“What trip?” asked Chapman.
Stone ignored her.
Annabelle said, “But you are back working for the government?”
“Like I said, I’m old enough to make that decision.”
“Why, Oliver, why would you? After all they did to you.”
“Yeah, why? I think we deserve an answer, said a voice.”
They all turned to see Reuben Rhodes, Harry Finn and Caleb Shaw at the door to the cottage. It was Reuben who’d spoken.
“I feel like I’m at bloody Waterloo Station,” muttered Chapman as the men came forward.
Stone looked down. “It’s not easily explained.”
“At least tell me you’re not working this damn park explosion case,” said Annabelle.
“That’s exactly what he’s doing.”
This came from Alex Ford as he walked into the cottage.
“Blimey,” said Chapman. “I think you need to change the locks on your door.”
Alex stood near the fireplace. “Should I tell them or are you going to?”
“Tell us what?” said Annabelle.
“That Oliver was presented with a commission and badge today. He is now a duly sworn in member of the federal government working with Agent Chapman here from MI6. They’ve been tasked to find out who tried to blow up the British PM.”
Stone looked coldly at his friend. “Thank you for maintaining confidences, Alex.”
Reuben said, “Since when the hell are there confidences among us? How many times have I covered your back, Oliver? Risked life and limb? And you the same for me?”
“The same for all of us,” added Annabelle.
“This is different,” replied Stone.
“Why, because you’ve got a badge now?” growled Reuben.
Annabelle added, “You’ve joined up with the same folks who hurt you so badly. Don’t you see why we’re all stunned? Especially after what happened in Divine. They were just going to let you rot in that prison.”
“And I would have except for all of you, I know that,” Stone said quietly.
“So why?” Annabelle asked again.
“As I said, it’s hard to explain. Actually it may be impossible to explain.”
“We’re all waiting for you to try.”
Something seemed to stiffen in Stone’s features. “You’re assuming that I owe you an explanation. I don’t.”
Annabelle looked like Stone had slapped her. Even loyal Reuben seemed stunned, and Caleb gaped.
“Well, I guess that’s all the explanation I need,” said Annabelle. She turned and walked out.
Reuben glanced at his old friend. “She didn’t deserve that, Oliver. None of us do.”
“This is just the way it has to be. I’m sorry, Reuben.”
“Fine. I’ll be sure and come to your funeral.”
Reuben also left. Caleb started to follow behind, paused and looked back at Oliver. “This is the only time I’ve been relieved that Milton isn’t alive. To hear this.”
Harry Finn said, “I hope you know what you’re doing.” Then he followed Caleb out.
Now only Alex was left except for Chapman.
Stone gazed at the Secret Service agent. “Do you want to tell me I’m wrong too?”
“No. I figure you know what you’re doing, even if I don’t particularly like it. But there’s a problem with your bomb plant scenario.”
“How do you know what our theory is?” asked Stone. “I didn’t think you were involved in the investigation.” “Technically, I’m not. But you still hear things.”
“So what’s wrong with our theory?” Chapman asked.
“The Secret Service canine unit did a sweep of the park earlier.”
“When exactly?” asked Stone sharply.
“I’m not sure of the precise time. But you probably noticed a canine unit at the north end of the park?”
“We did, on the video,” said Stone.
“They don’t bring the dogs out for their health.”
“Would they typically cover the entire park?” asked Stone.
“Yes. With a dog it doesn’t take that long.”
“So the dog would have detected a bomb?” said Chapman.
“That’s sort of the point,” answered Alex.
“Well, it’s also sort of the point that a bloody bomb did go off in the park,” she shot back.
“I’m just telling you what I know. I guess I’ll be going now.”
“Alex, this is not how I wanted things to go down,” said Stone.
“Yeah, but they did, didn’t they? I hope you make it, Oliver, I really do.”
A moment later he was gone. A few seconds later they heard his car start.
“Nice group of mates you have. Seems like they really care about you.”
“And I care about them.”
“Who are they really?”
“Not important.”
“Who was this Milton bloke the little fellow mentioned?”
“A friend.”
“But he’s dead. How? Accident?”
“No, large-caliber rifle round.”
Chapman was about to say something when Stone’s cell phone buzzed. It was FBI agent Gross. Stone listened and then clicked off.
“The woman from the park last night has turned up.”
“You mean they caught her?” asked Chapman.
“No, she walked into the FBI all on her own.”
CHAPTER 20
“I’m Marisa Friedman,” the woman said as Stone and Chapman took seats opposite her and Tom Gross in an interior office at the FBI’s Washington Field Office, which all agents referred to as the WFO. Stone took a few moments to study her. In good light and with only a few feet separating them he decided she was closer to thirty than forty. She was Chapman’s height or a bit taller, with blonde hair that curled around her neck. It was not her natural color, Stone could tell. Her eyes were blue and striking, her face interesting with elegant bone structure, the chin sharply angled and the two sides of her jaw forming perfect bookends for the expressive mouth. Her clothes were clearly expensive but she wore them in a casual manner; minimal jewelry and makeup completed the attractive package.
Gross added, “Ms. Friedman voluntarily came in when she learned we were looking for anyone who was in the park last night.”
Friedman shook her head and looked troubled. “I have to tell you I was shocked at what happened. I’d just gotten to H Street when the gunfire started. And then the explosion.” She shivered uncontrollably.
“How did you find out the FBI was looking for you?” Stone asked.
“A friend of mine saw an item on the news and phoned me.”
Stone looked at Gross, who said, “In situations like this we call in the media and ask for their assistance in getting the word out. Usually very effective.”
“Well, it certainly was in my case,” said Friedman.
“In any event you probably would’ve assumed the police would want to talk to you,” said Stone.
“I guess so, yes, although I don’t have any experience in things like this. My home was broken into years ago, that’s really the only contact I’ve ever had with the police.”
“Can you tell us what you saw?” asked Gross.
“Smoke and people running and screaming.” She looked at Stone and her voice shook. “I’ve never been that frightened in my life.”
“But before all that you were sitting on one of the benches in the park?” said Stone.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Little late at night for that, wasn’t it?” asked Stone.
“My office is located in the line of town houses on the west side of the park.”
“Jackson Place?” said Stone.
“Yes. Most of the offices there are linked to the White House, but I was able to snare one of them for my business through more luck than skill. I was working late. Left the office. The night was so nice I sat down and might’ve even dozed off. I don’t usually do that, but I did last night. It was a long day and I was tired. And I know the park is about the best-protected space in the city, so I felt very safe.” She gave a hollow laugh. “That turned out to be quite ironic. It really was bad timing all around,” she added with another little shiver. “Nice relaxing time in the park that turned into a war zone. For a minute there I thought I’d stumbled onto a movie set.”