He flashed me a quizzical look as if the answer were obvious. ‘I did that for the staff. The CIA were starting to funnel their funds elsewhere, to their latest projects, and sucking the business dry. If I didn’t borrow more, the staff and Contigo would have lost their jobs. We had sold so many of our assets, I had to be creative in presenting to the banks. The employees were like family after all those years. I couldn’t let them suffer for something I started.’
I couldn’t work Moss out. ‘You must have known it would eventually unravel.’
‘I had to buy time. Until the last series of secret projects was complete. Now, Eliza, I need that USB.’
‘I’m sorry, Dad. I can’t give it to you.’
Chapter 125
MOSS’S EXPRESSION HARDENED. ‘Eliza, how is your breathing?’
His daughter made no comment.
‘You know it’s seventy per cent normal. There is a clinic in Zurich that specialises in degenerative neurological diseases like yours.’
The word ‘degenerative’ was like a blow to my chest. I had no idea Eliza’s condition would deteriorate. I moved and sat at the desk opposite her. She would not make eye contact with me.
‘Why didn’t you say anything?’ I tried to process what that meant.
She bowed her head. ‘I couldn’t.’
‘You’re already at seventy per cent lung function,’ her father continued, ‘and stress speeds the disease process. Who knows what the last few days have done to your immune system. Again, I’m truly sorry for that.’
He placed his hand on the table, next to hers. ‘You just book in for an assessment when you’re ready. They do stem cell therapy.’ He lifted his hand, revealing a card. ‘It’s all been taken care of.’
A long silence hung in the room.
Eliza then spoke, a quiver in her voice. ‘Is that part of the deal you brokered with the Chinese?’
‘I had two conditions. In exchange for my research they get me out of Australia safely, and you get the very best medical care. The genetic testing has been paid for in advance. Eliza, this clinic could have the answers no one else does.’
Eliza began to tremble.
I wasn’t buying it. ‘So what’s on the USB that makes it so valuable? Our computers couldn’t detect anything.’
‘The USB is half of a complex series of systems that will change the face of warfare. That means limiting civilian deaths and carnage.’ He looked at both of us. ‘I developed an advanced encryption code, which is why you couldn’t decipher it. It needs to be paired with the other USB to be read.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Contigo Valley started out as an altruistic, forward-thinking company but in the last ten years it became overrun with agendas I could no longer influence, or stomach. War is a powerful industry and makes certain interests extremely wealthy. Resources and politics are the endgame. Power of the worst kind.’
‘All this because you’re disillusioned with American foreign policy?’ I was incredulous.
‘The West continues to prop up militants who overthrow those who would keep the US, UK and Australia away from oil and other resources. Inevitably, the underdog rises to fill the power vacuum and, morally corrupted, becomes the monster it fought. Look at Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, the list is endless.’
‘The proverbs we used to talk about,’ Eliza argued, ‘like the one about the teacher coming to the pupil. They’re fiction. Buddha never said those things. China is no different from anyone else. It’s a superpower and equally prone to corruption.’
‘I disagree. China is looking to the future to break old habits. They are leading the world in commercialisation of renewable energy, and are proving giants in the manufacture of those technologies.’
Eliza shook her head. ‘This can’t be about solar energy, Dad. It’s too far-fetched. And you’re going to sell your life’s research to another superpower. How can you be sure you can trust them with it? How do you know you’re not selling your soul to another devil?’
‘Think about it. The Middle East is a debacle, in many ways trapped in the Middle Ages, still obsessing about crusades and infidels. China is on the rise and will have the economy, trained workforce, political influence and autonomy to orchestrate a better way. We’re not talking about a larger version of North Korea, like propagandists would have you believe. Without the West dependent on oil, Middle Eastern wars won’t have to be fought. If oil isn’t in demand, the power of Saudi Arabia will dissolve.’
For the first time, he made a reasonable point. The industry behind wars would need to look for new sources of income.
‘Finally, armies can save lives, not take them.’ He sounded like a politician campaigning for election.
Eliza paused, then spoke firmly. ‘I’m lucky, happy, and prepared to let fate take its course. I won’t accept you doing this for me.’ She pushed the card back at him.
