Robert sat back in his chair. "Feel free to contact your people. But I'm telling you it's going to happen."
Lenox, his dark skin lit by a light to the side, sat in a leather chair. Behind him was a bookshelf, the volumes leather bound with gold lettering. Like a law library. "Is there anything we can do to stop it?" Lenox asked.
Robert smiled. "Of course, but I'm not sure you're going to like it."
Mulberry broke in, "Robert, you can tell us what you propose but this is a decision for the council, a group you are not a member of."
"Of course," Robert said, magnanimous. "I totally understand. I would never deem to tell you what to do."
"So what's your idea?" I asked.
"Easy, we kill Declan," Robert said. "He's become a liability. One that needs immediate disposal."
"What about the footage he has?" I asked. "Of you and me in Costa Rica, what do you know about it?"
"Apparently it's off body cameras from his men. There are lots of angles, lots of ways to see us working together, escaping in your helicopter."
"So, even with Declan dead, what about the footage?"
"Well, obviously Homeland Security does not want this getting out. They would never release the footage. In fact, I'm sure they are doing everything in their power to get it back. Declan is keeping it on his person. On a thumb drive."
"If this is in fact happening," Anita broke in, "Deadline would have a copy. No way would they go live with an interview without having seen the footage in question and obtained their own copy."
"Well, I guess they decided to make an exception," Robert said. "From what I understand Declan insisted. Very few people know about this. They are keeping it very quiet because of the danger." Robert smiled, his expression cruel. "Obviously, they didn't want us or Homeland Security finding out."
"Any other questions?" Mulberry asked.
"I'd like to say something before I go," Robert said. Mulberry nodded. "I understand that you make the decisions for Joyful Justice but since this directly affects me I need you to know that I'm not going to just let it happen. If you want to take care of it, fine, but I already have things in motion to," he paused, looking dead into the camera, "deal with this. My telling you was an act of goodwill. Not a plea for help."
"I always assumed as much," I said.
Robert hung up and Mulberry raised his eyebrows. "Who wants to go first?"
"I don't think it's true," Anita said. "There are too many things that don't make sense. Not having copies of the footage, my sources not hearing even a whisper about it."
"Maybe Robert just wants to kill Declan," Mulberry suggested.
"Then why come to us at all?" I asked. "It's not like he doesn't know how to make someone disappear."
"Why come to us with it if he plans on taking care of it himself?" Mulberry said.
"Courtesy, like he said."
Mulberry shook his head. "Courtesy," he muttered.
Lenox broke in. "The damage is substantial to Homeland Security. Perhaps we should inform them and see if they can get it shut down."
Mulberry nodded. "I could make some phone calls. I know a few people over there."
"I don't know," I said. "Seems to me it implicates you. I mean why would you know about it? You and Declan were never friends. Why would you have that information? If this stuff does come out you are the only other member of this council likely to get linked to Joyful Justice."
"I could let them know," Dan said. "I have a connection."
"Who?" Mulberry asked.
"A friend, he got caught hacking into... well, let's just say that as a part of his plea bargain he has to work for Homeland Security until they tell him otherwise."
"Good," Mulberry said. "You contact him, and Anita, you reach out to your contacts, find out if you can substantiate any of this. Let's reconvene in," he looked down at his watch. "an hour. Sound good to everyone?"
It was agreed and we got off the line. Dan went over to his computer and I grabbed my phone to place a call. Merl stood up, "I'll be back in an hour." His three dogs rose with him. They followed him out the door and I watched them until they disappeared down the spiral staircase while I listened to the phone ring.
"Sydney," Robert said when he picked up. "You want to know about my plan."
"Just so we don't end up stepping on each other's toes," I said. "It would be terrible to have our assassins kill each other instead of the man in question."
Robert laughed. "Yes, that would be a real shame."
"So, is that your plan? Killing him?"
"Sweet and simple."
"When?"
"That I don't know for sure. I have a professional on it. They are on deadline though. And this one doesn't miss deadlines. What is your merry band of revolutionaries doing about it?"
"A number of things."
"Checking out my story."
"Obviously."
"Dan is reaching out to his contact at Homeland Security." I didn't say anything. "Anything else?"
"I'm not at liberty to say."
"Oh come now Sydney, I know your games."
"Sometimes I make moves you don't expect."
He laughed. "Yes, and that's why I enjoy you so much." He paused and I could almost hear him thinking. "Don't try to stop me," he said, his voice low.
"Why would I do that?"
"Some idea about right and wrong."
"That would be some crazy idea," I said.
"Sydney, I don't want to live on the run for the rest of my life. And neither do you. Never showing your face anywhere outside of your little Joyful Justice camps, that's no life for you."
He was right, the idea of never going on another mission made my throat squeeze and my heart pound. Like I was locked in a coffin and could hear clumps of dirt hitting the lid. "I don't want that," I said. "But Declan Doyle is a good man."
"He is a traitor."
"A traitor?"
