The 15th Star (A Lisa Grace History - Mystery) (29 page)

She couldn
’t believe she was about to appear on national television looking this hideous.

There was a knock at the door. Agent Sumner said,
“It’s time Keiko.”

As she entered the room, Julian looked at her with such admiration and care it made her want to shout,
Can’t you see what I look like? I’m a mess, inside and out. I pretend my parents are alive. I’m not normal and I’m not sure I ever can be. Can’t you see that
?

Instead, she reached for him.

Julian was already holding the oiled leather wrapping. He took her hand and gently put his arm under hers to help her walk. She could never say those things to him because she knew her words wouldn’t change his mind.

Agent Sumner put his hand up to his earpiece, listening, and then spoke,
“Alright is everyone ready for the dog and pony show? The President will meet us on the White House lawn in ten minutes. Let’s go.”

***

Jacks was sitting at the café where he refilled his cup with a quarter cup of cream and six sugars. He broke down and spent three dollars on a chocolate cookie bar.

Joe, the bartender from the Palace of Wonders, should be walking in the door at any minute. While he was sitting there watching the TV mounted on the wall a breaking news report came on. A stylish young anchor woman was standing in front of the White House. A rolling banner at the bottom of the screen said:
Stabbing in the White House, Congressman Benton Rivers is in critical condition
.

Some of the other patrons at the caf
é asked the girl behind the counter to turn up the sound.

“
Congressman Benton Rivers has just been rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital outside Washington D.C. where he is being operated on as I bring you this report. Inside sources reveal that Congressman Benton Rivers accidentally stabbed himself. Congressman Benton is in critical condition from a stab wound he received while at the White House. Sources say the President was never in any danger. The incident happened in a branch reserved for overnight guests. Congressman Rivers has been widely talked about as a contender to run for his party’s nomination in the upcoming Presidential race. His family roots can be traced back to one of the first founding families of colonial America. The Rivers family has been involved in the political scene of our nation for generations. At this point, the White House is in a lock-down mode while security makes sure this was an isolated incident not connected with any terrorist activity.”

Jacks watched the report with interest and knew this development had something to do with what he had found out last night. He got up and went over to the pretty barista since the cashier was busy ringing someone up.

“Can I please borrow your phone?”

“
As long as it’s not long distance.” she smiled.

“
No, it’s local, but I’ll have to call information to get the number.”

The girl frowned at him,
“Okay, but only because you asked so nicely.”

Jacks gave her a smile,
“Thanks,” he said as she handed him the phone.

Jacks punched in the number for information,

“Washington D.C., the White House please,” he said to the operator. After he was put through he continued, “I have some information regarding Congressman Benton Rivers that I’d like to report.” Jacks waited for the White House operator to pass him up to the right person.

The barista, who had overheard his request, slipped him a piece of paper with her name and phone number on it.
“If you’re not busy tonight, maybe you could tell me all about it,” she said.

He smiled at her,
“Sure, I’d love to.”

“
This is Agent Sumner. You have information regarding Congressman Benton Rivers?”

“
Yes I do,” Jacks said.

“
You’re at the Spy City Café on F Street Northwest?”

“
Yes I am.”

“
And your name?”

“
Jackman—”

“
Sanders,” they both said at the same time.

“
Hang tight. We’ll be there in ten minutes to pick you up. We’ve been looking for you.”

“
Okay,” Jacks said, now a little worried that charges might be brought for the hacking. Although it really wasn’t hacking because he’d been asked to trace files that had been hacked into by somebody else. Jacks wondered briefly if he was going to need a lawyer. The pretty barista winked at him and he decided to think positively. So far, today wasn’t shaping up so badly. Maybe that trend would continue.

*

***

*

Chapter 20 - The Star

The President was waiting for them in a room with doors that led to the outside podium.

“Miss?” A Secret Service Agent held out his hand for the star. Keiko looked at Julian and the President.

“
Hello Keiko,” the President said as he held out his hand to shake hers, “Hello Julian, nice to see you again. This piece of cloth has caused quite a national security problem for us. This is the first time since the burning of the White House that we have had so much violence take place on the grounds.”

Agent Sumner came back in the room,
“Mr. President, this is Dr. Thomas Writer, the head of the American History Colonial department of the Smithsonian. He is the ranking official on verification of colonial artifacts.”

“
Mr. President, what a pleasure to meet you.” Dr. Writer shook the President’s hand in both of his own.

“
Thank you for coming on such short notice,” the President said.

“
Keiko, Julian, I hear you have quite a story to tell. But first, where is the star and the letters?” Dr. Writer asked.

The secret service men unfolded the star and laid it out on a round table in the center of the room. They set the two letters next to it. Doc went over and studied the star. He flipped it over and inspected every inch using a magnifying glass.
“The age, thread, and stitching are correct for the time period.” He bent over and read the two letters. “Again, the ink and paper appear to be authentic to the time. I would say it is very likely they are what they appear to be. Of course, further testing in the lab will need to be done and we will have to examine the flag and compare it to this piece on a microscopic level to assure the star is a match.”

“
Thank you, Sir,” The President said. “We have enough verification to go on with the press briefing.”

At that moment, another secret service agent escorted Jacks into the room.

“Jacks!” Keiko said, relieved to see he was unharmed.

