Surrender (Surrender #1)

by J. G. Sumner

  So many questions raced through his mind. Where did all this money come from? What had his father gotten into? When did he manage to find the time to plant all of the clues, go to London and buy a flat, and come to Geneva and establish a safety deposit box? He didn’t remember his dad being gone for long periods of time. He did recall Tomas taking day trips here and there to meet with prospective clients. Could this have been what he was really doing? Was the business all just a cover-up for something else? How on Earth did his father get his hands on that much money? Sure, business had been good over the years, but the tariffs and taxes for exporting the oil had significantly reduced the amount of profits they received. His family lived a comfortable life, but certainly nothing to this magnitude.

  He gave himself a few more minutes to mourn his family before he called for Berggren. He needed to see what was on the DVDs.

  Berggren answered on the first ring. He had a sense of urgency to his voice when he asked how he could help Tony.

  “Do you have a laptop or some sort of computer I can borrow? My father left me some videos and I’d like to watch them.”

  “Absolutely, sir. Just give me one moment and I’ll be right there.”

  Tony hung up the phone and waited patiently while trying to imagine what could be on the videos. Various scenarios popped in his head. Did his dad have another business? Did he have a secret life? Was he really a day trader in the stock market? Tony chuckled at the thoughts running through his head.

  Berggren returned promptly with a laptop and plugged it into the wall. “We keep this for circumstances such as this. You’d be amazed how many of our customers request the use of a computer. I’ve already entered the password for you to access it. Please, take your time. There’s no hurry.”

  “Thank you,” Tony replied.

  He inserted the disc. Within a minute, the video started playing. His father walked across the screen and shook the hand of someone Tony recognized as being part of the cartel. He watched and listened to the meeting play out. When it ended, he closed the laptop in disbelief. Tomas was working with the cartel. He agreed to sell them some of his pure olive oil knowing full well it was going to be broken down, and repackaged as extra virgin. He then agreed to a five million euro payout. What the hell? What had his father done? Tony got up, clasped his hands behind his head, and paced around the room. For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why Tomas would take the blood money.

  He sat back down and inserted the second disc labeled: Give to authorities. He watched the same video as before except this had extra clips of other meetings of Tomas’s. The video that caught his eye was the one with his brother Paolo in it. They were arguing and Tomas explained to Paolo the only way to capture the bad guys was to become one of them. His plan was to join them and collect enough information to bust their ring. Paolo argued with him to let the authorities handle it and tried to talk Tomas into just helping to test olive oil samples they took from the cartel. His dad refused, saying it was the only way.

  Tony covered his eyes and shook his head. He couldn’t watch anymore. He slammed the laptop shut and paced around the room some more. He pulled his hands through his hair. Was the money set aside in the bank account blood money? How could he live with himself using it? His entire family had been killed for it. Instantly, he loathed his father for what he did. Because of his actions, his family was dead. And now, innocent people were becoming victims.

  He went back to the table and collected all of the box’s contents. As he put the videos back in their cases, he noticed a phone number and name inscribed in the case labeled to give to the authorities. He made a mental note to call the number once he got back to Italy.

  Tony picked up the phone and called for Berggren to escort him out. Within minutes, he was on the road heading back to the factory in Umbria. He left the bank without checking the account; he didn’t care if there was money in or if someone already withdrew the funds. He didn’t want any part of the blood money; his dad had left him enough in the envelope in Rome to last for a while. He didn’t want to touch any more of the money that had killed his family.

  As Tony got back in the rental car, he tucked the envelope under his seat. He didn’t want it visible for anyone to reach if his car was broken into. After what happened to Kate, he couldn’t be too careful. Once Tony crossed the border into Italy, he pulled over and reached for the cell phone he purchased in Florence and dialed the number on the disc case. The number was clearly foreign, but he didn’t know from where. It rang a few times before someone picked up.

  The gruff American voice on the other end of the line identified himself as Agent Thompson.

  Chapter

  Twenty-One

  The number displayed across the screen was an Italian phone number, however nothing but empty silence plagued the line.

  “This is Agent Thompson. Can I help you?” Thompson was quickly becoming inpatient. He was sick of the cat and mouse game he’d been playing over the last several days. Italy was a beautiful country, but he wanted nothing more than to get back to his apartment and into his own bed.

  “I-I’m not sure.”

  “Who am I speaking to?”

  “My name is Massimo Bertalucci.”

  Thompson froze for a second as realization set in. The elusive individual who seemed to hold all the cards was on the phone. He turned to Manchetti, gestured that they got him, and Manchetti rushed to his side.

  “Mr. Bertalucci. What a surprise. Why are you calling today?”

  “I have something you may be interested in.”

  He nodded to Manchetti. This was it—everything was going to work out. “What might that be?”

  “First, I need to know what your relationship was with my father.”

  He paused, waiting for confirmation from Manchetti the call was being traced. “I see. How about we meet to talk about this face to face?”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t do that. I’ve got to be somewhere by four.”

