The Senator's Choice

by Noel Nash

  Matthews didn’t wait for the final door to slam before he jammed his foot on the gas and left the burning structure behind. He whipped the vehicle onto the main road and headed back toward the airfield.

  “Any progress, Shepherd?” Matthews asked.

  “Actually, I think I’ve got something.”

  “Seriously?”

  “So, I had to run a cross analysis of all the executives on the Ophion payroll likely to be able to afford a home in such a remote location with all the properties west of the Mississippi River since I’m using the factor that the kidnappers weren’t likely to retrace their steps again based on the probability of—”

  “English, Shepherd. Just spit it out in English,” Matthews growled.

  “I found a home located in Colorado due west of Denver that would fit the description in the Arapaho National Forest. The property even has a helipad.”

  “Can you get visual confirmation that there’s a helicopter there right now?”

  “Give me a second.” Shepherd pounded on his laptop keyboard. “Satellite imaging coming online.” He paused. “Yes, yes, I can. There is a helicopter there right now, though I can’t confirm if it’s the same one.”

  “It’s the same one,” Matthews said. “Trust me.” He smiled for the first time in a few days, forgetting for just a minute the stakes and enjoying the hunt and the momentary pleasure of getting ahead of Luke’s kidnappers.”

  He rubbed his face and let his grin grow. “Boys, we’re gonna go get Luke back.”

  Hammond broke into his falsetto voice and started crooning John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High.” It didn’t last long. Matthews plugged in Shepherd’s phone and cranked up Rachmaninoff. He looked in the rearview mirror and watched Shepherd swaying to the strings with his eyes closed.

  For once, no one complained.

  CHAPTER 31

  SENATOR DANIELS APPROACHED the pre-check security line at the Port Columbus International Airport but froze when he heard his name called by a familiar voice.

  “Jeffrey! Jeffrey! Wait!” He spun around to see Sarah Roberts hustling toward him, suitcase in tow.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked.

  “You weren’t going to leave without me, were you?”

  “Well, I— you see, I—” he stopped and stared down at his shoes. “The truth is Sarah, I’ve been under a lot of stress this week and I didn’t want to trouble you.”

  She folded her arms and cocked her head. “So you just thought you’d take off to Washington a day early without me? You know I’m here for you and you wouldn’t be burdening me with anything.”

  “I know, but—”

  She stamped her foot. “There’s not a single excuse that I’m going to accept. We’re in this thing together, me and you. That’s how couples work. At least, that’s now howwe’regoing to work.”

  He smiled and shook his head. “I don’t know what I was thinking, Sarah. You know I want you by my side. You’re my best friend and I know you care.”

  She stepped forward and gave him a hug. “So, before we get on this plane, share your burden with me.”

  Daniels’face fell. “As much as I want to, I’m not sure I can, especially not here.”

  “Why not?”

  He glanced around the airport. “Security reasons.” He paused. “Why don’t I make a deal with you? I’ll tell you tonight over dinner? Capitol Grill?”

  Her eyes widened. It was her favorite restaurant. “Deal.”

  “Now, let’s hurry up before we miss our plane.”

  ***

  AFTER DANIELS KISSED SARAH goodbye at the Washington National Airport baggage claim, he found his driver and headed to his office. He had a late afternoon meeting with Howard Blackledge, the kind of meeting he couldn’t afford to be late for.

  Daniels once received a signed photograph of Bernie Bierman, who led Minnesota to three straight national titles in the 1930s and five overall. He’d tucked it into his briefcase before he left as a present for Blackledge. He didn’t care if he looked desperate — he just needed something to break the ice, something to remind his compatriot across the aisle that he was human, too.

  Once he arrived, Daniels wasted no time in gathering his things from his office and heading down the hall to meet Blackledge. He nodded to the secretary as she waved him in.

  “He’s expecting you,” she said.

  Daniels nodded and opened the door.

  “Jeffrey, how the heck are you?” Blackledge said as he offered his hand.

