Highest Order

by David Archer

  Allison nodded. “I agree.” She sat quietly for a moment, just looking into Molly’s eyes. “I’m seriously considering going out there and attending this little get-together myself. To be perfectly honest, I think I would enjoy the looks on some of their faces if I walked in.”

  “You don’t think it might cause a problem, if you suddenly disappear from your office?”

  “Do I look like I give a damn? Molly, these people were behind the attempt to shut us down. The only thing that saved us was the fact that Holloway, Duckworth, and Gibbs were able to get themselves on the committee that was supposed to force me into compliance. If anyone else had been sent with them, we might still be in the dark. Yeah, I’d love to see the looks on their faces when they find out I was behind the whole operation to eliminate them.”

  Molly shrugged. “I can’t say that I blame you,” she said. “On the other hand, what kind of excuse can you use? You still haven’t let Mr. Jefferson know what’s going on, have you?”

  “No, not yet,” Allison said. “It’s not that I think he’s dirty, I actually trust him completely. Unfortunately, the situation was so critical that I made the decision not to involve anyone I didn’t absolutely have to, to minimize the possibility of a leak.” She smiled softly. “In fact, I think it may be time to rectify that situation. Would you ask him to come in, please?”

  Molly returned the smile and walked out. She returned less than two minutes later with Donald Jefferson right behind her.

  “Molly said you wanted to talk to me?” Jefferson asked.

  “Sit down, Donald,” Allison said. “I’m afraid I’ve been keeping a big secret from you, but it’s time to let you in on it.”

  * * * * *

  Clarence Gibbs drove his car into the parking garage and spotted Duckworth instantly. He pulled up in front of the man, who climbed in the passenger seat and shut the door.

  “Marvin, what the hell is going on?” Gibbs asked. “I’ve had half a dozen calls today telling me that we’re meeting at your place tomorrow night, something about choosing a new project leader.” He put the car in gear and drove out of the garage, cruising along the streets as they talked.

  “It’s a setup, Clarence,” Duckworth said. “Dick Martin called me up yesterday in a panic, and we ended up talking for a while about who should take over leadership. I actually suggested that it should be him, but he’s trying to dump it on me. It gave me the idea that we needed to get all of the remaining members together to talk about it, but that’s just a ruse.” He took a deep breath. “Arrangements have been made for Camelot to show up there.”

  “Camelot? Good Lord, Marvin, he’ll kill us all!”

  “No, he’s fully aware that we’ve been working as double agents. You, me, Holloway, Ryan, Thomason, and Whitehall, we’ll all be perfectly safe. The idea is to let Camelot and his people find out everything they possibly can about the events and the Russians. Dick Martin claims that the events are already set up and scheduled, that they can’t be stopped, but we have to find a way to stop them. If it takes letting Camelot and his people torturing the rest of them to get that information, then so be it. They bought the ticket on this train, they can take the ride.”

  “I don’t know, Marvin,” Gibbs said. “If any of them get wind of this, they’re going to be looking straight at you, and then at me and Holloway.”

  Duckworth turned and looked hard at Gibbs. “If any of them get wind of it,” he said, “it would mean you told them. I haven’t let anyone else know the real reason for this meeting, Clarence. As long as you keep your mouth shut, they won’t find out anything. Understand me?”

  Gibbs nodded. “I understand completely,” he said. “What you’re actually saying is that if they find out, you’ll send Camelot after me. Right?”

  “I’m saying that I’ve carefully limited the knowledge of what’s going to happen,” Duckworth said. “A leak would probably get us all killed, so there cannot be one. Are we good?”

  Gibbs cursed softly, and nodded. “We’re good,” he said.

  “Then take me back to my car. I’ve got other issues to deal with besides this.”

  * * * * *

  “I won’t say a part of me isn’t hurt,” Jefferson said. “I have a hard time believing that you didn’t trust me with this, but at the same time, I understand the need to keep it close to your vest. I’m just worried about you going out there. Allison, if anything goes wrong, you could be walking into a trap that you wouldn’t survive.”

