Removal (37 page)

‘Where are they now?’

‘Somewhere east of Chicago. It’s too soon to be sure, but Washington is certainly a possible destination.’

Jeff leaned against the table and looked towards a large map of the United States which was on the far wall of the situation room. The map was dotted with brightly-colored pins.

‘If there’s a large-scale movement on Washington, we have no way to control it, do we?’

‘Realistically, no. Not unless you want to set up checkpoints along the entire length of the eastern standard time zone meridian. And that’s before we talk about the airports and the railroads.’

Jeff nodded.

‘Let me know if anything else develops. I need to go see Director Lazenby.’

‘I’m sure he’ll be thrilled.’

‘I’m sure,’ Jeff called back on his way out.

* * *

Linda Samuels stood up and embraced Kelly as she approached the table.

‘Well, hi there. I was beginning to think you were going to stand me up.’

Kelly kissed Linda on the cheek and sat down.

‘I’m sorry, Linda. It’s been crazy. I’ve been running around non-stop all day, and I’ve left Jeff in charge, so I can’t take too long. It’s good to see you. I’ve missed you. What do you recommend?’

‘For the hungry law enforcement chief who only has minutes to spare, I would suggest a burger and fries.’

‘Good call. And I’m going to begin with some of that garlic bread.’

Linda smiled as she passed the bread basket to her friend.

‘So what’s so crazy over at the Bureau? Can you talk about it?’

Kelly hungrily broke off a big chunk of garlic bread and began to chew on it. A young waiter arrived and took their orders with an obvious lack of interest.

‘We’re trying to figure out where all these protests are coming from,’ she replied through the bread, ‘and why they’re spreading on the scale they are. The Director is beginning to think they’re being orchestrated. They seem a bit over the top for spontaneous demonstrations by small groups of the President’s supporters. Is there any word on this at the White House?’

‘Well, actually, Kelly, ever since I was hauled before the House Intelligence Committee, the President doesn’t confide in me as intimately as he used to. If he has an opinion, he hasn’t shared it with me.’

Kelly smiled. ‘Hey, you went to jail for him. I would have thought you would be his closest confidante by now.’

‘Maybe he’s not sure I would do that a second time. And maybe he’s right.’

They both laughed.

‘I’m sure he’s not too unhappy about having all those people on the streets,’ Kelly ventured after a silence. ‘There must be a few senators sitting up and taking notice.’

‘As they damn well should,’ Linda replied. ‘He’s being railroaded. There’s no evidence he had any dealings with Hamid Marfrela, or anyone else, for that matter. Hell, Kelly, do you know how damn near impossible that would be? The President is almost never left alone. I don’t even know how he would go about it if he wanted to. There was no way he could keep Lucia Benoni from us. How could he be doing business with Hamid Marfrela?’

‘Well, you knew about Lucia, but you don’t know what they may have talked about while he was getting his rocks off with her,’ Kelly pointed out. ‘Maybe she was the go-between.’

‘I know Steve Wade hasn’t betrayed his country,’ Linda insisted.

Before Kelly could reply, the waiter returned with their food. Kelly decided to let the matter drop.

‘Did the President or anyone on his staff ever say anything about what you did at the House Intelligence Committee hearing? Were they appreciative?’

‘He thanked me personally. No word yet on whether I get the Medal of Honor.’

Kelly devoured part of her burger and wiped her lips with a napkin.

‘So, how will you feel if you’re protecting President Trevathan next week?’

‘That’s not going to happen,’ Linda replied firmly. ‘Steve Wade is going to serve out his term.’

Kelly looked at her friend, a french fry suspended in mid-air on the way to her mouth.

‘You sound very sure of that.’

Linda shrugged.

‘Why shouldn’t I be? He’s done nothing wrong, and the people want him to stay. You were talking about how the protests are spreading. Don’t you think that’s what it’s all about? The people are telling the Senate to lay off of him.’

‘It’s not up to the people, Linda. It’s up to the Senate. Are you saying the protesters should be able to dictate to the Senate what to do? Look, I understand you are very loyal to Wade. You’ve proved that time after time. But…’

‘We’ll just have to see, won’t we?’

‘Yes. I guess so.’

