Assassin (The Billionaire Series) (33 page)

“Excellent! Any news on Operation David or who’s behind all
this?” asked Tom, keen to skip over the bit about his father, he didn’t like
lying.

“Maybe,” replied Daniel. “Tom, everything points to
Washington. That’s where Jin’s grandfather and Sofie’s mother are going. Along
with a number of others on the G20 list.”

“Bloody hell, so what’s the reference to David?”

“The meeting was scheduled to be in Washington. However, we’ve
just learnt from Jin that her grandfather has been told that the meeting is now
going to take place elsewhere in the interests of security. Guess where?”

“Camp David?” suggested Tom.

“Exactly. They’re going for the big one - the President and
the remaining leaders at Camp David. The meeting starts Tuesday night.”

“Jesus, it’s like a fortress, there’s no way they’re getting
in there. Hold on, I’ll get Zach.” Tom buzzed Zach. Two minutes later a sleepy
Zach emerged into the main cabin. Tom brought him up to speed quickly while he
muted Daniel. Donald also told him not to mention they were there. Tom released
the mute button.

“Zach, do you want to give us the background on Camp David?”
asked Tom.

“No problem. Since about the 1940s I think, Camp David has
been the retreat for serving presidents, 125 acres of the most protected soil
on earth within the Catoctin Mountains, 75 miles north west of Washington. A
company of Marines from Marine Barracks provides camp security while the Secret
Service provide personal security. Now we know that our enemies are
resourceful, but getting past Camp David’s electronic security, 150 marines and
the Secret Service seems just a little too much.”

 
“Maybe they’re
just going to nuke them?” suggested Tom.

“Don’t think so, the guest-list includes a lot of the new
leaders. I doubt if they’ll be targeted,” replied Daniel.

“OK. Zach, keep an eye on Camp David. If anything happens, let
us know straight away. Anything else Daniel?”

“Yes, the first report is back from the raid on the lawyer’s
office. A telephone number in Washington ties in with the times of the bids for
Alba but it doesn’t exist or at least the phone company says it doesn’t. It’s
getting raided tonight. Other than that, nothing.”

“Thanks, I’ll talk to you soon.” Tom ended the call.

“Washington it is then,” said Donald, sending the instructions
to the bridge.

 
Everybody felt a
rumble as the engines were pushed to full power and the bow of the huge yacht
lifted as she accelerated first to thirty knots and then a second drive system
was engaged taking the yacht to over 45 knots.

It was time to go to bed. They would be in Washington, 1800
miles away, in less than two days.

Chapter 86

The rest of that Sunday and most of the Monday were spent
resting and working through the information to try to find what or who was
behind everything. Daniel’s guys had drawn a blank at the phone company which
was bizarre. The number had been used to make calls and receive calls but the
phone company’s records showed the number had never existed. Zach had picked
this up now, there were only a few people with the power to have non-existent
numbers.

It was Monday evening when everybody noticed the ship slowing
down, back to less than half speed.

“What’s happening?” Tom asked his father.

Donald didn’t answer, he just pointed to the sky. Four
helicopters were flying towards them. Before Tom had a chance to ask who they
were, the first helicopter touched down on the stern pad while the second
touched down on the bow pad. Ten men jumped off each one and ran towards Papa
who was standing, in the centre of the boat, with his arms up. The two
helicopters took off but were immediately replaced by another two. With another
seventeen men deposited, they also took off and flew back towards the coast.
Before they were even out of sight, the boat was already back up to full speed.

Tom looked at the men and recognised all of them. He had known
them all his life. They were more islanders. Papa and Saki had obviously called
in reinforcements. They didn’t know what they were up against but if somebody
was going to launch an attack on 150 marines, they were certain to have a
fairly impressive force.

The islanders were delighted to see that Saki, Donald and
Rachel were alive and well and after a very warm greeting, they made their way
below deck to get some rest. They had been flying for the best part of a day.

Donald looked at Tom.

“Well that evens it up a bit, don’t you think?” he said
jovially.

“Depends. Whoever they are plan to take out 150 Marines.”

“Hmm true, if they use gas or chemicals, we’re buggered,”
thought Donald.

“Dad, perhaps we should contact the President?” said Tom who
was increasingly concerned about what they may be up against.

“It’s too risky, he’ll never believe you and if I call, I’ll
be back in the mix for the assassinations and if anything does happen, it’s all
my fault again,” he replied. “And if that’s not enough, we don’t know who we
can trust. Whoever is involved is very well connected.”

“True,” said Tom.

“We’ve got twenty four hours, let’s see what happens between
now and then. If it looks like the best option, we’ll contact him. If we go
making crazy claims just now without a shred of evidence, we’ll be laughed at
and only tip off the bad guys,”
 
said Donald.

“Fair enough,” said Tom, although he had a very bad feeling.

Chapter 87

The line of trucks snaked down the road. The Humvee at the
front drew to a halt at the main gates. A guard approached the jeep and noticed
the high ranking officer in the passenger seat and saluted.

“Good evening Colonel, how can I help you Sir?”

“Son, you can just open that gate and let me and my boys
through.”

“May I see your orders Colonel?”

“No you may not son but your Commander may. You see, these
here orders are classified Top Secret. Son, I doubt if you qualify to see top
secret documents, do you?”

“No Sir, I’ll call the Commander right away.”

The guard hurried over to his gate-post and made a call. Two
minutes later, the Commanding Officer arrived and after a brief conversation
with the guard, he approached the jeep.

“Good evening Colonel, how can I help you?” The Commanding
Officer saluted his superior.

“Good evening Commander, you have been redeployed. You and
your Company are to report back to Washington asap. My men and I will assume
your duties with immediate effect.”

