Their complacency will fade once they face death and destruction on their home ground. They will come to face the horrors of the real world from which they have been sheltered so long.
TREVANIAN: Would you not be prepared to negotiate a peaceful settlement? Is there no other solution than violence?
BIN LADEN: There can be no negotiation. The Americans and their Allies want to control oil in Asia and the Middle East to fuel their industrial-military complex and their insatiable penchant for automobiles and vast consumer goods. Only by bringing the faith of Islam across the world can we bring people to the true paradise of Allah.
Trevanian’s interview with bin Laden continued for over an hour. He posed tough questions and the Imam answered them unflinchingly.
Trevanian was struck by the stark contrast of this man. He was obviously cultured, highly educated and erudite in his comments. The other side of him was a terrorist leader advocating death and destruction on an extreme level. He displayed no signs of emotion or remorse for the havoc created.
While much of what bin Laden said was anathema to Trevanian and sometimes appeared to be the ravings of a lunatic, there was no doubting his dedication and commitment to his beliefs and his cause.
The digital recorder continued to run and capture translated comments from the al-Qaida leader. It was great stuff. It was a powerful interview. It was one of the best that Trevanian had ever been given in his career.
Trevanian knew the interview would generate coverage by media around the world. This was the first sit down, in-depth interview with bin Laden since the events of September 11, 2001.
Suddenly bin Laden stopped talking. He raised his right hand as if telling Trevanian to stop. He turned to his translator and spoke a few words.
“The interview is now terminated, Mr. Trevanian,” said Al-Ghazi. “The Imam has nothing more to add. He is tired and needs rest. He says you should rest and then you must leave to get this story out to the world. He expects you to report his comments fairly and accurately.”
“Thank the Imam for giving me the privilege of this interview. I am sure his views will generate interest and debate all over the world. But I cannot take time to rest. I need to get to a place where I can file this interview as soon as possible,” said Trevanian.
“That will be arranged,” replied Al-Ghazi.
As the two men spoke, bin Laden arose from his seat and left the room followed silently by his bodyguards.
Chapter 30
Daily Express Newsroom 12:55 PM
KATIE CANNON headed back to her desk and was surprised to see three police officers waiting there.
Detective Sergeant Peter Moon stood beside her desk along with another detective and a uniformed cop.
“Well, gentlemen, to what do I owe this honor? I hope you haven’t come to arrest me. I do plan to pay those parking tickets eventually.” Cannon smiled to cover the uncertainty she felt about their presence. “What’s up Peter?”
“Hi, Katie. Don’t worry we didn’t come for you. Although I wish you would let us give you some protection. We’ve traced that latest e-mail from the Wolfman and the previous ones that were sent.”
“Where did they come from?”
Moon’s reply stunned Cannon. She couldn’t believe it.
“All the e-mails were sent from your own newspaper – the Daily Express!”
Chapter 31
Antonio’s Restaurant 1 PM
LUIGI, the maître d’, effusively greeted Andrew Chase at the entrance to the harbor front Italian restaurant.
“Mr. Chase, it is so nice to see you again. It has been quite some time since we have had the pleasure of your company.”
“Thank you, Luigi. Yes, I’m afraid it has been too long. But I’ve been very busy. Little to time to eat out lately, I’m afraid.”
“Ah, Mr. Chase. Life is too short. Good food is the very essence of our being. One must make time for the finer things in life.”
“Right you are, Luigi. I am meeting someone here for lunch today.”
“Yes, Miss Carpenter is waiting for you. She is at your favorite table with the lake view. So very romantic, yes?”
“Thank you, Luigi. But this is a business appointment.”
“If you say so,” said Luigi, eyes sparkling and giving off vibes that he didn’t believe it for a minute.
He escorted Chase to the table. It was next to a large panoramic window that gave a stunning view of the harbour and the lake beyond. It was a bright, sunny day. Hundreds of private yachts and sailboats dotted the shimmering, bright blue waters of Lake Ontario.
