The Enigma Series Boxed Set

by Tierney James

  Occasional flashes of street lights played with the darkness as a gentle breeze moved against her exposed skin. The horrible storm had somehow erased the smell of garbage and replaced it with a sweet smell of freshness. It reminded her of the spring rains in Franklin, Tennessee where she grew up with her uncle always nearby.

  The agents directed the beams of their flashlights out at the Beast. The president’s half a million-dollar ride made them shake their heads, seeing the trash that washed up on the trunk and hood during the flash flood. The water now receded to a six inch nuisance. Tessa thought she heard the two men speculate if the car would still run after the abuse of the storm. There was also talk of the decoy Beast parked in what was supposed to be a secure location.

  She tuned them out, choosing to focus on the sounds of dripping and the realization her strength ebbed closer to normal. Closing her eyes, she bent one knee to rest her foot against the concrete wall. Someone had found her a pair of tennis shoes in the laundry area; abandoned by a forgetful tourist and ended up with the dirty sheets and towels. Even though they were a half size too big it was better than going barefoot or wearing six-inch heels.

  The doors to the corridor flew open startling the agents who immediately pulled their weapons. Two men stormed out with halos of light behind them. Their angry voices were combative. One of the agents stepped forward as a large man stood in the doorway blocking the agents’ entrance.

  “Leave,” demanded Director Benjamin Clark to the Secret Service agents. “Now.”

  The second man looked at the giant behind him and jerked his head toward the inside so that he moved as well. “Ari, you can stand inside. There is nothing here to threaten me unless it’s a wet rat. Now be gone. I’m sick of all this suffocating attention,” Prime Minister Levi barked.

  Ari nodded politely and stepped aside for the two agents who appeared to have forgotten Tessa standing in the shadows. They pulled the door partially shut but left enough room to barrel through if a hint of danger occurred.

  Tessa pushed herself farther into the corner. Why hadn’t she just made herself known when they started ordering people around? Jumbled thoughts pressed into her brain; Should I clear my throat or maybe fake a puking episode to gain sympathy? If she suddenly appeared would Ari the Giant swoop out and break her in half? Before she could determine a solution, the men began to argue.

  “What have you done, Gilad?” Ben fumed.

  “I have done nothing but protect the interests of Israel. Something you do not seem to find important. What would our father say?” Gilad sounded as if he liked to play the ‘father’ card.

  Imagining a glow of temper flashing like strobes across the director’s face, Tessa held her breath. “Our father wanted justice for those Egyptians who were murdered in the desert in 1967. He wanted Israel to take responsibility for what they’d done. But not like this, Gilad. You have endangered my president. I will never forgive you for that.”

  To Tessa’s horror she watched the director pull a gun from inside his suit coat as the Prime Minister of Israel took a shocked step backwards.

  Chapter 23

  T wo Egyptians dragged Speaker Jim Gault out of the containment area where the USS Liberty men were held. He tried to force their hands off his arms, but only managed to get a slap upside the back of the head for his efforts. His yelp echoed in the hollow halls. Once the door was slammed shut and bolted the speaker jerked free of his captors. Storming off to where he knew Amon would be waiting, his temper began to flare.

  “Look at me,” he yelled. “Your thugs apparently don’t know who I am.”

  Amon examined the speaker’s face with amused eyes. “Nor do they care, Mr. Speaker. You are an American dog they would just as soon extinguish as keep alive. Do not taunt them.”

  “They work for you; therefore you’re responsible for their actions. Don’t think I will forget this uncivilized treatment. It’s absolutely barbaric.”

  “Yet you had no trouble ordering the president and vice president killed.” Amon smiled child-like before pushing out his lips in a pout. He watched the speaker admire himself in a spider cracked mirror hanging haphazardly over the makeshift coffee center. “Besides, we both know they are not my men.”

  The speaker whirled around angrily. “Are you serious? Whoever they work for feels confident enough in letting you lead them. When this is over you’d better make them pay for getting out of hand when they roughed me up.”

