Alien in the House

Chapter 89



MY FIGHT WITH NAOMI had taken up a nice chunk of time. We went downstairs, choked some food down, then the others got back to the business of searching for stuff. Oliver and the boys had brought Adriana over from the Romanian Embassy, possibly to help prevent me and Naomi from killing each other, but she was helping dig through our “clues” with good cheer.

Sent another text to Caroline, just out of pathetic optimism. Pathetic optimism was shown to be a sap as the automated response came back. Didn’t they even go to the bathroom during these things?

Thusly foiled from getting any in-the-know answers yet again, trotted upstairs to say good-bye to Dad and Jamie. It was still obvious I’d been crying, but Dad didn’t mention it and happily, neither did Jamie. She was ready for bed, so I sang her a song using the stuffed eagle, tucked her in, kissed her good night, then changed clothes.

It had been far too many days spent in heels and nice dresses. I was going to a late-night rendezvous and needed to be properly attired. Aerosmith thermal, jeans, and my Converse on, hair pulled back in a ponytail, Glock and clips in my purse along with all the rest of my usual paraphernalia, and I was just about ready to go.

“I need a shorter coat or jacket or whatever. The trench is great, but in case I need to run, I’d like to be able to do so while still staying warm,” I said to the hamper. Backed out of the closet and closed the door. Opened the door and walked back in. There was a nice, shearling-lined, suede jacket—lining was white, suede was black. Maybe it was the Elves who drove the A-Cs’ slavish devotion to white and black.

Chose not to ponder. Grabbed the jacket. “Thanks again, you guys rock.”

Gave Dad another hug and kiss and then went back downstairs. My team was ready, White and Raj in their suits and trench coats, Rahmi and Rhee in all black, slacks and sweaters, but no coats. True to expectations and my threats, they both had battle staffs. Where they’d hidden them on arrival, I had no idea, but I was happy to see them tonight.

“You all can take your coats off,” Gower said. “The Kevlar’s here.”

“Oh, right.” Had forgotten we were all going decked out. Followed Gower into the salon where our body armor was waiting. “Paul, I count six vests, not five.”

“You count correctly,” he said as he took a vest. “I’m going with you.”

“Um, James expressly told you to stay here.”

“He did. But as the Pontifex, not only am I part of Alpha Team, but it’s also my duty to watch over my people. You need me along, and I mean you, specifically, Kitty.”

“Just because I got into a verbal chick fight with your sister doesn’t mean you need to be at risk.”

Gower shrugged. “I feel it’s important I go, so I’m going.”

Was tempted to ask him what ACE thought, but didn’t think he deserved it. Gower wanted to kick butt, I was sure, but maybe he was right. I hadn’t lost it like that with someone I liked in a very long time.

“Fine. But I’m in charge on this one.”

Gower grinned. “Kitty, in all the time I’ve known you, when haven’t you been in charge?”

“Good point.”

We all went off, changed, and came back. It was hard to tell that anyone was wearing a bulletproof vest, which was the point. Quick discussion about how we were going to get there. Len and Kyle felt we should let them drive us over. Hacker International suggested we use a gate.

“We have more maneuverability if we run,” Raj said. “We all have hyperspeed, so it shouldn’t be an issue.”

“Let’s get going and get there, then. I don’t want to be late.”

“We have plenty of time,” White said.

“Yeah, but I just feel like we need to get going.”

“Maybe you’re still upset,” Gower said.

Considered this. “No, actually I feel a lot better. Naomi and I have made up, I had that cry you all wanted me to, I don’t feel angry or upset or even tired anymore. I just feel like we urgently need to get to the cemetery, early or not.”

“Then let’s go,” Rahmi said. “The leader sets the pace.” Rhee nodded.

“Right, you two are going to flank our Pontifex and keep him safe. And, girls, please remember that you’re not killing anyone unless they actively try to hurt one of us or I tell you to, okay? Or one of the men with us needs your help and all that. Got it?” They both nodded. “Good. Then let’s go visit the dead.”

Pierre opened the door for us, and we zipped out. White had my hand, but Raj led the way, with the princesses and Gower bringing up the rear. We stayed on the streets—no running over water for us. But it still didn’t take very long to get there.

Once in the cemetery, I navigated us back to where I’d been when I’d seen the Dingo last. This took longer than I’d expected it to, but we were still in place well before ten. Raj and Rahmi went off to search for Hidden Assassin Caves and the like, while the rest of us hung around, waiting. Getting here early suddenly seemed really stupid.

Before I could mention that I was sorry we were all freezing our butts off, my phone rang. Dug it out. “Kit-Kat, I have a ton of missed calls and texts from you. What’s going on?”

Wanted to ask questions, but figured being polite was probably a nicety we could afford. “Hey, Caro Syrup, how’re you feeling?”

“I’m better, Michael took good care of me. But Kit-Kat, we just heard about Ed Brewer. Are you all okay? Is that why you’ve been trying to reach me?”

“Yeah, well, part of why. We were there. It was . . . pretty horrible, honestly.”

“They’re saying he killed himself. He never struck me as the type.”

“He wasn’t the type. But we’ll let the police do their thing right now.”

“How’s his wife?”