  “I’ll be fine,” Allison said. “Noah and his team will be there, along with Jenny, and I won’t go unarmed, myself. I’ll confess a part of me just wants to be there when they realize they’ve been had, but I also want to hear what they’ve got to say about these events. According to Duckworth, they may already be set up to the point that they’ll happen if we don’t find a way to stop them. I’m not going to sit by and let that eventuality come to pass.”

  Jefferson looked into her eyes for a moment, then nodded his head. “Okay. Have you talked to Parker about this yet?”

  “No, and I’m not going to. I’ve made up my mind, Donald, and I’m not going to change it now. What I need you to do is figure out how to get me there without alerting anyone. Can you do that?”

  “I’ve already got it worked out,” Jefferson said. “I have a personal JetBlue account, so I can arrange a jet to pick you up at the airport here without anyone being the wiser. I use them now and then when my wife and daughter want to go on their shopping sprees, so they’ve been seen here plenty of times. I’ll drive you out myself, and take you straight to the plane like I always do for them; no one will think anything of it, and you’ll be in D.C. within hours.”

  Allison smiled. “That’s perfect. How soon can it be here?”

  Jefferson took out his phone and tapped a number in his contacts. “This is Donald Jefferson, account number 55547874. I need a light jet at Kirtland, Colorado airport, going to Dulles International. Can you give me a time frame for departure?” He listened for a moment, then smiled. “That’ll be fine,” he said. “Thank you.”

  He put the phone into his pocket and grinned at Allison. “Plane will be here in two hours,” he said. “It’s almost five, now. Would you ladies care to join me at Charlie’s for dinner? Maggie and Elaine are actually in Denver for tonight, doing some of that shopping they love so much.”

  Allison grinned. “Best offer I’ve had all day,” she said. “Molly?”

  “Hey, I never pass up a free meal,” Molly replied with a grin. “Let me grab my bag and I’m ready to go! Hey—do you want me to send a message to Noah that you’re coming?”

  “Yes, just a quick one ,” Allison said. “Tell him I have my personal cell phone with me.”

  “Okay, be right back.”

  Allison watched her hurry back to her own office, and then went to a closet and retrieved the travel bag she always kept handy. She set it on her desk and reached into a desk drawer for her Kimber Ultra Covert forty-five and its clip-on holster. She shoved them into her bag and closed it again.

  “Is taking a gun going to cause any problem?” she asked.

  “Not a bit. Relax, this is a private flight. You won’t have to go through security. Incidentally, I’m also arranging a rental car for when you get there. It’ll be in your name at the Enterprise counter.”

  Allison turned to face him and smiled. “You always take care of me, don’t you, Donald? I probably don’t show my appreciation nearly enough, but I really am grateful for you.”

  Jefferson grinned. “Aw, shucks, ma’am,” he said. “’Tweren’t nothin’!”

  Molly returned then and they all headed down the elevator and to Jefferson’s car. A few minutes later, they walked into Charlie’s and found a booth. Molly and Allison took one side, while Jefferson sat on the other, and they were looking at menus when a voice caught their attention.

  “Well, well,” it said, “the people you run into when you least expect it.”

  They all loo
ked up, and Allison broke into a smile. “I was wondering when I was going to see you again,” she said. “Donald Jefferson, Molly Hansen, this is Glenn Howard. He’s a former U.S. marshal that I recruited. Are you getting all settled in, Glenn?”

  “I am,” Howard said. “Personnel says I start next week as day security in your office building. From what they tell me, it will be just me and one other security officer.”

  Allison smiled, but there was a hint of a grimace in it. “Must be kind of a step down from your last job,” she said. “Maybe I can find you something more suitable.”

  “Oh, no, I’m happy where I’m at,” Howard replied. “I found a house here in town today, and my kids will be joining me this weekend. Do you know how great it is that I’ll be able to be at home every night, now?”

