Duty With Honor Book Five: An Unexpected Pause

by Jordan Bollinger

  "Now, it's your turn."

  Padma laughed, and said, "It's amazing -- the exact same things happened to me."

  "Really?"

  "Well, practically. When I got home, I decided that I wanted to become an attorney, so I went back to school. And, I met my husband in graduate school. It was love at first sight. We married, and opened a law practice. And then, we became involved in politics -- local at first.

  "But the more Rajesh learned, the more he wanted to do. And, so...here we are...Prime Minister and his wife of a very small, very troubled country."

  "Do you have children?"

  "Yes, we have three girls. And you?"

  "No," Beth said, quietly. "I wanted them, but never got pregnant. I have some health issues."

  "I'm so sorry," her friend said. Beth could hear the sincerity in Padma's voice. Just as she was sure Padma heard the pain in her own voice.

  "It's all right. In retrospect, Tom wouldn't have been a very good father. At least, this way, I don't have to interact with him -- much." When she saw the unspoken question in Padma's face, she added, "He...he didn't accept the divorce. In fact, he was still trying to win me back, even after Andrew and I had married.

  "I think he understands it's over now. Although, who knows? For someone so smart about some things, Tom can be unbelievably obtuse about others.

  "Tell me about your girls."

  "They are three of the most different personalities imaginable. I often find it hard to believe they're siblings. But, they are a joy.

  "Our oldest, Chahna, spent much of her time growing up with my parents, because we were beginning our law practice. And she is very traditional. Sometimes I believe she resents that we didn't arrange a marriage for her.

  "While her youngest sister wants nothing to do with anything traditional. All she cares about is western clothes and music. She's hoping to get into Oxford, Cambridge, or Harvard so she can spend her time westernizing herself, as she puts it.

  "And the middle one is very much like her father. I think she will be involved in politics. Although, she's still very idealistic. We'll see."

  "It sounds like you have your hands full with the three of them -- being so...diverse."

  "I think my mother would have been happier if I'd come home from school, married someone from our town, and had a baby every year. But, when she saw that was not going to happen, she made sure she taught Chahna the old ways.

  "Although, even my mother is starting to admit things really are getting better. There is better medical care -- for all -- not just the wealthy. And that's just the beginning of the changes Rajesh is working on.

  "He wants to make life better for all of us. It isn't that he hates the old ways -- that he wants us to give up our traditions. That's why he doesn't understand why these people hate him. Why they fight against him so much."

  "Well," Beth began philosophically, "we are both doing what we believe will help our people -- our countries."

  They chatted through a delicious luncheon. They even splurged and had sumptuous desserts. After they'd finished, Beth called Paul to bring the car.

  As they finished up their meal, she'd noticed the others ended their own meals, paid, and left the restaurant first. So, Elizabeth was at ease as they moved from the restaurant to the car. And, once again, Paul gave her the teeniest of nods as they pulled away from the curb.

  "Rajesh told me you'd arranged for something special for this afternoon. But, he wouldn't tell me what."

  "Well, I'll tell you. We're going to the designer, Henry Jackson's store, where we have an appointment with a wonderful woman. It turns out, my husband, Andrew, has been going to her for gifts for his lady friends since he was in university. She has excellent taste, and will know exactly what's right for you, within minutes."

  Padma gave her a little smile, as she tucked a wayward strand of ebony hair behind her ear. "Well, I don't really need anything. Although, I could get presents for the girls."

  "Oh, believe me," Beth insisted, "you'll find something for yourself. The clothes are fabulous." Grinning, she added, "I even told Drew I might buy something."

  When she saw Padma's puzzled expression, she continued, "I've never been much of a shopper. The weekend before we got married, Drew bought me an entire new designer wardrobe.

  "And then he took me on this amazing honeymoon in Monte Carlo, and gave me the most beautiful sapphire and diamond necklace and earrings as a wedding gift. So, I made him promise he wouldn't buy me anything until Christmas.

  "But you wait, I bet Ms. Sweet has several things set aside for me."

