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  The evening progressed nicely. Michele was not a vegetarian, but preferred food dominated by fresh fruits and vegetables, so the stir fry and rice prepared by Stephanie and Kruger was a hit.

  After dinner, Stephanie started the inquisition.

  “Michele, when do you graduate?”

  Michele smiled and looked at Brian. “We both graduate in August. I start my postgraduate work at the same time Brian does. We got lucky. The university offers programs for both of us.”

  Brian looked at his father. “Michele will be working on her master’s in child development.”

  Kruger nodded. “Good field.” He looked at his son. “Have you made up your mind about concentrating on software or hardware?”

  His son shook his head. “I’m not sure. I don’t have to make that decision for another semester.”

  Michele held Brian’s hand. “We have something in common,” she said by way of changing the subject.

  Stephanie smiled. “Oh, what’s that?”

  “We were both raised by single parents. My dad divorced my mom when I was young. I really don’t remember ever living with him. Kind of like Brian and his mom.”

  Kruger remained quiet, but looked at Brian to see his reaction. There was none.

  Michele continued. “He remarried and lives with his other family in North Carolina. I see him once in a while, but not very often.”

  Stephanie said, “Where does your mother live?”

  Michele was quiet and looked at the tabletop. Brian said, “Her mom lived in Hazelwood, but she passed away last year.”

  Stephanie reached for Michele’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m sorry, Michele.”

  She nodded, but remained quiet. Brain continued. “I met her dad a few weeks ago. He seems like a nice guy. He’s helping with her college tuition.”

  Kruger nodded and said, “Good. He should.”

  The conversation changed abruptly when Brian said, “Why’d you two suddenly decide to get married?”

  Kruger looked at Stephanie and nodded for her to answer.

  “Brian, your father and I have been friends for over four years. During that time we both discovered something missing in our lives. Someone to come home to. It’s something you don’t realize is missing until you find it. We knew we loved each other. Unfortunately we just hadn't taken the time to talk about it until last Friday night. Getting married is the just the first step. The second step will be adopting a baby brother or sister for you.”

  Congratulations exploded from both Brian and Michele, with the hugging lasting several minutes. Finally Brian said, “When? Do you know yet?”

  Both Kruger and Stephanie shook their heads, and he said, “No, not really, could be next week or it could be next year. They never know. We have the paperwork done, which took all week. We decided we would have a small wedding with just you two and Stef’s sister and husband in attendance. On Sunday, a reception has been planned at the Marriot over on Brookside. Her office surprised us with the news early this morning. So the plans are as follows, a minister will drop by here around six tomorrow evening, perform the ceremony, and then we’re all going to Houston’s for dinner.”

  Michele turned to Stephanie and said, “I didn’t bring any clothes for a reception. Is there somewhere around here I could find a nice dress?”

  Stephanie eyed Michele for a second and said, “Yes, there is. Let me take you to my apartment and show you a few things. Then we’ll know where to go tomorrow.” They both stood and grinned at Brian and Sean.

  As they watched the two ladies walk out the front door, Brian said, “Dad, I’m really happy for you and Stephanie. Why didn’t you do this earlier?”

  Sean sighed. “Well, there were a lot of reasons, but one very important one, and you’re old enough now to understand. When your mother left, I made a pledge to myself to never say or do anything that would make you to resent her. I knew the reason she walked out. She hated being a mother. I just kept hoping she would change.” He shook his head. “She never did.”

  Brian stared at his father. “Was it something I did?”

  Kruger shook his head rapidly. “No, it was nothing you did, it started before you were born. I should have seen the signs, but I was too busy with my new career and traveling all the time. At that stage, I was gone more than I was home. She was always a little self-centered, but being pregnant caused her to become extremely selfish. She hated being pregnant and wanted me home to take care of her. My job didn’t allow me to cater to her every whim. One day, you were about 10 months old, I returned from a two-day trip to St. Louis. I found you alone in your playpen crying. Your diaper was soiled, you were starving and screaming your lungs out. She was nowhere to be found.”

  Brian was quiet, fascinated with the story. After a few moments, he said, “What happened?”

  “I was pissed beyond words. I cleaned you up, got a bottle, fed and rocked you until you settled down. I couldn’t put you in the crib. Every time I did, you’d start crying, afraid you’d be left again. So I held you until you fell asleep. Your mother had packed most of her clothes and personal things, and then left you in your playpen. I don’t know how long she’d been gone, probably twenty-four hours, maybe more. I never did find out. I called a lawyer friend of mine and had an injunction filed against her. She wasn’t allowed to be with you unless I or my parents were in the same room. The injunction didn’t really matter. She never made an attempt to see you until you were five. By that time, I had secured the divorce and was granted sole custody.”

  Brian stared at his father and said nothing.

  Kruger continued, “Another pledge I made to myself was that I would never leave you with someone I didn’t completely and unquestionably trust. That’s when my parents jumped at the opportunity to help. They moved here so they could keep you when I traveled.”

  Brian nodded. “Grandma always told me they felt blessed about being able to help. She also told me they were sad you didn’t have anyone in your life to love you.”

