The phone was answered without salutation.

  “Sir. You need to know my mission has turned to shit.”

  “What? Give me all of it.”

  “The woman is gone, with her child. We don’t know where.”

  “What about—”

  “They’re dead. Both of ‘em. I’ll be out of touch for a good while. I suggest you forget about the woman and abort the mission.”

  “You failed me and you failed the … failed me. That’s never a good thing to do.”

  “If I learn anything further, I’ll call you back. Otherwise, I’ll be where no one can find me.” Brad Sander hung up and tossed his phone on the floor beside his chair. “Is that what you wanted, Cap’n? Now, are you gonna let me get the hell outta here?”

  Ryan walked around to face Brad, turned off the recording device, and shot him in the chest, and then in the head. Ralph Martin’s twenty-two was not outfitted with a silencer. Hopefully, any occupied nearby units were playing televisions or music. Gunshots are so sudden and over before people are sure what they heard, that far fewer people recognize gunshots than we expect will.

  Ryan moved Brad, face up, onto the plastic sheeting he had removed from the back of his waistband and spread on the carpeted floor. Next, he disassembled Ralph’s handgun sufficiently to remove and pocket the barrel, taping the rest of it to Brad’s chest. Last, he added the skin adhesive to the bullet holes and called Cash & Carry.

  Ryan pocketed Brad’s phone. The one he’d used to call Bickersley.

  After removing the bug his team put in Brad’s room, Ryan carefully chose his moment to leave Brad’s unit, leave the building, and walk back to his rental car. From there he drove north on I-5. Partway across the Columbia River, the border separating the states of Oregon and Washington, he slowed to about forty miles an hour. After two faster cars went around him, a gap opened between him and the following car. Ryan reached up through the open moonroof, and tossed the gun barrel out over the edge of the bridge into the wide Columbia River.

  34

  Linda leaned down to her daughter’s height. “Steffi, this is Mrs. Caruthers, the finest woman I know.”

  “What about you and Aunt Vera?”

  Mrs. Caruthers put her frail hand on Steffi’s shoulder. “Except for your mother and Aunt Vera.” Steffi’s face changed. Not really a smile, but an indication she understood it was a nice thing to say.

  “How come your name is the same as the name of the town?”

  “I’ve lived a long time, darlin’. All of it right here in this town. Always as a school teacher. About a year ago, your mother, Aunt Vera, and a nice lady who also still lives here, Martha Cranston, led an effort to rename the town. Nearly everyone living around here was my student at one time or another, so I was honored by their renaming it, Caruthers, Kansas. For me, it honors my late husband, the town’s only pharmacist. That man served the people around here more years than I’d been their teacher.”

  Linda stooped down so her face was level with her daughter’s. “She no longer teaches school. She’s now the town mayor.”

  “For now. Until next election. I’m too old to keep doing the job.”

  “Honey, would you mind staying here at Aunt Vera’s for an hour or so, with her and Mrs. Caruthers? I need to go see another friend. I need to talk business with him. I won’t be long. Okay?”

  Stephanie looked at her mother, then at Mrs. Caruthers, and finally at Aunt Vera who stepped closer.

  “I made up my guest room when I heard you were coming. We can watch some TV if you’d like or I can show you to your room. It’s nice and, if you decide to go to bed before your mother gets back, there’s a small light in the room you can leave on.”

  “It’s okay, Mother. You go ahead. You’ll be back soon, won’t you?”

  “About an hour. Don’t hold me to it exactly, but about that.”

  #

  “Hello, Dix.” Linda hugged Dixon Wardley when he stepped out onto his front porch to meet her. He held his door open and they walked inside.

  “I’m guessing you have questions. You certainly have a right to them.” Linda walked over and sat on the couch in his front room. “So, let me start by inviting you to first ask whatever it is you’d like to know.”

  “Well, I know about your daughter. I wish you would have told me before. But, I guess, I understand how you started out keeping her a secret from her father and then just kept keeping it a secret. That right?”

  Linda nodded. “Yeah. Might do it differently now, but that was then. What else?”

