Wrong Number (9 page)

“I don’t know what to do.” Aubree held tightly to her mom and tried to find comfort in the embrace.

“Sweetie, I don’t know what you’re going to do either. But I do know it will work out. You’re so much stronger than me, and I’m so proud of you.” She squeezed Aubree tighter. “I love you.”

Aubree slept fitfully for most of the afternoon, and Madeline did her best to keep her comfortable. When the nurse brought in supper, she also turned on the television.

“Agent Edwards said you might want to see this.” She found the station she was looking for and then left the room.

Aubree stared at the gigantic berth of the USS
Midway
on screen. A television reporter spoke about the history of the aircraft carrier and the importance of the visit taking place within the hour.

Pretty much every airplane the aircraft carrier had ever held and then some was on deck. The reporter talked about F-14 Tomcats, C-1 Traders, FA-18 Hornets, T-2 Buckeye and others Aubree didn’t recognize. The
Midway
had experienced a forty-seven–year odyssey that spanned the end of World War II to Desert Storm before it became the first museum of its kind.

The reporter said something about Secretary Walden’s visit, and Aubree noticed the large crowds of people on deck as she listened. “He will be speaking about the need to continue ridding the world of nuclear weapons and about a special military-grade fuel to be produced by new ethanol plants.” The reporter motioned to the podium. “He’s been
working closely with the secretary of agriculture on the new ethanol program, and they hope to launch it next year.”

“So, it couldn’t be an anti-war group—they’d support him,” Aubree mumbled.

“What was that, dear?” Madeline asked.

“Oh, nothing. Just thinking about when Devin and I visited the
Midway
.”

“I remember you telling me about that. Your father would’ve enjoyed it.” Madeline smiled at Aubree and then continued writing in the notebook she had been scribbling in for the past hour. Aubree wasn’t sure what her mom was doing but figured it had something to do with their impending separation.

Edwards had informed them that Aubree would be entering protective custody in a different location within the next week and that their time would be limited. For the thousandth time, she wished her mother could be there when the baby was born. Maybe they could find a way for Madeline to visit a secure location.

Aubree’s attention was brought back to the TV when the secretary of defense stood up. She could see part of the wing of the Intruder overshadowing him. He spoke clearly into the microphone,

“Most of you know I’ve come to talk today about nuclear weapons, but I also wanted to introduce the latest plans we are working on for a greener earth and a greener economy. The Pentagon reports that the Department of Defense burns through three hundred thousand barrels of oil a day to function. We need to cut back on the use of foreign oil and rely on our own natural resources. Our nation has the capability to create cleaner, more efficient fuel sources.”

The secretary of defense paused and looked out over the crowd, and then his brow furrowed. Aubree watched the screen and noticed a scuffle near some of the spectators. The camera changed views to show several people running, and then Aubree heard loud noises. Screaming and a quick report of gunfire sounded in the background. The camera was zooming in and out erratically.

“Was that a gunshot?” Madeline jumped from her chair and stood closer to the TV as Aubree turned up the volume.

Mass confusion erupted on the deck of the
Midway
. The reporter tried to speak as she was jostled about by people running in a panic.
Police officers and FBI agents swarmed the crowds, and Aubree noticed several dogs wearing police vests. The footage cut out, and it took a few minutes for the local news station to connect with the reporter on deck again.

Aubree held her breath when the camera focused in on the reporter. The woman had moved away from the confusion. Her hair fell around her face, and her makeup was smeared. She spoke rapidly and gripped the microphone with white fingers.

“There has just been an assassination attempt on Secretary Walden. We’ve been told that a man forced his way through the security checkpoints, firing semi-automatic weapons and killing two police officers. Shots were fired here, the gunman was killed, but Secretary Walden has been shot.” The reporter looked at the crowd dispersing, and the cameraman attempted to find a good angle for the television viewers to witness the chaos.

Aubree and Madeline watched paramedics and other officials scrambling on deck as crowds of people tried to exit the
Midway
. Aubree’s stomach churned with anxiety. The criminals had still tried to carry out their plan to destroy Robert Walden. How did they know the bomb wouldn’t go off? She swung her legs over the side of the bed and took a few steps toward the door.

“Where are you going?” Madeline hurried to her side and grabbed her arm.

“I’ve got to find Agent Edwards. If they can’t even keep the secretary of defense safe, how will they keep me safe?”

“Wait a minute. This is connected to Devin’s murder?” Madeline’s eyes widened and her face paled.

“It’s okay, Mom. I’m sure the FBI can explain it to us.” Aubree pursed her lips as she swung the door open and then cried out when she nearly ran into Edwards. “What is going on?”

“Aubree, we have to move you right now.” He stepped into the room and closed the door.

“But I thought I wasn’t leaving until next week.” Aubree’s hands shook, and she grabbed hold of her mom.

“I know, but this case just spontaneously combusted, and I want you out of here before you come into contact with any of the fallout.” Edwards frowned and shook his head. “I’m sorry. We don’t know
what these people are capable of. It doesn’t look good for Secretary Walden.”

Aubree felt her throat tighten, and her eyes stung with moisture. “Is he going to die?”

Edwards pressed his lips into a thin line. “I don’t know yet.”

