by Alex Lukeman
"I called DCI Hood and sent copies of the tapes to him. I talked to him half an hour ago. We have a plan."
CHAPTER 49
Elizabeth and Clarence Hood arrived at the entrance to the West Wing together. They were met by the Special Agent in Charge of the White House Secret Service detail, Carl Ortiz. His face was impossible to read. Two other agents stood with him. He introduced himself.
"The director has given me orders to assist you. I'm at your disposal. Justice Sanderson and the speaker are due to arrive in a few moments. How would you like to proceed?"
Hood took the lead.
"It would be best to get this over with as quickly as possible. Director Harker's appointment with the president is in a few moments. She and I will go into the Oval Office together. When Justice Sanderson and the speaker arrive, please have them wait in the green room. When Reynolds signals to have us escorted out, that's when you come in."
"Yes, sir."
"I know this must be difficult for you, Special Agent Ortiz," Harker said.
"Yes, ma'am, it is."
"Believe me when I say that I wish this wasn't happening. I think you should be prepared for anything."
"When I joined up they told me to be ready for anything," Ortiz said. "They didn't tell me that one day I might have to arrest the President of the United States."
"No one could have predicted that," Hood said.
Elizabeth entered the Oval Office with Hood right behind. Reynolds sat behind the large desk carved from the timbers of HMS Resolute. He looked up as they came in, obviously surprised to see Hood with the woman he intended to destroy.
"Director Hood. I didn't expect to see you here."
"I'm sure you didn't, Mister President."
"Since you are here, you might as well sit down."
Elizabeth and Hood sat on one of the couches in front of the desk. Reynolds didn't notice that they didn't thank him for permission to sit.
"Director Harker, I asked you here today for your resignation. Your irresponsible conduct and the recklessness of your team have caused an international incident. You will immediately cease all operations."
Elizabeth's voice was casual. "By incident, I assume you're referring to the events at the border with Estonia?"
"Of course I'm referring to it. Did you think you could kill a Federation guard and simply walk away without any consequences? It's about time people like you learned to follow the rules."
"Really. That's interesting, coming from a man who is betraying his country."
Reynolds's face turned bright red.
"What? What did you say?"
"You heard me. You're a traitor. We know about your little conspiracy. You've caused a lot of trouble. We're here today to make sure you don't cause anymore."
Reynolds stood. He made no effort to hide his anger.
"How dare you accuse me of treason?"
"No, sir, how dare you act with treasonous intent? If you have even a shred of decency left, you will reveal the details of your plot before more damage is done."
"Director Hood, you’re a witness to this woman's insulting behavior. Clearly she's deranged."
Disgusted, Hood said, "I think it's you that's deranged."
Reynolds pressed a button on his desk. Ortiz came into the room.
"Agent Ortiz, escort these people off the White House grounds. Director Hood, I expect your resignation immediately."
Ortiz stood by the open door, his expression studiously blank, hands clasped behind his back.
"Ortiz, did you hear me? Escort them out immediately."
"I'm afraid I can't do that...sir."
"Reynolds," Harker said. "You never should have put video cameras in here."
The look on his face told Elizabeth that Reynolds realized he was in trouble.
"What cameras? What are you talking about?"
"The ones you installed here as soon as you took office," Hood said. "You might as well stop the pretense."
"All electronic systems are vulnerable to hacking," Elizabeth said. "You should have thought of that before you put them in. We have tapes of you discussing your plot with Senator Palmer. Director Hood has seen them. So have several others."
She turned to Ortiz, waiting patiently by the door.
"Are the others here yet?"
"Yes, Director. They're waiting."
"Send them in please."
"What others?" Reynolds said.
Supreme Court Justice Olivia Sanderson came into the Oval Office, followed by the Speaker of the House, Francis Hopkins.
"These others," Elizabeth said. "I believe you know Justice Sanderson and Speaker Hopkins? Both of them have seen the evidence against you. Justice Sanderson is here to make sure we follow the law during this unpleasant experience."
Hopkins was a fireplug of a man, a former university boxing champion. He'd seen action in the Army during the Gulf War. After his discharge he'd gone into politics. He was known for his fervent patriotism, a man who believed in America and the promise of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
He looked at Reynolds with loathing.
"I never thought I'd see the day when a traitor sat in the White House," he said. "It's a good thing for you that we live in a free country under the rule of law. If it were up to me, you'd be tarred and feathered and paraded through Washington. As it is, we'll just lock you up until you can be impeached."
Reynolds kept trying. "I don't know what these people have told you, Mister Speaker, but it's a pack of lies."
"I saw videos of you and Palmer talking about this weapon, Status 6. How you're going to use it against us. Against your own country, you son of a bitch."
"Wait..."
"Don't bother, Reynolds. It's too bad we don't have the death penalty for treason anymore. You're a disgrace. I'm going to be the next President of the United States, and you can bet your ass I'm going to make sure you're locked up for the rest of your life."
Reynolds had not yet appointed a vice president. Without a VP, the speaker of the house was next in line if the president was incapacitated or removed from office.
