There was another pause. The admiral could not recall a time when he had been so lost for words.
The millionaire spoke.
“A hundred million dollars.”
This time it was the admiral who stopped in his tracks. Bennett turned to him with a faint smile.
“You’re not the first person to be dumbstruck when I spring a surprise. Believe me, this morning I had no idea that our conversation would wind up like this. So I’m a bit surprised as well.”
“Mr. Bennett … I—”
“All I ask is that you get cracking as soon as you possibly can. As I said before, I can be selfish. I would very much like to see results from your actions before leaving this world. Our politicians, who assume to be ‘statesmen,’ are all insignificant pencil pushers. Every single one is wholly dependent on opinion polls. No good will ever come from them. I want you to count me on your team, even though I shall remain in the background. I see it as my job to keep you solvent, so that you can operate without any financial headaches that, admittedly, could be substantial. Do your stuff—I want to witness the downfall of the crazies!”
The admiral had swallowed and taken a deep breath.
“Please let me thank you on behalf of the team. Your extremely generous contribution will indeed liberate us from financial burdens. Now all we need to do is arrange the methods for the transfer of the funds.”
The admiral told Bennett about his Vaduz account. They agreed that sums of no more than ten to twenty million dollars would periodically be transferred from the Hong Kong branch of one of Bennett’s holding companies, thus largely concealing Bennett’s personal involvement in the transactions. Admiral Stone would then move the funds to another account, thereby obliterating all traces of its origin.
Bennett and the admiral shook hands. The deal was done and all the necessary information was in place. As the admiral turned to leave, Bennett grasped him by the sleeve.
“Hurry, my friend! Show me results while I’m still alive.” He winked.
Anne and Sir Cedric could hardly believe their ears as they listened to the admiral’s report. They were assembled in Sir Cedric’s flat, and when the admiral had finished, there was a moment of shocked silence. Finally Anne spoke up.
“It seems that fate has destined us to succeed. We can now finance anything we need. Patrick, you deserve a medal like no other you have ever been awarded—perhaps we’ll call it the Savior of Mankind Medal?”
The admiral was warmly congratulated and toasted.
“I’ll probably deserve a smaller medal, Anne,” Sir Cedric said. “I have succeeded in recruiting Professor Albert Allier, the irradiation genius. Here’s what happened …” He related his conversation with the professor.
“We should receive the machine at my laboratory any day now,” he concluded.
“Let’s sum up our current situation,” Anne said decisively. “First, I’d like to report that Martin and I met a few days ago and he has agreed to become our Operation Manager. Now let’s take a look at what we have. The only tangible thing at the moment is Gustav Lemke’s fertilizer, and we still need to test it. As we already have an Operations Manager and possibly a team for him to work with in a short while, and we shall soon have a fortune to back our expenses, we can plan this test for very soon. We have Emilio Rosetti’s acoustic-electronic device, which should also be ready for testing before long. And, of course, Professor Allier’s irradiation detonator should arrive any day, according to Sir Cedric. My friend Boulanger is preparing modifications in his satellite to suit our needs, but he’s still waiting for instructions from us. Have I missed anything?”
Sir Cedric chuckled.
“You certainly have, my dear. Have you forgotten that I, too, am carrying out experiments on our behalf? I’m trying to produce a laser beam that will melt metal at a distance. I am also examining the option of increasing the beam’s power and thereby—perhaps—penetrating heavily armored defenses, such as bunkers and maybe even nuclear reactors. Time will tell.”
Anne couldn’t help letting a little giggle escape her lips.
“Gentlemen, we’re about to take off. Fasten your seat belts.” The two men laughed and clapped their hands.
“I suggest,” she continued, “that we invite Martin Cooper to our next meeting. First, you need to be introduced to our new board member. Second, there’s a lot of planning we need to do with him. Things like which vehicles to use and where to conduct the fertilizer test. Third, we want to hear from him how he’s done with his team and if we can make use of his underlings.”
As they were preparing to adjourn the meeting Sir Cedric suddenly snapped his fingers.
“What an idiot I am!” he exclaimed. “This is the second time I’ve remembered someone only now. I should have considered Allier and Hoffman almost in the same thought! Oh dear, I am getting old….”
“What is it, Cedric?” Anne asked. “Who is Hoffman?”
“And I’m supposed to be our link to the scientific world …” he muttered. “Shame on me. Anyhow,” his voice brightened, “Conrad Hoffman lives and works in Vienna, and he was one of my brightest apprentices when I was still building up my career. He dropped a very promising laser research career with me in order to study nanotechnology. Today he is a senior researcher at the Vienna University of Technology. I know nothing about nanotechnology except that it deals with the extreme miniaturization of appliances and devices, and that this industry is expanding very, very rapidly. With your permission, I would like to pick his brains and see if he has anything we could make use of. And if so—to recruit him.”
“Go ahead,” Anne said, and the admiral nodded in agreement.
