McGarvey had to smile. Being around Rencke for more than thirty seconds was like jumping onto an out-of-control carnival ride. “We’ll go over to the hospital and you can see for yourself. She’ll want to see you.”
Rencke cocked his head. “I know just what she’s needing right now.” Rencke turned to the guards who were eyeing the satchel. He opened it for them. “My laptop, passport and a few goodies.”
One of the guards pulled out a package of Twinkies.
“He never leaves home without them,” McGarvey said.
“Yes, sir.”
Rencke signed in, McGarvey gave him the pass, which he hung around his neck, and they took the elevator down to the cubicle in Central Reference Service. Rencke glanced at the computer screen.
“Something out of your past gaining on you?”
“I’m looking for the connections, and we don’t have a lot of time,” McGarvey said.
“Deep past?”
“I just don’t know. But it’s a possibility.”
“Well, we’re not going to find it here. If it’s answers you’re looking for, they’ll be out at Bowling Green.”
“This is a start—”
“I can access this shit from out there,” Rencke said. He looked closely at McGarvey. “This one was even closer than Moscow or Santorini, wasn’t it? Are they after Kathleen as well?”
“A couple of phone calls and a virus to her PC at home.”
“That’s a break. Viruses leave calling cards, and I’ve either invented all the major ones, or know about them. This about North Korea and Japan?”
McGarvey nodded. “The Chinese are getting into it now, and there could be a tie to the White House through a Taiwanese billionaire by the name of Joseph Lee.”
All expression left Rencke’s face for a moment. At forty-one he still looked like a kid in his twenties with a wide-eyed innocence, but behind the facade was a shrewd man, wise well beyond his years in some things.
“Timing,” he said almost dreamily. Then he blinked, and his face became animated again. “Did you know that Japan is launching a module for Freedom in a few days?”
“Yes.”
“Puzzles, Mac. Don’t you see, it’s a big puzzle, and I’ve still got the magic to put it together, because this time chartreuse is the color.”
Bruce Kondo put down the telephone, hesitated a moment, then walked out to the balcony of his penthouse apartment at the base of Grass Mountain. His number two, Shiro Kajiyama, was studying Lee’s mansion, higher up on the mountain, through a powerful pair of tripod-mounted U.S. Navy binoculars. The morning was warm and humid, and a haze had settled over the city and its environs, making viewing difficult.
“Are you able to penetrate the fog?” Kondo asked.
Kajiyama looked up, his lips curled into a cruel grin. “This fog is easy by comparison to the real veil.”
“Has Mr. Lee left?” Kondo asked ignoring the jibe. Kajiyama was number two on the security team, but only Kondo knew the entire picture.
“Ten minutes ago.”
“It’s up to him now to lose his tail, and it’s up to us to get on with our assignment.”
“Then the decision is final?” Kajiyama asked coolly. There was no love between these two men. But Kajiyama was good at what he did, coming out of Japanese intelligence six years ago, and both men respected each other’s abilities.
“Mr. Lee has ordered it,” Kondo said, studying the other man for a hint of uncertainty. “Of course if you do not wish to participate …”
“Your contacts in Washington are ready for us? For both missions?”
“I just spoke with them.”
Kajiyama nodded. “Hai. Then let us hope there will be no dog’s death for us.” It was an allusion to the old Japanese warrior’s code that death for an unworthy cause was a dog’s death. The allusion was not lost on Kondo.
“This is for the most worthy of causes. Honor.” Kondo glanced at his watch. It was a few minutes after nine. “Have the others already gone?”
“Last night and this morning, as you ordered.”
“Good. Then it’s time for us to leave. We’ll be in Vancouver for breakfast and Washington for lunch.”
McGarvey hadn’t gotten much sleep in the past forty-eight hours since the bombing, and he knew that he had to go down soon or he wouldn’t be worth a damn to anybody. But now that Rencke had finally shown up, he felt as if they would begin to make some real progress. Otto would help unravel the puzzle and McGarvey would act on it. They were a team again.
They parked in the garage across the street and walked through the tunnel. Todd Van Buren was stationed in the corridor outside Elizabeth’s room, and he did a double take when he spotted Otto, who was carrying a McDonald’s bag.
“Did they kick you out again?” McGarvey asked.
“Yes, sir. Mrs. McGarvey is with her.” He looked forlorn, and McGarvey almost felt sorry for him.
McGarvey introduced him to Rencke. “Otto is a friend of the family, and he works for me.”
Van Buren nodded uncertainly.
McGarvey knocked once and stuck his head in the door. Elizabeth was propped up in bed, and Kathleen was saying something to her. They looked up.
“Daddy,” Elizabeth said, her face lighting up with pleasure.
“Is this women’s only night, or are you up for a visitor?”
“Who is it?” Elizabeth asked, interested.
McGarvey stepped aside to let Rencke into the room. Kathleen’s mouth dropped open in surprise, but she recovered quickly. For a second Elizabeth was puzzled but then a big grin broke out on her face. She’d never met him face-to-face.
“Twinkie?”
“Oh, wow, Liz,” Otto gushed, grinning from ear to ear. He approached the bed, but then stopped, suddenly unsure of himself.
“Come here,” Liz said, her eyes beginning to fill.
Rencke went to her side, and Liz reached out for his hand, drew him close and kissed him.
“You’re the greatest thing since sliced bread,” she whispered. “I’ve been wanting to tell you that since Paris. You saved my life.”
Rencke drew back and hopped from one foot to the other. “Wonder bread,” he said gleefully, awkwardly clapping his hands. “Oh, wow.” He looked back at McGarvey for reassurance, then gave the bag to Elizabeth. “I thought maybe you could use a Big Mac and some fries. I got you a Coke too, I hope it’s okay.”
“Thank God. You can’t imagine how bad the food is here,” Liz said enthusiastically.
Otto took a package of Twinkies out of his pocket and held it out to her. “I don’t know anybody who likes these things, but sometimes they’re pretty good for dessert.”
Elizabeth’s eyes filled again, and she took the package. “They’re a major food group in my book,” she said. She shook her head. “What a lovely man you are.”
Kathleen came around the bed and offered her hand. “I’m Kathleen McGarvey.”
Rencke wiped his hand on his pant leg and shook hers. “You’re beautiful,” he said simply.
Kathleen smiled. “I want to thank you for what you’ve done for my daughter, and for my husband.”
Otto lowered his head.
“Please look at me when I’m speaking,” she said, and Otto looked up. She smiled warmly. “You’re a little old to be my son. But from this moment you’re to consider yourself a part of this family. Wherever you go, whatever you do, we will always be here for you.”