by Allan Topol
“Used and manipulated me, are the words you’d like to use if you weren’t respectful of my office.”
“Something like that.”
Worth looked into Craig’s eyes. “By way of explanation, let me say this. I’ve studied your background and everything you’ve done for our country. In my opinion, you are among the most loyal and patriotic Americans this country has ever produced. I felt as if I could give you any assignment in our national interest and you would do it. That’s what I did here.”
* * *
Craig left the White House grounds through the west gate. He walked to 17th Street where Elizabeth was waiting behind the wheel of a car. He had wanted her to come with him to his meeting with Worth but she had refused. “This is your show,” she had told him.
As he climbed into the car, she pulled away from the curb.
“Do you need directions?” he asked.
“I’ve only been there once. It’s not a place I’ll ever forget.”
She headed toward the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge to cross into Virginia.
“How did it go with Worth?” she asked.
“He used me. It was all a set up. Worth and Mei Ling orchestrated Zhou’s death.”
He was astounded that she didn’t respond. “Well, aren’t you surprised?”
“No. It’s what I thought.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t figure it out until after you left me in the hotel in Ascona. Calling would have put you even more at risk if Zhou picked up the call, and besides there was nothing you could do about it.”
They were crossing the bridge. “How did you figure it out and I didn’t?”
“When I was in Beijing, Mei Ling spoke to me about her relationship with Worth. That was the piece you didn’t have.”
They rode in silence for another half hour. Finally, Elizabeth pulled into the entrance to the cemetery.
She drove slowly on the winding roads until she reached Francesca’s grave.
Then she parked and they both got out. Craig, mourning for the daughter whom the Zhous had murdered, his only child. Elizabeth, mourning for the loss of her lover’s daughter and her friend who was also her star young reporter.
Approaching the grave, it was hard for Craig to believe that it hadn’t even been three years since Francesca died.
During the whole time, he and the Zhou brothers had waged their unrelenting warfare.
In front of the grave, he moved away from Elizabeth and dropped to his knees. He lowered his head and wept for his beautiful talented daughter.
When he had no more tears, he picked up his head. As if talking to Francesca, he said, “It’s over. It’s finally over. Both of the Zhou brothers are dead. Your murder had been avenged.”
Elizabeth helped him to his feet. Arms around each other, they walked back toward the car.
“Where would you like to go now?” she asked.
“Dulles Airport. You and I have a plane to catch.”
“We do?”
“Yes. Air France to Paris. If you’ll have me, I’d like to move back in with you.”
She smiled. “I’d love it, but my place is a mess.”
“We’ll clean it up together.”
“I’d quit my job if you have other ideas for us.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that. But, no. I want you to keep it.”
“What’ll you do?”
“Race cars. I’ll move my base from Milan to Paris. There’s a big race next month in the French Alps. I want to get ready for it.”
She threw her arms around him. They held each other tightly.
About the Author
Allan Topol is the author of eleven novels of international intrigue. Two of them, Spy Dance and Enemy of My Enemy, were national best sellers. His novels have been translated into Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, and Hebrew. One was optioned and three are in development for movies.
In addition to his fiction writing, Allan Topol co-authored a two-volume legal treatise entitled Superfund Law and Procedure. He wrote a weekly column for Military.com and has published articles in numerous newspapers and periodicals, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Yale Law Journal.
He is a graduate of Carnegie Institute of Technology who majored in chemistry, abandoned science, and obtained a law degree from Yale University. He became a partner in a major Washington law firm. An avid wine collector and connoisseur, he has traveled extensively researching dramatic locations for his novels.
For more information, visit www.allantopol.com.