‘The old ways aren’t working. The spy game doesn’t work. This is my way to make a positive difference.’
Despite his motives, I was concerned what would happen to us all if the USB wasn’t located. After all, it was the reason the Chinese were helping him escape. I reached into the zipper on my belt and pulled out the tiny device, still mulling over what to do. I eventually slid it across the table.
‘Thank you, Craig.’ He stood. ‘I have a clear conscience for what happens from here on. Eliza, you’ve made me a far better person. I will always love you.’
Eliza and I both realised that this was the last time we’d ever see the man known as Eric Moss.
Chapter 126
A KNOCK ON the door broke the tearful silence. ‘Time is up. I have to go,’ Moss said.
‘Please ask for more time, ask them.’ Eliza grabbed her father’s hands.
He looked at her with eyes full of love.
‘You couldn’t make me happier, or more proud.’
‘What about Lang Gillies?’ I asked. ‘How is he involved?’
‘Lang likes to think he’s involved in secret work. Truth is, Jim Roden has him in his pocket, for his own reasons. He would have let the ambassador know the second I sent him the resignation email.’
I wanted to know one more thing. ‘Was he complicit in the fraud?’ Seeing him pursued by the fraud squad would give me a certain satisfaction.
‘He can’t tell his left from his right. Subterfuge is beyond his minimal talents.’ Moss smiled to himself, then looked again at Eliza.
‘When will I see you again?’ she asked. ‘How will I contact you?’ She reached for his arm and he bent down, tenderly kissing her forehead.
‘I have to go somewhere no one will find me. While we’ve been talking, a deal has been brokered with the Australian and US governments. You will be free once you leave here. Fortunately, Ambassador Roden and his friends at the CIA won’t want it getting around that a man with no records and no passport conned the CIA, defence forces, even the Secretary of State into providing intimate knowledge of highly classified defence contracts and bases. The Australian government wouldn’t be proud of it either. The only price you pay is silence.’
‘Please, Daddy, don’t do this. We can work something out.’
An official entered the room with the guard.
‘It’s time.’
Eliza’s hands gripped him tightly and she cried softly in his arms. ‘I love you. Please don’t go.’
After a couple of minutes of silence, the guard moved to separate the pair.
I blocked him and took Eliza’s hands. Her father walked slowly towards the door. He turned and blew a kiss. ‘I hope you’ll see me one day as a hero in your story, not a villain.’
He didn’t look back.
Chapter 127
AS ERIC MOSS predicted, we exited the embassy via the front gates. The police were nowhere to be seen and Eliza’s wheelchair had been returned. We sat in the back of a diplomatic car, with a Chinese driver separated by an electric screen. I had no doubt he was listening to everything we said on the way to the airport.
&nbs
p; She gripped my hand tightly in the back seat, all but emotionally spent.
I ran over what Moss had told us. Eliza would never know his true identity, for his own reasons. The lack of documentation was deliberate. He was a CIA operative and didn’t leave a paper or digital trail. Anything else could have been wiped by the CIA once he went rogue.
Eliza placed her head on my shoulder. ‘Do you think he was lying?’
I watched the view from my window.
‘I think he honestly believes he’s doing the right thing. It sounds as if he’s been disillusioned with his work for a long time. Maybe it was time for him to stop lying.’
She lifted her head and turned her face to mine. ‘He’s still trying to look after me. Swiss treatments? Wasn’t stopping wars enough?’
I smiled at her resilience. ‘Maybe that’s how he justified it to himself – his last act to make sure you’re taken care of.’
‘Craig, he’s a traitor, isn’t he?’
To be honest, I wasn’t sure. ‘It depends on which side you’re on. Julian Assange, Edward Snowden polarise opinion all the time. If he does change the face of warfare, he’ll be a hero in a lot of people’s stories.’ Although I suspected it was more likely the regime he was defecting to would be just as disillusioning. ‘One thing is clear,’ I added. ‘He loves you more than anything and wants you to get the best possible treatment.’
‘About that. I didn’t know how to tell you. There never seemed to be a right time.’
