don’t think those people told us the whole story. Something wasn’t quite right about it all. Just a feeling,” Kathryn said. “It goes without saying that everyone has an agenda. It could be something as simple as those people wanting to get rid of Zenowicz so they can get someone to take his place who will be more friendly to their specific cause, whatever that cause is. It’s all politics no matter how you look at it.”
“I felt it, too, and I think you’re right,” Yoko said.
The others for the most part agreed.
“I didn’t go to bed after the meeting. I went online to see what I could find out about the World Bank,” Annie said.
The women leaned forward. “And…?” they chorused as one.
Annie loved being the center of attention. She preened for a moment. “Well, the president of the World Bank is an American, as we know. But do you all know that a European is the head of the sister bank, the International Monetary Fund? No one mentioned that last night, did they? If I had a crafty mind, which I do, I’d say this has something to do with Americans versus Europeans. The United States is the bank’s biggest financial contributor. It’s a decades-old tradition, and me thinks those people who were here last night might not want to keep it that way. In other words, politics.”
“A turf war?” Nikki asked.
“Without a doubt,” Annie responded. “The World Bank was created in 1945. The object was to rebuild Europe after World War II. You might not know this, and I didn’t either, until I checked it out, but the bank provides twenty billion dollars a year for projects like building dams, roads, and, of course, fighting disease. The bank offers interest-free loans to the poorest countries. I, for one, would like to see their books.”
“And our guy was in charge of twenty billion a year? I could see the temptation to pocket a little. I could also see some creative accounting where those interest-free loans are concerned,” Alexis said. “Don’t forget, I did hard time for people just like this, who framed me.”
The women were silent for a moment as they digested Annie’s information.
“So, I guess what we’re saying is our guests last night have agendas of their own that they didn’t fully disclose,” Nikki said. “But in the end, that’s not what our job is about. Of course, if we find a way to…uh…change things, we will.”
“Yes, dear, it would appear so,” Myra said.
“I wonder who those anonymous donors willing to give us a blank check are. We need to decide how much to charge now. It goes without saying that we aren’t going to keep the money, right?” Nikki asked.
“As long as the money isn’t coming out of the World Bank, I say we hit them where it hurts,” Kathryn suggested. “Anonymous means anonymous, and we’re never going to know. Let’s go with ten million and set up a fund where we disperse the monies to our own needy, but let’s keep a little in reserve for an emergency. First crack off the bat I say we funnel some monies to Pearl Barnes so that she has enough funding for her underground railroad. Lizzie Fox can take care of all that. The more money they have, the more people they can get to safety,” she said, referring to their last mission in the States where they posed as the G-String Girls to fight AIDS in Africa and save the Chief Justice’s career.
“I’d like to see some money go to battered women’s shelters,” Alexis said.
“We can ask Judge Easter to take care of that. I think it’s a wonderful idea, Alexis,” Myra said.
“Animal rights,” Kathryn said.
“All things children,” Annie said.
“Done,” Myra said smartly. “The children go to the top of the list.”
“All this means is we have to go back to Washington. Again,” Nikki said breathlessly. Going back to Washington meant she’d see District Attorney Jack Emery, the man she loved, again.
Yoko clapped her tiny hands in happiness because it meant she would get to see her love, Harry Wong, a martial-arts expert, to whom she was engaged.
“And just how are we going to get in and out of Washington again? The FBI is so hot on our trail, they’re smoking. And, let’s not forget Ted Robinson. That guy wants to take a bath in our blood. I’m thinking this time around it’s going to be even more dicey,” Kathryn said. “Another thing, do we seriously believe, even for one minute, that there aren’t rumors, leaks, something, that things aren’t right at 1818 H Street, headquarters of the World Bank? If you all believe that, I’ll sell you the Key Bridge.”
“Kathryn has a point,” Myra said thoughtfully.
Isabelle poured more coffee just to have something to do.
“We need a plan,” Annie said, excitement ringing in her voice. “The thrill of danger is so intoxicating. I just know this…this…mission is going to be the one that puts us on the map!”
“We’re already on the damn map, Annie. Any little thing that goes wrong is attributed to us. We’re supposedly in every state in the union. There have been more sightings of us than you can shake a stick at. We get credit or blame, take your pick, for everything that goes wrong,” Kathryn grumbled.
“Yes, yes, but don’t you see, that’s what makes it so exciting. They’re out there chasing their tails on all those false sightings, but when it comes down to the crunch, we move in and strike! It’s all so perfect it boggles the mind!” Annie said.
Myra’s tone was grudging when she looked at her old friend, and said, “She’s right up to a point, and it does make some sense, but none of us should ever think of the FBI as stupid or lax. Ted Robinson, possibly, but sooner or later someone with some chutzpah is going to pay attention to him. He’s gotten way too close to us too many times. He’s not going to give up, and he’s not going to go away. That’s a given we have to deal with.”
“So, we work around him. We’ll get Jack or Harry to put a tail on him. This way we’ll know what he’s doing in real time and be prepared,” Nikki said. Her expression darkened. “If it doesn’t work, or if he invades our space, we’ll simply take care of him.”
“Ooh, ooh, that sounds…lethal,” Annie said, her eyes bigger than saucers as she anticipated going a few rounds with the Post’s intrepid reporter.
The women left the dining hall and walked out into the bright summer sunshine. Murphy and Grady waited patiently in the hopes someone would throw a stick so they could play. Kathryn obliged, and the dogs ran off.
The pine scent was heady after the night’s heavy rain. Everything looked scrubbed to perfection. Overhead, the sky was cerulean, with huge cotton candy clouds. The birds in the trees were singing their morning song. In a word, peaceful.
“It seems so perfect, doesn’t it? Almost mystical,” Isabelle whispered to Yoko, who was walking alongside her.
“If you don’t look deep enough as to why we’re here in the first place,” Yoko whispered in return. “Like Annie says, we have to pretend we’re on vacation.”
Murphy bounded up with the stick in his mouth; a moment later, Grady emerged from the thick pine forest with his own stick. Kathryn threw them again before the women climbed
