* * *
“WHAT?” HE WALKED around his office, listening. “OK, where is she?” He looked out at the Mall, a bleak gray etching. “She works for you. Is there any trail?” He listened again. “If they find out she was in Norfolk…” He stopped and leaned on the door jamb. “I'll take care of this.”
* * *
“COME QUICK!” Ashley was pointing at the screen crawler. It said the eyewitness who had filmed the San Diego ship attacks had been found dead in her home.
“I thought she was in custody,” said Fritz.
“How does the news have it already?” Jane asked. Her hard stare reminded Fritz of aiming at a target when he had gone shooting with Jim Shaw.
“A leaker?” asked Ashley. Jane nodded. She was lifting her phone.
“Do you know anything else?” asked Ashley when Jane put her phone down. Jane told them that the FBI still had the eyewitness in custody. “Someone's playing games.”
Chapter 9
ASHLEY SHOWED up early with more groceries. Another full house for dinner. When Mary helped unload the food, Fritz noticed a bulge in the small of her back.
“Mary,” he asked, “are you carrying?”
“Of course.”
Jane's return a few hours later sparked an explosion of questions. She answered as many as she could. The feds still had no idea who was responsible for the attacks, and all military resources were on alert.
Jane was pacing. “Why is the Navy being targeted?” she asked. Ashley suggested that the Navy targets were easily accessed, that no one guarded underwater. Fritz agreed. He said the attackers could take their time if they knew when routine checks were scheduled.
“Easy targets,” Linda mused. “Jane, what was the Navy's general response after Norfolk was hit?”
“Increased surveillance. Moved ships. Called off leave.”
“Right. Motion with no strategy. And what about the eyewitness?” Linda asked.
“Oh, she's dead all right. Her lawyer blocked the door and gave her poisoned soda. I don't know if he knew what he had, but they were both dead in three minutes.” She shook her head. “We have video. It was gruesome.” The woman, Caitlin Morgan, had been a computer analyst for National Digital Communications, a leading cyber-security company.
Investigators were looking for more information on her, and agents were collecting security film. Finding the people involved would be hard without someone claiming responsibility. The North Korean government had responded to the secretary of state. They said they were not responsible, but seeing the second attack, wanted to assure the president he would receive their cooperation moving forward. A representative had actually flown in from North Korea.
* * *
THE PRESIDENT went on TV that night. He assured the nation that the military was prepared to act. No claim of responsibility had surfaced, and all law enforcement agencies were investigating.
* * *
ASHLEY WAS ALREADY at his desk when Fritz arrived at school, wondering aloud if vacation had skipped them. Only when he spotted Ashley's sweater did Fritz realize he was cold.
“Doesn't feel like we've left,” he said. Eric Silver poked his head in and told them that the script was written through the 1930s. He handed them copies.
“Good job, Eric,” said Ashley. “I'll talk to Jean later and try to read it tonight.”
“Thanks, Mr. Gilbert. I'll see you later, Mr. R.”
“They didn't have a vacation either,” Ashley said.
The first class, his tenth graders, set the table. They were grumpy and worried.
“Mr. R,” said AJ, “I've been reading the news and watching reports for a week. It wasn't a fun vacation.”
“AJ, what are you thinking?”
“I watched the president last night. I don't think he knows what he's doing.”
Mary Ann jumped him. “How can you say that? He has a hard job. Do you want a war?”
The play distracted the next class. Fritz thanked them for taking time to work so hard during vacation. As the period wound down, Bob Bee asked, “Mr. R, do you think we're going to war again?” By lunch, Fritz had heard questions about war in each class. Ashley told him the same had happened in his classes.
After lunch, Fritz talked about the French and Indian War and England's rise to international power. But the kids still asked about the news. In seventh period, he started by congratulating Johnny Clayton for having been chosen for the all-state football team. His class on the history of work was discussing wartime production during World War II, so the news gave them an incentive to talk about the military-industrial complex. His ninth graders were chafing in their seats and questions flew. They barely mentioned the tournament.