I kept painful secrets myself and couldn’t blame Eliza for shielding her privacy. If disability didn’t define her, a progressive condition wouldn’t either. I looked into her eyes and our faces touched. I kissed her softly at first, then with increasing intensity. For a few minutes, the world went silent.
Chapter 128
THREE MONTHS LATER
We’d arrived at the international airport early and were outside the departures gate. I couldn’t believe the day had come so quickly.
‘I can always tag along if you change your mind, carry your bags?’
Eliza held my hand and smiled. ‘Kiss me like Peyroni and the paparazzi are watching,’ she joked.
‘Think he’s a little busy preparing for that court case of his. Now talking of cases …’
‘We’ve been over this. I have to go alone. If they think I’m suitable for the trial and there’s a chance of improvement, I’m going through with the treatment no matter the risks. I don’t need Mr Logic here muddling my thinking, or kissing me to cloud my senses.’
I bent down and kissed her again. These months had been memorable. My apartment would be lonely without her. That incredible smile, the raucous laugh and her zest for life, in spite of the loss and heartache.
‘The genetic testing should be able to – I mean, before things go any further between us, I need to know.’
Eliza had no idea if her condition could be passed on to children. Before committing to any long-term relationship, she deserved the chance to find out.
I kissed her button nose.
‘Well,’ she held up her passport, ‘love you and leave you.’
She wheeled away, then spun around. ‘Hey, you’d better get practising the “YMCA” dance. It’s the first thing we’re doing when I get back.’
I raised both arms in a Y-shape and she laughed before disappearing through the departure gate.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
JAMES PATTERSON is one of the best-known and biggest-selling writers of all time. Since winning the Edgar™ Award for Best First Novel with The Thomas Berryman Number, his books have sold in excess of 300 million copies worldwide and he has been the most borrowed author in UK libraries for the past eight years in a row. He is the author of some of the most popular series of the past two decades – the Alex Cross, Women’s Murder Club, Detective Michael Bennett and Private novels – and he has written many other number one bestsellers including romance novels and stand-alone thrillers. He lives in Florida with his wife and son.
James is passionate about encouraging children to read. Inspired by his own son who was a reluctant reader, he also writes a range of books specifically for young readers. James is a founding partner of Booktrust’s Children’s Reading Fund in the UK.
KATHRYN FOX is a medical practitioner with a special interest in forensic medicine. She is the author of seven internationally bestselling novels, most recently Death Mask, Cold Grave and Fatal Impact. Her debut, Malicious Intent, won the 2005 Davitt award for adult fiction. She has twice been short-listed for the prestigious Ned Kelly award. Her books have also been selected in the ‘50 Books You Can’t Put Down’ Australian reading initiative and are published in over a dozen languages.
Kathryn lives in Sydney and combines her passion for books and medicine by actively promoting the links between literacy and health, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
Also by James Patterson
PRIVATE NOVELS
Private (with Maxine Paetro)
Private London (with Mark Pearson)
Private Games (with Mark Sullivan)
Private: No.1 Suspect (with Maxine Paetro)
Private Oz (with Michael White)
Private Berlin (with Mark Sullivan)
Private L.A. (with Mark Sullivan)
Private India (with Ashwin Sanghi)
Private Vegas (with Maxine Paetro)
A list of more titles by James Patterson is printed at the back of this book.
