Politics of Blood (Gray Spear Society Book 8) (25 page)

"Talk!" Aaron roared.

"Jed has a farm south of Huntley," Olaf blubbered. "Lumber Road, where it bends north."

Aaron took out his phone and walked off. Tawni presumed he was calling Perry to verify the information.

She looked down at her hands. The darkness was behaving normally again. She wiped her right hand across the air and left a streak of greasy smoke behind.

She turned her attention back to Olaf. His whole body was a bloody, broken mess. He moaned in pain. She almost felt sorry for the stupid cracker.

Aaron returned a few minutes later. "His name is Jed Parker. I have an address. We should go immediately." He nodded towards the helicopter which was parked in the field nearby.

Ethel nodded. "Let me just finish up here."

The gray canvas duffle bag was on the ground. She went over and pulled out a gasoline can and a lighter.

"The southern plantations were hot as Hell," she said. "My ancestors suffered in the blazing sun, year after year. For your final slave experience, you're going to feel that heat."

She poured the gasoline over Olaf. Tawni could smell the fumes.

"Please, don't," he whimpered. "I'm not a bad man. I just..."

"Just what? I saw your poisonous literature. You spew hatred and fear at the world God created. He isn't pleased, but I'll let Him have that discussion with you."

Ethel lit the gasoline and hopped back. Fire consumed Olaf. He screeched and writhed on the ground.

She headed towards the helicopter. "Let's go."

* * *

Aaron was walking along a dirt road between two huge fields covered in loose straw. The night was very dark. Even though his eyes had adjusted, he kept his hands out to feel for unseen obstacles. A line of brush on his left provided limited cover.

He was still wearing his FBI costume from earlier. He had added a black and gray vest, but he wanted more armor and better weapons. He expected the mysterious Jed Parker wouldn't allow himself to be taken without a fight.

Ethel, Boreas, Norbert, and Tawni followed Aaron in a line and were as quiet as ghosts. He couldn't even hear Tawni's footsteps, and he was proud of her for that. The only sound was from crickets.

He came to a driveway that cut through the brush. This was the location of Jed's farm. Aaron sniffed the air and smelled smoke.
Damn,
he thought.
We're too late.

He already knew what he would find, but he walked up the driveway anyway. The buildings had been reduced to piles of smoldering ash. Even the outlying sheds had burned down.

Aaron walked over to what was left of the main house and kicked a pile of charcoal.

His phone rang, and the caller ID showed Perry's code number. Aaron answered, "What?"

"Bad news, sir," Perry said. "I was looking for other members of Pure America for you to interrogate."

"You told me there were plenty more in the prison."

"All of them were transferred out tonight, including the lighting technician. I can't locate any of them."

"In other words, they're dead." Aaron sighed. "The opposition is cleaning up all the loose ends. Jed Parker's farm was burned to the ground." He rubbed his eyes. "You might as well go to sleep. We'll start again in the morning with fresh energy."

He hung up. His team gathered around, and he related the news.

Ethel nodded. "You have a guest room for me?"

"Of course, ma'am, but I'm not sure where Boreas will sleep. Norbert and the twins are permanent occupants of the other guest room. God ordered the girls to always stay in headquarters."

"I'll sleep on the couch," Boreas said. "It's fine. I'm used to couches."

Everybody turned around and headed back the way they had come.

Ethel took out her phone.

* * *

President Haley, Vice President Darrow, Bernard Templeton, and George Seferis were riding in the back of a stretch limousine. They had driven far from the city, and it was very dark outside. Haley could hardly see anything through the tinted windows.

He was exhausted. The day had started early, and now it was late. Just escaping from the United Center had taken an hour even with the Secret Service pushing every step of the way. He couldn't wait to get into bed. Any bed would do.

"We'll have a news conference first thing in the morning," Haley said. "The American people need to see I'm alive. They need to hear my voice. A press release isn't enough."

"Yes, sir," Seferis said. "I'll try to set something up. Mr. Templeton, what kind of telecommunications do you have at your ranch?"

