Staying Alive

by Webb, Debra

  As it would any father. But this wasn’t just any father, this was a ruthless terrorist.

  “In all the years that I’ve been tracking Nusair, we’ve never been this close to him. Habib’s presence here in Seattle was the opportunity we’d been waiting for. Nusair kept his son underground until recently. Discovering him here was a huge break. It’s also an indication of how short our time is. Plans have clearly escalated. Habib was put in place for a reason.”

  “And I killed him,” Claire cut to the chase. “I’ve ruined your investigation. Any hope you had of capturing Nusair died with his son yesterday.” She’d foiled a high-priority investigation involving national security. Talk about making her mark in history.

  “Not necessarily,” Krueger countered.

  It was official, she was thoroughly confused now.

  “The fact is,” he went on, “your heroic measure may have provided us with our first real opportunity to take him down.”

  She searched his eyes. Tried to read what he wasn’t telling her. “You’re going to have to explain what you mean, Agent Krueger.”

  “Abdul Nusair won’t stop until he has avenged his son’s death. No matter how long it takes, he will kill you or die trying.”

  She went ice cold. “Is that why I’m in protective custody?” That seemed like the logical explanation, but some part of her understood that there was more…far more.

  “In part.”

  He sat back, distanced himself. It was more than his physical movement. She felt his withdrawal as literally as she saw it.

  “We need you, Miss Grant. If we don’t stop Nusair while we’re this close we won’t ever have this opportunity again. We have every reason to believe his cells are poised to make a catastrophic move. Stopping Nusair is essential.”

  “You’re not afraid that his minions will carry on without him?” Even if they stopped Nusair there was no guarantee his people would walk away from whatever schemes he had orchestrated.

  “We have his right-hand man, Hamid Kaibar. I’m certain his continued silence hinges upon Nusair. Once Nusair is out of the way, we’ll get everything we need from Kaibar.”

  That left the pivotal question of how they intended to get Nusair in the first place. Somehow the answer to that question involved her. She was beginning to understand what Krueger had in mind for her.

  “So,” she ventured, “I’m the bait.”

  The idea hadn’t felt real until she said the words out loud.

  It was true. She saw the confirmation in his eyes before he blinked it away.

  “Bait isn’t the word I would use.”

  Now that intense gaze found someplace else to land. Anyplace but on her it seemed.

  “What word would you use?” The cold hard reality of her fate had begun to sink in fully, kindling a survival reaction, however delayed. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to help make her country a safe place. On the contrary, she did. It was the idea that this man and his team only saw her as one thing, a means to an end. That part made her furious.

  “You’re an asset, Miss Grant. The security of your country may very well depend on you.”

  The cold fear that had invaded her body from the moment she’d received that threatening call had given way to numbness. Along the way she’d felt anticipation, frustration and even irritation. But this feeling was beyond all that.

  Maybe it was resignation. Yes, that was it. She now realized the full ramifications of her predicament.

  She was a dead woman…any way you looked at it.

  Either Nusair would kill her or the FBI would get her killed attempting to lure him in.

  “I know this isn’t exactly an optimal position, Miss Grant. Let me assure you that your safety will be paramount throughout this operation.”

  That promise prompted a dry laugh from her throat. She hadn’t meant to let it escape. Optimal—definitely not. “I thought stopping Nusair was paramount, Agent Krueger.”

  His guard went up. She noted the change in his expression as surely as she felt the disruption in her own heart’s rhythm at the idea that her options were limited. No matter the outcome of this conversation, she had little choice in what happened next.

  “Do you have a problem making certain sacrifices for your country, Miss Grant?”

  Fury ignited in her belly. That he tacked her name onto practically every statement he made was nothing more than a way to keep her off guard…feeling inferior somehow.

  “Of course not. It’s just that I’m a little surprised at your sidestepping the real issue here.”

  “And what is the real issue from your perspective?”

  “This operation will most likely get me killed. Ensuring my safety will only be a priority as long as it doesn’t interfere with getting Nusair. I know that. You know that. I just want to hear you say it.”

  The standoff lasted all of ten seconds.

  Claire couldn’t say for sure exactly why it was so important to her for this man to admit his real intent, but somehow it was.

  “Your safety is and will be priority one.”

  For another beat or two she was certain he intended to leave it at that…a lie.

  “But if a choice has to be made, completing the ultimate goal will take precedence. You surely see there is no other way,” Krueger continued.

  Well, at least he was honest.

  “That’s all I needed to hear.”

  Claire stood.

  His gaze remained fixed on hers.

  “I need to talk to my friend before…” How did she phrase this? “…before we go any further.”

  “Of course.” He pushed back his chair and rose to his full, confidence-stealing height. “I’ll send her in so that the two of you will have some privacy.”

  Special Agent Luke Krueger walked out of the room.

  Claire closed her eyes to hold back the emotion brimming there and steadied herself. Promised herself she would not cry. She would not take this like a sissy. Her father had raised her to be stronger than this.

  “Claire.”

  She blinked rapidly and rearranged her expression into one of optimism before turning to greet her best friend. “Hey.”