  Daniels shook his hand and forced a smile. “I’m all right, but I’ve been better.”

  “How are the boys?”

  Daniels sighed.“They’re surviving for the moment.” He paused. “What about you? How’s your daughter doing? I heard Allie made the All-ACC lacrosse team at Duke?”

  Blackledge beamed. “You heard correctly. She’s quite the player. She even got accepted to Northwestern’s business program next year.”

  “Does she want to be closer to home?”

  “Not close enough for her mother’s tastes. She says Minnesota has a fine business program, but it’s not good enough for Allie. She’s set on greatness.”

  “She takes after her father.”

  Blackledge laughed.“Well, you sure are buttering me up.”

  “I’m not done,” Daniels said as he handed Blackledge the picture of the Minnesota coach.

  “Is this really Bernie Bierman’s signature?”

  “I wouldn’t bring you a fake.”

  “Wow. This is amazing. I can’t wait to put this up.” He paused. “So, what can I do for you?”

  Daniels sat down. “I don’t really know how to say this, Howard, but none of this can leave the room. Do you understand?”

  Blackledge nodded. “Go on.”

  “So, as you know I’ve been championing the big pipeline vote tomorrow and see it as an opportunity to get people in my state back to work and—”

  Blackledge threw his hands up. “Now, wait a minute. If you came here to convince me to join you, you’re wasting your time. There’s no way I can vote for that thing. My constituency will throw bricks threw my office window in Minneapolis.”

  “Listen, Howard. I am but I’m not.”

  “Come again?”

  “Luke’s been kidnapped.”

  Blackledge’s jaw dropped. “Kidnapped? By whom?”

  “I can’t get into all that right now, but it’s somebody that doesn’t want this pipeline to go in for a number of reasons — like millions of them.”

  “Have you involved the authorities?”

  “They warned me if I did, they’d kill him.”

  Blackledge leaned forward. “But you’re doing something, right?”

  “That’s why I’m here.”

  “Well, what do you need?”

  “Your vote.”

  Blackledge huffed,“I thought I just told you it was off limits.”

  “I understand that, but what if I told you that I’d trade votes for you? Maybe you can spin it somehow as something good for the people of Minnesota.”

  “Trade votes? What do you mean by that exactly?”

  Daniels leaned forward and tapped his foot. “What I mean is that I’d cast a vote against the pipeline. It’s going to pass anyway, Howard. Can’t you help me out?”

  “Now, wait a minute. It’s going to pass anyway? How do you know that?”

  “I know where all the votes fall — that’s part of the reason for the target on my back and, subsequently, Luke’s back, too.”

  “I’m not sure if I can do that,” Blackledge said as he shook his head.

  “They’re going to kill Luke,” Daniels said as he rose to his feet and stamped his foot.

  “Killhim? Really?”

  “That’s what they’re threatening to do. And they have the money and the resources to get away with it. But I’m supposedly going to get him back if I cast my vote against it, regardless of the outcome.”

  “And you
believe the kidnapper?”

  “Hope is all I’ve got at this point — and it’s a strong motivator.”

  “I don’t know, Jeffrey. That’s a big gamble for me to take. I’d be the deciding vote if what you’re saying is true.”

  “But they’re going to kill Luke. What would you think if Allie’s life were on the line? Would you be so worried about a political career?”

  Blackledge buried his head in his hands and sighed. “Look, I get where you’re coming from, but I just can’t do it — out of principle.”

  “To hell with principles, Howard. This is Luke’s life we’re talking about. It’s one stupid vote. You’ve overcome plenty of those in the past.”

  Blackledge’s eyes narrowed. “I thought you were trying to win me over.”

  “I understand. I wish it were easy, but it’s not. I’d save Luke myself if I could. But as it stands, I can’t. So, I’ll do anything to save Luke.”

  “And that’s why they picked on you.”

  “Now’s not the time to lecture me on my shortcomings as a senator.”

