The Planck Factor

“Good. We need to get that sketch to our people out West.” George seemed fidgety, his eyes lit with apparent desire to act.

“So, can I go?” I silently prayed he’d say yes.

“That depends.”

What the hell kind of answer is that? I wanted to scream. Instead, I said, “What do you mean?”

“This man?” George pointed to the sketch. “We think he may have returned to Colorado, to try to salvage his operation. Or, at least, destroy evidence of the group’s plan.”

“Okay,” I said. I hadn’t a single notion what more I could do to help.

“We need to find this man,” George continued. He went on for a bit about the group’s operation and the evidence. I was starting to tune out, until he mentioned Fred.

“What about Fred?” I asked.

“The police picked up someone at the airport that the Boulder police suspect in Fred’s murder. It’s possible that he may be the one who killed Fred. Probably following orders from the unidentified man in charge.”

“What makes you say that?”

“The Boulder police also found a gun. Ballistics show it’s the one that killed your friend. Now, if we can link the gun to that suspect or this man.” He held up the sketch. “Or get a witness, to place him at the scene.”

“I can’t help you.” I thought about the old lady who lived across from Fred. “There is someone who might be able to, though.”

“If we can connect one of these men to the gun, that’ll connect them with the murder. And your identification would connect the murder to the plan, which takes the crime to a federal level.”

Great. I’d gone from spy-in-training to possible witness for the prosecution.

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

Jessica

On the plane back home, I buckled into my seat and prepared for takeoff. Saying farewell to Liz had been bittersweet.

“Don’t be such a stranger,” she’d chided me. “You should visit more often.”

“You mean, sometime when I’m not being stalked by wacko extremists?” I’d smiled to show my friendly intentions. “I think I can manage that.”

Liz had enveloped me in a hug. Her spicy perfume tickled my nostrils again.

“I love you, you know.”

My eyes had filled. “I . . . I love you, too, Liz.”

Once we were airborne and settled into cruising altitude, I opened my laptop. I had a big finish in mind for Alexis and Daniel. Not to mention Swede, who’d make another appearance.

I had several hours to kill, so I used the time to bring Alexis back to her sister Katie’s condo—with a plan.

Alexis

The following day, Daniel confronted Mel. “How could you place my fiancé in such a dangerous position? This is my battle to fight.”

“I told you this might be necessary,” Mel shot back. “As far as the opposition knows, you’re dead. We need you to stay that way a little longer.”

Alexis spoke up. “He’s right, Daniel. If these people get hold of you, they might torture you for the information, whether they get the papers you left for me or not.”

Daniel looked into Alexis’ eyes. “I wish I’d never done the research. God knows what use it will be put to.”

“I won’t let the enemy get their hands on your work.” Alexis spoke with much more confidence than she felt.