be hard for him to fathom. David saw only the good in people. In spite of the work we did, he chose to believe most people possessed goodness in them. On those few times when the dark side of human nature crept into his world and I tried to get him to see the truth, David would stubbornly refuse.
“He’s one of their own. They can’t leave him behind.”
If only that were true. “They can and they will. David, Booth’s mission wouldn’t necessarily have been sanctioned by the powers that be. He was going after someone big. His orders would be to kill. If it’s an unsanctioned hit, they can’t send anyone to help him.”
David made no bones about his distaste for the tactics used by some of our intelligence departments in the war on terror.
“I see. And if you go there, what will you do? What do you hope to accomplish?”
“I still have some contacts around. I’ll try to ask a few questions, see what I can learn on my own.”
“You know you have my support no matter what you choose to do, but you understand that I cannot bring the embassy in on this.”
“Of course.” The implications could be enormous, especially with the upcoming peace talks between Israel and Palestine. If any hint of someone from our team working covert ops behind enemy lines were to reach the ears of the Palestine government, the small amount of progress we’d made so far would come crashing down around us.
“I know. I’ll be okay, don’t worry.”
“But I do worry about you going back into that world again, Rachel, I cannot lie. I remember how hard it was for you to leave it in the past. What happens if you learn that Booth has been captured or worse, dead?”
My reaction must have shown on my face. “I don’t know. But I have to try to find out the truth for Ava’s sake.”
“For Ava or for yours?” he asked gently.
I shook my head. “For both of us, I guess. David, I owe Booth.”
He didn’t agree, but after another moment, he let it go. “All right. What can I do to help you? I can pave the way. Get you there, but you must know Rachel, there are places there that are like going back into time a thousand years. Women are still considered property. A Jewish woman alone could be in grave danger. Your life could be in danger. What would happen to Ava’s future if something were to happen to you? She needs you.”
“I’m not going to risk my life. I know what I’m doing. But I’d like for Dana and Ava to stay with you and Hannah while I’m gone.”
“Of course, but will you let me send some people with you? I’d feel better.”
“No, I can’t let you do that. It would be disastrous if my involvement were traced to you in any way. Besides, I’ll call less attention to myself and have better luck traveling alone.”
David had known this was what my answer would be. “I understand. How long do you need?”
“I won’t be sure until I know more about what I’m up against. I hope to have something within a few days. I’ll leave as soon as we return to Jerusalem and I know that Ava is settled in with you.”
“I see. Well, you have no worries about Ava. Absolutely we will watch over your baby girl for you.”
“There’s one more thing. If anything happens to me, promise me you’ll take care of her.”
“Rachel...”
“David, please promise me. I need you to do this for me.”
He patted my hand affectionately. “You know that we will. You come home safely.”
“I’ll do my best. And David, if Booth should survive and I don’t. Don’t tell him about her. Don’t tell him he has a daughter.”
With another graze nod, David was deposited at his home outside of the city, and the driver took me to the brownstone I’d borrowed for our stay from an old pre-CIA acquaintance.
My thoughts spun as the driver pulled in front of the two-story building. Parked a few yards down the street, we’d passed a black, nondescript sedan. Instinctively, I knew Michael was having me watched. I’d need to be careful, follow as closely as possible to my normal routine in order not to draw any unnecessary attention. If they were watching me here, there’d be no doubt in my mind they’d be scrutinizing my every move once I’d returned to Jerusalem.
I’d made a mistake by going to Michael. I should have realized the seriousness of Booth’s position.
“I’m home,” I called out to Dana once I’d unlocked the door.
“We’re in here.” I followed Dana’s voice into the kitchen where I found her and Ava making cookies. My daughter had been waiting for me to come in. She held up two cookies and grinned her wide, toothy grin. All of my fears melted away as I knelt and held open my arms.
Ava barreled toward me with all the enthusiasm of a two-year-old who hadn’t seen her mommy in hours. I scooped her up and lavished her with hugs and kisses until she was giggling uncontrollably and could barely contain herself.
She all but shoved one of the chocolate chip cookies in my mouth. “Mmm. Delicious,” I said through bites.