  Amon chuckled. “I’m afraid your injuries are my fault. I merely told them to make them look realistic.” He moved to a chair where he rested his hands. “Did the old warriors believe you were a victim?”

  “They did until Wakefield got there. He’s suspicious and untrusting. Looks like he was cut from a piece of rawhide. I don’t like him. Why did you choose him to kill the president anyway?”

  “It was the logical choice. He has harassed the Israelis for years about justice. President after president has suffered his rant about revenge and accountability. He even started a Facebook page just to keep the dialogue going. I’m sure looking back, he will reevaluate that decision.”

  The speaker jerked a chair out and flopped down, nearly toppling it. “The men who went after the president, where are they? I knew that old hayseed wouldn’t go through with it. Good thing we saw him leave the Israeli Embassy.”

  Amon sighed with a nonchalant shrug. “Those men are all dead, it seems. Except for the ones that brought back our last hostage, of course.”

  The speaker looked stunned. “Then where are the ones who brought back Wakefield?”

  “I had them shot.” Amon smiled with great pleasure. “They were disrespectful. I have a low threshold for such things.” His warning came cool and calm.

  A visibly shaken speaker opened his mouth, but words failed him. After fidgeting under the amused stare of Amon, the speaker leaned on the table and ran both hands over his face. Puffing out a disgusted grunt, the speaker gained some composure. “If you’re trying to intimidate me, you’d better think twice. I left a little insurance behind at my condo in case you started to get ideas of your own.” Amon’s smile began to fade. “You killed one of my Secret Service agents, broke into my house.”

  “What stupid thing have you done, Mr. Speaker?” Amon’s voice began as a low sign of concern.

  “As long as I get through this as we planned, you will be safe. I will protect you.”

  “Somehow I find that hard to believe. You have nothing to fear from me.” Amon arched an eyebrow. “Besides, Egypt has everything to gain from this little fiasco. With you as president, I’m sure you’ll do everything in your power to make sure the Israelis are blamed for the assassinations. Your country will be outraged. Whether it can be proved or not, the seeds of deception will be planted. Not even the winds of a hurricane, like the one that surrounds us could remove the conspiracy of betrayal.” Amon propped his hands on the table and leaned in toward the speaker. The anger in his black eyes could no longer be masked. “And you are a fool if you think I, too, have not taken precautions to protect myself and Egypt. A man who would betray his own country…” Amon frowned. “Hamiiha Haramiiha.”

  The speaker snorted. “Speak English.”

  “‘Its protector is its thief.’ Meaning you are like the fox guarding a henhouse.”

  “‘God helps those who help themselves.’ Benjamin Franklin,” the speaker sneered.

  “I doubt God has anything to do with your plans, Mr. Speaker.”

  The speaker paused, pushing out his thin lips. “Any more news on the president or vice president?”

  Amon shook his head. “There is a break in the storm now. I suspect we’ll be able to make connections again shortly. The last thing I heard was that the vice president’s boat exploded with him and his detail aboard. All the information is being kept pretty quiet. I’m not sure the public is aware of anything except an accident. As for the president, my source said he had sustained several injuries that were not survivable.”


  Jumping to his feet he yelled, “You said he was dead.”

  “Yes, well perhaps I jumped to conclusions with that report. It’s unlikely he could survive with such an onslaught of firepower.”

  “Maybe if you hadn’t gotten trigger happy with the men I hired, we’d have a better idea of his condition.”

  Amon nodded. “I apologize, Mr. Speaker. You, of course, are correct as always.” The look of humbleness crossed his face as his eyes looked downward in surrender. “Now, if you’ll excuse me I will check on my helpers to see if they have been able to pick up any news on the radio.” Just as he bowed his head respectfully, he heard a disgruntled “humph” from the speaker which nearly caused him to stop. Knowing the politician couldn’t see his face, Amon smirked as he strode from the room.

  Once he’d retreated a safe distance from the speaker, Amon slipped into the room where several other Egyptians sat smoking and sipping on bottles of water. They jumped to attention as he waved them to relax. He reached into the pocket of his jacket with the utmost care. Pulling out his phone, Amon hit stop then replay on the recorder.

