“I can attest to that. I might have actually fallen for his charm under different circumstances. I can see why he’s so popular.”
“He’s definitely popular with the people. Polls show Warren a full ten percent ahead of Dixon in the presidential race. It may only be August but most people are already declaring him the winner. It would take a miracle to throw him off his throne.”
“Then we’ll hope for a miracle because I can’t think of a bigger disaster than him being the president of the United States.” Will shuddered.
“You said the other guy in your debriefing was John, but no last name. Middle-aged guy. This him?” James handed Will a photo.
Will sat on the bed next to Emma. “Yep, that’s him alright.”
“John Monroe, CEO of Monroe Industries, also a fellow Brown graduate. The three were thick as thieves in their younger days. Monroe Industries has their hands in all kinds of pies but most notably is their leading role in technology and technological research. They’re not out front like some bigger companies, but they’re quietly raking in money while their influence is everywhere. It would be easy for a company like them to gather information on anyone. They probably own it.”
“That’s comforting.” Emma said.
“That’s the facts. John Monroe and many of his business associates are contributors to Warren’s campaign and to his political party, including multiple fundraising dinners.”
Will didn’t find that surprising.
“Monroe Industries has a lot to gain with Warren in the White House, chief among them projects funded by the American people. Monroe Industries has stalled with the current administration, but with the change on the horizon along with the possible changing of the guard in the House and the Senate, let’s just say a lot of those people owe something to Monroe.”
Will sighed. “Next.”
“Alexander Warren, Phillip Warren’s only child.” He handed Will a photo of Alex. Emma tensed.
“Ah, Alex.” Will said, clenching his teeth. “Alex and I are already acquainted.”
“Charmer like his father. An attorney, working for his father’s firm although I could find very few cases the man has actually worked on. He was a political science major at Brown and also got his law degree there. He spends a lot of time in Washington with his father. He’s popular with the women in California.”
Emma snorted. “They obviously don’t know him.”
James shrugged. “He was a big part of his father’s campaign before the party convention this summer, but he’s been MIA the last few weeks. Although some news media has picked up on that, no one’s making a big deal about it. Yet.”
Emma turned to Will. “Could he be with Jake?”
“It’s possible. It looked like his daddy had no idea about his involvement with the Cavallo or his knowledge of Jake. Daddy may have kicked his ass to the curb or he could have cut his losses and ran to take advantage of the Jake situation.” Will looked up. “Tell me, James. Can you track him down?”
James’ mouth twisted. “Anything is possible. Some things are more difficult.” He shrugged. “One thing to our advantage is he’s in the media. They help keep tabs on him. But if he’s in hiding, that won’t help. I can try to track down credit card numbers and usage but that will take more time and digging.”
“Can you work on it?”
“You need to prioritize here, Will. I’m only one guy and you’ve got me working on a half a dozen things as it is.”
“Did you find out anything about the Vinco Potentia?”
“No, only rumors here and there. Mentions on the blogs and websites of wackos and lunatics.”
“So they are on the radar.”
“A small, miniscule blip.”
“What about the other group? The Cavallo?”
“Absolutely nothing. I question their existence.”
Will questioned everything at this point. “Well, someone took Jake, whatever the fuck their name is. But we might not even need it if we can find Alex. Make him your top priority. Any idea where Warren is the next few days?”
“No, but that should be an easy find. It’s public information.”
“Good, find out and make sure he’s not coming to South Dakota soon. I want to break into the compound tonight.”
James eyes widened. “Tonight?”
“Yeah, got a problem with that?”
“No, I just thought you’d give me more notice. What do you need me to do to prep?”
“Not much, most of what I need from you will be tonight. This looks like a simple breaking and entering.”
“On an armed compound?” James’s voice raised in disbelief. “Have you lost your mind?”
“No, sometimes simpler is better. Besides, security is lax at best and tonight there’s a company scheduled to polish the floors. That should provide some distraction so we can move around.”
“We’re posing as floor polishers?”
“Nope, I said breaking and entering, remember? We’re crawling under the fence and sneaking in the back door. There’s no security guards in the back. The fence isn’t electrified and you can scramble the cameras on the door so we can get in.”
“It’s insane, but it will probably work. When do you want to do it?”
“Just after dark.”
“What about me?” Emma asked. “Where do I fit in all of this?”
“I haven’t worked that part out yet.”
James crossed his arms across his chest and gave Emma a cold stare. “I think she should come with us.”
“You do?” Emma asked.
Will stood up. “Have you fucking lost your mind?”
“Think about it, Will. If we leave her somewhere, you’ll be so worried about her you’ll do a piss-ass job and get yourself caught. And if I’m with you, I’ll get caught too. No thanks. This way, she’ll be with you and you can focus on what needs to be done. Weren’t you the one who said it was an easy job?”
“I didn’t use those words exactly.”
“It was implied. She goes.”
