Sheba's Gambit Page 5

A short while later, Sheba walked down the stairs to the front foyer. “Where am I supposed to see the message?” She asked the guard.

  The guard picked up phone. After a few moments, she heard a door open. Mr. Havre motioned for her to follow him. When he didn’t say anything, she said, “Thank you for providing protection for my nephew and myself today.”

  Still not saying anything, he opened the door into his office. As Sheba stepped in she was amazed to see her boss, Alexandra Nagle looking through the books she had sent by courier.

  Ms. Nagle looked up as Sheba walked. “It seems that you really kicked an ant hill when you purchased these books—a murder, an attack, and a break-in.”

  Stunned, Sheba said, “What?”

  “Just what I said, one murder, an attack and a break-in, although I’m guessing that you had no idea that these books were that valuable to someone who has too much money and no scruples. That’s not a good combination. Tell me how you came to buy these books.”

  Sheba quickly explained about looking for Sheba.

  Nagle put her fingers to her lips. “Your quest for Sheba could prove to be dangerous. Have you ever heard of Nathan Breckenridge?”

  “No.” Sheba said.

  Nagle laid her hand on a thick folder. “I’m not surprised. He’s the son of an English Lord by his second wife. The oldest son got the estate and the title. The younger son got the brains. He turned a modest fortune into billions. Which isn’t bad except we think he’s funding a lot of terrorist activities. He’s a bad man to cross.”

  She set the book down. “He thinks that he is the great, great grandson of the Queen of Sheba through his mother. As far as we know, he hasn’t been able to prove it or to discover where the land of Sheba is which is why he’s after those books. From what I’ve heard, he is so obsessed that nothing can stand in his way.

  Sheba shrugged, “So you’re telling me that I’ve irritated a very important man with few scruples. Do you want me to send the books to him?

  “Well, if I thought that would help the situation, I’d tell you to do just that, after you made copies, but he’d expect that.” She paused for a minute. “I’m afraid that you have indeed kicked a very important ant hill. If Breckenridge does find Sheba and it’s as rich as the Bible claims, it could tip the balance of power in the Middle East. If it’s located in a country that is hostile to us, our world could slide right into oblivion.”

  “So what do you want me to do?”

  “This is something bigger than either of us. I think I’d better have a conference with the Director and the Secretary of State. It’s my personal opinion that you need to go after the Land of Sheba yourself, with some help from our government and our allies, but I’d better clear it with him.”

  Sheba frowned. “I have to admit that I’m a little worried about my nephew.”

  Ms. Nagle lifted her eyebrows. “Why?”

  Sheba said, “I am supposed to put him on a plane for London. I know that he will be living at the American Embassy in London, but my sister isn’t the best mother in the world. She tends to put Braden second to her own needs”

  “So you are worried that he might not be safe?”

  Sheba bit pressed her lips together so tightly that they made a thin pink line. “I don’t know, but the man who has been trying to get those books has been very persistent. What if he uses Braden to get to me?”

  “I’ll alert the ambassador.” She looked at Sheba, “If I get the secretary to agree to it would you be willing to see if you can find the land of Sheba or at least find out that it doesn’t exist before Breckenridge does?”

  Sheba laughed. “You’re asking me if I want to go after my dream and get paid to do it.”

  Ms. Nagle smile, “That’s exactly what I’m asking for, but you need to understand that this isn’t going to be like in the movies. This isn’t going to be easy.”

  She looked at her watch. “I think it would be a good idea if we took the helicopter back first thing in the morning. I’d like to get a secretary to make a copy of these books.”

  Sheba sighed. “I haven’t had time to do more than breathe since I purchased those books. I was hoping I could get them read before we left, but it has been too, too crazy.”

  Ms. Nagle said, “I would suggest that you get started reading those books as soon as you can. It might turn out that you will need to give them to Breckenridge.

  Marshall said, “Are you ready to go back to D.C.?”

  Sheba nodded. “I was planning on putting Braden on the plane, then just waiting at the airport until it was time for my plane to leave.”

