“Thank you,” Holly replied. Stone was already eating his.
“We’ve had several satphone calls,” the attendant said, “but nobody on the line. It may be some equipment or satellite problem. You might check in as soon as we land.”
“Thank you,” Holly said, and began to eat her sandwich.
—
As the Gulfstream touched down, Holly switched on her cell phone: there were three voice messages and a text, all telling her to call the director’s office. The airplane taxied to a halt, and Holly and Stone deplaned and got into the waiting car. While they waited for their luggage to be loaded, Holly called in on the director’s direct line. A moment later she was connected.
“Hello, Holly, we’ve been trying to reach you.”
“The satphone on the airplane wasn’t working,” Holly said. “I called back as soon as I could. I’m at Teterboro now.”
“Bad news. We’ve had a bombing at the East Side station.”
Holly gulped. “How bad?”
“Two security people killed, plus the driver of the Lincoln Town Car containing the bomb. He used my name to get the garage door opened. Three people in the street, on foot or in cars, were killed, too, and some damage was done to the front wall of a town house across the street. The New York media are all over us, but our cover story is still holding. We’re saying that the building contained some administrative people.”
“What was the damage to our building?”
“The reinforced garage contained it. Lots of vehicle damage, but that has already been cleared away, and the garage is operating normally again.”
“Any suspects?”
“Al Qaeda, of course.”
“Jasmine?”
“You think she’s in the country?”
“I think it’s likely,” Holly replied.
“The FBI has circulated her photograph, but only a few hours ago. She could have entered the country before that happened.”
“I think you should take greater than usual personal precautions,” Holly said. “Helicopter to and from work. Remember the British foreign minister.”
“I have new security arrangements in hand,” Kate replied, “and so does the secretary of state. I want you to stay in New York and make sure everything in the building is running normally and that additional security arrangements have been made before you come back here.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Holly replied.
“You’ll be staying at Stone’s house?”
“I’ll be reachable on my cell.”
“Don’t be coy. I want you protected.”
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll be staying at Stone’s.” She raised her eyebrows questioningly, and he nodded.
“We’ll speak after you’ve assessed the situation on the East Side,” Kate said.
Holly hung up. “Jasmine’s here,” she said to Stone.
“In the city?”
Holly nodded. “There was a bombing at our New York station. We’ll drop you, then I’ll go directly there. Thank you for continuing to put me up.”
“I’m glad to have you.”