But that wasn’t the only stunning view.
Ashley Carpenter sat at the table nursing a martini. She was breathtakingly beautiful. Long golden tresses rested on her shoulders with bangs covering her forehead. She had a face of sculpted Grecian beauty with alabaster skin and a thin, petite nose.
She wore a black dress that looked like it was a Christian Dior or Versace. Ashley only dressed in high fashion. She would only be seen in the very best. A small diamond necklace and matching earrings completed the portrait.
It had been several months since Chase last saw Ashley. She was still as beautiful as ever. If there were a goddess on earth, Ashley Carpenter would fit the bill. Chase began to wonder how he could he have let her get away.
“Hello, Ashley,” he said. “It’s been a while. You are looking as gorgeous as ever.”
“Why thank you, Andrew. You are not looking too shabby yourself despite that awful newspaper business you inhabit.” Carpenter stared directly into Chase’s blue eyes.
Andrew sat opposite Ashley and ordered a Heineken. Ashley sipped on her martini while simply gazing at Andrew with her limpid emerald green eyes. He found her gaze a bit unnerving after all this time.
“So, to what do I owe this pleasure?” said Chase, deciding to break the ice and make the first move.
“Well, Andrew I’ve been giving a great deal of thought lately to our previous relationship. I believe I may have been too hasty in abandoning ship so abruptly.”
“Why? Didn’t things work out too well with Mr. Art Dealer?” Chase couldn’t help but display a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
“No, we stopped seeing each other a couple of months ago. He was so self-absorbed and nowhere near the man that you are Andrew. Frankly, I found the art scene somewhat boring.”
Chase found her comments somewhat ironic given Ashley’s own penchant for selfishness.
Luigi reappeared to take their lunch orders. Ashley asked for an asparagus soup and salad combo, while Andrew ordered a seafood tortellini dish.
Ashley leaned forward over the table, taking Andrew’s hands into her own. “I was thinking, darling that perhaps we should get together and give it another try. What do you think?”
“Well, Ashley, the problem is that I’m involved with someone else now. What we had was very special at the time, but it’s all in the past. I doubt that we could revive those feelings again even if we wanted to try.”
“Who is it, Andrew? Anyone I would know?”
“No, Ashley. She doesn’t travel in your social circles and isn’t anywhere close to your income bracket.”
“Sounds like she’s some cheap floozy you’re fucking. Andrew, I thought you had more class than that. A man of your social stature needs a woman of substance and social breeding in his life. Behind every successful man, lies a good woman after all.”
“She may not be wealthy or a socialite, Ashley, but she’s no floozy as you so tactlessly put it. She means a lot to me and I hope she feels the same way.”
“Oh, Andrew get serious and grow up. You sound like a love-struck schoolboy. The sex with me was great wasn’t it? You can have that and much more.” She reached under table and began massaging his inner thigh.
“What do you mean?
“I want to re-establish our relationship. In fact, Andrew, I want you to marry me.”
Chapter 32
Daily Express Newsroom 1:10
PM
KATIE CANNON couldn’t believe what she had been told.
The police said they traced the Wolfman’s e-mails from the Daily Express. Even worse, they originated from one source – the computer of Thomas Philpott, the paper’s librarian and researcher.
Certainly Philpott was a strange character and somewhat of a loner. But Cannon found it hard to believe he could be the Wolfman and commit these horrendous deeds.
“We need to talk to Philpott right away,” said Detective Sergeant Peter Moon. “It’s the strongest lead we have so far. Do you know much about him, Katie?”
“Not really, Peter. He’s pretty odd and keeps to himself mainly at the paper. He doesn’t socialize much with others. But he’s an excellent researcher and librarian who can ferret out the most obscure background facts when we need them for stories.”
“Yeah, but from your description he sounds like a poster boy for your typical serial killer – a loner, anti-social and odd or eccentric behavior.”
