Sworn to Protect (Vows of the Heart) (33 page)

“Hey,” she said softly, leaning against a cabinet. “Can I do anything to help?”

He grinned at her. “I got it,” he put a steak on the plate with a side dish and expertly arranged the garnish.

“Wow,” she said, her stomach rumbling. The medicine Tommy had given her worked like a charm. “When you said you could cook, I didn’t expect five star restaurant quality.”

“Consider it a hobby,” he said and winked at her. “I enjoy cooking.” He glanced at his watch. “What time does that special come on?”

“Six.” Bethany had found one reporter she thought might be open to Ethan’s innocence. He had a special report airing in a few minutes.

“Nathan should be here any time now.”

“Are you sure we aren’t going to have to physically haul him out of there? I think they had to throw him out last night in order to close the doors.”

Ethan laughed, but a knock sounded on the door. Bethany went to answer it, looking through the peep hole. “Speak of the devil,” she said.

“Why do you think I cooked?” Ethan said. “It’s the fastest and easiest way to get him up here.”

She opened the door and Nathan entered, surprising her with a kiss on the cheek and a stuffed teddy bear.

“What’s this for?” she asked.

“For the baby, of course.”

Bethany shook her head. “Uh, Nathan, we still have a long way to go. I just took the test this morning.”

“And that stick turned the brightest blue you’ve ever seen,” Ethan added.

“It’s never too early,” Nathan said.

Bethany groaned. “You are going to spoil this kid rotten.”

“Absolutely. That’s what uncles are for. If it’s a boy, he’s going to have so many video and computer games you’re not going to know what to do.”

“What if it’s a girl?”

“The same thing – and a pony. If it’s a girl, she’s getting a real pony.”

Bethany blinked in shock. He wasn’t kidding.

“All right,” Ethan said
, shoving two plates at him. “Take that one to Tommy and let’s sit down. That program should start any minute now.”

They gathered before the TV. “I’m Steven Wolf,” the young reporter said. “Coming live from San Diego, California. Tonight we have put together a report on ATF Agent Ethan Lancaster. Is he a man on
the emotional edge, a good cop gone bad or is he a victim of a nefarious frame-up involving some of the highest ranking officials in his own department? Tonight we will bring you the facts.”

“He’s in San Diego already?” Bethany asked. “How did he get here so fast?”

“I don’t know how they do it,” Ethan replied. “But the best reporters are part bloodhound.”

The camera cut away to a pre-edited video of pictures of Ethan as a child.

“Born in 1981 in New York, Ethan is the son of Jonathan and Rebecca Lancaster. Jonathan was the founder of the huge corporation of the same name. Young Ethan grew up in an affluent home. He has one older brother, Nathan.”

Ethan looked at his brother sharply. “Shit.”

Nathan’s blue eyes blazed in fury and his fists clenched. “Whoever got that file unsealed better pray I never get my hands on them.”

“Ethan,” the report continued. “Was by all accounts a good kid. He had excellent grades in school and has been in martial arts programs since he was nine. In 1998, he turned eighteen and joined the Marine Corps, reaching the rank of Sergeant and had a stellar military career.” The video changed to a military photo of him. Bethany did a double take. The military hair cut made him look like a different man, but he also looked very noble in his dress blues and his striking eyes. The editorial spoke of his distinguished service awards.

“Then tragedy struck.” The video cut to the burning towers of the World Trade Center a few seconds later, it showed the south tower as it collapsed.

Bethany saw Ethan flinch and look away. Nathan also averted his eyes from the screen. Bethany took Ethan’s hand in hers. He squeezed her fingers
, but said nothing. “Jonathan Lancaster was killed in the attacks of 9/11. He was in the Lancaster Corporation offices in the South Tower on that terrible day.

“Ethan Lancaster’s Marine unit transferred to Afghanistan where he completed his tour in late 2002. After returning home, Lancaster enrolled in New York State where he earned a Masters in Criminal Justice.”

