“That’s a good tactic, sir,” Nick said. “Maybe buy us some time.”
Merrick smiled, seemingly proud of his diplomatic acumen.
“There’s one other thing we need to consider, sir,” Harding said. “The Russian. If he’s truly in D.C., then we can’t overlook the fact you might become a target.”
Merrick nodded, somber. “Okay. Let’s be careful.”
“Suggestion, sir,” Himes said. “We’ve been meaning to update the White House’s website. Let’s take it down for a few days and leave a message it’s being overhauled … no … improved. This way we can eliminate posting your daily schedule without its absence being conspicuous.”
“Good.” Merrick slapped his hands on the table and stood. “I have a budget meeting to attend so we can pay for some of these things.” He looked directly at Harding when he said, “Keep me informed.”
Chapter 13
Jennifer Steele pulled over the Sherriff’s cruiser in front of the last house on their list. Luke hopped out of the car and stretched his arms over his head with a big yawn.
“You tired?” Steele asked.
“A little,” Luke said, looking up at the twilight. Stars were beginning to peek through the atmosphere as the sun made its exit.
The cruiser was parked thirty yards from the large cabin in the gravel street right next to the mailbox. The road was completely secluded without a neighbor in sight. Across the street from the cabin was nothing but thick pines and a sharp drop-off.
Luke stepped toward the house, crunching his way up the drive while Steele stayed with the car and examined the realtor’s information sheet about the place. It was an investment property which was rented by an out-of-state owner for passive income. Not uncommon in these parts of Arizona. The renter had prepaid for an entire year with cash. That wasn’t so common. Why part ways with your money unless you have a reason? Like not wanting to pay with cash each month and becoming conspicuous. Luke found his way to the side of the house and stuck his face up against a garage window.
“One car,” he said in a low voice.
Steele finished examining the rental info and stuck the sheet on the passenger’s seat and closed the door. She continued up the gravel driveway and examined the grounds. Mostly pines with decorated rocks around the exterior. A few clumps of weeds seemed ready to sprout, but with winter coming their growth would be seriously threatened. She was halfway up the driveway when she heard something behind her. It was a mechanical sound, out of place in this serene setting.
Steele walked back down the driveway toward the woods opposite the cabin. She didn’t hear the noise again until she moved left to get around the car. She stopped. The noise stopped. She moved right to go around the front of the car and the noise began again. She stopped. The noise stopped.
Steele’s instincts told her to leave.
“Luke,” she said over her shoulder.
There was no response.
She moved to the back of the car and zoned in on the noise this time. It was a tiny camera, perched atop one of the pine trees. It was following her movement and being a bit noisy about it. Probably a drop of oil might’ve taken care of it, but now it had her attention.
Having a security system was one thing, but a roving camera was excessive even for a federal building. Something deep down inside made her step away from the woods.
“Luke,” Steele called out in a low voice. The deputy was nowhere to be seen.
“Luke,” she said, a little louder now.
Nothing.
The house appeared deserted. What was a peaceful cabin now seemed creepy.
“Damn you, Luke,” she muttered under her breathe. “Stay in my line of sight.”
She found herself tracing the exterior of the car with her hand, while staring at the home searching for clues. She was deciding what to do next when she heard a noise. A man-made noise. She was ducking behind the car when the first shot was fired. It whizzed past her ear and startled her to the ground.
“Shit,” Steele cried. Frantically, she pulled her gun out and poked her head up to see through the windows. A barrage of gunshots rang out pelting the side of the car and shattering the windows. She crouched below the window line and grabbed her phone to hit the send button. A moment later she heard Matt’s voice. With gunshots ringing out into the wilderness, all she could think to say was, “You busy?”
Matt was finishing up a strategy session with Nick and Walt when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He looked to see it was Jennifer.
“What’s up?” he said, but immediately heard the familiar sound of gunfire and shouted, “Jennifer?”
“You busy?” she asked, panic in her voice.
“Where are you?” Matt said. Nick and Walt stopped their conversations and surrounded Matt. Nick put his ear close to Matt’s receiver.
“385 Willow,” she yelled. “They’ve got Luke.”
“Are you near the car? Can you get out?” Matt said.
“Yes.”
“Get the fuck out of there Jennifer,” Matt shouted.
“But, Luke-”
“Luke is dead,” Matt said, breaking into a trot out through the door. “Get out, now,” Matt yelled again to Steele.
Barzani watched the deputy get taped to a chair in the kitchen while his security team pelted the female FBI agent with round after round of rifle and pistol shots from the upstairs windows. It was getting dark outside, but he could still see the agent crouched behind the car. Barzani knew they had to kill her quickly before backup came.
Mano Surtek was playing with a plastic remote while watching the activity outside.
One of Barzani’s personal security guards tugged on his arm. “We need to get you out of here, Sarock,” the man said.
Barzani shook off the guard. He was too captivated to leave. The woman FBI agent was cornered and he was willing to wait a few moments to enjoy the kill.
“Tell them to hold their fire,” Barzani said.
The security guard ran around out of the kitchen and up the stairs. A few moments later the shots ceased.
As expected, the female FBI agent took the opportunity to open the driver’s side door and sneak into the car. The woman was good, he could barely see her head sticking up as she stepped on the gas and spun dirt with her tires.
Barzani placed a hand on Mani’s shoulder while staring intently on the road in front of the car.
“Ready?’ Barzani asked.
“Yes, Sarock,” Mano said, hovering his thumb over a button on the remote control detonator. As the sheriff’s car fishtailed down the unpaved street, Mano timed the vehicle’s forward motion perfectly.
He pushed the button.
The car jumped up in a ball of flame as the explosion catapulted the vehicle five feet in the air. It tilted the car sideways and the charred shell skidded to a stop just before hitting a large pine. The blast echoed throughout the woods and Barzani couldn’t keep the smile from his face as debris from the car littered down over a stand of trees.
“Now,” Barzani said, nodding with satisfaction. “Now we can go.”
Matt raced down the gravel road and drove furiously until he saw the devastating sight. Jennifer’s car sat on its side, smoke drifting from its carcass.
Nick, Matt and Walt jumped out of the car and ran to the disfigured vehicle. Heat still steamed off the metal in shimmery waves.
Matt ran up to look inside the shell and saw nothing. He turned around in a circle searching for clues, then looked at the cabin and saw the upstairs windows open. He pulled out his Glock and said, “The house.”
Nick and Walt took attack positions around the perimeter of the cabin. Matt tried to catch his breath. Nick was already at the front door and gestured for him to take the back.
Matt’s heart pounded in desperation as he crept along the back wall of the house. He peeked up into a window and saw nothing unusual, but nightfall was making it difficult. His mind wandered dangerously to the fate of the only one he’d ever loved. Jennifer needed to be safe. Breathe, he thought. As he approached the back door, his hand trembled while reaching for the knob.