The Legacy (25 page)

What the hells going on? Bennett mumbled. He tried to stand up but the shackles kept him down.

Good afternoon, Agent Smith, Seward began politely. My name is William Seward. I am a senior official of the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Bennett tried to focus on the mans face but his vision was still blurred.

I run something known as Operation Snowfall. Ill spare you the particulars, Seward continued, but suffice it to say that I have a strong interest in a man named Cole Egan. It seems that you do too, and I want to know why.

Bennetts vision finally cleared enough that he could make out Sewards face.

Why have you been following Cole Egan? Seward persisted.

How long have I been under? Bennett tried to look at his watch, but it was against the arm of the chair, his wrist held there by a shackle.

An hour at most.

You dont have very long, Bennett offered. He didnt need to be told what Operation Snowfall was, or why Seward was interested in Cole Egan.

Until what? Seward asked calmly.

Until Cole gets the second tape.

Seward processed the words for a moment. Second tape? It was what he had feared all along.

Yeah, its exactly like the one that cowardly little fucker over there took from Cole in Manhattan last week. Bennett nodded at Magee.

Instantly Magee started for Bennett from across the room.

Commander! Seward shouted, stepping in front of Magee. He couldnt have physically kept him away from Bennett, but the intrusion was enough.

What tape are you referring to? Seward asked.

Dont give me that crap, Bennett said. You know exactly what Im talking about.

How do you know there is a second tape? Seward dropped his pretense immediately in the interest of saving time.

Jim Egan and I spent thirty-six years together. I know. Bennett pulled at the shackles holding his wrists. Eight years ago he made two tape copies of the film he took from Andrea Sage in Dealey Plaza, then had the film conveyed to people in Washington to throw them off track. He wanted to make them think that he really hadnt taken the film from Andrea Sage after the assassination. He wanted them to think that it had been hidden away in someone elses attic all these years so they would leave him alone. Bennett smiled as he thought how he had convinced Cole that he had no idea what was in the Chase safe-deposit box before Cole got to it. And how he had observed that the original film must still be out there somewhere. And Cole had bought the entire act. But hell, you probably know all of that, Mr. Seward. Youre probably the one who ended up with the original film eight years ago.

Where is the second tape, Agent Smith? Seward asked quickly, ignoring Bennetts accurate speculation.

What makes you think I know where it is?

Come on, Smith!

If I did know, why the hell would I tell you?

Because youre a federal agent and Im a superior officer and Im giving you a direct order.

So throw me in jail, Bennett said defiantly. Im retiring in a few months anyway. Jail cant be any worse than retirement for a man like me.

Then tell me so you can save yourself some pain. Seward nodded at Magee. As you can see, my friend over there would love an opportunity to get at you. And you arent in much of a position to defend yourself.

Bennett gazed at Magee for a few moments. I honestly dont know where the second tape is, he said quietly.

Seward glanced up. He thought he had detected a tone of sincerity in Bennetts voice.

I didnt know where the first one was until Jim gave me an envelope to give Cole. Jim gave it to me just before we went on our last mission, Bennett continued. He gave it to me in case he didnt come back. He had a premonition he wouldnt.

A premonition. What a bunch of crap, Seward thought to himself. You are speaking of the mission to Colombia, correct?

Bennett ignored what he knew was a remark intended to show him that Seward knew everything. Like I said, Jim hid the tapes eight years ago, but he didnt tell me where. He told me he went to great lengths to hide them. He made certain he wasnt being followed before he even retrieved the tapes from their temporary hiding places. Before he put them where Cole could find them but no one else could.

And he had done an excellent job of being careful, Seward thought dejectedly. They had lost Jim Egan in Boston eight years ago after a wild trip around the country. Why did he go to so much trouble to hide the tapes? Why didnt he sell them eight years ago if he wanted the world to see them? Seward asked.

He didnt want to be alive when they surfaced. He realized that would mean a death sentence, and he wanted to die on his own terms, or in the line of fire. But he also wanted to make certain that they did surface, that people knew the truth, Bennett explained. And he wanted to give Cole something valuable as a way to make up for not being around for the kids entire life. He felt very bad about that.

Seward sensed that Bennett wasnt yielding all of this information because of the oath to protect and defend he had taken so many years ago. How do you know Cole Egan is going for a second tape right now? Seward was trying to figure out Bennett Smiths angle in all of this.

Bennett smirked. What the hell else would he be doing?

What else indeed, Seward thought. And you were following him?

Yes.

Why?

Because Jim asked me to. He and I were very close.

Seward didnt believe Smiths motivations were so pure. You directed Cole to that first tape at the Chase branch. Seward pointed his cane at Bennett. Is that correct?

Yes.

Am I to believe that Cole had no idea where it was until you contacted him?

Bennett nodded. As far as I know, he had no idea it existed until I called him.

Then how did he find out about the location of the second tape? Seward asked. You must have told him.

No, I didnt.

Seward leaned forward until his face was directly in front of Smiths. I can make this afternoon very uncomfortable for you, Agent Smith, he hissed.

I didnt tell him anything about a second tape, Bennett snapped. Someone else must have. It must have been that woman hes traveling with. Truth is, I figured she was one of your people anyway.

You figured wrong. Seward pivoted and limped slowly away from where Bennett sat. When he reached the far wall he turned back around. For a long time he was quiet. Finally he spoke again. Where is Jim Egan? he asked casually.

Bennett tried not to let the surprise register on his face. What?

Seward smiled. If there was one thing he knew how to do, it was interrogate. Where is Jim Egan? he asked once more.

