Crown's Vengeance, The (31 page)

Two sets of footsteps echoed from the nearby hallway.

Clad in the same clothes in which she had been abducted, Dr. Erika Carr walked into the room, one of Drake’s men following closely behind.

Even after all she’d been through, Drake had to admit she was stunning.

“Are you all right?”

Chase made no move to reach for her, holding his ground. She didn’t respond at first, and Spencer found her eyes locked on him, loathing in each.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Chase stood rigidly still, one hand on the leather satchel around his shoulder.

“Satisfied, Mr. Chase?”

The intensity on Parker’s face was unlike anything Drake had ever seen. Palpable rage fixed on him like a laser, a scarcely controlled sense of violence emanating from the man.

“Before I give you this bag, you’re going to let her go.”

Spencer was glad there was a guard on either side of Parker. He was slightly worried that Chase might take a run at him, and he had no inclination to have his teeth knocked out.

“You are not in a position to make any demands.”

Even with the three armed men to his rear, Spencer took a step back. No need to give Chase any incentive.

“However, as a show of good faith, I’ll agree.”

Was Chase really this stupid? Drake and Stirling had discussed their move hours earlier, after finalizing their plans for fleeing the country, personal fortunes intact. Two days ago, after learning that his grandfather’s telegram had been accessed by the CIA, Nigel had quietly obtained fifty million dollars worth of oil futures forecasting a sudden drop in the price of a barrel, the exact opposite of what Spencer had been purchasing. His transaction had barely been processed when Sheik bin Khan dropped a bomb on the market with his announcement that OPEC would double exports beginning today, and within twelve hours his investment had yielded a tenfold return.

Half a billion dollars wealthier, Nigel’s plane was going wheels up in the morning, and Spencer Drake would be on board. On paper, the Securities Exchange Commission would be able to pinpoint almost a billion dollar loss in his personal fortune. Drake expected that in the immediate fallout following this financial disaster he would be vilified by the American public, along with every other CEO who used their clients’ money to recklessly gamble on the market. The inevitable finger-pointing would ensue, and he doubted that the average American would ever learn that Spencer Drake had orchestrated the increased trading in oil futures. They would paint every participant with a broad stroke, and he would go down in history as only one member of an extensive rogue’s gallery of entitled villains.

A small price to pay for ensuring the United States was appropriately humbled.

“Please escort Dr. Carr from the grounds.”

One of Becker’s men gestured for her to follow him out of the room. The guard had been instructed to take Erika to a nearby room and wait. Parker Chase was in for a surprise later this evening. Drake was going to shoot her while he watched. The thought sent a tingle of anticipation up his spine.

Erika ignored the man. “No. I’m not leaving without Parker.”

“It’s all right,” Parker responded in an even tone. “I’ll be fine, and I’ll see you soon.”

Chase turned to face Spencer, that unsettling fury still lighting his face.

“Whoever the hell you are, if you or any of these bastards hurt her, I will kill you.”

“Mr. Chase, I’m a man of my word. I will not harm her.”

“How is she going to get home? I came here in a helicopter, in case you forgot. I have no idea where we are.”

“You are less than fifteen miles from Boston. After we conclude our business, I promise you will be reunited and will be free to go wherever you please.”

“Parker, he’s lying. I don’t trust—”

“Erika.” Chase held up one hand, his eyes never leaving Drake’s face. “We don’t have a choice. Do what he says.”

This was going to be easier than he’d imagined. So much for Parker Chase putting up a fight. Without another word, Erika was led down the hallway, a pistol trained on her back.

“Now that she’s cared for, would you be so kind as to hand over your bag?”

Chase handed the brown leather bag to Tom Becker, who inventoried the contents.

“It’s all here, sir.”

“All three letters and both computers? Excellent. One question, Mr. Chase. How do I know you didn’t make any copies for safekeeping?”

“Are you crazy? Do you think I wanted any of this?” His arms spread wide, indicating the four armed men.

“Erika was simply doing her job, and she happened to find that letter from Revere. How was she supposed to know it was there?”

Which raised an interesting question. “I never did learn where she located the document.”

