Hostage (Bodyguard #1)(90)
The director noted his concern. ‘Don’t worry, the medic says she’ll be fine … all thanks to the great job you’ve done in protecting her.’
Connor looked up at Dirk, dumbfounded by his uncharacteristic praise.
Dirk unpinned the small Secret Service badge on the lapel of his jacket and fastened it to Connor’s top. The five-pointed star glimmered in the ambulance’s twirling red and white lights.
With a rare smile, he declared, ‘You’ve earned this, Agent Reeves.’
4 July
‘Today is Independence Day!’ declared President Mendez, standing before the microphone on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. ‘Not only for the United States, but for my daughter, Alicia.’
Connor could barely hear himself think as the crowd roared its delight. Bathed in glorious July sunshine, thousands upon thousands of people had gathered to celebrate Alicia’s freedom. American flags and pennants were being waved in joyous triumph, a rippling sea of red, white and blue that encircled the Reflecting Pool and stretched as far as the eye could see. Connor thought this was what it must have been like for Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, as he delivered his famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.
‘I prayed for a miracle,’ proclaimed the President as the crowd quietened down. ‘And one was delivered.’
He glanced over his shoulder at his daughter. Just offstage stood Connor in a cream-coloured shirt, baseball cap and mirrored shades. For a brief moment the President looked directly at him, his eternal gratitude apparent.
‘But I haven’t only God to thank for that,’ continued President Mendez, addressing the crowd. ‘There are certain people who work tirelessly and endlessly to protect me and my family. And they’re the ones responsible for the safe return of my precious daughter. I’m forever grateful to the Secret Service and all the security agencies. I must also thank you, the American people, for your support in my darkest hour.’
There was a wave of heartfelt applause.
Connor knew he wouldn’t be thanked publicly. Nor would his role in the operation ever be admitted, since the Buddyguard organization had to remain secret to be effective. So it had been agreed that Secret Service would receive all of the credit for Alicia’s rescue. However, Connor didn’t feel cheated by this. In fact, he had no desire for any such acknowledgement. Just seeing Alicia alive, free and happy was enough for him. He now understood why his father had been so compelled to be a bodyguard. The reward was in the knowledge that a life had been protected and saved. And each day after that was a gift.
‘Terrorism will never defeat America!’ President Mendez thumped his fist on the podium. ‘However low they sink, we will never bow to their pressure. For we are a nation of strength, of determination and of love. We are one family.’
He beckoned to his wife and daughter to join him in front of the cheering crowd. Alicia glanced at Connor, a beaming smile on her lips meant only for him. Connor returned the smile. They hadn’t had much chance to talk since their escape, Alicia being reunited with her family and Connor being debriefed by both Colonel Black and Secret Service. But he knew there was still a great deal to be said between them. And once things settled down he hoped for just such an opportunity.
Caught up in the emotion of the event, Connor felt the urge to take a photo. It was a unique moment and he wanted to share it with his friends back at Buddyguard Headquarters. Slipping his phone out of his pocket, he snapped a picture of Alicia approaching the podium and the flag-waving crowd beyond.
Straight after depressing the button, an icon on the screen began to flash red. Connor thought the battery was dying, then the face-recognition software app launched and a series of thumbnail photos appeared. The first was of him and Alicia on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial; another was at Montarose School prior to entering the prom; and the third was the one he’d just taken. Each photo zoomed in on a red-highlighted face in the background.
Connor felt a cold sense of dread as he too recognized the face.
Once is happenstance. Twice is circumstance. Three times means enemy action.
Connor’s alert level shot up to Code Orange. He searched the crowd, his eyes scanning the countless faces among the forest of flags and pennants. Quickly referencing his phone for a position, he found who he was looking for.
With a large bent nose and hound-dog eyes, the man was instantly recognizable. He’d been the face behind the glass, the thirsty worker at the water fountain and, in all likelihood, the mysterious figure in the corridor at the prom. On this day, the groundsman from Montarose School was just a spectator. But he appeared agitated and, taking into account the hot day, was oddly dressed in a bulky sports jacket.
Connor pressed his earpiece.
‘Bandit to Bravo One. Suspect spotted two o’clock of the podium.’
‘Bravo One to Bandit. Describe,’ came back Kyle’s voice immediately.
‘Tall, black hair, large nose, wearing red sports jacket, brown T-shirt with –’
As Connor relayed his description, the groundsman reached into his jacket.
Time suddenly seemed to slow for Connor. The first thing he thought he saw was the butt of a gun protruding out of the man’s hand. Connor waited a beat, not wishing to ‘cry wolf’ again and ruin another celebration. Then a barrel emerged from the jacket and there was no longer any doubt. His mind switched to Code Red.