Page 67 of State of Alert

“I’m not inclined to do anything for you. Your secrets havegotten me in deep shit with most of the people I associate with every day.”

“This situation is so incredibly fraught, Lieutenant. I’m sure you can appreciate being part of a months-long investigation that’s in danger of blowing up in our faces and letting a traitor get away with conspiracy to commit murder, among other things.”

Sam sat behind her desk, thinking of the Johnson case that had, in fact, blown up in her face when a child was killed during a raid she’d overseen after months undercover. “I’m listening.”

“We’resoclose. So,soclose to charging the former chief of Naval Operations with multiple felonies, including conspiracy to commit murder and treason. We’ve built an airtight case that shows him to be the ringleader of the plot to overthrow the Cappuano administration.”

Sam appreciated that Truver didn’t sayyour husband’s administration. It conveyed professional respect that could be hard to come by these days when her multiple hats blurred the lines between personal and professional.

Truver leaned forward, her expression earnest. “This person has been collecting a huge salary as a top military adviser to the president while plotting to disregard the Constitution of the United States and the oath they took to defend it.”

“What do you want from me?”

“I need you and anyone who’s discovered the truth to keep up the ruse for a few more days.”

“A reporter I deal with at theStarcalled me earlier to say he’s hearing rumblings that Juan might be alive.”

Truver hadn’t expected that. “What’d you tell him?”

“That I have no info on that. I think I held him off.”

“I’ll look into that separately.”

“What about Juan’s mother and family?”

“His mother has spoken to Juan and will be going forwardwith planning a funeral and acting the part of the grieving mother.”

“And the rest of his family?”

“They understand the assignment. It’s critical to our investigation that the people closest to Juan act as if he’s been murdered.”

“You certainly don’t expect my husband to speak at a fake funeral, I hope.”

“The funeral will be delayed by bureaucratic wrangling and scheduling concerns with POTUS.”

Sam sat back in her chair, relieved to hear that Nick wouldn’t be asked to participate in a fake dog and pony show that could come back to bite him in the ass.

“Will you help me keep the lid on this, Lieutenant?”

“I’ll ask my people to keep the information confidential. I can’t and won’t ask them to lie if it comes to that.”

“Understood. Thank you. The whole story will be public before long, or so I hope. In the meantime, it’s essential that the subject of our investigation believes Juan Rodriguez is dead and can’t testify against him.”

“We’ll do what we can to assist you.”

“Thank you very much. I know this is a highly unusual situation?—”

“To say the least.”

“Trust me, I never expected to be building a case for conspiracy to commit murder and treason against an admiral, but here we are.”

“Good luck with the grand finale.”

“Thank you. I’m going to need it.”

After she left, Sam picked up the phone to call Lindsey.

“What’s up?” Lindsey asked with none of the usual friendly warmth in her voice.

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