“HI, HONEY, I'm home,” said Fritz. “Anything new?”
Jane said, “Nothing that's been released. The president said nothing is conclusive, but the chemistry indicates the same explosives were used in Norfolk and San Diego.”
* * *
“WE'VE CREATED A CRISIS,” the younger man laughed, raising a glass of bourbon. “I salute you. They'll be busy for a decade figuring it out.” His host sipped a dry martini and withheld comment. “A great idea, absolutely perfect.” The young man's effusive reaction brought tremors to his companion's well-honed sense of caution.
“The girl and the lawyer are traceable,” said the man. He walked to the windows, watching a wave smash the rocks below. “You need to be watchful and silent. You will be questioned, more likely sooner than later. I recommend a trip, one that began two weeks ago. Can you arrange it?”
“No problem. I was on my boat,” the younger responded with an off-handed impertinence.
The man knew then his associate was lucky, not smart. “And where was your boat?”
“Just driving around. Didn't stop anywhere.”
The man nodded, recognizing a weak link that jeopardized everything.
* * *
THE NEXT WEEK, Linda went back to school. She was taking three courses, one involving a major project. She thought she could begin to think about setting up her bicycle store. Finding the money would come first, but she knew what she was doing. In addition to her graduate coursework, her father, an innovator in corporate financial management, had begun teaching her about his work when she was very young.
“I'll have to buy a bike so we can race, Fritz,” said Ashley. “How about a buck a minute? I'll design the race course. Lin, I'll be your first customer.”
* * *
THE PRESIDENT was frustrated by the investigation's lack of progress. No one had claimed responsibility. The videos disclosed unidentifiable divers. The military and law enforcement teams had no reports. A dead woman and her dead lawyer formed the only tangible connection. A single link. Three weeks after the San Diego bombing, the president faced another Sunday of talk-show critics. No man is an island? he thought. Yeah, right.
Jane spent most of the week with General Beech and the CIA Director. The facts pointed to a single set of perpetrators. Friday afternoon, Jane sat at the Russells' kitchen table, looking at the snow-covered lawn through the bay window. Her phone had been silent all day. Startled by the ring, she jumped.
“Yes, General?”
“Jane, you were right. There's a definite link. It's the Eledorians.”
“General, there's a link, but it's not them. It was mercenaries, bought and supplied by someone else. This ties back to Koppler. I'm sure of it. Someone is pulling strings. And spending a lot to do it. General, I don't know if you know, but I worked with the colonel saving the Israeli settlers.”
The general interrupted. “I didn't know. The portal?”
Jane continued, “Um-hmm. The troops that attacked the settlement had no identifying markings. The planes were stolen, and we captured no prisoners.” She spotted two cardinals in a tree. “General, you are already sworn. You know I have to report this discussion to the president. He's got a list of everything to do with the portal. I want you to know that I trust you, but the
president requires it. Nothing personal.”
General Beech laughed. “Jane, everything with you is personal. But don't worry. I get it. You know, Fritz and Ashley have a lot of guts. Those guys handled the Speaker and Admiral Davis. I don't think they know how hard that was. And the football coach couldn't have done a better job.”
Jane knew the mercenaries could have been Eledorians fighting for funds rather than country. Facing terrible shortages of food, shelter, and medicine made them eager for cash. Whoever was paying them was still hidden, though, and Jane wanted to look for large, unusual bank transfers that might lead them to the puppeteer.
* * *
FRITZ AND ASHLEY had planned to play ball Friday afternoon. Liz Chambers found Fritz in his classroom, already in shorts and tee shirt. He had given her the list of questions he had prepared and the tentative schedule for all the games.
She said, “Some of the teachers are already working with the kids. They don't want to lose. They're going to have fun, but they'll be competitive. We may need to set up the cafeteria for the overflow.”
“The kids amaze me. Thanks for your help, Liz.”