"Reynolds, you have one opportunity to make things easier for yourself," Hood said. "Tell us what you and Palmer have planned. We may not have the death penalty for treason, but you're complicit in the assassination of President Corrigan. You can be executed for that. If you come clean, we'll make sure you don't get the death sentence. Justice Sanderson is a witness. This is the only time the offer is on the table."
Reynolds' face had gone from bright red to ghostlike white then back to red. A vein on his forehead throbbed.
Elizabeth watched him, fascinated. What will he do?
Reynolds sat down and crossed his arms over his chest. He looked at them, his face like stone.
"I'm not going to tell you a damn thing. You can all go fuck yourselves."
"Special Agent Ortiz," Hood said. "Arrest this man. Isolate him until we can get him transferred to someplace secure."
Ortiz called out a command and two agents came into the Oval Office. He pointed at Reynolds.
"Cuff him. Take him to the detention cell."
"Chief, are you sure?"
"You heard me."
"Clap him in irons!" Hopkins said.
"What?" Elizabeth said. "Clap him in irons?"
Hopkins grinned.
"I've always wanted to say that."
CHAPTER 50
It was later the same day. Selena tried to get comfortable on the couch in Elizabeth's office, leaning against the armrest. She was tired, her stomach was upset, and the twins were kicking the hell out of her. Burps lay stretched out next to her, all forty pounds of him, kneading the leather of the couch and purring. Occasionally he looked up at Selena and drooled.
Stephanie sat in a chair with her laptop. The rest of the team sat on the couch with Selena and the cat.
"Reynolds has clammed up," Elizabeth said. "He refuses to talk with anyone except his lawyer. Right now he's not getti
ng a lawyer. He's being held under the antiterrorism act. He's being treated like the terrorist he is."
"How do we stop these people?" Nick asked.
"I'm going to send you after them," Elizabeth said.
"We don't know where they are. How can we go after them?"
"We do know where they are," Stephanie said. "I asked Freddie to search for anything indicating where Beck, Morgan, or Palmer might have gone. He found them in Argentina. All of them."
"Where in Argentina?" Nick asked.
"Freddie."
Yes, Stephanie?
"Tell us where Palmer, Beck and Morgan went."
"Sounds like a bunch of damn lawyers," Lamont said.
All three men initially went to Córdoba.
"Initially?" Selena said. "Where did they go after that?"
To the airport at San Carlos de Bariloche in Patagonia.
"Was this their final destination?"
It was not. They continued to Nahuel Huapi Lake by boat.
"A lake? Why a lake?"
"It isn't the lake that drew them," Elizabeth said. "It's a house on the lake, called Inalco House. Hans Beck bought it and thousands of acres around it, several years ago. It used to be something of a tourist destination, but since Beck took it over its been sealed off. Nobody can get near it anymore."
"Why would they go in the first place?" Lamont asked. "What's so special about a house on a lake?"
"Because that's where Hitler went at the end of World War II. At least that's what some people believe."
"Wait a minute," Nick said. "Hitler killed himself in Berlin. Didn't he?"
"I don't know if he did or not. What I do know is that Beck comes from a family of Nazis. His grandfather was a general in the SS."
"These guys are Nazis?" Ronnie asked.
"Not in the traditional sense. At least I don't think so."
"It doesn't make any difference," Nick said. "They have to be put out of action."
"Are we certain that's where they are?" Selena asked.
There is no indication any of the three men you are concerned about have left the property since arriving.
"What are they doing there?" Ronnie asked.
I have researched satellite photographs of the property. Over the last six months there has been considerable truck traffic bringing in supplies. Extensive construction was done on the property when Beck acquired it. The house was modernized. It is possible there are underground bunkers.
"What is your conclusion about their activities?" Selena asked.
Given the premise that they wish to initiate world war, it is logical to conclude they intend to wait there until the war is over.
"At Inalco House?"
That is correct.
"If they're going to ground, it means they think war will start soon," Nick said. "At least they're all in the same place. Freddie, put up satellite shots of Inalco House and the surrounding area on the monitor."
The shots came up. Inalco House was situated in a thick forest in Patagonia, not far from the border with Chile. The forest surrounded it on three sides. The only access to the house was from Nahuel Huapi Lake. Two secondary structures were set a little ways off from the main building. Two boats were anchored near the beach fronting the house.
"Isolated," Nick said. "What do we know about it?"
Stephanie said, "Freddie, tell us what you know about the target."
By target, you are referring to the structure called Inalco House?
"Yes."
The house was constructed to resemble Adolph Hitler's house in Berchtesgaden, Germany. The architect was an Argentine national named Alejandro Bustillo. He designed and built many homes in Argentina for important Nazi officers and officials.
"What else can you tell us?"
Do you wish to hear speculation?
"Please."
Evidence discovered in recent years suggests Adolph Hitler escaped from Berlin at the end of World War II and was taken by submarine to Argentina. It is said he lived at this house for several years until he died.
"You have got to be kidding," Lamont said.
I do not kid.
"In 1945 that house would've been a good place to hide," Nick said. "Show us a picture of it, Freddie."
