29° (Twenty-Nine Degrees) (Twenty Nine Book 3)

by Nancy Pennick

  “Um, no. Can I help you?” I stood straighter and met his eyes. “Are you part of the security team that was left behind?”

  “Um, no,” he said, mimicking me. “I’m in charge.”

  “Rupert?”

  “The one and only.” He stuck out his hand. “Allie Montgomery?”

  “Yeah.” I took his hand and breathed a sigh of relief.

  “I finally get to meet you.” A real smile crossed his face, and in that instant, I saw the welcoming Niner good looks and eyes.

  “I don’t have much time, Rupert.”

  “That’s why I’m here. To make sure you get safely back to PA. How is my village?”

  “Empty?” That was all that came to mind. “I'm sorry. Doug has big plans to move into the village, but not if I can help it.”

  “That almost makes me want to return with you.” His mouth twitched in anger. “But I know I can’t.”

  “What is the plan? Why did you stay here?” This might be my only chance to ask questions.

  “We are working on things.” Rupert looked over his shoulder which I thought was odd. I hadn't seen anyone since I'd arrived. “But we’ve not made much progress since Tobias left.”

  “Tobias?” I rubbed my nose. “I may have a way you can talk to him.”

  His eyes lit up. “Really?”

  “My son hid his chip and I stay connected to him and Tobias. They’re both living with my parents.”

  “That is wonderful news!” Rupert looked like he'd been given an early birthday present. “I had no idea. I can contact him through your son Zak?”

  “Yes, but right now, Lucas has the chip.”

  “Understandable.” Rupert nodded. “Could I ride back with you?” He pointed to Beetle who popped her doors.

  “Sure. I have something else I’d like to ask you.”

  “Fire away.” Rupert smiled as he climbed into the passenger seat.

  “Sean McLeod. He’s working for the STF. I saw him on the fourth floor of Headquarters on my way here, and he says he’s still on our side.”

  Rupert scratched his chin. “You want to know if you can trust him.”

  “Yes.” I nodded and looked away.

  “He’s family to you, right?”

  I turned back, eyes filled with tears. “Yes. He asked me to bring him back a chip, if possible.”

  Rupert threw back his head and laughed. “Sean. It’s probably killing him to be off the grid.”

  I remembered how Lucas had loved to track me when we first met and still did to this day. He, too, probably had withdrawal symptoms. “It’s hard for all of us,” I said.

  “Well, I do happen to have a few. But just in case …”

  “Allie, put me on speaker.” Lucas’ voice startled me. I’d forgotten I was connected to him.

  “Just a minute, Rupert.” Speaker. “Go ahead, Lucas.”

  “I know what you’re going to say, Rupert. I was about to tell Allie the same thing when she ran into you. We can’t trust Sean until she returns to PA. If he lets her out of the compound and doesn’t inform on her, then we’ll know.”

  So that’s why he was silent about Sean.

  “I agree, Lucas,” Rupert answered. “Remember we can come through any time you need us. Just give the word. Now that I know I can connect to Allie, I can stay in contact.” Rupert turned to me. “Thank goodness you came, Allie. You’ve supplied us with valuable information. We had no idea what was happening in New York except for that darn newsfeed your brother has running all day. We were afraid to try to contact anyone and have stayed silent as requested. The only communication is internal.” He smiled. “Lucas, I’ll get your wife back to you safely. Hopefully, Sean is the man we think he is.”

  “He is,” I said. “I just know it.”

  * * * *

  “Wish me luck,” I said to Rupert as I brought up my screen. Patriot Village. I held my breath and stepped through. Sweaty palms time. If Sean lets me go, we can trust him. I wasn’t surprised to see him waiting when I appeared on the fourth floor of the PA compound.

  “Allie!” Sean looked relieved. “How did it go? Did you get what you were looking for?”

  “Who said I was looking for something?” I crossed my arms across the pack I wore around my waist.

  “There had to be a reason you went, little one. Otherwise, why risk it?” His eyes widened. “Did you bring me a chip?”

  “Rupert thought it best not to.” I clamped my teeth around my bottom lip.