“That may be true Peter, but I doubt he would have the physical strength to commit these killings. I also suspect he’s gay, so that would rather rule out raping and killing these women.”
“Perhaps. But you don’t know that for sure. We need to talk to him and check out his computer.”
“Fine, I’ll take you down to his office on the next floor.”
When Katie and the three police officers entered the library, they found a large room stacked almost to the ceiling with books, journals and newspapers. There were several monitors on tables in the room.
Philpott was busy at his desk in his small office. He came out into the larger room.
“Yes, May I help you? Miss Cannon, what is going on here? Why are the police here?” Philpott appeared startled and somewhat frightened by this entourage that had entered his inner sanctum.
Katie spoke in a soothing voice. “Now, Thomas, take it easy. These gentlemen need to talk to you as part of their investigation.”
“Investigation of what? I’ve done nothing wrong.” Philpott nervously looked from Katie to the police officers. He appeared to be trembling from fright.
“Then you have nothing to fear, sir,” said Moon. “We are investigating the Wolfman murders and it appears he has sent some e-mail messages to Miss Cannon from your computer. How do you explain that?”
Philpott exhibited a horrified look on his face. “Surely, that can’t be. There must be some mistake.”
“I’m afraid not, Mr. Philpott. Our techies have been working hard to trace these e-mails and they definitely came from your computer. The latest one was just sent early this morning.”
“Well, it certainly wasn’t me,” said Philpott. “I haven’t sent any emails today to Miss Cannon.”
“If you don’t mind, sir, we need to take a look at your computer. Detective Brian Savage here will just be a few moments.”
Savage sat down in front of the computer. He scanned Philpott’s outbox.
After several minutes, Savage said: “Yup. They are all here. The one sent this morning at 7:03 a.m. and the six previous messages. All were sent early mornings.”
“I don’t do early mornings,” sniffed Philpott. “I’m usually not here until at least 9 a.m. and I generally leave about 6 p.m. It must have been somebody else who used my computer. I certainly didn’t send any of those messages.”
“Who else would have access to your computer?” inquired Moon.
“Virtually anyone who works at the paper. The library is open all night in case reporters need to use the monitors to access files. I don’t usually lock my office since there is little of value kept there. Anyone who works here could have come in and used it. If I was going to do such a thing, would I be stupid enough to use my own computer?”
“Many people aren’t aware their e-mails can be traced. Anyway, you’d be surprised at some of the dumb mistakes criminals often make. Thank God, they do because it makes our job easier catching them.”
Katie piped up. “Peter, he has a point. We all have access to this area at any time of the night.”
“But that still means the Wolfman is an employee of this newspaper. Not just anyone can come in off the street and use these facilities.”
“My God, I find it hard to believe it is someone at the paper,” said Katie. “It’s rather a scary thought.”
Moon looked Philpott straight in the eye. “I’m still afraid we have to ask you to accompany us to headquarters for further inquiries, Mr. Philpott. We will also need to check out your apartment and any home computer you have.”
Philpott had recovered from his initial shock and nervousness. His attitude was now more defiant. “This is an outrage and a gross invasion of my privacy. I hope you have a warrant, detective.”
“Right here, sir. We come prepared.” Moon reached into his inside jacket pocket and waved the legal document before Philpott’s startled eyes.
Chapter 33
Antonio’s Restaurant 1:30 PM
LUIGI BROUGHT their food, but suddenly Chase had lost his appetite.
Ashley’s marriage proposal totally knocked him for a loop. It came out of nowhere, just as she had. Showing up like this after she abruptly ended their relationship eight months ago.
Does she think we can just pick up where we left off? That everything that happened between them is just water under the bridge she burned?
“I must say you are always full of surprises, Ashley. We haven’t seen or talked to each other for almost a year and now you suddenly want to get married,” said Chase starting to pick at his tortellini.
