Decency (48 page)

Kimberly Burke started FBI collecting phone numbers as soon as she heard who the Attorney General was talking about.

Fitzgerald momentarily paused when he noticed the car lights in the distance.

…probably just more party-goers…

He stepped to the back door, opened it and went inside.

Optics reported to Sandoval, “Individual now inside the house.”

Horton’s eyes glued to the display.

…there is a train wreck coming if those vehicles are the Pierces’, Santos lets them get to the house and that’s Fitzgerald inside…

Sandoval told his teams, “We don’t care who that is. We’re taking him on my command.”

Horton breathed a little easier knowing Sandoval had the right priorities

…but if those are the Pierces he also still has to stop them…now we can try Corrigan’s idea…

He keyed the switch board.

“White House.”

“Call Senator Charboneaux and Washington attorney Kelly Hawkins, patch them…”

Kimberly Burke got the numbers in her ear and read them as she did.

She gave a D.C number for the Senator’s cell phone.

“Got that White House?”

“Yes, Mr. Horton, dialing.”

Hawkins cell phone was a Virginia number.

“Ringing.”

Kelly finally gave in to her worry.

…I have got to do something…! even if the entire eavesdropping, lead-footed federal blob is asleep…

She reached into her coat pocket for the cell phone.

Fitzgerald calmly followed his flashlight beam through the house to the point on the living room wall where the line to the phone entered the jack and reached in his pocket for the screwdriver.

…it’s not there…maybe on the plane…maybe climbing through the fence…

Optics reported, “Individual in the house has stopped moving.”

Sandoval quietly commanded, “Cut the power. Cut the phone.”

“This is Jean Charboneaux.”

Corrigan leaped in.

“Senator, John Corrigan, this has to be very fast. You know Kelly Hawkins. We’re going to patch you to her because the Pierces don’t trust us…”

Kelly nearly jumped out of her skin when the cell phone rang in her hand.

She did drop it.

Horton was watching the vehicles close in.

…Sandoval…you cannot let them turn down the road to the house…you might never get in front of them…stop them Santos…stop them Santos…