Page 205 of Renegade
“I’ve already called Joint Base Andrews,” Evelyn said. “They’re doing a pre-check of Air Force One. I’ve got helicopters en route to the White House.”
“We don’t do business with that janitorial company,” the President pushed back. “We have our own in-house?—”
“Sir,” Greystone said, cutting him off. “We have confirmation there are bombs at the Hoover building and at Langley. We’ve got teams checking the other buildings now. We don’t know the detonation capacity of these bombs. With all due respect, Mr. President, you, your family, and your cabinet need to evacuate.”
Silence.
“I’ll head to Camp David.”
“Area 51 in Nevada,” Evelyn said.
“What?” the President asked.
“I agree,” Greystone said. “You need to evacuate the region until the problem is contained.”
“Understood,” said the President. “Let me wake Abigail and the boys. Evelyn send out an email to my cabinet. What do you need, Greystone?”
“Bomb-detection canines and bomb experts deployed to all eight buildings. I’ll meet one of the teams at the Bureau?—”
Caroline shook her head. “Not part of the plan.”
“Caroline Austin is on her way to the White House,” Greystone continued. “She’s my number one and will be my eyes and ears on the flight.”
“BLACK OPS?” the President asked.
“Yes,” Greystone replied. “We need the National Guard deployed to the buildings to keep employees out.”
“I’m sending an email to all agency Directors,” Evelyn said. “Essential personnel can telework. Everyone else gets a day of administrative leave with pay.”
Greystone ended the call, regarded Caroline. She threw her arms around him and hugged him hard. “I just got engaged,” she whispered into his ear. “I’m not losing you.”
She kissed him like it could be the last time. When she broke away, her eyes were moist. “You cannot die, Grey.”
“I’m not goin’ anywhere, baby.”
Truth was, he had no idea what the hell was going to happen, but he needed to see this through, which meant boots on the ground.
“I’ve got comms in the SUV,” she said. “At least use those.”
They returned to her vehicle in the parking garage. There, he slid the earbud in.
“Can you hear me?” he asked.
She smiled. “Like you’re right next to me.”
His phone rang. It was Evelyn. “The National Guard has been deployed. The press will be all over this.”
“Nothin’ we can do about it. Good luck.”
“Greystone, please consider coming with us,” Evelyn said.
He could hear the concern in her voice, something he hadn’t heard since the first time he’d told her about his uncle.
“You’re an amazing mom,” he said. “Look at this as an opportunity to get to know Caroline.”
She shuddered in a jagged breath. “I love you, Greystone.”
“I love you too.” He jumped in the vehicle and rode outside with Caroline. As she pulled up to the FBI entrance, she slowed. He kissed her. “I believe in you, Bella.” He jumped out, shut the door, and watched her drive away.