The Commander was stunned.

“I’m sorry Sir, there must be some mistake. This facility is
and always has been guarded by Marine Barracks Corp. Do you mind if I make some
calls before handing over to you?”

“Of course, just don’t be too long. It’s been a long day.”

The Commander checked the orders with his Colonel who went
ballistic and phoned everybody he could conceive of until he reached the
Commandant of the Marine Corps, the most senior man. He listened carefully as
the Colonel explained the situation. The Commandant explained that he was, in
effect, powerless. The order had obviously come directly from the Secretary of
Defence and only General Powers had the power to countermand him but he was
still in a coma. Also, he struggled to argue with the logic. With everything
that was happening, Delta Force guarding Camp David wasn’t a bad thing.
Afterall, they were specialist in hostage situations.

The Commander returned to the Colonel’s jeep.

“Give us half an hour and we’ll be out of your way Sir.”

“Excellent, my men will wait here.” Both men saluted each
other.

An hour later, Marine Barracks Corps were replaced with 150
Delta Force soldiers and for the first time in its history, Camp David was not
being protected by the Marines.
 

Chapter 88

The news of Delta Force replacing the Marines at Camp David
came through to Zach the following morning. If anybody so much as breathed the
words ‘Camp David’ within the military, Zach was to be told immediately. This
took some of the pressure off Donald and Tom. The White House were obviously
aware of the increased threat or they wouldn’t have sent Delta Force to Camp
David.

By lunchtime, the Beautiful Lady was docked in the Washington
navy yard, not far from the White House. Zach had secured them a berth and
arranged for security to keep them safe from prying eyes. With only five hours
until the meeting at Camp David, things were not looking good. Nothing new had
come to light. They were no further forward.

They all continued to pore over the detail of everything they
had. Tom and Zach were in constant contact with Daniel and the group at The
Academy. They just needed a lucky break. Saki wasn’t taking any chances. The
Penarajans were scrutinising the plans of Camp David supplied by Zach.
Helicopters were standing by at Reagan International Airport, just five minutes
away. Everything was ready, they just didn’t have a clue what to do.

***

“Mr President, all of your guests for this evening’s dinner
have now arrived in Washington. Within the hour, they’ll all be at Camp David,”
announced the President’s secretary through the intercom.

“Thank you, please have Marine One ready at five,” he replied.

Beaumont, sitting across from the President, hit the speaker
button and dialled The Chairman.

“Gentlemen?”

“Good afternoon Sir,” replied Beaumont. “Just a call to let
you know that everybody has arrived as scheduled.”

“Good, I take it this evening’s operation will be a great
success,” he surmised.

“We do not anticipate any issues Sir.”

“Excellent. Well, enjoy your meal and tomorrow will see the
dawn of a new world. A new Empire begins tomorrow gentlemen, greater than has
ever been seen before.” The Chairman hung up.

Both Beaumont and the President looked at each other.

“He’s just excited,” remarked the President commenting on The
Chairman’s reference to a new empire.

“Yes,” replied Beaumont, not believing either himself or the
President.

“I take it the assassinations will be nowhere near
us
?”
asked the President,

“Definitely not! The only people near you and I with guns will
be the Secret Service and they’re all legitimate, none of them are connected to
The Committee. I’ve checked them thoroughly.”

“Excellent!”

The President relaxed.

Chapter 89

One helicopter after another touched down at Camp David,
emptying onto its heliport the leaders of the world’s 20 richest nations. Each
was shown to one of the many lodges that nestled in the camp’s 125 acres of
wooded grounds. Dinner was to be served at 8.00 p.m., in the Laurel Conference
Room, the only room large enough to cope with all the guests.
 

The President and Beaumont arrived at 6.00 p.m. and made their
way to the Presidential lodge, named Aspen. Once in the office, Beaumont took
the President through his briefing notes for the evening meal, who was there
and what the US wanted from each of them. With five minutes to spare, the
President walked across to the Laurel Conference Room, leaving Beaumont to
finish off his preparations for the evening.

Beaumont heard a knock on the President’s door.

“Yes,” said Beaumont.

“Sir, the Delta Force Commanding Officer wishes to say hello,”
announced the Secret Service agent.

“Of course, please send him in,” replied Beaumont.

“Yes Sir.” The agent showed the Colonel in.

“Good evening, Mr Beaumont.”

“Good evening. Colonel Rodriguez, is it?” Beaumont said
reading the man’s tag. “You don’t look like a Rodriguez you know,” he added.

“I’m sorry about that Sir,” replied the Colonel shifting
nervously.

“Don’t apologise, it’s not your fault but I would have
definitely put you down as a ...” Beaumont paused as he thought before looking
straight into the Colonel’s eyes and saying, “…. a Williams.”

The Colonel didn’t flinch but his eyes gave him away.

“Don’t worry, I’m one of the men who gives the orders. Can we
just run through the plan for this evening’s fun and games?” reassured
Beaumont.

He didn’t like giving away his anonymity to this man but he
also wanted to make sure he didn’t get hit in the crossfire. He could always
deal with Williams afterwards if he didn’t feel he was trustworthy. To date,
however, the man had been a complete professional.

“Yes Sir, of course,” replied Williams who, for the last 24
hours, had been Colonel Rodriguez of Delta Force. His Delta Force team were in
fact 150 of the most American-looking Committee Army soldiers they could find.
The order had been real, the only problem was the real Delta Force team who had
received the original order had subsequently received a fake retraction of the
command and had been sent to the other side of the world on another mission. So
secret, nobody had any idea where they were.

Williams took Beaumont through the plan. It would commence at
midnight and would take only fifteen minutes. The alarm would not be raised
until the following morning by which time the fake Delta Force team would be
long gone.