Sweet Caroline's Keeper (26 page)

"And that would be?"

"Caroline's life in exchange for whatever Wolfe removed from Lenore Shaw's locket."

"Will this hold up in court?" Wolfe asked, his hands damp with perspiration and his heartbeat racing wildly.

"Oh, yeah," Sawyer replied. "What we have here—" he pointed to the viewing screen that enlarged the documents captured on the microfilm "—is a journal that lists names, dates and events." Sawyer reached out and advanced the film. "And this is a signed confession by Preston Shaw that he assassinated Senator Harwell, following instructions from his superior, Oliver Harper."

An overwhelming rush of emotion surged up inside Wolfe. Relief. Justification. Consolation. He had not executed an innocent man! Preston Shaw had not only been party to the plot to kill Senator Harwell, he had, as the evidence had shown and the Peacekeepers had acted upon, been the man who had pulled the trigger. But the relief was short-lived. Caroline was at this very moment in the home of Oliver Harper, the head honcho of the Loyalists Coalition!

"I knew Oliver had some extremist political views, but I never imagined him to be a true radical," Ellison said. "I've known the man since we were in college together and. . . When this comes out, it will kill Eileen and Brooke."

"Harper's not the only bigwig on this list," Sawyer said. "We'll be rounding up ten other well-known citizens. A congressman, a senator and a federal judge among them."

"Are you sure Caroline didn't see the microfilm?" Ellison asked.

"I'm sure," Wolfe replied. "But she knew that I suspected there was something hidden in the locket. And if Harper had this Dr. Johnson use drugs on her, she would have told them whatever they wanted to know. And even without drugs, in her present mental state—" Emotion lodged in Wolfe's throat. He turned away from the other two men, clenched his hands into fists and shut his eyes as the pain and fear he could not control ran wild inside him.

"If Oliver learns about the locket, he will figure out what Preston hid inside it," Ellison said. "It wouldn't take a genius to come to the conclusion that the only evidence that would fit into something that size would be microfilm."

"And Harper's only bargaining chip is Caroline Mc-
Guire's
life," Sawyer said. "It's his trump card, so he'll play it. And very soon."

The call came in on Ellison Penn's private line. He recognized the voice immediately. The devil himself—Oliver Harper. He would like nothing better than to get his hands around Oliver's neck and squeeze the life out of him. How could a man with every privilege life had to offer become the maniacal leader of a bunch of lunatics?

"I understand David Wolfe is there with you," Oliver said.

"That's right."

"Did he bring you a little present?"

Ellison held his breath. He knew. . .the damn bastard knew! Was there any point in playing games? "Yeah. All gift-wrapped and with a bow on top."

"I have a little gift-wrapped present of my own," Oliver said. "I thought perhaps your Mr. Wolfe might like to trade."

Oliver's laughter sent chills up Ellison's spine. Oliver wanted a trade. Caroline for the microfilm.

"And if you're thinking of calling in the feds, I would advise you not to. As far as making copies of whatever evidence you have—don't," Oliver said. "After we've made the exchange, don't consider double-crossing me. If you do, you should know that I have no intention of going to jail. I'd kill myself first. And I wouldn't die alone. I find the Egyptian custom of burying the pharaoh's wife with him rather interesting, don't you? You see, David Wolfe isn't the only one with something valuable to lose. You do still love my wife, don't you, Ellison?"

"Why, you son of a bitch!"

"
Tsk-tsk
," Oliver said. "Now that we understand each other, put Mr. Wolfe on the phone. I do so love bringing a big man to his knees and hearing the fear in his voice. Tell me, Ellison, how long has it been since someone put the fear of God into you?"

Chapter 21

Caroline
wanted David. Where was her David? She was alone and frightened. She'd been calling for him for what seemed like days, but someone kept telling her that she would have to wait. Whose voice was that? she wondered. She tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt heavy. She tried to move, but her limbs seemed to weigh a ton. What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she open her eyes and get up? She had to find David. He was lost and
if
she didn't find him soon, he would be lost forever.
Her David,
who had seen to all her needs. He had provided for her, protected her and loved her She could almost feel his strong arms around her, holding her, keeping the evil world at bay. He would never let anything bad happen to her. When everyone else failed her, disappointed her, hurt her, she could count on David to be her knight in shining armor.

Suddenly Caroline realized that someone was talking, issuing orders in a harsh voice. But who? And why? And what were they doing in her bedroom? Was she dreaming?

"Bring her around," the harsh voice said. "We're making the exchange in two hours.
I
want her up and walking by then."

Where am I? What's happening? Who are these people? Is this another nightmare or is this real? I need to know. Help me. Please help me. David. . .David. . . David!

Wolfe sat beside Ellison Penn in the back seat as the driver breezed the big black limousine toward the Mount Hope sanatorium and health spa in Montgomery County. Every nerve in Wolfe's body screamed, every muscle strained. Adrenaline pumped through him, preparing him for the most important battle of his life. Everyone else involved in this rescue had an agenda of their own, but for Wolfe the only thing that mattered was saving Caroline.

