and I would prefer you do that without coming to any harm. Do we understand each other, Doctor?”
“Yes, Mr. Pearce, you’re very clear. But God help you and whomever you’re working for. You’re kidnapping the daughter of a United States senator. This is a very serious matter. My father won’t rest until all of you are behind bars,” she said, shaking her head and hoping to make a strong enough case to somehow change this man’s mind.
“Ma’am, believe me…I completely understand the gravity of the situation. No doubt your disappearance will spark a nationwide search. You’re a valuable scientist. But none of that is my concern, nor should it be yours. Now, if you’ll kindly get yourself ready, we have a plane to catch.”
Sully Metusack knew he was speaking with false bravado. He cared more about his involvement in the abduction of Sela Coscarelli than he was willing to admit. He suspected that kidnapping her would unleash a maelstrom of media attention rivaling the disappearance of Rockefeller’s son. There would be far-reaching ramifications from the action that he and Marlon were undertaking-no telling where it would end.
I sure hope Kilmer knows what he’s doing, he thought, or Dr. Coscarelli’s remark about needing ‘God’s help’ may turn out to be a colossal understatement.
THIRTY-EIGHT
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
08:00 HOURS
Captain Eduardo Suarez did a masterful job skirting the powerful surge of Hurricane Hannah lashing across the Caribbean Sea, having sailed Jurassic to Nassau, several hundred miles beyond its angry path. The only inconvenience throughout the voyage was the unusually high surf, but the ship’s million-dollar stabilizers dampened the full effects of the turbulent wave action. The storm eventually lost most of her force crossing the Gulf of Mexico, and before making landfall the hurricane had been reduced to a category three storm.
After spending a night in Nassau at his luxurious beachfront estate, Alastair Holloway re-boarded Jurassic and directed Captain Suarez to sail to his berth in South Carolina, an order the captain was most eager to obey. He was prepared to disembark the beautiful yacht for the last time, having reached his threshold of tolerance for Holloway’s abusive behavior, but hadn’t yet heard if he would make good his threat to fire everyone following the voyage. In any case, his last command of the ship was mostly tolerable, whatever happened next. Upon docking, the crew was busily stowing gear, securing the vessel, and making final preparations for everyone to disembark. It promised to be a gorgeous day on Hilton Head Island.
“How long will we be staying?” Angelina Navarro asked, while carelessly stuffing her belongings into an oversized suitcase that, when standing, looked like a small refrigerator. “Should I take everything, or will we be coming back to the ship?”
“I doubt we’ll be re-boarding anytime soon, Angel…but do you really need all that crap with you?” Holloway sharply remarked, trying to cut short what he considered a superfluous discussion. He had no time for her inane prattle. He had been watching the oil futures all morning and his hedges were getting clobbered. He’d taken steps to redirect most of his oil futures earlier in the week, but obviously not soon enough. The move in the market had him down near $26 million, by rough estimate, making him more cantankerous than usual. It was not a pleasant morning to be in his company.
“I told you before…we’ll be on the island for a few days and then will most likely head back to Galveston. I don’t expect to be back on the ship for some time. Now if you’re ready, I’d like to get moving.”
Angelina scowled at Alastair, “Yes, yes, hold your wad, honey… I’m coming. The more I take with me, the less you’ll have to replace later on,” she said, playfully, an impish smile gracing her ruby lips as she continued hastily shoving clothing into her oversized luggage. As she did, Holloway picked up his PDA to take a call from Kilmer.
“Yes, Richard. What now?”
“Here’s the deal,” Kilmer answered. “First, we just grabbed the Coscarelli woman and we’re packin’ her to Hilton Head. Barring a snag, she’ll be at the estate later this mornin’. But ya need to know that Farley also kidnapped Marshall’s son. He’s been staked out at Conrad’s place in Stanford. Seems Marshall showed at Conrad’s, just as ya figured, but was followed there by ‘is son and ex-wife. The bludger screwed the pooch no doubt, but the tides gone out-we’ve bagged two people connected to Conrad.”
