“Tell me what is in the correspondence.”
“Is that what this is really about? You’re a spy?”
“It could be the real reason we’re in danger, Julie. I need to know.”
“I need a pill.” She rummaged in her purse beside the couch and removed a small packet. She pressed a pill from foil then took it with a glass of warm water. “There aren’t many left.” She looked directly at him. “I guess you’re right. I’ll tell you. Maybe it is important.”
When she was finished Powers grimaced. “That’s pretty raw, especially after the way the President’s been whipping up the public with his promise to stand firm and force Saddam from power.”
“Pratique. If the French government is complaining it’s only because they weren’t able to do it themselves.”
“It’s political dynamite. Enough to keep the President from winning another term, after all the posturing.”
“I let others think about things like that. But I knew it was dangerous for me, so I was very careful.”
“Do you have copies of the communications?”
“That’s what they wanted. I told them there weren’t any.”
“But you were lying to them. Where are they?”
Marei looked at him without emotion. “You’re right, okay? My father insisted I make copies. I had him hold them. But he’s dead now, so I don’t know where they are. Maybe the French have them”
“I’m surprised your father would permit you to ever become involved in something like this.”
“He believes in the President. He trusted him and was very proud to have his daughter such a close friend. Even if I was just a... shack job. That’s the expression, isn’t it?”
“I’m sure it didn’t hurt business either.”
“You’re a bastard, you know that? My father loved me.” Her voice choked. “He’d never use me for business.”
“What was your father’s plan if things went wrong?”
“I’m really very tired. Can’t we stop?”
“No.”
“I don’t think I like you at all. He was to leak the documents to the New York Times for publication. Uncle Abdul called when I was there and gave him this signal we had. My father thought I’d be safe once that was done, or at least safer. We were going to leave the country together. He knew somewhere we would be safe until this was over. At worse it would only be for four years. But they’re dead now.” Her eyes meet his and again they looked wise. “So am I, I think.”
“Not if I can help it.” This opened up so many possibilities they were virtually limitless. There was no point in endless speculation. Better to focus on what was at hand. “You still haven’t told me who attacked you and why. Did it have anything to do with your work as a courier?”
“Go to hell, Dan, if that is even your name! You tell Dick, or whoever it was that sent you, Julie Marei has nothing to say to anyone. Now leave me alone! Get out! I never wanted you here anyway!”
“I can’t do that.”
“You might as well because I have nothing more to tell you!”
“For one, I can’t get out of here until the weather lets up and I clear that tree from the road.”
“I don’t know anything about a tree. I think you made it up. Just go!”
“For another, the only chance I have to get out of this mess alive is to understand what is going on. I’m not leaving until you’ve told me, so get used to the idea. And we don’t have a lot of time. I wouldn’t waste any of it if I was you.”
She scowled. “You tell me you are in danger. I’m the one with the wounds, I’m the one those Algerian pigs jabbed cigarettes into. For all I know you’re just like them.”
“They tried to kill me, Julie. And if they had been successful you’d be dead right now.” He pulled a fresh pack of cigarettes from the carton and worked it open. His throat and mouth were raw from the smoke. “I spoke with your cousin, Nasr.”
“Salah?” She eyed him skeptically. “When?”
“Very early this morning.”
Her face softened. “He used to hide my dolls when I was little. He was always mean to me.”
“I think he loves you very much.”
“Yes. He does. What did you talk about?”
“Backgammon, among other things.”
“He’s very good at it. Don’t bet money though. When I was a little girl, he won all of my toys from me.”
“He believes I want to help and trusted me enough to let me find you.”
Marei turned her lovely face away from him in a slow roll of resignation and self-loathing. It was a very long time before she spoke. “If you want me to trust you, to tell you what happened, who stabbed me, why I’m here, then tell me who you are and why you’re in danger.” She met his eyes. “See if you can make it the truth.”
NINETEEN
The West Wing, 8:34 p.m.