  “I wasn’t aware they felt that way. They never said anything to me, but that’s the way they were.” Kruger shrugged. “I just didn’t take the time to look for another relationship. Stephanie and I just happened. We moved in next to each other by chance, became friends, then our friendship grew into something else.” He chuckled and was quiet for a moment. “Love sometimes just happens, without looking for it.”

  Brian sat quietly staring out the window toward the lights of The Plaza. Finally he said, “Wow. I didn’t know that about my mother. I always thought it was something I did. Guess it wasn’t.”

  “No, it wasn’t. I realize now I should have told you earlier. Sorry, Brian.”

  Brian shrugged and looked back at his father. “It’s okay, I’ve always known she was my mother, but Grandma was my mom.” He paused, his eyes grew moist, and he blinked a few times. “I miss her.”

  Kruger nodded. “So do I.”

  Stephanie and Michele returned, giggling like teenagers. Stephanie said, “Oh, we are going to have so much fun tomorrow. We know exactly where to go.”

  She saw Brian’s somber mood and glanced at Sean. “Did we come back at a bad time?”

  Brian quickly recovered from his funk and said with a grin, “Nope, just having the birds and the bees talk with my father before his wedding night. Can’t be too careful, you know.”

  Stephanie grinned, and Michele’s face turned red with embarrassment. After a few moments, they all started laughing. As the laughter died down, Kruger said, “What time are you two going shopping?”

  “Early, then I have a few things I need to get done before tomorrow night,” Stephanie said.

  “Great, that will give Michele and me time tomorrow to run a few errands,” said Brian. “Right now I’d like to walk around The Plaza and show her some of the sights. Do you two want to go?”

  Kruger shook his head. “No, you two go have fun. We need to clean up.”

  After they left, he and Stephanie started gath
ering the dishes. As they loaded the dishwasher, she said, “While you were at the grocery store this afternoon, I got a disturbing phone call from my assistant at the office.”

  His turned his attention to her and frowned. “What about?”

  “It seems a private equity group is trying to take over the company. Have you ever heard of a firm called Whiterock Equities?”

  He shook his head, “Nope, but then, I don’t deal in financial crimes. Why was the call so disturbing?”

  “I’m not really sure. She didn’t go into detail, but Sally was very upset. Rumors have been flying all over the office this week. Kind of glad I wasn’t there. Apparently this group is famous for buying a company, firing all the top management, breaking it up and selling pieces off to get their money back. I’ve never heard of them.”

  “Is this just a rumor or something else?”

  “Sally said the CEO of the Whiterock is in town next week for a board of directors meeting. The investment firm has already bought enough shares to demand a seat on the board. From what I was told, once that happens, they just continue to buy shares until Whiterock owns a majority of the company and they control the board.”

  “Give me an old-fashioned crazy guy any day. At least you know his intentions when you see him running at you with a knife.”

  She lightly hit his arm with her fist. “You aren’t taking this seriously. This could be a problem down the road.”

  “For whom?” he smiled as he said it.

  “Both of us. We might have to rethink our remodeling plans. What if I lose my job before the baby gets here, what then?”

  “You aren’t going to lose your job.”

  “Sean, as smart as you think you are, you’re clueless when it comes to the ways of big corporations.”

  “Oh, I am? How many corporations have you raided lately?” He was beginning to enjoy the bantering and grabbed her around the waist as he said it.

  She put her hands on his chest and feebly—but briefly—tried to free herself from his embrace. Placing her head on his chest, she sighed.

  “I know, I’m being paranoid. I’m so glad I have you. For the first time in my adult life, I have something besides my career to think about. But I just don’t need a crisis at work right now.”

  He kissed the top of her head and embraced her tightly. “Well, whatever happens we’ll get through it together.” Kruger paused. “Hey, I could get Mint Dollar to arrest him.”

  She pushed away, frowned and looked up at him. “It’s not funny. I’m worried about this.”

  “Okay, if you’re really concerned, I’ll call a friend in D.C. Who should I ask about?”

  Stephanie gave him the name, and he went to his office. Closing the door, he found the number he was looking for on his iPhone and pressed the call icon. His call was answered on the second ring, “Detective Clark, Homicide.”

  Kruger smiled. He knew Clark would still be working on a Friday night.

  “Ryan, it’s Sean Kruger. How are you tonight?”

  “Sean, good to hear from you. Thanks for getting the Rousch case off my desk so quickly. I knew it was beyond our jurisdiction. What’s up?”

  “What was the name of the Secret Service agent with you last Friday? Ed or Ted something?”

  “That was Ted Margolin, good guy. I’ve known him for a long time. He used to be with our department before they recruited him. Why?”

  “I was asked a question today, one I couldn’t answer. I need to run a name by him to see if he knows anything, that’s all.”

  “Well, I know he’ll talk to me, not sure about someone he doesn’t know. I don’t mind calling him. Besides I owe you for last week.”

  “That would really speed things up. Got a pencil?”

  Kruger gave him the information about Whiterock, and Clark said, “I’ll call you back after I talk to him, might be Monday. Will that work?”

  “Fine with me. Thanks, Ryan.”

  “I heard a rumor this week you might be getting married and retiring, is that true?”

