Beyond Control

by Lawrence Verigin

  “What I see is a liberal, tree-hugging, anti science environmentalist, trying to spread fear and misinformation.” Furyk stood. “You and your kind are against any kind of progress. You think mixing science and food is the Devil’s work, that we should leave oil in the ground and all put up windmills. The world isn’t going to end just because it heats up a few degrees, and Naintosa isn’t killing us with their food. Why would any American company do that? It’s absurd. This is America, son, and good, God-fearing people don’t put up with your shit!”

  I didn’t bother taking the bait. “Actually, none of the men behind this are American. Well, Lovemark is now a citizen. Oh, and I didn’t mention Malcolm Carter, Jack’s brother—he has a role in all of this.” Now I knew what kind of person Furyk was. He wasn’t an unbiased, impartial, FBI agent—he would’ve steered our talk in a different direction. With him working on our case, I knew we weren’t going to get any help. At least I’d found out quickly that we were on our own. “Well, it’s good to know how you feel.”

  “Opinions aside …” His head was now turning pink and wrinkles relaxing. “If we find any wrongdoing, there will be justice … on both sides.”

  He hadn’t responded to my reference to Malcolm or my comments about the others not being American. “Are we done?”

  He pulled a card from his inside suit jacket pocket and handed it to me. “I want you to inform me of your movements at all times—where you go and who you see.”

  Great, another officer who was going to be disappointed when I didn’t report in to him.

  INTERLOGUE 5

  Davis sat at his desk, deep in thought. The ever-present pine scent from the air freshener wasn’t relaxing him as it was meant to. Being at the top of San Francisco’s Transamerica Pyramid, Global Mark Communications US Media’s head office was in the clouds or sometimes above them. Davis didn’t often bother to notice the view of the city below, or of the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. Today, at least, his gaze was pointed toward the floor-to-ceiling window on the west side of his large office.

  Davis had needed to become more personally involved as of late in all aspects of his business interests. There was union unrest at two of his major presses. The war in Iraq wasn’t going to be won as easily as Bush and his buddies thought. Too many reporters were trying to skirt the direction of the news Davis demanded. Thank goodness his wife and daughters were all happy and content—one less distraction.

  Russell Norman, his second in command, had just broken his leg in a late-season skiing accident in Whistler. He’d been trying to keep up with his new twenty-three-year-old mistress—the idiot. Davis had wanted Russell, in the interim, to oversee operations of the genetically engineered food, pesticides, and cancer drugs. Pharmalin and Naintosa were not Davis’s companies, yet Russell could’ve relieved Hendrick on the business side; surely there wouldn’t have been objections to that.

  Davis had heard that young Hendrick was on his way to the lab and planned on working from there for the foreseeable future. Hendrick himself hadn’t been communicating with Davis or Carlo much in the past few weeks. Their last conversation had ended with Hendrick telling him to back off, that he was going to prove to them he knew what he was doing. That’s why Davis needed someone to watch over Hendrick. That and the obvious fact that Hendrick was ordering hits on people without consulting with anyone. The assassinations and attempts were drawing far more attention to all of them and could hurt the execution of their plan.

  A sharp pain came from Davis’s abdominal area, and he winced, placing his hand on his stomach, which seemed distended. He’d felt the pain on and off for months, and now it was happening more frequently and increasing in severity. He hated having his doctor come to see him except socially, but maybe it was time to check whether anything was wrong.

  The sudden change in the light of the room distracted him from his many thoughts. A cloud was passing right in front of the window, blocking the sun’s rays.

  One of the large double mahogany doors opened, and his latest secretary entered, carrying a tray with tea and an afternoon snack. She’d only started two weeks ago. Davis was going through a big-breast phase, and she fit the bill.

  The secretary placed the tray on his glass-topped desk, giving him a view of her assets as she bent forward. He couldn’t remember her name … no matter. He called her “Tits” to everyone but her.

  “Can I get you anything else?” She parted her plump, bright-red lips to form a smile and show her perfect white teeth.

  The private secure line that sat on the desk rang.