Martin Karp pressed the mute button on the television remote as Becky Tufts replaced her portable microphone and embraced the adulation of the delegates. She could really be something sometimes he had to admit. After the news earlier that day it had been a gutsy performance. He lifted the telephone receiver.
“I’ve got the data you requested.” the voice said. “Just what interest do you have in this man Powers?”
“It’s like I told you before.”
“You’re not thinking about using him for anything are you?”
“Just give me the report.”
“Okay, but I sure hope you’ll keep him on your side. Otherwise, stay the hell away from him.”
“I told you I don’t expect to make friends.”
“That’s too bad. Here’s what I’ve got. Daniel Ryan Powers. Webster State College in St. Louis for two years, then enlisted U.S. Marine Corps in 1969. OCS, two tours Vietnam, detached duty second tour from October 1971 to December 1972. Separated three months later as a captain.”
“What’s ‘detached duty?’”
“It’s a black hole, that’s what it is. Very hush hush. Mostly oral orders for maximum deniability, teams from all branches of the military so everyone’s in on it and no service gains by blowing the whistle. If records ever existed they aren’t to be found now. I’d say CIA, maybe NSA, hell even the Defense Intelligence Agency. There are half a dozen others I can think of, who were making moves in the bush racking up chits inside the beltway.”
“What the hell would he have done?”
“Almost anything. Those guys worked the shadows. Black ops, wet jobs, intel rings, payoffs, drugs even. Anything’s possible and we’ll never know.”
“Go ahead.”
“Usual decorations, but get this...”
“I don’t care about that.”
“Just listen. Two Purple Hearts, one Silver Star and the DSC, that’s the Distinguished Service Cross for laymen. One step from the Medal of Honor. Very rare air. He saw combat. A lot of it.”
“All right. He’s some kind of war hero. What else?”
“Graduated from Webster State after discharge and heavily recruited by the CIA, which is why I think that’s who he was with in Nam, but apparently he’s a local boy at heart and instead joined the St. Louis Police Department, where he was soon in the minority as a white man. Uniform, but not long, then detective, promoted sergeant then a few months later to lieutenant, very fast track. Worked burglary, robbery, homicide, but excelled early at narcotics. That’s when it gets murky.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means I can’t nail anything down, all right? Just rumors and educated guesses, but I think my summary from here on is accurate. He was assigned to work directly for the chief of police to break up a heist crew run by local cops. Two attempts on his life, neither successful. He then solved four contract murders committed by a retired cop. The cop disappeared, presumed dead so there was no embarrassing trial.”
“He killed him?”
“No one’s saying. There’s those who think he did. Then it gets really mu
ddy, like I said. He was ordered to stop the Colombians from taking over the St. Louis drug market and given a great deal of latitude in how he did it. There are plenty who say he went way too far. The political decision was better the home boys they knew than violent foreign interlopers. He established excellent contacts with the traditional Italian mafia to accomplish it. He caught the mayor’s eye and was given several politically sensitive assignments. Even did one for the governor, much to his everlasting gratitude. This guy keeps his mouth shut, is very clever and relentless. For the last three years as a cop, he worked a joint state and federal task force which targeted the Russian mob. It looks like the same kind of deal: better our guys we know than the Russians. Once they’re in you won’t ever get them out. Ask the Germans. Powers spent a lot of time in Chicago, undercover is the story. Some work in Canada since this task force was hands across the border. They followed cases into the U.S. and hooked up with an American investigator, vice versa. I don’t know if your guy was one or not.”
“What the hell are you talking about? He’s just a Missouri hick cop!”
