Page 83 of Lock ’N’ Load

Again, he looked at his mother. “We both knew me running for public office was a risk, but we felt enough time had passed that we were safe from being discovered. Things snowballed from there, and here I am. One of two remaining candidates for president.”

“Your name isn’t even your own.” Matt shook his head. “Didn’t you ever stop to think that the American people have a right to know who you really are?”

“At first, no.” Senator Ashburn smiled ruefully. “Regardless of what my legal name is, I’m a patriot, through and through. An American who believes in what this country stands for. Freedom. Equality. The pursuit of happiness and the opportunity to be anything you want to be in life. In this day and age of political unrest, this country needs a leader who will take us back to basics and reunite the country, not tear it apart with petty differences and the pursuit of personal gain.”

Senator Ashburn stood, pointing a finger at his chest. “I want the opportunity to be that person. I can be that person.”

As he stared at Matt, his eyes took on a bright, determined look, and Trista understood precisely what it was about him that drew people in. Not only was he charismatic, but she believed that he truly wanted the best for the country.

“You said, ‘at first,’” she reminded him. “Now?”

The excited light in his eyes dimmed, and he sat heavily. “Now, things have changed. As you rightly surmised,” he said to Matt, “the Russians hope to blackmail me. We may never know how they did it, but the Russians discovered I’ve been living under a false identity most of my life. They traced backward and found out that I killed my father when I was a child. Lukashin approached me surreptitiously, threatening to out me publicly. Anyone this close to becoming president of the United States is not only inordinately powerful but surprisingly weak. A candidate will give up just about anything to achieve that goal, and the Russians were—and still are—counting on that. They made me a proposition. They would keep my past a secret, in exchange for certain favors in the future, starting with the withdrawal of all support to the Canadian military. If I’m elected.”

“Iqaluit.” Trista glanced at Matt, recalling the articles they’d read detailing the Arctic power struggle. “The Russians want to take control of the Arctic’s natural resources, something they can’t do if the Canadian military is there to stop them.”

“Basically, yes.” Senator Ashburn frowned. “Iqaluit has been the site of several meetings held lately between Canadian officials and myself to discuss details of exactly what support I would provide the Canadians. Unfortunately for Thomas George, he somehow stumbled onto my backstory. If it had been published before the election, it most assuredly would have destroyed my chances of becoming president.”

Matt gave an incredulous laugh. “You still intend to run? Don’t you think your ethics have been compromised?”

“No.” He leaned forward and pounded his fist on the table. “I will never compromise my ethics. I love this country, and I want to lead it into the future. But I realize that’s no longer possible.” He sat back, supreme disappointment evident on his face. “By November, this will all be made public and withdrawing my candidacy will be a foregone conclusion. For the moment, however, it is imperative that my story remain hidden.”

“Why?” Matt countered.

Special Agent in Charge Gotesman cleared his throat. “Recently, Senator Ashburn approached the FBI and told us about the Russians’ attempt to blackmail him. We involved the CIA to obtain as much behind-the-scenes information as possible and to take advantage of their Russian intel.”

“Talking to the FBI was my mother’s idea,” the senator said, looking directly at Trista. “And I agreed because the Russians have to be stopped. Things were quickly spinning out of control and too many people were getting hurt.”

Deputy Director Windham looked directly at Trista. “As the senator said, you are extremely good at your job. So good, in fact, that you unexpectedly stumbled onto this conspiracy in that chat room. We did our best to keep you isolated from that point forward, but Lukashin was tenacious, as were you, putting your life in jeopardy that much more.” He smiled. “You should have been an operative.”

“Thank you.” She smiled back, appreciative of the compliment. “But I think I’ll stay right where I am, sitting in front of a computer.”

Matt crossed his arms, wearing his all-too-familiar scowl. “The Russians will be counting on the senator to keep quiet, and now that the reporter is dead, they think Trista is the only one out there who could blow the whole thing for them. After the story breaks and the whole world hears about it, they’ll have nothing to gain by killing her. But until then, her life is still in jeopardy.”

She shook her head. “There’s something I don’t understand. I gave a printout of the chat room conversation to Wayne and Genevieve, who could have given it to countless others within the agency. Why are the Russians so fixated on me? Why aren’t they trying to kill every other person with the CIA who probably knows by now?”

“Several reasons.” Wayne joined the conversation. “First, they don’t know who within the agency is privy to the chat, and they can’t go around killing all of us. Second, and more importantly, you, Trista, and your top secret program are the source of the information. Without you to testify before Congress as to whom you were tracking in that chat room and how you obtained the information, the U.S. government would never be able to completely prove the Russians were behind this.”

“Just how far up the Russian food chain does this conspiracy go?” Matt asked.

“We suspect,” the senator said, “all the way.”

“To the Russian president?” Trista couldn’t contain the shock in her voice.

“Shit.” Matt dragged a hand down his face. “So what’s your plan?”

SAC Gotesman leaned forward. “That’s need-to-know.”

“For Christ’s sake, Brad.” Director Windham held his arms out from his sides. “They’re already privy to the biggest international conspiracy in decades. They have a right to know what we’re doing to end this, so they can get back to living their lives.”

“Very well, but I don’t like it.” SAC Gotesman pursed his lips. “Senator Ashburn requested a private meeting with Lukashin, during which we’ll record all conversation.”

“You seriously think he’ll admit to anything?” Matt asked. “Don’t you think he’ll check for a wire?”

With obvious reluctance, Fenway nodded. “It’s possible, but it’s all we’ve got. I’m betting he won’t insult a U.S. senator by patting him down.”

“Lukashin is a cagey bastard,” Hentz said. “He’s been around long enough not to get caught. He’ll be uber-suspicious. This trap better be good. Damn good.”

“The FBI and the CIA agree,” Wayne said. “We should at least try. He’s too big a fish not to.”