“Then that vile little dark haired woman with the ugly glasses came in. They talked in whispers about what had happened. Dick’s wife became hysterical and started sobbing. She was quite out of her mind. Then that person slapped her repeatedly. She struck her very hard, like a man might. She told her again and again that she’d take care of it, that everything was going to be fine. I was just some... whore and no one would ever miss me. I don’t remember much after that. I was frightened the evil woman would slit my throat just to be certain I was really dead. But she didn’t. She grabbed my hair, lifted my head up and stared at my face. I didn’t move, or breathe. I’ve never been so frightened. Then she just let my head drop. She took Dick’s wife out of the apartment but I knew I didn’t have long. Someone was going to be back for me, and even if I was still alive by then, I didn’t think I would be very long after that. I did the best I could to stop the bleeding then got out. You know the rest. I drove to my uncle’s and he saved my life. I was able to drive myself here. I don’t know how.” Her voice drifted off. With this last she fell asleep.
Outside the wind and rain continued. Powers covered the young woman with the blanket and turned out the lights. He moved a Shaker straight-back chair beside a kitchen table and turned it facing the front door where he had a view into the darkness of the storm. He finished a pack of cigarettes by the time his mind exhausted itself.
Just before midnight the cell phone rang. Powers answered on the first ring. It was Carmine. He listened without commenting, then thanked the man. Afterwards, with the heavy duty flashlight he began a systematic search of the cabin. Marei was so deeply asleep he knew he couldn’t possibly waken her, not that it would matter. It took nearly two hours, but in a bedroom wall he found the tapes and along with them copies of documents. With the letters was a notarized statement, in both French and English, signed by Marei and dated two weeks earlier. It confirmed she had been a courier for the President and provided details. It read in part, “I have released these letters because I believe my life is in danger, and that only making my role public will provide me with a measure of protection. I urge the media to publish these communiques at once, not only for my sake, but so the world can know the truth about what has been occurring between the presidents of the United States and Iraq.”
He read the communiques, then with the sound set low played each tape through in its entirety. Afterwards, he placed the tapes and letters into an athletic bag the agents had used to carry their weapons. For the remainder of the night he stripped the firearms by feel, wiped them clean then reassembled them.
They’d come when the weather lifted.
WEDNESDAY, August 15
United Wire Service, New York, N.Y.
FLASH FLASH FLASH
Rebecca Gordon Tufts presentation to the Democratic National Convention last night gave the gathering the highest television ratings so far this week. The overnight Nelson ratings confirm that her national viewer audience exceeded even Republican candidate Hugh Guthers acceptance speech earlier this month. In a confident and relaxed manner the First Lady worked the audience like talk show host Oprah Winfrey, but made no mention of the adverse ruling by the Supreme Court earlier today. The nominations for President and Vice President will take place tonight.
MORE TO FOLLOW.....
TWENTY-ONE
Seven Fountains, 5:41 a.m.
It was more night than morning when Powers slipped on one of the dead men’s jackets. Marei was tightly bundled in her blanket on the couch so he turned up the cabin heat then drove the Explorer down the road to the fallen tree. At first glance there appeared to be no change in the wind and rain, but he could sense a lessening of its intensity. The radio said the storm was at last advancing north, having caused extensive damage throughout Virginia, Maryland, and portions of West Virginia.
He slipped a nylon tow rope around the lighter end of the tree, fighting with his footing on the rain slick ground every second. It took three attempts before the four-wheel-drive managed to nudge it clear. To his dismay he found the road blocked by smaller trees farther along but only one was enough of an obstacle to requiring moving. The public roads were liable to be just as bad, he realized. Satisfied they could at least get away from the cabin, Powers drove back arriving just as the rain lifted, leaving the beaten area scrubbed fresh and smelling like the dawn of the first of all days.
~
Powers moved with a sense of urgency. Marei was difficult to rouse, but he persisted until she opened her eyes, as if emerging from an opiate dream. She blinked lazily and focused on his face with difficulty. “We have to leave,” he said. “The storm’s lifting and they’ll be here any time. We have to be somewhere else before that. Can you make it to the bathroom by yourself or should I carry you?”
She winced in pain the moment she moved, but with considerable effort managed on her own, though very tentatively. He stripped blankets from one of the beds then carried them and a few supplies to her Taurus. In these conditions it was always possible they could be stranded for a time. He placed the weapons into a second athletic bag, keeping only the Walther 380 on him. He placed it in the pocket of the jacket. He would have preferred to take the Explorer given the road conditions but it might be recognized. Carmine was going to be unhappy about the condition of the Cadillac he was leaving behind.
Back inside the cabin, Marei had spread a white Navy blanket across her shoulders and stood uncertainly near the door. The wind flapped the blanket from her and she shivered. She had slipped her dainty feet into oversized galoshes and looked exceptionally vulnerable. He took her arm and considered just carrying her to the car when she said, “Wait! There’s something I must get.”
