THE LAST ARK

CHAPTER 25: GO HOME

King David Hotel, Jerusalem T h ree Days Before Temple Ceremony

Jenn and Jack settle into their table at the Kings Garden Restaurant at the King David Hotel. As she requested, Jack kept her trip a secret from Taylor. “Nice place,” Jack says, looking around at the high-end décor and exquisitely painted ceilings with a view of the exterior patio pool featuring soaring palm trees. “We should check back with the embassy aft er we eat. Rhodes must have arrived by now,” she replies, looking over the menu. T h e US Consulate Director, a friend of the admiral, was sympathetic to her grief, actively negotiating extradition, but not at all encouraging about her chances to meet with the former president. “State Department will never let you within a mile of the FPOTUS, even if he does come to Israel, which seems unlikely given the extradition treaty,” Jack mutters while he checks the menu. “You know, for kosher, this looks like primo chow.” “Anything will beat the vending machine snack bar you’ve got on the jet,” she snickers. When Taylor owned the Gulfstream, he had it stocked with French wines, fresh fruit, gourmet meals, and foreign films. After Jack took over ownership, he revamped the entertainment cabinet with action movies, domestic beer, and snack foods. “Hey, it’s tough building a business,” Jack complains. “After I lost my job with Taylor, I had to make some cuts. And geez, I can’t tell you how much I hate subtitles.” “Don’t discount the embassy; they want to see this resolved.” Jenn dismisses his excuses for junk food. “Come on, the State Department will fart around this goose egg for months, trying to negotiate a way for everyone to save face, until they get nothing done, and the crisis passes in the media,” Jack scoffs. Jenn ignores his defensiveness. “I don’t expect the embassy will give me direct access to FPOTUS. I’m hoping to attach myself to Agent Rhodes,” she explains, already knowing her odds are slim. Banking on nostalgic sentiment from Geoff and an unrealistic dose of good fortune may not be the best strategy. It’s not like she thought this through. “You know, if Taylor were here, he’d hack into somebody to set you up with face time or something.” “Then it’s a good thing that Taylor isn’t here to cause trouble,” she responds. “I’m still hoping the consulate will arrange a meeting.” Jack laughs aloud, then stifles his chuckle. “Good luck with that one. So, what I’m hearing is that you have no real clue on how to find Rhodes, assuming he’s even here, or how to confirm your suspicion that the former president had anything to do with the admiral’s death.” Jenn raises an eyebrow, not arguing. Director Adelson never said that Rhodes would stay in Israel, but that he was being sent to Israel. Only her intuition regarding Geoff’s pride gives her reason to believe he would stay pending a diplomatic solution. Geoff comes from East Coast old money, son of an ex-managing partner at the powerful Washington law firm Kirkland Otis. Rhodes will want to stay at the nicest hotel nearest to the US Embassy, hence King David. Jenn glances up to explain her rationale, when she notices Geoff Rhodes enter the restaurant in another section to take a seat facing away from her. A kismet moment. “Ask for an extra place setting; I’ll be right back,” she says, standing. “Where are you going?” “To convince Geoff Rhodes to join us.” King David Hotel, Jerusalem T hree Days Before Temple Ceremony Still hung over from whatever demon narcotic the Saudis gave him, and totally screwed in his career, Geoff stayed at the King David to be close to the US Embassy. Secret Service Director Bell already knew of the situation by the time they gave him his phone in Tel Aviv. According to Director Bell, Stephens and Blake flew back to Washington, suffering side effects from the drugs. The director asked him to stay on the ground pending negotiations. A single agent in that scenario will be worthless. He’s being set up to fail. “You’re so predictable,” coos a sexy voice behind him. Geoff pivots to see the petite frame, pixie haircut, and bright blue eyes of Jennifer Scott. He impulsively rises to greet his Annapolis sweetheart with a long, tight hug. “Jennifer,” he exclaims. “What a surprise.” Geoff pulls back, still holding her shoulders, lowering his smile to a frown. “Hey, listen, I’m so sorry to hear about the admiral.” “Thank you,” she says, lowering her eyes. Geoff remembers Jennifer as the strong, independent, rebellious daughter, determined to take over the entire Navy to prove herself outside the admiral’s shadow. But the woman in his arms looks diminished, broken, and silently desperate. A shadow of guilt falls over his heart. “What brings you to Israel?” he wonders, unable to imagine her getting over the admiral’s death so quickly. “Well, to be honest, I came here with Jack Tote to find you. I think we can help each other. Come join us, and I’ll explain.” Geoff looks over her shoulder to notice the disgraced pilot of Taylor Security Systems talking to a server. Curious that Jenn aligned with the ex-pilot of the same man that she