metal closer and studied what was there.
He recognized the first two markings. Hebrew letters.
The same as on his father’s tombstone. But those letters adorned many Hebrew graves. The third marking he did not know. An X, one stem hooked. He shook his head. What did it all mean?
The woman next to him had dozed off beneath a blanket. More people around him were heading to sleep.
He should, too.
He’d made a few precautionary preparations while in the library, a printer available for a fee. But there would have to be more. What would he do tomorrow at St. Stephen’s?
Good question.
He needed an answer.
And fast.
———
BENE CHECKED HIS WATCH. 9:30 P.M. IN JAMAICA MEANT 3:30 A.M. tomorrow in Vienna.
“I had no choice,” he told Brian through the phone. “She had to be bartered.” He’d just informed Jamison about the conversation with Zachariah Simon in which he’d revealed that Alle Becket was still alive.
“You compromised your man inside,” Brian said from Vienna.
“I’ve already told him to disappear. Simon and his guard dog are on a plane headed home. My man is gone from the residence.”
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done,” Brian said, his voice rising. “We worked with you because
And that was true.
Brian Jamison had appeared at his estate, nearly a year ago, unannounced. He was an American intelligence agent, working for a unit called the Magellan Billet, come to ask questions about what Zachariah Simon was doing in Jamaica. Bene had offered him coffee and cake and told him nothing. Jamison returned three days later, this time with a thick file that contained more information on Bene’s illegal activities than he thought could be amassed in so short a time.
Jamison then made clear that there was more than enough evidence in the file to support a variety of felonies that Jamaica, the United States, several South American nations, or most of the Caribbean could prosecute. Nearly all of those jurisdictions also allowed civil forfeiture of property upon conviction, which meant all of the Rowe wealth could be seized. Of course, that unpleasantness might be avoided if Bene was willing to do one simple thing.
Work with them.
Jamison had been introduced to Simon as Bene’s chief lieutenant, and a point was made to underscore their close relationship. Brian had even interacted with Simon and his people twice in Jamaica, including Simon’s own lieutenant, Rocha. His appearance in Vienna had certainly spooked the Simon. Enough that Alle Becket’s death had been ordered. Bene knew that when he revealed that the young woman was still alive, the Americans would not like it. But what did he care? Liking things was never part of their bargain.
“If I had not told the Simon about her,” he made clear, “this would be over. He has no further use of me.”
The silent pause signaled that Jamison knew that to be true. Finally, Brian asked, “What do you want me to do?”
“Make her available tomorrow for the trade. He still thinks you work for me. I didn’t sell
“Bene, you have no idea who you’re dealing with. Simon is a dangerous man, into things way beyond finding some lost gold mine. I’ve come to realize that there’s something big happening here.”
“I don’t suppose you’d share those thoughts?”
“Get real.”
He chuckled. “I didn’t think so. But know this. Finding that lost mine is still important to him. I heard it in his voice. Lucky for you he still needs me. Or, better yet, he needs that woman.”
“I could have you arrested.”
“But you won’t. What I did kept this alive. And you know it.”
“I’m going to have to run this by people above my pay grade.”
“You do that. But I suggest you be at that church tomorrow with the daughter. The Simon is expecting her.”