"Yes, he is betraying his government -"
I cut him off. "I thought the American government was a reflection of its people. And I'm pretty sure this isn't betraying them. This is informing them of their nation breaking sovereignty laws and exposing us for the criminal vigilantes we are."
"I thought you were a revolutionary."
"I know what I am, Robert. And it's nothing noble."
"But surely nothing as petty as a criminal." I heard a voice in the background. "I have to go," Robert said. "We'll talk again soon."
An hour later the Joyful Justice council reconvened. Anita started. "My contact confirmed there is a special episode tomorrow night, it's been on lockdown. Very few people have the details, including my source."
Mulberry frowned. "I guess we can assume that Robert is telling the truth then."
"What reason would he have to lie?" I asked.
"Who knows?" Mulberry said. "You seem to have the most insight into him these days."
I ignored his comment and turned to Dan. "Did you talk to your friend?"
"Yeah, he is looking into it. Hasn't heard anything about that mission, let alone footage leaking."
"Well," I said. "Bobby is moving forward with taking Declan out. I don't think there is anything we can do about it."
"We could warn Declan," Dan suggested.
"I'm sure he knows that his life is in danger," Mulberry said. "And reaching out to him feels foolish."
"I don't know," I said. "If we give him a heads up it might put us in his good graces. Let him know we're not totally without scruples."
"I'm fine with Sydney calling him," Lenox said.
"Oh, I didn't mean that I should call him. Just like an anonymous note. Couldn't you send him something untraceable?" I asked Dan.
He shrugged. "We have no idea where he is. Do you even have an email address for him? I'm not sure I could find a phone number. He must be hiding under some pretty thick cover."
"I think it's better coming from you," Lenox said, addressing me.
"Why?"
"Y
ou're the obsession."
"What do you mean?"
"From what I understand, and correct me if I'm wrong, he's been chasing you for years. Even before Joyful Justice he was convinced you were still alive and had been trying to find you."
"So, why feed that fire?” I said. “Let him get a note. It will have the same effect. Which, I'll admit, I don't think is going to be much. This is the kind of thing that Robert is very good at."
"Killing men who are about to tell his secrets," Mulberry said.
"It sounds like the point is moot anyway, right Dan? How could we even get hold of him?"
"It's possible I could get some kind of contact information from my guy at Homeland Security."
Mulberry spoke. "Dan, why don't you see what kind of contact information you can gather, then we can decide about contacting him." A murmur of agreement rose from the group.
I turned to Anita. "What do you think the impact will be?"
She raised her eyebrows. "Huge. Multi-pronged. There is the issue of your identity, which will change the way you move around in the world. The fact that Joyful Justice is working with Fortress Global is not going to look good for either organization. Also, the missions set to move forward will be more exposed. It will be obvious to anyone paying attention that we waited till after the IPO. It will look like we're manipulating the stock market. Not a popular move."
"Aren't we?" I asked.
Anita's eyes narrowed. "It's not the primary objective. You're the one who wanted to delay."
"I'm not arguing that," I said. "We're doing it for the resources and knowledge that Robert Maxim provides. Not to mention the additional funds."
"Yes, it's a deal with the devil, but a good one."
"Should we move forward earlier?"
"No," Mulberry said. "Everything is in place. It's not safe to change it now."
"Clearly, it would be better for us if this did not air," Lenox said.
"Decidedly yes," Anita said. "Much better."
"I'm not comfortable with killing a good man for our convenience," Dan said.
"None of us are," Anita said. "But convenience may not be the right word here. It jeopardizes everything. It will be very hard to regain trust, to rebuild our brand. It could end Joyful Justice."
"That's a little dramatic don't you think?" I asked.
Mulberry broke in. "How do we know Robert doesn't want this?"
"Why would he want this, his reputation will be destroyed."
"Sure, but he's about to get stinking rich. The guy can fake his own death and go live on a beach somewhere, having destroyed Joyful Justice as his final act."
"And his own company?"
"Not necessarily," Mulberry said, leaning forward. "He could say he was acting alone, that Fortress Global's management didn't know anything about it, which is true."
"He started the company. It will be destroyed if they learn he was working with us,” I said. “It doesn't make sense. I think we just need to sit back and see how this plays out."
Everyone was staring at me, a little surprised. Dan spoke first. "I think that's the first time I've ever heard you suggest that action not be taken."
"Maybe I'm learning," I said.
Merl spoke for the first time. "I agree with Sydney. Warning Declan puts us in danger and will very unlikely be news to him plus, how do we even get a hold of him? The man knows Robert Maxim, he knows his life is in danger. I'm sure he is taking serious precautions. We've agreed that this council does not want to order his murder ourselves. So we wait. Our missions will continue as they would before."
Anita spoke. "What if we lose people because of this? What if some of the members who are going out on these missions balk because of the revelations?"
"That's not going to happen," Merl said. "All the people going out to fight are fighting for their own communities. They came to us, remember? They have more to gain from these missions than we do."