investigated. Geoff can’t imagine anything either could offer him that would be helpful, but he hasn’t seen Jennifer in years. Besides, he practically bristles with curiosity. King David Hotel, Jerusalem T hree Days Before Temple Ceremony Jenn introduces Jack and Geoff, who greet each other like two gladiators sizing each other up in the arena. “Tote,” says Geoff, offering a hand. “Rhodes.” Jack grips the hand a heartbeat longer than necessary before letting go. Jenn ignores the testosterone sniff witnessed daily in the Navy. Apparently, the two know each other and are not mutual fans. She doesn’t care. After they both sit with no other needless displays, she gets to the point. “Geoff, I’m here because my father didn’t die of a cardiac arrest as they reported in the papers,” she takes a deep breath to steady herself. “The admiral died of Novichok poisoning.” Jenn watches the subdued response spread across Geoff’s poker face. His hands slowly tighten into a loose fist. “That’s terrible news. I’m so sorry to hear that, but it doesn’t explain why you’re in Israel?” “The admiral had a video of the FPOTUS discussing the national ID leak with Putin before signing the executive order to adopt the platform. I want to help you retrieve him so I can question him.” Geoff doesn’t seem to register as much surprise at the revelation as she expected, but then again, he faithfully protected the president for years and may know more than he can share. “And you think Putin had the admiral poisoned?” Geoff scoffs. “I’m sorry Jennifer, but you’re grasping at straws, maybe out of grief or something. But geez, you need to put those crazy notions out of your head. Go home and grieve your father.” “Adelson confirmed.” Jenn ignores his objections. “I want to ask the FPOTUS if he knew about the plan to eliminate a great man. That’s all I ask— one moment alone.” “Slow down, sailor,” Geoff says. “Jennifer, this is an enormous diplomatic nightmare already. I’m just here to cool my heels and avoid the humiliation I’m going to face back in Washington. My career is toast. Besides, they granted FPOTUS asylum in Saudi Arabia, and I can guarantee the Saudis will let no one, much less a woman with a vendetta, get close enough to interrogate him. If they agree to let him come to the ceremony, they’ll guard him like the freaking pope. You’re not thinking this through.” “I’m not asking for their help. I’m offering you help,” she responds. “Help me?” Geoff repeats, then turns to Jack. “Are you in on this insanity?” Jack shakes his head. “Nah, I’m just the wingman checking out a good meal.” “I spoke with the consulate director. FPOTUS is already here in Israel, staying in the presidential suite,” she states calmly, watching his eyes dart around the room. Jack glances at her with a raised eyebrow, also surprised. Jenn hadn’t told him yet. “No one said anything to me,” Geoff dismisses the claim. “Maybe they sense that you’re not really committed to getting him back,” she says. “Oh geez, you can’t be serious,” Geoff rebuffs. “I’ll say it again, go home. Grieve your father and pull your career back together. Don’t throw it all away looking for an imaginary confession that will never happen.” Jack chuckles into his coffee. “Good one.” When Jenn turns to glare at the snarky pilot, he waves her off. “Don’t mind me; I’m just enjoying you two quarreling over nothing. Come on, not only do I agree with G-man that it’s an unworkable idea.” He nods at Geoff. “But you’re talking to a glorified bodyguard, for God’s sake, a man paid to take bullets, follow protocol, not to be a strategic thinker. Like I said on the plane, you’re asking the wrong guy for help. You’re talking to a boy scout looking to cover his own ass over a total screwup.” Jenn turns to watch the macho pride and indignation flare in Geoff’s nostrils as his face turns red and his brows lower into a furious scowl. “Yeah, you’re right; I’m sorry we even asked,” she deflects, following Jack’s lead. “Probably better if I go alone, anyway. Sorry, Geoff, I don’t want you to get into any deeper trouble. I mean, seriously, you’ll forever be the guy who lost the FPOTUS to the Saudis. Any effort to get him back on your own will just come off as desperate.” “Screw both of you,” Geoff retorts, slamming his palm on the table, causing a few heads to turn in their direction. “Fine, you want to make a fool of yourselves, we’ll talk, but not here. Meet me in the lobby in ten minutes.” He pushes back to head upstairs, too angry to eat. Geoff always had a short temper. Jenn and Jack share a grin and a fist bump. “Nicely done,” she says. Jack holds out his palms as if to accept an award. “Most people don’t realize that being a total a-hole is a genuine, God-given gift.” He smirks. “Look, I don’t know about you or the Eagle Scout, but I’m eating first.” Jack looks up to smile at the server just arriving to refresh the coffee. “Can I see the menu again?” As the server runs off, he turns to Jenn. “So, exactly what is your plan?” he asks, drowning his coffee in cream. She grimaces. “I should let you enjoy your meal first. You’re not going to like it.”