A piece of her heart, p.25
A Piece of Her Heart, page 25
“Yes, I can imagine she would do a lot more. Let’s keep her out of this for now.”
“I concur, however, that temper is the reason she is the perfect VP for you. While you handle things diplomatically, we are going to need her spiciness to keep Eleanor and others in line. Every time they speak out of the side of their mouths she will be there to rein them in with a comeback.”
JD nodded. “Sounds like a plan. When do you want to announce?”
“Before we set a date, I want to spend a little more time with Phoenix. To give her a feel on how political campaigns work from the inside.”
“Have you checked in with Carolyn to see how those two are getting along?”
“There have been a few sparks, however, Tracy has been able to smooth them over and keep both Carolyn and Phoenix in line.”
“Tracy?” JD raised an eyebrow. “She has a magical touch when it comes to Phoenix.”
“Has Tracy spent any time with Senator Roth?”
JD sighed, “That is a touchy subject. I think it is best to let her come around to opening up to him at her own pace.”
“It would be politically advantageous to have each of them on the campaign trail with you.”
JD glanced at James. “I’m not sure how much Tracy wants to be a part of the campaign. She only did it before to support me.”
James stood to walk back to his office. “Have a conversation with her. She is more popular than you are.”
“Thanks, James.”
“Always the truth from me,” James smiled. “I’ll make a few calls, then grab you when everyone has arrived in the Situation Room.”
Chapter Two
Blaine, Washington
10 Months before the US Presidential Election
The small crevice in the building across from the dock in Blaine, Washington, the border town to Surrey, British Columbia, was the perfect place for Donovan Tucker to watch. Two men walked from the dock to the curb where two moving trucks were parked next to each other. One man climbed into the passenger seat as the other took the driver’s seat. The driver glanced around, started the vehicle then pulled off. Tucker watched as the truck drove to the corner, stopped at the traffic light, then turned right.
His vision turned back to the dock. A third man was sitting in the driver’s seat of the second truck. It appeared his concentration was on the rear view mirror. Tucker allowed his vision to follow the man’s line of sight. The man who Tucker was interested in was still standing on the dock talking with a man who he assumed worked on the ship. Tucker observed as they exchanged a black duffle bag, nodded then parted ways. The face of the man Tucker was following came into clear view as he turned to walk towards the last truck parked on the curb. The smirk on the man’s face caused Tucker’s gut to churn. Tucker’s gut never lied, something was……
BOOM!
The explosion rocked the small shipping dock before Tucker completed the thought. Years of living his life on the streets of Richmond, Virginia, where gun fire was a regular occurrence, had taught him to keep your eye on the prize. Do not allow anything to cause you to blink. If you do you could miss something important. He kept his eyes on the man. The man never looked back, nor did he flinch. It was as if he knew what was happening behind him. The man reached the passenger door as sparks, debris, and Tucker was certain, body parts, flew through the air behind him.
It was broad daylight. People ran out of the doors of the bakery, the little coffee shop and drug store that shared the boardwalk with the dock. Some took off running towards the fire that began to consume the dock’s storage facilities. People were on their cell phones, some talking excitedly and others taking pictures. Yet, the man never looked back as he climbed into the passenger seat. The moment the door closed the driver pulled off. Tucker stayed concealed until the truck passed him. He did a slow ten count, then eased from his hidden location. He jumped into the black SUV that was parked at the curb a few stores up the block.
“Did that bring back memories for you?” Tucker asked the driver.
Joshua Lassiter, a CIA Operative smiled. “He got balls. That’s for damn sure,” he nodded as he pulled off following the truck.
Through the side view mirror, Tucker could see people trying to contain the fire. Emergency vehicles passed them as they turned the corner. “Did you call it in?”
Joshua nodded, “He was almost as smooth as me.”
“The plan was pretty ingenious. A small explosion, large enough to kill the people on the ship and capture the attention of everyone around. Diverting any eyes from his exit,” Tucker admired. “Yes, the plan was damn good. They escaped unnoticed by most.”
Joshua nodded as he drove. “A decent distraction to keep the attention on saving the dock but off of anyone leaving the area.”
Tucker glanced at him. “You know there are no survivors on that boat.”
Joshua nodded “Whatever the man is up to, must be coming into play.”
“Why do you say that?”
“He’s getting rid of his cohorts,” Joshua replied. “He doesn’t need them for what’s coming next.”
“But there is something coming?” Tucker glanced at the man driving. “It’s not my imagination?”
“The man just blew up a dock and I’m sure he killed a few people. No, this is not your imagination.” Joshua glanced at him. “What’s the deal with you and this man?”
“I met the man a few years ago while visiting a woman I know.” Tucker explained. “There was something about him, that sparked my suspicions immediately and it gradually increased. Whether it was illegal activity, or just dishonesty that sparked it, I couldn’t say. But one thing was certain, when my gut clinched my radar went up. I watched everything the man did whenever I was in his presence. People lie, and to the contrary to what some may think, pictures lie. My gut doesn’t lie. At this moment, my gut is spasming like crazy. Something about the man is off. He is certainly not the quiet bed and breakfast owner he appears to be.”
