In Plain Sight (8 page)

“Do you think they know about Jason?”

Amalie looked at Rosalee and grimaced. “Total disclosure, remember. We told our handler about Jason the first time you met him and how you were friends. By now, they know everything there is to know about him. That’s not a bad thing, Rosalee. What’s bad is Jason is in harm’s way just the way we are. Lincoln has sources 001 wishes she had. It’s just a matter of time before he finds us.”

Jason sprinted back to the car, his breathing ragged. “You guys ready to split this place?”

“Yes and no,” Amalie said quietly. “Where are you going to take us? Listen, Jason, I’m sorry you got involved in this. Maybe you should just take us to a bus depot, and we’ll take the next bus to wherever it’s going and hope for the best.”

“Now you know I’m not going to do any such thing. I have an idea if you girls don’t mind camping out until we can make some sense of what is going on.”

“What do you mean by camping out?” Rosalee asked nervously.

“The whole nine yards. Tents, sleeping bags, camp stove, kerosene lanterns. If you’re okay with it, we’ll stop at the next mall we see and buy what we need. I know a place that I think is safe. When I was a little kid and belonged to the Boy Scouts, we used to go camping. No one goes to that campground anymore. I read somewhere not too long ago that the Scouts shut it down and opted for more modern campgrounds. I felt sad because I had some good times there. I think it will be safe for a little while. No wild animals or anything like that. The downside is I won’t be able to stay with you. I have to get back and get into the same routine. Are you following me here?”

“And then what?” Amalie asked.

Jason took his eyes off the road to look across at Amalie, who was sitting in the front passenger seat. “Then I don’t know is my answer. We have to play it by ear. We’ll get enough food to last you a good while in case I can’t get to you for a few days. I can’t think of any other way. Do either one of you have a better idea?” Both women shook their heads.

“Then I guess that’s our plan.” Jason looked over at Amalie again, and asked, “In your opinion, how long do you think it will take your husband to find you?”

Amalie shivered as though she was chilled to the bone. “With his money and his resources, not long at all. He never gives up. Never.”

That is not exactly what I wanted to hear,
Jason thought. What was that old saying his mother was so fond of quoting? Oh, yeah, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Like that was really going to work. He decided right then that he was scared out of his wits. He wished now that he’d read more spy novels instead of the science-fiction novels he was addicted to.

If only . . .

Chapter 7

K
athryn Lucas bit into her bacon, egg, cheese, and onion burrito and watched the world go by as she sat in the parking lot of a Taco Bell. She’d slept late, barreled out of bed, showered, and headed straight to the fast-food shop before heading out to the farm. She was going to be late, but that was okay. The world wouldn’t come to an end. She munched contentedly as she watched a steady stream of people going about their early-morning business. She was so into her own zone that she almost missed the tall imposing figure heading up the walkway to the
In the Know
building. How ironic that she was sitting here across the street. When she’d pulled in, she thought the area looked familiar, but she hadn’t put it together immediately. Her phone was in her hand a moment later, her burrito forgotten. She quickly thumbed a text to Nikki and scooted out of the car. She was across the highway in seconds and in the building just as she saw Lincoln Moss get into the elevator.

Kathryn waited for the next elevator to
ping
. It did just as a return text buzzed on her phone. She stepped in and looked at the message at the same time.
Do what you have to do. See you at the farm.
Well, damn, that could mean anything. She grinned at what she imagined she could do to Mr. Joel Goodwin. She supposed she could flirt with Lincoln Moss. Ha!

The elevator door opened, and she was staring across the room at Pam Warren, who looked like she was going to black out any minute. Kathryn smiled, showing all her perfect teeth. The smile said,
gotcha.
Because she had excellent vision, she could see Warren about to hit a key on her console that would undoubtedly alert Mr. Joel Goodwin to her presence. She wagged her index finger back and forth and shook her head. Pam Warren sat back on her swivel chair as she placed her hands flat on her desk.

Kathryn continued to smile as she advanced to the counter. She did love to intimidate people. She leaned forward, and said softly, “This is what you’re going to do, Miss Warren. You can now press that little button and you will say, ‘Mr. Goodwin, Miss Goldshield is here, and she doesn’t have much time. She’s returning the packet you gave her yesterday but says you must sign for it in person.’ ”

Kathryn tilted her head so that she could hear Goodwin’s response, which was almost immediate. “Show her into the conference room. I’ll be there in a moment.”

“Promptness is such a virtue,” Kathryn said lightly as she tripped behind Pam Warren. “Having said that, the other virtue I admire most is silence. I know who that man is in there with your boss. Now, sweet cheeks, if you were a betting woman, who would you be betting on right now?”

“Ah . . . ah . . . you. Would . . . um . . . you care for coffee or tea? Anything?”

“Coffee would be lovely. Black.” Kathryn thought about the delectable breakfast she’d left behind in her car. It would be cold when she got back. Oh, well, she’d just order another one. She grinned at how fast Warren made it out of the room. Within a second, Joel Goodwin was in the room. He looked ill. He closed the door, then he locked it.

