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“Please tell me you have coffee,” Bowen muttered.
“It’s coming,” Teagan said. “Thirty minutes.”
“Maybe I’ll make it.” He dropped into a chair at the breakfast bar.
Another knock sounded on the door.
“I’ve got it.” She glanced through the peephole and opened the door to admit Phantom.
The only person Seth recognized was Jake Davenport, the medic. Iona introduced the members of Phantom to Seth and his fellow detectives.
Adam Walker, the team leader, shook Seth’s hand. “Good to meet you, Seth.”
“Same. Teagan and her teammates speak highly of Phantom.”
He smiled. “The sentiments are mutual. How can we help?”
Seth turned to the group watching him expectantly. “Everyone, take a seat and I’ll update you on the latest.” By the time he finished, the members of all three teams looked grim.
“This is crazy,” Remy Doucet said with his heavy Cajun accent. “These yahoos actually think they’re going to assassinate President Martin and perhaps Vice President Reynolds?”
“What will they accomplish by doing that?” Lily, his wife, asked. “There’s a long line of succession to replace the president if he’s incapacitated or dies in office.”
“I have the answer to that,” Riley said.
“What did you find?” Iona asked.
“If we’re right about Peters and Richardson having the president and vice president killed, Speaker Quillen takes over as president but he chooses his own VP with the approval of both houses. Quillen was in the military, the Army specifically.”
Seth dragged a hand down his face. “Let me guess. Quillen and Peters or Richardson served together?”
“Quillen served under Peters. According to what I found on the Dark Web, Quillen has nothing but respect for his former commanding officer. Even though we know Peters and Richardson are louses of the highest order, their records don’t show it. Peters won’t have trouble being approved by the houses.”
“What does Richardson get out of the deal?” Iona asked.
“If Quillen dies, Peters takes over and, of course, he can choose his own VP.”
Teagan groaned. “Richardson.”
Adam frowned. “People will be suspicious with that many deaths.”
“Suspicions are one thing,” Seth said. “Finding proof is the catch. My guess is Peters plans for both assassination teams to be eliminated, perhaps by his enforcers. No loose ends to worry over.”
“What about Peters’ loyal followers in the militia?” Bowen asked. “You know they’ll expect positions of power in the new administration.”
“And what about his habit of raping women?” Violet shook her head. “You can’t hide that from the public forever.”
“If enough money changes hands, people look the other way,” Jake said, disgust in his voice.
“Let’s create a plan to stop Peters and Richardson in their tracks.”
Fifteen minutes into their discussion, a knock sounded on the door. “Room service,” a voice called from the hallway.
After checking, Seth opened the door to two men manning two carts loaded with food and beverages. He pressed a generous tip into each man’s hand. “We’ll take it in. Thanks.”
Seth and Noah brought in the carts and placed food, plates, and utensils on the breakfast bar, then set the carafes of coffee and bottles of juice on a small round table at the side of the sitting room.
As the teams ate, they studied the schematics of the Capital Hotel and discussed options. Finally, Adam said, “Seth, you’re in charge of this mission. We’ve been batting around ideas. What’s your plan?”