Madeline’s bracelets jangled as she wrung her hands. “That’s awful.” Then she looked at Aubree, and a mask of resolve appeared on her face. “I’ll help get her things together,” Madeline said. “Give us a couple minutes.”

“That’s all we have. I’m going to be driving you myself.” He opened the door. “I’ll wait right here.”

As soon as the door closed, Aubree wanted to crumple into a heap of tears, but the urgency in Edwards’ voice drove her forward.

“Mom, I thought we’d have more time. I don’t know if I can do this alone.”

“You won’t be alone. This is all going to be over soon. I just know it.” Madeline stuffed her notebook inside a bag with a few other belongings for Aubree. “Go use the bathroom before you leave, and I’ll put some snacks in here for you.”

Aubree hurried into the bathroom and tried to calm her racing heart. She could feel the blood pulsing in her neck, and she took a couple deep breaths. She grabbed the few toiletry items she’d been given and scanned the sterile bathroom, then hurried out the door and grabbed her purse from the bedside table. It was the only thing that was really hers.

“What’s going to happen to all of my things and to my house?”

Madeline handed Aubree a tissue. “I spoke to someone yesterday. We’re packing everything up, and you’re moving. The FBI is taking care of everything. I’m having them put your things in storage.”

Tears trickled down Aubree’s cheek, and she wiped at them angrily. “I’m going to lose everything.” She thought about her photo albums, pictures of Devin, her journals—it felt like her whole life was being taken from her.

“No, it will be here when you get back,” Madeline said. “You won’t lose Devin’s things.”

Aubree hugged her mom. It was wonderful how her mom always knew what she was thinking. “Mom, I’m going to do everything I can to stay in touch with you.”

“Be safe, Aubree. That’s the only thing that matters. Be safe and be smart and take care of yourself and my grandbaby.” She hugged her. “I love you.”

The door opened, and Edwards stepped inside. Aubree saw the worry lines creasing his face.

“I love you too, Mom.” Aubree squeezed Madeline’s hand and headed for the door.

Edwards picked up the bag and shook Madeline’s hand. “I’ll keep her safe,” he said.

“I know you will.” Madeline wiped at the tears running down her cheeks.

“This way.” He motioned for Aubree to come with him. She kept her head down and swallowed the tears stuck in her throat, following Edwards’ quick strides out of the facility in silence. He helped her into a dark sedan and closed the door. Aubree felt he was closing the door on her life.

His cell phone rang, and he answered it as he put the car into drive. He cursed and then hung up. “Secretary Walden didn’t make it.”

“They killed him?”

Edwards nodded and turned on the radio as they drove away from the facility. All the stations were broadcasting news about the attempted assassination on the USS
Midway
; they didn’t know yet that it was more than just an attempt.

“How did that man get past your checkpoints?” Aubree asked. “I thought nobody got assassinated anymore.”

Edwards breathed heavily, and his lips protruded as he moved his tongue over his teeth. “I’m not sure how to handle this situation. I don’t want to scare you, but, then again, I do because I want you to see how serious this is.” He glanced at her and continued, “No one knew we had found the bomb on the
Midway
, but the gunman was sent to kill Secretary Walden because
they
knew.”

“Who is
they
?” Aubree whispered.

“I don’t know, but whoever they are, they had help on the inside today. Somehow the information about the bomb was leaked to them, and they sent someone to do damage control.” He stopped at a red light and turned to Aubree. “They wanted the secretary of defense dead, and they didn’t care how many casualties piled up in the process. I don’t know if you’re still a threat to them, but we can’t take any chances.”

“But do you really think they’d come after me now? Secretary Walden is dead, and I can’t identify anyone.”

Aubree saw Edwards’ muscles tense, and the tattoo on his arm rippled with the movement. “I’m taking you to a special FBI house that is deep undercover. I’m hoping we’ll be able to decipher what kind of a threat you are to these people while you’re there.”

“How long will I have to stay there?” Aubree clasped her hands together.

“As long as we need to make sure you’re safe.” Edwards glanced at her hands on her stomach. “You might want to rest for a bit. We’ll be driving for a few more hours.”

“How far are we going?”

Edwards shook his head, and she slumped back into the seat and closed her eyes. She wanted to ask more questions, but doubted he would answer. She felt overwhelmed with the information he’d already given her. If only she could figure out what someone thought she knew, some piece of information that was worth killing for.

“Let me know if you need anything,” Edwards whispered.

Edwards watched Aubree settle into her seat and shift her growing pregnancy to a more comfortable position. His eyes were moist with the concern he felt for her. She was only a couple months from delivering her first baby, and here she was entering protective custody. He gritted his teeth.

As he drove, he wished he could get inside her head and hear a recording of the voice that started all the chaos. He couldn’t help but wonder if the voice would belong to someone who had a high profile— someone with a lot of money to lose if anyone ever connected him to this case. Someone who had also infiltrated the highest area of law enforcement—the FBI.

E
IGHT

W
HEN
A
UBREE WOKE, SHE
felt disoriented, but it only took her a second to remember why she was riding in a car with an FBI agent. She squeezed her eyes shut again and thought about Devin. She felt the baby moving and mouthed the names Devin had circled in the newspaper—Joshua and Scarlett. She opened her eyes again and adjusted her seat so she could see out the window.