“Why are you here? I gave you everything yesterday. I thought we were done. Do you know who is in my office right now?”

“Well, yeah,” Kathryn drawled. “Why do you think I’m here? Do you want to see that gold shield again? Just so you know, Mr. Goodwin, it trumps Lincoln Moss.”

The little man wrung his hands. “I think there’s something you didn’t tell us yesterday, Mr. Goodwin. I’m sure you just happened to forget, so I’m very generously giving you another chance,” Kathryn said so softly, Goodwin had to strain to hear the words.

“All right, all right. I sent Jane Petrie a text to warn her. I’m in the newspaper business, and I have to protect my sources. You know how that works.”

“Actually, I do know how that works. What does he want?”

There was no sense pretending he didn’t know who the
he
was that Kathryn just mentioned, so he didn’t bother. “The same thing you want. I already told him I had no further information. He was just telling me what he could have done to me when Pam buzzed me that you were here. I don’t mind telling you that he made my hair stand on end. Everyone in this town knows how powerful he is. He is a very intimidating man. But . . . but you scare me more, lady, agent, whoever you are.”

Kathryn let loose with a chuckle. “You are a wise man, Mr. Goodwin. What did Mr. Moss threaten you with?”

Goodwin tugged at his collar. “For starters, he said a full-blown tax audit. Then he said he could shut down this paper in a nanosecond. Then he said he could have my kids expelled from their schools, then he started on how he could ruin my wife’s reputation. How’s that for intimidation?”

Until now, they had been standing. Kathryn looked at Goodwin, and said, “Sit.” He sat. “Is there a phone in here with a speaker?” Goodwin nodded and pointed. “I want you to listen very carefully to this call. Can you do that?” Goodwin nodded again. Kathryn pressed in the digits and waited.

“Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

“Well, good morning, Allison. I’d like to speak to Director Sparrow ASAP. You know who this is, right?”

“Yes, ma’am. Hold please for Director Sparrow.”

“Good morning, Director. Nice day, isn’t it.”

“Couldn’t be better. What can I do for you on this bright summer day?”

“I’m having a bit of a problem at the moment. The same problem we spoke about a few days ago when my partner and I briefed you. I am right now, this minute, in the conference room of
In the Know
talking to Mr. Joel Goodwin, who has been really helpful. He has been very cooperative, so please remember that. I’d like to keep it that way. There is a gentleman in his office named Lincoln Moss, who is threatening the very cooperative Mr. Goodwin. He is promising a full-blown tax audit, closing down the paper, ruining his wife’s reputation, and having his kids thrown out of their respective schools. I’d like you to personally assure Mr. Goodwin that none of that will happen, so he will continue to cooperate with us. Can you do that, Mr. Director?”

“Of course. Mr. Goodwin, can you hear me?” Not waiting for a response, Sparrow kept speaking. “I want to assure you that you have the full weight of the Bureau behind you. Just do what our agent tells you, and you are golden. Thanks for the heads-up, Agent.”

“My pleasure, Mr. Director,” Kathryn said as she ended the call.

Kathryn reached for the coffee cup that had suddenly materialized. She drank it in two long swallows. “You happy now, Mr. Goodwin?” He nodded. The color was coming back to his cheeks.

Pam Warren poked her head in the door, and said, “Mr. Moss said to . . . ah . . . tell you if you aren’t in your office in two seconds, he will make a call to the IRS. He also called you a . . . pipsqueak.”

Goodwin took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. “Tell Mr. Moss the pipsqueak said to sit on a pointy stick and twirl around. I’ll get there when I get there, or he can leave anytime he wants since he didn’t have an appointment in the first place. Tell him to make his call if that will make his day. Make sure you give him the message verbatim.”

Pam Warren looked like she would rather go two rounds with a two-headed cobra than tell that to Lincoln Moss. She swallowed hard and left to deliver Goodwin’s message.

“Okay, Mr. Goodwin, we’re on the same page here. Just so you know, Mr. Moss will follow through because he is a bully. So I’m going to call Director Sparrow again when I get out to my car and have him alert Mr. Sangelli at the IRS. Now what do you have for me?”

“Jane Petrie’s cell-phone number and the
pensione
where she’s staying in France.”

“Good! Good! I do love your spirit of cooperation. I think we’re done here. I’ll be in touch. Just don’t take any sudden trips, Mr. Goodwin. If you do, we
will
find you. Don’t let that ego-driven bastard in your office scare or intimidate you. He puts his pants on the same way you do.” In spite of himself, Goodwin laughed out loud. “Now, is there a way to get out of here without Moss’s seeing me?”

Goodwin pointed to the door at the end of the room. “It will put you in a side hall, take the steps to the end of the hall, and you’ll come out at the parking lot. Is that where you’re parked?”

“No, I’m parked across the street in the Taco Bell lot.”

Goodwin thought that was funny, too. He laughed again. “I get it, that’s where your stakeout is. Smart.”