  Sean’s face tightened, and he punched the air. “No one trusts me! Damn it!” He took a breath and looked into my eyes. “I thought I was doing the right thing. I’ve been security my whole life, Allie. This was a way in, don’t you see that?”

  Sean's presence had me in a state of confusion, but I knew I had to quickly evaluate the situation and make my move. “Am I allowed to leave? I can’t miss my ride back.” I took a few steps toward the stairs.

  “Yes, of course!” Sean ran his hands through his hair. “Wait! I’ll run interference.”

  We ran down the stairs, and I checked the time. I’d been gone for over an hour, and had no idea how long Doug planned to stay in the village. The SUV was nowhere in sight when I burst through the stairwell door to the outside of the building. “Damn!” I placed my hands on my hips as I looked to the right then the left. “Now what?”

  “They’re still here, Allie,” Sean said as he lifted an eyebrow. “You didn’t plan this out very well, did you?” He smiled, and in his eyes I saw my brother and friend.

  “The first part of the plan worked well.” I returned the smile.

  “And if they weren’t still here, how would you get back?” Sean challenged me.

  “I’d find a way,” I answered, lifting my chin. “I’m sure you know where they are and if they’ll check in.” I closed one eye, waiting.

  “Doug always checks in before he leaves. He wants updates and leaves instructions.” Sean nodded. “His next speech will focus on the positives and accomplishments of all the cities since the first bombing.”

  “He’s giving another speech? Great.” I kicked at the sidewalk. “Isn’t he already President? He doesn’t have to keep giving speeches to win an election.”

  “But he has to win the people over,” Sean said. “No matter the outcome, he wants people to trust him.”

  “Doug does tend to have more than one plan, doesn’t he?” I recalled Zak’s kidnapping. When he couldn’t convince us to join the STF, he planted a tracking device on my child and destroyed the Niner homes in California. If the Niners had nowhere to go, he'd hoped they’d come to him.

  “Yeah, that’s why he’s so hard to read.” Sean shook his head. “I think he’s going to the right, then he makes a quick left turn. I don’t think he wants to be President of the United States,” he said sadly. “That’s not his goal.”

  “No, he wants his own country with his way of doing things. I hope we can stop him.” I let out a breath, trying to calm myself before the ride home.

  Sean wore an earpiece, and his hand flew to that ear now. “They’re on their way.” He gestured for me to stand behind him. “When I give the word, bring up your shield.”

  So far, so good. Could I really trust him? I’d have my answer soon.

  “Now!”

  The SUV rolled to a stop in front of us, and Sean opened the door to let Doug out. He stood next to the door with his arm resting on top as he talked with Doug, making it impossible for someone to close it. I waited to make my move.

  “Let’s talk over there, Sean.” Doug gestured toward the building. “By the way, have you talked to Kim today?” he asked as they walked toward Headquarters.

  I heard Dad and Josh’s voices as I took my chance and slid into the car.

  “So Josh, are you picking a house?” Dad asked. “Doug said his most trusted advisors will live here.”

  “No, sir, I’m not in that category, but hope to be one day.”

  I slipped over the spot where Doug h
ad sat and onto the third row of seats.

  Josh cleared his throat. “If Chloe ever saw Patriot Village, Mr. Sanders, she’d go crazy and want to live there after we got married.”

  I hesitated in mid-action, one leg draped over the third row of seats, one resting on the cushion. Josh and Chloe are getting married? It made sense. She had been his high school girlfriend after we'd broken up sophomore year. Good for them. I continued the climb into the trunk area and unfolded the black nylon cover I’d brought to place over me then arranged myself under the tarp.

  “Well, I guess congratulations are in order,” Dad said. “But I always hoped you and Allie would end up together.”

  Josh laughed. “Not after she meet Lucas. I didn’t stand a chance.”

  “Too bad. I always liked you, Josh. Lucas? I don’t trust him.”

  I had to suppress a gasp. Is that why Dad sided with Doug against me? He hoped I’d see the light and break up with Lucas?

  “He’s a good guy, sir, once you get to know him. He really loves Allie, and she only has eyes for him. Besides they have a child. You need to get to know Lucas.”

  Thanks, Josh!

