Declercq looked at Jane. “Your smile has deserted you, Major. I think maybe you are not what you portray. You look too sharply.”
“Mr. Declercq, we can discuss this elsewhere. But I am an Army major, and I work with General Beech every day. Perhaps you see things that aren't there. But you see these?” She pointed to her decorations. “They are real, and I earned them all.”
* * *
FROM A SHOP ON Savile Row, where their conversation was heard and recorded, a message immediately flew to an office in Abu Dhabi. What nobody in the shop or Abu Dhabi knew was that the Andrews kid's tinkering meant that it also went to a computer in Maryland.
* * *
SITTING BY THE window, the president glanced at Big Ben and Parliament and watched the traffic on the Thames. Colonel Mitchell sat across from him. His phone buzzed. “Mr. President, this is Tom Andrews. Declercq's suit is wired. A message just went to the Emirates.”
Grateful for secure phone lines, he thanked Tom, disconnected and called Jane. “Don't talk,” he said before she could say more than hello. “Just listen. Declercq is bugged. Is he with you?”
“Yes.”
“Try to alert the general. I'll see you in a couple of minutes.” He swiveled to his companions. “Colonel, get the box back.”
Everyone was surprised to see Colonel Mitchell return to the hallway. He asked Tony and Ashley to bring the box into Jane's hotel room.
“What's up, Colonel?” asked Fritz.
“Declercq's suit is bugged.” He stepped back to London when Tony and Ashley came out.
The president had to make a quick choice. He wanted to talk to the man but not to anyone who was listening. He called Jane.
“Just listen. Yes or no, does the general know?”
“Yes.”
“I want you to meet me in your room. Leave Declercq with the general in his room. I'll have a note for you to give him.”
MAJOR BARCLAY, GENERAL BEECH, and Florian Declercq stepped from the elevator. The general opened his room, and Jane headed for hers next door, saying she would be right back.
The president handed her a note for Declercq. “I hope we can trust him. We need to hurry though.” His phone rang. “Yes, Tom.”
“Mr. President, you need to get out. Now. They've sent a hit squad. I'll tell you everything later. Get out.”
“Go, Jane. I'll be a minute behind. We're about to be attacked. Colonel, get Mel.” Again, the colonel poked his head through the portal. He and Mel returned. “Let's go.”
The colonel checked the hall. Mel stepped past and took the president's arm. In the general's room, a befuddled Florian Declercq stood in his underwear. The president pressed his finger to his lips and waved for everyone to follow. Mel and the colonel took the box. Mel whispered, “Gun, Jane.”
A bell at the end of the hall rang. Jane saw a rifle emerge from the elevator. Black gloves and a mask followed. She followed everyone into her room and shut the door. “They're here.”
* * *
THEIR UNEXPECTED return, with a man dressed only in his underwear, led George to cover his eyes. Ears, eyes, it's all the same, I guess, Fritz thought.
The president said, “Ashley's room.” He looked at George and then at Declercq. “George, could you run home and get Mr. Declercq a shirt and pants. A robe, even. We'll be waiting for you.”
Lois said, “We'll be right back.”
“Mr. Declercq, we haven't met.” The president held out his hand. Confused and embarrassed, Declercq shook it.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. President. Normally I would be more presentable. Where am I?”
“Please take a seat. Everyone, please. Mr. Declercq, I hope you will accept my apology. We found out only moments ago that your suit is wired. We'll find out how later. It appears your tailor is a front for funding terrorists. I had wanted to ask you if you would be willing to help us. But with this information, I think you already have.”
“I'm afraid I do not understand.”
The president explained the original intent of their meeting and that he believed the attacks, including the assault on the summit, were related. “We discovered a link to Abu Dhabi today.”
Declercq looked to the general for confirmation on each point. He had been concerned about the attacks because his business might be disrupted, but he had no idea that organized terrorists had been involved. He told the president that he had believed a foolish group of American “wingnuts, I believe you call them,” was responsible.
