I reiterated most of what had happened in the last seven years in terms of my tracking the inexplicable deaths of agents, primarily in Hong Kong and China, but also elsewhere around the world.
The fact that he continued making notes on a second computer should’ve alarmed me. Oddly, it didn’t.
“Tell me more about the number of deaths and the span of time.”
“I haven’t tabulated in the same way I did in the past since I arrived in Boston.”
“Understood.”
A few minutes later, Decker turned his laptop around so both Cope and I could see the screen. What he showed me made my eyes bug out. In just a few minutes, he’d compiled the same data I had, including the deaths and where they’d taken place. Sadly, the total number was nearing the hundred mark.
Decker sat back in his chair and remained silent for several minutes.
“There’s another thing you need to be aware of,” said Cope.
Decker sighed. “Go ahead.”
“Shortly after first meeting with Irish and Dr. Charles, Dr. Benjamin contacted McTiernan directly to suggest that Irish was a mole. Somehow, Fisk got wind of it. Since, the director has been snooping around in a way that’s making me uncomfortable.”
“Are you saying the director of the CIA is snooping around personally?” Decker asked, looking from me to Cope.
“Affirmative.”
“In that case, we need to find something before he does.”
“Meaning?” I asked.
“Proof that you are, in fact, the mole.”
“Then what?”
“We start by creating enough evidence that will result in your carefully planned arrest, by which we accomplish two things. First, we make arrangements for you to be incarcerated where we can protect you. Second, the easiest way to get a mole to dig in deeper is to make him or her believe someone has taken the fall for them.”
Before Decker could continue, his cell rang. “Excuse me.” He left the room, but returned seconds later. “Gentlemen, our job just got a hell of a lot easier.”
“In what way?” asked Cope.
“I’ve enlisted the help of Buster Stevens. The next step will be to arrange a meeting between him, Matrix, and Lynx. Of course, we’ll need to make sure Matrix believes the whole thing was his idea.”
Cope’s blank expression mirrored mine.
“Matrix is Dr. Charles’ father, and I’m sure you know who Buster is.”
“US Ambassador to China.”
“Wait,” said Cope. “Matrix is Emme’s father?”
Decker either didn’t feel the need to respond or he hadn’t heard Cope’s question. “The next step is to plant the evidence and lead either the doctor or her father to it.”
“What happens after that?” I asked.
“You’re arrested.”
“Back up a little bit. You said Lynx is meeting with the ambassador. What’s the agenda for that meeting?” asked Cope.
“They’ll make arrangements for Buster to help facilitate Dr. Benjamin and Saint’s release. In the meantime, I’ll work on planting evidence.”
“You’ve confirmed they’re being detained?” I asked.
Decker raised a brow but, like before, didn’t respond. “There’s something else I need to make you aware of.”
“Okay.”
“We have reason to believe Lynx and our Dr. Charles may have history.”
“They do. He admitted it to me. He also said she was involved with Saint.”
“I don’t think so. However, I do believe there may be an advantage to him thinking you’re interested as well.”
“I’ve already said as much.”
“What about Dr. Charles? Does she believe you have an interest in more than a professional relationship with her?”
“I don’t believe so.”
“Again, it may work in our favor if she did.”
Decker got an alert on his phone. “Speaking of Dr. Charles, it appears she’s leaving. Warrick, go and see if you can find out where she’s headed.”
“Going somewhere?” I asked, eyeing Emme’s suitcase near the door.
“To see my parents.”
“When will you be back?”
“I’m not sure, Paxon.”
“Can I give you a lift?”
“No, um, Lynx’s driver is taking me.”
“Huh. Okay, well, can I walk you downstairs?”
She thanked me and walked into the waiting elevator; I followed. Once inside, I set the bag down that I’d been carrying for her. I wanted to warn her about my suspicions that Lynx was a mole, but that was part of a mission she knew nothing about—and never could. Instead, I went with Decker’s suggestion.
“Emme…I…um…just want you to know…Lynx told me about you and Saint.”
“Yes, well…” she stammered.
I cleared my throat and took a step closer. “I realize this might be coming out of left field for you, but to be honest, once this mission was over, I planned to ask you out myself.”
Evidently, my proclamation left her speechless. Something I hadn’t seen very often.
“Uh, that’s very nice…” she said as we exited the elevator.
I handed Emme’s bag to the driver and put my hand on her arm. “Wait. I want you to know that when this guy’s boss leaves your heart in pieces”—I pointed to the driver—“there’s someone who cares enough to help you put it back together.”
She got in the car without another word, and they sped off.
“Any luck?” Deck asked when I returned to the apartment’s bedroom.
“She’s headed down the Cape to her parents’ place. I was also able to suggest that if things don’t work out with Lynx, I’d be waiting in the wings.”
“Excellent on both fronts. As for her visiting her parents, the longer she stays there, the better for us. Excuse me for a moment,” he said, standing and leaving the room.
“How are you feeling about this?” Cope asked after the door closed.
“Not sure.”
“Understood.”
“Do you trust Ashford?”
“Kind of late to ask, Irish.”
“I mean moving forward.”
“I’d rather you not be arrested. However, with Decker’s involvement, we have access to support we haven’t had to this point.”
“Backup?” I asked.
“Exactly. Decker said he’d make arrangements for you to be held in a place where we can keep you safe. That means he intends to have people on the inside.”
After ending the video conference, I heard Decker’s raised voice in the hallway. “Lynx, are you aware Dr. Charles is on her way out of town?” There were a few seconds of silence. “Where are you now?” he asked as I eased the door open.
Decker ended the call and set the phone down. “He’s on his way back here.”
A few minutes later, when we heard the code being entered into the keypad, Decker motioned for me to go into the bedroom. “Ready to do this?” he asked.
“Affirmative.”