Grayson grabbed Viktor’s tie and yanked the man to his feet. “Is what Parks said, true? You’re working with the NSA?”
Viktor shook his head slightly. “No. Not NSA. Just dis Davis guy.”
“What’s he after?”
“Da money that you paid me.”
Parks frowned. “The million dollars.”
Viktor nodded but held his gaze toward the floor.
“The nerve of that asshole,” Parks said, gritting his teeth. “Accusing me of taking bribes and working as a hitman for large sums of money and he’s behind this?”
Grayson shrugged. “It still doesn’t get me the answers I need.”
“Which are?” Parks asked.
“How to stop those programmed Chinese robots from killing my people on Mars?”
Viktor cleared his throat and nervously glanced into Grayson’s eyes. “There is no kill switch for dem. No deactivation codes.”
Grayson looped Viktor’s tie around his hand again and tightened his grip. He placed the gun’s barrel to Viktor’s forehead. “You knew this and tried to extort four millions dollars from me?”
“No, no. Don’t kill me.”
Grayson laughed. “Give me a good reason not to.”
“I help you.”
“No,” Grayson replied, shaking his head. “You’ve helped yourself to more than your fair share.”
“No, Grayson, I did not get one penny of da million dollars.”
“Sid took it all?” Parks asked.
Viktor nodded. “Yes. He wanted me to get him more money. Otherwise, he deport me to some . . . unsavory enemies I have. That’s why he have me arrange deal with you for codes.”
“When there are no codes?”
“Right.”
“So we really don’t need to keep you around anymore. We dispose of you and go find Sid Davis,” Grayson said.
“No, please, you don’t understand,” Viktor said.
“And what am I not understanding?”
“You have powerful enemies in high places of US.”
Grayson nodded and shrugged. “Most wealthy people do.”
“Not like you think.” Viktor shook his head. “Sid Davis hired me. It is who hired him that should make you worry.”
“Who is that?” Grayson asked.
Viktor’s eyes crossed as he looked up toward the gun barrel pressed to his forehead. “Put gun away. I tell you. Kill me and you might never know.”
43
Grayson tucked the gun into his suit pocket. Henry grabbed Viktor by the elbows again.
“So who hired Davis?” Grayson asked.
“No, sorry,” Viktor said with a slight grin. “I cannot tell you.”
“Why not?”
“It’s only insurance I have to stay alive since the trust between us is no more.”
Grayson narrowed his gaze. “That wasn’t my doing.”
“I know. But, I tell you after we get this Davis guy, okay?”
Parks grinned and glanced at Grayson. “I’m all for it.”
Grayson returned to his seat behind the desk. Parks limped back to the cushioned chair. Henry dragged Viktor to the other chair and forced him to sit.
Grayson took Viktor’s gun from his pocket and placed it on the desk between him and Viktor. “Davis has the money we wired you?”
“No.”
“You already said that he did.”
Viktor shook his head. “Before he could have it withdrawn from my account, I had bank freeze my account, telling dem that my identity had been stolen. They are to put in new account for me. They also wanted to watch the account a few days for suspicious activity.”
“Was this before or after you tried to get four million dollars from me?”
Parks simply shook his head in disbelief while looking at Viktor.
“Before,” Viktor replied.
“I’m surprised he didn’t make good on his threat already,” Grayson said.
“He’s pissed, eh, but what can he do?”
“Are you serious?” Parks asked. “He’s with the NSA. There’s no end to what he could do to you and never be charged.”
“True, if he doesn’t want the money. Ah, but, you see the greed in his eyes. He wants money too bad not to wait.”
Grayson folded his hands together on the desk. “So what’s your next move?”
“I came here for the two hundred thousand—”
“Which you aren’t getting,” Grayson replied.
Viktor gave a slight chuckle. “It’s all good. He’s to meet with me dis evening to discuss my frozen account.”
Grayson looked to Parks. “Couldn’t Davis unfreeze the account and take the money?”
