Cloud Dust: RD-1 (R-D #1)(10)

"Corinne, I know it will be hard for you to see this up close, but will you come?" Safer stood in front of our table.

"But," I stuttered.

"We know you're a damn fine mystery writer. Maybe you'll see something we miss. It never hurts to have fresh eyes on something like this."

"August?" I turned to him in shock.

"Cori, get your clothes on and let's go."

*

We walked through the bar, where several people were either in the process of being questioned or waiting their turn. I watched them closely as we headed toward the back door of the upscale bar—the crime scene wasn't far from there, according to Safer.

"August," I tugged on his sleeve.

"What?" he stopped abruptly and I almost plowed into him.

"That man sitting at the table against the wall? Who is he?" I asked after regaining my balance.

"I don't know. General, do you know?" Safer had stopped shortly after we did and turned toward us.

"Let's find out." Safer led us toward the man, who lounged against the back wall, watching as police questioned bar patrons on what they'd seen and heard shortly before the bar closed.

"Don't come any closer." He'd stood so fast I almost didn't see it. He held a gun in his hand and pointed it right at General Safer.

"Gun," somebody shouted. I stared as things slowed. The man, in his fifties and blond but going gray, shot at the officer who'd shouted.

At least six officers fired back, killing the man instantly.

*

"I can't tell you, because I don't know," I said for the fortieth time. "I just had a feeling, that's all. Trying to explain this is like asking an earthworm to describe why the sky is blue. He lives in the dark and doesn't know."

The blond man's gun was a nine millimeter and the same one used to kill the Russian Ambassador. The ID on the man was a forgery, and his fingerprints weren't in any database. August was just as tired as I was, but he wanted an answer he could take to the Chief of Staff and the President. They'd utilize their time better if they concentrated on identifying the shooter.

"Who do you think he was, since you can't explain why he stood out?"

"I think they knew each other," I said. "This guy and the Ambassador. I think the Ambassador had a reason to meet him, and the guy had a reason to shoot the Ambassador. Ask your Russian spy when he wakes up. I'll bet you ten bucks he knows something."

"Not a bad idea," August sighed. "If you get any more of these feelings, will you let me know? He might have killed somebody, or gotten away last night and we'd be nowhere with this. We have one police officer with a shoulder wound and that's it. Could have been a lot worse."

"Right. Can I go to bed, now?"

"Yeah. Want James to walk you back to your suite?"

"If he has time."

"He has time. One last thing, Corinne."

"What's that?"

"General Safer wants to keep this between us and the President—that you pointed this guy out. The others think he just went crazy. They were already outside at the crime scene and didn't see anything."

"Fine with me."

*

"A sausage and mushroom pizza, please, to Miss Watson's suite," James said before ending the call to the restaurant downstairs. I was exhausted and hadn't eaten since the night before. It was a difficult decision to make—sleep or food, first. James said it would be easier to sleep on a full stomach, so I asked him to order something for me.

I ate with my eyes closed at least half the time, drank a glass of milk and went to bed after brushing my teeth.

*

Notes—Colonel Hunter

"Colonel, that's outstanding. The Russian President says he's never seen the shooter and is giving us the usual bluster about our defective security, but the Secretary of State pointed out that his security let the Ambassador get away from the Embassy in the first place. We're having a small, cold war at the moment, but we'll find out who that bastard was and we'll have the Russians by the balls. Your theory is looking pretty sound from where I'm sitting. You say she stopped you and asked about the shooter right away?"

"She sure did, Madam President. General Safer can't get over it, either."

"Keep me informed. This could turn out better than we thought."

"Yes, Madam President. It sure could."

*

"You know she won't say anything. She never talks about it." Shaw met me for dinner, as requested. "You're telling me she went right to the guy, without even sizing anybody else up?"

"The minute she saw him, she stopped me. Safer knew something was up, so he stopped, too. The guy knew he was made, so he stood and pulled his weapon."

"If he were involved with something deeper, he knew he had to die before we arrested him," Shaw agreed around a mouthful of steak.

"Nobody has anything on this guy. He's a spook."

"No money trail?"

"None to follow. Not yet, anyway. Picture's sent everywhere. Nobody knows him."

"Did Maye walk right past him and not pick anything up?"

"That's what I hear."

"It may be a good thing he's dead, then."