  “Are you involved with anyone? Romantically, I mean?”

  “I think so. I’m not sure. Maybe. It’s complicated. … I hate it when people say something’s complicated. It suggests they don’t want to tell you or maybe they think you wouldn’t understand. It’s not like that. He does government work. Secret off-the-books stuff, I guess you’d call it. Although, it often isn’t for the government, not directly anyway. I don’t think I can explain more. I’m not sure I really understand a lot more.”

  “It does sound complicated.” They laughed, nervous at his repeating of her phrase. “As you know, I was with the FBI, not for long, not much field work, but I know there are such men, such people. I think there is something I should tell you.”

  “This is the night for truth, I guess. Okay. It’s your turn.”

  “I’ve been seeing Vera … socially. You know.”

  “Oh? Is it serious?”

  “Yes. No. … I don’t know. We aren’t to that point.”

  “Yeah. I get it. It’s complicated.”

  They laughed. “Look, Dix. Vera’s a great gal. You’re a wonderful man. You’d make a super couple.”

  “Like I said, it’s too early to know. I’m not sure I can, or if I’m ready … to move past you. Vera loves Caruthers and wants this to always be her home. You, on the other hand, don’t want to live here. Not forever anyway.”

  “I understand. And, I don’t want this to sound corny, but, well, you have my blessing for wherever your thing with Vera goes or doesn’t for that matter.”

  “Vera wanted to say something to you. Tell you we were dating or whatever. I asked her not to. I felt it was my place to do it.”

  “That sounds like Vera. Like you too. It’s cool. Long as I can still love you both.”

  He stood. Linda did too. They hugged. Dix ran the pad of his thumb under Linda’s eye. The movement of her cheek spilled a tear. He caught it and wiped it away. “Stephanie is lucky to have you as her mother.”

  Linda hugged him tightly and kissed him gently, without passion.

  “So, are you going to tell me what trouble you’re in? Your visit here with Stephanie is about more than our talk just now.”

  “You’re right, there’s more. But, no, I can’t tell you. I need to know Steffi is safe for a few days. I need to do that without putting any of you at risk.”

  “Will you tell us when it’s over?”

  “Maybe.”

  35

  Linda spent a good part of the morning on the Internet perusing news in and around Portland Oregon. She saw nothing she could recognize as being related to her situation. She called Ryan on an unsecure line. She assured him they were all safe in Kansas. “Oh, Mrs. Caruthers sends her warm regards. I don’t know what happened between you two, but she thinks you’re the … ‘Cat’s meow,’ to use her words.” Then Linda asked how things were progressing at his end.

  “Everything’s fine. Please head back soon. There are a few things that need to be done. The first one would be better if we did it together.”

  “Would that involve the man I was supposed to date? I went to the party at his parents’ home?”

  “That’s the one. We need to see him.”

  “I’ll leave in the morning. As soon as I get off the phone with you, I’ll call him and set something up. That way I can confirm he’ll be in place for a couple days. If a glitch develops I’ll let you know.”

  #

  Linda called Billy Knight.

  “Billy, it’s Sue Little. I’m sorry, we can’t get together tonight. There’s been a family emergency. I’m rushing to squeeze this call in.” … “What?” … “No, it’s not a life or death kind of thing. But I had to address it. I’ll be back in Portland tomorrow probably around dinner time. I’m looking forward to some tension release, and I figure you’re just the man to deliver it. You’re not going anywhere are you?” … “Oh, you’re going to clear your calendar, for me. That’s sweet. I’ll call you as soon as I get back and settled. I’m eager to see the lights on the river from your condo … Thanks. Sorry for the delay in our getting together, it was unavoidable.”

  Vera opted to stay in her seamstress shop when Linda walked two blocks to join Mrs. Caruthers and Steffi for an ice cream sundae. The town had an old-fashioned soda fountain counter in the drugstore downstairs beneath the widow Caruthers’ home. Mr. Caruthers opened the drugstore and had been the only pharmacist in town for fifty years before his death a few years ago, and before the invasion of the big box pharmacy chains. His estate sold his independent drugstore, and the buyer leased the location from Mrs. Caruthers who retained ownership of the building. The lease included free lunches twice a week for Mrs. Caruthers.