“George will have a full house when this gets started. Do you know what Susan Leslie and your kids did over the holidays?” Fritz said they hadn't told him. “Well, she corralled her sisters and their friends to go door-to-door with flyers about the tournament. Every flyer had a form for a scholarship donation. They've raised nearly $20,000. They're at the office now opening envelopes. George is beside himself.” Fritz started to laugh.
He and Ashley surprised the twelve students sitting on the office floor. Stacks of unopened envelopes surrounded them. Susan, Mary Ann, and Pat were collecting the checks and cash, recording the proceeds, and writing receipts. A crew of kids was addressing outgoing mail.
“Hi, Mr. R,” said Susan. The other kids looked up, said hello, and returned to their tasks.
“So. Holding out on me, huh?” Susan smiled and said they wanted to surprise him.
George poked his face out his office door. “Mr. Russell, may I speak to you please?” Fritz winked at Susan, grinned at Ashley, and said he was on his way.
“This is amazing, isn't it, George?” He closed the door.
“Did you know about this?”
“I just found out. They did all this over the holidays.”
“There's all sorts of money here. This is very irregular.”
“How do we set up an account for the scholarship fund? What did you do with Liz's check?”
“It's in my desk. Don't worry. It's safe. Fritz, they went all over town. I keep getting calls. Every time I try to get something done, it's another call. This has to stop. I can't even go home.”
“I can't believe you sometimes. Liz told me she thinks we'll need the cafeteria for the crowd at the games.”
“This is out of control.”
“George, calm down. We have time to work out the details. If it's too much for you, ask for help.”
“You're going to have to cancel this, Fritz. I'm sorry. You're just going to have to.”
“No.”
“What do you mean, no?”
“If I have to do it without your cooperation, I will. We're not canceling. If you want to go home, I'll move the kids to my room. And I'll tell them to use it from now on.”
A knock on the door interrupted them. Ms. Sweeney said that the superintendent was on the phone. “See, now look at the trouble.” George picked up his phone. “Hello, Mr. Chatham.” George glared while he listened. “Well, of course I know. In fact, Mr. Russell is right here.” Then, like a scolded puppy, he sat down. “Thank you. That's very kind.” His face suddenly looks like library paste, Fritz thought. “I'll tell him. Yes, you too. Bye, now.” George set the phone in the cradle. “That was the superintendent.”
“I know.” Fritz waited.
“He said he's been getting calls about the tournament and congratulated us for a wonderful idea. He said he'll be here for the games.”
“Still want to cancel, George?” Bewildered, George shook his head. “Then I'll go move the kids to my room.”
“No, don't bother. I'll stay a little late. Let them finish up today. You can move them on Monday.”
Fritz thanked him and snorted softly after he left the office. He caught Ashley's eye and shook his head.
“Kids, on Monday, we'll move all this to my room. Okay?”
“Mr. Russell,” said Ms. Sweeney. “May I speak to you for a second?” Fritz sat by her desk and leaned forward. She whispered, “You should know they've been exceptional. They've stayed out of the way and cleaned up. They're so excited that all the teachers are commenting. You should be proud of them.”
“Thanks, Ms. Sweeney. I am. I'm sure George will be too when we get started.”
“You know, I can't wait.”
Fritz and Ashley offered to help, but Susan said that they were okay, they had a system.
“You're turning me down?”
“Well, yes. We're doing fine.” Ashley laughed.
Chapter 10
KOPPLER'S BOXES held full address books, most in code. They also discovered a list of names under the heading Caballeros, with numbers and letters. At dinner, Jane moved the food around her plate and stared at the far wall. She was sure she'd heard the name Caballeros before.
* * *
THE PRESIDENT SAT with a stack of yellow pads and the to-do list Lily Evans had left on his desk. He spread them out and read the headings. He reached into a desk drawer and took out Colonel Mitchell's and the Israelis' reports about the rescue mission. Jane had said she had a feeling. She wanted to follow the money, but he was reluctant to start a search through bank accounts without something more to go on. Then again, he knew that if he had listened to her feeling in October, Geneva wouldn't have happened. So he read everything again and scribbled in the margins. Sucking the top of his pen, he recalled a voice. “Where was I?” he asked himself. The scene returned. The elevator in Switzerland. He picked up his phone.
