Alien Diplomacy

Chuckie winced. He just laughed. “Yes, that one. Anyway, based on what we were able to ferret out, there is a program, but whether or not Paris was merely part of it or is another initiative, we don’t know yet. Someone very high up in the government is in charge.”
    “How high?”
    “So high we can’t actually get many details. Any time any team goes to Paraguay to investigate, the locations we’ve identified as having the project are wiped clean.”
    I looked at Caroline. “That’s what your senator’s doing down there all the time, isn’t it? His committees are trying to catch these people, or at least a trace of them.”
    She nodded. “So far, just as Chuck said, nothing.”
    I remembered something. “Chuckie, what happened to the picture we took from Nurse Carter?”
    “I have it here.” He pulled it out of his inner suit pocket. “Is now the time?”
    “Yes, it is.”
    Chuckie nodded, turned in his chair so he was looking directly at Caroline, shot Jeff a look that, to me, clearly said “monitor emotions” and put the picture down in front of her. “Who are the people in this photo?” His tone was very friendly.
    Caroline looked at it. “Well, that’s most, though not all, of the team on the last few missions to Paraguay.”
    “Who are the men behind you?” Chuckie kept his tone friendly. “I recognize most of the others, but we need to identify anyone who might be in danger.”
    “The one nearest to me is my friend Pete.” She looked up at me. “He was the one who was supposed to pick me up from the airport. I still don’t know why he hasn’t answered his phone.”
    I managed not to say anything I knew Chuckie didn’t want me to. “Who’s the dude next to Pete?”
    “His cousin, Vic.”
    “As in Victor?” Chuckie asked. She nodded. “What are their last names?”
    “Keller.”
    “How long have you and Pete been dating?” Chuckie asked.
    “Oh, we’re not. Not really.” Caroline sighed. “He’s older than me, by a lot. I know he likes me, but I’m not sure that I want to date someone in his line of work.”
    “What is his line of work?” Chuckie asked. I was amazed at how calm and conversational he sounded.
    “He and Vic work for Titan.”
    “That’s the large security firm that contracts with the government, right, Titan Security?” Chuckie asked, still sounding as though they were catching up on friends from college.
    “Yeah. I know it’s supposed to make you feel more secure if your guy’s always packing heat, but it sort of freaks me out. I mean, we need it when we’re down in Paraguay. There’s lots going on, and having Pete and Vic with us keeps everyone safe.”
    “Is that how you met him?” I asked. “Because he was assigned to your protection detail?”
    “Yeah. Titan has the contract to cover us when we’re in South America. The senator and I have gone down so often that Titan assigned a permanent team to us.”
    “Has he been to your apartment?”
    Caroline blushed. “Yes, but not for anything illicit. He’s taken me out several times, and he always picks me up at home.”
    My memory nudged. “You said he was with an Embassy. Howcan he be working for Titan and be attached to an Embassy at the same time?”
    “Vic’s wife is part of the diplomatic mission from Paraguay. Pete and Vic are really close, so they both house with the Embassy. They got some special approval to do that, I don’t know from where. But Senator McMillan said it looked legit.”
    “So he checked their credentials?” Chuckie asked.
    Caroline nodded. “He doesn’t like them, I don’t think. I know he doesn’t like that Pete’s taken me out. Though he does his best to hide it.” She sighed. “Pete’s supposedly my date for the President’s Ball tomorrow. Not that I have any idea if that’s still on, either the date or the Ball.” She laughed half-heartedly. “Or if you’re even going to let me leave your Embassy.”
    Chuckie looked at Jeff. “She’s clean,” Jeff said. “Telling the truth as she knows it.” Chuckie nodded like he wasn’t surprised, which, all scary things considered, was a relief.
    “Why would I lie to you about anything?” Caroline asked, sounding completely shocked. “Kit-Kat’s one of my best friends, and so is Chuck. You guys saved me from whatever’s going on.” She looked at me. “What is going on?”
    “Caro, the President’s Ball is still on. You, however, are only going under full guard.”
    “Why? Not that