“He doesn’t exist,” Joshua advised. “I had Adam run a computer check on the man. He couldn’t find any information on him before thirty years ago. I mean nothing, no high school or college information. The social security number he has been using belongs to a boy who died at the age of eight.”
“Al couldn’t find anything on the man either.” Tucker stated.
“You tapped into one of the most extensive identification assets this country has outside of the Pentagon and I hit the top brain inside. If Al and Adam could not identify the man, he does not exist.”
“How does a man in his sixties go undetected in this country?”
“It’s done every day, in this country and many more,” Joshua nodded.
“This man lives well. He is a pillar of his community. When I asked about his wealth, I was told the man worked hard and invested his money well. I’m not sure what the man is investing money into, but it damn sure isn’t stocks and bonds.”
The truck slowed then made a right turn into an industrial area. Joshua pulled the SUV to the side of the road, allowing other vehicles to pass him.
“What’s up?” Tucker questioned, not certain why they had stopped.
“We need eyes and ears without being exposed.” Joshua replied.
Tucker watched as Joshua pulled out a small flat plastic case, opened it then took something out that was so tiny he could not see it. But he had learned years ago not to question Joshua’s methods. The man always seemed to have the latest, unknown gadgets that always rendered results.
Joshua pushed a button on his dashboard. A computer appeared on the console. He pushed a few buttons then turned to him. “Roll down your window.”
Tucker did as instructed. “We are doing spit balls now?” He laughed as he watched Joshua put a plastic straw to his lips.
“Not exactly,” Joshua replied then blew through the straw. “You can roll it back up now.”
Tucker didn’t see anything happen. “You could have rolled the window from your steering wheel.”
Joshua shook his head. “I don’t like touching things when I come in contact with a surveillance device. Could fog the lenses.”
Tucker frowned. “What surveillance device?”
“The one I just shot out through the window.”
Tucker followed his gaze. It was as if Joshua was seeing through the trees. “I must be missing something.”
The computer on the console beeped causing Tucker to turn at the moment Joshua pushed the blinking button. The truck they were following appeared and faint voices could be heard. Joshua adjusted a few buttons. The men and their actions became clearer. He pushed the volume button and the voices could be heard. Then he pushed another button that had the word ‘transmit’ beneath it. Tucker was stunned. It was as if Joshua adjusted the television antenna to secure a clearer pictured. “What was in that straw?”
“Tools of the trade,” Joshua smiled.
Tucker’s attention went to the men on the screen. The man he was following was standing at the back of the truck. A fork lift was removing blue bins from the back of the truck and placed them inside a storage unit.
“Can we see how many of those blue bins are inside?” He asked.
Joshua adjusted the camera. There were two bins inside. They watched as the driver of the second truck, gave the driver of the first truck a similar black duffel bag. “That’s a death trap.”
“It appeared to be so for the men on the ship,” Tucker nodded as they looked on.
The men said something in a foreign language that Tucker did not understand. Joshua hit a button. The word ‘French’ appeared with a translation. ‘Job well done.’ The men shook hands. The man with the duffle bag walked to the first truck, got in and drove away.
“They will be dead before sunset,” Tucker exhaled.
“Sunset?” Joshua smirked. “They’re going to be dead within the hour.”
The man driving the second truck came into view as the forklift placed the last blue container inside the unit. Joshua took a still shot of the driver and one of the man Tucker had been following. “That is the right hand man.”
“I agree,” Tucker nodded as the forklift driver backed up, turned, then went on his merry way. “Looks like he works at the facility. I don’t think we need to track him.”
Joshua nodded. “They are about to separate.” He said as the truck driver put a padlock on the unit. “Hmm…he’s using a biometric lock.”
“It looks like a regular gym lock to me.”
Joshua shook his head. “It doesn’t have a key or a combination.”
“Whose fingerprint do you think is on there?” Tucker asked as the two men shared a slight nod between them then parted. The driver climbed into the truck while the man Tucker had been following walked towards the parking lot.
The scene on the screen was moving away from the storage unit. The device Joshua mentioned must have been on the truck. They could no longer see the man Tucker had been following. “We need to get into that storage unit,” Tucker stated.
Joshua pulled up the schematics on the storage facility. There were 120 units. They were at 60% capacity. The three units on the far side of the facility where the trucks had been unloaded were the largest they had.
Joshua smiled. “You need a storage unit.”
“Do I?” Tucker questioned as Joshua pulled back onto the road then turned into the parking lot of the facility. “What size do I need?”
“The largest they have available,” he replied as they stepped out of the SUV.
Tucker, dressed in his long trench coat that hung on his solid six-three, one-hundred-ninety pound frame, a black suit and tie, white shirt and black leather loafers, opened the door. Joshua, standing six-four, dressed in a gray and light blue pinstripe suit, matching tie, handkerchief and shoes, with a long black trench coat followed him inside.
Tucker could tell by the expression on the clerk’s face they were not used to seeing the likes of them.
“Good afternoon,” Tucker smiled. “Has anyone ever told you how beautiful your eyes are? They are an arresting shade of blue.” He could see his greeting caught the woman off guard, turning her frown into a smile.