  “‘Maybe if you hadn’t gotten trigger happy with the men I hired to kill the President we’d have a better idea of his condition.’” Followed by his own voice: “‘I apologize, Mr. Speaker…’” Amon smiled with satisfaction, knowing he just gave the speaker enough rope to hang himself if this event went sideways.

  Amon clicked off knowing that the admission of guilt from the third most powerful man in the United States would also secure Egypt’s billion and half in yearly aid. He chuckled loud enough to draw the confused glances of the other four men in the room. Reassuring them with quiet words, he directed them to begin the search for more news on the world outside their building.

  ~~~

  Tessa sucked in her breath as her hands flew to her heart. Gilad Levi remained reserved at the gun his brother held. Her heart began a rapid beat and breathing became difficult in that split second. She felt faint at the possibility before her. If Director Benjamin Clark killed the prime minister another layer of chaos would ensue.

  The prime minister turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder. Tessa realized in that moment the gun was pointed into the darkness where she stood, not at the director’s brother.

  “Step out where I can see you.” The director’s gun waved to the side before redirecting the weapon toward her once more. The stream of light from a security light over the door created the shadow of a huge gun barrel.

  Moving forward with her hands lifted, she was careful not to make a threatening move. As the eerie light flickered over the scene, she watched the director lower his weapon. A scowl spread across his face as his chin raised enough to show displeasure. She remained silent; fearing something inappropriate or stupid would spill from her lips. Waiting for a reprimand, her eyes darted between the two men in nervous anticipation.

  Before she knew what was happening, the prime minister grabbed her arm, pulling her forward gingerly. He offered a patient smile then slipped his arm around her shoulders. They slumped at his touch.

  “You are trembling.” Gilad’s voice showed genuine concern. “Why is she even out here, Benjamin? She’s in no shape to be moving about on her own accord. Have you no regard for your agents?” His accusing tone brought Ari outside and quickly evaluated the situation. “My dear,” he said pulling her around to face him. “Ari will take you inside. Whatever you need he’ll see to it.” He nodded to his protector.

  Tessa looked up into the shadowy face of the leader of Israel with new eyes. “You put my uncle up to this, didn’t you?” She removed his hand on her upper arm. “You told him about my arm. That’s why he tried to disable me so quickly.”

  Benjamin stepped up beside Tessa. “What are you saying, Mrs. Scott? That my brother somehow knew of your accident a year ago and gave that information to your uncle in case he needed it to subdue you?”

  A shiver ran up her spine as Gilad began to frown at her with irritation. “Yes. Your brother,” Tessa looked away from the prime minister’s penetrating glare, “also had his men bring my uncle’s rifle so he could make good on his threat to kill the president. The only thing is he never wanted any part of that. He only wants Israel to confess their sins. Apparently, both of you are well aware that there is a great deal to be accountable for concerning the USS Liberty. Was it you who sent pictures of me and Agent Zoric to him? How about breaking into my hotel room? Was that also your people?”

  “Gilad?” Benjamin now pulled Tessa out of Ari’s reach and placed himself between the giant protector and his unwilling agent. “How did you know about Mrs. Scott’s injury? Have you been snooping in my business or do I have a spy?”

  Gilad exhaled deeply. “We explore one another’s activities all the time. Do not show such indignation with me. Have you not done the same with Israel? It was not so difficult to find out about your little Grass Valley housewife a year ago. There were alerts worldwide about isotope terrorism. We merely followed a trail that eventually led back to Mrs. Scott which led to her uncle.” His eyes turned to Tessa. “In spite of his repeated threats over the years, I must say I like the old guy. He promised to take me squirrel hunting when this is all over.”

  “I think that’s code for ‘accidents happen.’” Tessa mumbled under her breath. “I can’t imagine him ever doing anything you ask. He hates Israel for what they did to him and the crew of the Liberty. You destroyed their ability to move on with their lives when your country lied about not knowing it was an American vessel. They can’t even trust their own government thanks to Israel.”

