Bullseye by David Baldacci

Stone, and Harry peered inside the hole revealing the shaft.
    “Pretty dark in there,” said Harry. “And stale air.”
    Robie said, “And the higher we go the darker and staler.”
    Harry opened his duffel bag. “I only have two pairs of night optics.”
    Robie held out his hand. “I’ll take one.”
    Harry glanced at Stone and said, “I’ll take the other.”
    Stone considered this. It was obvious from his face that he too wanted to go up the shaft. Finally, he deferred to their youth. “Keep me posted.” Then he whispered to Harry, “And watch my lobbyist friend.”
    Harry nodded and said, “If they get by us, don’t let them get by you.”
    Stone gripped the pistol Harry had given him. “They won’t. But keep in mind that what goes up doesn’t necessarily come down. Or at least all the way down.”
    As the two men prepared to go inside the shaft, Stone took out his phone and punched in the number. He spoke for one minute. When he clicked off he said, “Good luck.”
    * * *
    Annabelle looked desperately around the room after her call from Stone. He had filled her in on recent developments, which had only heightened her anxiety in having still not located Alex Ford.
    She felt a hand on her arm and almost screamed.
    It was Bob, the man she had come with.
    “Been looking for you. Have someone I want to introduce you to.”
    Annabelle caught her breath and said, “I really hope it’s the VP. Been dying to meet him.”
    Bob smiled. “Then it’s your lucky day, Annabelle. Just don’t use the ‘dying’ word around him. Gets the Secret Service in a tizzy.”
    She looked at him. “This is so exciting.” But she was thinking, You really have no idea how exciting.
    “Hey, stick with me, I’ll take you places.” He gripped her by the elbow and propelled her forward.
    They turned the corner and there was the VP.
    And on his right-hand side was Alex Ford.
    When Alex’s gaze caught on her, his lips parted and his eyes widened. Her panicked look immediately drew his suspicion.
    But Bob stepped forward. “Mr. Vice President, I would like you to meet my new best friend, Annabelle Conroy.”
    The nation’s second in command held out his hand, his smile wide and inviting. “Ms. Conroy, let me just warn you about this guy. Watch yourself around him.”
    Bob laughed. Annabelle managed a titter. She glanced at Alex. He was staring directly at her.
    She said, “I know this is silly, sir, but can I take a picture? I have my phone. I can take it myself. I know this is a fund-raiser and I’m probably supposed to be charged for a photo, but it really would mean the world to me.”
    The vice president smiled more broadly. “I think we can make an exception.”
    Annabelle slid out her phone, stood next to the vice president, held up the phone, and took a shot.
    She stepped back and quickly hit some keys. “I’m just sending it to my mom. She’ll never believe this.” But she was actually typing a text. She hit send.
    A few moments later Alex’s phone buzzed. Annabelle stared directly at him and then her gaze dropped to his pocket where his phone was buzzing. He slid it out. On the screen he saw multiple missed calls from Annabelle. But the text was what drew his immediate attention.
    Assassination attempt coming. Up abandoned shaft from bank. Oliver there. Go!

CHAPTER 12
    Adam Chase cut out the last piece of drywall and insulation, and revealed to him was the back of an ordinary wall outlet with electrical lines running to it. He unscrewed the back of the box and handed it to the person next to him. He looked down at the other two people just below him and held a finger to his mouth. He leaned in close and peered between the slits of the outlet plate on the other side of the wall.
    He saw people’s ankles and legs at first. When he peered up he saw torsos, and then heads.
    He registered on one torso and one head and he couldn’t help but smile. His inside source had been worth every penny. It was fortunate