The 22nd Secret Read online

  “Mr. Walker,” Turner held out his hand for Henry to shake. “I didn’t expect you so soon.”

  “May we talk in your office?” Henry asked.

  “This way,” Turner said, leading them through the door and shutting it behind them. “Sit down, Mr. Walker.”

  “Call me Tom.” Henry handed his CIA identification to Turner, who sat down at his desk at the same time Henry sat in one of the chairs.

  “I’m Mike,” Turner said, as he inspected the CIA identification with Henry’s picture and Tom’s name. “Ah, I’m–”

  “You’re wondering about the name. Doesn’t go with the face does it?” Henry smiled and explained as if he’d done this his entire life. “My grandfather was a Caucasian. Not only gave me my last name but believe it or not I’m a Southern Baptist. Grew up in Amarillo. As a kid, my best friend’s last name was Rosenbloom. He’s a Baptist too.”

  “Actually no, I was wondering how you got here so soon. I mean, I just got off the phone with Director Stanley. He said you’d be taking charge of the mafia plane crash but he said nothing about you arriving this morning.”

  “I can’t tell you everything, but there are some very serious national security issues involved. I need to get to a place called White Bear Lake Lodge as quickly as possible. Do you or any of your people know this place?”

  “Yes, I know the place. So do most of my men. We’ve been there fishing many times.”

  “Perfect. I need you to equip me and one of your men for travel in this storm. A snow cat or whatever you recommend that’ll get us to that lodge tonight. The man will need to be familiar with Jim Mitchell, the lodge, and how to get there in this storm without being detected.”

  “You mean the crash site or Mitchell’s place?” Turner asked.

  “I mean the lodge. I need to be in a position by tonight to observe the lodge without being seen, if that’s possible.”

  Turner looked down at the CIA identification, then up at Henry. He hadn’t recognized Stanley’s voice and he had no real proof this guy was who he said he was. “It’s possible, but I don’t know. I mean, we didn’t expect you to just walk in here this morning, and Director Stanley didn’t say anything about this. Really, he told me to stay clear of the plane and as far away from this as we could. Now you come walking in here thirty minutes later and ask for a man to take you to White Bear Lake. What’s Jim Mitchell got to do with this anyway? I know Mitchell. I think you need to tell me what he’s got to do with that plane other than reporting the crash. If you think he’s got something to do with the mob you’re wrong.”

  Henry focused his eyes directly at Turner’s. Turner was an experienced agent and would not be easily bluffed. Henry’s tone and expression changed from the likable Baptist from Amarillo to the cold-blooded killer he really was.

  “Stanley told you to cooperate with me and don’t ask questions. That’s exactly what you’re going to do. We don’t have time to be sitting here chatting. If I’m not at Mitchell’s lodge by tonight I’ll have your ass and you’ll be responsible for the biggest espionage blunder of the century.”

  Turner was taken off guard by the change in Henry’s tone. He leaned back in his chair to get a little distance from Henry.

  “I just meant–” Turner was shaken but resolute, “I would like to confirm this with Director Stanley.”

  Henry stood, leaned over the desk, and slammed one fist down on it. He grabbed the identification from Turner with his other hand, paused a moment, and stood up straight. He was the best in the world at what he did, and this included intimidation. It took all of his skill to repress the nagging fear that Turner would actually try to confirm his identity. He smiled coldly and stared, as he always did before doing something bad to someone. He desperately searched for alternatives if Turner didn’t capitulate. He realized there were none.

  “You do that,” he said, “Do just that. Tell Stanley I’m standing here telling you what I need and you’re asking questions. Ask him how I got here. Tell him you forgot, in the last thirty minutes, that you were supposed to cooperate with me and not ask questions. Hell, ask Stanley all you’re fucking questions. Ask him what Mitchell has to do with this. Put him on the goddamn phone with me. I’ll tell him he has to tell you everything or you won’t get me to Mitchell’s lodge. Mitchell’s suspected of conspiracy to commit treason. That’s all I’m going to tell you and it’s all you’re going to get out of Stanley except the ass-reaming he’ll give you for fucking with me.”