  “Yes to the first and no to the second.” He didn’t feel like getting into long explanations tonight.

  “Glad you took my advice, congratulations. And I’m pleased you’re not retiring. Not enough of us good guys left. When’s the wedding?”

  “Tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Really? Shotgun wedding?”

  Kruger chuckled. “No, we figured we weren’t getting any younger, so why wait.”

  “Yeah, I hear you on not getting any younger. I hope I find someone like her someday. Next time you’re in D.C., call me, I’ll buy you a beer.”

  “Sounds good, Ryan. Call me as soon as you talk to Margolin.” Kruger ended the call and sat staring at the wall. He knew how rumors started and wondered who Seltzer had told about his plans.

  The phone rang less than five minutes later with Clark’s name on the caller ID.

  Without delay he took the calld, “Kruger.”

  “What kind of shit storm did you get me into, Sean? Margolin almost bit my head off. He wants to know what you know, and he wants to know it right now.”

  Chapter 8

  Richmond, CA

  Friday

  He read the saved email draft for the third time, then pressed the delete icon on his Samsung smartphone. The corners of his mouth edged slightly higher. Clean shaven with black hair cut short, his dark eyes stared out from behind black-rimmed glasses sitting on a narrow aquiline nose. He could have been a resident of any country bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Norman Ortega knew the man as Eduardo Acosta, a Spaniard. The man was not from Spain.

  “I take the message was good news?” The older bearded man sat at a table sipping strong tea from a short glass.

  “Yes.”

  The older man nodded. “You should be proud of your deception, Aazim. So far, the infidels do not know jihad has landed on their shores.”

  “They soon will.”

  “Come, sit with me and tell me what you have planned. The brothers will be interested in what their money is paying for.”

  Aazim Abbas did not sit down. He turned and began pacing the small apartment, which overlooked Marina Bay, near Richmond. It was small by American standards, but spacious compared to where Abbas had lived in Paris. He stared out the window facing the bay, his revulsion of American excesses reinforced by what he saw. Private yachts and sail boats populated the docks west of his apartment. Women, who thought nothing of exposing their bodies in public, littered the boats in the bay.

  “Tell the brothers their money is being spent wisely. By this time next week, everyone in the United States will know someone is preying on them. But they will have no idea who.”

  He turned and looked at the cleric. “When the time is right, we will broadcast to the world who is responsible. Until then, we must keep a low profile. Inshallah.”

  The bearded man nodded. “Yes, yes. I agree. But I must warn you some of our supporters believe we should accept responsibility for each event. They grow impatient.”

  “Let them be impatient. They are not here, dealing with the security.” Aazim’s eyes narrowed and his brow wrinkled. “I will not be rushed. They sent me here to bring jihad to the Americans. I am doing that. Tell them it must be done my way, or they can replace me. It has taken two years for our planning to bear fruit. Now they expect instant results.”

  “They are not unhappy, just anxious.” The older man stood and walked to Aazim. He placed his hand on the younger man’s shoulder and said in a soft voice. “We are dealing with old men with too much time on their hands. Old men who do not understand the complexity of your task. Let them voice their concerns, as it makes them happy. Keep to your schedule. Do not let their words sway you.”

  Abbas stared into the eyes of his mentor and nodded. “I will keep my tongue quiet.”

  “Good. Now, sit, join me for tea. We will discuss the next phase of your plan.”

  Aazim sat next to the older man and sipped on a glass of strong, b
itter black tea. He was quiet for several minutes. Finally, the Imam said, “My brother, I have seen that look in your eye before. What have you decided?”

  “Do you have any believers in your mosque? Zealots who are anxious to be with Allah?”

  “Yes, we have several.” The older man nodded slightly and sipped his tea. “I did not think you wanted that sort of activity yet.”

  “Maybe the old men are correct. Maybe I am being too cautious.” He took another sip of tea, carefully lowered the small glass to the table and turned to the Imam. “What is the one thing Americans cherish most?”

  “Their possessions?”

  “Yes, but they cherish acquiring those possessions more. They do not really care for what they buy; they just love to buy. What if we struck at the heart of the beast? The very embodiment of this obsession of buying things.”

  “Yes. Yes, I see where your mind is taking you, Aazim. But what of your other plan?”

  “It will move ahead without interruption. This will be extra. We will strike in the heart of the country, at the very belly of the beast itself.”

  The Imam smiled. “Tell me what is in your mind, Aazim.”

  Abbas nodded and proceeded to tell his mentor.

  Chapter 9

  Kansas City, MO

  Friday evening

  “Ryan, slow down. What exactly did Ted say?”

  “When I gave him the name you asked about, he was silent for a few seconds. Then in a quiet voice, he said, ‘Why are you asking about this person?’ So I replied, ‘Sean Kruger with the FBI, you know you met him a week ago when Rousch was killed. He’s following up on a lead and was just curious if you had heard of them.’ That’s when he went psycho on me. First he wanted to know why the FBI was investigating the man, then he wanted to know why he was going through me, then... Well, he just didn’t make any sense. I calmed him down and said you’d call him. Call him right now, Sean, before the guy has a heart attack.”