“And I’m Santa Claus. My best lead now would be to find a federal source with knowledge of this task force, but I’m reasonably certain the last thing you want is to alert federal law enforcement there is high level interest in Powers. Let me know if I’m wrong about that. Getting back to this task force. Your man used his mafia contacts, since the effect of keeping the Russians out was to protect them from a serious threat. As a result he developed very close alliances with three dons. Most notable is Carmine Gennarelli, out of Chicago, head of the family’s central state’s operations in gambling, loan sharking, and money laundering. Powers did these guys some favors and collected a lot of chits. I’m told Gennarelli’d give him the use of his wife and both of his daughters, if Powers said the word. That’s some favor he did the man and I don’t have a clue what it was. What I’m saying here is Powers is a player if he wants to be. He’s got OC connections, federal and very likely Canadian law enforcement contacts, and at the least I’d say he’s still got a friend or two in intelligence.”
“I can’t believe you’re even talking about the same man!”
“I don’t know how he comes across, but I’ll guarantee you he gives nothing away. I heard a story about this guy that I still don’t know if I ought to believe but it sure fits. I’d stay the hell away from him unless it’s entirely legitimate. If you’re already involved and have anyone on him be certain it’s the A team. Like I said, better Powers is your friend, or at the least not your enemy. There’s something else you should know.”
“What’s that?”
“Someone’s checking on you.”
“What are you saying?”
“Someone’s dug up your history, not the kind in your CV either. I thought you should know. I think its Powers.”
“Mother of Jesus.” Karp disconnected then punched a number. “I need Lily.” Pause. “Don’t tell me he isn’t available. I need him now!” Pause. “All right, you just do that!!”
Seven Fountains, 9:33 p.m.
Powers took time to brew a fresh pot of coffee and persuaded Marei to eat stew he heated from a can. He thought he detected a change in the storm outside, but when he went to the window it sounded and looked no different.
“Are you going to clean up and make the bed while you stall?” she said sarcastically.
“I guess I am putting it off. The problem I have isn’t that I don’t want to tell you who I am or my role in this, but it’s that I’m convinced persons at the White House want to kill you, and I’m not entirely persuaded yet that I’ve figured that part out. If you think the people or person you most fear sent me, then it will only reinforce your suspicion that I’m really here to kill you. The truth is I believe I’ve been a patsy. I’m not entirely certain, though, who is behind it.”
“I don’t know the word.”
“I’ve been used. I’m a dupe.”
“I see. That doesn’t say much for you, does it?”
“Perhaps when you hear how this began you’ll be more charitable.”
“So tell me, though I’m warning you I don’t feel very forgiving tonight.”
“I can understand that.” He returned to his seat. “I’m a former police officer. My wife and son died last year and I retired.”
“I took you for military.”
“I was in the armed forces many years ago and saw a great deal of action. I suppose it leaves its imprint on you. My police work has had its moments as well.”
“Where did they get you from? What are you doing here?”
“I am a childhood friend of someone at the White House who asked me to help, for their sake and for the good of the country. No one said anything to me about you’re having been attacked or wanting you dead. I was told you were trying to blackmail the President and my role was to negotiate a settlement with you and recover the sex tapes.”
“I never tried to blackmail the President. I already told you that.”
“I believe you. I was lied to. But maybe the person who told me that was also lied to.”
"They’re using you," Marei said contemptuously. "They've already got the tapes from my apartment. They sent you after me! They want me dead!!”
“I know.”
“So why would they want to kill you? You’re one of them!”
“I’m not part of them. I’m an outsider brought in to perform a function, someone with no known ties to the White House. At first it appeared you were dead and it seemed someone had left the mess in your apartment and taken your body away.”
“But you cleverly figured out I was not dead.” She was sarcastic again.
“That’s right. You weren’t in a hospital, so that meant you were hiding somewhere. You required medical care so I ran down your uncle. Your friend Yvette gave me this clue. I don’t know if it was intentional or accidental.”
“She wasn’t a very good spy and had to be very upset. When are you going to tell me who your friend is?” It wasn’t a casual question, and he could see her brace herself for the answer.
“I was raised in Shalom, Missouri and have known...” Marei’s eyes grew the size of silver dollars and again her faced drained of color. She involuntarily crossed herself and muttered under her breath in French. “I’m not here to hurt you,” he continued. “You must trust me.”
