Nick took a deep breath. “I’m not part of the group who did this, sir.”
Sullivan gave a snort of disbelief. “Of course you aren’t. Then how did you know I was here?”
Nick looked around. “I heard it was a possibility and I wanted to check it out. How often do they check on you?”
“You don’t know the routine?” he asked sarcastically.
“I just came on board. So far no one knows I’m here.” He picked up the chain and hefted it in his hand. “If I can get this thing off you, we can get you out of here.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Logan, so don’t waste your efforts.”
“Would it help if I brought Ashley on board to convince you I’m here to help you?”
“Ashley? You’re holding her, too, aren’t you?”
“No. She’s safe, although our van was ambushed earlier this week and Ron Stevenson was injured. He’s recuperating in a hospital in Colorado. hopefully whoever planned this thinks Ashley’s either hidden away in Colorado or hidden in Washington. I spoke to Jason Freeman night before last. He’s attempting to deal with your kidnappers.”
Sullivan shook his head. “There’s no dealing with them.”
“Where’s the rest of your family?”
Sullivan stared up at him with anguished eyes. “I haven’t seen them since I was taken. I just hope to hell they’re alive.”
“If they’re on board, I’ll find them. What can you tell me about the routine here? Have you been fed this evening?”
Sullivan stood and, picking up the chain so that it didn’t drag, walked over to the porthole and looked out. “Where are we? I’ve been looking for landmarks, but nothing looks familiar.”
“New Orleans. Do you know how long you’ve been here?”
“Since sometime last night. We’d docked when I woke up this morning.” He stared out the porthole. “Looks like quite a storm.”
“Yes. And the skiff I’m in is tied up to the anchor and filling up with water. I don’t have much time.”
“Neither do I.”
Nick didn’t like the sound of that or the president’s attitude toward his present situation. “If you don’t want my help, I’ll get back to Ashley. Whatever happens, I intend to keep her safe.”
He started toward the door and was reaching for it when Sullivan said, “Wait.” Nick glanced over his shoulder. “You really aren’t part of this bunch of terrorists?”
Nick swallowed his irritation. “I told you I’m not. I don’t lie, Mr. President. Especially about something as important as this.”
Sullivan looked around the room, then back at Nick. “They took my watch. I have no idea what time it is, but it’s been several hours since they last brought me food. When they do, I generally hear them in the passageway.”
Nick looked around the small area, then opened the hatchway to the cubby hole that served as the head. “When we hear them, I’ll hide in here. Or you can turn me over to them. It’s your choice.”
“You’re a cool one, Logan, I’ll give you that.”
“Mr. President, I took an oath to protect you and your family with my life. That oath hasn’t changed. I don’t know who is behind all of this, but at the moment my first priority is to get you to a place of safety. It would make my job a hell of a lot easier if you would cooperate.”
Sullivan shook his head and turned back to the bed. He sat down and said, “They’ve got my wife and sons, Logan. They know I won’t go anywhere without them.”
Chapter 16
New Orleans, Louisiana
Sunday, January 3
“Can you take me through it, sir? Explain to me what happened?”
Sullivan stood, his chains rattling in his agitation. He paced to the porthole, then turned. “What is today?”
“Sunday, January the third.”
“Five days. It’s been five days since I’ve seen Juliana, Jamie or Matt.”
“What I was told was that your ship and the security ship suddenly disappeared from the radar screen. By the time the Coast Guard got to the area, the security ship was missing. Ray Clarke and the crew were found bound and gagged on the yacht. There were two agents with you who are still unaccounted for.”
Sullivan shook his head as though trying to clear it. He didn’t look as if he’d slept much. He swallowed hard. “It was the damnedest thing I’ve ever experienced. Ray and I were in the lounge having a drink together. Juliana had gone on to bed, saying she wanted to read. The boys planned to play some board game they’d brought along. Everything was very relaxed. It felt good to get away from everything for a few days. I think that’s what Ray and I were talking about as we sat there.”
“All of that confirms what they found, sir. There was an open book lying beside the bed in the master bedroom. The board game was in progress in the boys’ room. I would say that your family was called out of their rooms on a plausible pretext and put up no struggle.”
“I can only pray that’s so.” He was quiet for several moments, as though gathering his thoughts.
“Ray and I were visiting when we heard a noise and looked around. There were several men standing behind us, carrying automatic weapons. They wore ski masks, like the one you have, and I didn’t recognize anyone. I was stunned. How could this have happened? We have agents around us at all times to prevent anything like this from ever happening!”
“I know, sir. I’m very much afraid you had someone on board who was working with these people.”
“You mean crew members?”
“And possibly an agent or two. Who was with you?”
“Steve Rippy and George Fremont.”
“Did you ever see them after the kidnappers appeared?”
“No. Four men held us in their sights while the others grabbed Ray and me. They must have hit me because that’s the last thing I remember until I came to with a raging headache, a lump on the back of my head and tied hand and foot in a bunk.”
