Part 35 (2/2)

”And since when do you believe that the White House has any real power in such matters?” Simpson said.

Annja frowned. ”Since my naivete hasn't yet been shattered by the hammer of some black-book operative like yourself.”

Simpson chuckled. ”Well put. But, unfortunately, there are other people who wield much more power and they've decided that it's time to lay this matter to rest. That's why we're here.”

”By doing what?” Annja asked.

”Yeah,” Jenny said. ”Are you guys going to interview the Sasquatch and ask him how he does it?”

Annja smiled. ”That'd be a sight.”

Simpson stood and Baker followed. ”You're not far off the mark, ladies.” Simpson nodded at David. ”We'll be in touch.”

Annja stopped him at the door. ”What exactly do you mean by that-not far off?”

”Very simply,” Simpson said, ”we're here to capture the ape.”

Chapter 19.

Annja burst out laughing. ”Capture it? You think there haven't been other intrepid adventurers over the years who thought they'd try the same exact thing? You guys are crazy!”

Simpson shrugged. ”I don't care one bit what other people might have attempted in the past. What matters is that Baker and I will succeed this time around. Failure simply isn't an option for us.”

Baker nodded. ”He's right. We don't expect to fail.”

Jenny sighed. ”Can we just agree not to call this an ape? The Sasquatch may be just as far removed from the primate family as we are.”

Simpson rolled his eyes. ”He's tall and hairy. Looks like an ape to me and that's what I'll call him. The exact genus of the creature isn't for us to figure out. I'm here for one thing only.”

”So you're a hired hand,” Annja said. ”Just a mercenary, in effect.”

Simpson smirked. ”I enjoy your feeble attempts at baiting me, Annja. Truly, I do. But in this case, there's only one thing you need to remember.”

”And what's that?”

”If you get in my way, I have the authority to use deadly force.”

”Whose authority?”

Simpson smiled. ”The only one that counts-Was.h.i.+ngton's.”

Annja glanced at David. ”You're going to put up with this without a fight?”

David shrugged. ”Not a whole lot I can do, Annja. I can file an appeal that my jurisdiction shouldn't be undermined, but who would listen? And in the post-9/11 world, my chances of superceding Simpson's command are slim to none.”

Annja felt the heat rising in her face. Something about Simpson's demeanor really irked her, but she knew David was right. As long as Simpson had Was.h.i.+ngton power backing him, he was untouchable.

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