Before the president could respond, George and Lois walked in. Over her arm, Lois carried pieces of George's wardrobe. “We brought a few things that might fit. I'm always on a diet, so I have a few different sizes.”
“Thank you, sir.” Turning to the president, he asked, “Mr. President, where am I, and who are these people?”
“Mr. Declercq, what I'm about to tell you is top secret. Our scientists have discovered an atmospheric anomaly. You are now in a high school in America.” That was a great non-answer, Fritz thought. “These people are a combination of our technicians, intelligence operatives, and as you obviously can see, our military. We pulled you out of Europe because we had learned your suit was capturing your dinner conversation. It seems your very expensive suits have been providing funds to terrorist organizations. And information, too. Perhaps others are also such victims.”
So, young lady,” Declercq said, “you are in fact not what you seem.”
She said, “Sir, I'm a major in the army, as I told you. My area of expertise is the Middle East.”
“Major, I have been a world traveler most of my life. I have met and spoken with many people. You may be what you say, but there is much more you are not saying. Perhaps it doesn't matter at this time. But rarely am I wrong. I cannot afford to be.”
“Florian,” said General Beech, “I've been arguing with the major for the past seven years. You're aware of the proposed program to develop the Middle East.” Declercq nodded. “She designed the overall plan. You're right. She's much more than a random major. And our world may become safer because she doesn't give an inch when she thinks she's right.”
Declercq smiled. “Thank you, Jim. I knew I was correct. Again. Now if you will permit me, let me put some clothes on.”
* * *
“SAY THIS AGAIN. They saw a woman enter a room. They broke in, and no one was there? Did they go in the right room? Did you hire escapees from Bedlam?” he yelled.
* * *
“NOW THAT YOU KNOW all this, are you willing to help?” asked the president.
“Certainly, Mr. President. But you said you rescued me earlier. Do you think I am in danger? How can I go home? Or conduct my business?”
“If we get you back to London, will you go home, to a hotel, where?”
“I have a flat in London. And an office. When I go back to Antwerp, I will fly. My driver flies with me.”
“I'm sending you back with an escort, straight to your car. Colonel, we need a dozen men here, in civilian clothes.”
Jane interrupted. “Mr. President, let's use the Brits. They will be happy to help. That way, we keep it local, and they can make sure Mr. Declercq's car and driver are safe.”
Declercq smiled and said, “See what I mean?”
Conversation continued for half an hour as they waited for the British special services to get in place. Declercq wrote the note and signed FD. He would post it from London. When the British security team was ready, Colonel Mitchell and Mel Zack prepared to escort Declercq through.
“Mr. Declercq, if we're lucky, meeting you may help bring an end to what we have been fighting for more than six months. You are sworn to protect our secret.”
“Of course, Mr. President. I hope we succeed. And if I can be of assistance as you develop the Middle East, please let me know.” He shook hands with all his companions and hugged General Beech. “Sorry about the suit, Jim.” Fritz opened the door, and Declercq returned to London.
When the colonel and Mel returned
, the president was on the phone with Tom, who would monitor Declercq's calls and as well as follow Massoud's cyber life. “Expect a lot of quick activity over the next few days,” he said. “Fritz, it's time for everyone to go home.”
A whirlwind visit, another mission complete, another weekend disturbed. Fritz went straight to the family room. A Phillies game was about to start, but before he changed channels, breaking news announced the death of Congresswoman Fran Davis. He went to the kitchen. “We have a problem. It looks like Fran Davis was murdered. I bet she was FD.”
* * *
MORE INFORMATION came quickly. “Congresswoman Fran Davis, an eight-term representative from California and chair of the House Budget Committee, was on her way last night to a fundraiser for the fall campaign when her limousine was attacked. She and three others were killed. The limousine was found in a field.” The reporter said it appeared the car had been hijacked. All the passengers had been robbed. “The local police will have a press conference at 7 pm, Pacific time.”
