A few seconds later, Alex’s voice was coming through the speaker. “I found Obsidian’s white paper on this entire project—the real white paper, not that general overview Black found at Fortner’s place. Their quest for money is simply a means to an end.”
“And what’s their endgame?” Blunt asked.
“To control as many of the world market sectors as possible to create a more utopian existence.”
“We already knew this wasn’t just about money. But a utopian existence? Are you serious?”
Alex chuckled. “Would I lie to you? That last phrase is a direct quote. They have something else in mind for the rest of us peons.”
“And did you find out what?”
“Not yet. I know it’s a vague and ambiguous goal statement, but it at least lets us know that they have very ambitious plans.”
“What else did you find?”
“I found out where most of the money is going—a shell corporation in the Bahamas called Apollo Corp.”
“Apollo Corp?” Blunt asked. “That’s rich.”
“How so?” Alex said. “I always hated mythology.”
“Apollo was the Greek god over many things, including both plagues and medicine. Sound familiar?”
Alex sighed. “Would they really name their fake corporation something that on the nose?”
“Probably an inside joke,” Blunt said. “I doubt these arrogant bastards ever imagined they’d get caught.”
“Never underestimate a man entering his second century,” Alex said with a soft laugh.
“You think that’s funny, don’t you?” Blunt said. “If the end of the world comes soon, who would you rather be with: someone who doesn’t know how to start a fire or someone who knows how to grow crops, find water, and survive on the scarcest of resources?”
“I’m with Hawk no matter what, so that’s not even a hypothetical I can entertain.”
“Based on what Obsidian is scheming to do, this very much might be our reality sooner than we’d like to imagine,” Blunt said.
Hawk jumped on the call. “I couldn’t agree more. In the past, the attacks have been more localized and specific to a region. However, this time it seems like they’re planning a coordinated event.”
“Do you believe this is going to be global or just limited to the U.S.?” Blunt asked.
“So far we don’t have any proof that anything is taking place outside of the U.S., but you might want to put on alert those cities that have A Hand Up offices.”
“If this truly is a worldwide attack, this isn’t going to be easy to stop,” Blunt said.
“Of course not,” Hawk said. “But we’ll think of something.”
Blunt stroked his chin. “Keep digging. We need to know as much as we can before we start issuing warnings to every law enforcement entity in the free world.”
CHAPTER 16
BLUNT TUGGED ON HIS stocking cap covering his wispy gray hair and then looked the White House security guard in the eyes. He glanced up and down between the photo on the badge and at Blunt’s face. After comparing the image with the man, the guard waved Blunt inside.
He removed his hat once he entered and then hustled to the Secret Service lounge to chat with Big Earv, who was running point on President Young’s detail that afternoon. Big Earv was holding a cup of coffee while checking his watch when Blunt entered the room.
“Big Earv,” Blunt said as he strode inside with his arms wide.
“They will let anyone on the White House grounds these days, won’t they?” Big Earv said.
“When you were here when they built the damn place, no one tends to put up much of a fuss when you ask for permission to enter,” Blunt said with a wink.
“You’ve probably been using that joke longer than I’ve been alive.”
“Probably—and it was just as funny back then as it is now,” Blunt said as he smiled. “I really do appreciate you setting this meeting up for me.”
“I still don’t understand why you couldn’t set this up like all your other meetings. Is there something happening that I need to be aware of?”
Blunt crammed his cigar into his mouth and chewed on the end while he responded. “It’s quite possible that a terrorist attack might happen soon, but we don’t want to talk about it publicly because there is a serious security breach right now within every branch of the government. Until we can identify who’s leaking all this information, we have to keep our mouths shut. I trust you didn’t tell anyone else, did you?”
Big Earv shook his head. “Not a soul. I’ll be the one vetting the president’s limo when he goes to leave, and I’ll also be stationed inside. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Thanks, Big Earv. I know I can always count on you.”
“You did get me this job, so you know I’m always willing and ready to do you a solid.”
Big Earv led Blunt downstairs to where Young’s limo would transport him to a special fundraising event at the Kennedy Center.
“You won’t have long to talk with Young, so just be ready,” Big Earv said.
“Roger that,” Blunt said before he ducked inside the limo. He waited for fifteen minutes before activity started swirling around the underground garage. Eventually, Big Earv stepped inside, followed by President Young and a couple more agents.
Young furrowed his brow when he noticed Blunt sitting in the back of the vehicle.
“Mr. President, there’s someone who requested a private meeting with you,” Big Earv said.
“J.D.?” Young said. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“We need to talk,” Blunt said.
“You know my door is always open to you,” Young said. “Make an appointment with my secretary. You don’t need to be sneaking around like you’re some groveling staffer.”
A faint smile spread across Blunt’s lips. “I appreciate the sentiment, but I wouldn’t be meeting you like this unless I had a good reason to.”
“What’s going on?”
“Do you remember telling me that you would let my team know the truth about Shane Samuels?” Blunt asked.
Young rubbed his face with both hands and sighed. “I vaguely recall saying something to that effect.”
“Well, it’s past