“It was in a box of Alexander Hamilton’s correspondence that she was studying,” Parker explained. “There was a book in there, and apparently this letter was hidden underneath the cover. I guess the binding just came loose over the centuries and when she opened it, this letter fell out.”

How amazing. Hamilton had hidden the letter hundreds of years ago, and for some reason, never acted on the intelligence. He would probably never know why this information fell through the cracks. The vagaries of fate could be whimsical indeed.

“Fascinating. I suppose I’ll just have to trust that you wouldn’t be so foolish as to cross me.”

“Who the hell are you, anyway? Why are you so interested in these letters?”

Spencer and Nigel had also discussed this. Stirling, before he’d departed for the airport, had recommended Drake shoot both Chase and Dr. Carr immediately. Spencer, however, saw no harm in telling Parker his plans. After all, it wasn’t as though Parker would be able to share them with anyone.

“Mr. Chase, these letters caught my attention because they are the only remaining link to an organization that was founded over two hundred years ago, at the end of your Revolution.”

A sharp laugh of disbelief. “You’re telling me that the group Revere talked about still exists? That’s ridiculous.”

“No, Mr. Chase, it is factual. And as of today, we have finally completed a mission that began two centuries ago.”

A glimmer of doubt flashed across Parker’s face.

“We have destroyed the economy of the United States.”

Chapter 51

Keep him talking
.

It was the only hope Parker had. If he could get Drake to detail his plan, tell him exactly what was going on, Nick would have all the evidence he needed to storm in here and save the day.

Of course, if Nick wasn’t able to hear him, Erika was likely dead, and he would soon follow. A feigned look of confusion added to the ruse. “What are you talking about?”

Drake was a man who obviously loved an audience. “You’re in the business, Mr. Chase. Think about what is happening.”

“Are you talking about the oil imports? Get real. That was all OPEC. Unless you’re cousins with a crown prince, you can’t control them.”

“Mr. Chase, you have no idea what I am capable of.”

The man was so arrogant, so assured of his superiority, he never noticed Parker analyzing his situation, looking for weaknesses. Maybe Drake thought his flitting gaze was a sign of fear. Or maybe his ego was just that big.

“To answer your question, yes. I am responsible for the impending collapse of your country’s economy.”

His
country? This guy was nuts.

“To be honest, I did not accomplish it alone. No, I was aided by some of the very same men who brought America to its knees several years ago. The same men who bankrupted this nation with their wild speculation once again found the chance to enrich themselves with others’ money too great to ignore.”

“Who are you talking about? Derivatives traders?”

“Not at all. I went straight to the top this time. My colleagues from every other financial firm of note in America. It took surprisingly little encouragement to convince them to join me, and once they began doubling their investments, the work was done.”

If Nick didn’t show up soon, Parker was going to have to improvise. From what he could see, there were two men to his rear, one on either side, both within arm’s reach. Two men flanked Drake, and one was to Parker’s right, the apparent leader of the group who’d brought him here.

The two behind him wouldn’t be a problem, but he’d be a sitting duck while he was fighting them. Turning your back on three armed men was never a good idea.

“And to think, I have my fellow industry leaders to thank for giving me this idea in the first place.”

“What are you talking about?” Parker asked, genuinely curious. “Are all those guys in on it with you?”

Harsh laughter greeted the question.

“Of course not. In 2008, when the mortgage crisis imploded the world economy, I was given the blueprint for how to achieve my goal. The only trait greater than American ingenuity, and I mean this sincerely, is your overwhelming greed. Every day, across the nation, greed is glorified. Think of the lavish lifestyles of celebrities that are chronicled on reality television. Pure mental rubbish, yet millions of people are drawn to these hideous creatures, people willing to sell their soul for money. Models and athletes endorse luxury brands far out of reach for most citizens, yet young people borrow their way into massive debt simply for the privilege of driving the right car or wearing the right shoes.” Drake was really on a roll now. “No, Mr. Chase, I did not need help to convince your fellow citizens to abandon their morals. America is starting to resemble ancient Rome more and more with each passing day. A once great civilization whose time has passed, a world power on the decline not through the influence of or due to assault by any other nation, but because of the very people who live within its borders. America is rotting from within, a lethal disease characterized by greed, entitlement and ignorance.”

