Vanishing Act

by Fern Michaels

  “People,” Harry snapped. “Lots of people. Some are jogging, some are running. Some are sitting under the trees eating. I see the vendor’s cart. I don’t see the girls. I also don’t see our quarry. Do you see any of Snowden’s people?”

  Jack shifted his sunglasses. “I don’t see anyone I know. Jesus, you don’t think this was a dry run, do you? It would be just like Snowden to pull something like that.”

  “Why?” Harry asked, his gaze sweeping the crowds of people.

  “Because you attempted to usurp his authority by having your people out there on Monarch. In case you haven’t figured it out, Harry, Snowden is very territorial. And he’s afraid of you, you terrorist, you.”

  Harry took his gaze away from the crowds to look at Jack in disbelief. “Do you really believe that?”

  “Nah. But you have to admit, it sounded good. C’mon, we need to pick up those syringes. The girls should be arriving shortly. You know Charles, everything is synchronized down to the last second. Move it, Harry!”

  “Shit, Jack! Look at that line!”

  “I have the magic bullet, Harry.” Jack held up a crisp hundred-dollar bill and waved it in front of Harry’s face.

  “And when those sweaty people standing in line attack you for trying to cut ahead of them, what are you going to do?”

  “I’m going to let you take care of them. Strawberry or blueberry? We have to make it look good. The third one will have the syringes in it. Oh, I’m supposed to say I’m picking up the senator’s Sno-Cones. That’s my ID.”

  “How stupid is that? Snowden, right?”

  Jack laughed. “Yeah. I think he saw the same episode of Law & Order that I did.

  “If he acts up, I can always shoot him in the ass instead of you. Now do you feel better?”

  Harry looked at Jack and smiled. “You know what, Jack, that does make me feel better. I’m seeing the silly side to you, and I actually like it.”

  Jack moved away. Harry never complimented anyone. “Oh, goodie, we’re here!” Walking up to the front of the line, Jack asked the vendor, “Hey, buddy, you got the strawberry, blueberry, and the surprise-him-with-the-third-one the senator wants? He said he called ahead.”

  Disgruntled sweaty runners started to mumble among themselves.

  “Hey, cool it, dudes. The senator said your cones are on him.” Jack whipped out a fifty-dollar bill and handed it to the first guy in line. “Be honest,” he warned.

  Harry reached for the cones. Jack steered him away. “The strawberry is mine. Hey, look, there’s Nikki.” He moved forward and handed over the cardboard carton. “It’s in the one that looks like banana.” He moved off.

  “Where’s mine, Jack?”

  “They didn’t have tofu or that shitty green-tea flavor. You want a lick of mine?” A second later the Sno-Cone was in Jack’s eyes, up his nose, and trickling down his cheeks.”

  “Now I really am going to shoot your ass off, Harry Wong.”

  “You’re going to have to postpone that. I see one of Snowden’s people. See that guy in the purple shorts, the one with the high-and-tight haircut? He’s at three o’clock. I can’t be sure of this, but I think our quarry is at eleven o’clock, and they appear to be eating a packaged lunch. Hot dogs would be my guess.”

  “Then we go counterclockwise, so we’re behind the quarry. Are they looking around or are they eating or pretending to eat?”

  “They’re having an intense conversation, and, no, they aren’t paying attention to the runners or joggers or the food. This is just a guess, but from what I can see, it looks like they’re fighting.”

  “Let’s get into position and wait to see how this plays out.”

  Across the Basin, Nikki Quinn and Kathryn Lucas did a few stretches and limbering-up exercises before they jogged off.

  “First lap will tell us what’s going on. We can always stop and wait to see if they get up or if they just keep sitting there,” Kathryn said. “If they stick with the picnic scene, we’re going to have a problem. I wish the others were here.”

  “There was nothing for Annie and Myra to do. Besides, it’s too hot out here for them. And they have to be available to take the deliveries Charles has arranged. Yoko and Isabelle are here somewhere, but not as a duo, just as single runners. Alexis is replenishing her Red Bag, and I think at the last minute Charles wanted her to go to the Post. I don’t know why.”

  Kathryn chewed on her bottom lip. “Did anyone say what’s in the hypodermics?”