“
As you can see, we have located Jackman Sanders. We have secured his cooperation regarding the incident in exchange for all charges related to his ‘hacking’ to be dropped.” Agent Sumner said.

“
Hey Keiko, Doctors,” Jacks said as he nodded to all three. “You weren’t kidding when you said it was serious. I’d really like to know what you got me into.”

“
Keiko, Julian, and Jackm—,” Agent Sumner was interrupted, “Call me Jacks,”

Agent Sumner nodded,
“Jacks, we do have the matter of Congressman Benton Rivers to address. With your cooperation, it is in everyone’s best interest if we announce Benton accidentally injured himself. If he recovers from his injuries, he will be admitted to a secure hospital environment where he can be evaluated and eventually this tragic incident will fade from the public’s memory. After we address the Benton incident, we will segue into your recovery of the star. We will say that the two events are not related and only a coincidence.”

The President waited for their response.

Keiko knew that the ‘facts’ were not always the truth. She looked at Julian.

“
Why can’t we just tell the truth?” she asked.

The President answered,
“Do you really want to destroy Benton completely? We would have to open a congressional hearing into how Benton acquired certain information. It puts many operations at risk if the general public knows how things work. Rivers possibly used federal resources to hack into Keiko’s and the Smithsonian’s secure data backups. We can’t disclose our systems as that could leave the United States vulnerable to terrorist threats. We consider it a matter of national security and won’t be allowing all the facts, at this time, to come out.”

“
So we don’t have a choice do we?” Julian asked.

“
Mr. President? We are ready for you, Sir,” the Press Secretary interrupted.

The President smiled at Julian and Keiko,
“Not really. Now let’s go make history.” The President walked out to address the American people.

The Press Secretary joined Keiko and Julian,
“First, the President is showing the American people he is fine. After he reads his speech, I will take the floor to field questions. Then I will read an introduction announcing your discovery and a run down on some of the facts regarding Grace Wisher. You may show the star and then pass it to the secret service agent. We will end with you waving to the people. Got it?”

“
Yes, Sir,” Keiko said smiling at Julian. She was still in shock her dream was coming true. The important part of the truth was ensuring Grace was recognized. “You know, I can’t keep quiet about the Grace Wisher-Stanton Rivers connection. That part has to come out,” Keiko said.

“
Naturally,” the Press Secretary smiled, “Tomorrow, on an interview with any news outlet you choose. Of course, that will lead into why Congressman Rivers had his breakdown and accidentally hurt himself, effectively ending his career.”

“
But what about the murder of the docent?” Keiko asked.

“
That was a drive-by shooting and may never be solved. You can’t go around making unfounded accusations. Please excuse me,” the Press Secretary said as he left them to take his place at the podium to answer questions.

A few minutes later, the Secret Service men ushered them onto the stage as the Press Secretary gave an update on the accidental stabbing of Congressman Rivers. He then went into a summary of the discovery of the star.

“Keiko Zorben.” The Press Secretary announced as Keiko walked up to the podium to speak, “Good morning. Today I’m happy to announce that the missing star from the Star Spangled Banner has been located. Grace Wisher, an African American indentured servant to Mary Picksersgill at the time the flag was sewn, hid the star. From clues I discovered in a letter in the Smithsonian’s archives, I was able to piece together its hiding place. Dr. Julian Lone Wolf of the Smithsonian Institute was integral in helping me to locate the final resting place of the star.” Keiko motions Julian over to the podium to stand with her. “Here it is, the fifteenth star.”

She unwraps the star, placing the letters on the podium, then moves away to hold the star up for all to see. Julian holds the points out closest to him. Cameras flash.

The Press Secretary once again stands at the podium to answer questions while Keiko and Julian pose for pictures with the star.

Julian whispered through his smile to Keiko,
“Smile, you’re on television. They’re going to play this footage every year and trust me, you are not going to be happy seeing that grimace.”

She whispered back while trying to change her grimace into a smile,
“It hurts to breathe, I’ve been asked to omit the truth, I’ve had one hour of sleep, and I’m wearing yesterday’s clothes,” she said through half clenched teeth, trying to pull her lips up into a simile of a smile, “Is this better?”

“
Much, besides the black pants you’re wearing hide most of the wrinkles and dirt.”

“
Thank you for the compliment! Is this your romantic side?”

“
When we get out of here, I’ll show you my romantic side,” Julian said.

“
Not without a piece of paper you won’t,” she joked back.

“
Fine. We’ll get a license. Nice and legal.”

“
Have you even really proposed? How do you know I’d say yes?” Keiko whispered back.

“
You want a proposal? I’ll give you a proposal.”

Julian nudged the Secret Service man next to him to take the points of the star. He walked up to the Press Secretary back at the podium and whispered,
“Excuse me, I need the podium for one second. I need to propose.”

“
Julian, what are you doing?” Keiko asked as she handed over the points she’s holding to the Secret Service man next to her.

The Press Secretary ended his sentence smoothly as if he were used to interruptions like this all the time.

“Before we continue, Dr. Julian Lone Wolf with the Smithsonian Institute and one of the discoverers of the missing star has something he would like to say.”

Julian stood at the podium,
“Keiko, you are one of the bravest women I know. You are passionate about history and the truth, and you own my heart. Keiko, marry me, because I want to live a future with you in it.” He got down on his knee right in front of her, away from the microphone, and took her hand, “Keiko, I love you. Will you marry me?”