  “Mr. Bertalucci, you’re a hard man to track down. Perhaps we can arrange a meeting at some point in the very near future.” Still waiting for the signal, Thompson was growing impatient.

  Silence. It was as if the line went dead.

  “Mr. Bertalucci?”

  “Yes, I’m still here.”

  He tried to keep his cool, but inside, his heart was racing a hundred miles an hour. He couldn’t screw this up. “A meeting?”

  “My father left me something to give to you.”

  His heart skipped a beat. He hoped it was something that could help indict the cartel. “May I ask what it is?”

  “My dad left a video and gave directions to give it to the authorities. This number was on the case. What was your connection with my dad?”

  Bertalucci’s voice had grown more stern, and Thompson knew he didn’t have long before the man refused to cooperate and would hang up the phone. He had to say something to keep Bertalucci on the line. “Your father and I were working together on a mutual project.”

  “Does this involve the cartel?” Static continued to invade the line.

  “What do you know about the cartel?”

  “I know enough to know my entire family was murdered by them. Did this happen because he was working with you? Are you the one who turned my dad to the wrong side? Are you the reason he sold out his family and began working with them?”

  “I think we need to have that meeting sooner rather than later. Why don’t you bring Ms. Anderson in with you?”

  The line hummed for several seconds before Bertalucci spoke.

  “I can’t.”

  The hair raised on his neck. “Why not?”

  His voice was so solemn. “They have her.”

  This was bad. The muscles in his shoulders and neck tightened, and his hands started shaking. “What do you mean they have her? Who?”

  “I presume the cartel.”

  “Mr. Bertalucci, I need you to tell me where you’re at.”

  There w
as a heavy sigh on the other end of the phone. “How do I know I can trust you? How do I know you weren’t the cause of my family dying in that explosion?”

  “I’m an agent from the United States Food and Drug Administration. Your father sought out my services. For whatever reason, he didn’t trust the local authorities. I’m working with Agent Manchetti with the Guardia to not only make sure you’re safe, but bring down the people who killed your family and wanted to bring down your family business. I also need to make sure Ms. Anderson gets back to the States safely.”

  Bertalucci cleared his throat. “Where can I find you?”

  “Currently, I’m in Rome. I’m across from the embassy. I’d be happy to meet you anywhere.” Silence filled the line like prayer time in a church. “Mr. Bertalucci, you’re wasting time. I need to know where you’re at and we need to find Ms. Anderson immediately. Her life depends on our swift action.”

  Finally, Bertalucci spoke. “I’m next to the Switzerland border.”

  “It’s going to make it much more difficult for me to help you if you cross.”

  “I’ve already crossed and I’m on my way back. I don’t have time to get to Rome. Can we meet in Orvieto at two o’clock?”

  Manchetti nodded at him. “Yes. We’ll be there.”

  “Meet me at the entrance to the caves.”

  He looked to Manchetti for approval and again he nodded. “Okay. Two o’clock at the caves.”

  The silence on the other end of the line was deafening. Bertalucci had hung up.

  “Why do you think he called?”

  Manchetti crossed his arms and placed one hand to his chin. “I think he’s scared. Something must’ve happened with Anderson.”

  “Well obviously, since she’s no longer with him. We’ve got to find her. Any idea where the cartel might keep her?”

  “None. Since the explosion, they’ve been silent. There haven’t been any shipments, deliveries, or anything out of the ordinary.”

  “What about the Bertalucci factory? Is it still being investigated?” Thompson crossed his arms and leaned against the desk.

  “No, the investigation there wrapped up a few days ago. The crime scene tape is still up, but that’s about it.”

  “Any chance I can take a look at it?”

  “Sure, it’s not too far from Orvieto. We can head there before we meet up with Bertalucci.”

  “Great, I need to check in with my superiors at the D.C. office. Let me make a quick call and I’ll be ready to go.”

  As he punched the numbers into his phone, a throbbing pain set in behind his eyes. How was he going to explain this? How was he supposed to tell his boss that Katherine was missing? His hands shook as he held the phone to his ear. He felt like a young boy telling his dad he’d done something wrong. Thompson brushed his free hand through his thick brown hair.

  “Thompson, I was just getting ready to call you. Where’s Katherine Anderson?”

  He cleared his throat. “At this time, her whereabouts are unknown. We’re meeting with Bertalucci in a few hours to gather more information.”

  “In a few hours? She could be dead!”

  He cringed at the sound of glass shattering against a wall. “I’m aware of that. Unfortunately, Bertalucci is on the opposite end of the country from us. We are rendezvousing in the middle.”

  “Her dad received a ransom call this morning.”

  Sweat beaded up on Thompson’s forehead and he swiped it away with the back of his hand. “Jesus.”

  “What’s going on there? I thought the Guardia located her whereabouts.”

  He informed his superior of the progress to this point. He gave as many details as possible. Each time Thompson was berated, the tension in his jaw grew tighter until it felt as though it would snap. When his boss finally finished, Thompson agreed to reconnect after the meeting with Bertalucci. Katherine’s dad had been given seventy-two hours to come up with five-million dollars, and have it wired to an unknown account; he had to find her before the deadline.