  Nikki laughed. “Just something to make them slow down. They’ll suddenly feel lethargic. It will be hard for them to put one foot in front of the other. It should last about four hours. We’ll be right there to help them out. Too much sun, not enough water. We don’t have refills, if that means anything.”

  Kathryn shrugged. “It means nothing. A good left hook will take care of that situation. What are they doing now? Where are the guys? Damn, I wish I could see better.”

  “Everyone is behind them. We’re at two o’clock now. Uh-oh!”

  “What? What!”

  “Looks to me like a small band of hoodlums coming up fast. The backpack is just sitting there on the ground. The woman still has the purse around her neck, it’s just a little one, no weight to it. The backpack looks like it’s loaded and heavy. Jack and Harry see it, too. They’re moving faster. Some runners are in between them. Faster, Kathryn!”

  “Where’s Snowden’s guy?” Kathryn huffed.

  “I don’t know, can’t see him.”

  And then it all went wrong.

  Sweat dripping into her eyes, Nikki brushed at her forehead with the inside of her arm as the group of slovenly youths closed in on the couple. A second later they had the woman’s purse and the backpack and were running like racehorses.

  “What the hell? They’re just sitting there? Now what?” Kathryn exploded.

  “Of course they’re just sitting there. If you were them, you’d be doing the same thing. Do you really think they’re going to call the cops? I-don’t-think-so!” Nikki said.

  “Then why aren’t they chasing those kids to get back their belongings? The guy looked pretty buff and in condition in the pictures we saw. Maybe there was nothing important in the bags. There were six of them against two. Mostly women runners ahead and behind. Maybe they thought no one would help them.”

  “Or, was it all a setup? Those hoodlums moved in, took the bag, and will return it at some point in time. Maybe they made us,” Nikki said.

  “What now?” Kathryn asked, skidding to a stop close to where Jack and Harry were standing mopping their faces with the tails of their shirts but close enough that she could converse with them. “Where’s Snowden’s guy?”

  “Up ahead, the guy with the high-and-tight haircut. Says it was a setup.”

  Nikki felt like shouting that she’d called it, but she kept quiet. “Did any of his people take off after those hoods?”

  “I think so, but you know Snowden’s guys. Everything is NTK.”

  “Yeah, well, that’s getting real old, real quick. We need to know what’s going on,” Nikki said.

  No sooner were the words out of Nikki’s mouth than her cell buzzed in her pocket. She mouthed the words, “It’s Yoko and Isabelle.” She listened, her jaw dropping, and then ended the call. “You guys are not going to believe this but those two ran after the hoods. Yoko took them all out. Isabelle said it only took her three intense minutes. They have the bags, and Isabelle called 911. They’re on their way back to the Watergate.”

  “Holy shit!” Jack said.

  Harry grinned from ear to ear.

  Nikki looked at Kathryn.

  Kathryn looked at Nikki.

  Jack and Harry shrugged and moved off.

  “Which one do you want, Kathryn?”

  “I’ll take the woman.”

  “Guess I have Mr. Charisma. Let’s do it!”

  Chapter 19

  Nikki settled the billed cap a little lower on her forehead. Kathryn did the sam
e thing. With their shorts and sneakers, their bodies dripping with sweat, they looked just like all the other runners and joggers. They slowed as they approached Bonnie and Clyde. Then, on the whispered count of three they were behind the couple, their hands pressed hard into the duo’s shoulders.

  “Well, hi there, Clyde!” Nikki said cheerfully. “Don’t be foolish and make a move. Breathe shallowly, or I’ll snap your neck. My partner will do the same to that lovely lady sitting next to you. I want you to sit really still so I can give you something.”

  When Bonnie moved her head, Kathryn gave her a swat and jabbed the syringe deep into her well-muscled arm.

  The man ignored Nikki and looked up.

  Nikki clamped her hands tightly over the man’s ears. “I told you not to move.” The syringe found its mark. “Anyone paying attention to us?”

  “Doesn’t look like it,” Kathryn said, her gaze raking the runners and joggers.

  She sat down and wrapped her arms around her knees. Nikki did the same thing.

