“You just leave that to me, Justice Kellerman,” Michaels said with a wink. “I don’t need you to figure out everything for me. But I do need you to listen to this case in an emergency hearing. Get it on the schedule. Let the two sides present their cases. And make a decision pronto.”
“How quickly were you thinking?” Williams asked.
“Almost immediately,” Michaels said. “And if you do, there’s going to be some nice perks for you.”
“Go on,” Horford said. “I’m listening.”
“As the world moves in this direction, there’s going to be a clarion call to reorganize our justice systems as well, make sure they’re all in line with one another. And there’s going to be a big need for judges to help fashion and shape global laws. Some of you will have the ability to be on that initial panel to create this new judicial system.”
“Intriguing,” Williams said. “But be careful about mentioning this to anyone. It could qualify as bribery.”
Michaels smiled. “You know I’d never do that. I’m a patriot. I care about making this country the best it can be—and keeping it safe. With our currency as part of this new one-world system, I’ll be going a long way in making good on my promise to improve this already great nation better and keep it even safer.”
Kellerman cleared his throat, arresting the attention of everyone in the room.
“Did you have something you wanted to say, Justice Kellerman?” Michaels asked.
“I hope you’ll be prepared for all the constitutional challenges in court that a change of this magnitude will bring,” Kellerman said. “The kinds of lawsuits that will be filed almost certainly demand that we issue a stay. Anytime a new law will create that kind of upheaval, the kind that will affect every financial institution in this country, you have to wait.”
“It won’t matter,” Michaels said. “Trust me.”
“I’m no constitutional scholar, but—”Kellerman said, pausing as he put his finger in the air before a wry smile spread across his lips. “No, wait. I am a constitutional scholar and you’re going to be in for one hell of a fight.”
“That’s why I’m giving you a heads up about this now, so it won’t be such a battle,” Michaels said. “We have enough division in this country as it is. And I’m well aware that this likely won’t be a 9-0 decision, though that would be nice. However, we need to come together around something like this. This is one of those times where the American people and all the pundits in the media have no idea how devastating remaining under our currency will be to the financial sector.”
“I hope you aren’t just doing this to get re-elected because you have no idea how to jumpstart the economy,” Horford said. “That was one of your key campaign promises.”
Michaels paced around the room as he talked.
“Getting elected and making this country great—or in this case, keeping it from going off the rails—are vastly different things,” Michaels countered. “Of course I know that I’ll get re-elected if the economy isn’t falling apart. That’s Presidential Campaigning 101. But I’d do this if I were at the end of my second term. We all have wealth we want to protect. Every single American who’s working or has a bank account does. To not make a move of this nature would be like taking all the money they worked so hard to earn and rendering it useless. And that’s not even to mention what it would mean for the U.S. dollar overseas. Our people wouldn’t be able to travel. Businesses with an international presence would be devoured almost overnight. We’d be condemned to the poor house—but I’m refusing to stand by and let that happen, re-election or no re-election.”
“Fair enough,” Horford said.
“Can I count on all of you to make sure you’ll take up this challenge and seriously consider righting one of the greatest wrongs in this country?” Michaels asked.
Four of the five justices bobbed their heads in agreement. Kellerman was the lone dissenter.
“Justice Kellerman,” Michaels began, “is there something you find objectionable about this?”
“Aside from this whole dog-and-pony show right now,” Kellerman said. “I’ll need to be convinced in court.”
Michaels nodded. “I understand. You don’t want to violate your conscience—and you shouldn’t have to. None of you should. But just consider what’s happening now and think about it. The framers of the constitution couldn’t have imagined a scenario like this and they certainly wouldn’t have given the power to Congress if they ever thought Congress would be crooked and inept as it is today.”
“I’ll consider it,” Kellerman said.
Michaels gave a hint of a smile. “That’s all I can ask—legally, that is.”
A knock at the door for all intents and purposes ended the meeting. Michaels gestured for everyone to exit out of the door on the opposite side of the room, one by one. He told them to scatter about the building and suggested that they check out some legal books from briefs written a couple of hundred years before.
When the last justice was gone, Michaels sauntered over to the door and opened it.
“Mr. President,” the Secret Service agent said. “What are you doing here? And why did you give us the slip?”
“Don’t worry,” Michaels said. “It wasn’t anything important. I just needed to feel normal again, not like I needed a damn babysitter to walk down the street.”
“I understand, sir, but—”
“Save your lecture on protocol for someone else,” Michaels said. “Perhaps for someone who cares because I simply don’t.”
“It’s our job to keep you safe,” the agent said.
“And I’m in no danger here, okay? You can wait outside while I finish some reading here.”
The agent didn’t argue. He was trained to do everything the President said and when the President said it. And Michaels knew it. Without another word, the agent slunk outside and took up his post outside the door before closing it.