  Between bites of her sundae, Linda told Mrs. Caruthers that she and Steffi had to return to Portland so Steffi would be back in school on Monday morning. They both promised to come back for a longer visit in the summer.

  #

  Linda called Ryan from her car after walking her daughter back into Hobart School. “Steffi’s back in school. Thank you. I no longer have any reason to be worried on that score, right?”

  “Correct. The tiger is toothless and we know who the tiger is. We need to meet and decide when and how to address your gentleman friend who’s expecting to hear from you.”

  “Is everything going as you hoped?”

  “Yes. The man at the top is compromised. He’s now on the defensive. But, next up, is your man. I can handle this without you, if you prefer.”

  There was a pause. “No. It’ll be best if I’m there. That way he’ll know you and I are of the same mind. You’ll take the lead, of course, okay?”

  “Whatever I decide we must do?”

  “You’re the one who removed the threat from over Steffi’s head. So, yeah, I’m prepared for whatever you decide is our best course.”

  “Just don’t breathe too easily, not yet. Only the most immediate threat is removed. We have more enemies in the bush. Look, I’ll be in the bar at your hotel. Step in like you’re trying to find someone. Don’t acknowledge me, just leave. I’ll follow you up to your room a few minutes later.”

  “That’ll be fine.”

  #

  Ryan called the man he had shadowing Billy Knight. “Where is he now?”

  “In his condo.”

  “An hour from now?”

  “Don’t know. I can go in and make sure he stays put. You want me to do that?”

  “No. If he leaves follow him and let me know by phone. If he stays, we’re coming. I’ll let you know when we’ve arrived. Don’t approach me. I won’t be alone. After I leave and he’s gone, go in and remove the goodies you left in his room.”

  “You got it, Cap’n.”

  #

  Linda walked into the bar at the Red Lion at Jantzen Beach. She immediately spotted Ryan sitting with his back to the wall, a baseball cap with a curled bill forward on his head. She continued to glance about as if trying to locate someone. Without acknowledging having seen anyone she knew, she turned and walked out, went to the elevator and up to the floor for her room.

  Ten minutes after she got inside, Ryan walked in, using the keycard she’d given him a few nights before. She went to him. They embraced, including a long, slow kiss.

  He felt her trembling, softly, but unmistakably. “Your daughter’s back in school. She’s fine. You’re both safe. I have a man watching Billy Knight. He’s still in his condo. It’s dark now. We should head over there, while he’s still inside. It’s raining and the wind is whipping things up. Odds are he won’t be going out. If you’d like, we can chance waiting an hour. If you need some time.”

  “I’d really like us to have some alone time right now, but no. Let’s go. This won’t be over ‘til it’s over. Then we can relax and enjoy each other.”

  “Put on some flats or running shoes. Something you can move in. Bring a hat of some sort. One that will cover your hair so its length and color can’t be noticed.”

  #

  As they drove south from Jantzen Beach they easily saw that ragged black clouds blanketed downtown Portland, stretching west toward the Nob Hill area. The wind couldn’t decide between a steady blow, or the convulsive exhaling of some wild beast. Closer to the ground, the rain acted like a hose in the hand of mischievous child, spraying sideways through the glow of the streetlights. For those choreographed interludes, it swooped and sparkled. This time of year there were massive portions of America praying for this kind of rain, for any kind, while Portlanders prayed for a pause in the downpours.

  While Ryan called the person watching tonight’s prey. Linda watched the busy night sky. Before ringing off, Ryan said, “You’ve been a great help these last few days. Remember after I leave and the target’s gone, get your electronics out of there. I’ll send your pay in the usual way.”

