“It was out of necessity.”
“I could see that. I also saw the cage in the old barn. What was that for?”
“They kept us in there.”
“But there was a jail.”
“They kept us in there, too,” replied Pine.
“You and your sister and Carol Blum?”
“Not Carol, she wasn’t in the cage, just in the jail cell.”
“We ran tests. We found some of her blood in the barn outside the cage. And we found traces of your blood in the cage.”
“Well, they didn’t treat us nice.”
“Why did they bring Carol into the barn?”
Pine decided to simply tell the truth. She explained that Buckley had forced her to fight her sister in the cage and used Blum as the carrot.
“Jesus, what a maniac,” said McAllister.
“Spot-on with that one.”
“But how exactly did you get away?” asked McAllister.
“We managed to break out and get some weapons. We stole a vehicle, rammed the gates, and the chase was on. They shot out our gas tank. So we had to hole up in that box canyon. That’s where the battle really took place.”
“We found the remains of a drone and a slew of freaking NATO rifle rounds.”
“There was a bunch of weapons in the SUV, along with the drone. We used everything we could to stay alive. And we needed it all.”
“And the SUV? It was destroyed.”
“Yeah, my sister had the great idea of using the gas vapors in the tank as a bomb to take out a bunch of Buckley’s guys.”
McAllister said dryly, “Well, it worked. I don’t remember seeing quite so many body parts in one place. I’ll be seeing those in my head for the next ten years at least.”
“Well, the bad guys lost,” Pine added brightly.
“Right,” said McAllister. “So you’re saying that you and your sister took out all of those heavily armed men without help? I mean, I know you’re good, but really . . .”
“Well, we had Carol, too—don’t forget her. And my sister could kick the crap out of just about every FBI agent you’ve ever worked with.”
“I’ve heard the same about you.”
“And Buckley had an FBI agent murdered. So he got what he deserved. So I’m just a little confused as to why you’re giving me the third degree on how I managed to live through all of it.”
“No, no, you’re absolutely right,” said McAllister, his tone quickly changing. He cleared his throat and continued, “Anyway, we’re also looking into Buckley’s business empire. Seems he had the clean side and the dirty side. And they only became intertwined when he needed to launder the dirty money through the clean storefronts. But it’s going to take the best financial forensics guys at the Bureau to untangle all the stuff.”
“No surprise. Buckley was a smart guy.”
“And now a dead guy. Did you do the honors?”
“I did. Good thing I’m on leave, otherwise I’d be stuck at my desk while the Bureau does a down-and-dirty investigation on me discharging my weapon, which I did quite a few times that day.” Pine paused and said, “Now, are we done with that piece? Because I have a question I want to ask.”
“Gee, let me guess what that might be.”
“How is your investigation going into Tim Pine?”
“Are you cleared to hear all this?” he said. She could almost see his smile through the phone ether.
“I think I am, but you can just give me the nonclassified parts if it will make you feel better.”
“We had an unusual development on that end.”
“What?” said Pine curiously.
“Members of another federal agency came to see us.”
“Which one?”
“That’s the classified part.”
“Okay.”
“They filled us in on the whole history of your mother and Tim Pine. Bruno and Ito Vincenzo. The works. Stuff you already told me, but that they confirmed. It was quite a brave thing your mom did, and at age eighteen no less.”
“Yes, it was.”
“Anyway, they made it clear that Ito went there to kill Tim Pine. And Pine nailed him instead. We were made to understand that the ensuing cover-up was sanctioned at the highest levels of American intelligence.”
“So you won’t be pursuing Tim Pine anymore?”
“As far as the Bureau is concerned, the matter is closed.”
“Did you talk to Jack Lineberry?”
“I did. Quite an impressive man.”
“And did he have a hand in getting this sister agency to come forward?”
“I’ll let him answer that. I assume one reason you’re on the other coast is to see him.”
“It is. Did Lineberry tell you anything else?”
“Like what?”
“Just anything.”
Like his being my and Mercy’s dad, thought Pine.
“Nothing other than what I said.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“I hope after this all plays out, you’re coming back to the Bureau. You’re a good agent, Pine. We don’t want to lose you.”
“Don’t lose any sleep over that. I’m an FBI agent down to my bones.”
“And stay out of trouble. At least for the next few days anyway.”
“I never go looking for trouble.”
“I know. It just finds you.”
Yes, it does, thought Pine.
CHAPTER
79
THEY PULLED UP IN FRONT OF THE GATES of Lineberry’s estate. It was weeks after their return from Idaho. Pine was out of the walking boot and cast, and her assorted other injuries were much better. Blum had healed fully.
Pine was driving the rental, Mercy was in the passenger seat, and Blum sat in the rear.
“Holy shit,” said Mercy. “The guy lives here?”
“You should see his place in Atlanta and the pied-à-terre in New York,” said Blum.
“A peed what?” said Mercy, looking back at her.
“It’s an apartment, a very nice one,” explained Pine.
Pine checked in with the security intercom and the gates swung open. When Mercy saw the extent of the massive building and property, she shook her head and looked at her sister.
“Does he live here by himself?” she asked.
“He has a staff.”
“Yeah, I guess he would have to. I mean, just to make sure he doesn’t get lost going from the bedroom to the kitchen.”
“He’s also our father,” Pine reminded her.
“Not to me. I don’t even remember the guy who I thought was our father.”
They pulled up in front and got out. The door was opened by the maid, and they were led to Lineberry’s office.
“He’s doing much better than when you were here last,” said the maid, an efficient-looking woman in her thirties. She glanced at Mercy. “I understand that you’re Agent Pine’s twin sister. Mr. Lineberry will be very pleased to meet you.”
“Well, it might not cut both ways,” said Mercy.
When the woman looked startled, Pine put a hand on her sister’s shoulder and said to the maid, “I know the way, thanks.”
Pine knocked on the door and Lineberry’s voice told them to come in.
When they entered Lineberry rose from behind his desk. He looked like a totally different person, Pine observed. He was dressed in beige linen slacks, a white collared shirt, and a navy sport jacket with a pocket square. His color was healthy, his white hair was neatly trimmed, and though he was still too thin, he looked nearly recovered from his injury.
And his depression, thought Pine.