* * *
THE PHONE CALL WAS expected. The man listened and said, “Thank you.” When he hung up, he said, “I need a new congressman” and returned to his Wall Street Journal.
* * *
THE RUSSELL family room filled with TV viewers once again. Jane's phone rang. Anxious faces waited for her to put her phone down. She told them that FD's limo had been searched and a phone found. The car was hers, and she kept an extra phone in a charger in the glove box. “The memory card is intact. It's being sent to Tom Andrews.”
* * *
FRITZ WANTED the yellow pads to expand, to break down the doors that seemed to be hiding the clues. Since the portal had first opened, nothing in his life had been normal. The president protected them as best he could, but would that be enough? They had found him once, why not again? The attacks flooded his thoughts. This can't be about money, or even business advantage. So what is it all about? Killing the president made no sense, he would be out of office soon. The Middle East? The summit proposal would be an economic powerhouse for the region and potentially the world. As would the social and political stability the leaders envisioned. “Lin, do you think whoever is behind all this is just playing a game?”
“Why? It's so dangerous. It's almost like chess, sacrificing pieces to get advantage. And knowing what the next move will be. But not being able to counter surprise moves.”
Ashley said, “It's more like playing simultaneous matches. You know, more than one match at a time. Multiple boards. We don't know which board they're playing on.”
“Maybe that's what I should do. Make yellow pads for each kind of game. Instead of trying to tie them together, split them up and maybe we can figure out the next moves.”
Jane poked her head around the corner from the dining room. “Let's try it.”
On fresh pads, he listed the groups of possibilities. The list began with “Caballeros.” He added attacks, murders, the Middle East, and the portal. Ashley said, “The portal is us. The others are them. If it is a game, let's put portal as a move after their moves. Hang on.” He left the kitchen and returned with a chess set and board. “It helps me think.”
“We can add new games as we go,” said Linda. “Let's start with Naria and Eledoria.” Fritz wrote, Naria, portal, Eledoria, portal, Israel, portal, Pakistan, portal. Then he switched pads. “Geneva, portal, White House, portal, Camp David, portal.” Another list, the Navy base attacks. On the pad titled murders, he wrote, “portal, Wixted, portal, school bombers, portal, Koppler.”
“Counter moves,” Ashley said. Fritz passed the pads for the others to review and tinker with. Then he looked at the pad for the Caballeros and said, “We have to fine tune this, but it seems the portal has thwarted most of what they've tried to do.”
“It hasn't stopped anything,” said Linda.
“But it's disrupted their plan, whatever it is. If we hadn't caught Wixted at Thanksgiving, the school would have been destroyed. If the North Korean had escaped Cuba, we'd never have known about his teams. But they keep going from board to board.”
While Fritz was announcing each move, Ashley was moving chess pieces. The portal was black, the Caballeros played white. He lifted another black pawn. The damage to his defense had created unprotected attacking lanes. “We're playing strategic defense. They have some big plays available,” he pointed at the board, “but that opens them for a rapid attack by us.” He held a bishop in his fingers. “Then checkmate.”
“Ash, we're losing,” said Fritz.
“But all we need is to win one game.”
Jane said, “Florian Declercq.”
Chapter 38
IBRAHIM MASSOUD, paced his office holding a letter. The note asked him to come to London. Someone had disclosed their identities, and FD had been trapped. Subterfuge and double-talk had interfered with his dealings over the past year. Would a phone call be a problem? It was too early in California. Who had broken the silence? He knew a mistake in judgment could be fatal, and he wasn't ready to meet Allah. He liked his life just as it was. Allah wouldn't be happy with him anyway.
He looked at the beautiful city to which he had contributed so much. His efforts had increased his wealth and power in turn and increased the well-being of his associates. That had to count for something. He read the letter again. His smile was short lived. He was skeptical.
* * *
“MR. PRESIDENT, IM is on the move. He took the bait. He didn't call, but he'll arrive in London by evening. He booked a hotel and return flight for tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Tom. Keep an eye on the calls. He's not done yet.” The president called Jane and said they needed to be in London as soon as possible after school let out for the day. “Massoud is headed to find out what he can about FD. But we need to get him, take away his phones. So far he hasn't made any calls.”
