Page 20 of Unnatural Death

“The enemy we’re up against will make sure to manipulate the publicity,” Lucy says.

I pull out the canister of bear repellent. It comes with a plastic holster that I clip to my belt.

“What enemy?” Marino asks. “You act like you might know who it is.”

“I don’t know who killed these people,” she says. “We’ll take what gear we can manage, and I’ll have a couple agents pick up the rest.”

While she and Marino discuss what to bring on our trek to the lakeshore, I send Benton a message. I let him know we’ve landed without incident but that the situation is perplexing and intense. Next, I text Shannon that until further notice I’m reachable only by my satellite phone, and she responds immediately.

Do you have a minute to call the governor? She’s eager to speak to you.

Does she know where I am and why?I write back.

I said you were out of the office, and I didn’t know when I’d hear from you next. She’s reachable on her cell phone.

I reply that I’ll call her now, and I find her private number in my contacts list.

“Roxane, it’s Kay Scarpetta,” I say when she answers, and my attention is on the woods as I continue to sense a curious and wily presence.

“Thanks for calling and I’ll get straight to it. My office has received information that I need to confirm. Or better yet, deny, because I’m hoping it’s just some kook trying to get attention.” She sounds most unhappy, and so am I.

I’m thinking about the footprint Marino found. The Secret Service knows about it and is in communication with the state police. There’s no telling what’s been said or if the subject of Bigfoot has come up. I hope to hell Roxane is none the wiser.

“I’m having a hard time getting details. For some strange reason I’m being given the runaround,” she’s saying. “I assume you’ll know whether there’s any truth to what I’m about to share since it seems to imply that two people have been killed. Or better put, executed.”

* * *

The governor explains that an anonymous caller left her a message on an office line that immediately goes to voice mail. That extension isn’t answered by a real person, and staff members sift through the messages.

“ ‘You’re about to see what happens to traitors.’ ” Roxane reads what was said in the voice mail left an hour ago. “ ‘Two of them are inside Buckingham Run where justice was served early this morning. Death to those who defy The Republic. Beware, Governor Dare. It’s already begun.’ The voice sounded mechanical,” she explains. “The person was using some sort of app to disguise it. That’s what I’ve been told by my IT experts.”

Roxane mentions proxy servers and a burner phoneimpossible to traceas I’m startled by a turkey vulture flapping off from a treetop. Dragonflies dart close, some alighting on the helicopter.

“… My state police protective detail is working with the FBI and I don’t know who else. For some reason information isn’t being shared,” the governor reiterates as Lucy meets my eyes, nodding her head.

She’s alerting me that she’s aware of the anonymous call left at the governor’s office. The Republic is a domestic terrorist group that has cells around the country. Their main outpost was only twenty miles southeast of here in Quantico until the feds raided it in July. This was after a string of crimes, including a foiled plot to assassinate the president during a funeral in Old Town.

“I’m just wondering what you’ve been told. I need to know what’s happening and any dangers it might pose to the public.” The governor’s tone is demanding over speakerphone as Marino and Lucy listen.

“Roxane, I’m with Secret Service investigators inside Buckingham Run, where two people are dead.” Sunlight is warm on top of my head, the static of insects unsettled and pervasive. “That much is true. That much I can tell you.”

“My Lord! Well, this wasn’t at all what I was hoping to hear.” She doesn’t raise her voice often. “Then the person who left the message must be one of the terrorists taking responsibility for killing whoever the two people are. Suggesting that any threats made are viable.”

“It would seem that at the very least the caller has an idea what’s happened out here.” As I look around, I continue to feel something looking back.

“I’m worried the point is to create mayhem.”

“What we’re dealing with here could do exactly that, Roxane,” I reply, and she doesn’t know the half of it.

“Presumably, we can expect something else bad to happen next.”

“Considering the violent extremists in question, I’d say that’s a real danger,” I answer.

“What does your office plan to release to the media?” she asks as Marino looks on with a disapproving expression on his face.

He’s no fan of Roxane’s since she created the Department of Emergency Prevention, reinstalling Elvin Reddy and Maggie Cutbush for reasons that evade me. Digging in a pocket of his coveralls, Marino pulls out a folding knife and a tactical flashlight, while Lucy begins typing on her phone, her glasses tinted amber.

“Why is it the Secret Service’s jurisdiction? Seems to me this is a matter for the state to handle, and not the federal government. What am I missing? Please explain.” Roxane asks one question after another, and that’s not unusual.

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