  Henry instinctively reached for his gun when he saw Turner reaching for the phone, but that wouldn’t work. He had left his gun at the hotel. The federal building was equipped with metal detectors and he was stirring up enough shit without trying to get a weapon in.

  Turner didn’t detect the slightest flinch in Henry’s confident expression as he held his hand inches away from the phone. He knew he had to cover his ass. Conspiracy to commit treason was some serious shit. Way beyond the mob or anything he wanted to mess with.

  Henry remained motionless but Turner jumped in his chair when the intercom buzzed.

  “Just received an e-mail from Director Stanley confirming the telephone conversation you had with him this morning. You want to read it?”

  “No. Get Billy in here.” Henry slipped the identification back in his suit coat and sat down as if none of this had just happened. Turner did not want to engage in any more power games with Henry.

  “Billy Worth grew up in Bear Breath and knows Mitchell and Kenai Peninsula like the back of his hand. Excellent backwoods man and top-notch agent. I assigned him to the plane crash investigation this morning. I haven’t had a chance to tell him you’re taking over.”

  “There’s a really weird man in there with Mike,” the receptionist told Billy as he walked past her desk and opened the door to Turner’s office.

  “You want me, Mike?” Billy was Native American Eskimo, short and stocky, in excellent condition. He stood confidently in the doorway and stared at Turner with sky blue eyes. Henry rose and they exchanged a handshake that would have brought most men to their knees. The handshake implied an instant understanding between the two men. They did not trust each other. They exchanged grim smiles and sat down.

  “This is Tom Walker. He’s with the CIA and has been put in charge of the investigation into the Cassioppi plane crash by Director Stanley himself.” Turner introduced Walker to Billy who eyed him with contempt. “He’ll be working under an FBI cover. Apparently that plane crash has more to do with national security than the mob. Director Stanley has personally ordered this office to cooperate with Walker and not ask questions. Tom, why don’t you tell Billy what you need from him. Just so you know where this is going, Jim Mitchell is suspected of conspiracy to commit treason.”

  “Mitchell, treason, come on, boss you have got to be kidding?”

  “I wish he wasn’t.” Henry said. “All I can really tell either of you is there were three occupants of that plane. Tino and Lucky are dead, and the third is believed to be with Mitchell and is wanted for treason. My orders are to get to her and stop her at any cost.”

  “And Mitchell’s in on this?” Billy and Mitchell were lifelong friends. He could not believe that he would be involved in something like this.

  “Probably not. He probably doesn’t know who the girl really is. That’s why I want to stakeout the lodge. She’s no doubt trying to get him to help her without telling him what’s really happening. I’d like to keep Mitchell in the dark and alive if possible. I’m sure, well, at least, I hope he’s innocent and doesn’t really know what’s happening. I’m sorry about all the secrecy but the nuclear security of the world is at stake here. The less you two, Mitchell or any one else knows about this, the better. This is between that girl and me. I’m here asking for your help so I can stop her before she does irreparable damage to our national security.”

  There was no hesitation in Henry’s voice or expression. “I’ll kill her if I have too.”

  There was a long si
lence in the room. Although neither Billy nor Mike showed it, if their brains had lower jaws they’d be on the floor. Mike was grateful he had not called Stanley and he got that e-mail to put in his files.

  “Damn, who’s this girl?” Billy asked.

  “I tell you that and you’re in the same mess as Mitchell.” Henry looked directly at Billy. “Can you get me to Mitchell’s place by tonight and in position so I can observe any movements without being detected?”

  “This has something to do with the Chinese, doesn’t it?” Turner asked.

  Henry glared impatiently at him and did not answer. “Can you do it?” he asked.

  Billy looked at Turner, who nodded and turned to Henry.

  “Yes.”

  “Great. Tell me what I have to do.” Henry was obviously relieved.

  Turner gave the orders. “We have a motor pool south of town. Billy will drive you there in his four-wheel drive. Everything you’ll need is there. Billy, you’ll be taking orders from Walker until I tell you different. If you walk out of here now, I figure you’ll be lucky to get in position by 2100 hours. What do you think, Billy?”