“This one?”
“No. Eventually I figured out that I was on the security ship. But I didn’t see anyone until we were alongside the tanker and I was moved.”
“Did you recognize anyone?”
Sullivan shook his head. “I never saw faces. They were all dressed in dark clothes, like you are, and wearing ski masks, like you are. No one spoke. No one would answer my questions. It’s been that way from the beginning.”
“Actually, that’s a good sign. If they don’t want you to recognize them, that means they intend to release you eventually.”
“Perhaps.”
“Did you see or hear your family?”
“No. I assumed I was the only one taken at first, until they showed me a polaroid of Juliana and the boys bound and gagged, lying on bunks. They told me they wouldn’t hesitate to hurt them if I chose not to cooperate.”
“Then it’s possible they’re on this ship, too.”
“I don’t know. If they took them off the yacht, they may still be holding them on the security ship somewhere else. That’s all I’ve been able to think about since I regained consciousness. Where were the people who were supposed to be protecting me and my family?” He looked over at Nick. “You think it was an agent, don’t you?”
“There’s a strong possibility of that, sir. I’m sorrier than I can say.” Nick turned away for a moment, fighting his frustration. How could he expect the president to trust him if another agent like him had already betrayed him? He turned back. “The vice president received a call from someone identifying himself as a member of a well-known terrorist group. They played a tape-recorded message from you. Did you make that tape?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know what their demands are?”
“No. I was told to cooperate if I wanted to see my family. I cooperated.” He looked at Nick. “Are Rippy and Fremont a part of this?”
“I don’t know. There are several people in the ranks who’ve done some suspicious things during the past few days. The detail leader was the one who
notified us to take Ashley to an airfield near where we were skiing in the middle of the night. We were ambushed there, so that puts Greg Chambers on my list of possible suspects.”
“Chambers? My God, he’s been with me for years.”
“Then there’s an agent that I’ve known for years, Sam Masters, who’s currently working out of the Denver office. We’ve been in some tight spots together, and I could have sworn he could be trusted. He’s the one who told me where to find you. The only way he could have known that was if he was working with this group.”
“Or he wants them to believe he’s part of them. But he directed you to me. That counts for something.”
“True. So here we are. If he chooses, he can tell them to be watching for me and I’ll end up chained like you are.”
There were some muffled sounds in the pas sage way outside. Nick stepped into the head and pulled the door almost closed behind him. From his hiding spot he waited until the outer door swung open. The man who stepped into the room could have been his double in height and weight. His head was covered with a ski mask. There was no way to tell the color of his hair. No wonder Sullivan hadn’t been surprised to see him when he’d walked in.
The masked man set a tray of food on the table and walked out. Sullivan remained at the porthole looking out the entire time and ignoring his captor.
Nick waited for several minutes after the man left before he came out. Sullivan had sat down and was eating, carefully and methodically, out of practicality rather than enjoyment.
“You’re not going to leave here with me tonight, are you?” Nick asked.
“I can’t. Not until I know that Juliana and the boys are safe.”
Nick sighed. “All right. I’m hoping they’re here. If they are I’ll find them. Do you have any messages for Ashley?”
Sullivan’s eyes gleamed with a hint of hope. “Yes. I wish I had something to write on…and with.” Nick slipped his hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small notebook and pen. Sullivan took them and rapidly wrote something, then signed it and handed it back. He stood and held out his hand. “Thank you, Logan.”
“I haven’t done anything yet.”
“On the contrary. You’ve stayed loyal. I’ll not forget that.”
Nick slipped on his mask, pleased that he could pass for one of the group holding the president. That might save his neck. He cracked open the door and checked the pas sage way. He silently left the room and continued his search. He carefully checked out each room along the companionway, then went down the ladder and checked the deck below.
He was on the lowest deck when he opened a hatch and recognized first Jamie, then Matt, and finally spotted Juliana Sullivan across the room.
He stepped inside and closed the door.
Their room was larger. It held three bunk beds, one for each occupant. Like the president, none of the three in the room would look at him. Jamie and Matt sat on one bunk playing cards. The chains around their ankles made sure they weren’t going far.
Juliana Sullivan stood at the porthole looking out at the rain.
“Mrs. Sullivan?”
She turned and gave him a searing stare. “Oh? You can speak. Does that mean you’re going to answer my questions?” She held her chin high and met his gaze without flinching. She reminded him so much of Ashley that he almost smiled.
Nick removed his mask with calm de liberation. In a soft voice, he said, “I’m here to get you out of here, Mrs. Sullivan. I’ve already spoken to the president. He’s being held nearby. As soon as I can figure out how to get all four of you off here without someone seeing us, I’m going to do it.”
Her eyes widened with his words. Both boys scram bled off the bed and began to speak at once.
He hushed them all. “Have you been fed tonight?”
The younger boy—Matt—answered. “Oh, yeah. Hours ago.”
“Do you expect them back tonight?”
