“Come on, Hawk,” Alex pleaded. “That’s not a good idea. It’s dark and he’s got the advantage.”
“The moon is bright and calling this thing a cliff is a generous description. Just follow me.”
Hawk proceeded to scramble down the rocks. In less than a minute, he was standing along the shore, searching for the gunman. Hawk noticed the man look back over his shoulder before he dashed farther upstream. Without hesitating, Hawk went after the man.
Hawk’s pursuit lasted less than thirty seconds, halted by the crack of a rifle. The man staggered to the ground, collapsing face first into the water. Immediately, Hawk took cover and waited for a few moments before saying anything.
“What just happened, Hawk?” Alex asked. “Why’d you stop moving?”
“Someone just shot our gunman and I’m hiding.”
“Just leave him there,” Samuels said. “Wait until it’s safe and come back to the house. I’m sure Justice Williams will appreciate what you did.”
“But I didn’t do anything. We need to find out who that was so we can tie Michaels to all of this,” Hawk said. “It might be another way we could take him down.”
“Do you think anyone is going to believe that story?” Samuels asked. “It’ll be dismissed before the story gains any traction.”
“When did you get all negative on us?” Alex asked. “This isn’t like you.”
“I’m just concerned, that’s all.”
Hawk sighed. “It’s been a few minutes. I’m gonna go take a look now.”
Hawk’s attempts to discover the man’s identity ended sharply when a warning shot whistled off a nearby rock. Slipping back behind a boulder, Hawk reconsidered.
“Maybe you’re right, Samuels,” Hawk said. “It’s obvious someone doesn’t want me inspecting the body.”
“Better get back here,” Alex said. “You’ll have some more explaining to do if you don’t.”
“You’re right,” Hawk said. “This isn’t ever going to end, is it?”
“I’m afraid not,” Alex said. “At least, not until you finish this.”
“Easier said than done.”
Hawk crouched low as he eased his way toward the back of Williams’ house. He glanced over his shoulder a final time, waiting until there was a moment of cloud cover from the moon. After climbing up the rocks, he reached the back of Williams’ grounds. Alex greeted his arrival loudly with a warning.
“The police just arrived,” Alex said. “Better skip that explanation for now and sneak out of there before the place is crawling with cops.”
“Roger that,” Hawk said.
He crept to the woods surrounding the justice’s house and eased back to the main road where he reunited with Alex and Samuels in their van.
“You all right?” Alex asked.
Hawk shook his head. “I thought Michaels was unhinged before, but that was nothing. We’ve got our work cut out for us if we’re going to stop him this time.”
“Any regrets over saving his life?” Alex asked.
Hawk nodded. “I’m regretting it more and more with each passing second.”
CHAPTER 17
Portree, Isle of Skye
Scotland
BLUNT TUNED IN to an international cable news channel and watched as political and legal pundits broke down proceedings in the U.S. Supreme Court earlier that day. He grunted as one of the British commentators explained how the forthcoming ruling could help the U.S. maintain its prominence globally. While Blunt had been around long enough to know television experts often got it wrong, he winced when several of the panel members broke into giddy laughter. He knew exactly what they were thinking—the Supreme Court was going to disband the Federal Reserve Act of 1913.
I’d like to wipe that smug smile off your face, son.
Blunt considered hurling his glass at the screen before deciding against it.
“I’ve covered this particular Supreme Court bench enough to know what they are thinking based on their mannerisms and their questions,” Dr. Titus Wellman, one of the panel members said from a television studio in Washington, D.C. “And I can promise you right now that they are weighing the consequences of ruling that the Federal Reserve Act was unconstitutional. Who will handle all the duties that will be relegated when this announcement is made? What about setting interest rates? What governing body will do that now? It’s going to be a mess logistically for a while, but I can assure you this is the way the court was leaning after watching the judges’ body language and line of questioning.”
The show’s host, a sophisticated brunette named Darcy Barrow, furrowed her brow and cocked her head to one side.
“Dr. Wellman, was there any indication that perhaps one judge’s vote may swing the ruling and uphold the Federal Reserve Act?” she asked as she looked directly into the camera.
Wellman chuckled and shook his head.
“Not a chance,” he said.
“Not even Justice Williams? I know several other legal experts seem to believe she might side with those in favor of upholding the century-old piece of legislation.”
“Based on what I witnessed today, she’s in President Michaels’ pocket.”
“Thank you for your time, Dr. Wellman,” she said. “We look forward to your report tomorrow when the U.S. Supreme Court issues their ruling in this all-important emergency hearing.”
“Thank you, Darcy.”
Blunt clenched his fists before letting out a frustrated scream. Without any nearby neighbors, he felt comfortable in getting out his aggression in the privacy of his cottage overlooking the water. He turned off the television and struggled to stand up.
The Firestorm team hadn’t checked in since the previous night to update him on what happened at Justice Williams’ house. Based on that conversation, Blunt was convinced that Williams would do the right thing. After pondering the situation for a few more minutes, he concluded that maybe she still would. Tipping her hand too early wouldn’t be in her best interest if Michaels had put her in his crosshairs. Blunt met Williams on several occasions in formal settings at Washington galas and benefits. He found her to be delightful and kind as a person, yet direct and fair as a judge. In short, Blunt didn’t figure her to be the kind of judge who would cave with a little bit of pressure. Yet, he had to
