He watched as Alex signed the bill with a flourish.
“That’s okay, Dave, I remember your name, and how to sign it.”
“Good.” They were halfway out of the restaurant when he realized what she’d said. He stopped and looked at her. “Alex, did you just sign my name to the bill?”
She turned on him with a sleepy grin. “Would I do that?”
Alex was leaning against the wall in the shower when she realized she had fallen asleep.
She opened her eyes with a jerk, blinking a little in the steam. She hadn’t meant to be long in the shower but the combination of hot water, humid air, and a cool tile wall had dulled her senses, and she had slipped easily into that hazy state between sleep and waking, when one doesn’t know which is which.
She turned off the shower, and climbed out of the tub, only to realize the phone was ringing. Stepping out of the steamy bathroom, she wrapped a towel around herself and grabbed the phone from the desk.
“Alex Reis.”
“Alex, Rick. Brogan just called me.”
“What?”
“I spoke to Brogan. He wants to talk, but he’s scared. He thinks someone’s after him, and he’s on the run.”
“Okay, hang on just a moment, Rick.”
Alex returned to the bathroom, grabbing the bucket full of ice on her way. She turned on the water for the sink, pulling the handle for the stopper. When the sink was half way filled she turned the water off, and poured the melting ice cubes into the sink. Then she took a deep breath, and stuck her head into the sink.
Water flew everywhere as she pulled her head back out, shaking it.
“Shit, that’s cold.” She grabbed a fresh towel and wiped her face. “But at least I’m a little more awake.”
She returned to the room and picked up the phone. “Okay, Rick, once more, slowly.”
“I had left Janet and her kids, and headed back up to my office. My office phone rang. It was Brogan, and he said he wanted to meet with me. He said he was grateful that we’d taken care of his family, and he was willing to talk, if we guarantee him immunity. But he thinks his life’s in danger if he comes to us, so he wants us to come to him.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I said I’d have to clear it, but we could probably make a deal of some kind. He said either there’s a deal in place or he doesn’t say a word.”
Alex took a breath. “Alright. Where does he want to meet?”
“He didn’t say, but he wants to do it tonight. He said he’d call me at seven and tell me where and when.”
Alex looked at her watch, seeing that it was just after five. “Damn, that doesn’t give us much time. Am I the first one to know about this?”
“Well, I ducked into Harnisch’s office and let him know. He’s calling Ken, and I’m calling you.”
“Good. When you hang up, call David. I’m going to call Cliff. I don’t know if it’s too late or not, but maybe he can get someone over at Justice to call Janet Reno, or whoever they need to. Without clearance, we can’t deal with him.”
“Think we should try to do this tonight, or tell him to wait until morning?”
“Do you think he could last until morning?”
Rick was silent, then Alex heard him take a deep breath. “No. I think by morning he’ll be either too fried to tell us anything, or they’ll have found him. He’s not thinking clearly right now.”
“Right. So, wake up David. I’ll call Washington. Do you want us to come to the office, or shall we get everyone over here to get this planned out?”
“Well, he’s calling my office line, so I think it should be here.”
“Got it. David and I will be there as soon as we can.”
“Great. See you soon, Alex.”
Alex hung up the phone and reached for the cellular on top of her briefcase. “Hey, Cliff, have I got a surprise for you.”
*******************************************************
Teren was driving to the airport when her cell phone rang. She flipped it open.
“Mylos.”
“Teren, it’s Cliff Jackson. I just heard from Alex. Brogan contacted them and wants to meet. Tonight.”
“That’s great.”
“Yeah. But I don’t like the timing. When can you get there?”
“Well, my flight’s scheduled in a little before nine. Any idea what time the meet is?”
“Not yet. Brogan’s supposed to call back. Shall I tell her to try to make it after ten o’clock?”
“That would give me enough time, I think, especially if someone meets me at the airport and tells me where it is.”
“Good. I’ll make sure someone’s there. Maybe I can even arrange a police escort.”
“That would be good. As long as they let me drive.”
“Yeah, right.” He chuckled, then cleared his throat. “Okay, so I’ll let Alex know you’re on your way. Any message for her?”
“Tell her to hang tight and keep her head.”
“Got it.” He paused. “Safe flight, Teren.”
“See you soon, Cliff.”
Teren hung up, and set the phone aside. She kept her hands steady on the steering wheel, and forced herself not to speed. It didn’t matter if she got to the airport ten minutes sooner. That would only mean she’d have to wait an extra ten minutes in the terminal. And she hated waiting.
Thinking about her blond friend, she sent out good thoughts.
“Hang on, Alex. Just wait ‘til I get there.”
Chapter Nineteen
The site for the meeting was in a parking lot just off the campus of Temple University. It was a small park-like area sandwiched in between three walls of the Temple Fine Arts Center. The best part was that there were no windows in any of these walls, and the roofs were sculptured, rather than flat. There was no chance of a sniper strafing them from above.
There were also only two ways into the area. One was a bicycle path that led through an opening in one of the surrounding walls. This path was just barely wide enough for a car to fit through. It was decided that a police car would be placed just on the other side of the openings, out of sight, but not out of reach in the case of an emergency. In the car, would be two members of the Philadelphia PD.
The other access to the small park was the road that led into the parking lot beside the lawn. This would be covered by two other FBI agents from the Philadelphia office. As soon as Brogan had entered the parking lot, these two agents would roll their car across the entrance, blocking access by all other cars. There would be two cars already in the parking lot when Brogan arrived. David and Alex would be in one, and Rick and Ken would be in the other. Ken and Rick’s car, parked farthest from the entrance, would have a two-way radio, so they could stay in contact with Lieutenant Wister.
Philadelphia Director Harnisch assigned the two agents who would guard the entrance. Rick Price called Lieutenant Wister, with whom he still had a good working relationship. Wister said he would clear it with Davies, and be in the car on the bike path. That made a total of eight people to protect, and possibly arrest, one man. It really was a simple plan.
Only, simple plans have a way of becoming complicated, Alex thought.
The only thing she absolutely didn’t like was the timing. Brogan wanted it to be that night, because he thought he might be spotted. He said he’d be in the parking lot at ten. The area was well lit, and by that time there would be few, if any pedestrians, since the Fine Arts building closed at nine o’clock. By eight-thirty, the plans were completly set, and Alex was calling Cliff with the final plan.After that, all anybody could do was wait.
*******************************************************
Teren finally got off the plane at quarter after nine. She turned her cell phone on to find it ringing in her hand.
“Mylos.”
“Teren, it’s Cliff. Listen to me, something’s wrong.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I made two phone calls, one to get you a police escort, and one to Jeff Harnisch, who’s the director down there. I just found out that someone from here called the police and told them not to send anyone to pick you up. Whoever it was used my name. Also, my superior called Harnisch and told him he was not to cooperate with the CIA in any way. That means you.”