Liar! She thought as she lost consciousness.
Chapter 4
Born in the USA
“Looks like they beefed up security,” Hallie observed. The gate security took four minutes, and they were invited. Senator Swane had called Kyle Evers who told them to make this visit and then get back to New York.
Jake noted the cameras and the motion detectors along the drive up to the Swane mansion. A line of trees screened the house from the country road on which they dwelt. The drive wound around a small pond and then the house was before them. It was three stories in the center, and was a mix of old South plantation architecture and modern materials. Four columns, two stories tall, framed the entry and supported a small veranda on the third floor. White limestone block wings of the house disappeared into a copse of blooming fruit trees on the north. A dark brick edition on the south connected to a four car garage and a two-story addition with another bay for a large vehicle, probably an RV.
Windows were trimmed in white with multiple panes reflecting the splendor of the nature surrounding the house. The gravel drive was a fine crushed rock that rumbled and crunched under the tires of their government-issued Suburban. Four men in front of the house stepped down onto the gravel as they pulled around. From the bulges in their dark jackets, it was obvious they were armed. They all wore sunglasses, short haircuts, and scowls.
“They have four more on the grounds,” Jake said, pointing with his eyes as he put the Suburban into park.
“They’re serious,” Hallie noted. She smiled at him. He smiled back. She was nervous and he understood why. These were Washington-based Secret Service agents. They were a different breed. Very territorial. Extremely cautious. Super dangerous if spooked.
“We have nothing to worry about. We are here by invitation. Relax.”
Hallie smirked.
“You really know how to put a gal at ease, Mr. Monday,” she said, sarcasm dripping from her words. She got out, escorted by a young agent with blond hair. He was the new guy, still not jaded and jumpy. He had removed his glasses. He gave Hallie a half smile as he took her hand.
“Welcome to the Swane residence, Mrs. Monday. We are looking forward to your visit. Please step this way, ma’am, while we do our normal security procedures,” he said with a mixture of formality, southern charm, and firmness. He meant business but was going to be hospitable about it. “I am agent Tommy Namaker of the Secret Service. I would be honored if you would allow me to escort you to the Senator once we finish our duties here.”
She turned and winked at Jake as she allowed Tommy to take her hand. She gave him a shy, coy smile. Tommy’s smile was perfect, his teeth perfect. Jake just shook his head. Hallie had her way with men like that. Within three seconds, she had the guy eating from her hand. He was sure it would not get them past the security procedures. The guy in charge had his arms crossed in front of his zipper and was looking down his chest at them.
Jake got out and came around the car. He noted that no one wanted to escort him. He looked for eyes. He could only see reflections in the sunglasses of the other men. But, he got the feeling all eyes were on him. All but Tommy.
So, I am the dangerous one?
He wanted to tell them that it was Hallie who had shot all those people in New York. He had not even pulled a gun on anyone. Why did they distrust him?
He stepped up to the front steps as two agents descended. The big guy with the biceps bulging and the sneer stood at the top of the stairs. Jake looked up and did not like the vibe he was getting.
This guy hates me, he thought.
The other two agents frisked him. He raised his hands to his sides and let them do their search. They took his wallet. They took his keys. They were handed to another agent who had come up behind him. He could hear the crunch of the gravel under his shoes. Hallie giggled and then laughed at something Tommy had said.
Nobody else talked. Jake watched Mr. Universe grind his teeth and stare at him with contempt. Jake did not recognize him.
“You can put your arms down now, Mr. Monday,” the agent to his left said with threadbare politeness.
“Come with me,” Mr. Universe said. He turned his back on Jake. Tommy followed, now holding Hallie’s forearm locked in his.
Great, we’re going to a ball, Jake thought.
Mr. Universe shut the door behind Tommy and Hallie, giving orders for the others outside as he did.
The mansion was massive. The entry was teak and marble. Gold and silver, oak and mahogany gleamed in the light that streamed in from the large windows. The draperies and curtains were tasteful and elegant.
Four more agents descended the stairs, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. One of the agents was tall, his ebony skin shining, and the headset in his ear a bright white. His deep brown eyes scanned the lobby. He looked like he wanted to say something, but quickly looked away as Mr. Universe came back to lead them all down the hallway.
“Wow. I have never seen such elegance,” Hallie remarked.
Tommy nodded.
“The Swanes own several businesses. Their family fortune can be traced back to the Civil War. They have always had one family member or other that served either in the military or politics in every generation.”
“That’s quite a track record,” Hallie said, her smile radiating.
She was a stark contrast to the men in the room. They were stoic. Well, except for Mr. Universe. Jake had the distinct feeling they were not welcome.
“Tommy. Go back and pull the Monday’s vehicle around and leave the keys in the ignition. Check it for devices,” Mr. Universe said. He turned to Hallie and bowed, “As a courtesy, of course.”
Tommy took one glance at Hallie and bowed, taking her hand to his lips.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, ma’am,” he said.
Jake turned in time to watch two of the agents look at each other and roll their eyes. Jake couldn’t help smirking.
Why can’t their boss have as much levity as the rest of the guys on this detail? He wondered.
