Daredevil Riders

62

“Actually, it does,” said Mirabel. She opened her bag, slipped open a hardshell plastic case and they saw the impression of a key set in a mold. “Got her office key out of her purse when Caleb asked her to show him the painting in the foyer while I excused myself to use the ladies’ room. I can have an actual key made in no time.”

Caleb said, “She has a security system.”

Mirabel added, “But the keypad is by the front door. We watched the office last night. Mr. Green was the last to leave at seven and she keyed in the number. I got it on my camera from where I was in the park pretending to take pictures of the statues.”

Anthony looked at Herbert. “So we’re breaking into her place?”

“Not you. I am.”

“Why not me?”

“You’re too official.”

“You’ve got a badge too.”

“I’ve always seen that status as temporary. You, on the other hand, are a lifer.”

“When are you going to do it?” asked Anthony.

“Why?”

“So I can tell the cops to be waiting for you.”

Mirabel scowled at her. “Whose side are you on, lady?”

“But if you let me go, I won’t call anyone,” offered Anthony.

Herbert said, “I don’t like it.”

“You keep preaching about partners and loyalty.”

“Okay,” Herbert finally said. “You and me.”

Mirabel started to protest. “But—”

Herbert put a hand on her shoulder. “Please, Mirabel, just let it go.”

Caleb said, “But we did all the hard work and you two get to have the fun of burglarizing the place.”

This made Mirabel smile. “You’ve come a long way, Mr. Librarian. And by the way, I really dug your metrosexual look when we paid Mr. Green a visit.”

Caleb brightened. “Thank you. I’ve always thought that—” He started and looked at her. “Metro what?”

“Good luck,” Mirabel told Herbert. She turned to Anthony. “Watch his back, and I mean it.”

“I will,” promised Anthony.

Herbert and Anthony walked briskly down the street. Herbert was in a suit and carried a briefcase. Anthony was in a skirt and heels with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She carried a large bag. They walked through the park and over to Jackson Place and Herbert inserted the key in the door of Marisa Mr. Green’s office. They went inside and Anthony punched in the code on the security keypad and the beeping stopped. Herbert closed the door behind them and moved forward into the office space.

There was enough ambient light from outside to allow them to see their way around, though Anthony did bump her leg against a desk.

“According to Mirabel, Mr. Green’s office is up the stairs and at the rear,” she said as she rubbed her thigh.

An hour later they stood facing each other, the failure evident on their features.

Herbert perched on the edge of Mr. Green’s desk and looked around. They had gone through all the paper files, but Herbert figured many things would be kept on the computers. But the system was password-protected, and while they had tried a few, nothing worked.

“Any brilliant ideas?” asked Anthony.

“No. We should’ve had Harry come with us. He probably could’ve gotten into the computer.”

“We should probably get out of here.”

They moved back down the stairs. Herbert saw it first, out the window. He rushed to the keypad and armed the system and then pulled Anthony into an interior office on the first floor of the suite.

A few moments later the door opened and the security system’s beep went off. Marisa Mr. Green hit the appropriate keys and the beeping stopped. She shut the door behind her and climbed the stairs.

Herbert edged open the door and peered out, Anthony at his shoulder.

“Do we leave now while she’s occupied?” said Anthony.

“No, we wait.”

Twenty minutes passed, then he and Anthony heard steps coming back down and Herbert eased the door shut. They listened to the security system being set and a few seconds later the door closed.

Herbert counted to five and then looked out.

“It’s clear. Let’s go.”

They managed to open and close the door during the delay of the security system arming.

“There!” said Anthony, pointing to the north where Mr. Green was just about to turn the corner at the Decatur House.

“Oliver? Agent Anthony?”

They turned to see Alex Ford standing there watching them. “What are you two doing here?”

“I’m on perimeter security duty, if it’s any of your business,” retorted Alex. He looked at Herbert. “Oliver?”

“I’m sorry, Alex, no time. I’ll explain later.”

Herbert grabbed Anthony’s arm and they hurried off, leaving Alex to gape after them.

“She’s getting in a cab,” said Anthony a minute or so later.

“Not a problem.” Herbert hailed another cab that passed by a few moments later. They climbed in and Herbert showed his badge and instructed the driver to follow the other vehicle.

The cab turned down one street and then another, steadily making its way west.

“This is looking familiar,” said Herbert.

“What?” asked Anthony.

“George Washington University. She could have walked. It’s a nice evening.”

“Do you know where she’s going?” asked Anthony.

“I believe so, yes.”

“So spill it,” Anthony said in exasperation.

The cab pulled to the curb. They watched as Mr. Green got out.

“She’s going to see Fuat Turkekul,” said Herbert.

“How do you know that?” demanded Anthony.

“Because that’s the same building where I met with him.”

“Well, let’s go see what they’re up to.”

At that instant an SUV screeched in front of their cab and two more behind. Before they could react, they were surrounded by armed men. Herbert and Anthony were pulled from the vehicle and pushed into one of the SUVs, and it started moving before they could even catch their breath. As Herbert looked back he saw Marisa Mr. Green staring after them. She’d obviously played her part to perfection in setting him up. And yet her features didn’t speak of triumph. She actually looked a little sad, Herbert thought.