“Go for it,” Maggie added.
She pulled the handle of one of the doors. Nothing inside. She went to the next, and the next. They were all empty. “Do you suppose this is something they were planning on using or have already been using?”
“It fits with the story we got from Theresa. Something is going on in Arizona. Maybe this was going to be next,” Izzie replied.
“Yes, but what, exactly is this?” Yoko asked.
Maggie was clicking away with her camera. “I guess we’ll find out.”
“Let’s get out of here and get on a call to Charles and Fergus. We need more information, such as how long has this particular care facility been in operation?”
They hurried across the field and scrambled into the car. Yoko drove down the back road without the headlights. No sense in drawing attention should anyone be watching from a camera on a pole.
When they got back to Myra’s, they gathered around the table and fired up their laptops. “Annie should be an hour into her dinner with Turner. I wonder if she made the switch yet.” Myra stroked her pearls again. This time for luckandto calm the adrenaline.
At the moment, it was Maggie, Myra, Yoko, and Izzie on the call. Myra started with a brief recap of her dinner with Clayton. “She unintentionally told me that Gerber was her nephew, and he helped get her the job. She said that he knew the investors.”
“Those are the people we are trying to identify,” Fergus added.
“I think we should call in one of Snowden’s people. Track the senator. Maggie has to get back to the hospital to talk to Sykes,” Charles said. “I told him to stand by so they should be able to get on it first thing.” He turned to another keyboard and sent a message to Avery, noting the target and address.
“We probably won’t hear from Annie until much later this evening. Barring any bumps in the road, we should all go about our business tomorrow,” Myra said. “Let’s reconvene around five EST.”
“Everybody good?” Fergus asked.
“All good!”
Yoko spoke up, “I have someone who should go on the collateral list. Danny.”
“I do, too,” Izzie added. “Regina.”
“And we should also consider Jeremy,” Maggie said.
“That works for me,” Myra said. “We can put a plan together for them once we have an idea when this ordeal will be over. But we have to uncover the culprits first.”
“Whatever it takes!” pealed over the lines.
Arizona
Chez Michel
Annie arrived several minutes before Turner and asked to be seated. She wanted to be sure she had the best vantage point. It was important that Turner be seated with her back to the restaurant. Annie ordered a bottle of champagne. She wanted Turner to think they had something to celebrate. She also told the maître d’ that they should give her the check after their meal and handed him her company credit card. He nodded. “Very well, madame.”
Annie watched through the large windows as Turner approached the restaurant. Her expression was … expressionless.
Annie stood halfway as Turner followed the maître d’ to the table. “I hope you don’t mind that I was seated before you got here. I wanted to get a feel for the place before you and I start gabbing.” Annie held out her hand.
“No trouble. No trouble at all,” Turner said in her husky voice.
Annie wondered who would win in a hollering contest, Kathryn or Turner. Annie thought it might be a toss-up.
“I also hope you don’t mind that I ordered a bottle of champagne.”
Turner’s eyes lit up. “That’s fine.” Then she faltered, probably wondering who was going to pay for it.
“Of course it’s my treat.” Annie smiled.
“That’s very nice of you,” Turner said with a hint of relief.