  “How you doing there, Clyde?” Nikki asked. “Remember that Gumbi doll you had when you were a kid? Well, that’s how you’re going to feel for a good long while.”

  “Who…what…?”

  “Need to know, big guy,” Kathryn said as she kept scanning the runners and joggers.

  “Vigi…vig…” Bonnie bleated.

  Nikki laughed as she said, “Viti, vigi, vegi,” referring to an old I Love Lucy segment, her very favorite. “Well, you got it half-right. Isn’t it great, Kathryn, that these skanks recognize us as the infamous vigilantes?”

  “Yeah, just great,” Kathryn said. Her gaze never left the Basin. “No one is paying attention.”

  “We still need to wait a little while. Some of those runners are going to do a second lap. We want to appear the same as when they did the first lap, just four friends enjoying a picnic on a hot July afternoon.” Nikki scooted around until she was facing the dopey-looking pair. “Thought you were smart with that little heist a while ago, huh? Just so you know, it didn’t work.”

  Clyde tried to hold his head up, but he was fighting a losing battle.

  “Look alive, you two! Well, try to look alive. Over there, past the Sno-Cone guy and through that stand of cherry trees. I see cops! I see six kids being handcuffed. I can’t see that plaid bag or that itty-bitty purse that was hanging around your neck. You know why I can’t see them?” Kathryn singsonged. “Our partners have them. And now we have you, and the police have those kids. My questions would be: Where did these two make contact? And are those kids going to point us out? Oh, yeah, they’re all looking at us as I speak. Think, Nikki! Quick! Those cops are going to split up and be here before you know it. Where the hell are Snowden’s people?”

  Nikki looked around, her eyes desperate behind her dark glasses. The only word that screamed in her mind was “diversion.” But who was going to create it?

  “Do you see what I’m seeing?” Kathryn hissed.

  “Oh, yeah,” Nikki hissed in return as she stared across the Basin at Alexis, Joe Espinosa, and Maggie Spritzer. “How long do you think we have?”

  “Depends on whether we have to drag these two or they can walk. We’re going to need some help. I’m thinking.”

  “C’mon, Clyde, up and at ’em. If you aren’t on your feet in two seconds, I’m going to shove this needle up your ass so far you’re going to think you’re at a proctologist’s,” Nikki said.

  Clyde was on his feet, wobbly but upright. He stumbled, and suddenly Nikki saw a tall, bronzed man was beside her, reaching down to help him to his feet.

  “Follow me, ma’am.”

  Before Nikki could blink, the muscled giant had Clyde over his shoulder and was so far ahead of them Nikki had to double-time it to catch up. Bonnie received the same treatment from the giant’s twin. Kathryn raced to keep up.

  “I saw a movie once where two Navy SEAL guys carried a telephone pole on their shoulders. Kathryn, do you think…?”

  “Yeah, I think, but who cares? I sure as hell hope those two guys belong to Snowden,” Kathryn gasped. “Can you see Alexis?”

  “Yeah, they’re all running this way. How long do you think we have?”

  “That bus left, Nikki. We’re out of time. Damn, I thought I was in shape. It’s the heat, we aren’t used to it. We need to split up once we get past the Sno-Cone guy.”

  “Right. Sun’s going to go down soon. Clouds moving in. Rain, maybe.” Nikki gasped again as she swiped at the sweat pooling on her neck. “This is where we split. I’ll see you when I see you, Kathryn.”

  Nikki looked up once in her haste to get away. She loved how the Basin was surrounded by the Jefferson Memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. The 107 acres were a vision of beauty in the spring. How many times she and Jack had come here during their courtship. She had a favorite picture of the two of them surrounded by the cherry blossom branches that Jack had asked some tourist to take. It was her most treasured belonging.

  Tears stung her eyes and mixed with the sweat that was rolling down her face. Don’t think, just run. Run like the Devil is on your heels. Don’t look back, just run. She was on Fifteenth Street, certain she wasn’t going to make it to Raoul Wallenberg Place, where she felt she would be safe, when she heard a shout directed at her. “Hey, good lookin’, you want a ride?”

  Damn straight she wanted a ride, but not with some derelict on a motorbike. She looked up at the lone rider and almost fainted.