“Mere de Dieu!”
“It’s all right, Julie. I understand why you are so afraid of me, but there is no reason. I’m not here to harm you.”
Her grey eyes bleached to the color of ash. "It was her! His wife! She attacked me! Mon Dieu, you are going to kill me, aren't you?"
“No.” He paused then said, “But I was sent to find you so someone else could.”
TWENTY
Seven Fountains, 10:09 p.m.
“It came apart Saturday night,” Marei said in a monotone 20 minutes later. It had taken that long to calm her down enough to speak. “Can you believe that was only three days ago? Dick was in a vindictive mood and complained constantly about his wife. He was drunk and rambling about divorcing her once he was reelected. I tried to talk him out of it. He said I could move into the White House then, wouldn’t I like that? I told him he was talking crazy. Because of his drinking it was a difficult night sexually for him, but it turned out all right, better than all right actually, and he left in high spirits. Perhaps two hours after he left, she arrived. I was shocked. That had never happened before and I had never seen her in person. She was made up, expensive perfume, clinging clothes, very chic. I thought she was going somewhere special and had stopped to see me on the way.”
Marei’s eyes dropped and she struggled to keep awake but they were near the end of it. “Go ahead,” he said.
“She told me she knew her husband saw me, that he had been with me earlier that night. She said she didn’t care, they had worked this out many years before. She hoped we could be friends. Her manner was nothing like I expected and I found it... unsettling. I
remember thinking for just an instant that she was crazy. When she asked for a glass of wine and smiled at me a certain way, I realized she was dressed to see me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Americans. I often wonder how you manage. She was seducing me. You see now?”
“You’re certain?”
Marei made a distinctly Gallic gesture with her mouth and said, “A woman knows when she’s being seduced whether it’s by a man, woman or couple. You understand what I’m telling you about what was taking place that night?”
“I’m not sure I do.”
“It’s a very feminine thing. A man might seduce the wife of an enemy to get revenge, so could a woman seduce a husband, but a woman like her... She wanted to have me too, you see? I think what she was really after was to steal me away. What better revenge? It isn’t the first time a lesbian made the attempt, but I’d never experienced anything like that before.” Marei lit a fresh cigarette. “I made it clear I had no interest in her sexually and asked her to leave. She became angry. I think I was too sudden... that’s not it... abrupt... that’s the word. She called me a slut, that was the word, slut. Since that night I have had much time to remember what happened. I think a lot of things about it. I do believe she is insane. I even think I know why. On Saturday, though, she was jealous that her husband found me fulfilling. She couldn’t deal with it for some reason. She said I wasn’t to see him again. I was feeling, what’s the word? Proud? Haughty, I think that’s it. I told her she couldn’t keep me from seeing him. He was the President and could do what he wanted. It wasn’t very smart of me, I can see now. If she couldn’t take me away from him, or drive me away, then...” She closed her eyes and for a moment Powers believed she had fallen asleep. She resumed speaking without opening her eyelids.
“She stormed into the little kitchen, shouting at me. I couldn’t understand her words. Then, without warning, she came at me with a butcher knife! I was so shocked I didn’t react at first. It all happened so fast I don’t remember much of it. She was screaming and slashing at me. I was trying to keep the knife away from me and fought her off with my hands and arms. She was a maniac and just kept slicing at me. Finally she stabbed me here,” the woman opened her eyes and gestured towards her abdomen. “The knife went in so deeply, she looked so satisfied, I thought I was dead. I collapsed from the shock and lay there thinking I was bleeding to death. I didn’t move, or beg. I was trying to comprehend what was happening to me, trying to accept my death. And I must have looked as if I was dead. She thought I was because she didn’t stab me again. She stood there breathing heavily, muttering to herself words I couldn’t understand. It was very quiet. I could hear my heart and feel the blood gushing out of me.
Shadows and Lies Page 19