"A video conference system," Templeton said. "I use it to talk to my business partners."

"Maybe we can tie into that. I don't want to bring reporters out. Our location has to remain a secret."

Haley's gaze drifted to a bottle of champagne in a built-in bar. He was thirsty, but he didn't want alcohol.

White, supple leather covered the interior of the limousine. Strips of tiny green and blue lights oscillated slowly. Randomly scattered bulbs twinkled on the ceiling like a field of stars. The presidential limousine wasn't nearly as fancy.

A black partition separated the front from the passenger compartment. The partition rolled down and a Secret Service agent looked through the window.

"Mr. President," he said, "you have a call."

"If it's not a matter of national security, I'm unavailable," Haley said.

"I don't know, sir. She says her name is Miss Pickenpaugh."

He frowned. He didn't know what to say to Ethel or even if he should talk to her at all.

"Don't keep her waiting," Darrow said in a low, urgent voice. "You don't want to make her mad."

Probably good advice,
Haley thought. "Put her through on the intercom."

"Roy?" Ethel's voice came through overhead speakers. "Are you there?"

"Yes, I can hear you."

"This isn't a secure line, so I'll refrain from mentioning certain things. Please, do the same."

"OK," Haley said. "Are you calling to apologize?"

"For what?"

"You don't know what you did wrong?"

"We saved your life," she said firmly. "We're still saving your life. We did nothing wrong. I called to tell you we have new information. The real threat is still out there. We confirmed Pure America was just a front."

"How do you know this?"

"We interrogated Olaf Wagner."

Seferis leaned forward with an alarmed expression. "But he's in prison. I put him there this afternoon."

"Mr. Seferis?" Ethel said. "Who else is there?"

"Please, answer the question," Haley said loudly. "How did you interrogate him?"

"We got him out of prison, of course. He was easy to break. A weak man."

"Is he still alive?"

"No," she replied with no shame in her voice.

Hearing about Olaf's demise brought Haley unexpected pleasure. He also felt jealous that Ethel could do such a thing without any legal consequences. He pushed aside those feelings as unseemly and unethical.

"You busted a man out of federal prison, abducted him, tortured him, and killed him?"

"I wouldn't use the word 'busted,'" Ethel said. "We presented our paperwork and received the prisoner without any trouble. It was handled in a civilized manner."

"What about the torture and murder? Was that civilized?"

"Roy, you're not listening. Your real enemy is still on the loose. We don't have any idea who it is. You're in tremendous danger!"

Haley gritted his teeth. It seemed she honestly didn't understand why he had an issue with her behavior.

Templeton appeared alarmed and confused. Seferis was fuming.

"You can't commit major felonies like they don't matter," Haley said. "Do you obey any laws at all?"

"Yes," Ethel said, "very strict laws, and my Boss makes sure of it, so you can stuff that attitude and be grateful I'm on your side."

"I might be more appreciative if I knew who your boss was or if I knew anything about you!"

"You know too much already. You're really starting to aggravate me."

"I'm sorry," Haley said, "but I've heard the stories. I've seen how you act. You solve every problem by inflicting pain and death. There is no line you won't cross. That's just not the world I live in."

"Good bye. I'll be in touch."

There was a click followed by a dial tone, then silence.

Templeton's eyes were wide. "Who the hell was that?"

"You really don't want to know." Haley shook his head.

"Sir," Seferis said, "when are we going to do something about her?"

"What do you suggest?"

"Arrest her?"

"Be my guest," Haley said, "but don't forget she's not alone. If you manage to capture her, which is highly unlikely, her organization will come after you. They'll give you the same treatment as Olaf. When I'm at your funeral, I'll tell everybody how brave you were right up until the end."

Seferis frowned and looked down.

"It seems we must deal with Miss Pickenpaugh on her terms." Haley sagged. "Now we just have to figure out what those terms are."

Chapter Thirteen

Aaron and the rest of his team were sitting around the oak table in the conference room. Everybody was there including all the assistants, Ethel, and Boreas. There were exactly enough chairs to go around.

