Surviving Love: Saints Protection & Investigations

by Maryann Jordan

  “Who might want to kill him…or his daughter.”

  Stunned, she reared back in her chair, her eyes now widened. “Kill?”

  Nodding, he said, “We need to see Dr. Rhodes now. You may stay for the interview, but we need answers.”

  Picking up her phone, she placed a call. With a few words, she hung up, saying, “He’s on his way.”

  Five minutes later, Kenneth stepped into the room, his eyes scanning the occupants as Jack and Patrick stood up. Introductions were made and the group settled back into chairs.

  “Dr. Rhodes, I need to let you know, first of all, your daughter, Kendall, is all right but the airplane she was flying in had to land unexpectedly in Canada.”

  Kenneth gasped, half rising in his chair. “What? How?”

  “The pilot has confirmed his aircraft was sabotaged but they landed safely. He’s in charge of her security.”

  “But—” Kenneth’s gaze jumped between the two men.

  “She could not be in better hands,” Patrick assured. “My teammate is the best and we’re working to get her back to safety.”

  “Please,” the older man begged, his hands fisted tightly onto the arms of his chair. “Tell me where she is and what’s happening.”

  “They made an emergency landing and are in the Yukon area of Canada. They have food and shelter and the pilot is also a survivalist, so they’ll be fine until we can arrange the pick-up.”

  “But who would have done this?” Kenneth asked. “Was this directed at me? I was supposed to be on that plane.”

  “Sir, that is what we’re here to determine.” Jack looked over at Estelle, noting her silence. Her impassive face gave little away, making him wonder what she was thinking.

  Leaning over, rubbing his eyes, Kenneth added, “You don’t understand…Kendall is delicate. She gets headaches. She’s not used to being outdoors…certainly not roughing it.”

  “We understand, but as I said, she’s in good hands. Sir, what we need to do now, is focus on who may have had reason to want either of you harmed.”

  “Kendall? No one could possibly want any harm to come to her,” he protested. Shrugging, he added, “But then, I can’t imagine who would want me dead either.” He looked over to Estelle and said, “Unless it’s just someone who wants to interrupt our research.”

  “And what would that be, sir?” Jack asked.

  Kenneth focused his attention back to Jack and Patrick as he replied, “The NCBRT is used for training as well as research, but I’m involved directly in the research of ways to combat the effects of possible mass biological terrorism. My specialty is with chemical gases, but Kendall’s area of expertise is in diseases, such as ebola, cholera, MRSA, and even…plague. Lately, her team has been involved in ways to contain these bacterium and viruses in the event of mass terrorism.”

  “And the symposium? Did anything come out of that? Anything or anyone suspicious?”

  “No, not at all…at least not that I saw and she didn’t mention anything. Kendall and I presented from our organization at different sessions and then we had separate meetings with a few international representatives and, of course, the International Olympic Committee. They were interested in some new discoveries we are making with micro-organisms that can be used in terrorist attacks.”

  Jack took notes and said, “We need to know who here was aware of your travel plans and when people became aware of the change.”

  Leaning back in his seat, Kenneth’s brow crinkled as he rubbed his silver goatee. “You’re trying to determine if someone was after me or my daughter?”

  Nodding, Jack affirmed.

  Looking toward Estelle again, Kenneth replied, “As far as anyone here, I can’t say. I don’t know who was called when the break-in occurred. For myself, I was woken about one a.m. by an FBI agent who let me know there had been a security breach here and I would need to be brought back to Louisiana immediately. I asked about the meeting in D.C. and was told that my daughter could replace me there.”

  Looking up sharply, Jack questioned, “And who would have made that call? Wouldn’t that have been for you to decide?”

  Clearing her voice, Estelle said, “That was someone from the Department of Homeland Security. When it was determined that we needed to have Kenneth return, I was told of the decision to have Kendall flown in his place for the meeting at Homeland Security.”

