“The U.S. government building,” added Stone. “Someone had access to that, and I don’t believe it was John Kravitz.”
The director nodded thoughtfully. “And Special Agent Gross actually told you that he feared his own people were spying on him?”
“Yes sir.”
Chapman nodded in agreement.
Stone added, “An agent from the ATF told us the same thing.”
The director said, “Garchik.”
“Yes. Have they found out what this mysterious component to the bomb is yet?”
“Not to my knowledge, no.”
Stone’s mouth opened slightly and he sat forward. “To your knowledge, sir?”
The director looked nervous for the first time since they’d arrived in the room. He glanced at the ADIC and nodded to the door. The man did not seem pleased by this unspoken directive, and then looked positively put out when the director stopped Ashburn from joining him. After the door had closed behind the ADIC, the director leaned forward. “Something is going on here that is unprecedented in my experience.”
“There’s a traitor in the ranks,” Stone said.
“More than that, I’m afraid. Worse than that.”
Stone started to ask how anything could be worse than having a traitor in your midst, but then he remembered what McElroy had told him.
Things can always be worse.
The director cleared his throat. “There is something going on inside our government that… that does not mesh very well with the
way we do things.”
“Meaning what exactly, sir?” asked Stone.
The director rubbed his hands together.
“Some of us appear to be working at cross-purposes.”
“Some of us?” asked Chapman blankly.
“Agent Garchik is missing.”
“What?” Stone said sharply.
“And the mysterious debris component that he found at the park has also gone missing.”
“How is that possible?” asked Chapman.
“I’m not sure. It was outside our chain of command.”
“But the Bureau is the lead agency,” pointed out Stone.
“But ATF was taking the lead on the bomb forensics.”
“But an agent and evidence going missing is very unusual,” said Stone.
“Yes, of course it is,” the director said sharply.
“Any leads?” asked Chapman.
“No, we just found out about it, actually. We have teams going over the scene.”
“Where was he taken from?”
“Not exactly sure. He’s divorced, lives alone. His car is missing.”
“Signs of a struggle?”
“Not definitive.”
“No communications?”
“Neither from Garchik nor from whoever might have taken him.”
“Might have?” asked Chapman.
“We can’t rule out that he left voluntarily.”
“Who reported him missing?”
“His supervisor.”
Stone said, “Who reported the evidence missing?”
“His supervisor as well. When Garchik didn’t make his routine check-in, he became worried. One of the things he did was examine the evidence locker.”
“Garchik told us that NASA was being called in to try and ID the debris.”
“I wasn’t aware of that.”
Stone sat back as Ashburn said, “This is all really stunning.”
“The media can’t get wind of any of this,” said the director firmly. “All statements will go through my office. Is that understood?”
“I don’t talk to reporters,” said Stone, as Chapman nodded in agreement.
The director motioned to Ashburn. “Agent Ashburn will be taking over the lead on the investigation. You will work directly with her.”
Ashburn and Stone exchanged a glance. Stone thought he saw the woman attempt a smile.
“That’s fine,” said Stone. “I look forward to it.”
“Agent Ashburn here told me you were up for the Medal of Honor for your service in Vietnam.”
“I was offered it, yes.”
“But turned it down. Why?”
“I didn’t think I deserved it.”
“But your country did. Isn’t that enough?”
“No sir, it’s actually not.”
CHAPTER 49
“REUBEN?”
The large man opened his eyes and stared straight up.
Stone gazed down at him. “Docs say you’ll be leaving soon.”
“Great. I don’t have health insurance. So let me just declare bankruptcy right now. Oh, that’s right. Bankruptcy is for people who actually have property.”
“I can see you’re feeling better already.”
This came from Annabelle, who had been planted in the chair ever since Reuben had been admitted. She rose and stood next to the bed.
Stone said, “Your bill is being taken care of.”
“By who?”
“Uncle Sam.”
“Why? Did he bail out the loading dock where I work too?”
“Just get some rest.”
“Did you find those guys?”
Stone shook his head. “The area had been pretty well sterilized.”
Annabelle said, “So you’re still on the job?”
“For now.”
“What else can we do?”
“I think you’ve both done enough.”
“We didn’t learn very much that was new,” she said.
“No, you actually helped shine a whole new light on everything.”
“Russians?” said Reuben. “Are the bastards really behind this?”
“Looks to be the case.”
“Why?” asked Annabelle. “I thought they were our ally now.”
“Allies come and allies go. And it might not be the Russian government, per se.”
“I called Harry and Caleb. They’re coming over later to see Reuben. Well, Harry said he would if you thought it was okay to take some time off his assignment.”
“I think that would be fine. Please let him know.”
As he turned to leave, Annabelle put an arm around his shoulders and said in a low voice, “Please take care of yourself. We almost lost Reuben.” Her eyes glimmered and Stone touched her cheek.
“I will, Annabelle.”
Chapman was waiting for Stone in the hospital lobby. They walked to her car and drove off.
“Well, the meeting with the FBI really gobsmacked me,” she said.
“The fact that we’re still on the case, or something else?”
“The fact that your director seemed very much out of the loop.”
“And I’m wondering why.”
“What do you think happened to Garchik and that evidence?”
“I don’t know, but I think where we’ll find one we’ll find the other.”
“You think he’s a bad cop?”