“I promise.”
“If only I believed you.” Jeff kissed my cheek again, then he ushered out any stragglers and closed the door after Uncle Mort wheeled Olga out, accompanied by Adriana. The room went from packed to almost empty in a matter of moments.
Mom turned off the video conference. “We’ll get what we can out of Kozlow and Chernobog, but that can take time. You’re rolling a huge con and an infiltration at the same time, and I can guarantee something’s going to go wrong. So, what’s the backup plan?”
“I plan to not need a backup plan.”
Mom shook her head. “You’re going into a part of Gaultier that your hacker team, Amy, and three A-Cs couldn’t find. How are you even planning to get in?”
“I found the secret gate that’s in the Embassy.” Brought Mom up to speed on the gate and my plan. “So, I know Amy has the blueprints of the Gaultier building that we lifted because she had Stryker print them out. Based on how Gladys got us to Guantanamo, I think I can just have a room that’s on one of the secret levels in my mind and get us there.”
“But you aren’t sure, and you weren’t able to test this gate in a real situation fully,” Mom said when I finished. “You got to Guantanamo using it, but you didn’t get out using it. And you were in far less danger in Cuba than you will be going into Gaultier. So, what’s the backup?”
“Call for a floater gate.”
“And what if that doesn’t work?”
Considered this. “Blast our way out?”
She sighed. “It’s a time honored way to fail, I’ll give you that.”
“Thanks for the confidence boost, Mom. It worked for Han, Luke, and Chewie.”
“They ended up in the garbage, I’d like you to recall. Which is fitting because I think you’re going to have company at Gaultier far sooner than you’re expecting you will.”
“But we have that super speed and all that. It works really well for sneaking about.”
“Yes, but even if we ignore the fact that there will inevitably be security personnel and measures you’re not prepared for, fast or not, somewhere along the line someone’s going to figure out Francine is not you. The moment that’s discovered, there will be nothing Amy can do to keep anyone from Gaultier at Michael’s funeral. And it will be discovered.”
“Everyone’s been practicing, and our body doubles are fooling our own husbands.”
“That’s nice. Has anyone considered the fact that there will be people in attendance who know you well but who are not part of the real inner circle? People like Nathalie Brewer and Vance Beaumont? Both of whom are going to expect to be comforting you. Both of whom know you well enough to blow Francine’s cover without trying or meaning to. And neither of whom are trustworthy enough to allow in on this plan.”
Hadn’t thought of this particular wrinkle. Damn. Knew why Mom was in the position she was—if I was the President I’d want her covering my butt, too. “Ah, boo-yah denied. No, you got me on this one, Mom. But they’re trustworthy. Nathalie probably more than Vance, but still.”
“Kitten, no they’re not. Any more than your friends at the Bahraini and Israeli Embassies can be told. People talk. They tell a ‘secret’ to the wrong person. You have too many people who know about this raid already. Commando raids only work when only a handful know when and where a small team is going. You have a small commando team, but a huge distraction team, and someone somewhere is going to blow your cover.”
“So, what do you suggest?”
Mom gave me a long, appraising look. “Do you want the recommendation from your mother or from the head of the P.T.C.U.?”
Interesting question. “I’d like to hear both.”
“Fine. As your mother, go to bed, call off the raid, call off the subterfuge, handle Gaultier another way, go to Michael’s funeral and regroup.”
“Okay, what’s the head of the P.T.C.U.’s suggestion?”
“Slip everyone’s husband a mickey and go tonight.”
Let that sit on the air for a few moments. “So, that’s why you had Chuckie bring the emotional blockers he found on the prisoners into the Embassy.”
Mom smiled. “I have no idea why Eddy and the others think you’re an idiot.”
“Protective coloration.”
“Yes, Charles has explained that theory to me.”
“Speaking of which and whom, I think I’d prefer if you demanded that the men all help you with prisoner interrogation. Chuckie, Jeff, and Christopher are already expecting to go to that with you anyway. You can have the flyboys along for added muscle, which would get Joe and Randy out of the way. Maybe tell Brian you want him with you to add the pathos and rage of the best friend spin to the fun, in case it’s needed.”
“Drugging them is easier.”
“But it’s so Bad Guy Move. I’d rather try it the Good Guy Way. At least for this.”
“If you insist. However, if you’re going to do the raid, either tonight or during the funeral, then I strongly suggest you leave Naomi and Abigail Gower at the Embassy.”
“Why?”
“Naomi was already given the new drug, meaning it’s working on her. She said herself that some of her power is back, even though it’s just a small amount. If you’re actually successful, you’re going to find that drug. Evander Horn is hoping you’ll find all of it, and if you do, that’s going to mean more drugs in one place than I honestly believe you can imagine. An entire candy store filled with free sweets is a hard thing for a sugar addict to avoid.”
“Abigail didn’t get shot up.”
“She’s got her sister’s example, though. They’re close. It wouldn’t be hard to believe Naomi could convince Abigail to try the drug, too.”
“I don’t think she would, Mom. Naomi was given one dose and it was flushed out of her almost immediately. Could she really become addicted that quickly?”
“Ask Christopher how fast he was addicted. To a less virulent form of this drug, I might add.”
The door opened and, speak of the devil, Naomi came in. Awkward.
“You’re right, Angela, my powers are back somewhat. And the emotional blocker doesn’t work on me. I know why you’re worried, and I understand that. But I want you to know that I would never do something to harm my sister, let alone anyone else I love.”
“No addict believes they’re harming anyone,” Mom said calmly. “That doesn’t mean they aren’t, just that they don’t see it. Usually until it’s too late.”
Naomi shook her head. “I’m not addicted. And I’ve seen the ground we have to cover—Kitty needs our help. They murdered my brother and gave my aunt the feeling she needed to die to protect us. I want this stopped before more lives are lost and families irreparably damaged.”
“Then stay here and run interference with the husbands,” Mom suggested.
“No. Kitty needs us, so we’re going. Period. And you’re not my mother, so don’t think that you can tell me what to do. Like Kitty, I was raised to think for myself and to do what I know is right. And I know this is right.”
Mom didn’t look convinced. But all she did was shrug. “Believe me, Naomi, I’d love to be proven wrong about this. So, you remember that I’m expecting you to come back and show me that I was wrong. Because I don’t want to have to say ‘I told you so.’ I’ll say it if I have to, but I’m not looking forward to it.”
Naomi grinned. “I look forward to proving you wrong, Angela.”
“Great, we’re all good to go, then. Mom, any suggestions for how I get the word to my team, three of whom are, like me, mothers of small children, that they’re going out tonight without their family’s knowledge without triggering suspicion in either Jeff or Chuckie? And don’t say ‘send them a text’ because that will just mean it’s the one night everyone’s husband reads their texts for whatever reason.”