by Ali Vali
“All three of our vessels were hit, and Sullivan’s got boats in the water.”
She cursed softly. “Survivors?”
“According to our contact, more than half. The countermeasures weren’t deployed.”
She touched the device in her forearm that would guarantee none of them would divulge anything if captured. Above all else the fight had to continue, her father had repeated over and over. Adam Morris and Jerry Teague had taken that lesson to heart and willingly carried all their secrets to the grave.
“We need to know where they’re being held.” The need to hit something was making Rachel twitch obviously enough for Vander to slightly tilt away from her. “Can I trust you to deal with Levine?”
“The plane’s ready, and we’ve been cleared. All I need to do is get there.”
“Take off—”
“Excuse me, ma’am,” Vander said, putting his hand up tentatively as if he feared the interruption. “That’s the only plane we have available at the moment to get you out of here. Whatever you need, ask, and I’ll do it so you can deliver Commander Levine.”
“Your job is to follow orders.” She slapped him hard enough to make her hand sting, but he sat still as if he’d put up with fifty more. “I’m sure I can figure out how not to get caught and find my way back.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She’d learned how to lead from her father, but it irritated her that men like Vander still saw only a woman who needed taking care of when they looked at her. “Try to concentrate on what you have to do, and stop worrying about me.”
“It’s my job to worry about you, ma’am.”
She ignored him, knowing why her father had placed Vander with her, and why Vander was so eager to be by her side. Vander wanted the power that would come from an advantageous marriage, and if that was what he was waiting for, death would come first.
She didn’t want to do it, but she called Jeffery. The call went to voice mail, and sweat broke out along her forehead. She’d told her brother to be in the boat that struck last. Their first two were dispensable, but they should’ve gotten off some shots. Once the Jefferson was crippled, Jeffery could take the credit for the killing blow.
“I gave you an order,” she said to Vander. “Stop the car.”
She got out and climbed into the car behind them. “Where to?” the driver asked.
“Get me as close as you can.” She checked her phone again for breaking news. “If we can get him out of there, we will.”
* * *
Aidan tried calling Berkley again for the fifth time, and again it went straight to voice mail. The gunshots weren’t her imagination, and she was about to peel her skin off if she didn’t hear Berkley’s voice. Devin didn’t let her stew too long and touched her forearm.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, walking her away from the others.
“Berkley called, but it sounded like someone was shooting at her. Now she’s not answering.” Saying it out loud brought very real and acute pain to her chest. “My god, do you think this was a coordinated attack? She was out there alone.”
“Where was she when she called?” Devin asked.
“She went to a safe house in Arlington and was on her way back.” Aidan tried the number again and brought her hand up to her chest. Berkley’s ring was on the chain Berkley had given her, and taking it off had been difficult, but Berkley had kissed her ring finger and placed the chain around her neck. “If whoever these bastards are knew that, she could be dead.”
Devin tightened his hold on her and shook his head. “Don’t think that.”
Aidan called Drew’s office and requested the guards at the safe house go out and check. One of Drew’s assistants placed her on hold, and Drew came on a few minutes later. “Aidan, we’re on top of this, but Berkley was ambushed leaving the safe house. They found her car and another vehicle burning, but no bodies. It’s my strong opinion that she’s still alive, so don’t think otherwise.”
“How did this happen? Between here and where she was, explain to me how. It was a coordinated hit meant to take us both out.”
“I understand that and have NCIS on the interstate looking in every direction. We also shut down every small airport within a two-hundred-mile radius.” Drew sighed, and she hoped it wasn’t a sign of defeat. “The gunshots were close enough for quick action, and that narrows where they can go.”
“Find her, because Corbin Levine will not understand if you don’t, and neither will I.”
“Concentrate on the Jefferson, and let me worry about Berkley.”
“Devin, make sure all the prisoners are searched before they’re brought on board, and separate them once they are. Let’s see who they are before the government alphabet gets ahold of them. I’m going to assess the damage, but notify me once you have them rounded up.”
“I’ll have someone take care of that, and you go inside.” Devin put his hand up before she could protest. “Remember, there’s a sniper out there who’s already brought down a high-value target. Let’s not give them another chance.”
“I’ll be on the bridge. Don’t keep me waiting long.” That goes for you too, Berkley. Don’t you dare keep me waiting.
* * *
Berkley came to in a moving vehicle with her face pressed against the carpet of what she guessed was the cargo area. The lessons she’d learned early on of never getting in the car made her want to laugh now, since the police officer they’d sent to her high school was probably right. Whatever happened next would make her wish she’d been shot.
“Slow down before you get us pulled over.” The man who’d said that didn’t sound familiar, and she didn’t want to invite any other gun butts to the face by raising her head to see if she recognized him. It was more important to get out of here than to start asking questions.
“It’s the interstate, Vander,” another man said, sounding annoyed. “I’ll get pulled over if I slow down, so take your pissy mood out on someone else. You should be used to Rachel trying to ditch you.”
“Shut the fuck up and drive.”
