Part 14 (2/2)
”That's my problem,” said Edward, cold and firm.
Marilyn joined Vernon. ”I'm sorry Edward. I'll give back the money. I'm out.”
”I'm afraid I have to agree,” added Vernon. ”This has gone too far.
If we don't cut out now, we'll burn with you. It's not worth it.” Simon, enjoying the ruckus, said nothing.
Edward slammed his fist on the table and pointed at them. ”Let me tell you this,” he said. ”You can't get out. It's too late. The only way out is to kill Veil and destroy the evidence. It's the only way.” Vernon walked to the door. ”I'm sorry Edward,” he said. He looked at the others, then left the room.
Marilyn's eyes stayed fixed but she didn't speak. ”Goodbye Edward,” she finally muttered, and followed Vernon out of the door.
Simon sucked his teeth and examined his nails. ”Don't worry,” he said, tossing a brown Bogart brim on his head. ”I'll track Veil and his partner. Those two are just panicking. They'll come back.” He cleared his throat. ”You know, in light of the new developments, I think a more appropriate compensation is in order.”
He walked to the door all smiles. ”I'm sure you'll come up with an amount we can all live with. Let me know and I'll sell the others.” He tipped his hat, bid Edward a better day, then left.
Edward looked at the bar, but decided he'd had enough to drink. He called Patra and told her to have his car ready. He'd call Simon later and make them a new offer. He checked his watch. Three-thirty. Four hours before Judge Patrick's reception. He headed for the snail-like elevator.
What more can this day bring?
16.
Robert divided up the brochures he found in Charlie's room with Thorne and searched his half. Neither found a trace of the old man or a clue to the evidence, in the mausoleums or the cemetery office files. The longer they searched, frustration mounted. They decided to make another pa.s.s and examine one crypt at a time. Robert went back through Lexington Cemetery in Virginia, but found nothing.
While Thorne continued the search, Robert went to Judge Patrick's estate. Lost in thought walking the grounds, he didn't notice Agent Sams next to him, a huge German Shepherd by his side.
”Just thought I'd let you know we've covered the entire estate. It's clean.”
”Thank you Agent Sams. But do you think it's possible you can search it again?”
Agent Sams looked puzzled. ”That'll make six times. I think five is more than enough.”
”I understand, and you certainly don't have to take orders from me.
But please. Indulge me. For the judge's sake.” Sams looked around the estate at his team. ”Okay Mr. Veil, but after this I have to pull some of my men to get ready for the reception tonight.”
”Thank you Sams. I know it's overkill, but this guy has slipped through one of the biggest manhunts in history.” Sams' face twisted. ”And don't think it doesn't have us heated. I'm gonna hang this guy's b.a.l.l.s from my rear view.”
”You'll have to beat me to them first,” said Robert.
They laughed, then Sams stared at Robert, like he had something on his mind.
”Anything else agent?'
”I'm curious about something.”
”Oh?”
”Yes. How is it you and your partner get the run of the farm? I know you worked for the CIA and did a stint in the Marines. I've just never heard of such a thing.”
Robert considered the question. Not the first time he'd been asked.
”It's cla.s.sified Agent Sams. No offense, but let's leave it at that.” Robert headed to the main house. His mind drifted away from the Bear, to Iraq. From Rothschild, to Iraqi Freedom. One of his a.s.signments during the war was a clandestine operation, code name: Scorpion. Their mission: a.s.sa.s.sinate Saddam Hussein and any heirs to his dictators.h.i.+p. Intelligence on Saddam's whereabouts proved sketchy.
Instead of the monarch, they found members of Saddam's family including women and children. Their orders clear, no prisoners, the mission failed, sabotaged by him and Thorne. That, with their refusal to execute a group of scientists, and the bra.s.s had had enough. He and Thorne walked out on the government and never looked back.
Connected and well trained. Bounty hunters. Guns for hire.
Robert spotted Fiona standing on the balcony over looking the backyard, and saw the strain on her face. She waved. He answered with an encouraging smile before she turned and disappeared inside the house.
Robert didn't want to add to Fiona's problems, but something gnawed at him. Something he needed to address.
He crossed the patio and slid through the back door into the kitchen, where Caroline, Fiona's chef, prepared lunch for the federal agents.
Just beyond the kitchen, Robert admired the most elaborate family room he'd ever seen. Pool and ping-pong tables, a two-lane bowling alley, a vintage jukebox, arcade games, and just about every other toy a grown boy needed to stay entertained, surrounded a mammoth entertainment center with a sixty-inch plasma screen.
”I do love sports,” said Fiona, behind him. He turned around. ”My father turned me into a sports fiend,” she continued. ”I think he really wanted a boy.”
”He could've adopted me anytime,” said Robert, noting how lovely she looked in a sleeveless black sundress splattered with lime green flowers. ”And you're certainly no boy.”
The compliment drew a smile from Fiona, who blushed. ”Thank you Mr. Veil. I didn't think you noticed such things. You're so caught up in your work.”
”You're right. I do get caught up in my work. But I notice most things, Judge Patrick.”
”Please call me Fiona.”
”Ok Fiona, I do notice most things, especially the beautiful, and you should call me Robert.” Flirting with a potential Supreme Court Justice.
I'm definitely moving up in the world. She seems to be in a better mood.
This is as good a time as any.
”Fiona, we have a problem.”
”You mean it can get worse,” she said, laughing. ”How could there possibly be more?”
”I think the reception tonight is a bad idea,” he told her. ”You'll be far too exposed and I don't think you should take the chance.” Fiona's light-heartedness melted away. ”You want me to cancel on the President? The President of the United States!”
”Yes,” he said, firmly. ”It's just too dangerous. And it might be a good idea to send Jessica to stay with a relative, at least until the confirmation hearings are over.”
Fiona walked to the pool table, tears streaming down her face. Robert followed and placed a hand on her shoulder. ”It'll be alright, I promise you. We just have to take extra precautions.”
”To h.e.l.l with you and your precautions,” she said, knocking his hand from her shoulder. ”I can't wave this off, it's crucial. Every member of the judiciary committee will be there.”
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