There was a specific reason that Robin hired Louph for jobs like this instead of using the FBI techies. Members of the Agency had to follow rules. For example, they couldn't intercept and read private e-mails. Robin couldn't use these in court, of course, but that didn't mean he couldn't drop her a hint...
Opening yet another window, he began typing out a message to Robin. Hopefully, it would go through to her cell phone. If not, she could always read it on her laptop later in the evening. He smiled as he added his friend's latest disposable e-mail address into the recipient box. It was no surprise to him that Robin had named herself after a mysterious, seductive female spy. Like her e-mail address's namesake, Robin definitely had a romantic streak in her.
In addition to encrypting every work-related message he sent, Louph changed e-mail addresses frequently, and he encouraged Robin to do the same. He also liked using large, anonymous e-mail providers. Along with his coding, public e-mail accounts made him practically invisible.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Check out the 501s on QuikSilver and GateCard. Looks like they donated some money to a private charity belonging to Saunders. Ever heard of People's Voice?
Chapter 13
Cincinnati, Ohio: October 7th
It was just past midnight, but Robin was wide awake and pacing the floor of her hotel room. The Bureau couldn't afford to put her in the penthouse, but since she was there for more than a few nights, they had set her up in a multiple-room suite instead of the average double bed and television deal. She had a kitchenette, two bathrooms, and even though it wasn't completely separated from the bedroom, there was a small living room area. That was where she was pacing like a lion in a cage, muscles bunched and uncomfortable under her nightshirt.
Louph's e-mail bothered her. He had sent it only a few hours ago, but she had already put in a request to Slade and the computer guys at the Federal Building, asking for them to root up the 501's of the two credit card companies – QuikSilver and GateCard. The first was an up-and-comer in the credit card business, but they were making VISA and Discover shake in their boots with their cutthroat style of business and their aggressive pursuit of new, young customers. The flashy silver cards were popular among teenagers with wealthy parents. GateCard was a member of the old guard, but still had a sizable following. If they had somehow snuck money to Saunders through People's Voice, his pet charity, and had the nerve to write it off as a charitable contribution on their taxes, they were really asking for it.
But something about this whole situation felt wrong. Since Louph was dropping hints instead of sending her concrete evidence, it meant that whatever he had found was illegal for the FBI to see. Robin would just have to find whatever he had uncovered through legal channels so that it could be used in court later.
Unable to stand the silence, she hurried over to her already-humming laptop. Sometimes she really missed being on the fast track. In counterterrorism, when she wanted information, the FBI's computer boys got it to her within minutes. Every second counted when you were trying to prevent a violent crime. Now that she was doing corruption and white collar instead, she had to wait until regular nine to five hours like everybody else. Her old job in counterterrorism was also how she had made Louph's acquaintance. France wasn't the first country that Americans thought of when their minds turned to terrorism, but the French were a very diverse demographic, from white supremacists to anarchists to Muslim fundamentalists. Like the urban areas of the United Kingdom, French cities were frequent targets of terrorist attacks.
In between thoughts of Louph and what he might have found, Robin began rummaging around the room for her purse. Even though she had only been at the hotel a few days, she had already thrown her things all over the bed and furniture. Finally, she found what she was looking for, a small off-white card with embossed letters. Tess Daubney had given it to her after their first dinner. Below the name, phone, and fax numbers, she found the politician's e-mail address. Perfect.
Robin hurried back to her computer. If she couldn't work on her assignment, at least she could arrange for the second part of her interview with the pretty, blonde republican. That was part of work, sort of...
"Oh, who am I kidding," Robin muttered, entering Tess's address into the 'To:' box. "I just want to see her."
Whether it was for work or pleasure, the agent found herself writing out a quick e-mail. Fortunately, Harkiss had been kind enough to give her a fake address at the Cincinnati Sun to make her look more legitimate. To the Sun's employees, Robin was a retired FBI investigator collecting video footage for a political documentary, and paying the newspaper well for it. The story was interesting enough for idle chatter at the water cooler, but not interesting enough to stick in anyone's mind for long. To the outside world – and more importantly, Tess Daubney – she was Nina Stryswicki, newly hired political beat reporter.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Dinner?
Tess,
Since we never finished our interview, I don't suppose you'd care to reschedule? More food could be involved – I'll even pay this time.
Nina
Robin was still debating the merits of planning to meet up with Tess again so soon when she received a new message in her inbox. Her eyes widened in surprise. It had only taken Tess five minutes to respond back.
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Dinner?
I guess I'm not the only night owl in this city now. How about tomorrow? Meanwhile, both of us should probably get some sleep.
Robin smiled and shook her head. She had given up trying to convince herself that her reasons for wanting to see Tess again so soon were anything but personal. She knew that the politician was most likely straight, and probably completely out of her league, but there wasn't anything wrong with spending one more meal together, right?
She ignored the small voice in the back of her head warning of impending disaster and typed another e-mail back, offering to choose the time and the place. Going out sounded better than staying in Tess's office. Just the two of them. Alone. Robin wasn't the type to tempt fate.