  “Well, yes, that’s a benefit,” Allison said. “You mention your kids, but how does your wife feel about it?”

  “Oh, it’s just me and my kids,” Howard said. “I’m afraid my wife passed away a couple of years ago.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Allison said. “I wasn’t aware.”

  “It’s okay,” Howard said. “I’m afraid she had cancer, and it was pretty rough. By the time she passed away, it was something she was looking forward to.” He glanced around behind himself and started to turn away, but Allison suggested he join them.

  “Oh, thanks, but I can…”

  “Glenn,” Jefferson said, “let me tell you the first rule of survival at Neverland. Always, and I mean always, do what the boss lady suggests.”

  Howard broke into a smile and slid into the booth beside Jefferson. “Far be it from me to break a rule of survival,” he said. He found himself sitting across from Molly, who seemed to be fascinated with his face. “Have I got something on my nose?”

  “No,” Molly said. “I’m just trying to figure out who it is you remind me of. Look like somebody, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

  Howard chuckled. “Well, I’ve been told I look like Harrison Ford, back during his Star Wars days.”

  Molly leaned a little closer and stared, then shook her head. “Nope. That’s not who I’m thinking of. Don’t worry, I’ll figure it out.”

  “Well, when you do, please let me know. You got me worried now.”

  Molly’s eyebrows shot up. “Worried? Why?”

  “Because you might be thinking I look like somebody ugly.”

  “Oh, no, not at all,” Molly said. And then she blushed.

  “Donald, are you buying?” Allison asked quickly.

  “Might as well,” Jefferson said. “I’m going for the T-bone.”

  “Well, my appetite isn’t as big as yours,” Allison said, “but the filet mignon looks good. Molly?”

  “Cheeseburger,” Molly said. “I just want a cheeseburger.”

  Howard was obviously trying to hide a grin. “Hey, you know what? A cheeseburger sounds like it would really hit the spot.”

  The four of them placed their orders and chatted while they ate, killing some time over coffee when they were finished. At five thirty, Jefferson looked up at Allison.

  “It’s about time to go,” he said, then turned to Howard. “Glenn, it was good to meet you. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”

  Molly had to slide out of the booth before Allison could get up, and she surreptitiously motioned for Allison and Jefferson to leave. “You guys go on,” she said. “I think I’m just gonna walk home.”

  Allison looked at her, a hint of a grin on her face. “You sure? You don’t exactly live right around the corner, you know.”

  “Oh, it’s not that far…”

  Howard smiled. “I’d be more than happy to give you a lift,” he said. “If that’s okay, I mean?”

  Molly broke into a wide smile of her own. “Sure, yeah, that’d be nice.”

  The two of them walked out the door and Jefferson looked at Allison. “Does he have any idea who she is?”

  “Not that I know of,” Allison said. “Why?”

  “Well,” Jefferson said, “I’m sure he’s a pretty smart guy, but her IQ isn’t far from the number of the national debt. Do you honestly think a guy like him is going to be able to cope with a girl who is that much smarter than he is?”

  Allison glanced toward where Molly and Howard were walking away, then turned back to Jefferson. “She’s extremely smart, right?”

  “And then some.”

  “Then I’ll bet she’s smart enough to keep it under wraps until she gets him hooked.”

  Jefferson rolled his eyes, then paid the check and walked out with Allison. They got into his car and he pointed it toward the airport. They talked a little bit on the ride, mostly about what was going to happen the following night, and a little over forty minutes later, Allison stepped into the Cessna jet that was waiting for her.

  Donald Jefferson stood beside his car and watched until the plane was in the air, then got back into his car and went home.

  Chapter TWENTY-SIX

  It was almost 11:30 by the time the plane landed at Dulles. Allison walked off and made her way to the Enterprise rental counter, picked up the car that was reserved—a very nice Mustang convertible—and then went to find a hotel room for the night. She chose a moderately priced hotel and was in her room and asleep before one o’clock.

