“Got it,” she said. The office door opened, and Lily Evans and Mel came in.
“Good morning, Jane, everyone,” she said, smiling. “Mr. President, this was all I could find.” She handed him a single sheet of paper. He read it and held it out to Jane, who glanced and then looked up at him. It said, “Bill Clinton.”
“Can you call him, Mr. President, and let me know what he says?” He nodded, and waved to Fritz, who was holding the door open. At the door, Jane asked, “Sir, do you know if General Beech is in his office this morning?”
“He is. I spoke to him about an hour ago.”
“Good. Talk to you later,” she said.
* * *
“LINDA, CAN I spread this out on the dining room table?” asked Jane, holding up the file folder.
“Of course. Do you want help?” Jane nodded.
Slowly, a full file box was emptied on the table and turned into fourteen separate piles. Linda scanned each piece. Jane began turning pages, her soundless lips moving. The note reading “Caballeros” sat in front of her.
The others watched TV, scanning the news for any updates or interviews. The main story was the tragic yet suspicious death of NDC founder, Jonathan Hartmann. CWN host Alan Carter was interviewing former colleagues, who expressed surprise and sadness that “such a brilliant mind had been lost.” A senior employee, Penelope Wise, said it was terrible to lose them. Carter sat up, his brow wrinkled and asked her who she meant. “Why Caitlin and Jonathan, of course.” Jane was in the doorway before another word was said, her phone in her hand.
“Mr. President, we need to get to Penelope Wise from NDC. She's on CWN with Alan Carter. Right now. Can we get someone to New York City?”
“Fastest way is the portal. I'll call CWN.” He hung up.
* * *
THE PLANES were flying before they reached the school. Jane asked the president where she should go. He said CWN had a meeting room set up. “Just tell them who you are at the reception desk. They know you're coming.”
“Jane, we should close the portal when you go in. When you're ready to come back, I'll open it again. Otherwise, someone in New York might see it or just walk through. They don't pay attention to where they're going.”
Chapter 11
THE ARRIVAL OF two Secret Service agents and an official from Homeland Security, all carrying weapons, afforded a new experience for the security team at CWN. Alan Carter was informed of their presence only when his guest was removed to a small meeting room and told not to leave.
Penelope Wise, a senior vice president for NDC, rubbed her hands and cleaned her glasses.
“Ms. Wise,” Jane said.
“Call me Jen.”
“I thought your name was Penelope?”
“It is, but would you go around being called Penny? Penny Wise?”
“I see your point.”
Jane introduced herself and the agents and told Wise she might have information needed for an ongoing investigation.
Puzzled, Wise said, “I think you have the wrong person.”
“You mentioned a relationship between Caitlin Morgan and Mr. Hartmann moments ago.”
“Yes. It's a tragedy.”
“Ms. Wise, Jen, do you know how many people watch Alan Carter?”
“Not really.”
“I don't either, but your interview will be replayed, and others exist who won't want that link made public.”
“I don't know what you're getting at, but I don't like the sound of it. Are you arresting me?”
“No, protecting you.” Jane faced her, staring hard at the blue eyes glaring back, and said, “What I need to know is everything you can tell me about the two of them.”
“Why?” Her eyes narrowed. “I should get a lawyer.”
“Caitlin Morgan had a lawyer,” said Jane, knowing she had an opening. “He was killed with her. Did you know that?”
Behind her glasses, Wise's smugness transformed to wide-eyed shock. In a shaky voice, she said, “I didn't know they were killed. Just that she died. We were told it was an aneurysm.”
Jane said, “Jonathan Hartmann died, alone on that big boat floating unmanned like a ghost ship. It's under investigation. We know Ms. Morgan worked for NDC, but until you spoke, we had no link. We're here now at the order of the president. Will you help us?”
“Am I in trouble?”
“No, but you may be in danger.”
Clearly agitated, Wise said, “I want a lawyer.”