* * *
“G'MORNING, MARY,” Linda said, taking a mug from the shelf. “You're up early.” Mary McElroy stood at the counter with a full mixing bowl and an eggbeater. It was barely seven. TJ was in his swing. A frying pan sat on the stove.
“I'm usually up at five, so this is like sleeping in. Pancakes okay?”
“Great. Not sure if you'll have a lot of customers though.”
“The batter will keep, but I think it'll be busy. Jane called. She's already talked to the president. She and Ashley will be here soon. Something's up.”
“Should I get Fritz started?”
“I'm already started,” he said, yawning in the kitchen doorway. “What's the early bird special?”
“Mary's making pancakes, and Jane and Ash are on the way.”
“Did something happen?” he asked, pouring a cup of coffee.
“We don't know what yet. Jane's already spoken to the president.”
JANE AND ASHLEY arrived with more food. “What's up? Why so early?” asked Fritz, before Ashley put the bag down.
“I figured you were a poor, lonely, forgotten soul, so we've come to lighten your burden.”
“Putting up with you is my living purgatory.”
Jane said, “We need to talk, but coffee first. Hi, Mary.”
“Mary's making pancakes,” Linda said, “or do you want a bagel?”
“Sure, bagel, toasted,” Ashley answered, “with butter and cream cheese. And some cold grapefruit juice. No, better, half a grapefruit.”
Linda shook her head. “No problem. But put your coat back on. The grapefruit is next to your section at the store. You know, the nuts.”
“Don't get him started. He's already in rare form,” said Jane. “Turning to the serious, the president called. The head of NDC was found dead. By himself. That big boat of his. Just floating.”
“His name was Jonathan Hartmann,” said Mary. With all eyes on her, she held up her phone. “Text message. Caitlin
Morgan worked for him.”
“The woman in Los Angeles.” said Linda.
“So there is a connection,” Fritz said.
“Only NDC, so far,” Jane answered. “Somewhere we're going to find a money trail. Fake Eledorians, I'll bet fake Koreans, explosives, and weapons purchased, travel for a bunch of men, or hiring a lot of mercenaries in different locations.” Jane scanned their faces. “This is all tied together. I'd bet on it.”
“But who? Why?” asked Linda.
“Right now,” Jane shrugged, “the name is a blank.”
The toaster popped as Tony and Mel opened the back door. Linda asked where James was. Mel told her he would be along shortly. He had to go shopping. “It's Lucy's birthday, and he hasn't been home.”
Jane asked, “Mel, how hard would it be to find the file about the Caballeros?”
“No trouble. I know exactly where it is. But it's in Washington.”
“Fritz, Tony, could you set it up? I think it ties in.”
Ashley asked, “What do you remember about the Caballeros, Jane?”
“Someone said to watch out for them. Maybe the president will remember something.”
* * *
“MR. PRESIDENT, have you ever heard the name Caballeros?”
“Rings a bell. Hang on, Jane.” He called Lily Evans and asked her to step into his office. Although it was cold, he led her outside. “Lily, do you have a file on Caballeros? I don't know why, but the word makes me queasy. I don't want it even mentioned inside.”
“I understand, Mr. President. I'll check.”
“Jane, Lily is checking her file. I can't pinpoint anything in my memory. Let me think about it.”
* * *
Once James arrived, Jane, Mel, Fritz, Ashley, and Tony headed to the school. Over the previous couple of weeks the portal had turned the Oval Office into a transit station.
“Good morning, Mr. President,” said Jane. “Mel is picking up a file.”
“Hi, everyone.” He stood, but Jane told him they would be leaving right away. “Jane, until we remember, don't mention that name in here, okay.” The President held a finger to his ear and gestured around the room.
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