Poisoned Politics (19 page)

“Can I see it?” he pointed toward the daytimer.

“Sure. It's just regular office stuff,” I said, handing him the black spiral-bound book. “Notes about meetings and appointments.”

Danny paged through the daytimer, scanning the pages. “Looks like most office daytimers.”

“Yeah, I know. But that's the drawer with Karen's things, and I haven't opened it for over a month, I'm positive. So, when I saw that, well
…
I panicked and ran outside.”

“And called me. Good instincts,” Danny gave me a little smile as he handed me the daytimer.

“Actually I didn't call right away,” I confessed. “I wasn't sure if I was imagining things or not, then Bruce started meowing and—”

Danny did a double take. “The
cat
?”

“It's hard to explain. Come outside and I'll show you.” I beckoned as I hastened out the front door. Danny followed, with a puzzled expression. “I know this sounds strange, but Bruce started making a racket like he was trying to get my attention, then he ran into the backyard.” I hurried across the small front lawn and around the corner toward the backyard, Danny right behind me.

As if on cue, Bruce himself suddenly ran out of the bushes and accompanied us to the back door. Not a meow to be heard.

“Anyway, he ran up to the door, then sat down. I figured he wanted me to go inside and give him a can of tuna. But when I reached to unlock the door, I saw it like this. Partially open.” I pointed at the telltale gap between the door and the frame. “I leave through here almost every morning, and I always give the door an extra yank to make sure it clicks closed. The wood is swollen.”

Danny's slight smile disappeared, and his eyes narrowed as he stared at the door.

“That's when I knew it wasn't my imagination. The only way that door would be open was if someone was in the house and came out this way. Someone in a hurry, who wouldn't stop to check the door.”

Danny nodded slowly, still looking at the door. Then he glanced at the brick walls above. “You're right. Someone was in your house this morning.”

“That's when I called you.”

Danny looked at me. “You did exactly right. Now I'm going to make sure this doesn't happen again.” He gave me a quick kiss then pulled out his cell phone. “You need a high-level security system, and I know exactly who can install it.” He glanced down at Bruce, who was sitting a few feet away, observing us. Inscrutable kitty expression intact. “Good job, Bruce. You got yourself a watch cat, Molly. He deserves a can of tuna,” Danny said, then pressed a number on his phone.

“Wait
…
I should check with Peter first before you call someone.”

“I'm paying for it,” Danny gave me a smile. “I'll make sure they send Peter a bill with a discount.”

“I don't know
…
”

“Don't even try to argue with me, Molly. I don't want you in this house until it's secured. The intruder clearly knew your routine. Otherwise he wouldn't have tried a daylight morning break-in. Yeah, this is Daniel DiMateo. Put me through to Bennett, please.”

I watched Danny talk into the phone and pace the lawn at the same time. I heard all sorts of terms I'd never heard before and guessed they were discussing equipment. But I wasn't really paying attention. All I could think about was Danny's comment: “The intruder clearly knew your routine.”

That cold feeling in the pit of my stomach returned.
Who would be watching me?

nineteen

Later Tuesday morning

Raymond looked up from
the laptop screen and reached for his ringing cell phone. “That's faster than usual, Trask. What'd you find?”

“Not as much as I wanted. Malone broke pattern and showed up at her house out of nowhere. Suddenly I heard her voice outside, talking on her phone. I barely made it out the back door in time.”

“
Shit!
” Raymond slammed the laptop closed.

“First time that's ever happened. At least I copied the flash drive. And, I put a bug in her living room wall, near her computer. I figured you guys might be interested.”

“You figured right.
Damn
.” Raymond lit another cigarette. Half of another was already burning in the ashtray. “Where are you now?”

“I'm in traffic, couple of blocks from your office. I want to see what's happening at her house. I had to move the van because they're remodeling two houses across the street. Trucks everywhere. But I'm guessing she figured out someone broke in, because I just heard her talking to some guy a few minutes ago. She told him she found her computer on. I couldn't make out anything after that because of traffic noise.”

Raymond pushed back his desk chair. “Lemme go take a look,” he said heading toward an adjacent room. Electronic equipment filled the shelves that lined two walls of the windowless inner office. Raymond went to the desk with the video monitors.

“She's with a guy, all right. Looks like the same one who was over there last weekend. They're standing in the front yard.”

“No wonder I'm not picking up any conversation. What're they doing out there?”

“Just talking. Wait a minute
…
a car's pulling into the driveway. No, a Suburban. Black Suburban. Who the hell is this?” He reached over and manipulated a control on the board. Leaning over, he peered at the screen. “Can't read that logo. Boyfriend is walking over
…
uh, oh. Hurry up, Trask. You need to see this.”