“I gotta admit, little bro,” Nathan said. “That still impresses the hell out of me.”

Ethan grinned at him. “Thanks. That was a lot of hard work,” he admitted.

Another photo, this one more recent, appeared. “While in school, Ethan with all of his martial arts experience, joined forces with Chuck Norris
Kick Drugs Out of America
program. The picture changed to an amateur video of Ethan in his gi and wearing his black belt working with young, inner-city kids. He held boards for them and encouraged each. He also demonstrated several complicated moves and intense board breaking. “But it doesn’t stop there,” the reporter’s voice-over said. “He also volunteered at shelters for battered women empowering them with self-defense techniques.”

“Wow,” Bethany said and winked at him. “Now that is impressive.”

He chuckled and pulled her closer.

“After earning his Masters, Ethan joined the ATF where he has worked for five years. He has performed extensive undercover work bringing down four illegal weapons dealers. Everything we have learned about him reveals a good man, dedicated to his job.”

The video ended, returning to the reporter. “How could a man with such a powerful legacy, a history of helping so many people, suddenly turn bad? If you listen to the psychologists, this was all caused by a mental breakdown. This reporter had a difficult time believing it. Lancaster’s ATF superiors told us he has had some questionable decision making in the past, but they have yet to provide any solid evidence. It all sounds suspiciously like politics. While the supervisors are willing to accuse Ethan Lancaster of heinous crimes, they have done nothing to provide solid evidence supporting their case. We have researched his history extensively and everything this man has done has been to protect the rights and freedoms of this Nation and our citizens.”

Ethan lifted his head and Bethany wanted to cheer. “It’s about damn
ed time.” 

“Where did
it all go so terribly wrong?” the reporter asked. “It all started when Agent Lancaster went undercover for two years to bust drug lord and arms dealer, Jose Cordova.”

Again the camera cut away to blurry pictures of Cordova with an editorial on his basic criminal history. Finally, the camera returned to the reporter.

“Through various undisclosed sources, this reporter has discovered that Jose Cordova has one goal in mind. To kill Ethan Lancaster. We’ll be back with some interesting facts for you after the break.”

A commercial appeared and Bethany turned her attention to finishing her dinner.

“I gotta admit,” Ethan said as he too finished the last of his meal. “I like what this guy is saying so far. At least he has the history right.”

The program returned and the screen now showed Wolf sitting with another reporter in a studio.

“I’m Dan Michaels. We are broadcasting live from our sister studio in San Diego, California, where we have just completed a special report on rogue ATF agent, Ethan Lancaster. Steven, thank you so much for such an in depth report. You have discovered a lot of interesting information that seems to indicate we have all misjudged Ethan Lancaster.”

“That’s exactly right, Dan. His superiors have told us repeatedly he has been on the emotional edge for some time
, but honestly, I cannot find any history. Behavior this dramatic doesn’t just happen without cause and there has absolutely no indication of this young man suddenly murdering a half dozen people.”

“The brass at the ATF have indicated Cordova now owns Ethan Lancaster. But if he does,
why does he want to kill him?” the anchor asked.

“That is the question of the day. I am convinced Lancaster isn’t as evil others made him out to be. But there’s an interesting point here. I have also learned there was a computer attack on Indigo Transports, a large shipping company purported to be a cover for Cordova’s illegal operations. Someone hacked into the computers, seeking information. It is not known if they achieved it or not.”

“Do you believe Agent Lancaster was behind this attack?”

“That is only speculation right now. But certainly if he is to prove his innocence, he would need hard evidence of Cordova’s dealings.”

“Do you believe Lancaster is holding Miss Kress hostage?”

