Kim Baldwin - The Gemini Deception

“Who called for an ambulance?” Shield asked.

“I did,” Pierce replied.

The cops came at them with their guns drawn, and both Shield and Lynx dropped their weapons.

“She needs immediate care,” Pierce said. “GSW to the leg and internal hemorrhaging.”

“Put her down,” one of the policemen ordered, apparently the guy in charge.

“She needs to go to a hospital,” Pierce insisted. “ Now . If I have to repeat myself, you’re going to find yourself writing tickets for the rest of your life. As to who I am, call the Agency and ask about a Montgomery Pierce. Maybe you should mention TQ has been caught.”

“Who?”

“We had a deal,” TQ repeated, terror evident in her face.

*

From the cop’s expression, it was clear neither name registered, but he let the paramedics through. “Someone stay with her,” he said to his men as the EMTs pried Harding from Pierce’s arms.

“I’m going with her.” Lynx jumped forward as they strapped Harding to the stretcher.

“No one is going anywhere until we figure out what happened here,” the head cop said.

“Then get on the goddamn phone,” Pierce ordered him.

Harding was taken away while the police kept their guns trained on the rest, and the one in charge stepped away to make the call. He came back moments later. “Thank you, sir,” he said to Pierce, and extended his hand. “My sincerest apologies for the inconvenience. You and your people are free to go.”

“About time.” TQ made to push through.

“Not you.” Shield pushed her back.

“What is this about? I am the victim here. This is my place of business they broke into.”

“Have Mrs. Rothschild arrested for terrorism against the American government,” Pierce said, “to name just the first of many charges.”

TQ was handcuffed and pushed down the hall while the cop read her her rights.

Back outside, Shield found Ryden anxiously seeking her out amongst the cars and cops.

“Thank God, you’re all right,” Ryden said, running up to her.

“I’m fine.” Shield smiled.

“I panicked. Didn’t know what to think when all the cops and the ambulance showed up. I thought…I thought…”

“Shh.” Shield held her by the shoulders to calm her. “It’s over. TQ was arrested.”

“Ms. Wagner.” Pierce came up behind them. “I’d like you to go with Chief of Police James.”

Ryden looked from Pierce to Shield. “I’m being arrested.”

Pierce hadn’t discussed this with Shield, but then again, he didn’t have to. Shield knew it was inevitable and she couldn’t do a thing to stop it. She wanted to stop time, turn it back and change everything, but she couldn’t do a thing.

“I’m afraid so,” Pierce said.

“Tell them the truth, Ryden. Tell them what they did to you.” Shield tried to stay calm. “You’re a big part of the proof against TQ and what she pulled, but you were an unwilling accomplice. Let them see that.”

“I don’t think they’ll care. I’m a criminal to them,” Ryden replied. “That’s all that matters.”

“What you are, Ms. Wagner, will depend on the president’s testimony,” Pierce said. “As you know, she hasn’t made any charges as of yet.”

“Which means what?”

“That your future depends on her,” Shield said.

Pierce gestured for the chief of police, who had been waiting out of earshot, to join them. Chief James looked at Ryden and hesitated. He appeared uncomfortable, probably due to her resemblance to Thomas. Reluctantly, he removed the handcuffs from his belt.

“No cuffs.” Pierce stopped him. “Her arrest stays quiet until you hear from the president.”

“You got it,” James replied. “This way, ma’am.” He gestured to Ryden.

“Tell them everything,” Shield repeated as Ryden took a step toward James.

“I’m sorry…about everything.” Ryden stopped again and turned to Shield. “I hope you can one day forgive me.”

Chapter Thirty-eight

As soon as the ambulance arrived at the hospital, Monty was escorted to an exam room and given nitroglycerine for his heart, while a trauma team worked on Jaclyn elsewhere in the ER before whisking her away for surgery.

“You need to take it easy,” the doctor told him. “Your heart’s in bad shape, as you already know, and—”

“Yes, yes. I realize all that. Have you heard anything about Ms. Harding?” Monty buttoned up his shirt, feeling much better after the pill.

“I’ll see what I can find out.”

He headed out into the waiting area. Shield and Arthur, who’d gotten his forehead stitched, stood when they saw him approach.

“Nothing on Jaclyn, yet,” Arthur said. “How about you? How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine now. Where’s Monroe?”

“As close as they’ll allow her to the operating room.”

“What happened?” Shield asked. “How did you get TQ to cooperate?”

“When I heard you…” he looked at Arthur, “say that Jaclyn wasn’t doing well, I headed out of the restaurant to come find you. I’d made it as far as the door when I saw TQ being escorted out of the building by five of her men.” He filled them in on what they’d missed.

Monty hurried across the street and intercepted TQ as she and her goons neared a black Mercedes parked close by. “Ms. Rothschild.”

He knew TQ had seen his picture when she’d made Arthur, and the fact that she blanched proved him right.

“Mr. P…Pierce. I…”

“We had a deal.”

“Who was the man I saw in my office?”

“I prefer to protect my identity, but you leave me no choice.”

“I didn’t know.”

“You’ve made a very big mistake, TQ.”

“Is that so? Because frankly, I doubt you have any power over me at all.”

“If I may?” Monty carefully reached for the cell inside his suit pocket and punched in a number. When the call went through, he said, “This is Montgomery Pierce from the EOO. I need to speak to Madam President. Tell her it involves her safety.” He put it on speakerphone while he waited.

“The president’s office,” a male voice said. “How can I help you?”

“I need to speak to the president directly,” Monty replied.

“That’s not possible, sir.”

“Tell her I know what happened to her. She’ll know what I mean.”

TQ didn’t try to stop him, but she fidgeted with her purse.

Seconds later, that distinctive Maine-accented voice came on the line. “This is President Thomas. Who is this?”

“Chief Administrator of the EOO. We have worked for you in the past.”

“What can I do for you?” the president asked carefully.

“I know about your abduction and replacement.”

A long pause. “How?”

“That’s not important. I also know you are afraid to talk because they said no one would believe you and you will lose your credibility and put your family’s safety at risk.”

“How do you know all this?” she asked.

“Madam President, we have helped people in your situation before, and we can do it again. I will provide the proof the world needs and give you and your family twenty-four-hour protection until the people involved in your kidnapping are arrested.”

“Even if that’s true, how do I know you’ll find these people? I can’t hide myself or my family forever. I’m the president, Mr.—”

“Pierce. We already know who did it.”

“What?” Thomas snapped. “Why haven’t they been arrested?”