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“It’s been a very stressful time.”
“I can only imagine,” replies Armstrong, and I swear I hear him chuckle.
“Is something funny, Agent?”
“Must be hard to be on the receiving end of something like this when you’re used to being in charge and having the upper hand.”
His statement takes me by surprise.
“How so?”
“From what I can gather, you’re used to getting what you want. Angelica Strauss had friends too. Some of whom miss her greatly.”
And it all becomes clear. I had Jamison Felder assassinate Angelica Strauss since she was getting too close to my deal in Iran. Angelica had done work for me in the past and was trying to get leverage on me to get out from under my thumb.
This is payback,all of it.
The theft, the swiping of all information in my vault.
It was all planned.
Not wanting him to know I’m pissed, I chuckle. “Yes, she’s missed bysome. I didn’t kill Ms. Strauss. As for the art, it’s insured.”
“Perhaps if it was as well-equipped as your vault, this wouldn’t have happened?”
“Rest assured, Special Agent Armstrong, it’s not the only vault in existence. One can never be too careful with information or goods.”
“Yeah, I guess so. You really should be more careful who you let enter such a well-protected space. For instance, did you know you can get a small EMP for very little cost? They’re so small now they fit into briefcases.”
“Agent Armstrong?” I say through gritted teeth.
“Yes, Dean?”
“I’ll be watching you.”
Ending the call, I throw the cell phone against the glass petition, and it bounces off it. My driver puts the divider down.
“Did you want something, sir?”
“Take me back to the university.”
Simon Bartlett
The sun feels good on my skin as I lay in the hammock and gently sway back and forth. I’m in the Maldives. We’ve been here for nearly a month. Ann is tucked into my side, fast asleep. We rented out the entire resort. It’s amazing what money can buy you.
Power, anonymity, a new life.
My family never understood that I didn’t want to have dirt on people, to use them as stepping-stones to get what I needed, to become whatever they wanted. Hugging Ann closer, I realize they would never have understood.
Love isn’t something they’ve ever experienced. Marriages are forged to create a more powerful alliance. It’s a business merger, and the offspring are encouraged to find another, more powerful family to continue its legacy.
Once, I thought I wanted all of that. But after going home and spending time with my father and mother, I realized how miserable they are. Yes, they have money and standing in the community, but at what cost?
Ann stirs in my arms.
“You awake?” I ask.
“Uh-huh.”