Jane turned to James, who was standing by the door. “James, will you get Alan Carter in here, please. Ms. Wise, we have reason to believe Ms. Morgan was involved in a conspiracy to assassinate the president. We're asking you to tell us what you know.”
“Not without my lawyer.” She folded her arms and turned away.
Jane took out her phone and nodded to Mel, who left the room. “Before I make this call, Jen, I want you to understand that I hoped this would be straightforward. I know you think you need to protect yourself legally, but by refusing to answer, you're forcing me to consider your possible involvement.” Jane smiled at her. Jen Wise turned to Jane, bemused by the smile. She shook her head.
“Okay.” Jane spoke softly, but her intention was undisguised. “You leave me no choice.” She walked to the door and asked the agents and the anchor to come in. She dialed a number.
“Mr. President,” Jane said so everyone could hear, “Ms. Wise is refusing to answer without her lawyer.” She listened to his instructions. “Do you really want to do that? Alan Carter is here, too.” She handed her phone to the newsman. “The president wants to talk to you.”
He raised his eyebrows, and his wrinkled forehead activated. “Hello.” He listened to the president's instructions and handed the phone back to Jane.
“Yes, sir. I'll set it up. You'll be there? OK, see you shortly.” She took a deep breath. “James, will you stand at the door, please?” She said, “Miss Wise, you are under arrest for withholding evidence in a Federal criminal investigation.” She recited the Miranda rules and said Wise would be able to call her lawyer later. “Mr. Carter, you will join us.” Surprised, he agreed.
Jane called Fritz and told him to get the president, who would explain. “Then, give us about three minutes. I'll call you to tell you we're ready.”
“Can you tell me what's going on?” asked Carter. “This is pretty weird stuff.”
“Mr. Carter, my name is Jane Barclay. I work for the president. Mel, will you cuff Ms. Wise?” Wise gasped and began to complain about her rights being violated. Jane told her she had had her chance and blew it. “Let's go.”
James led the way through the lobby to the street. As they left the building, a rectangular outline appeared down the sidewalk, a soft light-brown fluorescence. Jane walked to it, pushed what appeared to be blank space, and ushered everyone through. Before she joined them, she glanced at the bystanders, including a CWN security guard, and waved.
“He's in there,” said Fritz. Standing by what seemed to be school desks was the President of the United States.
“Take the cuffs off, Mel,” he said. “Ms. Wise, I'm sorry we had to do this, but you need to know why it's important that you help us. Mr. Carter, nice to see you again. Please have a seat.”
“Where are we?” asked Wise.
“I'll explain later. First, I want you to know you are in possession of vital information. Are you aware that Navy facilities were attacked and over three-hundred men and women killed?” He waited until she nodded. “Ms. Morgan was present at the ship bombings in San Diego and Norfolk. She took the only eyewitness film of both attacks. We also know she had an unusually large bank balance, money deposited over the past month.” He stopped. He looked at Wise with a withering stare that chilled her. “Until you spoke to Mr. Carter this morning, we knew of no link between Morgan and Jonathan Hartmann. Other people now know you know. Dangerous people.”
With her upper lip raised, Wise asked if they were calling Morgan responsible for the bombings.
“She took those pictures on someone's orders. She had received a great deal of money. Jonathan Hartmann's death is suspicious.” The president pulled a chair in front of her and sat. “Ms. Wise, in my world, one and one still equals two. You can help make the equation work. Right now, it doesn't.” The president stopped, allowing her to absorb his statement. She glanced through the window at the parking lot.
“All I know is that Caitlin was in love with Jonathan. She and I were friends. She had been offered promotions but turned them down. She traveled with him, so he told her to stay in her position because she could work remotely. But I can't believe she had any involvement with the ship bombings. She met him in Washington for New Year's. He kept his boat docked somewhere around San Diego.”
“Did she ever mention any of the people she met with him?”