* * *
BIG EARV WAITED IN THE HALLWAY while one of his fellow Secret Service agents retrieved the Red Ranger, the name Michaels selected for himself to be used among those protecting him. At first Big Earv thought it was merely a coincidence that he happened to see Justice Kellerman in a rare public sighting, even though the annals of the Library of Congress hardly qualified as such. Then Big Earv saw Justice Williams.
When Justice Horford strolled by, keeping his head down and refusing to look up, Big Earv knew something strange was happening. The fact that he was at the Library of Congress retrieving the President meant something had gone terribly wrong. The trio of justices he spotted only made the situation more suspect.
Big Earv picked up his cell phone and called Vice President Noah Young.
“Do you know where Red Ranger is?” Young asked once he answered the phone.
“Probably in the Caves of Alhambra by now,” Big Earv said, using Michaels’ personal nickname for the White House. “But that’s not where he was a half-hour ago.”
“What was he doing? Nothing was on his schedule.”
“He was at the Library of Congress.”
“The Library of Congress. What for?” Young asked, his voice rising an octave.
“I can’t be sure, but I also think it can’t be a coincidence that I just saw three Supreme Court justices wandering the halls within minutes of one another, coming out of the same area where Red Ranger was.”
“Whatever it is, he’s up to no good.”
“Roger that.”
CHAPTER 8
Melbourne, Australia
KATARINA PETROV SAUNTERED AROUND the room and sipped her tea. The glass wall overlooking Port Phillip Bay was one of the best settings she’d encountered outside of Europe for a meeting of this importance. Usually she would’ve preferred a boardroom at the top of a building without any windows. But this wasn’t a banker or some business powerbroker she was meeting with. Malcolm Tabart wasn’t the kind of person she wanted the public to know she was conspiring with. Her conversations with him nee
ded to be held in person and in private, away from prying eyes and loose lips.
Petrov had stopped her pacing, mesmerized by a catamaran with full sails slicing through the choppy waters.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Tabart asked as he entered the room, interrupting Petrov’s contemplative moment.
“How could you ever leave this place for a far less picturesque home in Canberra?”
“To be the prime minister of Australia, one must make sacrifices.”
“There are some sacrifices that seem too great.”
Tabart laughed as he finger combed the sparse strands of silver across the top of his head.
“It’s also as private of a place as I’ll ever have. Keeps all those nosey photographers out with their zoom lenses, trying to land a picture of me on the front page of some rubbish tabloid.”
“I’m sure Sandra appreciates the ability to get away from the political spotlight.”
“Yes, my wife very much enjoys this place—when she’s not traveling with her business. Quite frankly, I come here more often than I should, and definitely more often than my critics feel is necessary. There’s always some columnist in The Herald yammering on about my gross abdication of responsibility. I used to take those comments seriously, but I’ve learned that my style of governance is more effective when I’m focused on doing what’s best for the people as opposed to trying to appease the rabble-rousers.”
“Speaking of which, have you had time to consider our proposal?”
Tabart gestured toward the couch. “Please, have a seat and let’s talk about it.”
Petrov complied and placed her teacup and saucer on the coffee table in front of her.
“I sense some hesitancy in your voice, no?” Petrov said.
Tabart shrugged. “Hesitancy, uncertainty, fear—call it whatever you like, but there is definitely an uneasiness about introducing this to Parliament.”
“Why not? The Australian dollar has languished behind other currencies when compared to global market. This could be just the opportunity Australia needs to regain influence economically.”
Tabart leaned back in his seat and stared out the window, remaining pensive for a moment before responding.
“I’ve worked hard to keep this country from spiraling into a recession. While the rest of the world was in panic mode, we stayed true to the path set out before us. Build slowly to go fast, as the Americans say. Over there, it’s a meaningless axiom, betrayed by their culture of having everything right now. But under my leadership here, it’s become a mantra embraced by all. There’s not a bloke with a business who doesn’t know that phrase. They teach it in the universities now, business schools have created t-shirts with the saying on it. It’s just everywhere. And then if I were to suddenly announce a shift in our currency?”
Petrov cocked her head to one side. “If you don’t, you’ll be building with worthless material—unless you’re comfortable entering into an isolationist phase here. I know Australia has plenty of natural resources, but you don’t have everything you need here to build a robust infrastructure. And the last thing you want is to be held hostage by a worthless currency.”
Tabart narrowed his eyes. “That sounds vaguely like a threat, Katarina. And how long have we been friends?”
“For many years, Malcolm. However, this is not a threat. It’s a warning of what will happen. Market forces will be out of my hands once the new currency is enacted. For those nations who adopted early, wealth will be built immediately. For those who waited or chose to remain in an antiquated system, fortune will not smile upon them. They will be enslaved by their poor choices due to how the global economy works. You’ll only have yourself to blame.”
“When do you need to know?” he asked.
