Ron could feel the man’s anger pulsing through the radio. “It couldn’t be helped, David. I’m sorry. She wouldn’t tell me anything until I promised I’d keep my mouth shut.”
“I get it but I don’t like it. If I had known sooner, I could be doing more than scrambling to help.”
Ron stayed silent. There was nothing he could do about it now.
David’s sigh reverberated through the line. “All right, I’m done whining. What did you find out?” he asked.
“The feds are waiting on them at the bus stop,” Ron said into the headset. He shifted in his seat and felt the seat belt tighten around him. It mirrored the conflict gripping him, like a noose around his neck. The pilot gave him the thumbs up. They were almost ready to land. “The bus driver called it in. As soon as they get off the bus, they’ll be arrested. I’m ahead of them and I’ve arranged for an escape if they can pull it off.”
“Won’t the FBI stop the bus?”
“No, they want to let the bus get to the original destination. Because of the explosive evidence found at Ian’s home, the feds are too scared to make them feel trapped. They’re worried if Ian or Jackie have explosives on them and they feel like they’re backed into a corner, they’d simply blow the bus up.”
“The good news is that we know they don’t have any explosives.”
“Exactly, but the feds don’t know that, and in their minds, just because Jackie and Ian got through bus security doesn’t mean they’re clean. We’re going to use that belief to our advantage.”
Ron heard footsteps and could picture David pacing in front of the large window of the Operation Refuge conference room. The slight echo said he was on speakerphone. “I can’t believe you’re just now bringing us in on this.”
“That horse is dead, David. You’ve gotten to know Jackie well enough by now to know how she thinks. If she’s going down, she’s going to do it alone. She won’t want to take anyone with her. She’s going to be mad as a wet hen that I told you.” He shook his head and guilt flooded him at the broken confidence. Then he stiffened his spine. “But sometimes you have to make an executive decision for those you love and want to help.”
“In spite of the fact that she’s with Ian Lockwood.”
“Yes.”
“Helping him run from the authorities.”
Ron didn’t like David’s calm, flat tone.
“Yes.”
David went silent and Ron let him think. “All right then,” he finally said. “She trusts you, but she can trust us too. What can we do to help?”
Ron pulled his phone from his pocket. “I have an idea. Give me an hour to put something together. I’ll call you.”
Ron left without a backward glance and fifteen minutes later found himself pacing District Attorney Kenneth Thompson’s spacious office. “What are the charges against them?”
Kenneth steepled his fingers in front of him and studied Ron. “Terrorism charges.”
“So you have evidence?”
“Emails on his computer at work, emails at home. Detailed notes about his work at the lab.” The DA paused. “Names of potential buyers for what he was working on.”
“Which was?”
“A way to take the malaria virus and turn it into a fine powder that could be spread over a large area.”
“A fine powder? Seriously?”
“Yes. But that’s not all. He was actually enhancing the virus.”
“Enhancing it?”
“Strengthening it, mutating it, whatever. He was making it impervious to antibiotic treatment. He’d made a batch and was getting ready to sell it to the highest bidder. Wainwright found out about it and called in the authorities. Unfortunately word got back to Lockwood that he’d been discovered.”
“Bioterrorism at its finest.” Ron sighed and rubbed his chin. “That makes no sense. Not only is malaria a stupid choice of bio-weapon, but he’s never been connected to anyone even remotely suspected of terrorism.”
“Stupid weapon?”
“Come on. Think about it. Lockwood had access to everything from anthrax to Ebola, for crying out loud. Why choose malaria? He may have been working on something with malaria, but it wasn’t to turn it into a bio-weapon. It’s a bunch of fabricated hooey and you know it.”
Kenneth held his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “I don’t know. And I don’t know what to tell you, Ron. The FBI has done a thorough job of collecting the evidence and bringing the charges. We’ll be notifying the media in about one hour, upgrading Lockwood from person of interest to one of the FBI’s most wanted.”
Ron dropped onto the love seat opposite the man’s desk. “What about Jackie?”
“Same thing. Looks like she’s helping him.” Kenneth narrowed his eyes. “You know as well as I do, anyone aiding a terrorist is not a friend of the US. And anyone aiding and abetting a terrorist will face charges and prison time.”
“Of course I know that.”
“Anything you want to tell me, Ron?”
Ron stood and walked to the window, hands shoved deep into his front pockets. “No. Nothing.” He turned and walked to the door and pulled it open. “I’ll be in touch.”
12:10 P.M.
Three hours into the trip, Jackie knew the bus driver was up to something. Or suspected something. His gaze had been constantly shifting between her and Ian and the road.
She elbowed Ian. “We have a rest stop coming up in about an hour. We’re going to have to get off the bus before then.”
“How do you propose to do that?”
“I’m not sure, but I’m thinking.” She really only had one choice. She called Ron. Heard the background noise. “Where are you?”
“In a chopper coming after you.”
“What? Why? How did you know I needed you?”