“Not without a warrant,” Parks replied. “And if he asked for one, he’d need a legitimate reason for requesting it. Doing so, also places scrutiny upon him. His superiors would keep a watchful eye upon him to see where that money ended up. NSA agents don’t trust people. Not even each other.”
“He won’t want warrant,” Viktor said. “He wants it in cash. He thinks I’ll bring it when we meet later.”
“And where does this meeting take place?” Grayson asked.
“Dock 10.”
“At the river?”
Viktor nodded.
“Parks,” Grayson said, “you want to escort Viktor to that meeting?”
“Gladly.”
“Good. Henry, get two more guards to go with them. Make certain they are armed.”
“Yes, sir.” Henry turned and left the office.
Grayson picked up the gun and aimed it at Viktor. “This best go smoothly or . . .”
“All I want is out from under Davis’ grasp,” Viktor said. “I give money back to you in exchange for my life.”
“Let’s see how it plays out,” Grayson replied.
An hour after sunset, one of Grayson’s huge bodyguards parked the black four-door car at the end of the dark street that connected to Dock 10. He shut off the motor and turned off the lights. The front seat passenger was about as large as the driver. Both men wore earpieces. Parks sat in the backseat with Viktor.
“Here,” Parks said. “Place this inside your ear.”
“What’s it do?”
“Allows me to hear your conversation.”
“Ah, yes. Good. You recording it?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Viktor rubbed the back of his head and winced.
“It still hurts?” Parks asked.
“A little.”
“It’s a tracker chip. Once this is over, he’ll have his doctor remove it.”
Viktor shook his head. “I never meant to betray Grayson’s trust.”
“Perhaps you can redeem it tonight,” Parks replied.
“Doubtful. Grayson is not a merciful man.”
Parks didn’t reply, but he didn’t disagree with the statement, either. He’d only agreed to help Davis build a case against Grayson so Davis would stop his threats and get off his back. But now he understood that Davis planned to extort as much money from Grayson as possible. He wanted to use Parks to dig up more dirt to blackmail Grayson whenever Grayson realized what was actually occurring.
A silver Mercedes passed their car and stopped about a block away.
“Is that his car?” Parks asked.
Viktor nodded.
“Okay, go. We’re recording and watching,” Parks said.
Viktor opened the rear door and pushed it wider.
The driver looked into the rearview mirror. “We’re armed. We have you covered.”
Viktor acquiesced an appreciative nod, got out, and quietly pressed the door closed. The street was dark with few streetlights. After Viktor walked away, Parks turned up the volume.
Davis had parked his silver Mercedes beneath a streetlight. The car gleamed. Viktor walked down the dark sidewalk until he entered the wide arc of the overhead streetlight that bounced off the Mercedes like a spotlight.
Parks wasn’t certain if Da
vis would invite Viktor inside the car or if Davis would get out. But the moment Viktor stepped to the side of the car, Davis swung open the door and got out.
“Where’s my money, Viktor?” Davis said. “You said that you’d have it with you.”
“Account still frozen.”
“What the hell do you think you’re trying to pull?”
Viktor crossed his arms. “Nothing. Bank won’t give me money. Told me that I have to wait two weeks.”
“Two weeks?” Anger rose in Davis’ voice.
“If I could give you money, I would. I’d be happy to rid myself of you. Of course, if Grayson ever knew how you used me to double-cross him—”
Davis pulled out his 9mm and steadied it with both hands.
“What?” Viktor asked. “You want to kill me? Go ahead. Definitely no way to get the money den.”
Davis lowered the gun, ran a hand through his hair, and shouted obscenities. Viktor stood his ground, unflinching. “What about the two hundred thousand? Did you get that from Grayson?”
“In car.”
“You didn’t bring it?”
Viktor shook his head. “You joke, right? In a dark street like dis, you expect me to carry briefcase full of money? No. I know places like dis. They bad places. People die a lot here.”