“Do you want me to call William?”
“That's probably smart, yes. Stop Massoud at Heathrow and isolate him. But it has to be discreet. No news, no suspicion. Then we can bring him here.”
“Mr. President, I think it would be better to go there. If he becomes aware of the portal, we'll be in trouble. William can hold him.”
“I'll get the president of the UAE. Bring him here and take him to London. Let the Sheikh see for himself. Jane, tell Fritz and Linda that I'm sorry to do this to them. But it has to be done.”
* * *
FRITZ LOOKED AT the face in his window and waved Tony in.
Ted whooped, “Mr. R, are we gonna get a trip?”
“Mr. Almeida is here for a lecture and stopped by to say hello.” The chorus of boos sounded like a Flyers game. “That's enough. We're done for today. You have your homework assignment. You can start now.” He took Tony to the hall.
“Jane told me,” said Fritz. “We need to get the hall cleared quickly.” The bell rang and doors opened along the hall.
Ashley joined them, shirt sleeves rolled up and ready to go. “I'll get George. He can shuffle the kids out.”
Fritz said, “Ash, get Al Kennedy. I'll get Liz Chambers and Tom Jaffrey to stick around. Everyone in your room, okay?”
“Sure. Do you need help with the generator, Tony? We don't have much time.”
“I'll park right at the door once the kids are gone. The president said he wants to get this over fast.”
Ashley headed for the office, and Fritz ran to get the teachers. Tony waited in Fritz's classroom. While he watched the students depart, the door opened.
“Hi, Mr. Almeida. Are we having another trip?”
“Hi. It's Eric, isn't it? No, sorry. I'm just visiting.”
“I went to see Mr. Gilbert, but he wasn't in his room. I thought he might be in here.” Fritz returned with George on his tail. George, ruder than usual, told Eric he had to leave. Just then, Ashley opened the door.
“Good. Hi, Mr. Gilbert. I wanted to talk to you for a minute.” He glanced at the principal. “If it's okay.”
“Come to my room, then, Eri
c. A meeting is about to begin.” Ashley nodded at Fritz's quizzical look. The teachers were coming.
“Fritz, we can't keep doing this,” protested George. “It's bad enough that you're here at all hours of the night and weekends. Lois worries about something going wrong.”
“George, the president asked for our help. Maybe this time we'll get some answers. But we need to keep the kids away from the hallway now. We're tight on time.”
Tom, Liz, and Al understood what was about to happen when they saw Tony. He asked them to guard the hall.
Jane walked in. “Ash said you were here. We need to go now. Tony, call the planes and get the generator.”
“But the kids are still wandering the halls,” said George.
“George, tell them it's an emergency. You don't need to say what it is. You're the principal.”
“Good idea,” said Fritz. “Al, go with George. Tom, cover the door. Don't let anyone in.”
“I can lock the exit,” George said. “That's easier.”
FRITZ OPENED the door, and the president, Mel, and Colonel Mitchell came through from Washington.
“Thanks, Mr. Gilbert. I'll see you tomorrow,” said Eric from Ashley's doorway. He turned to face the crowd he had spotted from the corner of his eye.
“Oh boy,” Fritz said. He whispered, “Problem, Mr. President.”
“No problem. We'll play it by ear.” The president strode toward Eric. “Fritz, introduce me,” he said in a hushed voice.
“Eric, I'd like you to meet the President of the United States.” The president reached out to shake Eric's hand.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. President.”
Ashley looked out from his door window, put his hand to his forehead, and pushed the door open.
“Eric, I'm here for a meeting.” Eric looked around at the people gathered and directed his stare at Fritz.
“You can really do it, Mr. R, can't you? You can time travel. You can bring people with you. That's how we met General Lee. But this is the present. How does that work?”
Storm Unleashed (Quantum Touch Book 4) Page 24