  Scanning the unexpected furnishings in the room, Darlene hurried over to where Claire waited.

  “What’s going on here?”

  “You were right,” Claire told her. “These guys are FBI. That call I received really was from Abdul Nusair. Apparently he’s decided to make me pay for protecting my students.” She couldn’t bring herself to say “for killing his son,” out loud.

  Darlene seemed to digest that information for a moment. “Was the man you had to kill yesterday important to him?” She flashed her palms in a gesture of doubt. “I mean, beyond being one of his overzealous, fruitcake followers?”

  Claire braced herself for saying what she should have known she couldn’t keep from her friend. “The man I killed was his son.” She held Darlene’s gaze a moment. “His only son.”

  Darlene reached for her, took her hands. “Oh, God, Claire. What’re they going to do to protect you?”

  Her eyes started to burn again. She blinked, fighting the overwhelming urge to break down and cry. “They’re going to do all they can.” She glanced toward the door. “I don’t have a lot of time, but I wanted to talk to you before I have to go wherever they’re planning to take me next.”

  Darlene squeezed her hands. “This is crazy. There has to be something they can do.”

  Claire shook her head. She appreciated that her friend cared so much, but she was wrong. There was nothing anyone could do. “I won’t be able to attend Mr. Allen’s memorial service. I’d like you to let Mrs. Allen know how deeply sorry I am. Please tell her that her husband gave his life to protect the children.” She had to stop a moment to compose herself.

  Darlene waited patiently for her to continue.

  “I’ll need to be put on extended leave. I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back.”

  Tears started
to roll down Darlene’s cheeks, but, to her credit, she remained stoically silent.

  “Take care of my place for me. You know where I keep the spare key hidden. If you let my flowers die I’ll be seriously unhappy.”

  Darlene laughed, the sound sort of pitiful. “You know I will.”

  Claire nodded. “I know I can count on you.” She inhaled a deep, bolstering breath. This was where things got tricky. “In my bedroom, under the mattress, there’s a diary I keep.”

  “A diary?” Darlene’s watery eyes went wide with glee. “You shouldn’t have told me about that. You know I’ll have to read it.”

  Claire bit down on her lower lip when it trembled. Don’t lose it yet, she ordered. “The…ah…diary is for my sister.”

  All signs of amusement vanished from her friend’s face. “I didn’t know you had a sister.”

  “We don’t exactly keep in touch. Just make sure she gets the diary if…things…well, you know if they stick me in some witness protection program where I can’t contact anyone in my former life.” She pushed a smile into place. “That happens all the time in the movies. Her name and address is inside the front cover.”

  “What is it you’re not telling me?”

  Darlene stared at Claire, her suspicion mounting.

  “Don’t be paranoid.” Claire laughed, a painful sound not much better than the one Darlene had made moments ago. “You know me, I’m just covering all my bases. You know how anal I am.”

  Darlene still wasn’t convinced. Claire could see the questions in her eyes.

  “”Don’t lie to me, Claire. What’s really going on?”

  “Miss Grant. Miss Vernon.”

  Claire tensed as Agent Krueger entered the room. She’d known he would be listening. That whole line of bull about the privacy had been just that, bull. Either that or the man had damned good timing.

  “I apologize, Miss Vernon, but we’re going to have to be going now. Agents Nance and Goldbach will take you home.”

  “Where is Claire going?” Darlene demanded, staring straight into those intense green eyes. “I want your assurance that she’s going to be well protected.”

  Agent Krueger gestured to the door. “You have my word, Miss Vernon. Now, the agents are waiting to take you home.”

  Darlene hugged her. Claire held on tight, didn’t want to let go but she knew Krueger was waiting.

  The tearful goodbye tore a chunk out of Claire’s heart. She watched her friend go, scared to death she would never see her again.

  She turned back to Krueger. “How can you be sure Darlene will be safe? If Nusair knows she’s my friend he might—”

  “Already taken care of. Two agents will be watching her every move, twenty-four/seven.”

  A sigh of relief expelled from her lungs. Wait. What about her sister?

  “I have a sister and a niece.” God, she should have thought of that sooner. Nusair could already be trying to get to them.

  “Agents have already been dispatched to watch your sister. For now we’re doing so without briefing her as to the situation.” Krueger touched her arm in an attempt at reassurance. “We don’t leave anything to chance, Miss Grant. The people you care about will be protected.”

  His hand felt warm against her skin. She wanted to believe what he said…that nothing would be left to chance. But she was afraid. Afraid for the only family she had left, whether that family claimed her or not. Afraid for her dear friend.

  “What do we do now?” She felt suddenly tired. as if the weight of the world were on her shoulders and she had no idea how to support it properly.

  “I’ll need a list of the items you require from your home.” He moved those broad shoulders in a negligible shrug. “Clothes, toiletries, any medications. Then we’ll start the operation briefing.”

  Krueger rounded up a notepad and a pen and placed both on the table. “Let me know when you’re finished and I’ll send one of my agents to pick up your stuff.”