* * *
Cincinnati, Ohio: October 8th
Even though she felt a little like a seven-year-old describing it that way, 'butterflies in the tummy' was an accurate description of Tess's emotional state as she waited for Nina to take her out for dinner and the second half of their interview. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but the plans felt a little like a date to her. Checking the clock in the top right corner of her laptop's screen for the fourth time, she decided that two minutes to the hour was early enough to wander out into the front room and wait without looking desperate. Grabbing her jacket, she locked up her office and headed down the hall, pleased that she was leaving work early for a change and going out to dinner with an attractive woman. Tess decided that, date or not, she was definitely going to keep the encounter a secret from Samantha. She knew that her friend would hound her for details.
Looping the strap of her purse over her shoulder, she walked out into the entryway, smiling as she caught sight of Nina chatting with Mike, the security guard. Thankfully, she had not needed his protection so far, and he mostly served as an appointment checker and guide for visitors. At the moment, the heavy man was laughing at something Nina had said, and both of them were smiling.
"You just charm the pants off everyone, don't you?" Tess called out, causing both of them to look up. Robin waved, and Mike nodded in greeting.
"Some people disagree with that flattering assessment. My Mama would tell you that I'm a hellion," she said. "I was just asking Mike here how to find you."
Tess raised a suspicious eyebrow and glanced at the pair over her glasses. "And that made you both start laughing? I didn't know I was that funny."
"Nina was doing an impression of her boss," Mike explained.
"At least it wasn't of me." The politician turned to her escort for the next few hours and smiled. "So, where are we going? Somewhere appropriate for a business suit, I hope, because I don't have a change of clothes."
Robin studied her curiously. "Really? I had you pegged as the type that keeps at least two spare outfits around."
"Two spare outfits exactly like this one." Tess gestured at her pencil skirt and matching suit jacket. "If you want me to downgrade to jeans or upgrade to a backless evening gown, you're out of luck."
"As appealing as I'm sure either of those sights would be, I think your outfit is just fine the way it is. Shall we?" Robin gestured at the doorway. For a moment, Tess wondered if the reporter would offer her an arm, and was both relieved and disappointed when she didn't.
"I don't suppose you're going to tell me where we're going?" Tess asked as they walked outside, pulling the lapels of her coat tighter around her neck. The heat had turned to cold over the past few days, and it was chilly, even for October.
Her companion grinned and shook her head. "No, but we're taking your car," she insisted. "I'm still using a rental at the moment while I shop for a new one to go with the new position."
"Why did you leave your car in Washington?" Tess asked.
"Stepbrother," Robin said, waving her arm dismissively. Years of experiences had taught her to keep lies simple and easier to remember. Besides, her brother really was using her car while she was in Ohio, and her rental car really did smell like cigarettes even though she had specifically asked for a non-smoking vehicle. Suddenly, Robin was forced to come to a stop in order to avoid leaving Tess behind. The other woman had halted in front of a very expensive looking Mercedes, and Robin let out a low whistle as she backtracked a few steps. "Nice ride! Don't worry, I won't ask to drive your car. I'll just give you directions."
"If you tell me where we're going," Tess said slyly, "you don't have to give me directions."
"I got mine off Google Maps," Robin admitted, heading for the passenger's side and opening the door when Tess hit the 'unlock' button, 'but if I told you, it would ruin the surprise."
Tess rolled her eyes. "Fine. Be difficult," she said, but the words were laced with a hidden smile. Even though this wasn't a date – not for lack of wishful thinking – Tess was already enjoying herself, and she had only been in Nina's company for three or four minutes. She sat down behind the wheel and shut her door, pausing for a moment to get her bearings. The reporter was having an uncomfortably strong effect on her, and it was making her nervous.
"Don't do that," came a solemn voice from beside her.
Tess looked up. "What do you mean?" she asked, her forehead tightening with confusion.
"You put on your face."
"My face?"
"Yeah. Maybe I haven't known you for very long, but I've noticed that you have this face that you use when you're in business mode or whatever. You don't have to worry about keeping up the act with me." Nina offered her a sincere smile, and Tess felt her heart beginning to melt despite the silent warnings she had given herself. "Besides, if I print anything too personal about you in my article, you won't buy me any more food."
Tess laughed, feeling slightly more relaxed. Was she really so cynical and tense that she couldn't let her guard down for a few hours, even with someone as nice as Nina? She wasn't a real date. Nina didn't even know that she was a lesbian. Relax, Tess, she thought as she turned her key in the ignition. Nothing scandalous, inappropriate, or politically damaging is going on except in your own perverted brain.
"Okay." Tess backed out of her parking space near the front of the building and headed for the exit, waiting for Nina's instructions. "Where to, Lola?"
Nina grinned as she recognized the reference. "Go left out of here. Do you call your actual GPS Lola as well?" she asked, gesturing at the item in question, which was sitting on the floor of Tess's car between their seats, out of sight from would-be thieves.
"Guilty as charged." Hitting the brakes, Tess waited for a clear stretch of road to open up before merging into traffic.