  Davis ushered her away with a flip of his hand but waited to get a peek at her round butt under the tight skirt as she departed before picking up the receiver.

  “Davis, it’s Carlo. Is this a good time?”

  “I’ve been expecting your call.”

  “I’m on my way to London and then Dallas tomorrow. I thought we should talk before the funeral.”

  “Let’s have dinner after the funeral.”

  “Sure, but we may not be alone, so let’s catch up now.”

  “Fair enough.” Davis leaned back in his black leather and chrome swivel chair. “Have you spoken with Jacques again?”

  “Yes,” Carlo’s voice was strained. “He’s very frustrated and wants to pursue Hendrick for giving Bail the order to kill Jack.”

  “But like Jacques told us, the bug is illegal.”

  “He wants to investigate, to see if he could find any legal evidence that it was Hendrick behind it,” Carlo said. “Why else would Hendrick have had Bail found and contacted shortly before Jack’s murder?”

  “We can’t risk the public exposure, even if I black out my media from covering an investigation,” Davis said. “More people than just Barnes’s group will put two and two together. If we want to do something about Hendrick, we have to do it internally.”

  “That’s basically what I told Jacques, but you know he’s an officer of the law through and through. He’s having difficulty leaving it in our hands.” Carlo cleared his throat. “And maybe we need to get control of Hendrick instead of just thinking about it. Look at what he’s done in such a short period of time, and he hasn’t even started managing Naintosa and Pharmalin yet.”

  “I agree. We’ll have to figure out what to do. Let’s make sure we put some time aside in Dallas to talk privately.” The conversation wasn’t helping with Davis’s abdominal pain. “What about the attack at Burford? Was it, for sure, Hendrick’s doing as well?”

  “As you know, none of this is a hundred percent certain.” Carlo’s voice faded for a second, then came back strong. “According to Jacques, the man who was shot in Burford by Badowski is not known to Interpol. There were, from the looks of it, two more men on the property, but no evidence as to their identity. The security-camera footage shows them in masks with no close-enough angles to see any features. It was a targeted hit, but not an efficient one.”

  “Who was watching the estate at the time?”

  “Naintosa security, I assume.”

  “Uh-huh.” Davis scratched his birthmark. “Currently not credible.”

  “Agreed.”

  Carlo sighed. “What else? Has your man established contact with Barnes and the others in Dallas?”

  “He has two of his men doing it; he said he gave them orders to scare and cause uncertainty in Barnes.”

  “Good.”

  “Things have changed now that Jack is dead,” Davis said. “This could be the breaking point for Barnes and his group.”

  “Yes, no more resources and money,” Carlo said. “I doubt the muscle would stay on without getting paid.”

  “Especially with two out of commission already.”

  “Let’s hope,” Carlo said. “Anything else?”

  “Tom Crane has begun the takeover of Moile R&D.” Davis sat up straighter, having trouble ignoring the pain that persisted.

  “Malcolm will make sure the sale happens.”

  CHAPTER 16


  Jorge and Lorraine were helping Lee sit up in his hospital bed with an extra pillow at his back.

  Lieutenant Furyk hadn’t followed me into the room, and I didn’t bother acknowledge him leaving.

  Ivan was standing beside Rose, who was seated and still looking concerned.

  Sue came in and closed the door. “What a bitch.”

  “Yeah, mine was a confrontation,” I said. “That was the FBI, for Christ’s sake. Granted, I was trying to control the conversation, but what happened to professionalism?”

  “That seems to be the tactic they are using,” Ivan said. “They want to scare us and hope we disband.”

  Jorge put his finger to his lips. “Bugged?”

  “No offense, Jorge, but I don’t give a fuck anymore. I’ve had it.” Knowing that Ivan and Sue had similar conversations pissed me off even more. I took a deep breath—I had to control my emotions.

  Jorge and Lorraine glanced at each other, and I could almost see smiles cross their lips. I’d expected Jorge to be concerned about my comment, not approve.