The satellite photo was replaced by a picture of a sprawling country house that might have been in Bavaria instead of Argentina. A foundation of gray native stone supported walls of heavy timbers. Two large chimneys rose over steep gray roofs designed to shed winter snow. Multiple windows and a broad, wooden balcony served to take in the view of the lake.
"Big," said Ronnie.
"What do you think about the Hitler story, Elizabeth?" Selena said.
"I don't think it's consistent with what we know about him. Shooting himself while Berlin burned down around him seems consistent with how he thought, but I could be wrong. There's never been any satisfactory proof he died in Berlin. It's possible he got away, along with a lot of other Nazis. If he did, that location is a perfect hideout. It's remote, easy to protect. A seaplane could land on the water and motor right up to the shore by the house."
"Freddie, you said there could be underground bunkers," Nick said.
That is correct.
"Is there any way to confirm that?"
Processing.
"There's not much time to stop these people," Elizabeth said. "Nick, you have to go in there and prevent them from setting off that weapon."
"The three of us? That place will be crawling with security and the building is a tactical nightmare. It will be a warren of rooms and bathrooms and hallways, and that's not counting any possible underground bunkers. The best thing would be to hit it with a missile."
"You know I can't do that. You're going to have to go in the old-fashioned way."
"Boots on the ground," Lamont said. "It always ends up like that."
I have accessed ground penetration imagery of the target. Would you like to see what I have discovered?"
Stephanie knew it would be useless to swear at the computer. Honey instead of vinegar worked better with Freddie.
"Yes, Freddie, thank you. We would like to see the images."
The imagery showed a large underground space beneath one of the secondary buildings set apart from the main house, connected by a long tunnel to a smaller, circular space.
Ronnie whistled. "That tunnel must be a hundred yards long."
"What's that other building?" Nick asked. "It's not part of the house."
The building is a teahouse.
"Just the thing for Der Fuehrer, a cup of tea in the afternoon by the lake," Ronnie said.
"Hitler drank tea?" Lamont asked.
"He had to drink something. Why not tea?"
"I don't give a shit what he drank," Nick said. "Stay focused."
Elizabeth picked up her pen. Nick waited for the tapping to begin, but she put it down again.
"There are no rules of engagement here, Nick. Do what you have to do."
"How fast can you get us down there?"
"We've got the Gulfstream. It's a long flight, but you could be there around this time tomorrow."
"It's winter down there," Ronnie said.
"Freddie," Steph said, "show us the weather for the area."
A ten day weather report popped up on the monitor.
"That's not too bad," Lamont said. "Thirties and forties and a lot of rain. Beats snow."
"Rain is good," Nick said. "Everybody hates patrolling in the rain. Chances are, not much happens down there. They may not be sharp."
"Maybe," Ronnie said. "We can't count on it. They might have electronic surveillance. Lasers, things like that."
"We can defeat lasers. It's ground sensors and booby-traps I'm worried about. Those woods behind the house are thick. I were them, I'd load the whole perimeter with surprises. It could get tricky."
"We could go in at night," Lamont said. "Use a raft and get right up on the beach. That's the only way to avoid the woods."
Nick rubbed his chin. "The beach isn't far from the house, but it's exposed."
"The weather will help. At night, overcast and raining? Hell, it'll be as black as Satan's heart out there."
"The nearest airport is San Carlos de Bariloche," Elizabeth said. "The town is on the lake. From there you could get a boat."
"I don't like it. We do that, they'll know we're coming. They'll have someone watching the airport, just in case. I would, if I were them. The mission will be over before it gets off the ground."
"What do you suggest?"
"Freddie," Nick said, "show us a map of Argentina and locate Inalco House."
They studied the map.
"The problem is how to approach the target without them finding out we're coming for them."
"How about a seaplane?" Selena said.
"Where are we going to get a seaplane?"
"DCI Hood could help," said Elizabeth. "You could take the Gulfstream to Mar del Plata. That's right on the ocean. Hood could have a seaplane meet you there."
"That would solve a lot of problems," Ronnie said.
"Yeah, it would." Nick studied the map. "A spook pilot isn't going to wonder what's in the boxes or why we want him to drop us off on that lake."
Elizabeth picked up her phone.
"I'll give him a call."
CHAPTER 51
They landed at Ástor Piazzolla International Airport in Mar del Plata on the afternoon of the next day. It was raining, a steady, gray downpour. The temperature hovered in the thirties.
As soon as the Gulfstream taxied to a stop, a dark blue Toyota Highlander drove up to meet them. The man who got out wore a blue slicker and cargo pants.
"Welcome to Argentina," he said. "I'm John. Hop in."
He didn't give a last name and Nick didn't ask for it.
Nick had a bad feeling about this mission. They didn't have enough intelligence. They didn't know what kind of security they were going to run into. They didn't know if there were guards or if the occupants of the house were relying on the remoteness and isolation to protect them. If Beck and his gang of traitors put up any kind of serious resistance, the target was going to be trouble.
They'd come loaded for bear, with enough explosives and ammunition to seriously discourage any kind of opposition. Everything was packed into three aluminum cases. One of the cases held a small inflatable raft with a silent electric motor. Lamont had spent hours with them during his time in the SEALS.