“Honestly, I doubt it. It is rumored that Bethany Kress has a number of talents. She is a professional thief and we’ve had reports of her driving skills in action.” The camera cut away and to grainy video which appeared to have been caught on a security camera. There appeared a flash of a Dodge Charger followed by three black and white units. The camera returned to the reporters. “Although only a few seconds long, you can see exactly why they haven’t been able to catch Lancaster. If Kress wanted to escape, I believe she could do so easily. Instead
, she has used her talents to help Lancaster stay one step ahead.”

“So she chooses not to escape. Why?”

“Again, this is only speculation. But if this is a frame, then Lancaster is her only protection against Cordova right now. Remember, she was also supposed to testify against Cordova in court. And that’s what makes this all so suspicious. The only two people remaining alive who could put Cordova in jail, perhaps even get him the death penalty, are being hunted by our government without remorse.”

“When this story first broke, everyone thought Lancaster had gone bad. What made you think differently?”

“As I said, the more I delved into this case, the stranger it got. What really made me question this was not only the vigor Lancaster was pursued by his own people, but how his department controlled the media with their manner of releasing information. I remember seeing a report on Lancaster’s brother. He was part of a special ops team in the Navy SEALS. Yet the military has unsealed the file and made it public. A senator has gone on record as saying they believe Nathan is aiding and abetting a wanted fugitive therefore no longer qualifies for protection. That is absolutely unheard of, Dan, and our government just exposed a former SEAL, who also has an impeccable record of serving our country. If you recall the apartment building in New York that was burned to the ground not too long ago, there was a tenant matching Nathan Lancaster’s description. How did Cordova discover his existence?”

“That would take someone with considerable clout. Records of operatives relocated are sealed to even high ranking military officials.”

“Exactly, but think about it. Cordova has a history of bribing very powerful people. If Lancaster knew the identity of these people from his work undercover, it would make sense that Cordova would go to such lengths to kill him. I believe Lancaster knows who these people are and both Cordova and those who were bribed are desperate to stop him.”

“An interesting hypothesis. So, why are you in San Diego?”

“My sources tell me there is something happening here. Lancaster and Cordova are maneuvering for a face off. But exactly when, where, and how, we don’t know.”

“Thank you, Steven. Be sure to keep us up to date.”

“I will, Dan.”

Ethan turned down the volume and looked at his brother. “Well, what do you think?”

“I think Bethany’s research has paid off. He’s a good choice.”

****

Rick Gunther sat in a cheap motel room in San Diego, nursing a beer and studying Ethan Lancaster’s psyche eval. He had a feeling Lancaster wouldn’t stick to plan. Gunther grudgingly had to admit the kid had excellent instincts. Like any good agent, Lancaster had learned from his mistakes and was putting those lessons to use.

Lancaster had asked Edwards to set up a hotel for him
, but he hadn’t checked into it. Gunther had planned on this possibility and he had Cordova’s associates observing every hotel in downtown. Unfortunately, they had found no one. Gunther was frustrated and running out of time. The psyche eval he studied had been done while Lancaster was in the hospital recovering from his injuries. Somewhere along the line, it had come off the rails. Lancaster no longer behaved in a predictable manner and Gunther wasn’t sure why. Something had changed in him and Gunther had no idea what it was. He knew the kid was good, but this was surprising.

Now Cordova insisted on adding gasoline to an already out of control fire. Despite Gunther’s warnings to remain hidden, the fool proceeded to his boat in the marina. Gunther wanted to end Lancaster’s threat before Cordova arrived. But Cor
dova could no longer wait, the Feds were closing in on him.

Gunther continued with the chess game simply because he had no choice. He paused, pulling a battered photo from his wallet of his wife and three kids. Gunther sighed miserably. If he failed to stop Lancaster, his family was dead.

His cell phone rang. “Gunther.”

“We haven’t seen anything yet, sir, we’ve checked every motel in downtown San Diego and we’re now moving outward.”

“He’s got to be here. Outside of downtown is too far away to be effective. Keep searching. Did we ever hear anything more from Jackie’s boys?”