  “They figure since Jack is dead …” From the look in Lee’s eyes, I could tell he was going to feel responsible for a long time, probably the rest of his life. “We’re done.”

  I forced myself to calm down. My focus went from Lee, to Jorge, and then to Lorraine. “Technically, you all worked for Jack. Now that’s over, so you’re free to go at any time. You’re not getting paid anymore.”

  Jorge reached toward the table near him, where he clicked on a clock radio and turned a dial to the right. Country music hissed and rasped out of the small black box. “If you won’t listen to me about the bug, this will help.”

  We all huddled around Lee’s bed.

  “What are everyone’s thoughts going forward?” Lee asked.

  “I’m continuing,” I strained to whisper. “But that doesn’t mean anyone else has to.”

  “Count me in,” Sue said.

  “What about the financing?” Ivan said. “I am fine, and with the Council’s help will be continuing. However, we do not expect you, Rose, Jorge, Lorraine, and Lee to do the same.”

  “Fuck that.” Lee’s tone was higher than a whisper. “I’m helping as soon as I’m able. Jack would be even more pissed at me if I stopped. You’re going to need protection now more than ever.”

  I was happy to hear Lee wasn’t quitting. “I’ll use my own money. Jack was very generous in paying all the expenses until now and gave me more than needed for any work I did for him.”

  “Jack recently updated his will, and everyone in this room has been taken care of,” Lee said. “Not sure how long it’ll take to be executed and if it’ll be contested, so in the meantime there are two operating accounts I have access to that can’t be frozen. There’s plenty in them, and that’s what Jack intended them for.”

  Jorge jabbed Lee in the shoulder. “You’re the one who needs protecting right now.” Then he looked at Sue and me. “You two couldn’t survive a minute without me. So count me in.”

  “I really respect what you’re doing.” Lorraine’s shoulders went back, and she stood straight. “It’s not about the money; it’s about helping to do the right thing, and even if my role is only security, I’m happy to play my part.”

  Even though I’d said that I’d understand if anyone didn’t want to continue, I sure was happy with their responses. “Everyone has many roles. We’re a team, and I’m so grateful we’re moving forward.”

  Rose cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, I can’t.”

  Ivan looked down at her and squeezed her hand. “We understand.”

  “I’m just a cook,” Rose said. “I’m too old and not built for this running around.”

  “You’re tougher than you think,” Sue said.

  There were tears in her eyes. “I’m truly sorry, but this is too much for me.”

  “It’s okay, Rose.” I was going to miss her mothering and fussing.

  “How about this,” Ivan said. “Once things stabilize and we are safe, hopefully in a place like Oslo, we will send for you?”

  “That sounds fine.” Rose perked up. “Maybe I just need to go to Savannah to see my children and grandchildren for a spell.”

  Ivan brushed his hand across her cheek and gave a sympathetic smile.

  “Okay, it’s settled,” Lee said. “The money in the accounts will cover all our expenses. But it’s not a limitless reserve, so we need it to last for who knows how long until the will is divvied up.”

  “We should consider pooling the money Jack left us too,” Ivan said. “When the time comes.”

  Lee adjusted in the bed. “Jack had more money than anyone thought. Other than his son and daughter, there’s no one else he wanted to give it to. He didn’t want either of his brothers to get any; they have more than enough already. So his kids will get half the money and the property. That leaves a good chunk for all of us.”

  “How big is a chunk?” Sue asked.

  “Tens of millions, each.”

  Everyone’s eyes lit up.

  What. “Each?” Holy shit!

  “What a generous man,” Jorge said.

  “I wish I could thank him.” Softness showed in Lorraine’s tough exterior.

  “Yeah, I wish I could give him a really big hug right now.” Sue was getting emotional.

  “Dear God,” Rose said.

  “O Bozhe.” Ivan repeated Rose’s words in Russian.

  I missed Jack more than ever in that moment. I knew everyone else felt the same—it wasn’t the actual money; it was the thought behind it. His reasoning was to make sure we could continue to expose the population control plan with whatever resources we needed.

  Everyone took a moment.