  *****

  Paul dropped them off on the curb in front of Henry Jackson's, and pulled away only after they were inside. Beth wasn't sure, but there didn't appear to be very many people browsing the ground floor displays.

  And they seemed familiar -- like they'd just had lunch at the same restaurant. She was also positive the doorman had locked the door once they'd entered. Beth was relieved at this, because she wasn't at all sure how she could try on clothes and watch over Padma.

  Ms. Sweet took several minutes to get to know a bit about Padma. Then she sent her minions scurrying. Still, Beth wasn't surprised that her friend made only a few, restrained purchases.

  She realized that Padma was in a difficult position. As the wife of the Prime Minister, she was expected to be well-groomed, at all times. But, as the wife of the Prime Minister, she was expected to present a good example of moderation and economy.

  Meanwhile, Elizabeth looked through a pile of scarves. She knew, Drew knew, she loved scarves and was sure he passed this on to Ms. Sweet. As she worked her way around the room, she wasn't at all surprised to find a beautiful wine-colored gown, hanging there, waiting for her. However, it was a stunning dress, and she yielded to temptation without guilt.

  The women left the exclusive salon with only a few parcels a piece, and even those were carried downstairs for them. Once they reached the ground floor, Beth became very watchful. She felt that if something was going to happen, it would be between the store and the car; or once they were confined in the car and just entering traffic.

  Paul drove up in the car. The doorman had apparently already unlocked the doors, because they were the only ones, aside from Ms. Sweet and her assistants in the store. She recognized the few people milling around on the street, looking at store windows, were the same ones from the restaurant.

  Still, she did breathe an audible sigh of relief once they were in the car and moving along the street. Afternoon traffic was building up on Knightsbridge Road. Paul kept looking in his rearview mirror. But, he must have been able to identify the security team's vehicle, because he didn't seem concerned.

  Then Paul grabbed his ear, changed lanes, and turned down a side street -- leaving Elizabeth at a total loss. She hadn't started driving in London yet, and even after spending time in the city for over thirty years, she still didn't know the ins and outs -- so to speak.

  However, it was obvious to her that for whatever reason, Paul had been advised to change course. Of course, that didn't necessarily mean trouble. Or did it?

  Then a moving van backed out of a driveway and blocked the street ahead. The hairs on the back of Beth's neck tingled. She leaned forward, and said, "Back up, quickly. Get us out of here, now!"

  Paul stopped the car, and was doing as she'd instructed, when a man on a bicycle streaked around the corner and crashed into the back of the Rolls.

  Well, she wasn't sure whether they had backed into him, or if he had rammed the car. She decided it didn't really matter. So, she called for an ambulance, as Paul went to check on the cyclist.

  Both she and Padma were reaching for the door handles when Beth caught sight of another man, walking briskly towards the car. From the way he carried himself, she was sure he was armed.

  "Get down on the floor, and keep your head down!" Beth cried to Padma. Then she pulled her gun from she holster inside her jacket, opened the car door and jumped out. She aimed
at the pedestrian, and called out, "Stop! Put your hands behind your head and drop to your knees. Now!"

  Ignoring her, he continued moving forward, pulling a gun from out of nowhere and raised it. Beth shot it from his hand, but he didn't stop. He didn't even slow down. Just as he was almost within striking distance, another gunshot rang out.

  Elizabeth looked over, and saw that Padma was still in the back of the car, on the floor. In that split second, the man had run up and kicked her gun from her hand. She fought him away from the car, but, he grabbed her and slammed her into the end of the open car door.

  Letting out a wincing groan of pain, she bent over and slipped the small pistol from her ankle holster, and without asking the man to stop again, shot him -- two in the chest, and a third in the head.

  Then she staggered to the rear of the car, where she found Paul lying on the pavement, bleeding. Beth knew the biker had her in his cross-hairs, but his bad luck -- his gun misfired. Even worse for him, hers did not.