Seeing all the members of the Chicago cell in one place was strange because it meant nobody was in the security booth. The computer system known as "Jack" was effectively the security chief now. Aaron wasn't comfortable with the idea. It felt wrong and sinful to give so much responsibility to a machine. On the other hand, the new Jack would never get tired or need to be relieved of duty. It had no human weaknesses.

Unlike Kamal.

Aaron looked at his team and said, "Before we talk about the mission, we have some very unpleasant business to discuss. As several of you already know, Kamal committed a major security breech. He e-mailed forbidden knowledge to some French scientists, and they died as a result."

Kamal's eyes widened. With an expression of terror, he said, "Sir, I was just... I never meant to..."

"Quiet!" Aaron held up his hand. "You'll get a chance to state your case at another time. I want you to be prepared. Have your arguments in order. You'll only get one shot at convincing me."

"Yes, sir." Kamal was shivering.

He was wearing a spotless, white shirt and a black bowtie. He always prided himself on having the neatest attire of anybody on the team. Aaron now saw a darker side to that habit. Perhaps, Kamal thought he was morally superior in some way.

"In the meantime, you're on probation. No more outside communication of any form. Everybody will keep an eye on you. If there is another slip-up, your retirement will be immediate."

"Yes, sir." Kamal looked like he might throw up.

Ethel leaned forward and said, "This lapse in judgment is extremely disappointing. I've known you a long time. I recruited you. I expected better choices."

She wore her formal gray robes of office. Her black, silk hood blended with the darkness clinging to her brown skin. Her pupils were enlarged and infinitely deep. She seemed to be made of shadows instead of flesh. Only her white hair appeared solid.

"I'm very sorry, ma'am," Kamal said.

"And it couldn't have happened at a worse time."

Aaron looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean, ma'am?"

Ethel got out of her chair and began to walk around the room. Her footsteps were unnaturally swift. It looked like she was running, but to her it was just a gentle stroll.

"This is sensitive information," she said. "The Society has been extremely active lately. We've had more missions in the last four months than the previous four years. I started the summer with a total of 99
legionnaires
and commanders. I'm down to 91. God has been giving out gifts at a record pace, four in just the last month, and they were powerful. In the entire history of the Gray Spear Society, there has never been a time like this."

"The whole division?" Aaron said.

"The whole world. All the legates are reporting the same thing. God's enemies are attacking at a frantic, reckless pace. Missions are stacking up, one after another. I think I know why." Ethel looked at Bethany and Leanna. "It's because of you two."

The twins showed no reaction. Their crystalline eyes were as enigmatic as ever. Light gleamed from the metal skin on their hairless heads.

"Your analysis is probably correct, ma'am," Bethany responded in her synthetic voice. "Our enemies are attempting to stop our project by destroying the world."

"Is it really that big a deal?" Ethel said.

"Yes. If we're successful, we will permanently change the balance of power between God and His enemies. The universe will be safer for all life until the end of time."

Ethel nodded. "And that is why Kamal's transgression is so harmful. The twins must be protected at all costs. Their work must remain the greatest of all secrets. Only the people in this room are permitted to know about it. I certainly won't tell anybody else, not even the other legates."

Aaron stared at Kamal. The scientist was trying to slide his body halfway under the table.

"When will it end?" Ethel asked Bethany. "How much longer do you need?"

"Two or three months, hopefully. The power cells in our brains have a limited capacity. If the project takes much more time than that, Leanna and I will expire."

Norbert stared at his hands despondently. Even after all the changes, he still loved the girls, and they still loved him.

"If there is anything you need," Ethel said, "let me know. No request will be denied."

"Yes, ma'am. Aaron has done an adequate job of supporting us so far."

Aaron wasn't sure how to take that comment. He decided to let it go.

"Smythe," Ethel said, "I can't allow Odelia to come here again. This situation is too sensitive. I won't forbid you from seeing each other, but you have to go to Los Angeles from now on. And when you talk to her again, remind her that the twins' project is nobody else's business."

Smythe nodded. "Yes, ma'am. That won't be a problem."