Vander and his buddies had zip-tied her hands and feet, so that was the first thing to undo. If they were on the interstate, she still had a chance to get away in a crowd of cars. Berkley rolled to her back and lifted her hips to bring her hands forward. Once they were in position, she brought her hands over her head and down fast and hard away from each other, breaking the tie. That training had come much later, and she was thrilled it worked.
After she used the small pocketknife in her pocket, her feet were free. For kidnappers, these guys weren’t professionals. Unless Vander was sitting next to someone short enough not to be seen over the seat, he was alone in the second row, and after a deep breath she moved. She grabbed him by the head and twisted until she felt a snap before sliding over the seat and grabbing the driver.
The guy in the passenger side turned and tried to get her hands off the driver, but letting go wasn’t an option, so she continued to pull no matter how many times the guy punched her. Everything stopped when they hit two cars before crashing into the concrete highway divider. The passenger-side guy flew out the windshield since he’d unbuckled himself to attack her, and the driver seemed dazed from the airbag deployment.
He was pawing at his side, so Berkley twisted harder before she got shot, and finally the same snapping sensation happened, and the guy went limp. “Shit.” She reached down and tugged the driver’s weapon free in case there was more than one vehicle. This time it wouldn’t be so easy.
She checked all sides before opening the door and asking one of the motorists who’d stopped to call the police. Her phone was gone, but the woman who said she was a nurse handed hers over and went to get her first-aid kit for the cuts to her face. In all the excitement and remembering how her call to Aidan had ended, she wanted to call her back.
“It’s a long story, but I’m okay now.” The gunfire started again as soon as she’d spoken, from the SUV that’d stopped in the middle lane. The woman who’d help
ed her lay dead ten feet away, which made Berkley angry. It was the kind of anger that made her want to break some more necks, but all she could do for now was take cover and fire back.
The sirens must’ve spooked the second vehicle’s occupants, since the windows went up and they sped off. “Aidan, sorry to scare you, but it’s been a hell of a day. We need our people down here to investigate this.”
“NCIS should be on scene shortly, and I want you here as soon as they release you. I mean it, Berkley. Don’t hang around trying to get information.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She placed the phone with the woman who’d lent it to her, furious that the poor stranger had been killed for stopping to help someone in need. The police arrived first and secured the scene for the naval investigators, who arrived fifteen minutes later.
“If you want, we can take your statement at the Jefferson, Captain. We received a message from Captain Sullivan not to keep you out in the open too long,” the woman agent said as her team searched the SUV.
“Thank you,” she said, tucking the pistol she’d taken from one of her kidnappers into her pants.
“You can leave it,” the woman said.
“I tell you what.” Berkley put her hand on the weapon. “As soon as I’m aboard the carrier, you’re welcome to it. Until then, I’m in no mood to go through that again.” She pointed to the wreck.
The agent seemed hesitant but finally walked to the car and told her to get in, after informing her team where she was going. “Are you usually this distrustful?” the agent asked after weaving around enough cars to get going.
“If you knew what’s happened to me in the last year, believe me, you wouldn’t lead with that question. People in every branch of government are buying the bullshit Chandler is shoveling, and each one of them thinks killing me will merit a badge of honor.”
“Maybe they believe he’s right,” the woman said. “Not about the killing-you part, but the rest of it.”
“Maybe, but what he wants goes against everything I hold dear. That includes not being sidelined because of my gender. Think about that before you reach the point of no return if you’re thinking about a new world order. Think fast, though, because if you make one wrong turn, I’m going to mess up the upholstery with your brains when I pull the trigger.”
“You could die in the fiery crash that might cause.”
“I survived one today, and I’m willing to gamble again.” The answer made the woman smile, but Berkley didn’t let her guard down.
“You’ve got nothing to fear from me. I’ve been up against that argument enough times in my career, and it’s usually with some clueless guy who thinks I should be getting him coffee.”
They arrived at the Academy, and Berkley directed her ride to the pier where the Jefferson was moored. The area was full of military police, but the woman’s badge got them through the crowd. Berkley glanced up at the bridge, and Aidan appeared a few seconds later.
“I’ll be happy to give you a statement, but I need like twenty minutes,” Berkley said, and flagged down one of the ship’s crew. “Escort this agent to the mess hall.”
“Aye, Captain.”
“I’ll meet you there once I get cleaned up.”
Berkley headed for her quarters, figuring Aidan wouldn’t be far behind, and was glad when Aidan pressed up against her while she was washing the blood off her face. It was only now that the pain in her head from the blow, plus the pain in her entire body from the car accident, threatened to bring her to her knees.
“Cletus, you have to stop scaring the hell out of me,” Aidan said.
“We should’ve stayed in bed today.” She pressed a towel to her face before turning and putting her arms around Aidan.
“Do you think Jin Umeko had anything to do with this?” Aidan placed her hands on her chest and gazed up at her with a somber expression. “Could her and that Chil guy’s capture have all been a setup?”
“Chil is in a cell at Gitmo, and Jin comes across as sincere.” She kissed Aidan’s forehead and took a deep breath to try to dispel her fear. That they could so easily be separated from each other scared her more than anything. “You doing okay?”