  Silence filled the office until Estelle squirmed slightly and continued, “To be honest, it was a switch that made sense anyway.” Her eyes cut over to Kenneth and she said, “Kendall is more qualified to speak to the concerns of the IOC, who is working with DHS right now on preparations for security at the next Olympics.”

  “Who from here knew of the exchange?” Patrick asked, watching Estelle carefully as she picked up a pen from her desk and begin to fiddle.

  “I spoke with Dr. Mahdi. He’s second in charge of the research and is directly over Kendall. He agreed the switch would be appropriate, once we were told that Kenneth was being sent back here.”

  “Anyone else?”

  Shaking her head, she said, “No. There was no reason to involve anyone else and, quite frankly, that night we were all just focusing on the break-in.”

  “Gentlemen, I know you have a lot of questions, but I need to know about my daughter.” Kenneth’s eyes filled with moisture as he admitted, “She’s all I have. Her mother passed away years ago and Kendall is my life.”

  Softening his voice, Jack said, “I understand, sir, and you have my word that we’ll keep you apprised of her situation. Right now, she is being cared for and protected. My organization is working to retrieve her.”

  “You asked who would want to harm either one of us, but I can’t tell you of anyone. We’re not political…we’re researchers.”

  “Yes, but what you research is important to possible terrorists and that alone makes you vulnerable.”

  “What do you need from us?” Kenneth asked, his voice eager as he eyed the two men.

  “We’d like to speak to members of her team as soon as possible,” Jack replied, the steel glint in his eyes causing Estelle to halt in her refusal.

  Before she had a chance to speak, Kenneth nodded his agreement. “Of course. If you gentlemen will come with me, I’ll gather them together.”

  Standing, the three men left the office. Estelle watched as they left, hearing their footsteps as they moved down the hall. Picking up her phone, she placed a call. “Investigators are on their way to ask questions.” Not waiting for a reply, she disconnected.

  *

  The gasps in the hall were the only sounds disturbing the silence as Jack and Patrick carefully observed the gathering. Kenneth had gathered a group of fellow researchers who worked in the labs closely with himself and Kendall. The news that Kendall’s plane had been tampered with appeared to shock the assembly.

  After introductions were made, Jack said, “We will need to interview those of you who may have any information assisting our inquiry. Dr. Rhodes will let you know if you’re needed and we’ll meet in the conference room.” Jack and Patrick moved into the provided room, followed by Dr. Cliff Wallace, who immediately met their greeting with a scowl. His eyes darted between them as his lips thinned.

  “I was stuck here, so I have no idea what information I can offer,” Cliff grumbled.

  “What we need to understand is what possible reasons someone could have for wanting to injure either Dr. Rhodes?” Jack asked.

  “Either? I thought this was just about Kendall?”

  “Well, we have no way of knowing right now if the intended victim was Kendall or her father, since he was the original person who would be traveling on the plane,” Patrick explained.

  “Humph. How do you even know someone was after her…or him, for that matter? Maybe the plane just had problems?”

  Cocking his head to the side, Jack asked, “Why do you think that?”

  “Come on…Kendall? The bunny rabbit? Hell, she’s smart, but hardly the type t
o be a threat to anyone.”

  “What about what she knows? Her research?”

  “She was hardly the only one who knew the research. It wasn’t a team of one!” Cliff bit out. Leaning forward, resting his forearms on the table, he shook his head. “Look, despite what her father may have told you, she’s no more qualified than any of us. I could have easily gone to the symposium instead of her…or to D.C. for that matter.” Shifting back in his seat, piercing Jack and Patrick with his stare, he added, “So, it would be stupid for someone to try to harm her or Kenneth…there are plenty of us here who are conducting the same research and know just what they know.”

  Jack’s gaze sharpened on Cliff, observing the irritation flowing off the doctor. “Did you know she was being sent to D.C.?”

  “No, none of us did,” Cliff grumbled. “For something like that, it should have been discussed and then decided on.”

  After Cliff, the next person interviewed was Dr. Fahdil Mahdi. The dark haired, middle-aged man came in, appearing more eager to assist than Cliff.