He barked a short laugh. “You’re in trouble, Jackie. I’m calling in every favor ever owed in order to stay one step ahead. Now listen up, I’ve got a plan. They’re going to arrest you as soon as you show your faces at the next stop, so here’s—”
“No, Ron.” Jackie’s stomach tensed and she lowered her voice further. “You’ll get in major trouble.”
“I said I’ve got a plan.”
“You always have a plan.”
“Of course. Now quit interrupting and start listening. I won’t be able to get to you in the helicopter, there’s no place to land that the cops aren’t covering. You won’t be able to get through. So we’re going to get creative. Remember this address and directions to get there.” He rattled it off and Jackie closed her eyes, concentrating on his words. “You got it?”
“I’ve got it.”
“Now David, Summer, Adam, and everyone are working around the clock to help figure this out. But it’s bad, Jackie, very bad. Someone has a lot of power, influence, equipment, and everything. I’ve talked to the DA, and he told me the evidence against Ian and you is overwhelming. They’ve started an all-out nationwide manhunt. You’re fugitives and terrorists and are now on the FBI’s most wanted list.”
Jackie closed her eyes, doing her best to ignore the fear shooting through her. What had Ian stumbled onto? “I promise I’ll never pick a lock again,” she muttered.
“What?”
“Nothing. What kind of evidence?”
“You have emails in your account that I’m working on tracing because I know they’re bogus. Ian does too. They found explosive devices in Ian’s house along with a detailed plan to blow up several churches in the area. They also have detailed notes about his work with malaria and even some written scribbles that look like formulas that may be ways to enhance the malaria virus and turn it into a bio-weapon. The FBI is examining everything.”
Jackie pressed her forefinger and thumb to her eyes. “Okay, let’s start with the emails. What emails? What did they say they had?”
“They’re mostly between you and Ian, plotting to sell the information he stole, including a bio-weapon—probably the malaria thing—from Wainwright Labs to enemies
of the United States, most specifically the highest bidder.”
“But that’s crazy—what—how—?”
“We’re working on figuring that out, but whoever set all this up is good. Very good and very powerful.”
Jackie pulled in a calming breath. “Ian wouldn’t do anything to hurt this country. His sister gave her life for it and he wouldn’t sell it out.”
“You sound a hundred percent.”
She looked at Ian and knew by his absolute stillness that he was listening and following the one-sided conversation. “A hundred and ten.”
“Then that’s good enough for me.”
“All right. So we keep going?”
“Absolutely. If you turn yourselves in now, you’re going to prison. And once you’re in prison, it’ll be a lot harder for me to protect you.” He paused. “Which is what I think the people after you may have in mind. Getting the cops after you and getting you in prison will allow easy access. Not too hard to find someone on the inside who’s willing to carry out a hit.”
“Right.”
“So they can only charge you if they catch you. Make sure they don’t before you have evidence to back up what you know.”
“Okay, I’ll keep that in mind,” she muttered. “What about the explosive devices and the plans?”
“Same thing. Evidence that’s going to make them search for you and Ian and search hard.”
“All right. Thanks, Ron. I’ll be in touch.”
Jackie hung up and powered the phone down, stunned at the direction her life had taken in less than twenty-four hours.
Ian’s hand covered hers, jerking her from her thoughts. “I’m sorry, Jac—”
She cut him off with a finger to his lips and a glance at the bus driver. She reached for his hand and squeezed. “It’s okay. I’m here for a reason.”
“I don’t know what God’s doing, but I’m glad he sent you to help me through this.” He frowned. “Although I’m sorry it’s gotten you into such a mess.”
Jackie snorted. “God? I don’t think he’s involved in this.”
Ian shot her a sad smile. “Still the skeptic?”
She sighed and caught the driver watching them again. “You know the saying that there are no atheists in foxholes?”
“Yes.”
“That’s true to some extent. I’ve found myself in some pretty extreme situations and tried to pray my way out of them, but …” She shrugged and swallowed, the nightmare coming back full force. “God seems to have abandoned me. If he doesn’t want anything to do with me, why should I force myself on him by praying?”
Jackie found herself wrapped in a hug tighter than she’d ever experienced. “My word, that’s one of the saddest things I’ve ever heard.”
Tears surfaced for the first time in a long time. She shut them off and broke out of Ian’s embrace. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to get sappy.” She sniffed and looked at her watch. “We’ve got to get off this bus.”
ATF Explosives Enforcement Officer Leo Fox glanced at his watch. He’d been called in to assist in the arrest of Ian Lockwood and Jackie Sellers.
And to ensure that there weren’t any explosives on the bus. He’d sat in on the rundown of the type of explosives found in Lockwood’s home. He knew what to look for and he knew how to take care of it. He’d been with the ATF for twelve years. He loved his job, but …
“How’s it going, Leo?”
He looked up to find Chris Hall dressed in full gear. “Just waiting. You?”
Chris sat beside him. “Good.” He pulled out a piece of beef jerky and bit off a hunk. “You think there’s a bomb on that bus?” he asked around the bite.
“Dunno. Guess we’ll find out.”
“You think the dude’s guilty of this terrorist stuff?”
“Probably.”
“Yeah.” Chris shook his head. “Man, this country’s just going from bad to worse.”