"We've done all we can," Ellison said. "Everything is set in place, and with a little luck, both your lady and mine will be saved from Oliver Harper."

Harper had to be a monster if he were willing to use his own wife as a bargaining tool. Wolfe had never seen Ellison as distraught and worried as he'd been since Harper's threatening phone call. But then Wolfe knew only too well how Ellison felt—they both had a great deal to lose if anything went wrong.

"We need more than luck," Wolfe said. "We need divine intervention. For our plan to work, everything has to come together perfectly. We have to take Caroline out of the sanatorium while the FBI take Brooke and Eileen Harper into protective custody. Since Harper isn't aware the FBI is involved, we'll have the element of surprise on our side. He's counting on our not bringing in outside help."

Ellison looked directly at Wolfe. "I understand how you must feel because I know what's at stake for you."

"Once Caroline is safe, I know you'll want to deal with Harper yourself. But if Robbins turns out to be the traitor within Peacekeepers, then I want to be allowed to deal with him personally."

"With this exchange coming down, it's reasonable to assume the traitor will tip his hand and we will discover his identity," Ellison said. "There arc only a handful of men within the organization close enough to the top to be truly useful to the Loyalists Coalition."

Yeah, Wolfe thought, only a handful. Robbins. His assistant, Latham. And Barry
Vanderpool
. They had ruled out Ellison's top agents, most of whom were out of the country on assignments at the moment. That left only the three suspects.

Wolfe's cellular phone rang. He responded. "Yes?"

"Dom just reported in with some interesting information. Barry
Vanderpool
left the Peacekeepers building about an hour before you and Mr. Perm," Jack Parker said. "Want to guess where he went?"

"To Mount Hope."

"You got it."

"Then he's—"

"Probably," Jack said. "But guess who's on your tail? Robbins left the building shortly after y'all did, along with a couple of Peacekeepers agents, and he's been keeping a discreet distance behind Mr. Penn's limo."

"Damn! If Robbins was in this with Harper, he wouldn't have to tail us. He'd know where we were going. That must mean he suspects Ellison and me of being up to something illegal and he's hoping to nail us and make himself look good. I sure as hell was hoping he was our traitor, but looks like he isn't."

"I'll make sure Robbins doesn't interfere," Jack said. "He might not be in with the bad guys, but if he gets in the way, he could foul things up for us. Sawyer's people are already in position and ready to strike the minute you get Caroline to safety."

*
   
*
   
*

An attendant led Wolfe and Ellison into Dr. Johnson's private office and asked them to take a seat. They chose to stand. Wolfe checked his watch. The minute they walked out of here, the FBI would enter the Harper home to take Brooke and Eileen into protective custody, while a squad of FBI agents, led by Sawyer McNamara would swarm the sanatorium and arrest Oliver Harper. Within minutes of Harper's arrest, the other nine Loyalists Coalition leaders would also be arrested.

Oliver Harper entered the office, a charming smile on his face as he looked first at Wolfe and then at Ellison. "Right on time, I see. I appreciate your being prompt. Did you bring the microfilm?"

"We want to see Caroline," Wolfe said.

"She's being brought here as we speak." Oliver glanced into the outer office. "She's been kept drugged, so she'll still be a bit groggy."

It took every ounce of his self-control to keep from grabbing Harper and strangling the man. No matter who the other players were, Harper was the one truly responsible for the threats against Caroline. Wolfe would derive great pleasure out of seeing the mighty Mr. Harper spend the rest of his life behind bars.

"I'm sure you have a few Dundee men outside as backup, but I hope you haven't planned a double-cross," Oliver said. "You see, I have men posted in various positions throughout the sanatorium and even in the health spa that adjoins the sanatorium, so if you're thinking of creating problems, reconsider. Innocent people might die."

Dr. Johnson personally escorted Caroline into his office. Although her eyes were glazed, she walked under her own power, aided only by the doctor's hand on her elbow.

"Here's our little patient," the doctor said.

The sight of her, so fragile and weak, broke Wolfe's heart. She wore a hospital gown and was barefoot. Her hair was disheveled, her face pale. She stared at Wolfe and opened her mouth on a silent gasp.

"Come here, my dear." Oliver held out his hand to Caroline and she went to him willingly.

Ellison reached out and grabbed Wolfe's wrist, stopping him from doing what he knew instinct would tell Wolfe to do—rip Caroline away from danger and to hell with the consequences.

"The microfilm?" Oliver held out his hand. "Once I have it, then she's yours."

"Oliver, what's going on?" Caroline asked. "What microfilm are you talking about?"

"Nothing for you to worry about, Caroline," he said, his tone gentle and fatherly.

Ellison reached inside his coat pocket, removed the microfilm and held it out to the leader of the Loyalists Coalition. The look of triumph on Oliver's face was almost more than Wolfe could endure. Just as Oliver reached for the microfilm, they heard a commotion in the hallway and a voice calling out a warning.