Internet Newsflash
A number of terrorists were apprehended before they managed to carry out their mission, which was to blow up several car bombs in various civilian locations throughout the UK. They confessed that they were dispatched by Al Qaeda. Among them were citizens of Pakistan, Iraq, Jordan and even a few British-born Muslims. Subsequently, two medical students were also arrested in Glasgow. This proves that Al Qaeda finds its recruits not only—as many believe—among the poor and downtrodden, those who have nothing to lose, but also among the educated and established intelligentsia, who are just as prepared to blow themselves up for ideological motives.
FIFTEEN
Sir Cedric was pleased that Conrad Hoffman could see him at such short notice. He had called him immediately after the last board meeting, and Conrad was delighted to hear from him. He was even happier when Sir Cedric informed him he would be in Vienna shortly. They had set up a luncheon date at a fashionable restaurant opposite the opera house. When they met, there was a lot of hugging and backslapping. Each blamed the other for not keeping in touch, amid jokes and memories of their common past.
The meal was excellent and the conversation seemed to drift naturally to world affairs—Sir Cedric was mildly surprised that his own incentive in that direction was almost nonexistent. In fact, it was Hoffman who peppered the discussion with sarcastic jibes at the international situation. Sir Cedric got a funny feeling that instead of being on a recruiting mission, he was being recruited by Hoffman.
“Just take a look at the American CIA,” Hoffman was saying mockingly. “Have you seen their latest report? ‘There is no danger that Iran is developing nuclear weapons!’ Absolutely asinine!”
It didn’t take Sir Cedric long to go through the recruiting steps. Conrad Hoffman was an easy catch.
“Well,” Sir Cedric said. “I’m certainly very glad that we’re in full accord regarding the necessity for action. Tell me, Conrad, how do you think nanotechnology could advance our cause?”
Hoffman pursed his lips and looked at the ceiling for a whole minute. Sir Cedric waited patiently. Finally, Hoffman straightened up and beckoned the waiter for another cognac.
“Our nanotechnology projects focus mainly on medical issues, and things are mostly still in their research stages. So I don’t think I could be of any help t
here for the near future. However, I was thinking of something else entirely. You may recall that I began my scientific career as a microbiologist.” Sir Cedric had totally forgotten this fact. “I have not given up my own research in that field, and I believe that what I’m working on right now may be of interest to you.”
Sir Cedric was surprised. He had not expected this turn of events.
“Hold on there, Conrad,” he said. “I thought I had explained earlier—we’re not permitting violence or biochemical warfare of any kind. That includes bacteriological weapons.”
“Take it easy, old friend,” Hoffman said. “It’s nothing like that at all. But I need some time to think this out. I’ll call you when I’ve got something tangible for you.”
They hugged each other again as they parted, promising to keep in touch.
SIXTEEN
The exhibition was breathtaking. Anne admitted to herself how fortunate she was to be able to see masterpieces that would usually have required trips to Saint Petersburg, Moscow or New York. For a few months, Parisians would have the privilege of viewing these works of art not far from their homes. She had attended the opening ceremony, and patiently sat through speeches given by the Minister for Cultural Affairs, the Mayor of Paris, the curator of the museum, and other dignitaries. Then, free at last of her obligations of etiquette, she wandered around the museum, gazing with delight at works she was familiar with, but had never thought she would actually stand facing the original.
A Chetverikov bronze sculpture held her attention more than the others. You had to look at it just so in order to appreciate the work put into the three-dimensional figurine. As she stepped backward, she collided with a man standing slightly to her left and behind her.
“Oh, pardon monsieur,” she began, and then her eyes widened. “Mr. Dodson! Fancy meeting you here!”
The man was no less surprised than her.
“Professor Dupré, I’ll be darned!” he cried.
Anne had met Andrew Dodson, the fabulously wealthy American businessman, a few times before, all very briefly, at various international conventions. Each time he had tried to get her alone, and each time he had failed. Not because Anne wished to avoid him—on the contrary, he was not the brash wolf type she was so used to politely reject. And he was also over eighty years old. It just turned out that way—either he or she was always in a rush to be somewhere else. So, save for a few introductory words exchanged hurriedly, they did not have a chance to really get friendly.
Anne was not superstitious. In fact, she was quite the opposite, pooh-poohing all accounts of bad luck omens, and lucky charms. Yet coincidences of the type that were happening to her lately—like meeting Andrew Dodson right now—quite bewildered her.
I’ll think about the mystical side of it later, she thought. Right now, I have another fresh candidate I need to recruit. His money could well be the financial fallback we’ll need if anything goes wrong with Neil Bennett’s support.
They continued visiting the exhibits together. Neither of them, however, had their thoughts on the magnificent works of art they were looking at. They were both intensely interested in each other, although for different reasons. Dodson saw a fascinating woman he had long admired suddenly becoming available, possibly, for deeper acquaintanceship. Anne thought about recruiting him. They meandered through the museum barely mumbling a comment here or there, while regarding a still life or a landscape.
They had finished the exhibition’s course and now stood at the exit gates of the museum. Neither wanted to part with the other and an embarrassing silence ensued. Dodson made an obvious effort and took the initiative.
