The Carolina Coup: Another Rwandan Genocide? (The Jeannine Ryan Series Book 4) Read Online Free PDF

clicked the locks, started the Subaru, and drove out of the parking lot.
    She did not notice the man in the Ford Excursion parked across the street.  The man (Tom Holder) put the Excursion in gear and followed the Subaru.
***
    At the FBI building in Washington, DC, Stew Marks, coffee in hand, was at his desk.  He had been with the Bureau for several years.  He was an ex-Marine.  (A misnomer, he would always be a marine.)  After the military, he had joined the FBI and received counter-terrorism training at the academy in Quantico.  That completed, at a mature 29 he had been assigned to the Washington Field Office, Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF.)
    Yesterday Stew and his partner, Jack Marino, had interviewed Dr. Jeannine Ryan, friend of a missing CIA employee, William Hamm, who was suspected of conspiracy to deliver secrets to an unnamed foreign power.
    Stew had conducted the interview rather than Jack, who, did not like CIA “Spooks” in general, and Hamm in particular.  (Jack’s testimony before a congressional committee investigating a terrorist attack on the Unity Pavilion in Virginia, had been thoroughly impeached by Hamm.)
    From the moment he first saw her, Stew had been attracted to Dr. Ryan and her auburn hair, but she was not the first good-looking female he had questioned. He had a job to do.
    And Ryan had frustrated him.  No way was she interested in helping the FBI find Hamm.  He was sure she knew more than she let on.
    He reviewed his notes.
    Stew:  Ms. Ryan, I’m agent Stewart Marks with the FBI, and this is my partner agent Jack Marino.  (Showed ID.)  We’d like to ask you some questions about your friend, Mr. Hamm. May we come in?
    (Hesitates, Let’s us in.  Red hair, attractive.  Seems uncomfortable, definitely edgy.)
    He had written “attractive.”  That was an understatement, “Stunning” was more like it.  Stew frowned and read on.  His next questions concerned background on Hamm.  They had been tough and straightforward.  Then he had probed her thoughts.
    Stew:  Are you aware that your friend may have stolen government secrets?
    Ryan:  That’s what you say.
    Stew:  Then you support what he did?
    Ryan:  [Silence.]
    Stew:  Does that mean you do?
    Ryan:  Don’t try to trick me.
    Stew skipped to the last lines written on his pad.
    ...
    Stew:  Ms. Ryan, can’t you help us?
    Ryan:  What exactly do you want to know?
    Stew:  We were hoping you can tell us where he is?
    Ryan:  If I did know, why would I tell you?
    Stew:  Because you want to help him.  It’s for his own sake.  He needs to come in voluntarily.  Why won’t you help him?
    Ryan:  Because I know Bill, he’s sacrificed more for this country than you ever will, and he’s no damned spy.  Whoever told you that is wrong.
    Stew:  Ms. Ryan, I’m just doing my job.
    Ryan:  So your job stinks.  Stop persecuting the innocent!
    (Spunky!)
    Stew smiled to himself.  He had written the note “Spunky” when his partner had risen to accost the desirable redhead.  Stew had waved to Jack to sit down and cool it, before trying a direct question.
    Stew:  Ms. Ryan do you know where Mr. Hamm is?
    Ryan:  I do not!
    Stew:  Will you call me if he contacts you?
    Ryan:  I’d have to think about it.
    Stew:  What does that mean?
    Ryan:  You’ve taken too much of my time.  I’d like you to leave now.
    Stew:  All right, Ms. Ryan but we’ll be back.  Meanwhile, here’s my number.  You can best help your friend by calling me when he does contact you.
    (Knows more than she lets on, is uncooperative.  This is useless now.  Is she in this too?)
    Stew put down his notes and rolled his chair back.  He finished his coffee, tossed the cup into the basket, and propped his feet on the desk.
    OK, Ms. Ryan, now we have to investigate you too.
***
    In her Subaru, Jeannine Ryan glanced at the sack-like briefcase on the seat beside her.
    Bill, what have you done?
    She frowned.  She needed time to think, and she needed to be