“Never let it be said that my boys are slow or stupid.” The situation was explained for all our new arrivals. “So, I think we need to get over there as unobtrusively as possible. Which probably means via a gate.”
Gates were devices that resembled airport metal detectors but sent you wherever in the world you needed to go in a matter of seconds. They had been, were still, and probably always would be the bane of my existence, because I’d never gone through one yet that hadn’t made me totally nauseated, or worse. My suggesting the gates, especially when Jeff wasn’t going to be along to hold me through the horror, was me totally taking one for the team.
“What about Mister Buchanan?” Kyle asked.
“Or Mister Wruck and Mister Siler,” Len added. “You know they don’t like you leaving without them knowing.”
“Dudes, seriously. I have three K-Nine units, you two, Manfred and Colette, and Evalyne and Phoebe, and we’re going to a police station that will be loaded with cops. Frankly, I feel that I’m working on the Overkill Level for security right now. We will be in and out fast. Just check out the new crazy chick prisoner, see if we know her, determine who of our Rogues’ Gallery she happens to be, interrogate or additionally incarcerate her, and leave. This is our plan. It’s a simple plan and, hopefully, a fast plan. Why bother those dealing with other gigantic issues? We’ll be back before they notice we’re gone if we’re using gates.”
“We have a gate where we’re going,” Melville said. “Your people installed it when your husband became the Vice President. So you can get back as unobtrusively as we’ll be going over.”
“See? Easy peasey. So let’s get going.” Realized I’d let slip that something big was going on and hoped no one had picked that up.
“What gigantic issues?” Mrs. Maurer asked. Dang, someone had noticed that particular informational slip.
“Um, I’m not sure if I’m at liberty to say at this precise time.”
“You’re not,” Vance said flatly. “I was still in the LSR when your husband shared what’s coming. We’re supposed to keep it on the DL.” The rest of those in the room looked at him balefully. Vance was unfazed. “You feel free to take it up with the President, his Chief of Staff, and the Director of the CIA.”
“DL means down low,” Abner said quietly to Mrs. Maurer.
Who shot him a look that could freeze milk. “Thank you so much for sharing, young man. I’m sure that I’ve never heard that abbreviation ever before in all my days, which are double all your days.”
“Sorry, just wasn’t sure you knew,” he mumbled, blushing.
Mrs. Maurer sniffed. “I’d wager I know what more acronyms mean than you do, worldwide. However, we’ll let it slide and stay here in ignorance together.”
“I can tell you once they leave.” Vance jerked his head toward the K-9 crew.
“What?” Melville asked, sarcasm knob clearly heading toward eleven. “Are more aliens invading or something?”
CHAPTER 14
“LOOK AT THE TIME!” Grabbed Len and my purse, which I’d left in my office earlier in the day, and started to head toward the nearest gate, which happened to be in the bathroom connected to my offices. “We need to get moving.”
“Oh my God, more aliens are invading?” Melville didn’t sound freaked. Well, not too freaked. He sounded kind of excited. Hoped he was going to represent the reactions of the majority of the public, but sincerely doubted it. Our luck so rarely ran that way.
“Cool,” Officer Larry said as I stopped my escape attempt and let go of Len. Put my purse over my neck, though, because it was always a good idea to live by the Scout Motto and Be Prepared.
Officer Curly nodded. “Especially if they look like the A-Cs.”
“Ah, per what little I know, they do not. No idea if they’re better or worse, by the way. Now that I’ve already breached Jeff’s latest security directive, can we go while you guys shut up and share this with no one?”
Vance sighed. “I think I have to take them into custody, Kitty. Based on what Chuck said.”
“It’s cool.” Len was looking at his phone. “I already advised Mister Reynolds of what’s going on. He feels that we can trust the K-Nine unit, these three officers in particular, to protect national and international security.”
“You can,” Melville said. “But it’s nice to know that the CIA actually trusts us.”
“No,” Kyle said strongly. “The CIA trusts no one. Mister Reynolds is trusting you, which is, frankly, a huge honor. And Kitty is, as well.”
The three officers looked at each other. “You can trust us,” Officer Curly said. “I don’t think we’ve ever done anything against you.”
“Yeah,” Officer Larry said. “We’re on your side and have been since well before you knew it.”
Melville nodded. “Kitty, you know we’ve got your back, just like you’ve got ours. Huge honor of trust or no.”
Prince, Duke, and Riley, meanwhile shared with me that they were, of course, going to keep this news to themselves and would, also of course, take down anyone who tried to share it without authorization.
“Super-duper. Believe me—Chuckie trusting you is indeed a big deal. Let’s not share this with the rest of your squad, though, please and thank you. You three I know I can trust. The rest of your gang I have the utmost faith in. But since no one’s supposed to know yet . . .”
“Agreed,” Melville said briskly. “So, are we advising the President of what you’re doing or not?”
“I didn’t share why the K-Nines were here,” Len said. His phone beeped. “However, Mister Reynolds has guessed at least somewhat accurately. He says that as long as you’re taking me, Kyle, at least two A-Cs, and some Secret Service with you, it’s okay to do, and I quote, ‘whatever the hell they want from her this time.’ So we seem cleared.”
Chose not to ask if Len had really only shared part of what was going on with Chuckie. Also wondered if the person Kyle was texting was Buchanan. Assumed it was. Actively chose not to complain about the boys doing what they felt was right. Was well aware that they got private tongue-lashings I wasn’t privy to and saw no reason to try to ensure they had another.
Decided I was heading to the main police precinct in a clandestine manner and so didn’t need to change clothes. Did wash the dog slobber off my face and hands while Manfred calibrated the gate. The K-9 teams went through first, each human officer holding their canine teammate. Then Kyle, Evalyne, and Phoebe stepped through to verify that all was well wherever we were landing.