The Four Corners of the Sky_ A Novel - Michael Malone [193]
Dan gave Annie a knowing glance. Obviously, Raffy, imprisoned somewhere here on the base, had given up the reliquary and who knows how much information about Jack Peregrine with it.
Fierson picked up the box and examined it. When he set it down, Willie grabbed it and wrapped it back into its package. Fierson turned to Annie. “We know this box was given to Rafael Rook by your father. We know Peregrine recently traveled to St. Louis to retrieve jewels belonging to the statue.”
Annie leaned around Dan. “Thanks a lot, Trevor!”
Trevor flushed. “Hang on, Annie.”
She stood up. “You hang on! Were you already involved in this mess of my father’s when I met you, or did you get involved after I came to you for help because you were my friend?”
Trevor’s ears darkened. “By the book, Annie. Your motto.”
Officer Sims interrupted them. “Lieutenant Goode, your mission is not to analyze. Your mission is to obtain a certain object and locate a certain person for your government. Is that not so, Mr. Fierson?”
Fierson wrinkled his mouth. “Let me assure you…Annie…that our national and strategic interests are involved here.” He stopped, closed and tapped his folder. “We not only want the statue back, we understand that some of its jewels have been placed by your father in a bank account in Havana. We’d like you to go get them.”
Annie scowled at Trevor. “Even if the emeralds and rubies are real and even if they’re in this bank—my dad’s just a crook. Why is this so important to the U.S. government?”
“That’s right.” Dan stood, leaning over the table at Fierson. “The U.S. didn’t steal the Queen, you aren’t trying to sell it and what’s it worth anyhow? A few million bucks? Chump change,” he growled. “So why are you here?”
Fierson turned a page in his folder. “Actually, even forgetting the national antiquity value, the emeralds and the 135-carat ruby are worth approximately forty-five million dollars. But you’re correct, Mr. Hart, the question is, why should we care?”
“And the answer?”
Fierson again nodded at the flag. “We don’t want Cuba to have the advantage of us in this matter.”
“Right,” snarled Dan. “Cuba’s so big and powerful.”
Dismissively Fierson swiveled from him toward Annie. “While we deeply care to see the people of Cuba once again living in freedom…all in good time. And while we know that a Communist regime will not cherish this Christian relic as a…as a relic, still there is the matter of the press this incident could cause if the Cubans were to make a public fuss about an American criminal robbing them and American law enforcement simply dropping the ball. But settling these claims—between Cuba and the Catholic Church, is not your responsibility, Annie. You produce the statue. Produce the jewels missing from it. And assist us in locating your father. You are relieved of other duties for the following two weeks in order to carry out these tasks.”
Annie pivoted in her chair toward Lt. Commander Bok. “But sir, I’m already under orders to report back to Annapolis on Monday at 0600 hours! I’m scheduled to test the F-35 Lightning II at Air Systems Command.”
With a glance at his superior, Chief Warrant Officer Sims answered for the Navy: They had already discussed with her base commander Dicky Campbell the scheduled test flight at ASC. That test would take place as planned but with a different pilot. In official records, however, the pilot performing the test would be Lt. Anne Peregrine Goode.
“Fake alibi,” said Willie, who was ignored. He picked in disgust at a cinnamon bun he took from a wrinkled bag.
Next to Annie, Dan startled everyone with a sudden hard whack of the table. “Why fly a test? Just have the news announce she broke the record!”
Annie hushed him. “I can handle this.” She turned to Lt. Commander Bok. “Sir, can’t this statue thing wait till I do the test or can’t somebody else go to Cuba—”
“Lieutenant!” snapped Bok.
“Sir! I have an opportunity to break a—”
“Lieutenant Goode!”
Furious, Annie bit