“That’s all well and good,” says Jonas, “but how do you intend getting inside the White House, exactly? There won’t be any tours or anything, given we’re at war with North Korea. That place is gonna be locked down tighter than Snow White’s chastity belt.”
“You’re right, it is. But I’ve already thought of that, and it’s all taken care of.”
Ruby chuckles. “Adrian, I’ve known you long enough now to know that it’s never a good sign when you plan things in this much detail! Your track record—”
“—doesn’t mean a damn thing, sweetheart. This is the job that changes all the rules, you understand? This is the job that people in our line of work aspire to be a part of. This plan will work. It has to…”
She holds her hands up in silent apology.
“I’ve located a company that does contract work for the government. We’re going to pose as an emergency on-call team from Tyger Security and say we’re there to upgrade the systems, as per a request from the Secret Service. There’s a van waiting for us in Annapolis, Maryland, with uniforms and IDs for us all, and our credentials will already be entered into the system for when we arrive — all courtesy of our friends at GlobaTech.”
I pause to let the first part of the plan sink in. No one speaks so I’m assuming they’re okay with it so far.
“There’ll be a dispersal device in the van as well. Once we’re inside, Jonas — I need you to rig it up to the air conditioning system for the West Wing. It’ll pump nitrous oxide through the vents, which will incapacitate everyone in there for about twenty minutes.”
“Non-lethal?” he asks, sounding surprised.
“Absolutely. A lot of the people working in that building are innocent, we need to remember that.”
He shrugs. “If you say so…”
“It should buy us enough time to breach the Oval Office, then I can take care of the rest.”
“What if he’s not there?” asks Oscar, calling over his shoulder as he navigates the traffic. “The world’s at war — would he not be in the… what’s it called? Situation Room or something?”
“I thought about that. But he’s behind this, remember… He and everyone else on his staff who’s involved will know there’s no immediate threat to the United States, so I’m gambling on them carrying on as normal as a show of strength. They’ll be on high alert, but I think he’ll hold meetings in his office.”
“What if you’re wrong?” asks Ruby.
I shrug. “If I’m wrong, we’ll find him. But I’m starting in the place I think he’s most likely to be. Nothing else we can do. Now, Oscar and I will travel to get the van. Ruby, Jonas… I need the two of you to handle another vital part of the plan before we approach the White House.”
The two of them exchange a quick intrigued glance. Ruby shrugs. “Shoot…”
I pat the briefcase next to me containing Matthews’ evidence. “I need you both to get inside the State Department and deliver this to Elaine Phillips.”
Her eyes go wide. “Are you fucking shitting me? She’s the secretary of state!”
“No, I’m not shitting you. And yes, she is the secretary of state. You’ll have a disguise, and you should be able to at least get inside the front door with no problem. It’s up to you once you’re in there to get to her, give her this case, and convince her we’re not crazy.”
“Adrian, you are crazy,” says Jonas.
I smile. “Thanks.”
Ruby sighs. “Let’s say, just for a moment, we manage to do that… Why her, specifically? Is she not on Cunningham’s payroll?”
“Not according to this information. She’s pretty much the only one who isn’t, though. Cunningham knew he couldn’t just replace her when he took office, so he kept her close and in the dark as much as he could.”
“Jesus… I mean, how… what can…” She gives up and sighs, holding her hands up in defeat. “Whatever. Fine.”
“That’s my girl! Listen, everyone. I know this sounds impossible, but look at what’s happening — look at what’s at stake here. We need to succeed, okay? And I believe we can.”
“No offense, Adrian,” says Jonas. “But you do realize what you’re suggesting is suicidal!”
I sigh. I can’t afford for morale to drop now. “Look, guys, if I didn’t think you could do this, you wouldn’t be here. And for twenty million bucks, you’ve gotta expect some risks. I don’t like this any more than you do, but unless you can think of an alternative, this is the only option that stands any chance of working. I never said this would be easy. I just said it’d be worth doing.”
No one replies. They just face forward in their seats and stare out the window. I know I’m asking a lot of them, but I think we have a genuine shot at pulling this off. Silence fills the car, and I can’t imagine what must be going through everyone’s head at the moment. Apart from I must be crazy…
“Oscar, pull over just here,” says Ruby, gesturing to a space near the sidewalk.
He brings us to a stop outside a thin three-story house with a wooden porch out front and a short pathway running alongside a modest patch of grass.
She glances back at me. “We’re here.”
We stand in a line staring at the house. I have the briefcase in my hand. I’m not letting it out of my sight.
“Okay, listen fellas,” says Ruby. “Veronica is a friend of mine, okay? I don’t want her getting dragged into this. She won’t ask questions, so once we’re done here, just… just forget you ever met her, alright?”
I move over to her and place a hand on her shoulder. She looks me in the eye and we hold each other’s gaze for a moment.
“It’ll be fine,” I say to her. “Come on — after you.”
Ruby smiles briefly and walks toward the door, which opens as she sets foot on the first of the three steps leading to the porch.
“Ruby!” shouts the woman who’s appeared in the doorway. “Get over here, bitch!”
Ruby laughs. “Ronny, you sexy whore!”
Veronica is a full-figured woman with a round face and bright red hair. She has piercings through her nose and the corner of her bottom lip. She’s wearing black leggings and a plain matching sweater. Her smile is genuine and infectious.
They embrace at the top of the steps and disappear inside. The three of us exchange curious glances. I’m not sure what just happened, or what we’re supposed to do now…
Ruby reappears on the porch. “Well, come on!”
We walk inside and I shut the door quietly behind me.
The house is beautiful and stylish, with wooden floors and baseboards lining the hallway, which has stairs to the right, and runs all the way through to the kitchen at the far end. On the opposite side are two rooms, both with their doors closed.
Ruby and her friend are heading into the kitchen, and the three of us follow them down the hall. The house has a nice blend of rustic furnishing and modern appliances. The whole place feels cozy but spacious.
Veronica is sitting at a large table in the middle of the room, and Ruby standing beside her, leaning over and resting on the surface. They’re exchanging pleasantries but look up as we enter.
Ruby moves to join the rest of us. “I really appreciate you helping us out like this, Ronny. I know it’s a lot to ask.”