  I let out a deep breath. “Okay, let’s plan.”

  “We will place Rose on a plane to Savannah after the funeral,” Ivan said.

  Rose looked grateful.

  “Everyone should come with me to get the security devices at my home,” Jorge said. “I now don’t feel it is as safe here.”

  “I will stay with Lee,” Lorraine said. “He’s too vulnerable in his incapacitated state.”

  Jorge nodded. “We will keep Lee company in shifts.”

  Lee looked put out that somebody had to protect him but didn’t protest.

  “After the funeral tomorrow, we have to figure out a way to disappear from anyone who’s watching us.” I tried to whisper even quieter. “I assume our next destination is the lab in Colombia now?”

  “Yes, we need to get to our informant,” Ivan said.

  “I’ll stay with Lee until he is fit enough to travel,” Lorraine said. “Then we can meet up with you.”

  “We can look after Jack’s estate while we’re here,” Lee said.

  “Jorge, contact Eugene, explain what’s going on, and see if he and Sam still want to participate,” I said. “They can meet up with us as soon as Sam is able.”

  Jorge nodded. “I’ll handle it.”

  “We just have to figure out how to disappear and get to the lab,” Sue said.

  “That will be the challenge,” Ivan said.

  “We’ll pull it off somehow,” Jorge said. “I have connections here in Dallas and in Colombia.”

  “Okay, let’s go,” I said. “Lorraine, when you check with your friends at the FBI, ask if they know a Lieutenant Furyk and Stenson.”

  Lorraine gave me a thumbs-up.

  “I think I should stay here too,” Rose said. “I don’t feel right about going outside again.”

  “I’d rather we stay together as much as possible.” Jorge was opening the door to the room. “Lorraine doesn’t have protection yet … not that she needs a weapon.”

  Rose remained seated and looked up at Ivan, pleading, still holding his hand.

  Ivan nodded. “I will stay here as well. It will be okay.”

  Jorge exhaled. “Fine, I’ll go alone.”

  Sue was already at the door. “Nick and I will go with you.”

  That’s wh
at happened when you had a group of strong-willed people. “Separating in half for a short time is okay.” I wanted to see what Jorge’s place looked like and what protection he was referring to.

  We took the long walk back to the parking garage with no apparent followers. Yet a block after we left the hospital, the two cars from before fell in line—the Chevy three vehicles behind us and the Ford two vehicles behind it.

  Sue and I had taken our posts in the very back seat and were watching the cars.

  We drove along a freeway; on either side the grass was dry and brown. After around ten miles, we exited into a residential area. A few blocks farther, we turned into a complex that had three medium-rise relatively new buildings, all the suites having balconies and the grounds well maintained.

  I’d pictured Jorge living someplace different from this middle-class, sanitized neighborhood—somewhere tougher.

  We pulled up to a gate that led us to the secure, underground parking of the middle building.

  The Chevy parked just past the driveway and the Ford carried on.

  Sue turned forward in the seat. “Do they think we’re stupid enough not to notice them following us?”

  “The Chevy isn’t trying to hide,” I said. “The Ford, maybe, and I doubt they’re together.”

  “I agree.” Jorge used a fob on his keychain to open the garage gate.

  Once inside we waited for the timed door to close so no one could enter behind us. Then we proceeded to an empty parking spot next to a navy-blue Ford F150 pickup that looked brand new.

  “Is that your truck?” I asked.

  “Yes, I have two parking spots.” Jorge was cautious when backing in.

  We took the elevator to the top, the eighth floor. The concrete building had to be less than five years old.

  Jorge unlocked the door to his suite and let us in.

  The inside of the condo was of good quality and sparsely furnished. There was a bathroom just to the right of the entryway and a kitchen with granite countertops. Beyond the kitchen island was a dark-stained, wood dining room table with nothing on it. The open floorplan continued to a dark-brown couch and a glass coffee table, situated across from a TV. Patio doors opened onto a sizable but empty balcony. The light-brown walls were bare. Looking closer I could see a film of dust everywhere.