  He turned to Linda. “As you probably heard, Knight’s still in his condo. By the way, his townhouse was a present from his parents, his mother actually. Apparently, she’s quite wealthy with substantial investments somewhere overseas. Don’t forget your hat. That’ll seem normal, given the weather. Keep it on to hide your hair. Wear it ‘til we’re inside his condo. That report I just got said there’s no foot traffic inside the building. We can’t rely on that. This kind of thing can change in a flash. If we run across anyone, we’ll stop and embrace until they’re out of sight. Get your face into my neck. Stay with it until I release you. Never look at anyone we pass. Make no eye contact. Rarely can people remember someone if they haven’t seen their face. We have eyes only for each other.”

  “I can fake that.”

  Ryan reached over and swatted the back of Linda’s hand resting on her thigh. Then he put his hand over hers. His finger entered the spaces between her fingers. They looked at each other, took a deep breath, and got out of the car. They walked toward the corner leaning their heads into the wind, toward the road, so their hats wouldn’t blow off.

  In the storm, Knight’s condo building was hard to see at first, then, magically, it was bathed in a flash of lightning. Then dark again. It appeared to be about six stories high, a nondescript gathering of concrete, masonry, and paint, with a patterned scatter of windows. Another staid looking building in a group of similar structures, all of them backed up to the Willamette River as it quietly followed its age-worn path through Portland. In dark, dreary weather, the building was a palace of masks hiding its occupants from the imagined miseries of the darkness, not imagined for Billy Knight, as he would soon learn.

  Ryan and Linda reached Knight’s door without passing anyone. She positioned herself in front of the peephole in the door, took off her hat, fluffed her hair, unbuttoned the top two buttons and billowed her blouse. Ryan stood off to the side, his weapon in his hand, his arm extended along the side of his leg. The leg nearest Linda in case someone exited a nearby room and headed toward them.

  She knocked.

  The door opened rapidly in anticipation of the night’s promised activities. Linda moved up tighter into the doorway as Billy pulled the door inward. “Sue Little. What a surprise. I wasn’t expecting you. You said you’d call.”

  Linda put her hands on her hips and smiled. “I can leave if it’s not convenient.”

  “I’ll tackle you before you get to the end of the hall. You look wonderful.” He leaned into the door, one hand gripping its edge. “Well, one thing, the buttons. May I?” Without waiting for an answer, he reached out and unbuttoned the third button on her blouse, that button being at the level of her nipples.

  With a different frame of mind, he would’ve looked scrumptious. There was something aphrodisiactic about the mixture of a gorgeous man and danger. Linda hoped her fascination with Ryan Testler relied on a stronger underpinning.

  “Sorry about the dress.” She glanced down at herself. “I almost didn’t come when the weather convinced me I couldn’t wear the dress you requested, the one I wore to your parent’s party. I guess with your adjustment of my buttons, we’ve simulated that dress’s neckline.” She glanced down and smiled. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. I just wanted to see you and decided I’d risk you not being home.”

  Billy smiled, reached out, took her hand, and led her inside. “Get in here, woman.”

  She followed the back of his tan loafers deeper into his condo. After a few steps, apparently, not hearing his door close, he looked back. His surprise obvious. He was looking at the dark, hollow end of Ryan’s Glock.

  Linda moved to the side. Ryan raised his gun slightly to assure Billy’s undivided attention. “Sit in the center of the couch. Remain quiet. Listen.”

  Billy began to speak. Ryan extended his gun hand a short distance. Billy looked at Linda.

  “I’d do what the man says, Billy. Exactly as he says.”

  Billy sat in the center of a black leather, three-cushioned couch.

  Ryan looked at Linda and nodded.

  She took a recorder from her purse, placed it on the coffee table and pressed the play button to begin the series of recordings they’d cut and spliced before leaving Linda’s hotel room.

  Over the next ten or so minutes, Billy listened to the tape Ryan had carefully pieced together to exclude Linda’s and her daughter’s names. First he heard Brad Sander order Linda to kill him. Then, why he was to be killed—the fear that Billy would write a tell-all book detailing his affair with the first lady of the land, and the potential this had for embarrassing the president’s desire for reelection.