Chapter Nineteen
Emma couldn’t believe James wanted her to go, and while thankful, she was also suspicious. She didn’t trust him.
Will planned to load the car and stake out the compound until nightfall. James gathered his papers and returned to his room. As Emma and Will packed their belongings, Emma asked, “Why does James want me to go?”
“I was surprised too, but his reasoning makes sense.”
She rested her hand on his arm and looked up into his face. “Will, I don’t trust him.”
He closed his eyes and when he looked at her again she saw the worry on his face. “Look, I know you two don’t get along and you have no idea how much that bothers me, but I’ve known James since we were kids. I trusted him with my life in Iraq, which is not an exaggeration by any stretch of the imagination. James has my back.”
She raised her eyebrows. “But does he have mine?”
He brushed off her hand and resumed packing. “That’s a crazy question.”
“No, it’s not, Will. He hates me. Why would he protect or help me?”
“Because you and I are a package deal.”
“Yeah, but does James know that?”
He turned and glared. “It’s a given, Emma. I need him. I can’t do this alone.”
“Okay, okay,” she mumbled. “But I just wanted to make my opinion known.”
Will stewed the rest of the morning, snapping at her over little things. Not that she blamed him. He was caught in the middle between his best friend and his girlfriend. And his pregnant girlfriend was keeping secrets from him and running off in the middle of the night.
James noticed the tension and a satisfied smile curved his lips, adding to Emma’s irritation. The sooner they got rid of James, the better.
They spent the rest of the day going over the plan and circling the compound in the car and on foot. The entire scheme made her nervous as hell. She couldn’t imagine the book wou
ldn’t be under armed guard, but Will assured her Warren had said that the book was a duplicate. The original was somewhere in Washington D.C.
She wished she’d practiced using her power more. It was all still a large unknown. If needed, she could use it, but it was dicey at best. She’d like to have a better handle on it before she began blowing things up.
As the sun began to set, they drove to a country road that ran parallel to the compound and strapped on their backpacks. A wheat field lay a half-mile between the two.
“This is where we hike,” Will said as they got out.
Will took the lead, with Emma and James following behind. Emma was glad Will had made good on his promise to get her a pair of jeans. Her legs would have been scratched up in minutes otherwise.
They moved in silence as the sun set. A half moon rose in the horizon, hanging over the tops of the stalks and promising the offer of light in the cloudless sky. They had flashlights, but a beam from one would be a dead giveaway.
“Now, tell me again what the plan is if we get caught. We’re supposed to sprint the half-mile back to the car?” Emma asked.
“Yep, or improvise if necessary,” Will said.
“It’s the improvising that worries me.”
“I can think of a few times I enjoyed your improvising.”
James groaned. “Stop. Please. That’s disgusting.”
They hiked the rest of the way in silence, crouching at the edge of the field when they reached the chain link fence that surrounded the back of the compound. Emma was surprised how close the buildings actually were to the fence.
“Why would they do that?” she whispered.
“Arrogance,” Will answered. “They think they’re untouchable here.”
“Even after we escaped?”
“Apparently. I haven’t seen any increased security. Of course, no one’s really here to guard at this point. Warren probably never thought we’d try to break in.”
“Okay,” James said. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
Will had already located all the security cameras a couple of days before. He pointed them out so James knew what to target.
James pulled a small case out of his pack. “I suggest you be ready to get under the fence and sprint to the door. The longer we jam the camera signals, the more suspicious it’ll look. If you can pick that lock and get in within twenty seconds, they’ll probably attribute it to sunspot interference.”
Will nodded and pulled out a pair of wire cutters and a small case. “Once you’re ready, let me know. We’re in the shadows here so I’m going to cut the fence then have you start jamming.”
“I’m ready when you are.”
Will cut the links a foot and a half tall and bent back a flap, glancing at James. “Ready.”
James flipped a switch in the case. “Let’s go.”
Will crawled under first, followed by Emma and James. They ran the fifty feet to the back of the building, plastering their bodies to the side. James looked as his watch as Will used small tools on the lock on the door.
“Ten seconds, Will.”
“Got it.” He cracked the door and peered inside. “It’s clear.”
They followed him into the hallway. The sound of a floor polisher hummed in the distance. Next to the exit was the door to the stairwell. Will opened it and slipped inside, the other two behind him. James turned off the jamming device while Will pointed two fingers toward the stairs and took the lead.
They climbed the stairs silently. Emma’s heart pounded and she forced herself to take even breaths. They stopped on the fourth floor and Will looked into her eyes, a grave expression on his face. For all his bravado, he was as nervous as she was.
Will opened the door and looked around. He motioned for Emma and James to stay in the stairwell.
Emma watched out the small window of the door and saw him go several feet down the hall, stopping in front of an ornate wood door. He pulled his lock case out of the back of his jeans and quickly opened the door with his tools. He disappeared inside, then motioned for them to follow.
Emma and James were in the apartment within seconds.