He was killed on our last mission.

In Colombia?

Yes, Bennett confirmed.

Youre lying, Seward responded calmly.

No, Im not.

Yes, you are! Seward yelled. We found the grave beside the river. There was a body in it, but it wasnt Jim Egans.

Smith shook his head. Jim Egan is dead, I swear to you.

Where is Cole going? Seward switched subjects again. He was like a boxer now, into his rhythm, keeping the other man off balance.

Tiny beads of perspiration broke out on Bennetts forehead, but he didnt answer.

Where is Cole going? Seward asked again.

Bennett stared at Seward for several moments. Whats in it for me?

Seward managed to hold back his smile. People were so predictable. What do you have in mind?

A retirement fund, Bennett answered. Being a DIA agent doesnt pay very well, at least not as well as it should. Ive been risking my life for this country for a long time, and I dont have much to show for it.

What figure do you have in mind?

Ten million dollars.

What you estimated you could sell the tape for if you got it, right? Seward asked. The man was so transparent. You were after the tape that night in Manhattan just like we were, werent you, Agent Smith? Thats why you killed our man in Bryant Park. You thought he had recovered the tape at the library.

Bennett stared at Seward but said nothing.

Okay, Seward said softly. I can arrange for ten million dollars. Thats a small price to pay to suppress the tape. Now tell me where Cole Egan is going.

Ill give you part of the information, Bennett said, glad he had instructed his secretary in Washington to destroy the answering machine tape. Then you can give me part of the money. After Ive received the partial payment, Ill give you further information. And so on.

Very wise, Agent Smith, but I assure you theres nothing to worry about.

There was a great deal to worry about, Bennett knew. Get someone to Atlanta right away.

You would know better than to send me on a wild goose chase, Seward warned.

Yes, I would.

All right. Seward nodded at Smith, then limped from the room.

Bennett looked over at Magee when Seward was gone. Hey, you piece of dogshit.

Magee sauntered toward Bennett until he was standing directly in front of him. You arent in much of a position to be calling anyone dogshit, Magee sneered.

You wouldnt touch me, Bennett retorted. Seward would have your ass. He needs me in a cooperative mood so Ill help you find Cole Egan.

Magee checked the doorway through which Seward had disappeared. Personally, I think Seward is too willing to negotiate. The stick is a much more effective means of drawing information out of a prisoner than the carrot.

Then take your best shot. Bennett stuck out his jaw. Come on, asshole. I cant even move.

Magee chuckled. You think I wont? Hed go for the left eye, puncture it with one quick strike and blind Bennett permanently in that eye. It would be a very painful injury but one that wouldnt inhibit Bennetts ability to talk. When the bleeding had stopped, hed probably be even more talkative. You really think I wont? Magee felt the adrenaline pumping through his system. God, he loved to deliver pain.

I know you wont. Youre too worried about what Seward might

With no warning Magee jabbed for Bennetts left eye.

And Bennett caught Magees wrist with his powerful right hand as Magees fingers were about to plunge into the socket. Bennett pulled Magees wrist hard. Magee pitched forward and their foreheads smashed together. It was over instantly. Bennett had used the move before in real hand-to-hand combat, when his life was on the line. Magee had only practiced it half-speed in a gymnasium wearing protective headgear. Bennett knew where to aim. Magee had no idea what hit him, and went limp, collapsing onto Bennett.

Bennett laughed as he rifled through the other mans pockets, searching for the key that would unlock the shackles still holding his left wrist and ankles. He had been blessed with powerful, albeit small, hands in relation to his wrist size. If he was able to flex his wrist as the shackles were being applied, he could usually wriggle free if given enough time. It really wasnt as difficult as people thought.

He found the key in Magees pants pocket. The agents in the ambulance should never have given him that stimulant before cuffing him to the chair. They shouldnt have given him the opportunity to pretend that he was still unconscious. He rolled Magee onto the floor, unlocked the ankle cuffs and stood up.

Thirty seconds later Bennett was jogging down a seedy street outside the warehouse. He spotted a young man standing beside a wreck of a black Cadillac. Hey, I need a ride and Im willing to pay, he yelled at the man. For some reason they hadnt taken his wallet or identification during the interrogation.

The man glanced at the blood trickling down Bennetts face but didnt hesitate. Where to? If the man had cash, that was all that mattered.

Newark Airport. Ill give you a hundred bucks.

Show me the cash.

Bennett pulled five twenties from his wallet and waved them at the man. You get these when we get to Newark.

Get in.

From a second-floor window, William Seward watched the Cadillac move away. Bennett had to think he had escaped on his own. They couldnt just let him go. Then he would have been suspicious and might not have gone after Cole. But now Bennett would lead them right to Coleand to the second tape.

ERIC WALSH CHERISHED his job at the White House almost as much as the president cherished his. Not because of any patriotic sense of duty to the country, nothing naive like that. Walshs motivation was centered squarely on personal gain. After four years as the presidents chief of staff, Walsh would have his pick of high-paying finance jobs on Wall Street.

The investment banks had already started calling. They coveted Walshs global network of movers and shakers who could retain the investment banks to execute transactions and pay huge fees. In the investment banking world, access was everything, and Walsh had it. As chief of staff Walsh had developed strong ties to top government officials and corporate CEOs around the world. Walshs job would simply be to introduce senior executives of the investment bank for whom he chose to work to his network of powerful people. Then he would step aside and let the dealmakers go to work, and earn millions for himself just for the handshakes.