The Rescue(91)

“Before we talk about a plan, let me go over this one more time, to make sure I have it right. Harcourt and Frist orchestrated the kidnap/murder of Meghan Steele to distract Senator Steele and eventually work their way into her good graces by offering World Recovery Group’s services—all the while assuming our efforts would yield no results.”

“Right.”

“Their ultimate goal was to distract the senator from their slow-burn plan to stack the deck in favor of this Praetorian Guard concept, which Harcourt would be the obvious benefactor of, since he would likely be appointed viceroy of Afghanistan, with Frist benefiting financially and possibly with a powerful position,” said Decker. “I have to stop here and say how fucked this is.”

“Really fucked,” said Pierce.

“Agreed on both accounts,” said Harlow.

“The plan almost went south when we located Meghan Steele,” said Decker, “even though I don’t see why they couldn’t have let us rescue her. They would have been even bigger heroes in Senator Steele’s eyes, accomplishing their second goal of making her an ally.”

“She wasn’t their ally yet, so I think they used the Hemet bombing to create another opportunity to slip a key authorization past her,” said Harlow.

Decker’s next question would be uncomfortable for all of them, particularly for him.

“Then why the rest of the mess? Why kill all the families?” he said, pausing to swallow. “Why send the FBI after us? They could have left us alone and blamed the Russians.”

The car remained silent for several seconds.

“I know you don’t want to hear this, Decker,” said Harlow, pausing. “But I think they did it to maximize the distraction and confusion. Special Agent Reeves focused all of his energy on building a case against you. Senator Steele became obsessed with the details of the case. Nobody was paying attention to Frist and Harcourt, who took full advantage of the chaos that ensued. I’m sorry to put this all so bluntly.”

Decker gave it a moment before responding. “It is what it is. The only question in my mind is, Who do we go after first?”

“Frist kind of rhymes with first,” said Pierce.

“He’d be the softer target,” said Decker. “We could probably snatch him right off the street in DC.”

“You don’t grab a US senator without inviting severe consequences—especially when you have little more than theories backing you up,” said Harlow. “You’ll bring the entire law enforcement establishment down on your head, and you’ll instantly alienate every politician and Beltway insider that might have become an ally. Harcourt is the harder target, but nobody—except for Frist—will shed a tear if that self-serving asshole vanishes.”

“We’re going to need one hell of a plan to grab Harcourt,” said Pierce. “He’s guarded by a private army.”

“I have a better idea,” said Decker.

“Harlow,” Pierce cut in, “we barely know each other, but this is where I usually hang up on him. Nothing good comes after ‘I have a better idea.’”

“I’ve heard ‘You’re not going to like this’ a few times already,” she said. “I’m not sure how much worse it can get.”

“Trust me,” said Pierce. “Whatever you’ve seen from him so far—it gets way worse.”

“She doesn’t scare off easy,” said Decker.

“She doesn’t scare off at all,” said Pam.

“What’s your idea, Decker?” said Harlow.

“We grab them both, at the same time.”

“And how do you propose we pull that off?”

“I don’t know. That’s your job, Harlow. You get the two of them in one place, and we’ll grab both of them.”

“Sure. I’ll just give them a call and suggest a meet-up,” said Harlow.

“Might be that easy,” said Pam.

“We’ll see,” said Harlow. “Anything else we can do for you? Maybe get Harcourt and Frist to turn themselves in?”

“One thing,” said Decker. “How is my daughter doing? And my parents?”

A long pause ensued. “I’m told they’re doing fine, under the circumstances. Most importantly—they’re safe.”

“Thank you,” said Decker, ending the call.

Pierce turned to him. “They’re going to be fine. Sounds like they’re in the best hands possible.”

“I know,” said Decker, rubbing his face. “I just couldn’t live with myself if something happened to them.”

“Nothing’s going to happen to them,” said Pierce. “I’m going to change the subject now.”

“Please.”

“I was serious about Harcourt and the private-army thing. I can see us getting to Harcourt, barely, but I can’t picture escaping with him.”

“Remember the Delgado case?”

“I do.”

“Remember how we got his son out?”

Pierce sat quietly for a few moments, staring at the road ahead. “It could work, but that’s a trip for two.”

“I’ve heard they’ve modified it for three.”

“Still leaves one of us behind,” said Pierce.