  She kicked the downed man's gun away and told the driver, "Don't move, Paul. There's an ambulance is on its way." Then, leaning heavily on the car, she moved around the rear and side. Looking into the interior, she called," Padma...are you all right?"

  The woman climbed up, back onto the seat, brushing herself off, and looking around. "I'm fine. But, what about you? You don't look well."

  "No, I'm fine," Beth insisted. "I just had the wind knocked out of me." She gave a reassuring smile at her friend, and added, "I hear the ambulance. But, if you really are all right, stay in the car until I tell you to come out. Please," she added. "I'm sorry -- I didn't mean to say it like that."

  "Don't be foolish, Elizabeth. You saved my life."

  "Not necessarily," Beth protested, but she was thankful she'd dealt with the situation. Because, the official security team was still MIA. She didn't know if she was more worried or annoyed by that.

  She retrieved her primary weapon, as well as the two perpetrators'. As the rush of adrenaline started to drop, she sank on the edge of her seat with her legs out, with her feet on the pavement, and waited for the paramedics, or the security team -- whichever came first.

  She pulled out her cell and called Ruth. "Fitz, call the embassy and reassure them that Padma is fine. Then I need you to send another car and driver to...." She looked around, but didn't recognize any landmarks or see any street signs. "Just find out where the ambulance is -- I don't know the location. Now, do I make Padma go to the hospital? Or take her back to the embassy?"

  "Was she involved in anything?"

  "No, I had her get on the floor of the car."

  "Then, unless she asks to be taken to the hospital, return her to the embassy."

  "Fitz, the backup team is a no show. Maybe I should go look for them?"

  "No," the factotum insisted. "Take the Prime Minister's wife to the embassy and return here. Sir Anthony will want to talk to you. We'll send out a new team to find out what happened to the first."

  "All right." She hesitated for a moment before adding, "And Ruth, don't tell Andrew anything. Or Father or Richard. Please."

  "Of course not, Elizabeth. Just come in as soon as possible."

  The ambulance pulled up and a contingency of paramedics spilled out. Beth called to them, "See to our man first. I'm pretty sure the man in front of the car is dead. I don't know about him," she said, pointing to the man lying, bleeding in the street. Turning around to face Padma, Beth asked, "Do you want to go to the hospital?"

  "No, I need to get back to the embassy. Rajesh will want me with him when he makes a statement to the media people."

  "All right. Another car will be here any moment, and then we'll go straight there." And, as if on cue, another ministry car pulled up beside the ambulance.

  Beth went to the driver and demanded to check his credentials. She wasn't about to just take Padma and willingly get into a car without making sure it was the right car, the right driver, and the right thing to do.

  *****

  A chill passed over Elizabeth as the car moved through the iron gates to the embassy. Before the driver came around to open the door, she turned to her friend.

  "Thank you, Elizabeth. I was so afraid, just for a moment. I was afraid I'd never see my girls or Rajesh again. Thank you."

  "It was why I was with you. It was nice that we got to renew our old friendship, but keeping you safe was my job."

  "Yes, and now I must go do my job, as the wife of the Prime Minister, and make sure that everyone sees me, not only unharmed, but calm and unruffled." She took Beth's hand and added, "But, I, personally, would like to keep in touch.

  "I always found you pleasant and intelligent, but after this afternoon, I've discovered a sharp, funny, and unbelievably capable woman -- one I'd like my girls to know."

  Beth did her best not to cry. "I'd like to meet your girls. I'd like to spend time with all of you."

  "And," Padma said, smiling, "I'd like to meet that new husband of yours. Just to see how he measures against Tom."

  This made Beth laugh. "Trust me, there is no comparison. And, even Tom knows it.

  "Yes, let's keep in touch. Especially if you're going in town more often, if your daughter does come here for college.

  "Now, go," she said, pointing. "I'm assuming that's Rajesh; and he looks concerned."

  "Don't you want to come inside and meet him?"

  "While I would love to, I'm supposed to go back to the ministry. But, I promise to get all your information, so we will stay connected."

