Page 86

CHAPTER 86

T HE NEXT DAY, IN RICKETTS, Mercedes King walked to her Cayenne where it was parked at the government building.

Before she could get in, Detectives Braddock and Walker appeared and confronted her. Braddock said, “Police. You’re under arrest and you need to come with me. Now.”

She whirled around and barked, “Police? From where?”

Braddock flashed his badge. “SPD.”

“This is not your jurisdiction. So you can’t make me go anywhere.”

A voice called out, “Actually, we can.”

Ellen Saxby walked over and held up a piece of paper along with her credentials. “Special Agent Ellen Saxby, FBI. I have a federal arrest warrant for one Mercedes King. My state colleagues here are assisting.”

“Based on what!” exclaimed King.

Saxby held up her phone and touched the screen. A video of Mercedes and Eric King started playing and showed them talking about the death of the man being held in the government building, and also the kidnapping of Betsy Odom. A minute later another video showed King and Nick Dawkins coming out of the house where Odom had been taken.

“In addition, we have five of your people in custody who were at the house where Odom was being held prisoner. They have sung long and hard. So legally, you’re screwed. Your husband has already been arrested and so will your boyfriend, Nick Dawkins, as soon as we catch up to him. But Odom is safe and sound.”

“But I—”

“But you got reports from your men that everything was A-OK?” said Saxby. “Yeah, we told them exactly what to say in their communications to you. Which is another piece of evidence against you since that conversation was recorded.”

King looked at Saxby and then glanced around at the others. Something seemed to occur to her. “Where is Travis Devine?”

Saxby said, “He helped to rescue Betsy Odom. And unfortunately, he was killed during the mission. And we intend to charge you as being an accessory to his murder.”

King took a step back. “Look, I have no idea what you have on that phone, but anything can be created digitally. And these five people? I don’t know them.”

Another voice said, “Well, another charge is aiding in the murder of a federal agent.”

King slowly turned to stare at Will Chambers and Angela Davenport as they joined the party.

Davenport continued, “Then there’s the espionage and treason counts. You’re looking at life in prison, Anne, or do you prefer Mercedes? You always did have expensive tastes.”

For the first time, the woman looked worried. “How did you—”

“CIA is an intelligence agency,” proclaimed Chambers.

“What federal agent did I help kill?”

“Prudence Jackson,” said Davenport. “Because of you, she was taken prisoner by enemies of this country, was tortured, and died.”

King looked around and, gaining back some of her cockiness, said, “Five people to arrest little old me? And we wonder why the national debt is so high.”

Saxby said, “Actually, we came to make you an offer. One you probably can’t refuse, unless you’re really, really stupid.”

“What offer?” King said quickly.

“You help us, you get a deal,” replied Saxby.

“What sort of deal?” King said sharply.

“New identity, new life.”

“No prison time?”

“If you’re a really, really good girl,” said Saxby. “We want 12/24. You’re just a pain in the ass. You deliver them, you essentially get to walk.”

As Saxby stared at the woman, she could almost see the wheels turning in King’s brain.

“What do I need to do?” King said a few moments later.

“My, how I’ve always admired your loyalty,” noted Davenport.

Saxby said, “We need Danny Glass back safe and sound.”

“Glass? I don’t know anything—” She stopped when Saxby held up her hand.

“You lie, they’ll just fit you for a lifetime prison wardrobe and throw away the key. But if Glass is dead already, you have nothing to negotiate with.”

“He’s not… dead… yet,” said King.

“So 12/24 is still debriefing him?” asked Chambers.

King hesitated and then nodded.

“So we need to get there ASAP,” said Saxby. “And you’re going to be our way in.”

King said urgently, “He’s heavily guarded. And these people are fanatics. They made me work with them. They threatened me.”

“You always did have the nicest playmates , Anne,” commented Davenport.

“That’s part of the deal,” said Saxby. “You get us in, or no deal.”

King looked unsure for a few moments, but then a cagey expression graced her features.

“I’ll call and tell them to keep Glass alive until I get there. And I need to pick up some things I’ll need from a building behind the government center. But then I have a way to get you in.”

“I knew you would,” said Saxby.