A few minutes later, Tess was looking suspiciously at her rear-view and side mirrors, eyeing the surrounding area with distaste. "Um, Nina, are you sure you meant for us to drive through Over-the-Rhine?" she asked as they passed a dilapidated gas station and one-room pizza joint with a flickering neon sign.
"Over-the-what?" Robin asked, thoroughly confused. "I'm just following the directions..." Her face fell as she noticed some of the shabby looking buildings that they were driving past.
"Over-the-Rhine," Tess corrected with a sigh. "Um, there's some very lovely architecture here, and this area of the city has some nice cultural centers, but it's dark right now, and... Over-the-Rhine also happens to have the highest crime rate in the city."
Robin sighed and let her head fall back against the seat. "Wow. Didn't know that. I guess both of us should have known better than to rely on an out-of-towner to find somewhere good to eat."
Tess moved into the left turn lane and stopped at a red light, letting her signal flash as she waited for the color to change. "Why don't we head back the way we came, towards the Central Business District? I'm sure there's somewhere –" Suddenly, she stopped speaking and her eyes widened, causing Robin to turn and look at her. The politician was staring into the rear-view mirror, a terrified expression on her face. "Oh God..."
Unable to see into the mirror because of its angle, Robin looked over her shoulder and out the back window. A car was heading toward them at full speed, oblivious to the red light and Tess's stopped Mercedes.
Chapter 14
Cincinnati, Ohio: October 8th
The next few seconds seemed to stretch on for a year. Both women knew that they were going to be rear-ended, but there was nothing they could do to avoid it. A few yards away, the driver of the other car finally noticed what was happening and hit the brakes, but it was too late. There was a squealing, grating sound and both cars rolled several feet, blocking the lane ahead of them. Robin felt her body lurch forward and back with a sickening jolt, and beside her, Tess did the same, extremely grateful that they had both been wearing seatbelts. The air bags exploded, but didn't touch their skin.
For a moment, absolute silence rang in Robin's ears. Then, sounds began filtering in. Honking, hissing, more scraping metal, and the sound of her own pounding heartbeat in her ears. She glanced over at Tess, letting out a sigh of relief when she saw that the other woman was moving and alert. "Oh God," Tess mumbled, holding her forehead in her hand and adjusting her glasses, which were slightly askew. "Oh God..."
"It's okay," Robin said breathlessly, trying to reassure herself as much as Tess. "It's okay. Are you all right?"
"A little whiplash. I can feel my head spinning, and I might have hurt my back, but otherwise, I'm okay." Tess's voice shook despite her verbose answer. "You?"
"Fine." After sacrificing another moment to try and slow her heart rate, Robin turned to glance over her shoulder again, curious about the fate of the other car. The back of Tess's Mercedes looked crumpled from the inside, and the rear window had splintered and cracked. However, she was able to make out the equally crumpled front-end of the other vehicle, and the staggering figure of a man as he exited through the driver's side door.
"Let's get out," Robin said, reaching out to touch Tess's shoulder. "I want to see if that man needs medical attention. Do you have your purse?" Tess nodded. "Good. Is your cell phone in it?" Another nod. "Take it out. We need to call for help."
Carefully, Robin opened her door and climbed out of the car. After a few seconds of dizziness, she got comfortable with standing upright and started heading around the side of the Mercedes, looking for the other driver. When she found him, she was relieved to see that he didn't have any obvious injuries. He did not seem very pleased to see her, however.
"What the hell?" he asked, peering at her with red, bloodshot eyes. "What's your problem, bitch?"
Robin's own eyes widened in disbel
ief. "My problem? Excuse me?" Clenching her fingers into fists, she tried to remain professional. "Sir, are you all right? Do you need us to call an ambulance?"
"Fuck you." The other driver swayed a little, giving Robin a clearer view of his unshaven, slightly beefy face. Something was wrong with the way he moved, and the tail headlights of a passing car illuminated track marks on his pale but hairy arms. Robin sighed. Usually, she found druggies only mildly annoying, but put them behind the wheel of a car while high, and they were a speeding deathtrap.
"Listen, I think I should call an ambulance just in case," Robin said, glancing covertly to the side to make sure that Tess was doing all right. Unfortunately, the other woman had decided to come and stand behind her.
"So, should I call?" she asked, looking from the other driver to Robin.
"Sure," said Robin. "Meanwhile, I think you," she turned to the unknown gentleman, who was eyeing Tess in a way she immediately disliked, "should give me your insurance information." She just hoped that he had insurance at all, or that Tess's policy included uninsured accidents.
"Fuck you," he said again, rubbing his nose briefly with the sleeve of his shirt. "Not my problem."
Robin sighed. "You said that already."
The man wasn't paying attention. Instead, he watched Tess, who was dialing a number on her phone. "Hang it up," he ordered, making sure to direct his comment at her.
"What?"
"I said hang up the phone! You deaf?"
"Okay, now you're really asking for it, dirtbag," Robin growled as she eyed the man's muscular figure, trying to assess whether or not he was a threat. "Just give the lady your insurance information and let her call an ambulance and the cops, and we can be on our way without any trouble."
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