“I found the tapes and documents last night. They’re already in the car. You failed to mention taking them with you when you left your apartment, but I thought they’d be here.”
She looked up at him, first in anger, then in defiance. “You think you know so much, don’t you? I didn’t take them. They were already here. Yvette suggested it for my protection. And I never kept the letters in the apartment anyway.”
“Why didn’t you tell the Frenchmen?”
Marei drew her chin up and said, “I wasn’t so weak with them as I said.”
“Good girl, Julie.”
Her face softened. “Maybe...”
“What?”
“Maybe, it’s not too late, after all. If we can get the letters published and let Dick know I have the tapes, then Nasr can find somewhere to hide me until this is over.”
“That’s the plan. Come on. Move carefully. We don’t want to reopen anything.” He eased her awkwardly onto the porch and had decided carrying her would be the better way when he heard the car engine.
“Back inside,” he ordered. “Someone’s coming.”
“Oh no! No!! Tell them I won’t say anything. I won’t, really I won’t!”
“Come on.” He lifted her up and carried her into the cabin, kicked a bedroom door open then placed her in a corner. “Wait. I’ll be back for you. I promise.”
She clung to his arm. Outside the vehicle was drawing close. “Dan.”
“What?”
“I... “
”It’s all right. I’m scared too.”
Powers stepped onto the front porch as the green BMW emerged from the trees then came to a stop well behind the Taurus. There was no sound of another vehicle though he wasn’t certain how far away he could hear with the wind. He stood waiting as Alta stepped out, stretched, then pushed her glasses up to the bridge of her nose and smiled at him as if he’d been a bad boy.
The White House, 6:08 a.m.
Karp joined the First Lady at her private dining room as he did infrequently. Her face was drawn with strain and she wore too much makeup. “Marty, surprised to see you this early.”
“I was surprised to learn you were here. I hadn’t expected you back so soon from the Big Apple.” He helped himself to a cup of black coffee.
“I was schedul
ed to attend some dreary fund raiser at the Ritz and couldn’t stand the thought, so I feigned exhaustion, which wasn’t too hard, and came back. I’m just sick of them, especially the Asians. They smile constantly and without an ounce of sincerity.”
“Like a politician.”
Becky looked at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It was an early morning attempt at humor.” He lowered his voice. “I wouldn’t blow too many of those off. The campaign’s going to need the money – and don’t forget where the cash goes.”
The First Lady smiled like a conspirator. “What’s the count?”
“You’re up to $20 million. Not a bad personal nest egg.”
“I suppose. How much has Dick got?
“I’m not privy to that information. My guess is more than $30 million.”
“The bastard. Always gives me the short end of the stick. I’m having an omelet. Join me?”
“No, I had a bagel in the limo. I just dropped by to have an undisturbed chat. You’re staying here for the nominations tonight, then, what? Flying to New York tomorrow for the acceptance speech?”
“That’s it. Dick’s here today and we’ll travel together tomorrow. What do you want to talk about Marty? I have a busy day.”
Karp drew himself up. “Last Saturday night, while you were knocked out on Librium, Chesty gave me copies of the video tapes between Dick and his mistress. He’d found them in her apartment when he went back for what he thought was going to be a body.”
Becky Tufts lowered her cup. “So you’ve had them all along,” she said without surprise. Her look was not pleasant.
“That’s right. We share a common objective in seeing the woman is taken care of, but I always had the tapes.”
“What is it you want, as if I don’t already know?”
“Dick and I will be speaking today, but I’m giving you the gist of it now, to avoid later hysterics. I’ll be moving up to chief of staff with broad discretionary powers. I’ll be naming some positions on the FCC and a few other regulatory agencies. And I’ll be taking 30% of the cash from today on, his and yours, for my own little offshore nest egg.”
“That’s blackmail, honey.”
“It’s power, Becky. Isn’t that what this is really all about? I’ve got it and the only crime left inside the beltway is not using it.”
“You’d really let those tapes out?”
“Stand back and watch, if I don’t get my way.”
The First Lady placed her hand on his jacket sleeve. “I thought we were friends. Much more than that, Marty.”
Karp moved his arm bruskly. “The bloom has been off the rose for some time, my dear. Frankly, I enjoyed you better when you were an eager beaver law school graduate, ready to drop your pants or, even better, drop to your knees at the slightest opportunity, to prove your liberal convictions, and, of course, fuck and suck your way to whatever you were after. The best part of this new deal for me on a personal level is that I don’t have to screw you anymore.” Karp rose. “From now on you’ll be jumping to my orders. Get used to the idea.”
The First Lady took time to finish her coffee before speaking. “Marty, you should know that the President and I had a long talk about you last night.”
“If this is some feeble attempt at a threat you should...”
She cut him off. “Sometimes, lover,” she smiled warmly, “things just aren’t the way they appear. Have a nice day.”
Seven Fountains, 6:13 a.m.
