by Becky Harmon
He tossed a folded square of paper on the table before filling his cup. “I brought you a topographical map to take tomorrow. For some crazy reason, we’ve had a hard time getting these so we only have a few.”
“Thanks. I’ll get it back to you as soon as we return tomorrow.” She rubbed her face. She had been fully rested, but the potential scenarios playing in her mind were wearing on her.
Miller sat down across from her. “What’s got you worried? Here or the trip?”
She grinned. “Both.”
“Right.”
“I’ve been thinking about Barnes and what his involvement could be. We know he’s talking to Farook, so we should assume he knows the ambassador will be leaving the embassy tomorrow. If their goal is to reduce the number of security agents with the ambassador, then I look for them to move on us as soon as we exit the embassy. But if we make it past the crowd without incident, then you guys should prepare for an assault.”
Miller nodded. “It’s hard to believe they could be ramping up for an assault when the random gunfire stopped after your arrival. I thought things were growing calmer, not escalating.”
“I don’t think anyone could argue with the fact that the crowd is definitely not angry and is completely unmotivated for an assault. It’s the motives of the men behind the crowd that could force the issue.”
Miller shook his head. “I’m having trouble seeing the men outside climbing the fence or throwing grenades. Even if someone orders them to.”
“I agree, but if it’s not one of those options, then what’s their angle?”
Angel sat silently and Miller seemed lost in his own thoughts too. When her cup was empty, she stood.
“I’m going to the gym,” she said. “Maybe I’ll figure something out there.”
“Concentrate on your trip. We’ve got the embassy covered.”
She made a quick check of Ellie’s location and was relieved to see her back inside her suite. She quickly changed into workout clothes and climbed the stairs to the gym. She paused outside the entrance to Ellie’s suite and imagined herself knocking on the door.
* * *
Ellie held her breath as Angel’s GPS light moved in her direction and then stopped outside her door. Angel hadn’t been inside her personal living space since the first day she’d arrived. Her heart raced with the possibility of a social call, knowing that Angel wouldn’t hesitate to knock if it wasn’t personal.
When the light moved, Ellie released her breath. The gym, of course. She was going to the gym. It was stupid for her to think Angel would stop by for a social visit in her suite.
She tried to return to her book, but disappointment kept interfering with her ability to follow the story. She wanted to be close to Angel. She changed into workout clothes and quickly headed for the gym. She had to move fast. Angel would probably leave if she noticed her moving in that direction.
She opened the door to the gym and gave Angel a smile. Sweat glistened on Angel’s face as her long legs stretched the length of the treadmill. She began walking on the treadmill beside Angel’s, trying hard not to watch her in the mirror that covered the wall in front of them. Angel was dressed the same as she had been the previous time Ellie had passed her leaving the gym. The baggy gym shorts slid up and down her thighs in a seductive rhythm.
When Angel reduced her speed, she pleaded, “Please don’t leave.”
Angel gave her a quick glance and then stared straight ahead, her attention focused on something Ellie couldn’t see. The treadmill motor roared as Angel increased her speed again.
She let a small smile of satisfaction spread across her face. Putting in her earbuds, she started a recorded sitcom episode on her treadmill screen and settled into a relaxing pace. When it ended, she let the tape continue and watched a second episode. The steady movement from Angel’s body beside her brought a sense of comfort and excitement at the same time.
When they each reached to reduce their speed at the same time, she met Angel’s eyes and they laughed. Removing her earbuds, she glanced at Angel.
“Nice run?”
“Not as mind-clearing as I’d hoped, but I can’t complain. The company was good.”
She smiled. “I was thinking the same thing. Are you almost finished?”
“As soon as my cooldown ends.”
“I’m starving. Would you join me for a late lunch?”
Angel hesitated so she pushed a little harder. “Early dinner?”
“Okay,” Angel said, giving in. “Shower first?”
She felt her face blush as she imagined Angel’s question as an invitation. Oh, yes, she would love to shower with her. Instead she glanced at her watch. “The café’s going to close in less than an hour. We better skip the shower for now.”
* * *
Angel couldn’t remember much about their lunch conversation. Ellie had pulled on a zippered sweatshirt that was barely zipped halfway, displaying a large portion of her chest and tank top. Though she tried not stare, she had a hard time keeping her mind on the topics they were discussing. She was so disoriented that by the end of the meal she even agreed to meet Ellie in her suite for their evening briefing.
She showered and had a final meeting with her team and Miller. After discussing with them the potential for what might occur, she felt as comfortable as she could with leaving them the next day. Shepherd and Barnes had each disappeared for a short break after the midday prayers, but the monitors in the Communications Center showed that both were back again and in the same spots. She paced inside the small room and watched the seconds move closer to the time to meet Ellie. Noticing on the second-floor camera that several kids were running down the hallway, she moved closer to the marine in front of the terminal.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Just a Sunday evening scavenger hunt,” the corporal answered.
“Scavenger hunt?”
“There are always activities for the kids on the weekends and especially now that we’re all confined.”
“Is the ambassador there?” she asked as she watched the monitors switch from camera to camera, catching more running children.