  “That child is a shining star, and the only good that came from the marriage. Even Doug thinks so.”

  I covered my mouth and bit my bottom lip as hard as I could. Doug must be brainwashing Dad about Zak. Would I have to worry now that Dad would help kidnap my child? Oh, Daddy! How did it come to this? Brother against sister. Father against daughter. A tear trickled down my cheek. He thinks he’s doing what’s best for the family. I tried to reason out Dad’s actions, but couldn’t come up with an explanation I could accept.

  The car door slammed, and Doug gave Josh the command to drive. “Take me to the Art Museum, Josh. Then you can take Pop home.”

  “Should I come back for you, sir?”

  “I’ll call if I need you,” Doug answered.

  “You have a meeting with the head of the museum?” Dad asked. “Boy, that woman is quite the looker. If I was twenty years younger …”

  “Pop.” Doug laughed. “I’m a married man. I just have a meeting with her. Plus, I heard Kim was doing a story there today. I need to discuss my next speech with her.”

  “I know, son, I’m kidding.” Dad chuckled. “I can still appreciate a good-looking woman, can’t I? Although your mom is fair competition, even at her age. No one compares to her.”

  “You’re right about that, Pop.”

  I found it interesting that Dad still had an eye for the ladies, but felt Mom was the one for him. Doug, on the other hand? He didn’t care about his marriage, appearing to be interested in Kim. I needed to get out when they stopped at the museum and hoped there would be an opportunity to do so.

  “So did you make your choice?” Doug asked Dad.

  “I hate to do that without your mom seeing it, son. I wish you’d let me bring her.”

  “Soon, but not yet. I need you to talk to her, show her the pictures you took. Tell her how the whole family can live on the same street. Mom would like that. Have her tell Allison. Make sure Mom lets her know all of Lucas’ friends are welcome.”

  “You mean like Nate and Ashley? They’re really Allie’s friends.”

  “Yeah, like them, but I meant the friends he came here with.”

  “Oh, you mean Julian and Serena? Such a nice couple. Their two little ones call me grandpa.”

  Doug cleared his throat. “Yeah, pop, like them. She’ll know what I mean.”

  He wants the Niners to live in Patriot Village, his own personal Niner think tank. And he’s pretty sure he can do it.

  “Allie,” Lucas whispered, although no one could hear him but me. “I’m tracking the car, and you’re almost back. I know you can’t answer me, but I have a feeling you're going to try to get out at the art museum. I agree. Good luck.”

  I disconnected our feed, not wanting Lucas’ voice popping into my head to distract me. The ride would end soon, and I had to focus on my escape. Timing was critical. I could use the shield only one time. I felt the car slow, then come to a stop.

  “Josh, do you have my briefcase?” Doug asked.

  “I’ll get it for you, sir.”

  I heard a door open, and the trunk popped. Before I could register what was happening or bring up my shield, I was face to face with Josh.

  Chapter Twenty

  Shields up! I watched him blink and look like he'd seen a ghost. Josh shook his head, ran his hand over his face and grimaced. I prayed he’d stay silent.

  “I thought I put it back here, sir,” Josh said. “Let me take a look.” He bent over and lifted the tarp. “Allie?” he whispered.

  An immediate decision had to be made. I chose silence. Josh had told my dad he wanted to live in Patriot Village and be one of Doug’s most trusted advisors. He rummaged under the canvas as if he was looking for me, then pulled the briefcase toward him.

  “Is everything okay back there?” Doug called from the backseat.

  Josh lifted his head, placed his hands on the edge of the hatch door suspended in the air and took a breath. He appeared to be contemplating something, and I knew it was about me. He probably thought he'd appear unstable if he said he saw me, but it bought me time. Josh had no idea Doug would believe him. Well aware of Niner technology, Doug would find me then challenge his STF Niners immediately to produce something for invisibility.

  I scooted to the edge of the trunk as close to one side as possible. Josh dropped his arms and reached for the briefcase. My heart was in my throat as I jumped from the back and ran for the museum. I didn’t care if he heard footsteps or not. I didn’t look back.