Kelly resumed work on her burger, but watched Linda carefully. Linda seemed to have lost interest in her meal, and was staring vacantly to one side.

‘Let’s change the subject,’ Kelly offered.

Linda looked briefly around the restaurant, and then turned back towards her.

‘Kelly, we’ve always been able to talk, haven’t we? Off the record, I mean?’

Kelly put down the remains of her burger and looked up.

‘Sure.’

Linda leaned forward confidentially.

‘Kelly, you talk about the Bureau being crazy. Believe me, it’s nothing compared to the White House. Everyone’s running around like chickens with their heads cut off. The senior staff members seem like they’re in a daze. Martha Graylor, you know, the Press Secretary, is having a nervous breakdown right in front of our eyes. But nobody seems to have any idea what’s going on. We hardly ever see the President any more. It’s as though they’ve all lost it.’

‘That’s understandable,’ Kelly replied. ‘They must be under incredible stress. That’s not going to change while the impeachment is going on.’

‘Yes. But it’s not the only thing.’

Linda hesitated, looking around again.

‘Do we need to go some other place to talk?’ Kelly asked.

Linda shook her head. ‘No. I haven’t got time. I need to get back.’

‘OK.’

‘Kelly, the really strange thing is the military presence we have with us.’

Kelly sat up with a start. ‘Military presence? What do you mean?’

‘There’s been a procession of military people in and out of the building. Marines mostly. And I’m not talking about the Chiefs of Staff, or even generals. They’ve been around, but so have a bunch of other people, lower-rank officers. Armed. There are even some patrolling the grounds, almost as though they’re looking for something.’

Kelly’s eyes opened wide. ‘Is there some kind of foreign crisis? I haven’t seen anything like that on the news.’

‘Nothing anyone knows about. Or, if they do, they’re not saying anything. The President has pretty much closed the building to the press.’

‘I heard that,’ Kelly said. ‘The entire press corps has been bitching about it. All they’re getting is the occasional statement from the Press Secretary.’

‘Which says almost nothing. And if we ask, we’re told in no uncertain terms to mind our own business.’

Thoughtfully, Kelly rested her chin on her hands. ‘So, you really have no idea what’s going on?’

‘No. The speculation on the Detail is that there’s some big-time covert operation going on that they don’t want to talk about.’

‘If that’s true, they picked a hell of a time for it.’

‘Yes, they did.’

‘On the other hand, maybe they’re making
Wag the Dog Two
, something to take people’s minds off the impeachment.’

‘I don’t think so, Kelly. They don’t have time. The impeachment isn’t going to last much longer.’

There was a silence.

‘Linda, look, I really have to run. Is there anything I can do? I mean, you obviously thought it was important to tell me this. Do I need to pass this on to the Director?’

‘Why would you?’

‘I don’t know. But you’re obviously concerned about this, otherwise why would you have told me?’

‘I told you because we’re friends. I’m not asking you to do anything. You understand, I’m still loyal to the President.’

‘I understand.’

‘But I still wanted to tell you about it. As friends.’

Suppressing the urge to discuss the matter further, Kelly stood and gave Linda a hug.

‘Tell Jeff I sent my love.’

‘I will. And Linda… if you want to talk some more…’

‘I’ll call.’

‘Promise?’

‘Promise.’

‘Love you.’

‘Love you.’

Kelly stood outside the restaurant long enough to watch Linda pull out of the parking lot and turn into the traffic for her drive back to the White House. Slowly, she walked to her car, and sat silently in it for some minutes without starting the engine. When she did leave the restaurant parking lot, instead of driving directly back to FBI Headquarters, she took a detour through the darkening streets of Washington, and parked as close as she could get to the White House. For several minutes, she walked up and down in front of the building, scanning the grounds as carefully as she could. She saw nothing out of the ordinary. One or two police officers were on routine patrol on the streets outside, and only one or two token tourists seemed to be taking any interest in the President’s residence. Inside the fence, she could see no movement. Eventually, she turned away, returned to her car, and drove back to work.

