Gabriel headed for the gate. The slight shimmer that indicated an energy field disappeared as they neared. Obviously it had been designed to keep people out, not in.
"The PM's got three appointments left," she stated. "He's having lunch with the Premier at a restaurant called Henry's, and then he's off to open the new shuttle port. Lastly, the state opera, tonight."
"It'll be the shuttle port," he said, grim certainty in his voice. "There's been a lot of opposition to it, and there'll be plenty of reporters present. Sethanon likes an audience."
She glanced at the clock. "Then we have three hours and twenty minutes to arrange some extra security and get there."
"Call this number — " He hesitated as she grabbed the onboard phone, and then gave her the number.
After several rings, there was a cautious, somewhat croaky, "Hello?" The screen remained static — whoever it was, they weren't chancing the vid-screen.
"Stephan, Gabriel."
The screen came to life, and a second Gabriel stared back at her. Only the way he held himself also reminded her of the Stephan she'd met at the mansion.
"Hi Ryan. Nice to see you back in safe hands."
His voice was different than Gabriel's — deeper and filled with command — but there was something in his tone that suggested familiarity. Yet, she'd certainly never met this man before. Or had she? Given the fact that the Stephan who ran the Federation was a shapeshifter, was it possible that he was one of those rare multi-shifters? Was Gabriel's twin not only Hanrahan, but Stephan as well? It would certainly explain how Hanrahan could be dead but Stephan was alive.
"Nice to be back in safe hands," she said, somehow resisting the impulse to add that she was, as yet, unsure just how much safer she was in Gabriel's hands.
His gaze went to Gabriel. "What's up?"
Gabriel didn't take his eyes off the road, which was just as well, given the speed they were traveling. "We think Sethanon's planning to switch the PM sometime during the shuttle port opening. Kazdan's the executioner."
Stephan ran a hand over his shadowed jaw. "Security's tight. SIU, State and the Feds are all involved."
"Kazdan has a full run down of the security plans. Mary handed them to him."
Stephan's eyes hardened. "She's dead, I gather?"
"Yes."
"Good."
In that instant, Sam saw another difference between the two men. Saw why Stephan, not Gabriel, was the leader. There was no remorse, no regret, in Stephan.
"You heading there now?" he asked.
"Yes, but its going to take us a couple of hours. We're over near Western Port. How much pull has Byrne got?"
Byrne was on the Director's staff, if Sam remembered rightly. But if Stephan was Hanrahan, why not just use his alter-ego again?
"Enough. I'll start phoning around. Call when you get to the port."
The vid-screen went static. She glanced across to Gabriel. "Why not use Hanrahan?"
"Hanrahan's dead."
"He's obviously not, because he was just on the phone."
He gave her a sharp glance. "What gives you that idea?"
"Karl told me Hanrahan was your brother. The Stephan we just talked to obviously is, but his mannerisms, and the fact that he knew me, suggest he's also the dark haired, green eyed Stephan we met last night. Given that Stephan is a shifter, it isn't hard to put two and two together."
Amusement briefly touched his lips. "We're going to have watch what we say around you. You're far too quick."
She wasn't that quick. It had taken her five years to discover her partner was a lying bastard. "So why you can't use Hanrahan?"