Davis sighed and holstered his gun. “All right. Let’s go.”
“If you like, I could go get it.”
“Nah, that’s okay. We’re already walking. It will take longer. Besides, you’re right. This can be a dangerous place after nightfall.”
Parks turned down the volume. “How close are they?”
“Half a block,” the driver said. He pulled his gun from his holster and shucked a shell into the chamber. He looked at his partner. “Ready, hos?”
The passenger nodded.
They opened their doors and leveled their 9mms at Davis. “Hands up where we can see them.”
Davis took a couple of steps backwards and then raised his hands. “You have no idea who you’re messing with. Let me get my badge. I can show you.”
“Viktor, get Davis’ gun.”
Viktor reached beneath Davis’ jacket and took the 9mm.
“Keep your hands up,” the driver said. “That’s your last warning.”
“You’re making a huge mistake,” Davis said.
The driver leaned in and turned on the headlights.
Parks opened the rear door and used the side of the car and the door to pull himself to his feet. “We know exactly who you are, Agent Davis.”
Davis squinted and leaned slightly forward. “Agent Parks? Is that you?”
Parks grabbed his cane from the backseat and hobbled onto the sidewalk. “Yeah, it’s me.”
“What the hell’s going on? Are you working with these goons?”
“No, I’m still working for Grayson. After I found out about your extortion schemes, I figured it was time to turn the tables on you, especially after your threats. And after I discovered that you were the one who killed all four of those men and framed me for it, I did some major reconsideration of your offer. No, I’m not interested in working for you.”
Davis stood silent for a few moments. Words seemed to have failed him. “So what are you planning to do? Hand me over to the authorities?”
Even with two guns aimed at Davis, he held his above-the-law arrogance.
“No,” Parks replied. “Grayson is quite eager to speak to you.”
In the glow of the headlights, Davis appeared to have grown paler.
“Yeah,” Parks said. “You see, Viktor has agreed to give Grayson his money back, and according to Viktor, he said that Grayson isn’t a merciful man. But, of course, with all the research you’ve done on Grayson, I’m sure you’re aware of that.”
“No negotiating?”
Parks laughed. “You need to ask? Seems I had no say about my injuries that you had a hand in.”
“I was rash in my decisions. I admit it.”
Parks stepped up to Davis, reached beneath Davis’ sport jacket, and took out Davis’ other 9mm. Parks stood toe-to-toe with Davis. “When Grayson is finished with you . . . let’s say that with whatever’s left of you, I will get even.”
Davis took a deep breath and held it.
Parks handed a set of handcuffs to Viktor. “Put those on Davis. Make sure they’re extra tight.”
Viktor tucked the gun behind his belt and obliged while Parks held the gun on Davis. Davis groaned when the metal cut into his flesh.
An Audi sports car sped down the dark street and screeched to a stop beside the black car. Henry opened the passenger side door and got out. Grayson stepped out of the driver’s side. “Agent Davis.”
Davis’ eyes widened. “Mr. Grayson. I’d shake your hand, but as you can see, I’m sort of in a bind.”
Grayson swung a hard right into the agent’s gut. Davis dropped to his knees on the sidewalk, wheezing and gasping for air. When Davis looked up with a glare, Grayson struck the agent in the jaw. After Davis recovered, his eyes were filled with fear. “As you can see, agent, I’m not in the mood for niceties.”
“It’s more than obvious,” Davis groaned.
“Viktor told me that someone hired you on the side to spy on me. Who is it?”
Davis panted. “You’ve been under federal surveillance for years.”
“Let me borrow your cane, Parks,” Grayson said.
Parks adjusted his weight and handed the cane to Grayson.
“Thanks. Sometimes, there’s a need to beat the stubbornness out of some people.”
“Wait,” Davis said.
Grayson gripped the cane with both hands like one would with a baseball bat. “Who hired you?”
“Senator Johnson.”
Shocked, Grayson lowered the cane. He couldn’t hide his stunned expression.