“We’ve got a few guys in the brig, and a lot more in the morgue. I’m not sure what they were trying to accomplish, but firing on a carrier wasn’t the brightest move.” Aidan caressed her cheek and Berkley kissed her. “Who’s your friend?” Aidan asked of the woman who’d driven her back to the ship.
They went to the mess hall together, but Aidan was called away to deal with what had happened on the ship. Berkley gave her statement, and the agent provided her with a contact number and a promise she’d keep her informed of their progress. She sat back and closed her eyes for a minute to try to dull the pain in her head, and the thought of being at sea suddenly appealed to her. If anything, the carrier might be huge, but it narrowed the pool of people trying to kill them.
“Head down to sickbay and have the doc take a look at you,” Aidan said softly. “I have to stay, and I’ll feel better if he clears you. If he does, go take a nap.”
“Yes, ma’am, but sound the alarm if you need to.”
“Anyone else who fires on my ship will be in for a very bad surprise. Have the doctor call me if he finds anything.”
“Okay, but have Devin put divers in the water. The ill-fated attack might be cover for someone trying to attach something to us.”
“Tell him to rule out concussion, since your brain seems to be working fine. I’ve already ordered that measure, but it’s nice that you’re firing on all pins,” Aidan said and smiled. “And remind me to kiss you later.”
“That’s the kind of orders I don’t mind following.”
* * *
Olivia took a moment before sitting down at her desk in the Oval Office. She’d agreed to be Peter’s running mate after losing the historic primary election that would’ve placed either a woman or an African-American in the White House for the first time. It was a hard truth to accept, but after that initial meeting to join forces instead of fight each other, she had to admit she liked Peter a lot.
They shared the same values, beliefs, and ambition, and all those factors had laid the groundwork for a great working relationship. They’d planned to stay for eight years, followed by another eight with her in the White House and Peter at her side on the campaign trail, and beyond that in an advisory position. This outcome had never crossed their minds since they knew they faced opposition, every administration did, but not enough to kill over.
Peter’s former assistant Judy, along with Olivia’s assistant Maggie Junip, stood in front of the desk waiting, it seemed, to get started. “Don’t forget to watch over us, Peter,” Olivia said softly, and Judy nodded.
“Ma’am, I’ll bring Maggie up to speed on everything, but my offer to leave stands,” Judy said, her eyes appearing red and swollen from crying.
“I realize you’ve been with Peter since he got out of law school, and it might be tough working for someone new, but I do want you to stay.” Olivia came around and took Judy’s hand. “What happened will haunt all of us forever, and the coming months will be split between what is basically a civil war and running the country. I need your experience, but more importantly, I think you’d want to be here when we get these animals.”
“Thank you, Madam President, and I’ll be happy to stay.”
“Good. Let’s get started.” Olivia took a deep breath and finally sat.
“The appointment you requested is waiting, and the Speaker phoned and asked if you had a moment,” Judy said.
“Thank you, but not now when it comes to Bonner.” Judy placed a folder in front of her and nodded. The sheet at the top that summarized the content came close to making her whistle. This many confirmed kills made the sniper almost mythical, but if she had learned one thing in politics, it was that military types never fudged when it came to stuff like this.
“Before you get started, Director Chapman also asked for a few minutes,” Maggi
e said. “He wanted to brief you on a few things.”
“If he goes over fifteen minutes, come back so I don’t keep my guest waiting too long.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Maggie said, ushering Jonas in.
“Thank you for seeing me, ma’am. I wanted to come let you know before you hear it on the news, but your lead agent turned traitor killed himself in the hospital. Marcus Bonner went to interview him, and somehow he’d managed to inject a syringe full of air into his IV.”
“Did he say anything to anyone before he died?” The thought of someone she’d known and spent so much time with and trusted with her safety being dead should’ve affected her more, but the man had tried to kill her. He’d been hired to protect her, and instead he’d tried to shoot her on the order of someone who was trying to tear the country apart.
“Not a word, and that’s damned aggravating. According to Marcus he was dead when he went in, but the agent on the door said no one had gone in or out after he’d accompanied the nurse in fifteen minutes before. We need to know how someone got to him. If anything, it’ll help us from letting it happen again.”
“Thank you, and if you don’t mind sticking around, I’ll meet with you after I’m done with my next appointment.”
“I’ll be here, ma’am, and I’ll let them know you’re ready.”
“General Carl Greenwald, ma’am,” Judy said, ushering in a tall, handsome man with a thick head of white hair a few minutes later. With his tan it made him even more attractive.
“Madam President,” Carl said with a warm smile and a deep voice. “My granddaughter is one jealous little girl today. Congratulations, ma’am.”
Carl had been checked extensively by both the FBI and Secret Service before she was allowed to meet with him in private, but it was the first step in keeping her promises to Eva Khalid. “Thank you, General, and thank you for getting here so quickly. My apologies for keeping you waiting.”
He waved the apology off and shook her hand. “I was waiting on your call, ma’am, after what happened. If someone we trained is responsible for this, I’ll be deeply ashamed. It’ll be a black eye to the program, but we’ll do whatever it takes to eliminate the threat.”