  “There are always those who would want to stop our work here,” Fadil said. “Kendall has led a group looking for antidotes for some of the possible terrorist biologicals.”

  “Would harming her cause the work to cease?” Patrick asked.

  Shrugging, Fadil said, “No, not at all. The work here would still go on.”

  “What happened the other night with the break-in?”

  “I was called, since Kenneth was not here. Estelle brought in the FBI and I arrived just after they did. I suggested that we have Kenneth return here immediately.”

  Lifting his eyebrow, Jack asked, “Why was that?”

  “Because he’s the director here. If anyone should be here, it would be him.”

  “So you knew he was coming here early and not going on to D.C.?”

  Nodding slightly, Fadil replied, “I didn’t know for sure but yes, I assumed he would just send Kendall in his place.”

  Dr. Will Kowtaski was next and was even more forthcoming. The smiling blond sat down easily and immediately began talking before Jack or Patrick could ask questions.

  “I have to tell you, I’m stunned someone would want to harm either Kenneth or Kendall. I’ve worked in a couple of labs before, but this is by far the best run lab and both of them are very likeable. No one here would sell them out, but we all know the security risks.”

  “Security risks?”

  “There are those who’d love to have access to our research. We not only try to help our government in preparing for possible biological terrorists, but in how to best combat those diseases if they should happen.”

  “What about stopping them from getting to the Homeland Security meeting in D.C.? Would that make a difference…either in the end result or in the timing?” Jack asked.

  “I don’t see how,” Will replied, his brow crinkled with thought. “I mean, Estelle is right here…and she’s Homeland Security, so…” he looked up at Nick and shrugged before continuing, “While she’s not a scientist, she’s aware of everything that goes on here. Even if Kenneth, or Kendall, did not make the DHS meeting, someone else could be sent or Estelle could report.”

  “What about the timing? If one of the Rhodes were unable to make the meeting now, before anyone else could get there, would that make a difference?”

  “That’s something I’m afraid I can’t say. I work in the labs but I’m not at the level to know what the DHS meeting is about.”

  After several more interviews, they finished with Karen. The pretty, graduate student sat in the chair, her hands clasped in front of her on the table.

  “I can’t believe Kendall was in a plane crash! And stuck in the wilderness! I can’t imagine anyone doing this to her…you can’t find a nicer person!”

  Realizing Karen had no problem talking either, Patrick prompted, “Any problems here in the labs? Any professional jealousy or disagreements?”

  Eyes wide, Karen leaned in and said, “Oh, yeah! Dr. Wallace has been envious of Kendall ever since he got here. I think when he was hired, he thought he would either be top dog or promoted to that spot quickly. But Dr. Rhodes…uh, Kenneth, has no intentions of retiring soon. And he runs a tight ship. Of course, Kendall is brilliant and she could easily take over for her father, which I think drives Dr. Wallace crazy.”

  Jack shared a quick look with Patrick but both men remained silent as Karen continued to babble about the persons in question.

  “Now, Dr. Mahdi…he’s a super sweet person but I know it must be hard sometimes for him. He came from Egypt and I know he still has family over there.”

  “Hard how?” Patrick asked.

  “Well, you know,” she whispered, leaning forward. “We’re here to fight terrorism and let’s be honest…most of our briefings deal with the middle eastern terrorists. But he’s so professional and such a nice person to work with!”

  “And Dr. Kowtowski?

  “Will? He’s a lot of fun to work with. Never seems to worry too much about anything but extremely smart when it comes to the labwork.” Leaning back, a glimpse of a smile crossed her face. “I’m really lucky to have gotten this position. I graduate this spring and hope to get employed here when I finish my degree.”

  “So, do you have any idea who might want either of the Dr. Rhodes killed?” Jack pursued.

  The smile dropped from Karen’s face immediately, to be replaced with a gasp. Shaking her head, she replied, “No, no. It couldn’t be anyone from here. They’re both well liked. It has to be from somewhere else.”