Juliana answered. “Not if they follow their usual routine. Why?”
“I’ve got to find a way to get you out of those chains before anyone discovers my presence here.”
“You mean you aren’t one of them?” Jamie asked suspiciously. “You’re dressed just like them.”
“That’s because we all have commando clothing for night reconnaissance. Those behind this kidnapping appear to be trained military personnel. Under the circumstances, it’s hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys.”
“You’re one of the good guys?” Matt asked warily.
“Yep, but you’re going to have to take my word on that for now.”
“Can you take me to my husband?” Juliana looked dignified despite the fact that she had on a pair of pajamas and a robe. She had done the best she could to pull her hair back from her face. Nick could see where Ashley had gotten her exquisite bone structure.
“I could if I had the tools to get those leg irons off you. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring anything with me. But I’ll be back.”
Jamie looked at Matt and curled his lip. “Yeah, him and Arnold, right?”
Nick grinned. “I’ll admit I wish I had Schwarzenegger’s help about now. Maybe he could pull those chains apart with his bare hands.”
Juliana moved toward him, obviously hampered by the heavy chains. He quickly stepped to her side. “Aren’t you the agent who was supposed to be with Ashley?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“They took her, too, didn’t they?”
“No, ma’am, they didn’t. Ashley’s safe, Mrs. Sullivan. She’s here in New Orleans with me.”
She sat down abruptly. “Thank God,” she whispered. “I just wish I understood what all of this is about.”
“The most important thing at the moment is to get you out of here. If you’ll stay here and not let on that anything out of the ordinary has happened—in case someone shows up—I’m going to see what I can find to release you. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
He stepped back out into the companionway, checked both directions and then retraced his steps to the room where the president was being held. He slipped inside and found the man lying on his bunk. Sullivan didn’t move, just watched Nick carefully until he slipped off his mask. When he recognized him, Sullivan sat up.
“Any luck?” he asked gruffly.
Nick grinned. “They’re safe and sound two decks below. The three of them share a larger room than this one and are comfortable enough. Being together no doubt helped the boys to remain calm. Mrs. Sullivan sends her love.”
“Can you get us out of here?”
“Yes, but you’re going to have to give me time. I need to find something to cut those chains off you and your family.”
“You mean they’ve got them…” Words seemed to fail him.
“It makes sense. They know you can’t go anywhere like this. It saves on manpower. The thing is, we don’t want to make them suspicious.”
“How soon can you get back?”
Nick checked his watch. “Give me at least two hours.”
“Hell, I can give you all night. I thought you were talking about days.”
“I don’t want to take a chance on their moving you, either off the tanker or taking the tanker to another location. I want to get this done tonight.”
“Good enough.” Sullivan held out his hand. “Good luck.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m going to need it.”
Chapter 17
Ashley could not sleep. She had been pacing the floor for an hour or more. She’d exhausted all her reading material—a couple of magazines she’d bought at the airport and had stuck in her bag, since forgotten, and a novel that she’d been trying to get through since before the Christmas break.
Nick had been gone for hours. She looked at her watch again. It was almost ten o’clock. He’d left at dark, almost five hours ago.
The rain had let up to little more than sloppy drizzle. There wasn’t much traffic on the side street she could see from the motel window. Nick had chosen to stay near
the docks. This place had definitely seen better days. It certainly wasn’t on any tourist maps.
She turned and looked at the room, the dingiest of all they had stayed in on this trip. A maid had shown up in the late afternoon to change the sheets on the beds and half-heartedly vacuum. At least she’d brought clean glasses and Nick had brought her some ice before he’d left. He’d also made a run earlier in the day for food she could eat there in the room. In her own way she felt as much of a prisoner as anyone, but she understood the necessity.
Why wasn’t Nick back? She continued to pace until she heard a key in the door. Following his instructions, she darted into the bathroom and hid behind the door. She heard it open and close, then the wonderful sound of Nick’s voice.
“Ashley?”
She burst out of the room and leaped into his arms, kissing him repeatedly all over his face.
He wrapped his arms around her and gave her an exuberant kiss in return. When she was able to get her breath, she asked, “Did you find any sign of them?”
His grin lit up the room. “Are you kidding? I’ve got a note from your dad, and your mom and brothers are eagerly awaiting our return.”
“Oh, Nick. You did it. You found them!”
He nodded. “And I need your help to get them out of there.”
“Tell me what to do.”
“I finally found a store open where I could buy some bolt cutters. Each of them has on an ankle iron and chain.”
She paled. “Oh, no.”
“Actually it works in our favor since they aren’t being closely monitored. Once I get them loose, I’m going to bring them ashore, which is where you come in. You’ll be waiting to take them to the car. We’ll hide it somewhere closer to the docks than here. Once we get them that far, we’ll bring them back here and decide what to do next.”
“Oh, Nick, you’re wonderful!” She threw her arms around his neck again.
“Let’s see if we can pull this off first.”
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