Even though the man was planning to kill him, Parker found his argument compelling. “All right, let’s say I believe you. You orchestrated this oil crisis. Why did it take you two hundred years to finally do it? Have you and all your anti-American buddies been twiddling your thumbs all this time?”

“Hardly.”

Drake moved toward a beautiful wooden bar to Parker’s right, adjacent to the hallway down which Erika had recently disappeared. A crystal tumbler sparkled in his hand, amber liquid flowing from an elegant bottle.

“Care for a drink? No? Suit yourself.” Drake swirled the liquid around his mouth. Behind him, Parker could sense the guards growing restless, hear their weight shifting back and forth. If Parker could keep Drake going, his men might be distracted when Nick arrived. Assuming he ever did.

“There have been several attempts to effect this same attack on your nation, some of which you will know. World War II, perhaps?”

Even though he already knew, the look of shock on his face was sincere. “You’re telling me you started a global war to destroy America?”

“No, we didn’t start it. We merely insured America was involved, with the hopes that years of warfare would bankrupt the economy.”

Parker couldn’t help himself. “Guess that didn’t work out like you’d planned.”

Spencer shrugged. “Unfortunately, no. With Europe in ruins, America actually came out in a much stronger position of economic power post-war. However, there have been other, more successful operations in the past.”

He was getting worried. If Nick took much longer, it would be too late. “Such as?”

A glance at his watch. Nick had three minutes. If he wasn’t here, Parker was taking matters into his own hands.

“Now is not the time or the place for such a discussion.”

Drake’s shark-like eyes, black as night and devoid of compassion, focused on his own.

“Aren’t you curious as to my identity?”

Unbelievable. Here he was, confessing to abetting the most disastrous conflict in world history, and he was worried that Parker didn’t know his name. “You’re some rich bastard with an inferiority complex. I don’t really care what your name is.”

As expected, anger lit up Drake’s face like a candle. Getting the man to go on a tirade would only buy more time, and emotional people tended to make mistakes.

“What I am is a messenger from the greatest nation on earth,” Drake thundered, “sent to bring your miserable country to its knees. As I’m sure you’ve heard, revenge is a dish best served cold, and right now, I can tell you it is delicious.”

He tipped the rocks glass back, draining it. “My name is Spencer Drake. I am the CEO of Aldrich Securities, an organization established by royal decree for the sole purpose of destroying your nation. In the past week, we have eliminated your Treasury secretary as well as the worthless Chancellor of the Exchequer in England. We are single-handedly responsible for the redistribution of world power.” His words stopped the breath in Parker’s chest. Could he possibly be serious?

“Now,” Drake chuckled softly, “I realize my organization will soon be insolvent. However, by that time my colleagues and I will be directing the return of England to her rightful place atop the global hierarchy. There will be no limit as to what we can achieve.”

Parker blinked rapidly, a plan forming. He could worry about the rest of the world later. During Drake’s enchanting soliloquy, his men’s attention had noticeably drifted. Nick had ninety seconds.

“Unfortunately, you won’t be around to see it.” From the hallway behind Drake, one of his men reappeared, leading a blindfolded Erika. “And neither will your beautiful girlfriend.”

Drake whipped the white cloth from her eyes. “Parker? What’s going on?”

She only glanced at him, her face turning violent when she realized what had happened. “You bastard. You’re never going to get away with this.”

“Ah, the old cliché. Sorry, dear, but this isn’t a movie. It’s already too late.”

Drake reached under his jacket, a shimmering silver handgun appearing in his palm.

“Dr. Carr, as a special thank you for locating these letters, I will allow you to choose who dies first. You or Mr. Chase. Hurry, we’ve not much time.”

Her mouth dropped open, but Parker wasn’t watching anymore. A rapid series of calculations raced through his mind, just like they did during a football game. Each person became a piece on the board, a potential target or ally that he had to account for.