Decency (47 page)
As the light on the left display slowed down approaching the house, Horton wished it to keep on going. It would be much better if Sandoval had more time to set up.
“Santos, the vehicle is slowing down to a stop. This could be Fitzgerald.”
“Okay, as long as the Pierces are away we can take him anytime, preferably after he leads us to where the devices are.”
“…I know the lawyer”…
The idea blazed through the Attorney General like a lightning bolt. He started talking as fast and as loud as he could so Santos could hear.
“This is John Corrigan…”
Santos swore under his breath. Some people could not resist mother-henning operations.
Horton was so appalled to hear Corrigan burst into the operation he almost started to shout him down.
Corrigan spat words as fast as he could. “…we-might-be-able-to-keep-the-Pierces-away.-Even-if-they-don’t-trust-us-they-will-trust-their-lawyer.-Senator-Charboneaux-knows-her.-If-we-can-get-him-on-the-line-to-tell-him-to-call-the-lawyer-the-lawyer-can-call-them…
“Horton, Joint Stars, three vehicles approaching from the east.”
“…or-if-we-can-get-the-switch-board-here-to-call-both-and-patch-them…”
Fitzgerald opened the car door and instantly wished he had thought to bring a coat against the cold night. He was pleased to hear the insane, raucous music from some juvenile celebration going on a mile or so away. It would help mask any noise he might make that could alert curious neighbors.
Stepping away from the car, he also wished he had brought a better flashlight. The one he had would be fine in the house but was barely good enough to highlight the ditch at the side of the road. He crossed the ditch, held the top strand of the fence wire up with the flashlight protecting his hand, swung his leg through, ducked under and ripped his pants swinging the other leg through. Another source of cold burrowed in through the hole in his pants.
…ah well, only another few minutes to the house and wealth…
The optics operator reported. “Individual approaching the house on foot.”
Unwrapped and slung on his shoulder, the Mack 10, with loaded clip, felt good to Fitzgerald.
The notion of calling Washington was eating at Kelly.
…maybe I should call Bonnie…somebody, anybody…really anybody with a copy of that motion should have done something… if they did, they didn’t call Bonnie…she would have called…no use calling her…
…it’s going to be the Pierces’ first question after hearing the story, “What have the government people done”…?
…if I say, “Nothing yet,” they will see deeper conspiracy…
…but call who…? NSA…? maybe, but what can they do now…?
…the Attorney General…? “Oh, yes Mrs. Hawkins we received your motion… very creative…we referred it to our Civil Division”…
…Senator Charboneaux…? “Hey, Kelly. Your motion,
c’est bon
my friend…I be goin’ to call NSA first thing in the mornin’”…
…maybe I should call them all just to be able to say, “Kathy and Harlan, I’ve been pushing all the buttons I can, even on the drive from the cafe”…