“Sure. He had parties, and she went to them. He took her everywhere.” She brushed her hair back over her right ear. “I think he loved her too. But he was always busy.”
“Where did they go together?” the president asked.
“They spent a lot of time on his boat. He always had guests. But he went all over the country. And all over the world. Caitlin went with him when she could take time off.”
“Did she ever tell you about any unusual meetings or people?”
She frowned and took a deep breath. “I know what you want me to say, Mr. President, but frankly, I'm a little intimidated and nothing is coming to me right now. And I'm not in New York City. Where are we?”
The president ignored her question. “Mr. Carter, what brought Ms. Wise to your attention?”
Taken aback by the abrupt change of direction, Carter said that one of his staff members had seen her name on Facebook. “We were trying to get some personal information about a woman who died in government hands.” The president nodded and frowned at the implicit criticism.
He asked if she had ever heard Caitlin mention the Caballeros. Her head jerked up, and she gasped. “Yes. They were his special buddies, Caitlin said. That's what she called them. She met them more than a few times.”
“This could be important, Ms. Wise. Did she ever mention any names? Or say anything about them?”
“No.” She hesitated. “But she did say they all had girl friends or women other than their wives with them. And they apparently came from around the world. They were wealthy. That's no surprise.”
The president scratched gently behind his left ear and considered what had been said. When he didn't ask another question, Alan Carter asked, “Mr. President, can you tell me where we are? We're not in New York.”
“Mr. Carter, Ms. Wise, we have discovered a new technology that allows us to connect locations. It's classified at the highest security level and before we're done, you will be sworn to secrecy.”
“Mr. President? Am I in trouble?” Wise asked.
“Ms. Barclay is going to ask you some additional questions, and then you'll be free to go. You will be returned to Columbus Circle. Mr. Carter, if you would like to leave now, you may.” Carter stood, knowing he had been dismissed. The president took two folded sheets of paper from his jacket. He handed one to the newsman and the other to James, who walked out. James handed the sheet to Fritz. “Carter's residence. Same as the Speaker.”
“Got it,” said Fritz. He went into his classroom.
The president and Alan Carter entered the hall at the same time as Fritz. The president waved for him to open the door. Carter stepped across the threshold with the president right behind. When the president returned, he said, “Fritz, reset it. I'm going back to his place.” He remained longer and returned with a confident smile on his face.
“He got the message,” said the president. “I don't think I'll need to do it with her.” A couple of minutes later, Jane and Wise came out. Fritz had changed the map, so he opened the door, and Jane ushered her companion onto the streets of New York.
* * *
“MR. PRESIDENT, you know she's in danger now,” said Jane, her lips tight.
“Can't be helped, Jane,” he said.
“Why did you bring Carter?”
“We needed to move quickly. From what you'd said, I thought she would be unresponsive if she was alone. With him sitting with her, she had a buffer. I don't think he'll be saying anything that's believable.”
Fritz listened to the conversation, unhappy that more people knew about the portal. “Did you get information you can use?” he asked.
“Yes. We need to concentrate on Hartmann and Morgan. We need good police work. And fast. James, you and Mel get teams set up. Put those devices in both their houses.”
“Yes, sir. We'll need to find out all the locations.” He paused. “Mr. President, that means not being in Riverboro.” He glanced at Fritz.
“Get it started. Mary is there. Jane, you stay too. James, Mel, get the best, regardless of agency. Get them reassigned to temporary duty at the White House. This is 24/7, starting now. Go ahead.” He gestured with his right hand. “Fritz, I want to talk to you.”
With the agents gone and Jane and Tony waiting, Fritz and the president went into his classroom. The president asked if he could visit Robert E. Lee.
“Mr. President, I haven't tried since our dinner, but I don't think we'll be able to. In his time, five days after you met him, he had a stroke. He died two weeks later. Let's see.”
Fritz located the book that had first brought him to the general at Appomattox. They returned to the hallway. Fritz said they were going to look for Lee and opened the door cautiously. The Civil War wasn't over.
