67
Carter — Lake Geneva, Switzerland
The helicopter landed on the lawn outside a large French Renaissance chateau on Lake Geneva, Switzerland. Carter was quickly escorted from the helicopter by two Slavic-looking bodyguards, across the expansive lawn into to the chateau, past a row of twenty-foot high tapestries in the entrance hall, through a glass-roofed winter garden filled with exotic plants, and into one of the most beautiful libraries he had ever seen. Carter breathed deeply as he gazed around the cavernous fifteenth-century Italian interior. Frescoes by Diziani adorned the ceiling above a dozen Murano chandeliers, two-story arched windows overlooked Lake Geneva, and exquisite French and Italian antique furniture graced the full length of the literary chamber. The library’s two-tiered, walnut-paneled shelves had to hold more than 30,000 volumes, many of them works of history, Carter thought as he walked by the ornately carved black marble walk-in fireplace.
At the far end of the library, behind an extraordinary Louis XV Ormolu-Mounted writing table, sat Werner Lentz, Executive Secretary to the infamous Board of Governors. It was the most powerful governing body on the face of the earth, but few people knew about it, other than the conspiracy nuts prone to zealous dramatics. Carter had first met Werner Lentz years earlier, while writing an article for
When Carter reached the extravagant writing table, his two bodyguards left him alone as Werner stood to greet him. “How are you doing old friend?” Lentz asked in a slight German accent as he rounded the writing table. They shook hands while Werner affectionately patted Carter on the shoulder. Lentz was about Carter’s age. Trim, gray hair, wireless glasses, and dressed like royalty’s banker. “Please sit down,” Lentz said.
“How am I doing, Werner?” Carter said as he sat down in one of the two carved walnut armchairs in front of the desk.
“The board is quite impressed with how you and Charles managed to bring the American economy to its knees,” Lentz said.
“Is that why you brought me and my family here? To help you reform Europe and the rest of the world?” Carter asked mockingly.
Werner Lentz laughed loudly. “I always love your American sarcasm. I think it’s what makes you so dangerous,” Lentz said before sitting back in his chair and rocking slightly. “The board wants to make sure you’re not like Charles, with ambitions beyond the United States.”
Carter said nothing as he studied Lentz.
“All we want is for you and your family to live here in Geneva for a few years in very comfortable surroundings,” Lentz said, lifting his arms and looking around the library. “This historic De Vita Chateau is yours for as long as you like.”
“And if I choose not to accept your generous offer?”
“I’m afraid that’s not an option, my friend. Five years of exemplary behavior and maybe the board will reconsider.”
“What are my restrictions?”
“Think of them as incentives, Carter-for insuring a healthy posterity. If you agree to our terms, you will be pronounced dead tomorrow. Buried in the La Fenice explosion. All contacts with your former life will be severed, including your contact with Wilson Fielder and President Roberts. You will have to observe from afar what they do to bring about your anticipated reforms. Travel will be confined to the EU.”
“Eventually, you will be exposed, Werner.”
“Here’s the irony, Carter. Your disclosure will do far more than credit debacles, regional wars, or economic depressions to usher in the new world order we’ve always wanted,” Lentz said, leaning across the writing table with a roguish grin that obscured his beady eyes. “In fact, the board has already made plans to encourage your transformation of capitalism. They acknowledge that it’s time to bring the blessings of wealth to another tier of participants. You’ve misjudged them, Carter. They have always striven to be noble and generous.”
“So long as they maintain control. Right?” Carter said in defiance.
“Of course. You of all people should know how chaotic and precarious the world can become when no one is in charge. People are too easily distracted, too easily threatened, and too willing to turn on each other,” Lentz said dismissively. “Adam Smith’s invisible hand of self-interest isn’t enough to bring sufficient order to the world. It’s just who people are, they will never change. Big fish eat the little fish. So we need more little fish than big fish. Without that, life on this planet would end. It’s the natural order of things.”
“That’s what separates you and me, Werner; you’re much too distrustful and heavy handed,” Carter said. Then he added, “Your faith in humankind stopped evolving a long time ago, Werner. People need leadership not control, and certainly not indentured servitude.”
Lentz’s face morphed into stone. “In the end, no matter what sort of reforms your country decides to adopt, the board will adapt as it always does. Most of the governors believe your precious reforms will strengthen both our position and our concealment. As for you, Carter, everyone has a price. If you agree to our terms, you and your family will live long and wealthy lives. If you decide to die for your principles, we will accommodate you. Either way we win, because we are the biggest fish in the sea. The choice is yours.”
“Where’s my family?” Carter demanded.
“Your wife and daughters are here at the chateau. They’re already preparing to leave tomorrow for your funeral in Boston. Come on,” Lentz said, pushing himself away from the desk and standing up. “Let me take you to them.”
As the two of them walked through the magnificent library and up the massive stone spiral staircase past more tapestries and classical art to the chateau’s master suite, Lentz turned to Carter. “You know, Carter. If you’d work with us, you might discover that our ultimate aims are not that divergent from yours.”
“You mean as long as I accept the conditions of Satan’s rule in Hell?”
Lentz laughed out loud again. “It’s going to be a pleasure having you here, Carter, if for nothing more than your humor.”
“Tell the governors I’ll be happy to entertain them whenever they like.”
Lentz laughed wildly, slapping Carter on the back.
Carter smiled broadly. Manipulating Werner might prove easier than he’d thought. Maintaining contact with Wilson, on the other hand, would be more difficult than expected. But he’d already put a contingency plan in motion.
When his wife Elizabeth and their two daughters Sarah and Amy saw Carter enter the room, they ran to him, throwing their arms around him. At least they were still alive, he said to himself. Now he just needed to keep them that way.
68
Wilson — Cambridge, MA
When Wilson saw his mother, who had returned from the hospital to a fortified, yet blackened, Brattle House currently undergoing repairs and reconstruction, he felt an unexpected outpouring of sympathy and love. She was crying. They embraced. Between the sobs, she whispered in his ear, “I’m so sorry, Wilson. I should have told you everything. Can you ever forgive me?”
“Of course, I can. I now understand why you didn’t,” Wilson said softly. “I’m just glad you’re safe. I love you, Mom. Don’t ever question that.”
Wilson and his mother held each other in the foyer, while Emily embraced Rachel, Darrin, and little Mary. Everyone had returned from the hospital earlier that morning.
Rachel came over to her mother and Wilson. Little Mary tried to wrap her arms around their legs. Wilson
