Wired - Douglas E. Richards [114]
Desh was searching through an upstairs room when Metzger’s voice came through his earpiece. “David, meet me in the basement. Something I want to show you.”
“Roger that,” he said.
Desh moved briskly and arrived at the basement just ahead of Kira, who Metzger had also summoned. The room was nicely finished, including the ceiling and walls, and was carpeted. Metzger was standing next to a door in the far corner of the basement. He motioned for Desh and Kira to join him as he opened the door and stepped through.
They entered a small, unfinished section of the basement with its original concrete floor and walls. There was a sump hole in one corner and a water heater in another.
A large, square piece of plywood was standing up against the wall, about eight feet on a side. Metzger went to an edge and pushed. The plywood slid fairly readily across the smooth floor.
Desh’s eyes widened as a square opening in the concrete wall was revealed, hidden behind the plywood. It was about six feet on a side and formed the entrance to a tunnel leading away from the house.
Metzger pulled a small flashlight from his vest and pointed it down the passageway. The tunnel continued for about thirty yards and then curved out of sight.
“Interesting,” said Desh. “Were you searching specifically for an escape hatch?” he asked the major.
Metzger nodded. “Blackmail too many powerful men and you create a few enemies. Even if Putnam convinced them the dirt he had collected would be released automatically if he was killed, he would still want to have a means to escape a frontal assault—just in case.”
“Not all that well hidden,” noted Kira.
“Doesn’t need to be on this side,” said Metzger. “Putnam would count on his security monitors giving him a head start. I’m sure the tunnel exit is well concealed. Once Putnam emerges, he can probably collapse the tunnel behind him to prevent anyone from following.”
“Let’s get out of here,” said Desh. “Even though Putnam is convinced of the strength of his signal and receiver, I want Kira aboveground,” he said protectively. “Why take any chances we don’t have to? We can search this tunnel later.” He paused. “Nice work, Major.”
Desh caught Kira glancing nervously at her watch as they climbed the stairs. “I’m guessing you would have told me if you had heard three high-pitched beeps recently,” he said softly.
Kira sighed. “He’ll reset it,” she said, although with less confidence than before.
When the three of them emerged from the basement, Griffin saw them through the glass wall of the study and motioned them over.
“I haven’t found anything linking Putnam to terror or the sterilization virus,” he said when they had joined him, “but I did find files on a number of powerful people in politics and the military.”
“Compromising ones?” guessed Kira.
“Very,” he replied. “Hoover would be proud. Putnam has a number of taped phone calls implicating the callers for taking bribes, cheating on spouses, engaging in criminal activity—the works.” He paused and shook his head. “He also has a lot of these.” A video of a chubby, balding older man having sex with a buxom young beauty appeared on the screen. None of them recognized the man. “According to the file,” explained Griffin, “Baldy is the CEO of a major corporation. Putnam has videos of a number of powerful men engaged in either homosexual activity or having sex with women who aren’t their wives. But I’ll spare you any more samples,” he said.
“Thank you,” said Desh in sincere appreciation.
“Not exactly the kind of thing you’d want to be shown to your wife or children,” noted Metzger unnecessarily.
“Or your constituency,” added Desh.
A digital clock appeared at the bottom of Putnam’s computer monitor. It read 9:45. Desh eyed Kira worriedly. She was trying to keep a stiff upper lip but he could read the tension in her face.
There was a knock at the front door!
Desh grabbed Kira’s arm and rushed from the room, taking up a position on the wall flanking the front door. Metzger hurried Griffin with him into position on the other