  “But who would know of their travel plans?” Patrick queried.

  “The only one who would know their exact travel plans would have been Estelle.”

  Chapter 10

  “Wrap the rope over that limb,” Marc instructed two hours later. They had managed to get close to the edge of the forest where it opened out to a rocky meadow. A large creek snaked through the meadow nearby, disappearing into the woods. Gray clouds billowed as snow fell, blowing in circles as the wind swept around them. As tired as Kendall was, she still offered to help set up camp. At first he declined her offer, but she set her tote down and began to work nonetheless.

  Appreciating the effort, he instructed her on what needed to be done. Once more, he found two downed pine trees leaning against another tree, providing the perfect teepee shaped frame. She swept out the pine needles and branches, creating a dry floor for their structure. The tarp was roped to the trees, creating a full-sided tent. With a slight opening at the top, he knew they could have a small fire for a while.

  Kendall pulled as hard as she was able but her hands ached with the cold. The wind picked up sending stinging snow onto her cheeks. “Is this good enough?” she called.

  Marc came up from behind, his long arms on either side of her, taking hold of the rope as it slipped through her fingers. “You’ve done great,” he complimented. “I’ll take it from here. Go on and get inside and out of the wind. You can help get things set up in there.”

  His body surrounding hers felt wonderful as the wind broke on him and did not hit her. In truth, she knew it was more than just the wind break he provided that felt so good. It had been a while since she’d had a man’s arms around her for any reason, and certainly not ones belonging to a man like Marc. Chastising herself for her thoughts, she shook her head in derision, sure his mind was on their situation, not their proximity.

  With a fast duck under his arm, she slipped inside the shelter. This structure was a little larger than what they had the night before. She had lost track of time, but Marc said they had a couple of hours of daylight left. Humph—daylight? It was already so dark with the storm she could barely see more than about ten feet in front of her.

  Kneeling on the dirt floor, she spread out the blanket on one side, remembering Marc had told her they could have a little fire. Looking up at the hole in the ceiling, she thought back to elementary school when she learned how the Native Americans had fires in their structures,
the smoke escaping through the top. With her tote on one side and the duffle bag on the other, she sat cross-legged, waiting for him to join her.

  After a few more minutes, Marc opened the flap and crawled inside as well, dumping a pile of rocks onto the center of the floor. With his flashlight, he observed the neat interior and smiled. “You did good,” he complimented. With a small spade from his emergency supplies, he dug a hole in the center of the dirt floor, lining the perimeter with stones. Reaching outside the tent, he brought some branches and twigs inside, stacking them in the center of the stone circle.

  “I really want the heat,” she confessed, rubbing her red nose, “but how can we keep it from catching everything on fire?”

  “The stones will keep the fire contained and retain the heat, so I won’t need to build it too large. It won’t take much to heat this place.” Smiling at her, he added, “We’ll be toasty in no time.”

  She watched, fascinated, as he efficiently made the fire pit and lit the wood. It soon crackled to life, throwing light and heat immediately around the tent. Slipping off her gloves, she eagerly held her frozen fingers toward the flames, the heat sending tingles through her aching hands. Looking at Marc sitting across from her, his day old beard adding to his handsomeness, she rolled her eyes. Is there anything he can’t do?

  “What is it?” he asked, seeing her movement.

  “I was just thinking that you probably could have done this without any tools or matches, couldn’t you?”

  Chuckling, he shook his head in mock humility. “Yeah, I could,” he admitted. “I took a couple of survival courses and,” he shrugged, “I’ve often spent time outdoors without a lot of conveniences.”

  “I’m impressed. I’ve never been camping or hiking.”

  “Hey,” he said, drawing her gaze back up to his. “Everyone has different things they like to do. I’m sure you have activities you enjoy.” He said it as a statement, but hoped she would share. It was going to be a long night and possibly another day before they were rescued and he figured getting to know her would help pass the time.