“Wait a second…slow down. Did you just say you’ve kidnapped two people? Did I hear you correctly? Because I thought I heard you say that this Farley character unilaterally decided to kidnap someone we know nothing about. Is that what you’re telling me? What the fuck kind of operation are you running, for crissakes?” Holloway bellowed, storming down the gangplank of the yacht.
“I admit Farley’s dumb as a drover’s daag. But it’s ’nother spur-a-the-moment field decision,” Kilmer said, pausing for effect. “As I said b’fore…things happen and ya roll with it. A private dick was tailin’ Marshall’s family right b’fore they entered Conrad’s house. No tellin’ how this prick might’ve buggered the deal. Farley figured that grabbin’ the young man would give us more leverage. I agree,” he added smugly, confident that he’d trumped Holloway’s objection.
“Everythin’ else is aces. We’re ‘bout to give Conrad the what for. With two of ‘is people in hock, he’ll have no choice but to give in. I expect the gravity machine’ll be operatin’ any time now.”
“Are you really that simpleminded, Mr. Kilmer? Don’t you realize that every time one of your simpletons makes an unplanned move it has unforeseen consequences? If the young man Farley abducted is really Ryan Marshall’s son that means we’ve now kidnapped Senator Coscarelli’s daughter and grandson. Brilliant…fucking brilliant,” Holloway fumed, tightening his jaw as he continued his fast pace to the awaiting limousine. Angelina was running close behind, trying to catch up.
“We’re dead cert about the kid’s identity,” Kilmer replied emphatically, trying to contain his anger from another salvo of Holloway’s offensive insults. “Farley’s already given ‘im the once over. He’s under wraps in San Jose. If ya’d rather let ‘im go, just say the word… I’ll drive ‘im back to Conrad’s m’self.”
“Listen, wise-ass, spare me the sarcasm. Of course we can’t let him go. It’s another screw-up we’ll need to contend with. I suppose as long as we’ve abducted one of Coscarelli’s daughters, also taking his grandson doesn’t make matters that much worse,” Holloway snorted disgustedly. He climbed into the back of the limousine, motioning aggressively with his hand for the chauffeur to help get Angelina situated. “Tell me how the machine’s coming along. Does Mills have the thing anywhere near ready?”
“We’re good as gold. The magnetic housing we ordered from Westinghouse was finally delivered; it’s swank. The Quantum equations are dialed and linked to the focusin’ array. Mills did some final tests and loaded the nuclear fuel. Everythin’s a go. Conrad’s the only fly in the ointment. If he balks, we’re up the gumtree. We can’t pull the Knox job ‘til he does his thing. That’s out o’ my hands,” Kilmer said.
“You leave that contingency to me,” Holloway growled. “If he refuses further, we’ll lean on Penburton. That prima donna son-of-a-bitch still thinks he’s gonna skate through this deal unscathed, but he’s got another thing coming. Assuming we get Conrad’s cooperation, how long before you hit Fort Knox?”
“Couple days; no more-only as long as it takes to drive to Kentucky,” Kilmer replied. “It’s a tricky mobilization. Colt’s planned the route and it’s keen as mustard. It’s really yer call when we make tracks for West Point…assuming Conrad cooperates in operatin’ the machine. We’ll know for cert later this mornin’.”
“As soon as possible, Richard…no more than a few days. I want to hit Fort Knox right away. Every hour of delay brings the Secret Service and DOD closer to locating Conrad’s relatives. Three days should allow enough time to test the machine and mobilize. Get your people ready to make history-you’re going to pull off the biggest heist of all time. But no more surprises!” Holloway yelled as the limousine was heading away from the marina on Hilton Head Island. “You hear me, Kilmer?”
“No worries, Mr. Holloway. We’ll give it a whirl,” Kilmer said, shaking his head in disgust. Crikey, I’ll be glad to be done with this arsehole.
THIRTY-NINE