  The doors to the museum slid back, and I slipped through before they finished opening. I knew every nook and cranny of the museum. The closed gift shop and elevator were to the right. If I could get inside either one, I’d be able to make an appearance like I’d been at work all day.

  My body felt warm as I grabbed onto the gift shop door handle. Please don’t be locked! My shield is failing. The glass door didn’t budge. I heard the ding of the elevator, hoping to rush inside when whoever was inside walked out.

  The doors slid back. Carol took one step out of the elevator and hesitated. “Doug! I didn’t expect you so soon.”

  I slipped behind her, placed my hands on her shoulders, and she didn’t even flinch. “Thank you,” I whispered. I checked my screen for time. Ten seconds. Please, Carol, figure it out.

  “Oh!” Carol held up her pointer finger. “I forgot something.” She backed into the elevator chamber with me following her every movement. “I’ll let Kim know you’re here. You wanted to see us both, right?” The doors closed before she finished talking.

  “You can let go now.” She turned to face me. “Allie! What on earth?”

  I probably looked awful. The tarp was made of solid vinyl, and I'd worked up a sweat on the drive back. Strands of hair stuck to my cheeks and forehead. “Sorry, I didn’t have time to change.” I tried to smile.

  “Well, we’ll take care of that.” She pushed the button that would take us to her office. “Are we playing hide and seek?” She closed one eye and studied me. “I don’t remember seeing you in the lobby, and you definitely weren’t in the elevator with me.”

  “You just didn’t see me, Carol. I slipped in behind you.”

  She crossed her arms across her ample breasts and took a breath. “I wasn’t born yesterday, Allie. But if you don’t want to tell me the truth, I guess I’ll have to ask Doug if you drove here together.”

  “You wouldn’t!” I hissed, but saw the humor in her eyes. “Carol, you’ve got to say I was here all day. Please.”

  “Not dressed like that.” Carol pointed to my black t-shirt soaked with perspiration, dirty sneakers, torn jeans and the pack belted around my waist. “I might have something you can change into. Let me get Will to help. I need to babysit your brother.” She touched her ear. “Hello, my darling. Would you be a dear and meet me in my office?”

  Wil
l? I swallowed hard. “Carol, he might not want to—”

  “See you? Help? What?”

  “You’re okay with …?” I couldn’t finish the thought.

  “You seeing him again? Of course, I’m a big girl.” Carol winked.

  When the doors opened, we walked to her office. Carol went into her private bathroom, motioning for me to follow. “Wash up in here.” She rummaged through a drawer and pulled out a plastic case. “I always keep these around for … guests.”

  Inside, I found a brush and comb, toothpaste with toothbrush, a small bar of soap and deodorant. I shook my head and smiled. Who knew what went on here late at night? After freshening up, I returned to the outer office.

  Will sat behind Carol’s desk. “Beautiful as always.” He stood and walked around to greet me.

  “Will.” I stood motionless as he placed his arms around my body, giving me a bear hug. Embarrassed of my smelly shirt, I couldn’t believe he wanted to get close.

  He smelled so good, of citrus and summer, like I remembered. His chest felt even firmer than I recalled. He must be working out harder now that he modeled for a living. I looked up into his blue eyes, so kind and loving. He looked even better than the last time I'd seen him.

  “You’re happy.” I smiled.

  “Yeah. Thanks to you. Thanks for giving Carol my number. She’s the best thing that’s happened to me in—”

  “I know.” I hung my head as I stepped away from him.

  “Hey,” he said as he lifted my chin. “No hard feelings. And after meeting your brother? I get it.”

  My breath hitched. “You do?”

  “Pretty full of himself, our president. I wonder if others question how he came to power and what his motives are.”

  “We have to stop him, Will. Put things back the way they were.”

  “Whoa, Allie,” Will said as he held up his hands. “You sound like you’re part of an army.”

  “In a way, I am.” I spied a dress draped over a chair. “Is that for me?”

  “Carol.” Will shook his head. “She bought you some clothes and never gave them to you when you were here last time. She didn’t want you to think she thought you were a charity case or didn’t have any taste when it came to fashion.” He chuckled. “Go try it on.” He reached for a small package on the desk. “And use this.”