“I'm a block away.”

Early Tuesday afternoon

I leaned on the living room doorjamb, watching Danny and the security specialists maneuver about my home. I sipped some of the fresh coffee I'd just made. My single contribution to the proceedings taking place. Another man sat at my ancient desktop computer, examining files, financial accounts, even the family photos. I might not know much about security systems, but even I could tell the system they were installing was way above average. I'd seen a neighbor's being installed in Colorado years ago, and it only took the man about an hour to set it up.

My office cell phone rang inside my purse and I grabbed it. Casey's name flashed. I retreated outside to the back patio to answer.

“Hey, Molly, Peter told me what happened. I'm on my way to your house now, as soon as I can get out of this traffic and across the bridge.”

“No need to hurry. Danny's here with some guys he's hired to install a security system, even as we speak.”

“Wow, that was fast. I'd like to see the security system. Have you called the police yet?”

I paused. “No, I haven't. I
…
I didn't want to come across as some panicked female who was imagining things. All I found was my computer on, a drawer halfway open, and the chair pushed back. And, the back door partially open. Now, I know those things are suspicious because I know my routine. But the cops would think I was a nut. So
…
I'm not calling it in.”

“Okay. I see your point.”

“And nothing is missing. I think I scared the guy away when I came home unexpectedly. So, I was lucky, I guess.”

Funny. I didn't feel lucky.

“Even so. I feel better you're getting a security system installed. That's a pricey neighborhood, so thieves regularly check it out to see which houses are vulnerable. Now yours won't be. I'll see you in a few minutes.”

Danny stepped out onto the patio as I clicked the phone off. “Casey will be here in a few minutes. He'd like to see the system.”

“Good. I want to make sure he's in the loop.”

“How's it going in there?”

“They're almost finished. Bennett found something you need to see. First, do you know who rented this townhouse before you? Or was it privately owned?”

“I don't know. But I could find out easily. Why?”

Danny beckoned me inside. “Come on in. But, don't say anything.”

“What?”

Danny silently led me into the kitchen then down the hall and into the living room where Bennett and his team, as Danny referred to them, had gathered. One man still sat at my computer. Another man held what looked like a metal box.

Bennett held out his palm as I approached. I stared at the small object in his hand. I glanced at Danny with a puzzled expression. He pointed to the object, then pointed to the wall directly above my computer. Then the man sitting at my computer held up a piece of paper with the words “Listening device.”

I stared at the words on the paper, and felt the cold claim my insides again. All those scary images that had danced through my head earlier returned. A strained whisper escaped. I couldn't help it. “Oh, my God
…
”

Bennett quickly turned to the man beside him and dropped the object into a metal box. The man snapped the box shut.

“Now, it's clean” Bennett pronounced. “Signal's gone dead.”

“Now we can talk,” Danny added.

Still stunned that someone had been eavesdropping on me, I could barely think, let alone talk. “My God, was that thing here when I moved in four months ago?”

“It looks like a newer model, plus there was no dust or dirt accumulation,” Bennett answered. “So we're thinking it was put there fairly recently. But we can't be sure. It may have been placed last year when someone else lived here.”

I glanced at Danny. “That has to be it. There's no reason anyone would be listening to my conversations. I'm not a politician. I just work for one.” I shook my head, trying to remember all the times I had friends in or
…
or Danny.
Oh, my God! Danny
…
last weekend.

I glanced at Danny, and he must have read my mind because he started to smile. “I hope they enjoyed themselves.”

I closed my eyes. “Oh, my God
…
”

“What's important, Ms. Malone, is no one will be listening to you now. And no one will enter your house unless you allow them. We've secured both front and back doors, all the windows, and the basement area. In fact, we've sealed off the basement since you told us you never use it. And the door locks have been replaced with our special digital entry system. We've also installed our control system in the hallway. I'll explain the emergency call function.”

“They even repaired that back door,” Danny said with a grin.

“What happens if one of my relatives or a friend drops by when I'm not here and they look in the windows? Does that set off an alarm or something?”

“I'll show you. Plus, we've installed video cameras around the outside of the house, so our technicians will already be alerted if someone starts snooping around your house. Friend or foe.”

I was more than impressed. “Wow, you guys certainly are thorough.”

Bennett actually smiled; first time I'd seen a trace of one. “Our job is to keep you safe, so you feel safe, Ms. Malone. Feel safe and be safe. Now, let me show you what we've done. Let's start at the front then we'll work our way throughout the house.”

Bennett walked toward the front door, and I followed dutifully after him, flanked by Danny.
Feel safe and be safe.
Good words. Now if I could only believe them.