  Padma exited the car, ran up the steps and stopped, hugged the man waiting for her, before she turned and waved at Beth.

  Once again, Beth shivered as the car pulled back through the gates and out into traffic.

  Chapter Six

  Vauxhall Cross,

  London, England, United Kingdom

  "Congratulations, Elizabeth," Bridget said, with a smile. "Sir Anthony said you're to go right in."

  "Thank you, Bridget," Beth said. Then she rapped on the heavy, mahogany double doors, and after she heard "Come in," entered.

  "Well, there you are," Sir Anthony said, as he rose, moved over to her, and pulled her into a hug. Releasing her, he indicated a leather easy chair across the desk from him, and sat down again.

  "We heard from the security team. It seems that their vehicle was sabotaged. It just stopped moving, which caused major traffic problems. It appears the electrical system was tinkered with -- fixed so that when the system failed, they weren't even able to open the doors or windows.

  "They'd called in, which is why we advised Paul to change routes. Whoever was behind this was very clever. They knew the routes and exactly where to arrange for the car to break down. The road turned just ahead -- so Paul could see them following along, until he turned.

  "The first man was dead on the scene, but the second one was still alive and transported to the hospital. Some of the embassy people are hoping he'll at least live long enough to answer some of their questions.

  "Now, I need to hear what happened in your own words." He hit a buzzer on his desk, as he spoke.

  "Yes, sir."

  "I'm going to have Bridget come in and take down everything you say. Once we're done, you'll be able to go home and relax."

  The door opened, and Bridget slipped in, sat in the chair beside where Beth was sitting, flipped open a notebook, and then waited, expectantly.

  Sir Anthony gave an encouraging nod, and Beth started telling her story. "Paul drove me to the embassy, where we picked up Padma. Then he dropped us off at the restaurant where Ruth had made reservations for us.

  "I saw there were other ministry people scattered throughout the restaurant. And, each time we got into the car, Paul would check and then signal me the security team was behind us. We had lunch and moved on to Henry Jackson's.

  "The only people inside the store were the people from the restaurant. And, they were only on the ground floor. I'm also sure the doorman locked the street door once we were i
nside."

  Beth paused and gave a little shiver. Then she rubbed her arms several times, before she continued. "We went upstairs, and met with Ms. Sweet. And...and we shopped.

  "I mean, we examined items and tried a few things on. We...we just shopped," insisted, with a shrug and another shiver.

  Bridget put her pad down, looked across at her boss, and suggested, "Perhaps I should send for some tea?"

  Sir Anthony took the hint and asked, "Would you like some tea, Elizabeth? Or maybe a drink? I have brandy and scotch."

  Bridget had risen and moved in the direction of the credenza, when Beth answered, "Tea would be nice. I'm very cold." Then, she added, "If it's not too much trouble, sir."

  "Of course, not, my dear. Bridget, why don't you ask Fitz..."

  That was as much as Beth heard.

  *****

  Gordon Hospital,

  London, England, United Kingdom

  Richard Emery rushed through the automatic doors, and up to the hospital's admitting desk. "My sister, Elizabeth Oliver, was brought through Casualty a few minutes ago. Where is she? What's happened?"

  "Oliver, Elizabeth. Ah, she was brought in unconscious, and after the initial evaluation, was sent upstairs to surgery." The receptionist looked up, and added, "If you are related, you should go right up. They'll need someone to give permission for surgery, if she requires it."

  After studying the directory a moment, he rushed to where he needed to go. He arrived in the waiting area outside surgery, to find Fitz and Bridget both waiting there.

  "What happened?"

  Bridget answered, "There was some trouble, the security team was effectively separated from them, and they were attacked. Beth killed one and wounded the other. She called for an ambulance, and another car and driver, and took care of Paul -- who had been shot.

  "Then she escorted the prime minister's wife back to the embassy and reported in. She appeared fine. Sir Anthony was debriefing her, while I took everything down. She shivered several times. And then, she just slid from the chair onto the floor.