  “If we’re lucky, what happens if we can’t make it?”

  “You don’t want to know. So we should leave now, right?” Henry stood up. “I’ve got to check in with my associate at the hotel. Is there a phone I can use in private?”

  “You can use the phone in my office,” Billy said, as he stood and headed for the door, with Henry closely behind him.

  Turner picked up his phone. “I’ll phone the motor pool and get things rolling there.”

  “I’m leaving this afternoon for Korea on my way to China. I hope Patty’s okay and you can get her to the ship. Good luck.” Ben held the button down to disconnect from Henry. He released it and immediately dialed a number. He spoke in Chinese. “Lo is going to deliver Patty at the rendezvous point, if he can, by snow cat tomorrow afternoon. I’ll be waiting in the lobby for you to pick me up.” Ben left the hotel, dressed for the backwoods, in a four-wheel drive Suburban that took him through the blizzard to a secluded spot on the outskirts of Anchorage. The storm helped to conceal the stolen snow cat Ben was driven in to Otter Bay.

  Henry watched Billy drive the snow cat and asked questions, learning all he could about its operation during the long drive to Mitchell’s lodge. The wind and heavy snow would cover the tracks of the cat by morning. Four hours of the trip were consumed by the slow tedious drive from Bear Breath over the back roads to the old railroad trestle converted for use by vehicles ten miles from the lodge. Billy slowed the cat to a crawl as they drove across it, barely able to distinguish the drop off on each side in the blinding snow and darkness of the night. Just as they got to the other side, Billy gunned the engine to gain speed up the hill toward the lodge. A great roaring thunder filled the air and shook the cat.

  “What the hell was that?” Henry asked.

  “Snow slide,” Billy yelled over the engine. “Sounds like it was right behind us. We've been lucky not to run into any so far. Bet the road’s blocked behind us now.”

  Billy killed the engine at the top of a hill overlooking the lodge. Except for some smoke coming from the main chimney the place was dark and lifeless. Henry looked at his watch. It read 9:25 pm. They had made excellent time. He was getting ready to look at the lodge through his night vision binoculars when Billy spoke. He was already looking at it through his.

  “There they are.”

  “Where?” Henry asked as he snapped his binoculars to his eyes.

  “Second story far window. Mitchell and a woman, both nude, hugging each other.”

  “Got it, that’s her. That’s the woman we’re after.” Henry continued to study the figures in the distant window, confirming the woman was Patty.

  “Dig the body on that chick. Looks like Mitchell’s having fun. If that’s her, let’s get on down there and grab her.”

  Henry lowered his binoculars, letting them hang from the strap around his neck. He held his watch between his fingers to get a good look at the time and signaled Tom that he had made contact with Patty. “That’s not my orders. We’re going to wait right here until the girl makes her move. We think tomorrow morning. If not we’ll move in then. You get some rest. I’ll take the first watch.”

  “You’re the boss.”

  Chapter Six

  Snowbound

  The morning after the crash - White Bear Lake Lodge

  Pam drifted in and out of semi-consciousness. Fragments of consciousness slowly filled her head. There was the warm wool blanket, the sound of wood crackling in the fire, the smell of the old leather couch, the wind howling through the pine trees, and those strong eyes. Jim’s powerful arms holding her close and his eyes connecting with hers. In a split second at the crash site Pam had experienced something entirely new. She instantly sensed the power. It wasn’t merely a physical attraction, though that was part of it. It was difficult for Pam to understand.

  She wanted him to need her, to want her, not like Ben but…

  The crash. Oh my God, the Chinese, the mission. Conscious thoughts flooded her mind. Her entire body spammed. The sudden awakening and stiffness of her muscles made her shout. She was looking straight up at the ceiling, covered with those fascinating Indian rugs. The room was illuminated with the grey even light from the sun filtered through the blizzard. She was overwhelmed by stiffness in every muscle. A dirty film covered her skin, clothing, and especially her hair. She painfully turned her head toward the fire and the chair where Jim had spent the night. It was empty save the pillow and blanket.

