Richard Castle: A Bloody Storm

“My bloke?”

“Sure, your Steve,” she replied. “Isn’t he your bloke? I mean, I just assumed the way you was going on and on about him and mentioning his name. But don’t you worry, ma’am. Lots of people are as mad as a box of frogs when they’re gassed.”

“What did I say?” Showers asked.

“The truth is that it sounded a bit randy to me, you know. That’s why I’ll not be repeating it.”

“And you’re sure that I mentioned the name: Steve?”

“Oh, you did more than mention him. You had me blushing, but I’m really not one to gab.”

The nurse hurried from the room, leaving Showers to clear the cobwebs from her head. Obviously, she was in a hospital, which she presumed was in Oxford. Bandages covered her right shoulder, there was an IV in her left arm, and she was attached to a monitor that was tracking her heartbeat, temperature, and blood pressure. She felt a remote device at her side and pushed a button that raised the back of the bed with a loud mechanical whine. A pain immediately shot through her shoulder. Her head was throbbing and she needed to use the toilet.

The nurse returned with an older, gray-haired woman who was being followed by two men in business suits. One had an American flag in his lapel.

“I’m Rachel Smythe, head matron at the hospital, and these men are from the American embassy,” the matron said. “They insist on speaking to you. Do you feel up to it?”

“Who are you?” Showers asked the man with the flag lapel.

“FBI Special Agent Douglas Cumerford,” he replied, while reaching into his jacket to produce his credentials. “This is Thomas Goodman. He’s with the State Department.”

Goodman didn’t offer credentials, and Showers immediately suspected he worked for the CIA.

“Thank you, Ms. Smythe,” Showers told the matron. “I’m okay to speak to these two gentlemen.”

“I’ll be sending the doctor around dear,” Smythe said, “after these two officials are done. If you need anything, just push the remote buzzer.” She and the nurse exited.

“Glad you’re awake,” Cumerford said. “We need to brief you before the Oxford police and Scotland Yard take your official statement. Obviously, Ivan Petrov’s murder is making international headlines, and the shooting at the university rally is all over the BBC.”

“You’ve spoken to Washington about this?” Showers asked.

“I’ve been on the phone with the director numerous times since you were brought into the hospital,” Cumerford said. “He sends his best wishes for a speedy recovery.”

Gordon removed an envelope from his navy blazer. “This is what we would like you to say in your official statement.” He handed it to her.

“The director approved this?” she asked.

Cumerford said, “He did. In fact, he said that you are not to deviate from the text. Say exactly what is written and offer nothing more. I’m going to be with you during all questioning, as your attorney.”

Gordon said, “We can’t stress how important it is for you to say only what has been written for you.”

Showers said, “And if I slip?”

“Don’t,” Cumerford replied. “The British media have been busy interviewing witnesses from the rally. They’ve told reporters three men started shooting at Petrov and his bodyguards. Two of the attackers had submachine guns. They killed Petrov’s two bodyguards, while the third gunman tried to assassinate Petrov, who’d just started his speech at the protest rally.”

Showers said, “That’s exactly what happened.”

Cumerford continued, “The witnesses told reporters that you drew your handgun and fatally shot the assailant nearest you. Meanwhile, an unidentified man tackled the attacker who was firing at Petrov and killed him. He then used that man’s pistol to shoot the third assailant, but not before that gunman fired his machine gun and wounded you.”

“That’s accurate, too,” Showers said, “except it wasn’t an unidentified man. It was Steve Mason. We’re working together. He’s got credentials issued by the State Department.”

Gordon replied, “Ms. Showers, there’s a bit of a problem when it comes to Mr. Mason.”

Cumerford jumped in. “It would be in the best interest of the Bureau and our country if the unidentified man who helped you yesterday remained exactly that. An unidentified man. The director would prefer that you not mention the name Steve Mason to anyone, including the Oxford police and the Scotland Yard detective who will be questioning you.”

“Read the statement,” Gordon said. “Stick to it.”

Cumerford added, “The media knows this unidentified man helped you into the Mercedes that was being driven by Georgi Lebedev and that Petrov was put into the backseat. Witnesses also described on the BBC how this mystery man and Petrov’s chief of security followed the Mercedes in a Vauxhall. That car was later found outside of town, where it had crashed. The bodies of Petrov, Lebedev, and Antonija Nad were found nearby. The Mercedes was later recovered in a parking garage at a local shopping mall. Hospital officials also have told the press that an unidentified man brought you into the hospital. The tabloids are calling him a Good Samaritan.”

“Steve Mason, Good Samaritan,” she said. “He’ll love that tag.”

Gordon said, “Let’s keep him faceless.”

Showers scanned the statement that Gordon had handed her. “You want me to tell the police that I blacked out while I was riding in the Mercedes and that I have no recollection of anything that happened from the moment that I left the rally until today when I woke up after surgery.”

“That’s right,” Cumerford said.

Showers said, “You’re telling me not to tell investigators what I observed inside the Mercedes. You don’t want me to describe how both Petrov and Lebedev ended up dead.”

In a stern voice, Gordon said, “You can’t comment because you were unconscious. Say that, and life will be easier for everyone.”

Showers asked, “Then how are you explaining the deaths of Petrov and Lebedev?”

“We’re not,” Gordon said.

“We don’t have to solve this case, Agent Showers,” Cumerford added. “These deaths are not an FBI problem. Just give the local authorities your statement. Our priority is to get you out of England as soon as you do that.”

“Before the police can blow holes in my story. Scotland Yard isn’t stupid,” she said. “When they identify the Vauxhall, they’ll know Steve Mason rented it.”

“Did he?” Gordon asked her. “Were you there with him?”

Showers realized that she hadn’t been at the airport when the car was rented.

“But there must be photographs of him somewhere,” she said. “This is Jolly Old England, home of cameras on every street corner. The emergency room here — surely, they have a picture of him bringing me in.”

Gordon smirked. “I believe the camera here and the ones outside the shopping mall all malfunctioned yesterday. It happens.”

Showers understood. Jedidiah Jones had worked his magic.

During the entire time that Storm and Showers had been in England, they had only been seen twice together. Once when they visited the Duke of Madison residence to interview Petrov and Lebedev, both of whom were now dead, and another when they got drunk at a local London pub. If their fellow pub revelers recognized Showers from the BBC and called the police, all they would be able to tell them was that she was drinking with a handsome Yank with brown hair and brown eyes who was in his thirties. That could describe anyone. Besides, by the time they called, she would be back in the USA.

Gordon said, “Let the British press and local cops come up with a plausible story.”