“Probably, but Deputy Patone is overseeing it.”
She remembered Sam’s daughter, Brittany. He probably needed a lot of activities to keep her entertained.
“I’m going to check it out.”
She heard the marine laugh as the door closed, but she didn’t care. She desperately needed a distraction for the next thirty minutes. She found Sam outside the ambassador’s office with Chloe. They were checking items off a list as a boy about ten years old danced in front of them.
“Okay, Jeremy. You still need the last two items on the list.” Chloe leaned close to him. “Try Conference Room Two.”
After the boy took off at a sprint, Chloe held up his paper. “Wonder how long it will be before he realizes that he forgot this.” They all laughed when Jeremy ran back into the room, grabbed the paper from Chloe, and ran out again.
“I think he needs my help,” Chloe said, following him.
“Did you come to join the fun, Agent McTaggart?” Sam asked.
She smiled. “I was in the communications room and saw the kids running around on the monitor. It looked like I should check it out.”
“Just having a little fun.”
“I can see that.”
Sam sat down on the couch across from Chloe’s desk. Resting his arm along its back, he turned toward her.
“Are you ready for tomorrow?” he asked.
“As ready as I can be. Thanks for the background information, by the way.” She leaned against Chloe’s desk and tried to rein in her nervous energy. “The entire trip seems like an unnecessary risk.”
“You security-minded people would never let us do anything if we didn’t push. You need us to balance you out.”
She chuckled. “I can see how you might think that.”
“Ellie’s a good woman. She’s already accomplished more in six months
than her predecessor did during his entire term, but she has more to do. Bring her back safely.”
She liked it when those close to Ellie spoke up for her. It eased her mind when she thought about leaving.
“I will.”
Sam studied her. “She’s not as difficult as she seems.”
“Nope, you can’t convince me of that. She’s the most hardheaded woman I’ve ever worked with.”
Sam laughed. “You only think that because she wins you over to her side without you even knowing it.”
“You’re right on that. Sometimes I can’t even believe what I agree to.” She smiled at him. “And on that note, I’m off to give my nightly briefing. Have a good night.”
“You too, Agent.”
As she walked away, she heard Sam’s parting words. “She trusts you, and when it counts she’ll do exactly what you tell her.”
His words slowed her pace, but she didn’t turn around. She wanted to believe him. He knew Ellie better than anyone in the building. If she didn’t believe what he said at least a little then she shouldn’t take her through the gate. She had to believe that Ellie wouldn’t question her authority. But if a battle of wills did occur, she had to be the only winner.
As she climbed the stairs, she contemplated Ellie’s reasons for briefing in her suite instead of in her office. Surely she must have resisted, but honestly, she couldn’t remember disagreeing. Being alone with Ellie without fear of interruption was exactly what she wanted. In another time or place, maybe. Tonight, though, she needed to avoid all physical contact. She swiped her badge on the outer security access door and entered Ellie’s private hallway.
Ellie opened the door before she knocked, making it clear she had been watching the GPS app on her tablet.
“I hope you didn’t cheat for any of the kids,” Ellie teased.
“Chloe’s taking care of that.”
“I’m not surprised.” Ellie motioned to the small seating area that was her living room. “Can I talk you into joining me?”
Without a thought, Angel took a seat on the small loveseat facing a thick cushioned green chair. A book lay open on the cushion, and Ellie moved it to the coffee table between them. She tried not to think about the fact that the room behind Ellie held a queen-sized bed with a thick white comforter. This would be a true test of her resolve. She wasn’t sure she could spend time inside Ellie’s domain without losing her head.
Ellie was dressed in light blue sweatpants with a white drawstring at the waist. The baggy bottoms swallowed her feet as she pulled them up on the chair beneath her. Her white tank top was covered by a long sweater-style jacket that she wrapped around her chest. Her hair hung loose, making the shadows from the lamp dance across her face.
“Are you ready to see some of the countryside tomorrow?” Ellie asked.
“Will there be something more than sand?”
Ellie smiled. “There’ll be plenty of desert but a few mountains and probably a camel or two as well. I wish we could detour to see more than Highway N1, but I’ll take the time to show you around when all of this is over.”
“I look forward to it.”
If Ellie was surprised by her willingness, she didn’t show it. The conversation quickly progressed to the beauty of the country with Ellie eagerly sharing her personal stories about places she had visited as well as about the everyday activities that took place at the Port de Peche in Nouakchott. Forgetting about the briefing she was supposed to be giving, Angel let Ellie’s excitement draw her in.
“Oh and you missed the Tabaski last month. It’s an Islamic festival known as the Sacrifice Feast. We closed the embassy for three days and on the final day we had a huge party downstairs. For the Muslims it’s about prayer, but for us it’s mainly about eating and giving gifts to the children.”
“It’s a celebration of something?”
“It is. It commemorates the willingness of Abraham to follow God’s command and sacrifice his son. The dates change each year because it depends on the sighting of the moon, but I believe it’s always in September.”