“Well, darling it isn’t as if we don’t know each other very well. I’ve come to realize what a catch you really are. Let’s face it; socially and income-wise we are perfectly suited for one another. You must admit the sex wasn’t bad either.”
“I can’t deny that, Ashley. But a relationship and marriage can’t be based on just sex. What makes you think a relationship between us would work any better this time?”
“Because I’m a little older and a lot smarter. I’ve dated other men but quite frankly there are few fish in the sea out there that come up to your standards. I’ve come to realize, Andrew that we truly belong together. Daddy also likes you and feels you would be the perfect husband for me. Time is also marching on, Andrew and I would like to have a child.”
“Whoa, hold on there, Ashley. First you talk marriage and now children. Pretty heavy stuff for our first meeting. I like your father too, but I wouldn’t be marrying him. I just don’t think this is very realistic now. As I mentioned, I’m already involved with someone else.”
“Oh come on, Andrew. That relationship can’t have any future. Whoever you’re currently schtupping can’t possibly be a good candidate to become your wife in the social circles we travel in.” Ashley calmly forked some lettuce into her mouth as she talked.
Chase picked up his beer and took a sip. “Well perhaps you’d better let me be judge of that.”
“Besides, Andrew. You need to start thinking with more than that dick of yours. Our marriage would have other benefits for you with the dowry my father would pay.”
“Dowry. Whatever on earth are you talking about, Ashley. You make it sound like an arranged marriage.”
Ashley smiled coyly at Chase. “Well, Andrew, it’s no secret around town that you have serious financial troubles with that newspaper toy of yours. I hear you’re shopping around for a cash infusion to keep things afloat or you’ll be forced to sell. I also happen to know the banks won’t extend you any more credit.”
“I don’t know where you’re getting these rumors from. But they’re just that, rumors. There is no truth to them.” Chase continued to eat trying to pretend nothing was amiss.
“That’s not what I or Daddy hear and we have some pretty good connections in the financial world, as you know.”
“So what, my financial affairs are no concern of yours or your father.”
“Ah, but you’re wrong, Andrew. Daddy and I want to see
you do well. He believes you are making progress with that newspaper of yours and a fresh investment could help you turn the corner. Would $40 million help?
“$40 million! Your father would be willing to invest $40 million in the Daily Express? Why?” Chase almost choked on a piece of tortellini at this news.
“Of course. He wants to see me happy. He feels we would make an ideal couple. He wants to be a grandfather. This is a small price for him to pay. He believes it would be a good long-term investment for our family.”
“And what do I get out of this?”
“That’s the wonderful part, darling. You get to continue to play with that newspaper of yours, plus you also get the added bonus of me – as your wife!”
Chapter 34
Braden Young’s Office 2:05 PM
CORRUPTION. KICKBACKS. Scandal.
These provide all the ingredients for a juicy front-page story.
And it was all there in Braden Young’s hands as he read the investigative piece by the paper’s young rookie reporter Donna-Marie Pierce.
Pierce sat across from his desk as he read the copy. She was in her mid-20s, a statuesque beauty with fine ebony skin. Originally from Montego Bay, Jamaica, Pierce had studied at Northwestern University in Chicago. Like many reporters, she started her career in campus journalism and worked on a couple of small dailies in Illinois before joining the Daily Express.
She had been hired as part of the paper’s campaign to hire more racially mixed reporters to reflect the city’s growing ethnic diversity. But Pierce was much more than a beauty queen and affirmative action hire.
Pierce was a talented reporter and writer, a bit green around the edges, but one who showed great potential for development into a first-class journalist.
Young had been very impressed at her clippings file and her job interview. He had no qualms about offering her a position as a junior reporter.
“Quite the story you have here, Miss Pierce. It will blow City Hall wide open. You’re accusing Mayor Dandridge of taking $500,000 in kickbacks and Councillors West and Daniels of receiving $150,000 each from Tridon Developments to support the $34-million harbor front condo project.”
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