“Nathalie’s a mess. She’s staying with us right now, though.”

“Ah. Is Michael helping take care of her?”

“Um, what? No. He’s doing something with and for my mom. Why?”

“Oh.” She sounded relieved. “I’ve tried to call him a couple times and he hasn’t picked up. I just . . .”

“You were just worried your man was hitting on the widow who happens to be a former international model?”

“Not at all!”

“Pull the other one.”

“Oh, okay, fine. Yes, I was worried.”

“Why? Has Michael been seeing other people?”

“No. Not at all. We see each other a lot, we’re exclusive. It’s just . . .”

“Caro, you’re normally not this non-communicative.”

“I really like him. I mean really. And I’m not sure I should. I mean, he’s not ready to stop being a playboy.”

“Um, Caro, all I can say is that you should stop worrying.” Didn’t want to give away what Michael had said, but I didn’t want her worrying about this, either. “What does the senator think?”

“He thinks Michael’s great. He wanted me to go out with him tonight instead of working. But since I can’t reach Michael, I might as well work.”

“What are you guys working on? It’s Christmas Eve.” Said the person hanging out in a cemetery with five other people, all wearing Kevlar. Yeah, I rocked the Christmas Eve spirit. “I mean, Kelly told me you were in meetings about Armstrong’s presidential bid, but two days straight seems kind of excessive.”

“Well, we have a lot going on. There are some bills the Senate’s going to be voting on when the new session officially starts. The senator’s got a lot of fighting and persuading still to do, and he and Senator Armstrong aren’t certain they’ll sway enough votes. And the outcome of the votes is going to affect Senator Armstrong’s run.”

Interesting new news. “What’s on the line?”

“Lots of things to do with the A-Cs. The anti-alien groups have really shoved some crap into things.”

“Why is Armstrong working on this with McMillan? I didn’t think they were close. At all.”

“Well, they’re the two most pro-A-C senators on the Hill. Didn’t you realize that’s why they were sitting with you and Jeff at the dinner party?”

“No, I didn’t. So why was Edmund Brewer seated with us?”

“For the same reason, just like Santiago Reyes. Representative Brewer was one of the most pro-alien reps out there. Santiago won on the pro-alien ticket.”

Things started to click into place. What a pity I hadn’t had this conversation with Caroline two days ago. Reminded myself that I’d tried to have said conversation. Mentioned to myself that I should have chosen to use Kelly’s Batphone privileges and would not make that mistake again in the future. Should we have one. “Caro, who are the other pro-alien reps? The influential ones?”

“There are a few, but unfortunately, some of them have passed away in this last year.” Almost asked her why she hadn’t told me this before, but remembered that Caroline and Michael had missed Vance’s big Reveal on the Rooftop, and Michael had only really gotten up to speed tonight. And Caroline had been paying attention to the senatorial side of this thing, where no one had yet to be killed.

“Name them. Please.”

“Bowers, Holmes, Callahan, Porter, and Delarosa.”

“So, does that mean we have no more pro-alien representatives in the House?”

“Well,” Caroline said with a little laugh. “Jeff’s in there now, so there’s one for sure.”

“I need to talk to Senator McMillan. Right now.”

“Uh, okay. Hang on.”

Covered the phone while Caroline spoke to McMillan. “Mister White, we need Raj and Rahmi back, pronto. The hell with the Dingo’s hideout.” White nodded and pulled out his phone.

“Hello, Ambassador? What can I do for you?”

“The bills you and Armstrong are worried about, there’s a line in all of them that’s basically saying that no alien can ever go against any U.S. law and such, correct?”

“Yes. How did you know?”

“Long story we have no time for. There are bills just like those going through the House.”

“Yes. I heard Caroline’s side of your conversation. She listed most of those in the House who were planning to use their influence to get those bills shot down or returned to committee.”

“Right, they’re all dead. Which of all of them was the most influential? Holmes?”

“Well, I’d say that Wendell was, yes. But Edmund Brewer was as well. He was a junior congressman, but he had a good ability to sway. And he was hugely pro-alien. You’ve lost a good friend in more ways than one today.”

“Yeah, I’m picking that up. He didn’t kill himself, by the way. So, Caroline didn’t sound like you all think the Senate’s going to shoot down those anti-alien bills.”

“There are less of us, but not all constituents in all states feel comfortable with the new world order. There’s quite a lot of clamor for restrictions, if you will.”

“Those aren’t restrictions, though. Those are laws that will force the A-Cs into slavery to the government.”

“I agree. It’s why I oppose them, as does Senator Armstrong.”

“If they pass, the President could veto. What happens if he does?”

“If they pass in the first place, they’ll probably pass again to overturn the veto. It would be very bad for the President, either way, honestly. If he doesn’t veto, he’s lost the trust and support of all of the A-Cs. If he does veto, he’s going against the wishes of the majority of the country. At least that’s how it’ll be spun in the media.”

“If they pass, the A-Cs will have to leave the U.S., if not the planet.” Because I wouldn’t let them stay, and neither would the rest of the leadership.

“Well, that’s better than it could be, honestly.”

“Really? What’s a worse option than exile?”

McMillan was quiet for a moment. “War.”