“As soon as possible. There is a council forming that will help determine the exact date for when and how everything will be enacted. We’re working with private banks and governments from all the countries embracing this change. It’s the way of the future, Malcolm. You don’t want to get left behind.”
He sighed. “I’ll give it some more thought. I’m on holiday next week and I’ll discuss this with some of my aides and solicit their input.”
“That would be wise,” she said. “However, don’t wait too long. I refuse to work with a table that’s overcrowded, especially filled with obstinate people who joined to further their personal agendas. I know you’re not like that, Malcolm. You’re different. You want what’s best for Australia, and deep down you know this is what’s best, even if it might be a painful transition.”
“What you’re saying makes sense, but still there’s—”
“What? An election to consider? Don’t think I won’t be able to help have your political campaign coffers filled should you decide to go along with this idea.”
“I promise you that I will seriously consider this decision and notify you of my intentions as soon as possible.”
Petrov stood up and smoothed out her skirt. “Very well then. I do have one more piece of information to help you make your decision.”
“Oh?”
Petrov walked across the room toward the chair in the corner where she’d placed her briefcase. Tabart followed her closely.
“It’s in here somewhere,” she said, rifling through the bag. “Oh, here it is.”
She collected the folder and handed it to Tabart.
He opened it, and immediately his mouth fell. His right hand trembled while his left hand covered his mouth.
“How dare you?” Tabart said, refusing to look at the pictures anymore as he slapped the folder shut. “I will not be subject to your extortion.”
Petrov shrugged. “It’s not extortion. It’s simply a picture. You are free to infer from it whatever you wish. But I will warn you that your window isn’t as blacked out as you might think. Someone on the beach with the right type of equipment could easily snap photos of you through the window, as you can see right here.”
She flipped open the folder in his hand and peered at one of the photos.
“Must’ve been one of those weekends when Sandra wasn’t here,” Petrov said.
“Get out,” Tabart growled.
Petrov turned toward the door and grabbed the knob before leaving her parting shot.
“One week,” she said. “That’s all you’ve got. After that, I’m going to consider Australia to be a lost cause and share as much with the world. One week.”
She closed the door behind her and walked down the steps toward her car and driver. A faint smile spread across her lips.
Australia? Check.
CHAPTER 9
Portree, Isle of Skye
Scotland
BLUNT STARED WIDE-EYED at the heaping plate of breakfast food in front of him. Bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, black coffee—Blunt found it all to be perfect. He placed his napkin in his lap and picked up his fork, anticipating what he suspected would be a delightful meal.
“How did you do this, Hawk?” Blunt asked as his agent entered the dining room.
“Is this place safe?” Hawk asked. “I remember what happened here last time.”
“Can you answer my question first and then leave? I simply want to savor every bite. It’s been far too long since I had a breakfast like this. If Texas could knight someone . . .”
Blunt picked up the bottle of hot sauce on the table and grinned.
“You thought of everything, didn’t you?”
Hawk forced a smile. “I figured you needed some comfort food, Texas style.”
“It’s perfect.”
“So, what about your security here?”
Blunt shook his head. “Do you ever listen to me? What don’t you understand about the word leave?”
“I heard you loud and clear, but after what happened the last time we were here.”
“Don’t worry. The house has been sold twice since we were last here. Once to an old friend of mine here who The Chamber would never be able to link us together and then to
a shell corporation I created. It’s a non-profit that helps kids. They won’t touch us here.”
“You still didn’t answer my question about the security.”
“It’s been upgraded, state of the art. Now, will you either shut up about all that so I can eat in peace this incredible breakfast you made or go pester someone else?”
Hawk exited the room, where Blunt spent the next ten minutes scarfing down every morsel on the plate. For a few fleeting seconds, he contemplated licking it but decided against it in the off chance that one of the Firestorm team members would walk in and catch him in the act. Ultimately, he didn’t want to endure endless teasing for a momentary pleasure.
“Hawk, I’m done,” Blunt announced loudly.
He stood up and lumbered over to the kitchen sink where he placed his dishes.
“There is no kitchen fairy here,” Alex said, watching him from the doorway. “Those dishes don’t magically float into the dishwasher.”
“That’s not how that works?” Blunt asked with a wink.
“No, it’s not,” Hawk said as he joined them. “And when I’ve made a big meal like I did this morning, I don’t feel like it’s my job to clean everything else up. If you partook of the fruits of my labor, the least you can do is the dishes.”
“My, you’re jumpy today, Hawk,” Blunt said. “I know it’s only eight-thirty in the morning, but do you need a beer?”
Hawk headed straight toward the kitchen table and took a seat. Samuels pulled out the chair next to him and sat down.
“We’re safe here,” Samuels said, giving a reassuring pat on the back to Hawk.
“In this world, we’re never safe,” Hawk said. “There’s always something or someone lurking around the corner. Forgive me for refusing to join in your giant relaxation party, but I’m just anxious to get back out there and put an end to this once and for all.”
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