L
ATE
INTO
THE
evening, Ted Lazenby, flanked by Kelly and Jeff, watched CNN’s nightly coverage of the pro-Wade demonstrations, which had now spread to several major cities in the east. In Chicago, against a backdrop of burning cars, a chanting mob, and squads of police officers in full riot gear, a nervous reporter was saying that thousands of protesters, some carrying clubs or throwing rocks, had tried to storm civic buildings in Daley Plaza, and that police had only just managed to repel them. Other reporters had similar stories from Atlanta and Miami. Governors in several states had put the National Guard on standby and cancelled all Guard and police leave. Only now, as midnight approached, was some semblance of order being restored in the streets. The senior CNN White House correspondent added that the President had made no comment on the situation. As Lazenby reached for the remote to mute the spin of the political commentators who were to make an appearance next, there was a knock on the door. A young female agent entered.

‘I’m sorry to disturb you, Director. We have a situation down at main reception. The duty agent requests that you come down right away.’

‘A situation?’ Lazenby asked.

Kelly’s right hand drifted automatically towards her side-arm, and came to rest on her holster. The agent noticed.

‘It’s under control, Agent Smith. Sir, we have two visitors, accompanied by two men who say they are Secret Service agents. They have no appointment, but they say they have something very urgent they have to see you about personally. Security won’t release them from reception without your personal authorization. It’s getting a little tense. I really need you down there, Director.’

‘Let’s go,’ Lazenby said, authoritatively.

With Kelly, Jeff and the female agent in hot pursuit, the Director virtually ran to the elevators, and within a few seconds, all four were making their way along the main foyer of the building towards the security desk. A number of intense-looking FBI agents were surrounding the three men and a woman who had arrived so unexpectedly, and were paying particularly close attention to two men in dark suits, white shirts and ties. On seeing the Director approach, one of the FBI agents stepped forward.

‘Agent Kimble, are you in charge here?’

‘Yes, Sir.’

‘Report.’

‘Director, this lady and three gentlemen arrived at the main door in a private vehicle, which then left. Two of the gentlemen, the two wearing suits, immediately identified themselves as Secret Service agents, and stated that they are carrying side-arms. The lady and the other gentleman claim to be… well, I’ll let them explain for themselves, Sir. The two of them are unarmed. I let them into the building under close supervision, and asked that you be sent for Sir.’

Lazenby held up his hand. ‘One moment, Agent Kimble.’

Lazenby’s gaze took in the woman, with large spectacles and long, loose hair, wrapped in a cheap coat which was much too big for her; and the man in blue jeans, casual shirt, and a red windbreaker with a hood. For a moment, the Director seemed nonplussed, but suddenly his face broke into a grin.

‘Well, I’ll be damned.’

The female visitor also broke into a smile.

‘Agent Kimble, you say you have not been able to establish the identity of our guests?’ Lazenby asked.

‘No, Sir.’

‘Then allow me to introduce you. Agent Kimble, meet the Vice President of the United States, Ellen Trevathan, and General Raul Gutierrez, Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.’

Agent Kimble blinked several times in rapid succession as Lazenby shook hands with his visitors and introduced them to Kelly and Jeff. He came stiffly to attention.

‘Ma’am, I apologize if I was discourteous, or if I have caused you any inconvenience. You too, Sir. I was…’

‘You were doing your job, Agent Kimble,’ Ellen Trevathan said graciously. ‘There is nothing to apologize for. Do you think you could find my agents a cup of coffee while I confer with the Director?’

‘Yes, Ma’am,’ Agent Kimble smiled weakly. ‘Consider it done.’

Lazenby took Ellen Trevathan’s arm. ‘Ellen, I’m sensing that officially, this visit is not taking place?’

‘I would appreciate if it stayed that way, Ted.’

Lazenby turned to the assembled agents. ‘Did everybody hear the Vice President?’

‘Yes, Sir.’

‘Good. Make sure there’s no record of this unless and until I authorize it.’

‘You know, Ellen,’ Lazenby said once they were in the elevator, ‘all you had to do was call ahead. I would have been glad to arrange a proper welcome.’

‘If I could have called ahead,’ the Vice President replied, ‘there wouldn’t have been any need for us to dress up like street people, would there?’

‘Hey, what are you talking about?’ Raul Gutierrez said. ‘This is the way I always dress.’

Not another word was spoken until the Vice President and General Gutierrez had joined Lazenby, Kelly and Jeff in the Director’s office, and a pot of fresh coffee had been brewed.