“Angela? Is everything all right?” J. R. Culpepper asked.
“Sir, I … things are … Boone isn’t here. I forgot to memorize his number. They took Q.” Everything came rushing out of her.
“Boone is looking for the SUV. What do you mean about Q? Who took him?”
“A big, bossy woman. Giant hair, rings on every finger, earrings the size of sea turtles. Said her name was …”
“Ruby Spencer. I know who she is. Boone briefed me. I’ve been looking into her background. Like most cell members, there isn’t much there,” the president said. Angela could hear some clicking keys over the phone. “However … provided he’s still wearing it, Q’s watch is showing up at her ranch about thirty-five miles from your present location. Now, tell me what happened.”
Angela reported everything as accurately as she could.
“And the guy is still there?”
“Yes, sir. I knocked him out with a camera and Croc went … something is not right about Croc … that dog went medieval on the guy and then I clocked him. Oh. I already said that.”
The president was chuckling.
“Sir, are you laughing?”
“Yes. Because you remind me so much of your mother.”
Angela was flattered but had no time to think about that now.
“What are we going to do about Q? You need to get Boone here and …”
“Angela, listen to me. I can’t pull Boone off his search for the SUV. There could be thousands of lives at stake. And if I call him, he’s going to come and get you to safety and go get Quest. He’s the single reason I haven’t cleared the city and sent in an entire battalion of Marines to find that truck. No. We need to do this together.”
“But … sir … I …” Angela took a breath. “What do you want me to do?”
“Angela, I wish there were another way. And this should not be something for any fifteen-year-old girl to deal with. But you’re not just any teenager, are you, Angela? You’re Malak Tucker’s daughter. You’ve already proven yourself more than capable. We’re going to get Q back.”
“But how? He’s thirty miles away. I can’t even drive! Can’t we get Felix or—”
“No, we can’t. You are going to run this op, Angela Tucker. The good guys need you right now. You’re going to rescue Q. I’m going to tell you how. You can do this!”
“Mr. President, I’m going to need help.”
“Have no fear. I’ve got a couple of people in mind. When you hang up, I want you to take the phone cord and tie up the bad guy. Take his cell phone and put it in your pocket. Make sure he can’t get loose. I have somebody on the way to take care of him, but they won’t be there for a while. After that, head down to the lobby. Someone will meet you there in exactly ten minutes.”
“Who? How will I know who it is?”
“Don’t worry. You’ll know. Now go.”
Angela hung up the phone and did as POTUS instructed.