“It’s actually the lipstick that is catching my attention,” Joshua smiled.
“I’m not wearing lipstick,” the woman replied almost about to frown again.
“No,” Joshua exclaimed as if surprised. “You are kidding. Lips that tantalizing cannot be natural, unless they were heaven sent.”
Tucker wanted to roll his eyes at that statement, but it seemed to have done the trick. The woman’s face turned a flushed pink, as she blushed.
“You two must not be from around here,” she smiled.
“What gave us away?” Joshua asked with so much sincerity it caused him to hesitate with his next response.
“Oh…” the woman was scrambling for words, “well….”
They both stared at her inquisitively.
“Umm….well… to be honest,” she leaned forward a little then whispered. “There aren’t a lot of….your kind around here.”
“Men?” Tucker asked confused.
“No—no, we have a lot of men around here. Just not quite like you.”
“Tall and handsome?” Joshua asked.
The woman laughed. “Tall-dark-and handsome.”
“Ahh, I see,” Tucker nodded. His eyes moved around the small office. “Well…I’m sorry I didn’t get your name?”
“Darlene…Darlene Fauntleroy.”
“Well, Mrs. Fauntleroy, we do not want to cause you any kind of trouble. Is there another storage facility in the area with a unit large enough to hold a few vehicles and furniture? That would not mind leasing to tall, dark and handsome men.”
“Oh, I am certain Mrs. Fauntleroy did not mean to insult us. She was just making an observation, right?” Joshua said as he nodded as if to defend her.
“Yes…yes. And it’s Darlene, just Darlene.” She smiled back at him.
“You’re not married?” Joshua stepped closer. “What is wrong with the men around here?”
“I’ve been asking that same question myself,” Darlene put her hands on her hips. Turning back to him, she smiled. “You don’t have to go any further. I have just what you need.”
Tucker raised an eyebrow. “Really? That would be great, Darlene. I plan to invest a lot of capital into this area. I would hate to think tall, dark and handsome men were not allowed”
“Listen, honey, we like them like you. We just don’t get many in this part of the state.” She pointed to a chart on the wall. “Over here is a sample of every unit we have.”
Tucker waved her off. “Just give me the largest you have available.”
“Now, that’s going to run you a pretty penny. Are you sure you don’t want to take a look at our prices?”
Joshua laughed. “Darlene, you really don’t know who you are talking to, do you?”
The woman shook her head.
“This is Tucker Donovan. He is the head of one of the largest wealth management firms in the county. He’s moving to the west coast temporarily to open a branch office in Seattle.”
“Oh my,” the woman touched her chest. “That’s sounds impressive. May I have one of your cards? People do still carry cards…right?”
“Yes, I do, Darlene,” Tucker pulled out a card from his wallet. “If everyone here on the west coast is as friendly and beautiful as you, I may change my stay from temporary to permanent.”
“Thank you, Mr. Donovan,” she said while looking at the card. “You know. I think I will personally walk you down to the facility I have in mind. If it works for you, we will fill out the paperwork and get you started on that move.”
Tucker glanced at Joshua as Darlene walked from behind the counter. Joshua nodded upwards to monitors on the wall. The camera seemed to capture every corner of the grounds. He then nodded towards the camera in the ceiling. Tucker’s eyes roamed around taking notice.
“Now what was your name, handsome?” She asked as she met them at the door.
“Absolute,” Joshua smiled. “Let me get that door for you.”
“What an unusual name.”
“My mother knew the moment she saw me I was going to be an absolute pleasure.”
The woman smiled up at him as if mesmerized. “I bet you deliver absolute pleasure, don’t you?”
Joshua tilted his head and smiled. “Absolutely.”
Tucker rolled his eyes upwards, as Darlene giggled every step of the way to the storage unit.
After the sun had set, Joshua and Tucker watched as Darlene, and three other employees locked up the office and left the grounds. Locking the gates. Joshua placed a call to his brother Adam, who was the Director of Clandestine Services for the CIA. He gave him the information on the storage facility.
“Did you handle the security camera?” Tucker asked.
“Done,” Joshua stated.
“What about the gate?”
“As soon as we leave I’ll wipe out any record of our entry from the main computer. They will never know we were here.”
The two men casually walked through the gate locking it behind them. There were five rows of 20 units with an additional row of 20 across the back and front of the grounds giving the area a square with 3 rows in the middle. Joshua and Tucker were strutting down the first row talking as if they weren’t trespassing and had all the time in the world.
“What do you think is in there?” Tucker asked.
“Drugs, weapons, women, men, boys, girls….I’ve seen it all.” Joshua said with his coat swinging open. “What do you think is in there?”
“Weapons, drugs…that’s all I got.” Tucker shrugged.
“Hey, I hear Al named the baby after you.”
Tucker beamed like a proud man. “Ryan Tucker Day.”
“Sounds like a good name, man.” Joshua smiled.
Tucker nodded as they turned the corner. “I’ll be his godfather, too.”
“Congratulations, you know people take that godfather thing seriously.”
“Who is Lil Joe’s godfather?”
Joshua laughed as they stopped in front of the unit. “Samuel, Matthew, Timothy, Luke and Adam.”