  Mr. Havre frowned. “Your nephew is traveling by himself?”

  “Yes. My sister thought that it would be okay.”

  He looked at Ms. Nagle. “I don’t like it. It would be better if we sent an escort after everything that has happened in the last few days.”

  “Who do you have in mind?” Nagle asked, looking from Lt. Marshall to Havre.

  Marshall said, “I’d send Rob Mattson. Braden will like him.”

  Sheba said, “I’d really appreciate it, but the plane is full. I thought about going with him, but I couldn’t get a ticket.”

  “I’ll contact the airline and make the arrangements.” He picked up the phone, “While I’m calling the airline, I’d like Sheba to see if she can decode that message.”

  He handed Sheba a sheet of yellow paper. Marshall looked over her shoulder. “It looks like gibberish to me.”

  “Can I have pencil and some paper?” She asked absently, already studying the letters. She turned, tripping over a chair. Marshall grabbed her arm, “You want a place write?”

  She nodded without taking her eyes from the paper. He steered her across the room to a small table with a matching chair.

  “Thanks,” she muttered briefly, putting the pad on the table. She began banging the pencil gently against her head, a few minutes later she began writing.

  Havre looked at Ms. Nagle, “She’s decoded it already?”

  “I don’t know, but I wouldn’t be surprised. She is really, really good. I’d really hate for the other side to get ahold of her.”

  Marshall said, “Her nephew said that she can look at any mixed up word in a puzzle and know what it is immediately, no matter how many letters.”

  Nagle nodded, her eyes on Sheba. “She broke an ISIS code that no one could break in less than an hour.”

  Sheba had just picked up the pad she had been writing on, when Havre said, “They aren’t too happy with me, but I got Rob and Braden in first class. The plane leaves at 10:00 and gets in around 7:00 p.m. It’s a direct flight.”

  Sheba looked up at him. “Thank you, sir.” She handed him the pad and the yellow paper.

  “That was fast,” he said. He read over what she had written. “This is odd. It sounds like our old friend Nathan Breckenridge just ordered a bunch of supplies. He wants, among other things, a Geiger counter, eighteen AK-47’s and several handheld rocket launchers, two RHIB’s and four weeks’ worth of dried food. It sounds like he’s planning a trip.”

  Sheba said, “He may have ordered in the supplies, based on getting the diary from me.” She smiled, “I wonder if he knew about the other book?

  “Let’s get them copied now. Then you can spend your flight reading them.”

  Ms. Nagle nodded. “That’s a good idea. They will be difficult to read. Some pages are smeared. Some are mildewed. They smell like that too.”

  Havre pressed a button. “I feel like we’re sitting on a bomb.”

  Chapter 9

  The next morning, Sheba got Braden up. “Hey, hon, it’s time to get up. You’ve got a big day ahead of you.”

  He opened his eyes, then turned on his side and began to cry.

  “Braden, sweetheart, what’s wrong.” Sheba began rubbing his back.

  “I don’t want to go.” He said on a sob. “I want to stay here with you. I don’t want to go to London.”

  “It will be okay. Remember what
Lt. Marshall said about freckles and angel kisses.”

  It’s not that. I won’t be able to spend time with you. My Mom won’t do anything fun with me. She never has. You won’t be there to help me.”

  Sheba leaned over to lay her head against his. “I promise that I’ll come visit you. We’ll do some fun things.

  He turned his head to look at her out of the corner of his eye. “Really?”

  “I promise.”

  “Pinky swear,” he demanded.

  “Pinky swear,” she said as she wrapped her pinky finger around his.

  “It still won’t be the same.”

  “Well, I’ve been thinking of asking to transfer to England. I don’t know if I can, but I’m going to try.”

  He sat up. “I guess I’ll have to go, then. But I will miss you.” He threw his arms around her neck. “Oh, Aunt Sheba, I love you.”

  “I love you. I’ll really miss you, too, kiddo. But we’ll get through this.”

  As soon as Braden was dressed, he closed his suitcase. He said sadly, “I guess I’m ready.”

  “Leave the suitcase here. We’ll get some breakfast.”