“Mr. President, we should leave. The trees are whole, like the battle hasn't started. I don't know what day it is, but he's not here. Let's try his office.” Turning to leave, a volley of cannons sent them running through the portal. Fritz reset it to Lee's office, but again, Lee wasn't there. They looked around the sparsely decorated room, where dust and cobwebs appeared to be the newest decoration.
“Mr. President, I think he's gone.” His eyes moist, he felt his chest tighten. “I'd go further back, but you'd be in danger. Do you want to go somewhere else?”
“You know, Fritz, I think I'll go home. I just time traveled to the 1800s. That's enough excitement for now. Maybe some other time.”
On the way home, Jane asked where they had gone. When Fritz told her, she shook her head. “He takes too many risks.”
Chapter 12
“DID YOU SEE the interview?” asked the man. On the other side of the country, his associate stared at the top of the Washington Monument and said yes. “Does she know anything?” the man asked.
“She was a close friend of the Morgan woman. If CWN found her, there are bound to be other leaks.”
“No names.” The order was sharp, tinged with anger.
“Sorry.”
Silence, then the disconnect. The man had two more problems.
* * *
JANE RETURNED to the files and her long-distance stare. At the kitchen table, Linda held TJ while Fritz told her about the president, Alan Carter, and the trips to find Lee. “He asked me, Lin.”
“He's as bad as you. I'm glad Ash stayed here.”
“Why?” asked Ashley, walking through the doorway.
“The three of you together would be out of control.”
“Me? I'm a reliable, quiet, stay-at-home kind of guy.”
“Shut up, Ashley” came from the dining room.
“And I always do what I'm told.”
Jane read and reread throughout the afternoon, looking for anything that would match the Caballeros list. Fritz looked through each of Koppler's address books and compared each phone number to the list in front of him. In the fourth book, he spotted the name Boatman under H.
With the TV on in the next room, Fritz prepared lesson plans for the rest of January. With the presidential primaries beginning at the end of the month, the tournament only five-weeks away, and all the intrigue surrounding them, he wanted to be prepared as far ahead as possible. En
grossed in his work, he jumped when James tapped his shoulder.
“Sorry to startle you,” James said. “Can you get me home?”
Fritz set down his pen. “Sure. Every year when I read about the lead-up to the Civil War, I get sucked in. It seems so obvious now, but it's hard to remember that the country was only fifty years old and still feeling political growing pains.” He had just reread his notes on John C. Calhoun, the Tariff of Abominations, States' Rights, Nullification, and the Tenth Amendment. “Where are we headed?”
“My car's at the White House.”
“Are you coming back tonight?”
“Not tonight.” Catching Fritz's eye, he said, “This is going to be harder, a lot harder, than Koppler.”
Already falling behind on another project and with three classes to prepare for, food for the multitudes wasn't on Linda's agenda. No new clues on the attacks had been found. To make matters worse, twelve inches of snow were predicted for the next day. Fritz, Ashley, and Tony had returned James and arrived home with dinner. Before they could remove their coats, Jane, with tears streaming down her cheeks, said, “TV.”
A report from New York showed a blanket-covered body surrounded by policemen and flashing lights. The anchor, Alan Carter, paler than usual, stated that the woman had been his guest earlier in the day. Penelope Wise had fallen or jumped eight floors. She had left a note declaring her misery at the loss of her friend and partner, Caitlin Morgan.
Stunned, Fritz said, “That doesn't make sense.”
“They didn't waste time. James has already sent a team to her apartment. I want to speak to anyone who knew her—parents, siblings, friends. Especially ex-boyfriends. I don't think she was Caitlin's partner. Wise said Caitlin had been involved with Boatman. I want to go myself and look.”
“Jane, let's eat first,” said Ashley, sitting in front of the TV.
“Maybe Alan Carter can help,” said Fritz. Jane took her phone out and called the president. He told her he would set it up.
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