Alta approached Powers tentatively across the rain slick ground. “I was so worried about you, Danny.” She was wearing Levis under her raincoat and a blue wool blazer. Both flapped in the wind. Her shoes were brown penny loafers.
“Why was that?” he said scanning the tree line to be certain no one was approaching on foot.
“You snuck away in the dead of night, and after, you know, we did it again, you just crawled away. Then you were so strange on the telephone yesterday and I’ve had no idea where you’ve been, or what you’ve been up to. I’ve been worried sick. Is she here?” She stepped towards him.
“Inside.”
“You’ve done a good a job. Have you worked the deal out with her? Did she give you the tapes?”
“Stop there, please.”
Alta stopped at once. “I don’t understand.”
“What are you doing here, Alta?”
“I came to talk to you.” She looked up at the sky. “It’s starting to rain again. Can I at least come in while you give me the third degree?”
“Are you alone?”
“Of course.” She smiled. “Danny, it’s me. I can explain everything. I think you’re in danger and I’ve come to warn you. Please!”
“Come in then.”
The White House, 6:14 a.m.
The First Lady picked up the telephone once Karp was out of the room. “I just had the most interesting conversation with Marty.” She listened. “Yes, that’s about it. When he’s back with word and the items, then I agree, we should get on with it, assuming Lily’s done his part.” She listened as she sipped fresh coffee. “Have it your way,” she said then hung up.
TWENTY-TWO
Seven Fountains, 6:15 a.m.
Alta glanced over the interior as she entered, then cleaned her glasses with a handkerchief. In the humidity and heat of the cabin they misted over as soon as they were back on her nose. “Cozy. Those damn trees across the road made me stay in my car all night. It was miserable. If you hadn’t cleared them I’d still be out there. Where is she?”
“In back.”
“She’s all right then?”
“She’s surviving but needs medical care. I think she’s likely bleeding internally. How did you find me?”
“I think we have more to talk about than...” Alta stopped speaking as she leveled a revolver at Powers. “Please, don’t move, Danny. I don’t want to kill you.” It was a Colt .38 revolver, their lady’s model with the smaller grip, but more than enough gun at close quarters. She handled it as if she’d had training, because it never once wavered from his torso. “To answer your question: there’s a transponder in your cellular telephone. Chesty always knew where you were. I’m surprised you didn’t throw it away when you left the city.” Her voice turned cold. “Tell her to get out here.”
“Why you and not Shanken?”
Alta arched her eyebrow. “Because you’d never have let Chesty this close, would you? Now tell her to come out.”
“No.”
“Don’t be like that. I have to...” She stopped. “Marei!! Come out here!! I’ve got a gun. I’ll kill Danny, then kill you if you don’t come. Don’t make that necessary. All I want is to work something out. You can both leave after that, but if you refuse to talk to me then you leave me no choice. Now get out here before you make me do something you’ll regret!” There was no response for a very long time. “Can she move on her own?” Alta asked in a normal voice.
Powers shrugged.
Just then Marei eased the bedroom door open and peered out, looking terrified. “Don’t point the gun at me,” she said softy.
“I won’t,” Alta answered. “I just don’t want any misunderstandings. Sit on the couch while we talk. Danny, you stand there. I don’t want to shoot you, you must know that, but I’ll do what I have to. Don’t move at all.”
Marei shuffled very slowly across the floor with her blanket about her then collapsed on the couch, looking up at the gun in utter fear.
Alta sounded amazed as she said, “It never occurred to me you could still be alive until Danny turned up your uncle.”
“Is he...?”
“So far. We haven’t found him yet – but we will.” Alta’s glasses were still misty. She gave Powers a look which said “stay put,” then partially wiped them one handed with a clean handkerchief.
“Now what?” he asked.
She almost gave an apologetic smile. “Isn’t it obvious?”
Marei said, “Oh no, please no!”
“Sh
ut up!” Alta snapped.
“Don’t do this, Alta. You aren’t a murderer. You’ve come so far. Just walk away.”
“If you knew the least thing about me you’d know why that’s impossible.”
“Tell me about it,” Powers asked softly.
He didn’t think she’d answer him, she hesitated so long. Then she said, “You know the old joke about what’s a hillbilly virgin? Where I come from, a 10-year-old virgin’s any girl who can run faster than her brothers. Well, I wasn’t fast enough. You can’t imagine what life was like, especially after mama died. I was 14 before I found a soldier on leave willing to take me out of that. I worked every single day after that to rid myself of every last vestige of that existence. I did what I had to, no matter how unpleasant, or demeaning. Six hard years later Mrs. Tufts hired me. It was the greatest day of my life. I was being sucked down, turned into nothing. She saved me, Danny.” Her lower lip quivered. “If you only knew. I tried to warn you, I really did. The hardest part is how much I like you. But that’s the way it has to be. I knew that Sunday night.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“If you love something, you lose it. That’s the price.”
Shadows and Lies Page 20