  When they got to the dining room, Rob and Marshall were just getting their breakfast from the sideboard.

  Braden ran over to Marshall. “I have to go the London today. Thank you for going on the rides with us. It was fun.”

  Marshall rubbed his hand over Braden’s hair. “Hey, it was fun, but guess what? I’m going with you to the airport. This is Rob Mattson. He’s going on the plane with you.”

  “Why is he going with me? My Mom said I was going alone even though I didn’t want to.”

  “We’ll feel better if you have someone going with you. I wanted to go, but I’ve been ordered to take care of your aunt, if that’s okay with you.”

  Braden thought about that for a minute, then said very seriously. “That’s okay. Rob can take care of me. You’d probably better take care of Aunt Sheba. She can get into a lot of trouble.”

  Marshall caught Sheba’s eye, then turned away to hide the smile he couldn’t stop. Sheba grabbed Braden giving him a big hug. “Thank you for letting me have Marshall. I promise that I won’t get into any trouble. You just need to make sure that you don’t give Rob any trouble.”

  “I’ll be good.” Braden promised.

  Marshall put his arm around Braden. “Guess what else? We’re going to the airport in a helicopter.”

  “Wow,” Braden said. “A real helicopter, not a ride?”

  When Marshall nodded, Braden threw his arms around his waist, “That’s super.”

  “Come on, kiddo,” Sheba said, “Let’s get some breakfast. I don’t know how much food they’ll have on the plane.”

  Rob said, “I brought a bunch of snacks. We growing boys need to be fed.”

  Sheba shook her head. “I knew you were going to spoil him.”

  Braden grinned. “I like being spoiled.”

  An hour later, Sheba and Braden climbed into the helicopter for a quick ride to the airport. Braden looked surprised when Marshall climbed in beside them. “I thought you were going to meet us at the airport.

  Marshall looked at Sheba, “Mr. Havre thinks you might need a body guard just getting to the airport so I’m going along.”

  A few minutes later the military chopper landed on the helo pad. Marshall jumped out and then helped Sheba out. He was very careful not to lift Braden out. He let him jump out himself. Braden looked up at him with a huge grin. “Thanks. I’m glad you didn’t treat me like a girl.”

  Both Rob and Marshall grinned. Sheba pretended to glare at them. “Just remember, he can get away with a sexist remark like that, but you can’t.”

  Once they were through security, Rob led the way to their gate. They had timed their arrival so that they wouldn’t have to wait. Rob and Braden could board immediately.

  Sheba knelt by Braden who threw his arms around her. He was trying not to cry. “I’ll miss you, sweetie,” Sheba said. “Don’t forget you can call me anytime for anything.” She pulled a phone from her purse. “I bought this for you. My number programmed in so you can call when you need me or when you feel a little lonely. Just remember to keep it charged.” She handed him the charger. “Don’t worry about the cost.”

  When Sheba stood up, Marshall said, “Braden, here’s my phone number. If you need to talk to another man, you call me anytime. Okay?”

  Braden looked up into his face. “Really?”

  “Really. I think we should be brothers, if that’s okay with you.”

  Marshall looked at the phone Braden was still holding. “Would you like me to put my number in your phone?”

  Beaming, Braden nodded. Marshall took to phone, punching some numbers, then said, “If you push this button and number two you can call your aunt. If you push this button and number three, you will call me.”

  Rob said, “I can be number four.” He took the phone and programmed his number.” He handed back the phone. “Now we’re all family.”

  The intercom boomed, “Last call for first class boarding.”

  Rob grabbed Braden’s hand. “That’s us. We’d better get in line.”

  Sheba walked beside Braden to the head of the line.

  “Call me when you get there,” Sheba said, giving him one last hug. She didn’t want to let him go.

  Marshall touched her shoulder. “They’ll be all right.

  Famous last words, Sheba thought as she watched them walk down the ramp.

  Chapter 10

  Less than 2 hours later, Sheba and the others were landing at Andrews Air Force base near Washington, D.C. Marshall and Lt. James looked carefully at the limousine that had just pulled up.

