“A few hundred thousand, not millions. And I’ll answer with a question — why do you ask?” His expression was wary, mistrustful.
Blaze didn’t blame him. But the man’s shock was about to be doubled.
“Because Kosta and Meyer, as well as the organization they’re working for, are under investigation.” He paused. “For espionage, treason, homeland terrorism. You name it.”
Lan stared at him, face draining of color. “You… you’re making that up.”
“I wish I were. Then you’d be able to throw me out and go back to your life with your new lady. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. I’ll ask you again whether you’ve had any suspicions about these men.”
Lan’s gaze dropped to the floor, and he didn’t speak for a few moments. When he did, his voice was tired. “Yes. Not at first, but lately I’ve been frustrated at the lack of details about what my money is earning. They were so forthcoming in the beginning, providing me with printouts of data, reassuring me that my money was being well invested and would turn a profit eventually. For the past few weeks, though, all I’ve gotten is the runaround.”
“Why didn’t you say something at our meeting with them? Give me a hint that you had doubts?”
He had the grace to look embarrassed. “I was going to, but not in front of them. Call it a keen sense of self- preservation, but I don’t want them to know that I’ve lost faith. They seem dangerous, crazy as that sounds.”
“No. They
“Great.” He gave a humorless laugh. “And where do you fit into all of this, John? Or whatever the hell your name is.”
“Blaze Kelly, and my ‘wife’ is Emma Foster, who really is my sub, by the way. We’re undercover, and before you ask, we can’t tell you who we work for. You’ve never heard of them, anyway, but rest assured we’re the good guys.”
“You’ll pardon my skepticism.”
“Doubt is healthy as long as it doesn’t cloud your view of the truth.”
“And what is the truth, Mr. Kelly?”
He cringed at the man’s distant tone, but couldn’t blame him. “Blaze, please. The truth could get you killed, so be real sure you want to hear it.”
“Well, if it’s that bad, then I’m likely already on their list of dumbasses to dispatch at their earliest convenience, wouldn’t you say?”
He couldn’t deny that. “Yeah, almost certainly.”
“Give me the easy version.”
“Okay. Kosta and Meyer, along with a player who didn’t show up at our meeting last night, work their money scams with a man who’s high up in the food chain in the U.S. military.”
“Would that be Major Reed Fontaine?” Lan asked.
“The same. You know him?”
“Not well. He doesn’t show up very often, and when he does, he’s a pompous prick. I wouldn’t care if I never saw him again.”
“You’re not alone. Major Fontaine and his merry band report to a man name Robert Dietz, who’s an enemy of the U.S. government and the American people. He’s on every wanted list in existence. Have you ever heard his name?”
Lan frowned, thinking. “I can’t say I have.”
“I didn’t think so, or you’d already be dead.”
“Jesus!”
“Gets worse. Dietz works with a homegrown terrorist group who call themselves the Liberation Organization. In fact, he’s pretty much taken them over. Just over three months ago, with crucial information provided by the major, the Liberation group stole a weapon of mass destruction right from under the military’s nose. It was the largest, most potentially deadly security breach in our nation’s history… and if we don’t get it back, there won’t be a nation left when all is said and done.”
“Oh, my God! You mean—”
“The weapon has been sold, and Dietz’s group is waiting for the right time to move it, smuggle it out of the country. Where, in all likelihood, it will be aimed at us. Millions who survive the initial blast will be killed by the virus it releases. There’s no cure.”
“Why in God’s name did we make a weapon like that?” he whispered, stricken.
“Good question. My guess is to make sure other nations play nice? Except — whoops, we lost it. Now we have to find the goddamned thing before it’s moved.”
Lan hung his head, one hand covering his face. “And I’ve been funding these murderers. I thought the worst that might’ve happened was I’d been taken for some cash. How could I have been so blind?”
Rising, Blaze rounded the desk and laid a hand on Lan’s shoulder. “This isn’t your fault. The blame for this lies squarely on the government. The problem is, it’s guys like me who have to come in and try to clean up the mess without the public getting wind of what’s happened.”
Lan met his eyes, worried. “How the hell are you going to do that?”
“I have help. All you need to do is sit back and act normal. Don’t panic. These bastards can smell sweat at a thousand paces.”
“Well, that’s reassuring. Thanks.”
“I always say a little fear keeps you on your toes, but don’t let it overwhelm you or the game is over.” Lan looked away and was silent for a couple of minutes. “What?”
“I want to help,” he said firmly. “I want to do something more.”
“No. You’re doing quite enough by keeping them happy and their suspicions soothed. I don’t want you any closer than this. In fact, you need to pull back. Distance yourself.”
“I can’t. I have a meeting with Kosta this afternoon. If I cancel, it’s going to look bad. What if—”
“Forget it. I know what you’re going to suggest, and the answer is no.”
“But what if I can get them to let me in on the whole scheme? I might be able to get some good stuff for you and the government, or whoever. Has it occurred to you that they’re setting me up to take the blame for working with this Dietz guy, and planning to disappear with the money? They could plant all sorts of evidence on me.”
Dammit. “Yeah, I thought of that. It’s a possibility.”
“Listen, let me go into this meeting and push a bit. Maybe I can get them to open up and include me in the real plans.”
“Lan—”
“Please, Blaze. I’ve never done one important thing in my life except make money. Let me do this.” His earnest plea found a mark.
“Christ, I must be crazy. Okay, but you’ll be fitted with a camera/ microphone so we can monitor the situation. If it gets out of hand, we’ll get you out.”
“Fine. And Nicole is not to know about this. Agreed?”
“Absolutely. The fewer people who are in on this, the better.” He rubbed his tired eyes. “Let’s get some sleep. We’ve got a long day tomorrow.”
If he’d had any idea how correct that statement would prove to be, he might never have gotten out of bed come morning.
* * *
Emma patted Lan’s tie clasp and attempted to quell her reservations about this meeting. She and Blaze had a heated argument about Lan’s involvement, and she’d lost. End of story.
Damned infuriating man! But he was convinced Lan would do fine as long as he didn’t push too hard. Kept his cool.
“You’re all set,” she told their new friend.
“Thanks, Emma.” He shot her a nervous smile.
“You’ve got to chill, or you’re going to arouse their suspicions. Find your center.”
“I will. It’s just that this is a lot scarier now than it was at two in the morning. I’m fine, though.