Anita nodded. "I guess you're right. Let's see what happens and then we'll figure out our next move."
With that decided Mulberry moved on to going over the missions for the following day. I listened but there was no role for me in any of them. They'd all been planned before I joined the council. "The live feeds will be running for all the missions," Dan explained. "You've all got your log in information?" The group confirmed they did.
"Is there anything else?" Mulberry asked.
There wasn't and so we got off the line, agreeing to talk after the missions were over. Fortress Global's stock would hit the market at 11:30 pm our time tonight, 9:30 am New York time. With Declan's interview that evening and our missions the next day, it was going to be a busy forty-eight hours.
Mission Impossible
Dan, Merl, and I were in his office again that evening watching as the stock market opened in New York. Robert Maxim rang the opening bell, smiling at the crowd of traders on the floor below him. He looked rested and unconcerned, wearing a tailored suit and green tie. He shook hands with the men around him. All white, all with that same self-satisfied look, Masters of the Universe.
Fortress Global stock started out strong and continued to sell well. After a half hour Merl excused himself and I left with him. Dan stayed up, he was always a night owl, his best ideas coming to him long after the sun set and hours before it rose again. Merl and I walked through the control room. There were a couple people at desks, their faces pale in the blue glow of their screens. The giant screen that stretched along the front wall was dark.
"How is Mo doing?" I asked. "Has she been in contact with her friends?"
"Yes, they all escaped, they are staying in a safe house north of the prison camp. There are no roads to it and they are pretty sure the government is not aware of its existence."
"What are they going to do?"
"They are trying to figure that out now."
"It seems like an intractable problem."
"Yes, like so many others."
We rode in the elevator in silence. Our dogs were at our feet, sitting patiently, watching for our next move.
"Want to run in the morning?" I asked.
Merl smiled. "I would love that."
"Deadline will be on at 10 am. Meet at 8?"
"Perfect." Merl was on the 3rd floor and got off there, turning toward his room, his pace picking up as he headed down the hall. He's excited to see her, I thought.
The doors closed and Blue and I rose to the fifth floor. We walked down to our room. The same one we stayed at a week ago, right next to Dan's. I let us in and turned on the light. I was tired but also felt a nervous energy coursing through me.
I drank a big glass of water and stared out into the dark sea. It was a cloudy night and the sky and ocean were barely distinguishable from each other. The mountainside was just another tone of black. I sat down on the couch and rested my head against the back. Blue hopped up next to me and laid down, placing his head on my lap.
I woke up with the sun just starting to cast its light onto the day. It had not yet risen over the horizon, but the soft gray tones announcing its arrival filled the room. Blue lifted his head when I shifted and stood. He followed me into the bedroom where I peeled off my clothing and climbed under the cool sheets. Closing my eyes I fell right back to sleep.
My phone woke me. "Ready for our run?" Merl asked. The curtains in my room were pulled closed, but a streak of sunlight shot from between them.
"Yeah, give me ten minutes."
I hung up the phone, brushed my teeth, dressed quickly in my jogging clothing, and headed downstairs, Blue tapping his nose against my hip, enthusiastic about the run to come. Merl was waiting for me in the lobby with his three dogs. Their black coats gleamed, sleek and dangerous looking. Merl's hair was tied up into a bun at the back of his head. He wore sweatpants and a tight black T-shirt. His forearms were peppered with bruises, his wrists wrapped in gauze. His eye was looking much better though, the swelling way down, the color fading from deep purple to a serpentine green.
The wind played with Merl's hair, pulling strands of it free from the band that held it in place. I watched his shoulder blades rise and fall as his arms pumped with each step. "It's about thirty miles around so we should turn back once up here," I said. There was a widening of the path in front of us, where a bench was placed against the hillside.
Merl slowed to a walk as we approached it. We did tricep presses on the bench, then pushups, and finally sit-ups, our feet entangled, holding each other in place. Our dogs sat patiently, watching us.
Before returning to the compound we sat on the bench, facing the ocean, sipping water. "There is something I have to tell you," I said. Merl looked over at me. "Sing's granddaughter." Merl's eyes narrowed. "She was killed." His entire body tensed. A vein in his neck bulged. "I'm sorry."
He broke from my gaze and turned back to the sea. "How?" he asked, his voice raspy with emotion.
"She was shot. A sharpshooter. We were on the roof of Sing's building in Shanghai. They must have been waiting for her." Merl nodded. "I'm sorry," I said again.
"So much loss," he said.
"Did you know her well?"
"I only met her once. When I went to Sing's she was there with him. Together they explained to me about what had happened to Mo Ping, how Bai and her friends were trying to help. She led us over the roofs. She thought the CCP was watching the front door." He looked down at the bandages on his wrists for a moment and then back over at me. "I should have called you. Asked for help."
I shook my head. "You didn't know."
"When they hit our car."
"On your way to the tai chi center?"
Shadow Harvest (A Sydney Rye Mystery, #7) Page 20