  “All of that is true. I came this week for the hearings and to put this to rest once and for all. The Israelis involved with that clandestine affair also wish to move on, if that is even possible. Our father suffered greatly in the years that followed. He never forgot what duty forced him to do.”

  Tessa felt a little dizzy and staggered before grabbing Ben’s arm. “Why now? These threats and promises of a hearing have gone on for years. Nothing ever came of it. Yet a few weeks ago everything started falling into place. I don’t understand. What am I missing?”

  “We uncovered a plot to kill the president.” Gilad moved toward the door and Ben led Tessa in the same direction. Once inside Gilad pointed at a toppled chair and it was immediately brought to Tessa. Ben eased her down then stood with his hand resting on the back, which made a squeaking sound.

  “We forwarded the information through appropriate channels for your agencies to begin the search for whoever was involved,” Gilad continued.

  “And?” Tessa asked quietly, caught up in the knowledge her uncle was somehow part of the conspiracy.

  Gilad shrugged. “Nothing. The trail went cold almost as soon as it surfaced. It wasn’t until,” he paused letting his eyes shift to his brother, “we received a tip about four weeks ago that someone in your government was financing the whole assassination attempt.”

  Tessa looked up at the director. “That’s about the same time I got the grant to come to D.C. Was that your doing, Director Clark?” Although she’d put in for the grant six months earlier she’d been told her eligibility for such a large amount of money and sponsorship most likely would be bestowed upon someone at the local junior college.

  The director’s voice sounded frosty. “We always had plans for you, Mrs. Scott. This just expedited the inevitable. We believe your uncle is under duress because his fellow Liberty mates have been kidnapped. Like the others, he thought this time, some acknowledgement of the bombing would be finally labeled a war crime and hold Israel responsible. He’s worked tirelessly for many years to see this come to pass.”

  “He was concerned when he knew I would be here for the conference.”

  Gilad took a chair that Ari pushed toward him. “Yes. Like us, someone else has been looking into ways to foster your uncle’s support. You are the weakest link, my dear.”

  Tessa bristled at the insinuation. “Maybe that’s true. Did yo
u know that he also planned to kill you if he got a chance?”

  Gilad smiled then chuckled. “He said as much. Ari and Micah nearly dropped him to the floor.” His laughter boomed looking over at the sour expressions on the faces of his protection detail. He rolled his eyes toward Ari and Micah. “Apparently, lacking a sense of humor is part of their job description.” The two Mossad agents continued to stare into space as if the prime minister spoke of someone else. “Together, your uncle and I devised a plan to draw out whoever was behind all this.”

  “You should’ve kept me in the loop, Gilad,” Ben said hotly. “Maybe all of this could have been avoided. I should arrest you right now and throw your sorry…” He stopped, seeing that Ari and Micah’s attention had shifted to him and their body language indicated they were annoyed. “The hurricane has a few hours to go before we can resolve this.” Ben looked out the open doors and noticed hints the onslaught was about to begin again. His phone pinged and he looked at the message. “Thankfully the president has made it to Walter Reed Hospital. His physician had a team standing by.”

  ~~~

  A relieved sigh escaped Ben’s mouth as his stiff shoulders twisted slightly toward relaxing. He couldn’t help noticing as he looked back down at Tessa that her eyes shut momentarily as if in prayer, but quickly opened again. He laid his hand on her shoulder and squeezed.

  A fleeting thought of gratitude entered his mind, knowing that at least one person on his team had the ear of God. The woman continued to bewilder him as to her entrance into all their lives at Enigma. Both naive and annoying, the woman made allies and enemies wherever she went. He couldn’t decide if she was part angel or demon.

  The effect on his people had been significant. She’d given the shy computer genius, Vernon Kemp, the courage to talk to women. The ghoulish artist skilled at torture and interrogation now painted stories of beauty and strength. Samantha became less sure of herself and more out of control, becoming a dangerous agent who demanded closer monitoring. Even playboy Carter Johnson; the guy who never met a mirror he didn’t like and could easily be distracted by a long pair of legs, had become more focused and less abrasive. There hadn’t been any sexual harassment complaints in quite a while.