  She was awakened at eight by her phone ringing. She picked it up and looked at the display, but didn’t recognize the number. She cautiously put it to her ear and said, “Hello?”

  “Camelot,” came Noah’s voice.

  Allison smiled. “Good to hear from you,” she said. “How are you holding up? All of you.”

  “We’re doing okay. It’s been a wild few days.”

  “I’m certain of that,” Allison said. “I gather you got the message?”

  “Yes. I just wonder if this is really a good idea.”

  “If I didn’t think so, I wouldn’t be here. We’ve got to get some information out of these people, and I want to be there to hear it. If you’re worried about what you’ll have to do to get it, don’t. I’m not the squeamish type.”

  “All right,” Noah said. “Do you want to go with us, or on your own?”

  “I figure I’ll let you go in and secure the situation, then show up once you’ve got it under control. You can text me when you’re ready for me, okay?”

  “No problem. The meeting is scheduled for seven, so I plan to let them have a few minutes for any stragglers to show up before I make my entrance.”

  “That’s what I figured. I’ll be close by, somewhere out of sight. When you give me the high sign, I’ll come on in.”

  “All right, but be careful. I’m sure some of these people are going to be armed, so I want to take them by surprise. I don’t want to give them the chance to draw or use any weapons.”

  “Smart thinking,” Allison said. “And don’t worry about me, I’m also armed, and I’m not a bit bashful about using it. I’ll see you tonight.”

  She ended the call and dropped the phone onto her nightstand, then lay back down on the bed and drifted off to sleep again.

  * * * * *

  Duckworth was in his office at ten o’clock when his secretary told him that Senator Perkins was on the line for him. He sighed and picked up the handset.

  “Hello, Bill,” he said. “What can I do for you?”

  “You can tell me,” Perkins said, “why I’m being told to come to your place tonight.”

  Duckworth’s eyebrows went up a half inch. “You? Really?”

  Perkins chuckled. “Didn’t know, did you? There’s a reason for that, but it may be a moot point, now. Dick Martin is saying that you need to be the new top guy for the Project. From what I’m hearing, he’s actually getting some support for you. I thought I’d call and see how you actually feel about the idea before I make any commitments either way.”

  Duckworth felt a chill go up his spine. Bill Perkins had been a friend for a long time, and was one of the most respected men in the Senate. If he was
part of the Ascension Project, then it meant that he was probably going to die that very night.

  Of course, Duckworth had known that there were others from the House and Senate involved, people whose names had been kept from him. It just hadn’t occurred to him that any of them might be people he thought of as friends. Hell, Bill Perkins was almost family; he’d been at the hospital with him when Duckworth’s daughter gave birth to his grandson.

  All of that went through his mind in a split second.

  “I don’t really know what to think, Bill,” he said. “I actually suggested maybe Dick would be the one to step into the President’s shoes, but he turned it around on me. I didn’t think he was serious, though, and that’s why I suggested a meeting and volunteered to host it.”

  “Well, you need to think about it. Dave Anderson and Wilbur Benton are backing him up on it, saying they think you’d be the best man for the job. Of course, you know what that means, right? It means they want to make sure they don’t get stuck with it, but there’s a pretty strong chance they’re going to sway the vote your way. If you want your name pulled out of consideration, you need to say so soon.”

  Duckworth narrowed his eyes. “Why wouldn’t one of them want to be at the top? Are they really scared of the assassin?”

  “I’m sure that’s part of it,” Perkins said. “More than that, though, I’m thinking that they don’t want to be the guy who has to make the big announcements. When the events happen, there are going to be a lot of very unhappy people in the country, and whoever is top of the chain in the Project is going to be the one who has to explain that the only way we’re going to save our country is by tightening security to the max. If that’s you, you’re gonna be pretty unpopular for a while, until people get used to the new way of doing things. See what I mean?”