Tommy exited, jingling the keys.
Mr. Universe directed two of the agents behind them to stand guard in the lobby. The other two came with them.
Hallie looked up at him as he took her hand in his. Her smug smile told him she enjoyed this game. Her eyes told him that she was even more nervous than before. He watched her clutch her purse in her other hand.
Jake looked up as they stopped at the entry to a narrow hallway. Mr. Universe turned, his hands on his hips. He had removed his glasses and Jake could see his eyes were the shade of winter, a blue so light that it almost blended with the whites of his eyes. They were the eyes of a Siberian husky.
“I am Senior Agent Brad Welker, Mr. Monday,” he said. “I am familiar with your file. I want you to know that I have an eye on you.” The menace and accusation in his voice were cold and dark.
Jake tilted his head.
“Well, Agent Welker. I appreciate your concern. Senator Swane is a personal friend. And as you are probably aware, I saved his life last week,” Jake said, trying to keep his voice light and friendly.
The disdain that poured from Welker’s eyes was disturbing. Jake was almost scared.
“That was my detail. That should have been my watch,” Welker said, his voice a low growl.
Territorial. Figures, Jake thought bitterly.
Jake nodded, his eyebrows raised.
“I understand. Well, I am sorry you missed it. Perhaps next time, eh? I hate baseball, anyway.” Jake shrugged.
“Follow me,” he said gruffly. He turned and led them to a room with dark paneling and the smell of old cigar smoke. A chandelier hung over a pool table. The balls were racked at one end and three pool sticks were hung on the wall on a ledge that contained a cube of blue chalk.
“I feel like one of the good ole’ boys. Let’s get out the cigars and brandy, whatcha say boys?” Hallie suggested.
They smiled. Well, except for Welker.
“Wait
here. Agent Sands, please let the Senator know his guests have arrived,” Welker said, pacing to the other side of the pool table. His face disappeared in the glare from the chandelier. Jake was grateful, those ice-blue eyes were beginning to unnerve him.
Agent Sands exited through a door on the far side of the room. As he turned to close the door, he looked back at Jake and hesitated. Jake recognized him. Now Jake understood the agent’s hesitation on the stairs earlier. Jake had worked alongside him in Chicago during an investigation. He had been bright and dedicated. He had outworked everyone, even Jake.
What is he doing here? Jake wondered as Sands closed the door slowly, giving a slight nod of recognition. Jake returned it.
Hallie flicked the nails of her left hand. She only did this when she was nervous or pressured.
The tension in the room was palpable. He was ambiguous to Welker, but it was obvious that Welker did not like him. He wondered if it mattered. He was here for a short visit. His mind was already in New York, working through the new information, hoping that Lars, Violet, and whoever they worked for would leave him alone long enough to discover why he had been brainwashed and who wanted the president dead.
Of course, an investigation had already been launched. The consensus was that the president had not been targeted. Camilla Cross was the only target all along. She was an undercover agent for the FBI and had been in deep cover. It was assumed that her cover had been blown. It was likely her repeated contact with Jake had led to her murder. They suspected someone involved with Galbraith. For unexplained reasons, though, nothing developed further in the investigation.
Jake recalled the meetings with Camilla. She had known who he was somehow. In another life, maybe. With his memories mostly retrieved now, he was surprised that he found that he could not recall meeting Camilla before his flight to Los Angeles.
Hallie boosted herself up onto the table and grabbed a pool stick. She was working hard at trying to seem unfazed by the tension.
“Wanna play?”
“Maybe Senator Swane will take you on. You would beat me off the break. I know better.”
She smiled at him, her face partially shaded by the yellow light of the chandelier behind her. Agent Welker shook his head and crossed his arms across his chest. Jake couldn’t see his face, but he guessed he was rolling his eyes and sneering. Agent Welker was good at sneering, Jake guessed.
The door opened and the Senator entered, escorted by Agent Sands and another agent, older, with gray at his temple and a vertical scar across his forehead. He looked like ex-special forces.
Jake noted the senator’s drawn face and the lines of worry around his eyes.
“Let’s make this quick, gentlemen. I have a meeting with my campaign committee at six in Charlotte,” Swane said. He sounded exhausted.
“Sir, we will just need to make one more sweep of the...”
“Get out. All of you. Guard the doors if you want. I have no more patience with you,” he said, his voice firm and angry.
“I cannot do that, sir. Mr. Monday is...”
“Mr. Monday is my guest and my friend. You will leave me with him and his charming wife,” he smiled at her briefly.
Welker’s eyes flitted between Sands and the older agent in the room, his teeth grinding. He inhaled. Jake could tell he wanted to press it further. He was making a business decision. Jake did not envy him. His career was potentially in danger either way.
“With all due respect, Senator Swane, my duty is to protect you. This man,” he pointed at Jake with his eyes. His hands remained at his sides. “is dangerous. He is a known assassin, sir. I cannot leave you in his company, even though he is your friend,” Agent Welker said. His eyes were fierce and defiant. He had played his card, knowing the Senator would not fall for the bluff.