  Blackledge sighed.“We all have them. Every decision, every vote — each one is scrutinized, parsed by the press. But we knew that when we signed up for this role. And I’m not willing to bow my knee to the will of some homeland terrorist. It’ll only make us all susceptible to such antics in the future.”

  Daniels felt his face getting hot. “You honestly think this is the first time this has ever happened? Desperate people do desperate things.”

  “Yourself included — like ditching your convictions to save your son.”

  Daniels stood up and stamped his foot. “Tell me you wouldn’t do the same thing for Allie if the shoe were on the other foot and I’ll march out of this office right now.”

  Blackledge looked down and took a deep breath. “I feel for you, Jeffrey. I do. But you know that’s just something I can’t do in good conscience. Half of my platform is built around environmental issues. I’ve got a state full of tree huggers and I have to keep them happy one way or another. I’m not ready to give up my seat just yet.”

  Daniels glared at him. “I thought you were a friend.” He looked Blackledge up and down. “Apparently I was wrong.”

  He headed toward the door and jerked it open, storming down the hall back toward his office.

  Daniels looked at his watch. The vote was scheduled for one o’clock the next day.

  Once he returned to his office, he picked up the burner and dialed Matthews’number. No answer. He decided against leaving a message on voicemail. He’d call him back later, perhaps after he had dinner with Sarah.

  Daniels had less than twenty-four hours to figure something out — and he was fresh out of ideas.

  CHAPTER 32

  LUKE WRESTLED WITH THE BINDINGS on his arms and legs. Apparently, earlier Dave had heard his comment to Sam about watchingCriminal Mindsre-runs and how much he hated them. He glanced at the television and watched the intro to the show roll on the screen, blaring across the room. It was like fingernails on the chalkboard to him.

  “Comfy?” Dave asked with a laugh.

  Luke glared at him. “You’re gonna pay for this.”

  Dave threw his head back and chuckled. “No, my friend. I’m going toget paidfor this. And part of the way I ensure that I get paid is to make sure you are safe and secure.” He looked Luke up and down. “I’m pretty sure my latest job does the trick.”

  “I swear, you’re going to rue the day you ever accepted this assignment,” Luke said as he twitched and turned in a futile attempt to free himself.

  “Maybe I should jam something into your mouth as well,” Dave said with a sneer.

  Luke bit his lip and seethed. He didn’t need to be gagged. Dave would eventually leave and Sam would come in the room — and maybe he could convince Sam that he needed some relief from the ropes rubbing his wrists and ankles raw. Of the three men who’d taken him captive, Sam seemed the most likely to still possess some semblance of a heart.

  Dave walked up to the head of Luke’s bed and slapped him in the face before seizing his face with his hand. “Don’t ever try to escape again. I might not be so generous next time.”

  Luke closed his eyes, unable to watch Dave’s crooked grin any longer.

  “That’s right, kid. Get some sleep. It’ll all be over with tomorrow — one way or another.”

  Dave plodded out of the room and turned the light out, leaving Luke to his own thoughts in a room lit only by the day’s fading sun.

  ***

  AN HOUR LATER, Sam entered Luke’s room to check on him.

  “You need anything?” Sam asked.

  “If you turn the television off, I’d be eternally grateful,” Luke said as he struggled to sit up.

  Sam clicked the television off. “I hate that show too.”

  “See, we’re not so different after all,” Luke said. He swallowed hard as he lied. He was nothing like Sam or Dave or Bill. They were monsters in their own right. He was nothing like them. But this was hostage survival 101 — make yourself more human, endear yourself to one of the hostage takers. It was a long shot, but it was better than lying around and feeling sorry for yourself, which is what Luke wanted to do. But he knew better.

  He wondered what his dad might be feeling at the moment, all those mixed emotions swirling inside of him. Losing mom was one thing, but he knew his dad wouldn’t want to lose him, too. But was anyone coming for him?

  Nearly four days into the kidnapping, it didn’t feel like it. Luke felt isolated, alone. It seemed like a battle he’d have to fight — and win — all on his own.

