Transfer of Power

THE ELEVATOR STOPPED at the second floor, and without having to be told, Adams was already working the monitor to check the different surveillance units. For his part, Rapp was trying to figure out their next step beyond calling Langley.

There had to be a way to check on the president. When they got back in the stash room, he would get Adams to spread out his blueprints and see if there were any other options. But that meant Rielly, and that wouldn’t work. She already knew too much as it was, and things were only going to get worse.

Adams finished checking the surveillance units and told Rapp the coast was clear. Rapp nodded, and after a couple seconds, he said, “When we get back to the stash room, I’m going to need you to step outside with Anna for a couple of minutes while I talk to Langley.”

The twisted expression on Adams’s face gave Rapp the impression he wasn’t too fond of the idea.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t like the idea of sitting outside of the room with her and my little six-shooter.” The horizontal lines on Adams’s shiny black forehead deepened.

“I think you’re overreacting.”

Adams saw an instantaneous change in Rapp’s demeanor. The lid on the kettle started to wobble. In earnest, Adams added, “Just a bit… I mean, I understand your need for secrecy and everything, but-“ Rapp cut him off.

“She’s a reporter, end of discussion, let’s go.” Rapp jerked his thumb toward the door.

It was obvious Rapp wasn’t going to budge, so Adams zipped up the monitor and opened the door. Rapp stepped onto the white tile floor first, and Adams closed the door behind them. Another quick trip across the hall and they were back in the large walk-in closet.

Rapp pointed at the ground.

“You stay here. Use the monitor to make sure no one is coming. I’ll leave the door unlocked. At the first sign of trouble, come back in the room.”

Rapp didn’t give Adams a chance to ask any questions.

Turning immediately, he opened the organizer and stepped into the stash room. Rielly was sitting in the corner right where they had left her.

Rapp looked down at Anna Rielly and wished she weren’t there. Wished he could just erase her from his mind.

“You’re back awfully quick,” was the only thing Rielly could think of.

Ignoring her words, he stuck his hand out. Rielly grabbed it, and Rapp pulled her to her feet. He maneuvered her toward the open door and ignored her question. Pushing her out into the closet, Rapp pulled the organizer shut with a slight click.

He dropped to one knee, grabbed the handset to the field radio, and said, “Iron Man to control. Over.”

A female voice answered and told Rapp to hold. Less than ten seconds later Thomas Stansfield’s smooth voice came over the thin plastic receiver.

“What did you find out?”

“I came up dry on the first run, sir. There was a Tango in the hallway.

We couldn’t proceed past the stairwell.”

“What level was the Tango on?”

This time it was General Campbell’s voice.

“Third basement.” Rapp rubbed his brow with his right hand.

“He was positioned just outside the doors for the stairwell and the boiler room.” There was a pause, and Rapp imagined a gaggle of military aides shuffling blueprints around and showing the general the exact location.

“Any thoughts on why he would be there?” It was Stansfield again.

Rapp finished kneading the skin on his brow.

“Off the top of my head, I can think of two. First, the guy is down there to make sure no one comes through the shaft again, or second, he’s down there to make sure no one interrupts the progress of thisyassin, or whatever his name is.”

There was the exhaling sigh of thought and then the words, “I would concur. Do you or Milt have any ideas on how we might circumvent this guard?”

“Maybe.” Rapp began rubbing his forehead again.

“Give me about ten minutes, and I’ll call you back.”

Rapp set the handset back in the cradle. Now it was time to grab Milt and figure out a way to verify whether or not the president was safe.

What to do with the reporter?

Standing, he popped open the door and pushed it outward. Adams and Rielly were standing in the dimly lit closet talking quietly. Rapp motioned for Adams to join him and then said to Rielly, “You’re going to have to stay out here while we talk.”

Adams stepped forward, grabbing Rielly’s arm and bringing her with him.

“She’s got something to say to you.”

Rapp stood in the opening, reluctant to move, looking at Adams and wondering what in the hell he had said. Looking to Rielly, he saw that her feisty attitude was gone. After a long moment, Rapp retreated a step and allowed the two of them to enter the stash room.