“Which is why we do what we do.”
Chris snorted. “Well, it sure ain’t for the pay.”
Leo thought about his wife and son. Everything he did was for them. It was why he took precautions and made sure he didn’t get himself blown up. It was why he was so careful with every penny he made. He had to secure a future for his family.
Just in case.
“Hey, your mother-in-law making any of her famous pound cake?”
Leo barked a laugh. “She’s got you hooked on that stuff.”
“Provides a better high than any drug out there.”
“I’ll ask her.”
“No, you married her daughter. She doesn’t like you. I’ll call her.”
“I helped give her a grandson. She loves me. You got her number?”
“She gave it to me the last time she came to the office with her pound cake. She told me to call anytime to make a request.”
And no doubt Chris would. Naomi Hunter loved to bake almost as much as she loved her daughter and grandson. And the agents in the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms New York office loved her. Most specifically her pound cake. And anything else she made. The way the guys hounded him to bring something in, one would think he didn’t have anything better to do.
But he did.
Leo reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture. Maria, Lewis, and himself. Smiling. He shoved the photo back into his pocket and vowed to make sure they kept on smiling.
11
12:30 P.M.
MOONACHIE
Maria held the heavy-duty paint sprayer and went over the dinosaur one more time, careful to get every crease, every spot covered. She wanted to enjoy the work, but she kept picturing her son’s face. Lewis had cried when she’d sent him off to school this morning, but at least she’d been there to put him on the bus. She hadn’t seen her husband in almost three days. Then again, Lewis’s tears had dried quickly when his friend, Lucy, had taken his hand and told him she would sit with him on the bus.
It broke her heart that Lewis missed her so much, but she and her husband had come into the marriage with a pile of debt that had only worsened after Lewis was born early and spent three months in NICU.
Lewis would have to adjust. And besides, once the parade was over, her hours would settle back into something resembling a more normal schedule.
At least until the next parade.
She eyed her work and felt a surge of pride. Lewis would love the final result. She’d have to bring him by and show it to him.
She turned the sprayer off. Henry had called in sick today, so Maria had taken it upon herself to do the body of the dinosaur. Now she would let it dry for a bit before tackling the head and face.
“Need any help?”
Maria turned to see Christine Bridges, another talented artist, coming from the office. “Just trying to get some of this painting done.”
“Let me grab a sprayer and I’ll do this area.”
“Thanks.”
Christine returned and they got to work. “It’s hard to believe it’s already time for the parade. It seems like this year just flew by.”
“I know.” Maria smiled. This was her first year to work the parade. To her surprise, Leo had finagled the job for her and she loved it. She loved the steady income and the easing of some of the financial stress. They were actually getting some debt paid. “I’m eager to see it all come together.”
“It’s a sight, that’s for sure.”
Soon volunteers and other workers would swarm the float, covering every last piece of metal and burlap with greenery. They would help add the fine details to make the float a work of perfection. Maria couldn’t wait to see it roll down the street.
“Leo’s coming,” she said.
“Really?” Christine paused in her painting and looked up. “Are you two working things out between you?”
“Trying to. He promised to come so we could enjoy the parade as a family.” Once the painting was finished, her job was basically done. “We’re keeping it as a surprise for Lewis.”
“He’ll be so
excited, you’ll have to sit on him to keep him still.”
Maria laughed. “I know.” But a wave of sadness hit her. She knew they’d agreed on the surprise aspect because they both wondered if it would really happen.
“What about your mother?”
Maria shrugged. “I asked her, but she just talks about how she’s an old woman and doesn’t have any business being in a crowd of people standing in the cold for hours.” She sighed. “I guess I don’t blame her, but it would be fun to have her here.” An idea hit her. “Hey, Christine?”
“Yes?”
“This float is all about attracting kids to the client’s toy store, right?”
“Sure. Dinosaurs, airplanes, toy soldiers—they’re all on here. Why?”
“What if we had real children ride in the float, playing with some of the toys, screaming their delight, et cetera?”
Christine raised a brow and her eyes lit up. “What a fabulous idea.”
“You think I should talk to the boss about it?”
“Absolutely.”
Maria nodded. “Okay. I’ll do that.” She played it cool on the outside, but on the inside she was dancing. She didn’t think it would be a stretch to go from having children on the float to having Lewis’s class be the lucky kids to actually ride on it.
And this could be one thing that she could do to surprise Leo. She’d keep it a secret until the morning of the parade. He’d be so proud.
Jackie heard the whomp-whomp-whomp of the law enforcement helicopter above and knew it was time. “Get ready.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Not sure, just go with it.”
“Ah! Oh no! Help …”
Jackie swiveled in her seat to find the man who’d tipped his hat to her in the bus station gripping his left arm and leaning forward in his seat. She jumped up and slid into the aisle.
“Sir, what is it?” She reached for him, but another man pushed her aside.
“I’m a doctor. Let me see him.”
Sweat dripped from the passenger’s brow, his breathing sounded labored.
“Is it a heart attack?” she asked.
“Driver! Stop this bus immediately!”
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