Long Road Home(47)

She reread the message, making sure she didn’t miss anything. Then her mind began to work, methodically mulling over her plan of action.

She would need to leave early and without detection. Stealth was her specialty.

Two days. Two more days with Manny before she walked down a path of no return. She was going to make the most of every minute.

“The senator will see you now.”

Manuel looked up to see a middle-aged woman in a business skirt and jacket smiling at him from the door of the senator’s office.

“Thank you,” he said as he rose.

She gestured him inside then closed the door behind him.

Manuel walked further into the plush office as a man rose from behind a highly polished mahogany desk.

“Manuel Ramirez? I’m Senator Denison.” The senator rounded the front of the desk and stuck out a hand.

Manuel gripped it and shook. “Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, sir.”

“Not at all. I was very intrigued by your situation. I’m hoping we can help each other.” The senator gestured to a chair. “Have a seat. Would you like a drink? Coffee? Tea?”

Manuel shook his head. “Nothing for me, thank you.”

The senator walked around to his chair and sat down. He leaned back and studied Manuel for a moment. Manuel took the opportunity to return the scrutiny.

Senator Denison was distinguished-looking, but then what senator wasn’t? He imagined it was a look very practiced, accomplished with money and the right clothing. Though the senator was probably close to sixty, not a gray hair dotted his head. On a brief note of amusement, Manuel wondered if it was good genes or the work of a good hairdresser. He’d bet money on the latter.

Having worked for the agency for several years, he’d developed a healthy distrust of politicians. Too many differing agendas, and too much changed every time a new president came into office. But if this one could help Jules, Manuel would revise his opinion.

“So what can I do for you?” the senator asked finally.

Manuel arched a brow. “It’s my understanding that there is something I can do for you, senator.”

Senator Denison’s expression relaxed and he laughed. “I like you, son. Tell you what. I’ll lay my cards on the table. Then you can lay yours.”

Manuel nodded.

The senator leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. “I want to crack the NFR. Your partner told me you had a certain relationship with one of its members.”

“I might,” Manuel replied.

“He also mentioned that you might be interested in a trade. Information for immunity.”

Manuel nodded. “Complete immunity. She walks away, or we don’t give you anything.”

“And what exactly can she give me?”

“Names, hits, contacts. I think you’ll be very interested in her story, senator, but I won’t expose her unless I have your written guarantee that nothing happens to her.”

The senator leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his neck. “What exactly is your relationship with this woman? I gather this goes deeper than a CIA agent offering a lead on a group the agency has tried to infiltrate for the last ten years.”

Manuel worked to keep his expression neutral. “She’s a victim, that’s all.” He wouldn’t give the senator more leverage by letting him know how much Jules meant to him.

The senator nodded. “Very well. I’ll send over the necessary documents by courier. I trust this will remain strictly confidential. My appointment has yet to be confirmed, and it wouldn’t do for the media to find out I’m offering immunity to a terrorist.”

“Of course. We have nothing to gain by going public.”

Senator Denison rose. “I’d like to meet her as soon as possible.” He rifled through his appointment book for a moment. “I have a speaking engagement day after tomorrow. It’s early, so I could meet you, say, that afternoon?”

“Here?” Manuel asked.

“No, not here. I’ll let you know. We’ll have to pick a better location.”

Manuel nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

“If she can give me everything you say, I’ll have you to thank.” He reached out to shake Manuel’s hand again. “Until our meeting, then.”

Manuel shook his hand then turned to leave. He didn’t allow himself even a breath of relief until after he had left the Senate Building. Then when the cold air blew over him, he closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. Two more days. Then she’d be his, and no one could touch her.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Jules tensed when she heard the rattle of the doorknob. She willed herself to relax, then she pasted on a bright smile just in time to greet Manny as he walked into the kitchen.

“Hello, gorgeous,” he said as he enfolded her in his big arms.

She melted into his embrace and turned her mouth up to receive his kiss. “How did the meeting go?” She promptly stifled a giggle at the absurdity of the question. She sounded like Holly Homemaker asking her man how a business meeting went at the end of a day at work.

Manny guided her into the living room and sat her down on the couch beside him.

“It went well. The senator is willing to help us in return for your full cooperation.”

“So he wants me to tell him everything I’ve seen and done for the last three years.” She had never told another soul all the things she had done. Not even Manny. She could barely admit them to herself, let alone a complete stranger.