  Claire sat down at the conference table once more and stared at the paper. She tried to look at the chore before her as if she were taking a vacation. A couple of weeks in the mountains or on a cruise, though she wouldn’t need any formal attire for sure.

  Unless she wanted to go ahead and pick out a dress to be buried in.

  A shiver rushed over her skin.

  She couldn’t start thinking that way. Krueger said he would do all he could to protect her. She had to do her part as well. If she fell into the role of victim, she’d certainly end up a victim. She had to be strong and think rationally. She was no shrinking violet. She knew how to use a handgun, a rifle and she knew how to fight. Sisters as close in age as she and her sister didn’t grow up without a scuffle or two.

  Claire started with clothes. Moved on to toiletries, only the necessities. Maybe the iron she used for straightening her hair wasn’t an actual necessity but maintaining some aspects of her appearance would help her keep her composure. Her hair was one of them.

  At first she left off the box of exquisite chocolates she had saved for a special occasion but then she decided that she needed it.

  An epiphany struck just then.

  This was almost like being pregnant.

  Her friends always told her that the great thing about being pregnant was the fact that a woman didn’t have to worry about watching her food intake so closely. Unless there were complications, dieting was a no-no during pregnancy.

  The way Claire saw it, her current circumstances were quite similar. Why fret about what she ate? She might not live to ever have to worry about climbing onto a scale again.

  There you go. Her mother had always taught her to look at the bright side of any situation. Claire had just proven that almost any situation could have a lighter side. Who cared about her weight if the size of the casket were the only issue?

  She’d really gone off the deep end here. After reviewing her list she decided she couldn’t think of anything else. As if he’d sensed her completion of the task, Krueger returned.

  Maybe they had cameras as well as listening devices monitoring this room.

  She got up and passed the list to him.

  He scanned it, then settled his full attention on her. “If you think of anything else you need, just let me know. We want you to be comfortable.”

  Agent Carver rushed into the room. “Excuse me, sir.”

  Krueger shifted his attention to the other agent. “What do you have, Carver?”

  “Sir, Miss Grant’s cell has an incoming call.”

  The FBI had her cell phone? The last time she’d seen it was in her classroom on her desk. She’d assumed it had been confiscated as evidence since the terrorists had used it to converse with the police.

  “The call is bouncing off one server after the other, sir. We believe it’s him.”

  That bone-chilling cold she’d felt earlier crept its way through her body.

  Krueger tucked a Bluetooth wireless earpiece into his ear. Then he took the cell phone and offered it to Claire. “Stay calm and listen carefully to whatever he tells you. We’ll be monitoring the conversation, but we don’t want him to know that.”

  The ringing abruptly stopped.

  An anxious breath heaved past her lips.

  Krueger thrust the phone closer to her. “He’ll call back.”

  As if his mind were linked to the caller’s, the ringing started again.

  Claire took the phone. Her hand shook. She moistened her lips then flipped open the phone.

  Her gaze collided with Krueger’s as she placed it against her ear. “Hello.”

  “Claire Grant?”

  She flinched. “Yes.”

  “You must go to Bellevue Square. Your task awaits you at the first-level children’s play area. Do not deviate. Do not elicit help. No extraordinary measures like bulletproof vests or weapons. Nothing. I repeat, you must do as I say, unarmed and with no help. I am aware that you are not alone and that this call is being monitored. Do not allow your new friends to int
erfere. Keep this phone with you at all times. You have forty-five minutes, Miss Grant.”

  Krueger made one of those keep-going gestures with his hand and whispered, “Ask him what happens in forty-five minutes.”

  Claire couldn’t think. The blood roaring in her ears from the frantic pounding of her heart made concentrating impossible.

  “I don’t understand your instructions. What is it I’m supposed to do at the mall?”

  “You will receive additional instructions when you arrive at the play area.”

  She probably needed to ask other questions in order to keep him talking, but her mind simply wouldn’t fix on anything.

  “I’m…I’m not sure…”

  “Hurry, Miss Grant,” he interrupted, “or a child will die.”

  Chapter 7

  “ETA is sixteen minutes, sir.”

  Claire rushed into the waiting elevator with Krueger and two other members of his team, Agents Talkington and Holman.

  Her mind kept trying to make sense of what was happening, but somehow things wouldn’t connect to form a logical pattern.

  “I need the layout of the mall’s first floor. We have only minutes to get backup into place.” Krueger rattled off the orders as if nothing that had transpired in the past few minutes surprised him.

  This was his job, she reminded herself. He probably did this kind of thing all the time.

  But she didn’t.

  She looked at him, felt panic rising all too fast. “What’s happening? I don’t understand this.”

  Krueger shifted his attention to her, but before he could answer her question the elevator bumped to a stop on the lobby level.

  He barked additional instructions to his men as he took her by the arm and herded her toward the hotel’s front exit.

  Seconds later they were en route to the Bellevue Square Mall. Claire watched in horrified amazement as the men made preparations. Special communication devices were positioned on shirt collars and tucked into ears. Krueger continued to dole out orders with a keenly honed focus that transcended the norm.