Without thinking, Angel spoke the first thought that crossed her mind. “That story has always bothered me. How could anyone kill their own child?”
“He didn’t do it. God stopped him.”
“Yes, but he asked him to do it and Abraham didn’t know he was going to stop him.”
Ellie shifted on the cushion, pulling her knees up to her chest. “Are we into the black and white viewpoint again? It’s about belief and trust. You have to believe that Abraham did know God wouldn’t let him sacrifice the son he had waited so long for.”
She shook her head. “I guess next you’re going to tell me that the twenty percent of Mauritanians still in slavery believe they’re doing God’s will?”
“I believe they’re doing what they’ve been raised to do.”
“Slavery was abolished here in 1981 but it took over twenty-five years for it to become illegal to own slaves.” She knew she was pushing Ellie again, but she couldn’t stop. These were the hard questions she wanted answers to. She knew Ellie was a good person and she wanted to understand.
“Ending slavery is not about enforcing the laws. This country is a vast desert and that would be impossible. It’s about changing the belief that slavery is a part of the natural order and providing the ability for freed slaves to support themselves.”
“So you think it’s irrelevant that only one in four thousand cases are reported. The only government agency allowed to submit legal complaints on behalf of the slaves doesn’t submit any. And the nongovernmental anti-slavery activists are arrested, prosecuted, and convicted.”
Ellie took a deep breath. “You’ve been doing your homework, Agent McTaggart. I never said things were perfect here. There will always be room for change. I have the ability to raise public awareness. And to provide funding and protection for those nongovernmental agencies.”
What had she done? Ellie was sharing the positive, beautiful side of this country, and she had dragged them both into the darkness. She stood. “I’m sorry, Ambassador. I didn’t come here to beat you down about this country or your beliefs. I’m impressed with your desire to make changes. We need more people with your passion in the world.”
Ellie stood, too, bringing their bodies closer together. Only inches apart.
She looked down into turquoise eyes filled with compassion. Ellie could have been angry with her. She wouldn’t have blamed her. But that wasn’t what she saw. She saw a strong woman who wanted to make a difference and was willing to do the work. She could understand how Ellie was so successful in swaying others to see her side of things.
“I’ve enjoyed talking with you tonight,” Ellie said, touching her hand. “Maybe when we come back from this trip we can spend more time getting to know each other.”
“Let’s get through tomorrow. Then we can try to find a common ground we can agree on.”
“Conversations aren’t always about agreeing, you know?”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Angel showered and dressed in her usual cargo pants and Flagler shirt. Strapping on her pistol, she threw an extra clip and a change of clothing into an overnight bag. She pulled on her matching dark blue blouse to conceal her weapon. Sometimes displaying her weapon would show strength, and other times it would only instigate tension. She would adjust as the day progressed, based on what she encountered.
She had not received any calls during the night, but she had allowed enough time to check in with every post before she met the marine detail in the motor pool. She had no doubts about leaving them, only a desire to keep them safe. Miller’s ability to act in a high-stress situation was an unknown, but her time with him the last few weeks had given her confidence that he would respond appropriately.
After checking in with her agents, she swung by the café. Her stomach wasn’t keen on food yet, so she added a loaf of bread and some crackers to her bag. Her decision to ma
ke Chloe her last stop was rewarded when she passed Ellie entering the café as she was leaving. She forced a relaxed smile on her face as she entered the office.
After exchanging a cheerful greeting, she leaned close to Chloe, whispering. “I need you to do me a favor.”
“Of course,” Chloe said enthusiastically.
“You have access to the ambassador’s suite, right?”
“I do.” Chloe’s smile began to fade.
“The ambassador’s in the café and I need you to pack an overnight bag for her. No dress shoes. Hiking boots would be best, but running shoes will do. And a comfortable change of clothes.” She paused and then quickly continued as Chloe’s face arched into a frown. “It’s only a precaution. I’m not expecting anything to happen, but I want to be prepared. If we can do this without causing any stress to the ambassador, then that’s good for both of us, right?”
Chloe stood. “I’ll do it.”
“Great.”
* * *
Ellie was surprised to find Chloe’s desk empty when she stopped by her office after asking the cooks in the café to pack a snack bag and sandwiches for each car. She left Chloe a quick note and almost had stepped into the elevator when she remembered Angel’s criticism of her shoes. She looked down. She had chosen a pair of black loafers with a sculpted two-inch heel to wear today. They were stylish with a strap across the top of the foot and comfortable. To make her point that they were also practical, she took the stairs instead.
When she stepped through the fire door into the garage, the acrid smell made her nose wrinkle. The underground garage had an excellent ventilation system but still always smelled of motor oil and gasoline. The smell of exhaust from the running vehicles was worse than the lingering old scents.
Angel was giving instructions to the marines standing with her. She was an imposing figure psychologically as well as physically. As the roll-up door in front of the first car was opened, a gust of fresh air swept inside, pushing Angel’s dark hair across her face. She flicked it out of her eyes without a pause in what she was saying. When she finished, she turned toward where Ellie was standing, meeting her gaze. Patting the nearest marine on the back, she crossed to meet her.