“Umm, Professor Dupré, I hope you won’t think me too bold, but I wonder if you would care to dine with me this evening.”
Anne blessed him silently. If he had hesitated for one more second she would have broken the ice herself and invited him to dinner.
“That’s very kind of you, Mr. Dodson. I’d be delighted. And please, forget the professor thing—I’m Anne to my friends.”
“Great! And you can call me Andrew.”
As they walked down the museum steps, a large black limousine drew up to the pavement and halted directly in front of them. The chauffeur sprang out and rushed to open the passenger’s door. They got in, Dodson instructed the chauffeur to take them to “dinner—the usual place,” and the limousine edged silently into the traffic.
It would be hard to estimate Andrew Dodson’s age by his looks. He was over six feet tall, well tanned, and exuded health and energy, giving the impression of being twenty years younger than he actually was. As a young soldier in World War II, he fought under General Patton and saw a lot of action he would rather forget. After the war, he tried his hand at anything available—cab driving, laborer, copywriter—until he lit upon the vocation that would become his career: real estate brokerage. It didn’t take long for the bright young man to understand how to read his clients and tune in to their thought processes. He gradually expanded his business, opening more and more branches, first in the US and later all over the planet. By sixty he had made a fortune and had raised a family and grandchildren. Since then he occupied himself with what he liked most—traveling, donating to various enterprises and charities, financing projects around the world, and just enjoying life.
He was a widower for over a decade but found no need to chase skirts. Anne attracted him for her personality and intelligence. He remembered the speech she had delivered on one of the international conferences he had attended—it had scintillated with brilliancies—and how much he had wanted to meet her and know her better. Here was the opportunity he was looking for. He considered himself very lucky.
Over dinner they talked about every imaginable topic, and Dodson confirmed his initial impression that he was in the company of a very remarkable woman. What she lacked in business acumen, she had in vast academic knowledge, of which he knew very little.
“I know what I like,” he said stirring his fruit salad. “That art exhibition appealed to me aesthetically, though I couldn’t tell impressionism from cubism. I suppose my home in New York has trash alongside masterpieces—I just buy what looks nice to me.”
“You know, Andrew,” Anne said, “this is just short of miraculous. Last week I was planning to attend a conference in New York in the fall. And I immediately associated this visit with looking you up and seeing if we couldn’t finally get some time together. You know how we always seem to be out of time when we bump into each other accidentally. Now, suddenly, here you are, and I just happen to be free.”
“Really! How fortunate.” Dodson seemed genuinely pleased.
“There was also something particular I wanted to discuss with you. It concerns international affairs.”
“There was a time when I had lady friends in several countries. I don’t suppose you mean those kinds of affairs, do you?”
Anne grinned.
“I’m sure you could tell many a fascinating tale on that topic. No—I am quite serious. I think we are both aware of the shameful situation that Western democracies are in today. Some of them don’t even have the sense to acknowledge this. The worst threats emanate from dictatorships with power-crazy tyrants at the helm.”
“I’m listening,” Dodson said.
“There are even those who say that if nothing is done about it, then in a year or two, no more than three, we’ll be in the midst of a terrible nuclear war. In the last world war over fifty million people were killed. I believe you witnessed some of this first hand. This time, with nuclear warheads, ‘first strike,’ ‘second strike,’ missile-launching submarines, and all the rest, the estimate runs into the hundreds of millions of casualties.”
“I think I get where you’re heading—you needn’t elaborate any further. You sympathize with ‘those who say.’ In fact, you would like some action. You have not explained to me how exactly you want to act, but I want you to know that even though I am eighty-five years old I am as fit as a fiddle, and I have not fo
rgotten the craft of combat. So if you’re looking for commando operations, let’s say for doing away with those megalomaniacs, I’m your man. Count me in!”
Dodson sounded very determined, and Anne forced herself not to smile.
“Actually, I was thinking of something else,” she said. She got him to swear to secrecy and then unveiled the basic principles of the association’s ideology without mentioning names or revealing too many details.
“Our scientists are coming up with remarkable inventions. What we need now is more financing for the construction and testing of their devices. And we need it now, because if we don’t manage to go into action within a year or two, it’ll be too late. You’ll forgive me for being so bold, but from the little I knew of you in the past, and I know a bit more now, you seemed to be the appropriate person to approach on this topic. I certainly did not visualize you crawling through mine fields with a machine gun, but I was hoping you could undertake to shoulder a lot of our expenses. Was I wrong?”
Dodson emptied his wine glass.
“How much are you talking about?”
“I’m not really sure. There’s a list of things we need to do now and in the immediate future. Owning a small industrial workshop is high on this list. We also need to establish a couple of commercial businesses here and there, buy a few lorries and jeeps, purchase an executive jet—you see, it’s hard for me to estimate the cost of these things, and the need for more stuff will probably crop up in the future. Our operations personnel will need to fly to far-off places, reside there under assumed names, pose as businessmen—I could go on and on.”
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