_____

“They've killed it,” Trask said, tossing the earpiece onto the desk. “Who the hell is Prestige Systems, anyway?”

Raymond scanned through a list on his computer screen. “Gotta be privately paid consultants. Their website only has an e-mail address and a phone number for messages. My bet is the boyfriend knows them. Or maybe one of the senator's staff. Who does the senator's security?”

“Probably the same agency that staffs all their events. Preferred Professionals. They supply all the servers and wait staff. But I learned they have a security company as well. The caterers are separate. Not connected.”

“Preferred Professionals
…
” Raymond leaned back in the chair and took a drink of hot coffee. “Rumor has it that years ago half their serving staff were CIA spooks.”

“Still are, from what I've heard.” Trask drummed his fingers on the desk. “Maybe Prestige Systems is their company.”

Raymond shook his head. “My gut says no. Something tells me these guys are private and they specialize. But check on Preferred Professionals again, okay? See what you can find out about their security business. I'm betting they mostly provide security for events and personal protection like Russell's.”

“Okay,” Trask said distractedly, staring at the monitor screen again. “Look
…
they're showing Malone the video system.
Damn!
They've locked that place down tight.”

“Yeah, they have,” Raymond said, observing Trask's annoyance. He couldn't resist adding to it. “You're not getting in there again.”

Trask didn't respond, but his answer was written on his face. Extreme aggravation. Trask wasn't used to being thwarted.

“I know you're pissed, but it was bound to happen sometime, Trask. You've been doing these jobs for years. Random roll of the dice. You know, statistics.” Raymond grinned, just because it would annoy Trask even more.

Trask just shot him a look.

“Anyway, it sounds like you got what we needed. You copied the file. I'll take a look and share it with Spencer. And that stuff in the desk drawer didn't sound important. What was it again? Flash drives from the Allard girl?”

“Yeah, and they looked like the same ones I'd taken from her apartment and that house on the Eastern Shore. But I wanted to take a closer look at the Grayson girl's daytimer. She had notes written all over the thing. Lots of initials. I'd only started going through it when Malone came home.”

Raymond took a deep drink of his hot coffee, thinking. “That doesn't sound like much. Notes on a daytimer, that's all. Office stuff, most likely. I'll tell Spencer, but I think he'll agree.”

“So, what do you think they'll do next?”

Raymond took a long drag on his cigarette, felt that burn, then blew out a slow smoke stream. “Oh, I know what they'll do. Once they hear about Malone discovering the break-in and her new security system, they'll shut down all direct surveillance. Reduce the risk. We'll check occasionally, just to keep an eye on her. But they won't authorize any actions. You can bet on that.”

Trask smirked. “I figured as much. They're making a mistake though. If she starts snooping around again, no telling what she'll find.”

“Well, right now, Malone hasn't found out anything really. Just general information. More research on international monetary issues. Big yawn. Nothing important. Nothing that ties Ryker to anything specific. Not like Wilson did. Wilson overheard Ryker mention one of the banks involved in the transfers. Then Holmberg asked about the specific bill going through committee. The Jorgensen girl doesn't know any of that, either.”

“How can you be sure?” Trask looked dubious.

“Because she would have been spilling her guts to someone in Chertoff's office by now. Ryker's made a lot of enemies over the years. There are plenty who'd love to have the ammunition to take him down.” He flicked the ash off his cigarette.

“He'd better be more careful then. More slipups and he'll hand them all they need. Better keep his mouth shut.”

Raymond snorted. “He's a politician. He's incapable of that.” Trask stared at the monitor again. “Listen, why don't you just stay loose for a couple of days until we hear from Spencer on what the group decides. Then, you can take off for a week on your boat. Maybe more. Who knows?”

“Yeah, sounds good,” Trask said absently, staring at the screen.

Curious at Trask's concentration, Raymond said, “You've been doing stakeouts too long, Trask. Stop staring at that screen and get out of here.”

“You're right. It's just
…
”

“Just what?”

“I don't know
…
something about Malone's boyfriend. Something about him looks familiar. I haven't had a good look at him. He's usually got his back to the camera or his head turned away.”

“How many years were you in the Marines, Trask?”

“Five. Why?”

“And how many years were you a mercenary?”

“Twelve. What are you getting at?”

“And you've been working with me for seven years. You've met thousands by now, Trask. Just like I have. Same story. After awhile, we think we recognize everybody. They all start reminding us of someone. Usually someone we've killed.”

Trask returned his attention to the screen. “Or wanted to.”

“Yeah, that too. Now get out of here and start planning where you're gonna sail.”

Trask finally smiled. “Roger that.”