“Brad, I do not care about your duty. I hope that does not upset your sensibilities.” The Senator walked up to the agent, closing the gap between them. He leaned forward, his eyes intense, his voice weary but sharp, tinged with anger and condescension. Brad, to his credit, did not blink. “You and your men are dismissed from this room. There will be no more discussion about it or I will have your entire detail removed from my house this hour. Do you understand?” He raised his eyebrows.
Brad swallowed slowly, hesitating to answer, his intense eyes not wavering from Swane’s face.
“I understand that you are making a big mistake Senator Swane,” Welker said.
The senator glanced at Jake and turned back slowly to Agent Welker. He pointed to Jake.
“Whatever you have against this man, you cannot deny that he saved my life. I trust him. That is more than I can say for you and your team, Agent Welker. With each new member that has come into my house or on my tour this past week, I feel my safety is at greater risk. More is not always better, Brad.”
Brad looked hurt and confused. He glanced again at his compatriots.
“We are only trying to protect you and your family, sir.” His voice rose in anger as he pointed to Jake, his eyes squinting, his mouth turning in a snarl. “I don’t understand why you are questioning our loyalty while you are perfectly willing to accept this man into your house, into this room, unprotected.”
The Senator, looked at Jake with exasperation and resignation. He shrugged. He turned to look at Agent Welker.
“Agent Welker. I will not ask you again. Leave the room and protect the perimeter. Send another man to get my wife some ice tea and a cold cloth for her head. Make yourselves useful. The taxpayers are footing the bill for your services. You are wasting their hard-earned money standing in here flexing your muscles and making faces at me.”
The senator did not relent. Agent Welker looked down at his coat. He could not look the senator in the eye.
“Yes sir. We will set up a perimeter,” he glanced over at Jake. “No one will be able to get in or out without going through us first,” he said, his words a threat and a promise.
The senator rolled his eyes.
“Well, I will rest easier knowing you are protecting me, Brad,” Swane said, his voice full of sarcasm and mock gratitude.
Agent Welker brushed past him and grabbed Sands by the arm. They exited, the older agent following behind and shutting the door quietly.
The Senator ran a hand through his thick shock of white hair, old muscle rippling beneath his golf shirt. He looked deflated.
“I cannot stand that jackass. He is so puffed up. I know he is a fine soldier, but I do not trust his team. These were his best men in here with him; it is the others I worry about.”
“We know Agent Sands, but who was the older gentleman?” Hallie asked, rubbing the pool stick between her palms, its rubber base skidding on the wood floor.
“Ex-military of some sort named Paul Salvatore. I think he served in Desert Storm. Hard fellow, but kind and gentle to Nancy. He is the sort of agent they need more of, not these self-important fellows that are more bark than bite,” He shrugged. “I don’t know. I am too tired to be critical.” He sighed. “I need to speak to you in complete privacy. I had Paul remove their devices in here after I called you.”
“You trust him?” Jake asked.
“I don’t trust anyone right now.”
“Welcome to the club,” Hallie said.
“We have jackets,” Jake quipped.
Swane’s smirk was a complement.
“You two are some kind of team,” Swane remarked. “I would love to stay and chat...”
“What’s wrong with Nancy, Robert?” Jake asked quietly, his hand on the senator’s arm. Jake could feel his arm trembling.
The senator made a choking sound and his face contorted in grief for a moment. He composed himself and swallowed.
“Nancy has lung cancer. She’s been in remission for three years. It is back and it is spreading too fast to do anything but wait it out,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
Hallie slipped off the table and set the pool stick aside. She put her arm around Robert’s shoulders as
he bowed his head, his silent sobs racking his body.
Jake waited it out, thankful for Hallie’s comfort. Nancy’s health, as devastating as it was, was not why the senator had called them and asked them to come in person.
“We’ll go see her,” Hallie offered.
“She would like that.”
“That’s not why you called us, though, is it?” Jake said.
Senator Swane looked up, his eyes rimmed red, and shook his head.
“No. What I need to tell you is much graver than this, this...tragedy. We knew she was sick. On the other hand, I had no idea that I had been working for a madman all these years.” The senator had gone from grief to anger and resentment in seconds.
Jake furrowed his brow.
“What do you mean?”
“I am ashamed to say. It is why I sent them away. What I am telling you now, I should by all rights be telling my priest,” he said.
“Now you are starting to worry me,” Hallie said.
“I’m worried, too,” Senator Swane said. “My legacy is tarnished. My family’s name is damaged irreparably. We have been such fools.”
“What are talking about?”
He swallowed. Guilt and fury were mixed in the look in his eyes.
“I am going to pull out of the race.”
“If you are worried about assassination attempts, we will keep you safe, the Service is diligent and we have more tools today and better communication with departments like the NSA...”
Robert was already shaking his head.
“I am pulling out of the race because of Nancy. I want to be with her in these last days. But, even more, I do not want to be a part of what is happening. I do not want my name, my legacy going down in history tied to the storm that is coming.”
“Stop being so vague, senator,” Jake urged.
Hallie scolded him with her eyes.
“What Jake means is if you want us to help, we need you to be more specific,” Hallie corrected.
3 Thank God it's Monday Page 3