  The basement of the lodge was made of stone and was empty except for the boiler and shelves. The supplies needed for running the lodge were all trucked in during the summer. The non-perishables were stocked the summer before so they would be available as soon as guests arrived. Linens, paper goods, and other dry goods were neatly stored on the rows of shelves. Jim had already adjusted the valves of the boiler to warm the main room, his room, and the guest room across the hall from his. He was looking through several old dressers that contained clothing left by guests. These came in handy when guests’ luggage was lost in transit. He had selected a white terrycloth bathrobe, a pair of ladies jeans, a flannel shirt, some underwear, and wool socks, and was heading for the stairs when he heard the girl he rescued yesterday and knew as Paula shout.

  Pam fought panic as she looked at the empty chair. The American and Chinese governments would soon be looking for her. The fact it was infinitely better for the Chinese to get to her first somehow made her feel worse.

  “You okay?”

  She slowly looked away from the chair and up at Jim, who stood next to the couch holding a stack of clothing and smiling confidently. They made eye contact and the panic left her as Jim’s strength and self-confidence filled her. Pam allowed herself the pleasure of wrapping her mind in Jim’s warm gaze. Everything would be okay as long as he was there to protect her. She could lie there on the old leather couch soaking up his powerful presence all day. Jim’s thoughts about what was under the blanket reminded her that she was Paula, the mafia girl who Jim was planning on spending the next few days and nights with, alone and snowbound. She wished the circumstances were different. She wanted to tell Jim who she really was but she knew that was not possible. Realistically, if she made it to the Chinese or not, in two days she would probably never see Jim again, let alone survive.

  “I have some clothes left behind by guests. I figured you’d want to take a bath. I’ll make breakfast. I bet you’re starving.”

  Jim paused and noticed Paula’s blank stare. “I mean, they’re all washed and everything. I have lots. Some are like new, sometimes guests’ luggage is lost or late. I’ve equipped people with whole wardrobes.” Jim waited for a reaction but none came.

  “You can pick something else, whatever you want.”

  “They’re fine. I’m starving. And thanks for noticing I need a bath.” Pam threw the blanket off and struggled to get up. Jim dro
pped the clothing on the chair and grabbed Pam’s hands to help her. His touch shot through her hands like needles, startling her and causing her to look straight into Jim’s eyes. She didn’t know what it was about this man. She felt it at the crash site. She was too tired and preoccupied by getting Jim to agree to help her last night to fully realize it, but there was something about him. Something different than any man Pam had known. She was definitely in control, but she had to work to keep it that way. If she let him, he could overpower her. The power of his mind to dominate her was almost overwhelming.

  “Listen,” Jim said as he reached for the clothing and handed it to Paula. “Go upstairs. Take a bath, and I’ll make breakfast. You like ham and eggs with hash browns and biscuits?”

  “Sounds wonderful,” Pam said as she took the clothes from Jim and looked them over.

  “How long do we have until your friend the sheriff can get out here to investigate?”

  Jim walked over to the fire to tend to it. “I don’t know for sure but I figure a couple days at the soonest. Judging from what you said about what your boyfriend, and what he was up to, it will probably be the FBI or CIA, or both. Either way, it probably won’t be Bill.”

  “Don’t call him my boyfriend,” she snapped. “I’m not proud of what I was to Tino.” Jim turned to see her looking down at the stack of clothes in her hands. “I don’t want you to think of me that way. I’m not… it’s not like you think.” Her voice trembled.

  Jim walked over to Paula and put his arms around her. He pulled her close as she held the stack of clothes. “I’m sorry,” he said. Paula’s eyes met his and Jim’s mind seemed to stop. All he could see were her beautiful mesmerizing blue green depthless eyes. Somehow, he heard Paula’s voice whispering in his mind. Don’t hesitate. Tomorrow may never come. Think with your heart not your mind. Love me while we can.

  “You’re so beautiful.” His mind was clear again. He continued trying to understand the magic in her eyes. “What matters now, is you and I, and we’re all alone in a very romantic situation. I’m going to make the most of the fact we’re snowed in together, starting with breakfast.” He added authority to his voice. “Now get upstairs and take that bath. I’ll start breakfast.”