  Sheba shivered, rubbing her arms even though the temperature was in the 70’s. The day seemed dark and a little dismal even though the sun was shining.

  “You look worried?” Marshall asked.

  “Something’s wrong. I don’t know what, but I feel it here.” She said touching her heart. She looked around. “Maybe I’m just missing Braden, but it doesn’t feel that way.”

  Marshall said, “You ladies stay here by the helicopter. We’ll will do a perimeter sweep.”

  Marshall said, “Lieutenant, you go that way. I’ll go this way.”

  James said, “I think we need to call for backup.”

  “Do it,” Marshall ordered as he began walking past a limo, toward a small military truck that was parked next to a big Quonset hut. The engine was running, but Marshall couldn’t see anyone inside.

  Sheba was looking at the limo when she saw the window roll down. A black gloved hand holding a pistol appeared, aiming at Marshall’s back.

  “Marshall, drop!” Sheba yelled. She took several running steps toward the limo and kicked at the hand. The gun flew out the window as the limo peeled away from the helicopter.

  Marshall came running. “Are you all right?” He asked, taking a deep breath as he saw the gun on the ground.

  “I’m fine,” The shooter was focused on you. He didn’t even see me until he felt the kick. She rubbed her finger nails against her shirt in a smug manner. “Whoever said that kickboxing wouldn’t come in handy never worked for the NSA.”

  “Thank you,” Marshall said. “I looked at the limo, but didn’t see anything.”

  “The shooter waited until you had begun checking out that truck. I think they thought we’d just get in the limo and they would have us before you could do anything about it.”

  “We would have, too,” Ms. Nagle said “If you hadn’t had that funny feeling. I get them from time to time, but I don’t pay as much attention to them like you do.”

  “That’s one of the things you learn when you take martial arts.” Sheba said.

  “Do you think it was someone sent by Breckenridge?” Marshall asked.

  Nagle shook her head. “How could he know what flight we’d be on?”

  Marshall lifted his radio to his lips and requested an armored transport. A few minutes later,
an enclosed Humvee pulled up in front of them. Marshall opened the door, saying, “This won’t be as comfortable as the limo, but it’s a whole lot safer. Nagle climbed in. Sheba scrambled up quickly excited to ride in a real army vehicle.

  Marshall climbed in and sat next to her. James got in front with the driver. Two jeeps pulled in convoy, one in front and one in back. It was late enough that the traffic was light. They pulled up to the guard house of NSA headquarters nearly an hour later.

  Once they were in headquarters, and Ms. Nagle had gone to call the Secretary of State, Marshall said, “Sheba, I don’t think you should go back to your apartment tonight or without a guard until we get this business sorted out.”

  She nodded when Nagle walked back into the room. “We’ve been on the phone with the Secretary of State. He is calling the President.” Maitland said, “The balance of power is so delicate in that region that he feels he needs further instructions.”

  Ms. Nagle said, “Sheba, you’ll stay here until we get definitive orders.”

  “But Ms. Nagle, I don’t have any work clothes. In fact, I don’t have any clean clothes at all. I certainly won’t be presentable tomorrow.”

  Maitland said, “Let’s not worry about that tonight. Put your clothes in the sitting room of your suite. I’ll have one of the maids take your clothes to the laundress.”

  “You’ll let my supervisor know?”

  Ms. Nagle said, “I’ll let him know that I’m using your expertise for the next several days.” She pointed at the elevators. “Your room is on 603.”

  Sheba smiled wearily. “Thank you.” She looked at Marshall, “Thanks for taking care of Braden without ruining his vacation.”

  ---------

  Late the next morning, Sheba walked into the sitting room to find that all of the clothes she’d left in a heap on the floor had been washed, ironed, and were hanging on a portable clothes rack.

  Grinning, she grabbed, her nicest summer dress and headed into the bathroom for a long hot shower.

  Fifty minutes later, the phone rang. “Ms. Bentley, if you are dressed, you are wanted in Ms. Nagle’s office as soon as possible.”