  “If you slow down, I’ll be happy to climb on. God, Jack, another minute, and I was going to lose it. How’d you know I…?”

  “Gut instinct. Hold on. Can you reach the helmet? Try, Nik. We can’t risk getting pulled over now. Harry’s going to report his bike stolen any minute, if he hasn’t already.”

  “Oh, my God, you stole Harry’s Ducati! This bike is his most prized possession next to Yoko, not that Yoko is a possession. You know what I mean,” Nikki gasped as she settled herself on the back of the cycle.

  “Yeah, but don’t worry, I have a gun. Hang on!”

  “Everyone knows Harry can stop a bullet in midair with two fingers. I know you can’t shoot worth a damn. You’re going to have to do better than that, Jack.”

  Within minutes, Jack weaved the Ducati into and out of almost bumper-to-bumper traffic. Horns blared, curses following him through open car windows. He ignored it all as he barreled his way around corners and down side streets until he hit Independence Avenue.

  Twenty minutes later, he slowed and cruised Virginia Avenue. “I’m going to drop you off here, Nik. You only have three blocks to go. You can hoof it, right?”

  “Sure. No problem.” Nikki leaned over and kissed Jack so hard he thought he was going to black out. “That’s for loving me as much as I love you.”

  His head spinning, Jack managed to get out a garbled sentence, which was, “Call Harry and tell him I have his bike.” His eyes glazed over, he managed to return the kiss Nikki blew in his direction before she sprinted down Virginia Avenue. He waited a minute to see if anyone was paying attention to her or if she had a tail. When he was sure she was in the clear, he maneuvered the Ducati back into traffic.

  Nikki was heading for the main door of the Watergate when a young woman came up alongside her. She, too, had been jogging.

  “I haven’t seen you around here. You new to the building?” she asked Nikki.

  A warning bell went off inside Nikki’s head. “I’m just visiting my two aunts. Actually, I’m heading back to New Hampshire in the morning. How do you stand this awful heat?” Was the woman staring at her a little too carefully? Yes, she was, Nikki decided. She knew instinctively she had to get away from her.

  “You get used to it. How do you stand those winters in New Hampshire?”

  “You get used to it. No state tax in New Hampshire, that’s an incentive.” Nikki couldn’t be sure, but she thought she saw something flicker, some sign of recognition.

  Nikki was the first one in the elevator. “
What floor?”

  “Seventeen.” The woman removed her sunglasses and stepped sideways to get a better look at Nikki. At least that was Nikki’s first thought. Nikki kept her glasses on and stared ahead as she pressed the button that would let her off at the fourth floor.

  “You look familiar,” the woman said. Her tone was now different, not exactly suspicious but different from the casual repartee they’d been having.

  Nikki’s heartbeat quickened. “People say that all the time. I do soap commercials. Maybe that’s where you’ve seen me. Ah, here’s my floor. Nice talking to you.”

  “Hey, what apartment are you in? I’m always looking for a running partner. I’m in 1706. If you ever come back, just knock on my door.”

  Nikki waved airily. “Nice to know. Seventeen oh six, I’ll remember that.” She was out the door before the woman could ask again for her apartment number.

  Nikki immediately ran down the hall to the red EXIT sign. She galloped up the four flights of stairs to the eighth floor. She almost jumped out of her skin when she saw Kathryn sitting on the top step.

  “Something’s wrong with me, Nikki. I can’t move.”

  “You need water. So do I. Just sit here, I’ll be right back.”

  “Like I’m really going to go somewhere. If John Law shows up in the next few minutes, I’m done for.”

  Nikki was back within minutes, her arms full. “Drink the water first, then the Gatorade.” She followed her own instructions as she sat down next to Kathryn and swigged until both bottles were empty.

  “What’s going on?” Kathryn asked.

  “Myra and Annie are holding the fort. Annie said Charles called and said his people will be delivering a package once it gets dark. I take that to mean Bonnie and Clyde. No one else is here yet.” She went on to explain how Jack had found her and brought her home. “I was ready to cave, Kathryn. How did you make it here on your own?”

  “Honest to God, Nikki, I don’t know. I just kept pushing. My blisters have blisters. I’m afraid to take off my sneakers and socks. Fear is my only answer.”