Also by James Patterson
ALEX CROSS NOVELS
Along Came a Spider • Kiss the Girls • Jack and Jill • Cat and Mouse • Pop Goes the Weasel • Roses are Red • Violets are Blue • Four Blind Mice • The Big Bad Wolf • London Bridges • Mary, Mary • Cross • Double Cross • Cross Country • Alex Cross’s Trial (with Richard DiLallo) • I, Alex Cross • Cross Fire • Kill Alex Cross • Merry Christmas, Alex Cross • Alex Cross, Run • Cross My Heart • Hope to Die • Cross Justice (to be published November 2015)
THE WOMEN’S MURDER CLUB SERIES
1st to Die • 2nd Chance (with Andrew Gross) • 3rd Degree (with Andrew Gross) • 4th of July (with Maxine Paetro) • The 5th Horseman (with Maxine Paetro) • The 6th Target (with Maxine Paetro) • 7th Heaven (with Maxine Paetro) • 8th Confession (with Maxine Paetro) • 9th Judgement (with Maxine Paetro) • 10th Anniversary (with Maxine Paetro) • 11th Hour (with Maxine Paetro) • 12th of Never (with Maxine Paetro) • Unlucky 13 (with Maxine Paetro) • 14th Deadly Sin (with Maxine Paetro)
MICHAEL BENNETT NOVELS
Step on a Crack (with Michael Ledwidge) • Run For Your Life (with Michael Ledwidge) • Worst Case (with Michael Ledwidge) • Tick Tock (with Michael Ledwidge) • I, Michael Bennett (with Michael Ledwidge) • Gone (with Michael Ledwidge) • Burn (with Michael Ledwidge)
NYPD RED SERIES
NYPD Red (with Marshall Karp) • NYPD Red 2 (with Marshall Karp) • NYPD Red 3 (with Marshall Karp)
STAND-ALONE THRILLERS
Sail (with Howard Roughan) • Swimsuit (with Maxine Paetro) • Don’t Blink (with Howard Roughan) • Postcard Killers (with Liza Marklund) • Toys (with Neil McMahon) • Now You See Her (with Michael Ledwidge) • Kill Me If You Can (with Marshall Karp) • Guilty Wives (with David Ellis) • Zoo (with Michael Ledwidge) • Second Honeymoon (with Howard Roughan) • Mistress (with David Ellis) • Invisible (with David Ellis) • The Thomas Berryman Number • Truth or Die (with Howard Roughan) • Murder House (with David Ellis, to be published September 2015)
NON-FICTION
Torn Apart (with Hal and Cory Friedman) • The Murder of King Tut (with Martin Dugard)
ROMANCE
Sundays at Tiffany’s (with Gabrielle Charbonnet) • The Christmas Wedding (with Richard DiLallo) • First Love (with Emily Raymond)
OTHER TITLES
Miracle at Augusta (with Peter de Jonge)
FAMILY OF PAGE-TURNERS
MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOKS
The Worst Years of My Life (with Chris Tebbetts) •
Get Me Out of Here! (with Chris Tebbetts) • My Brother Is a Big, Fat Liar (with Lisa Papademetriou) • How I Survived Bullies, Broccoli, and Snake Hill (with Chris Tebbetts) • Ultimate Showdown (with Julia Bergen) • Save Rafe! (with Chris Tebbetts) • Just My Rotten Luck (with Chris Tebbetts, to be published October 2015)
I FUNNY SERIES
I Funny (with Chris Grabenstein) • I Even Funnier (with Chris Grabenstein) • I Totally Funniest (with Chris Grabenstein)
TREASURE HUNTERS SERIES
Treasure Hunters (with Chris Grabenstein) • Danger Down the Nile (with Chris Grabenstein) • Secrets of the Forbidden City (with Chris Grabenstein, to be published September 2015)
HOUSE OF ROBOTS
House of Robots (with Chris Grabenstein) • Robots Go Wild! (with Chris Grabenstein, to be published December 2015)
KENNY WRIGHT
Kenny Wright: Superhero (with Chris Tebbetts)
HOMEROOM DIARIES
Homeroom Diaries (with Lisa Papademetriou)
MAXIMUM RIDE SERIES
The Angel Experiment • School’s Out Forever • Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports • The Final Warning • Max • Fang • Angel • Nevermore • Forever
CONFESSIONS SERIES
Confessions of a Murder Suspect (with Maxine Paetro) • The Private School Murders (with Maxine Paetro) • The Paris Mysteries (with Maxine Paetro) • The Murder of an Angel (with Maxine Paetro, to be published October 2015)
WITCH & WIZARD SERIES
Witch & Wizard (with Gabrielle Charbonnet) • The Gift (with Ned Rust) • The Fire (with Jill Dembowski) • The Kiss (with Jill Dembowski) • The Lost (with Emily Raymond)
DANIEL X SERIES
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X (with Michael Ledwidge) • Watch the Skies (with Ned Rust) • Demons and Druids (with Adam Sadler) • Game Over (with Ned Rust) • Armageddon (with Chris Grabenstein) • Lights Out (with Chris Grabenstein)