  “Do you think you could help me shuffle down the hall to the bathroom?” Luke asked. “I don’t want to get you in trouble.”

  “I’ll untie you,”Sam said.“When nature calls …” Sam let his words hang in the air.

  Luke eyed the knife on Sam’s belt, praying for an opportunity to take it from him without him looking. Sam was his only ally and he didn’t want to jeopardize his only true human contact during this crisis — but that knife would bring him something far more valuable than a friendship with Sam would: it would bring him freedom.

  Sam untied his hands and feet and ushered Luke down the hall toward the bathroom.

  Luke started to unzip his pants when he realized Sam was still watching with the door wide open. “Do you mind?” Luke said.

  Sam shook his head and turned around. “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. Carry on.”

  Luke pulled his pants down and stared as Sam’s knife. He’d palmed it while walking down the hall. It was a trick he’d learned from one of his friends at school — and for the moment, it spelled victory. He had a necessary toolandthe element of surprise. He wondered how long it’d be before Sam realized his knife was missing. Luke slid the knife into his sock and sat down on the toilet.

  Then he prayed a little prayer.

  CHAPTER 33

  SETH MATTHEWS ADJUSTED his sunglasses as the sun glistened off Sanders Fork. The lengthy tributary of the Colorado River — which intersected with the rough river less than a mile north of their location — provided a dichotomy of opportunity and challenge, equally daunting and alluring for his team’s plan to rescue Luke. If he had his druthers, they’d storm the cabin now in a blazing gunfight, one he was sure they’d win. But at what cost?

  If he lost anyone, he’d never forgive himself. And if he lost Luke? He didn’t want to think about it. That was the most unacceptable outcome of all. He wondered how Senator Daniels was holding up given the circumstances.

  If he’d ever answer his phone, I’d ask him myself.

  But Matthews’attempts to reach his brother-in-law resulted in the phone going straight for voicemail — and he didn’t want to jeopardize anything with a message.

  All five members of the team crouched low behind a stretch of tall weeds along the riverbank, creating a natural blind. The cabin was located about a hundred yards east on the other side of the wat
er. It remained visible but the thick pines surrounding it created a healthy buffer.

  “See anything, Jones?” Matthews asked.

  Jones peered through his binoculars. “Not yet.”

  “Any movement in the house,Zellers?”

  “I’m seeing some movement upstairs, shifting shadows — but I can’t make out any targets yet.”

  “They’re notalltargets,”Shepherd said.“My friend’s in there.”

  “We all have a friend in there,” Matthews said as he tousled Shepherd’s hair.

  “Don’t do that. You know I hate it when you rub my head,” Shepherd whined. He pulled a comb out of his back pocket and began combing his hair.

  “Really, Shepherd?” Hammond asked. “We’re on a stakeout and you’re primping?”

  Shepherd’s eyes narrowed as he glared at Hammond. He spoke slowly and deliberately. “Don’t touch my hair.” He stopped and then dug out a small metal object from the steel briefcase behind him. He held it up and smiled at it with delight. “I might put one of these in your sleeping bag tonight.”

  “What is that thing?” Hammond asked.

  “You don’t want to know — and if you do, it’s too late,”Shepherd quipped.

  “Okay, knock it off. Let’s focus, you two,” Matthews said. “Now, Shepherd, have you got anything in that briefcase of yours that’s useful? Anything that can get us some eyes and ears over there so we can find out what’s going on?”

  “Do I ever,” Shepherd said as a grin spread across his face. He hoisted a device that looked like a small mosquito out of the briefcase and handed it to Matthews.

  “What am I supposed to do with this thing?” Matthews asked.

  “Nothing. But don’t worry— this little guy won’t bite.”

  “I’d rather know what he can do.”

  “He’s equipped with a thermal imaging camera and can travel up to two kilometers at speeds of 40 miles per hour. He takes three hundred and sixty degree pictures and creates no more than four decibels of sound. I’m working on a cloaking device as well in case—”

  “So he’ll be able to show us how many people are in the cabin?” Matthews interrupted.