Long Road to Mercy

Chapter 60

Are you insane?”

Clint Dobbs, the head of the FBI in Arizona, sounded like he was about to suffer a stroke, or have an anxiety attack, or both.

“I don’t think so, sir, no,” replied Pine calmly into the phone.

“Where the hell have you been all this time?” demanded Dobbs.

“On the vacation you told me to take, sir.”

“Damn it, you haven’t answered any calls or emails.”

“There’s no service where I was, sir. I’m just back now.”

“Do you realize how long you’ve been gone?”

“Yes, sir, to the day.”

“And you want to meet at your office in Shattered Rock?”

“Yes, sir, and bring some reinforcements, like I asked. I’m talking Hostage Rescue Team, long guns, body armor, the works.”

“Do not be insubordinate. I’m not coming to Shattered Rock. You can come to Phoenix.”

“I would, sir, but I have something at my office that I can’t really transport.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Just trust me, sir.”

“I don’t see why I should. I’ve already gotten an earful from the DD about you.”

Pine drew a deep breath. “I think the DD might be involved in what’s going on.” Which is the reason I’m calling you and not him, she said to herself.

“What in the hell are you saying? That sort of talk could cost you your shield, Pine.”

“Why else would he have intervened and had you call me off this case, sir? Wasn’t that extraordinary on his part? I mean, what does the DD care about a dead mule?”

Dobbs didn’t say anything for a long moment. Then: “What the hell are you involved in, Pine?”

“Something bigger than I could have ever imagined, sir. That’s why I need your help and support. I can’t do it alone. And if the DD won’t do it, I need you to have my back, sir.”

“And why do I need to bring reinforcements?” asked Dobbs after another few moments of silence.

“Because I expect company here.”

“Company? What do you mean, some criminals? A gang?”

“Depends on how you define that, sir, but this company might actually be more dangerous.”

“Look, Pine, this is beyond ridiculous. If you think—”

She broke in, “Sir, I would not be asking this if it were not absolutely critical. Once you get here you will understand exactly what is going on. It’s a matter of national security. Not just for this country, but for the world.” She paused. “I’m trying to do my job, sir, as an FBI agent. I gave an oath. I intend to carry that oath out.”

She once more listened to him breathing.

“You’re really not joking, are you?”

“I have never been more serious in my life.”

“You haven’t been on vacation, have you?”

“I would not call it a vacation, no, sir.”

“Your career hangs in the balance on this, Pine.”

“A lot more than my career hangs in the balance, sir.”

There was a short pause. “I’ll be there in three and a half hours.”

“And don’t forget the reinforcements I asked for.”

Dobbs already had clicked off.

Pine sighed.

Well, here goes nothing.

Later, Pine and Blum waited in the Yazzies’ Suburban down the street from their office in Shattered Rock. It was important that they arrive at the same moment as Dobbs and his men.

“Did you and Sam get the package into our office okay?” Pine asked.

“No problem. We went in through the garage so no one could see us.” Blum paused. “Although, I have to say, it’s a little unsettling how easy it was to get a nuclear weapon into a building housing federal agents.”

“Nobody stopped you?”

“One ICE agent that I know did. I told him it was a new credenza for the office. He even helped us carry it in.”

Pine stiffened as a black SUV drove past at speed down the empty street. It pulled to a stop in front of the office building and the doors opened.

Clint Dobbs, around six feet tall and in his fifties with thinning gray hair, broad shoulders, a thick neck, and the beginnings of a paunch, got out of the truck’s rear passenger seat. He was followed by five other agents.

“Shit, he didn’t bring enough guys,” said Pine. “No HRT. No long guns. Just suits and pistols. Why the hell don’t some people listen?”

Pine put the SUV in gear and hit the gas.

They shot forward and pulled to a stop with a screech against the curb.

Pistols came out of holsters and were pointed at the SUV until Pine and Blum got out and showed themselves. Pine had grabbed a bag and slung it over her shoulder.

Dobbs looked apoplectic. “What the hell are you doing?”

Pine strode over to him. “Waiting for you to show, sir.” She looked at the other agents. “I asked for HRT, long guns, armor, sir. Why is this all you brought?”

“I have five armed agents with me. What are you expecting? A war?”

“Pretty much. But it is what it is now. No going back now. Let’s go.”

Pine strode off toward the building.

Dobbs looked incredulously at Pine and then his gaze shifted to Blum. A spark of recognition came over his features. “I know you, don’t I?”

“Carol Blum. I was your secretary back in your Flagstaff days.”

“That’s right.” He looked around. “Well, I’m sorry you ended up here working for what looks to me to be an agent unraveling.”

“Oh, don’t feel sorry for me, Mr. Dobbs. Agent Pine is the sort of agent the FBI should be proud of. And when you find out what she’s done, you’ll see that she’s far from unraveling.”

“Exactly what is she doing?”

“Saving the world, more or less.”

She hurried on after Pine, leaving Dobbs looking bewildered and a little put out. He motioned to his men. “Well, all right, let’s go.” He looked warily around but the quiet surroundings seemed to appease him.

“War, my ass,” he muttered.

Inside, Pine let them all into the office and turned off the alarm system.

She closed the door behind the last agent and made sure it was secure.

“All right,” said Dobbs. “Now you’re going to tell me what the hell is going on.”

“If you would step into my office.”

She led them into the inner space and closed the door.

Pine walked over to the closet door of her office, opened it, and pointed to the bulky object set in the corner with a canvas cover over it.

“What is that?” asked Dobbs.

In answer Pine unzipped the canvas covering the object.

Dobbs said, “What the hell is that?”

“That is what is called a tactical nuclear weapon,” said Pine.

Dobbs and his men took a collective step back. Dobbs barked, “What in the hell... A nuke!”

“It was hidden in a cave at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.”

“Hidden? Hidden by whom?” demanded Dobbs.

“Ah, now that goes right to the heart of the matter, doesn’t it?” She closed the door.

“And you will tell me right after I call Washington and tell them that we have a nuke in a damn FBI RA office.”

“Sir.”

He strode over and pointed a finger in her face. “Not another word. My God, Pine, of all the screwups I thought I had seen, this just—”

“Oh, Clint, for God’s sake, can you just close your mouth for one minute and let her explain?” said Blum in exasperation. “This is important.”

He glared at her. “Clint? You will address me as—”

“I think I’m retiring, so I’ll just leave it at Clint.” She looked expectantly over at Pine. “Special Agent Pine?”

Pine looked at Dobbs. “I take it that you saw the AED of the National Security Branch was on the email chain about the dead mule and missing person case.”

Dobbs’s expression turned petulant. “I don’t read down the cc list.”

Before Pine could respond, the sounds of boots hammered up the stairs and rolled like a tidal wave down the hall. A few moments later, the sounds of the front door being caved in by a hydraulic ram reached them.

“What the hell is that?” exclaimed Dobbs as he and his men whirled toward the only remaining door between them and whatever was out there.

Pine took out her pistol and pointed it at the door. She looked at the other agents and held up her gun. “Gentlemen?”

They all looked at each other, drew their weapons, and stood next to Pine, their guns pointed at the door. Even Dobbs took out his weapon.

“What the hell is coming, Pine?” hissed Dobbs.

“That would be the war, sir,” she replied.