She gasped in awe of the ornate decor. Marble floors, antique furniture. No expense had been spared. Will had told her how pompous it was, but she still found herself shocked that people could actually live this way, especially when they were hardly ever here. Will walked over to the intricately carved bookcases and started scanning the shelves while James nosed around the room. Emma hung back, waiting, unsure what else to do. She was thankful they had gotten this far.
Will pulled a leather-bound book off the shelf and waved it in the air with a smile. She breathed a sigh of relief as he slid it into his pack. He moved to the desk in the corner, rifling through the drawers and thumbing through its contents, then disappeared through a door behind the desk.
Emma hesitated, unsure whether to stay or follow him. James had gone into another room, leaving her alone in the living room. She stared out the windows facing the Black Hills, making sure she was far enough back to go unnoticed from outside. The knob on the front door jiggled. She turned in horror. Someone was coming in.
A closet on the opposite side of the room taunted her, but she’d never make it in time. The door pushed open and she ducked down behind the wet bar. Hopefully, she could remain hidden until she figured a way out.
Cowering in the dark corner, she heard an odd noise, then a telephone ringing. Whoever came in was making a video call.
“Scott, what is it?” She heard Senator Phillip Warren’s voice, but it didn’t come from the room. She peeked around the corner and saw Scott Kramer sitting in front of the monitor on his desk.
“Philip, this entire situation is out of control. You have to get a handle on your son.”
“What the hell do you think I’ve been trying to do? How did Emmanuella slip through our grasp in Minnesota?” Warren asked, annoyed.
“Our source was correct, but somehow she was alerted. She was leaving the parking lot as our operatives arrived.”
“What the hell happened in the woods?”
“That wasn’t us. It had to be the Cavallo. But my source said she had some kind of power.”
“Is it true?”
Kramer paused. “We can’t be certain since none of the men in the forest survived, but the last report we had was that she had a gun, nothing else. Besides, it would have taken powerful explosives to cause the damage they found out there. Davenport could have set it up but our source says he was out of the area.” He paused again and lowered his voice. “It killed fifteen men, Phillip, and they weren’t all packed together. They were spread out over fifty feet.”
Emma struggled to catch her breath. She’d killed fifteen men.
“But how could she do it? She’s only supposed to carry the child. She wasn’t supposed to have any power.”
“Obviously, we underestimated her.”
She heard Warren’s dry laugh. “Obviously, we underestimated many things.”
“Phillip, you couldn’t have known about Alex.”
“Couldn’t I? He’s my son. How could I not realize he was working both sides?”
“He fooled us all. I knew he wasn’t happy with our philosophy, but I never considered that he was feeding them information about us. They almost killed Emmanuella.”
“It’s not like she’s a lot of good to us at this point, and now Alex is obsessed with her.”
“She’s still of great use to us. She still carries the child, even if the Chosen One isn’t one of our group. That’s a bitter disappointment, but the child has always been our main objective. We’ll just wait for our source to inform us of her whereabouts again. We will capture her.”
“And what about Davenport?”
“He’s an issue. I would love nothing more than to kill him. He’s a huge pain in the ass. Nevertheless, I think we should capture him as well. If she has powers we didn’t suspect, he might have some himself.”
“Do we
know where they are now?”
Emma held her breath even though Kramer appeared clueless that she was less than twenty feet away. She fingered the trigger on her gun. Could she really shoot Kramer if he found her?
“No.”
“You said Davenport wasn’t with her when she caused the explosion. We need to find out if they’re together now. If he has powers, they might be more powerful together. We should try to capture them separately. See if the contact can arrange that.”
“Agreed.”
“How do we know we can trust your source?”
“Because he’s the only one providing us any information at this point.”
A door creaked. “Mr. Kramer,” a male voice interrupted.
“What is it?” Kramer replied, annoyed. “I told you I wasn’t to be disturbed.”
“Mr. Kramer, there’s been an irregularity with the security cameras.”
“And?”
“We lost reception to two security cameras at the back of this building for eighteen seconds. It could be a simple electronic glitch, but you said you wanted to be notified of anything unusual.”
“Thank you. Send a security team to investigate.”
"Already done."
Emma heard footsteps leave the room and a door close before the men resumed talking.
“What do you make of this, Scott?” Warren asked.
“It’s probably nothing, but it’s wise to treat it seriously.”
“Have we gotten any information about Alex’s whereabouts?”
“We suspect Montana.”
“Montana?”
“We think he has the boy there.”
Emma sucked in her breath. They had information about Jake.
“Send some men after him, and the boy too. Maybe we should just capture them all and bring them here to sort this out.”
“On it.”
Emma heard a blip as they disconnected. Kramer walked to the windows overlooking the compound and pulled his cell phone out of his pocket.
“Kramer, here. Send a team of men after Alex Warren. We want him alive and unharmed, and the boy too. Report back to me when they’ve been located and before you move in.”
02 Hunted - The Chosen Page 19