  “We’ve got to go.” Thompson grabbed his jacket off the back of a chair. He stormed out of the building with Manchetti in tow. A black car awaited their arrival at the curb and he pulled open the door and jumped in the back seat. He needed to get answers from Bertalucci. If not, Katherine might disappear forever. He couldn’t get to Orvieto fast enough.

  Chapter

  Twenty-Two

  “Wake up, bitch.”

  The heavily accented speech, along with the thwack upside the head, startled Katherine awake. The quick movement of her head only exacerbated the soreness in her shoulders and neck from being tied up for god knows how long. The darkness from the blindfold accentuated the sounds and smells around her. She was ravenous; the distinct aroma of garlic that filled the air caused her stomach to growl. When was the last time she ate? Because of the blindfold, she couldn’t tell if it was day or night. “I brought you food. Are you going to behave if I untie you?”

  She nodded, causing her neck to cramp up.

  The feeling returned to her hands as they were untied and she was able to move them to her lap. Katherine wiggled her fingers and balled her hands into fists to get the blood flowing back through them. Pain surged from her fingertips and up to her elbows. When the blindfold was removed, the light blinded her eyes, forcing them to shut quickly. As she adjusted to the light, Katherine slowly opened her eyes all the way.

  The man handed her a plate filled with various cheeses and meats. Slices of garlic bread surrounded the edges of the plate. Eagerly, she grabbed a chunk of cheese and placed the entire piece into her mouth. Normally, she would’ve tried to savor the food and taste every ingredient used to make the cheese, but this time was different. Before she swallowed, she already had a piece of meat in her hand. Too hungry to even look at the man holding her hostage, she cleared the entire plate, not even leaving a crumb.

  The man chuckled. “I guess you were hungry.”

  She didn’t bother to look up at her captor. She searched the plate for more food—maybe a crumb or a morsel she missed. “How long have I been here?”

  “Ah…I don’t know. Twenty-four hours?”

  “You’ve fed me once in a day and you wonder why I have an appetite?”

  “Have you forgotten your manners? You don’t want to be tied up again so quickly, do you?”

  She finally looked up at the man; he was short and stalky, wore glasses, and had dark hair and a mustache. His jeans were soiled and his gray jacket was zipped up, not exposing anything underneath.

  What she wouldn’t give for a hamburger right now. “Why are you keeping me here?”

  “Your boyfriend has something we want.”

  “He’s not my boyfriend.” A pang of guilt washed over her. Sure, Tony wasn’t her boyfriend, but he was more to her than just a friend. She just didn’t know what.

  “Sure, whatever.”

  “What do you want from Tony?”

  The man let out a sinister laugh. “Let’s just say it’s something that will continue to ensure our freedom—both yours and mine.”

  “How do you know he has it?”

  “If he doesn’t have it yet, he will soon.”

  She swallowed. “What makes you think he’ll give it to you?”

  “You, baby. You’re my lucky charm.” The man forced her chin up with two fingers and he stared into her eyes. “It seems Massimo has taken a liking to a certain young lady. I’m guessing more than he’s willing to admit.”

  “We don’t have that sort of relationship. We’re just friends. We barely know each other.”

  “I’m betting there’s a bit more going on. If not, there’s always plan B.”

  “I see. What’s plan B?”

  “Again, you’re my lucky charm. Massimo hooked up with a very rich man’s daughter. I’m sure Daddy would be willing to pay a handsome penny to get his little girl back.”

  Katherine shivered as a chill worked its way down her spine.

  “What’s wron
g? Does that cat have your tongue? You were so confident before but now you have nothing to say?”

  “That’s enough, Dominick! Go get this young lady some water”

  The short man scurried out of the room leaving Katherine alone with a tall handsome man who was obviously in charge. Despite the man’s good looks, there was something about him the left her uneasy. She admired the custom three-piece suit he was wearing; he was clean shaven with curly brown hair that was a bit longer on top covering part of his forehead. His eyes were an emerald green that reminded her of Tony’s, except they didn’t have the same piercing look to them.

  “How was your food?”

  “It was fine, thank you.”

  “I see you’ve remembered your manners. Keep that up and we might not have to tie you up again.”

  She forced a smile. “May I please use the restroom?”

  “Sure. When Dominick comes back, I’ll have him escort you.” The man had a great smile; his teeth were pearly white as though they had just been polished.

  “I don’t need a personal assistant to go to the bathroom,” she said as she adjusted in her seat.

  “Yes, but we need to make sure you don’t try anything stupid.”

  She laughed. “Like what? Escape? I don’t even know where I am. I’m in a foreign country. Where would I go?”

  “You have a good point. However, I’ve got a lot to gain by you being here, and even more to lose if you disappear.”

  “How much are you trying to get out of my father?”

  The man waved his index finger at her. “Uh, uh, uh. Let’s not get too brash here. You’re walking a very fine line.” His smug look made Katherine want to rip off his face.

  “Please, how much money are you asking for?”