Davis grinned, in spite of his pain. “See? You think because you have a lot of wealth that you can keep people in your back pocket. People sicken of bullies who try to control every aspect of their lives.”
Grayson handed the cane back to Parks. He looked at his two bodyguards who still held guns on Davis. “I have the information I need. He’s in your hands. Since we’re at the docks, you don’t have to get too creative.”
“I’m a federal agent. Don’t you realize the repercussions you’ll be faced with for torturing me?”
“You failed to understand who you’ve crossed,” Grayson replied. “Dead agents don’t talk and can’t file charges.”
The two bodyguards hefted Davis by his elbows and started walking toward the docks. “Dead? Wait. Mr. Grayson?”
Parks looked at Grayson. “You mind if I help?”
“He’s all yours. Gentlemen, I don’t want to know anything about what you do to him. Make certain that he’s disposed of where he won’t be found for quite some time.”
“You can’t do this,” Davis said, struggling to break free of the two muscle-bound guards.
“I’m not. They are.”
Viktor watched them haul Davis deeper into the shadows of the night. “Mr. Grayson, what should I do?”
“If Davis left the key in his car, have some fun with it.”
Viktor gave an aged smile. “No. I mean about us. I never intended to—”
Grayson turned and faced Viktor. Henry stood beside Grayson.
“Let me ask you something, Viktor,” Grayson said.
“Sure. Anything.”
“Have you at any time ever been approached by Senator Johnson?”
“No.”
“Never?”
“No.”
“Then how did you know about Johnson hiring Davis?”
“I overheard Davis’ phone conversation.”
“And you’re certain it was the senator.”
“Of course.”
“But the senator has never contacted or visited you?”
“No.”
“Okay. Take the car. Keep the money for your help.”
“Da whole milli
on?”
Grayson nodded. “But I want the two hundred thousand in the case.”
“Of course. Den things good between us again?”
“Not like they were, Viktor, but since I’m letting you keep the money you owe me a few favors in the future.”
Viktor nodded. “Certainly. Anything.”
The echoes of Davis’ screams carried down the dark street. Three gunshots were fired. Davis no longer screamed. With obvious discomfort, Viktor looked in the direction. “You not worried that someone will call the police?”
Grayson shrugged. “Not really. I own the entire block and Dock 10. Davis apparently wasn’t thorough with his research.”
Viktor gave a sly but nervous grin.
44
Hours had passed before Jonas received word from Grayson that the robots didn’t have any kill switches or deactivation codes. Grayson didn’t even reply about the strange insects Jonas had mentioned, either.
Did Grayson actually believe Jonas had made up a story about Martian insects?
Jonas found Derek sitting at the side of the infirmary bed when he stopped to visit. “How are you feeling, Derek?”
“Better. But I’ve never known blistered flesh to stop hurting in a short amount of time.”
“Burns are some of the worst injuries ever. So how long before they’ll let you leave?”
“I can go now. Why? Is something wrong?”
Jonas nodded. “Yeah.”
“What?”
“Grayson sent an update about those Chinese robots.”
“And?”
“His informant said that there are no kill switches or codes we can use to deactivate them.”
“I don’t buy it,” Derek said. “Any computerized robot has always been designed so they can be shut down in case of malfunctions.”
“Robots aren’t my specialty. That’s why I came to pass along the information.”
“You busy?”
Jonas shook his head. “No, why?”
“You said that the Chinese robots showed up on the radar?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go to your office and see where they are on the satellite map.”
“Let’s do that.”
Carter sat at the edge of a seat across the aisle from where Magnus and Sylvia slept inside their hibernation chambers. He watched them with eyes that appeared to be frozen open in his near trancelike state. He had not slept in days, even though he teetered close every half hour or so. His mind drifted, lingering on the edge of the nightmare of the female alien who constantly whispered inside his mind. He feared allowing sleep to overtake him, for worry that she’d do something.
ESCAPE FROM MARS Page 28