"Don't turn her over to Wolfe! The whole thing is a trap."

Suddenly Ellison closed his fist around the microfilm. Oliver jerked Caroline to his side as he whipped a gun from his pocket just as Barry
Vanderpool
rushed into the office.

Breathing hard, his face slightly flushed, Barry said, "This place is swarming with agents. I recognized our Peacekeepers agents, including Gavin Robbins. They saw me and know that I saw them. They've already taken positions and my guess is we could already be surrounded."

Damn Gavin Robbins! Wolfe cringed at the thought of the gung-ho agent screwing this deal. Undoubtedly Robbins had somehow found a way to sidestep the Dundee agents.

"I should have known better than to trust you, Ellison," Oliver said. "You're not a gentleman. You never were. Too bad for Eileen. I have men ready to—"

"Eileen and Brooke are safe from you," Ellison said.

Oliver's eyes widened with surprise, as if it had never entered his mind that Ellison would have taken precautions so quickly. He held the gun to Caroline's head. "She isn't safe. Does she mean anything to you, Wolfe? If she does, you'll call off the Peacekeepers and Dundee agents. I can and will kill her in a split second."

"And I'll kill you if you hurt her," Wolfe said, his gaze locking with Caroline's. She stared at him, shock and puzzlement in her eyes.

Gunfire erupted outside, gaining the attention of everyone in the office. Damn!
Vanderpool's
spotting the agents had tipped their hand and set things into motion before the exchange had been completed. Now with Caroline still in his control, Oliver Harper was twice as dangerous.

Holding the gun to Caroline's temple, Oliver kept a tight hold on her as he pushed her toward the door. "We're leaving. Dr. Johnson has a helicopter pad on top of the building and I'll be taking Caroline with me as my own little insurance policy. Better tell your men not to fire at the helicopter because if I go down, Caroline goes down with me."

The minute Oliver and Caroline disappeared up the hallway, Ellison got on his cellular phone and contacted Sawyer McNamara. Wolfe grabbed Dr. Johnson and shoved him out the door.

"You're going to show me how to get to the roof." Wolfe pulled his Sig Sauer from his hip holster and pointed it straight at the doctor.

All hell had broken loose from the sound of it. The FBI agents were at war with the posted guards, members of the Loyalists Coalition trained in combat. Wolfe knew that the government agents would try their best to protect the innocent patients in the sanatorium and clients in the health spa. But right now, he didn't have time to worry about anyone except Caroline.

When he saw Jack Parker rounding a corner near the stairwell the doctor had indicated led to the roof, Wolfe flung Dr. Johnson toward Jack and said, "Take this bastard to McNamara. I'm through with him."

"Wait and I'll—" Jack said.

"Can't wait."

Wolfe ran up the stairs, his heart racing, his thoughts wild with worry. When he reached the roof, he found Oliver dragging Caroline with him as he headed toward the parked helicopter. Wolfe aimed his pistol, but before he could fire, Oliver turned abruptly, placing Caroline in front of him as a shield. Wolfe realized that Oliver was about to open fire, so he dropped and rolled across the rooftop. Oliver began shooting. Wolfe came to a halt behind a row of empty barrels, took aim and waited for a clean shot, one that wouldn't endanger Caroline. Suddenly, Oliver pulled Caroline with him toward the edge of the roof.

"Throw your gun out where I can see it—right now. And come out with your hands behind your head," Oliver called. "If you don't, I'll kill her. I can shoot her in the head or toss her off the building. And
I
doubt she'd survive the bullet in her head or the five-story drop."

"No, Wolfe, don't!" Caroline screamed. "He'll kill you."

Everything happened at once. Wolfe tossed aside his gun, then stood and came out from behind the barrels. Caroline took advantage of Oliver concentrating on David's movements and aimed her elbow to his mid-section. He growled with pain and loosened his tenacious grip on her arm, but before she could run, he grabbed her wrist A gunshot blast echoed in Wolfe's head and for a split second he thought Oliver had shot Caroline.
No! God, no!

But Wolfe realized a moment later that someone had shot Oliver. The gun in Oliver's hand fired once, straight down. A reflex action that happened almost simultaneously with the other gunshot. As Oliver staggered backward, blood oozed from the wound where he had been hit in the head, but he kept a deadly hold on Caroline. She struggled to free herself, but to no avail. When Oliver toppled backward over the two-foot high metal railing and off the roof, he dragged Caroline over the edge. She screamed. The sound echoed inside Wolfe's head as he ran forward, adrenaline flooding his body. He wasn't able to reach her in time!

Wolfe cried out, his voice agonized. The roar of a wounded animal. Then he saw two hands clinging to the narrow decorative railing that circled the rooftop. Small, delicate hands. Caroline's hands. An instant prayer rose from his heart. Thank God she was a fighter. Thank God she hadn't fallen to her death. Thank God she was alive.