Her tiny arms wrapped around my neck, her face inches from mine. I could feel cookie crumbs sprinkling down and inside my shirt.
“What have you and Dana been up to today, my dumpling?”
Using her pet name always made her giggle.
“We fed squirrels in the backyard and then we made cookies,” Dana told me.
I mouthed a quick thank you over Ava’s golden head. “That’s nice. Did you two pack?”
Ava eagerly nodded. “Yes, Mommy.”
I saw Dana cringe and somehow managed to suppress my own laughter.
“Good girl. Why don’t we grab some milk and enjoy these cookies? Come on, Dana, you too.”
Dana grabbed three glasses while Ava, still in my arms, pulled out the milk from the fridge. We sat at the kitchen table and devoured almost all of the cookies and I was careful not to show my baby any of my worries.
“Okay, you, bath time,” I told her when I glanced at my watch and caught the time.
“Aw, Mommy. I want to help Dana with dinner.”
“You can help her set the table. Come on.”
Once dinner was over and Ava was in bed, I motioned Dana into the living room, turned on the TV as loudly as I dared and told Dana what was happening.
Once I’d finished with the sketchy details of Booth’s fate, I added, “I’ll need you and Ava to stay with the ambassador for a while. A few days.”
“Oh, Rachel, do you think that’s wise? Afghanistan is such a dangerous place.”
“I know, but I have to do this.”
Dana understood all the reasons why I couldn’t leave Booth behind. Slowly, she let go of her protests and said, “Okay. I’ll say a prayer that God will keep you safe.”
Chapter Three
For a city that was at the root of two religions’ constant dispute, Jerusalem was both crowded and a little dirty.
The embassy’s jet touched down on the Israeli national airbase. Within minutes, we were on our way to our perspective houses. During the flight, I’d explained briefly to Ava that I needed to go away for a few days. While she was upset to be separated from me, she loved spending time at David and Hannah’s home because they had a dog that had had puppies. I promised her when I got back she could take one of those puppies home with her.
I left David with an assurance that I’d accept his offer for transportation into Afghanistan. He’d arranged for an Afghani friend of his to get me safely across the border. I’d told him I’d be operating under an alias so his friend wouldn’t be expecting to escort a Rachel Weiss across the border.
Because I didn’t trust that my phone or anyone else’s close to me might not be bugged, David
used the secured line on the plane reserved for embassy use only to call his contact. His friend agreed to our meeting place and told him he could get me as far as Kabul. After that, I’d be on my own.
With our luggage stowed away, we drove straight to David’s house. Once I’d made sure Ava and Dana were safely settled in, I went back to my house in the city. It wasn’t unusual for Ava to spend time with David. I hoped anyone watching us had done their research.
In the basement of our little home, on the top shelf of a metal bookcase, I’d hidden away a box filled with pieces of my past. The only thing I’d saved from that time.
I dragged the box upstairs then did a quick sweep of the house. As I expected, the phones were bugged. While the ambassador’s residence wasn’t being watched, mine was a different story. I spotted my shadow parked some distance away yet close enough to see whoever came and went from the house.
“Perfect,” I said with an exasperated sigh. I’d have to be careful tomorrow.
Inside the box, I found my Glock. Its cold steel barrel reminded me of the last time I’d used it. It was still so fresh and raw that it could have been yesterday.
Booth and I’d been in Basra. I’d found out I was pregnant. I’d been scared to death of losing my child and arguing with myself over telling Booth about the baby.
We’d been tracking a lead on one of Bin Laden’s generals. We’d spent the night hidden away in a remote cave. And as usual, we’d argued. I think Booth knew we were finished. After all the anger, resentment, and pain I’d gone through after our breakup, I couldn’t push that memory from my heart. That had been the night Booth made it clear where I stood in his heart, and it would never be first.
“Rachel, you know I love you, but this is what I do. It’s more than that, it’s who I am. I can’t shut it off. I thought it was who you were as well. The work we’re doing is important. It could be the difference between freedom and extinction for the next generation.” I hadn’t been able to tell him the next generation was our child. And I couldn’t risk our child’s life any longer.
I knew if I lived long enough to get out of the country alive, I’d have to end it with him.