Goodwin waited a full five minutes after Kathryn left before he felt ready to return to his office. He sucked in his stomach, straightened up, and marched down the hall to his private office. Now that he had the FBI watching his back, he felt like he was King of the Walk. He blasted into his office like he owned it, which he did. “Are we done here, Mr. Moss, or do you plan to threaten me some more?”

Moss narrowed his eyes. Something had happened while the man was out of the room. He hated it when he didn’t have all the facts at his fingertips. And this guy was suddenly too cocky. Before he’d left the room, he’d been in a world of stress.

“We’re done. For now.” The implied threat that there was more to come was there. He turned on his heel and left the office, his fingers hitting the number three on his speed dial, the Director of the IRS, Aaron Sangelli.

“Aaron, Lincoln Moss here. How’s it going?”

“This is the IRS, Lincoln, how do you think it’s going? What can I do for you on this humid hot day in the middle of summer?”

Was it his imagination, or did Sangelli’s voice have an edge to it? He got right to the point. “I’d like you to schedule a full-blown audit for one Joel Goodwin. He owns that political tabloid called
In the Know.
And the tabloid, too. ASAP. I’d like you to send out the notice to both Goodwin and the paper no later than tomorrow. I’ll owe you one for this, Aaron.” The silence on the other end of the phone brought Moss to full attention. He felt a distinctive flutter in his stomach.

“Sorry, Lincoln, no can do. I just got a personal call from the Director of the FBI, and he said there will be no audit of Mr. Goodwin or his paper. He also was kind enough to alert me to the fact that you, as in you, Lincoln Moss, do not tell the IRS what to do, when to do it, or how to do it. He mentioned you by name, Lincoln, and I’ve been around this town long enough to know the man was loaded for bear. So, do you want to rethink that request? Look, if it’s that important to you, you have the ear of POTUS. If you want its getting out to the media, that is. Think carefully, Lincoln. And this conversation never happened.”

“What the hell! When did the Director call you?”

“About six minutes before you did. Listen, Lincoln, I’m late for a meeting. Let’s get together next week for a round of golf. This is not the best place to be discussing any of this.”

“Yeah, sure.” Moss broke the connection and stood still. Who the hell was it in the conference room back at the paper that had the kind of juice to call off the IRS? Who?

 

 

Kathryn literally flew into the kitchen at Pinewood, forty minutes late. Lady and the pups greeted her with enthusiasm. She stopped for a few moments to tussle with the dogs before she headed for the war room, where she whooped her pleasure as she waved the slip of paper with Jane Petrie’s information.

“Nice going, Kathryn!” Jack said. “There’s a lot to be said for being at the right place at the right time. C’mon, tell us everything.”

Kathryn was like a runaway train as she recounted word for word what went down at
In the Know.
“Do you believe that guy? And do you believe all those threats?”

“He is the President’s best friend as well as his cousin from sandbox days. He’s run roughshod over a lot of important people in this town. It’s time he got his comeuppance,” Annie said.

“And we’re just the people who can do it,” Isabelle said, clapping her hands.

“I need two people to go to Paris! Who wants the gig?” Annie asked. Every hand in the room shot upward. “Oh! Well, I guess we’re going to have to draw straws. Who speaks French well enough to get by?” Every hand but Jack’s went down.

“Okay, Jack, you’re it! Pick a partner. I’ll call to get the plane ready. You leave
now.
Time is of the essence. Myra, call Mr. Sparrow to alert the authorities in Paris and have them pick up Miss Petrie and keep her safe till Jack gets there. On your return, bring the young lady here. You’re still sitting here, Jack. Move!”

“C’mon, Harry, let’s go. See ya, honey,” Jack said, as he blew a kiss in Nikki’s direction. Harry did the same thing to Yoko, who giggled at the look on his face. Everyone in the room knew that Harry was petrified about flying and fretted for days when he and Yoko were scheduled to fly to China.

“What’s next on our agenda?” Myra queried.

“Well, I did my bit,” Kathryn said.

“I’d like to go to the Home Builders Depot to stake out Jason Woods. Follow him and possibly even confront him. I think I can get him to talk,” Dennis said.

“Don’t anyone look at me,” Abner said. “I’m so deep into Lincoln Moss’s business, I can’t do anything else.”

“Listen, Ted and I, along with Espinosa have to get back to the paper. We have a campaign going, and we need to give it some final tweaks. Our Man of the Year contest will hit the paper first thing in the morning. We’re going to be fudging a lot of it, so I’m warning you all ahead of time,” Maggie said.

“That’s fine, dear. Just make it work,” Annie said, knowing her comment was not needed. Maggie and Ted always made sure things worked. Always.

“I’m outta here,” Kathryn said. “I have three hours of therapy. If you need me, call my cell.” The others nodded.

“Well, I feel like chopped liver all of a sudden,” Nikki grumbled. “What do you want Alexis, Yoko, and me to do?”

“Let’s go topside and make some lunch,” Myra said. She looked up at the dais, where Charles and Fergus were conversing in low tones. She shrugged.