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Taggart looked his way, nodding, which Dare took as permission to explain the situation. He was surprised Taggart would allow him to be a part of this conference, but he was game. “Ben believes you’re a member of the leadership behind Disrupt Australia, a group of powerful people who want to truly disrupt the world. There was a cluster of attacks on Jakarta’s public transportation system a few months ago.”
“Yes, I remember,” Huisman said with a nod. “It nearly took down the country’s government.”
“He believes Disrupt Australia was behind it,” Dare explained.
“That’s ridiculous.” Huisman stood, pacing. “They’re economists and scientists. It’s a think tank. They’re not terrorists. Mr. Taggart, does the CIA believe DA is a terrorist group?”
“That’s what we’re here to determine,” Taggart admitted. “I’d certainly like to ask you a few questions about what you know about the group and how you came to be involved.”
Huisman stopped. “I will answer any questions you have. All the Agency ever had to do was ask. I will cooperate in any way you need, Mr. Taggart, but first you must listen to me. Mr. Nash, I approached Mr. Taggart because I’ve learned that Oakley is planning to kidnap you in an effort to get your father to give him a sample of something dangerous one of your companies is working on.”
Tasha’s hand tightened slightly around his, the only reaction she had to the words. Her calm helped Dare keep his own.
“Excellent. And what is that?” Ian sat up as though they’d finally gotten to the part he’d been waiting for. “I’ve brought you here. You’re in the same room with Nash. I’ve given you what you want. Tell me what we’re dealing with.”
“Nothing less than the potential annihilation of millions,” Huisman stated. “From what I’ve learned, Tandy Medical is working on biological weapons.”
“What?” His hand tightened around Tasha’s. “I can believe my dad is stealing money or selling stuff he shouldn’t, but developing biological weapons? Tandy works on vaccines.”
“Yes, and one of those vaccines is for anthrax,” Huisman explained. “There are several terrorist groups who have been experimenting with anthrax delivery systems. Inhalation anthrax has an excellent rate of death. Even with aggressive treatment it’s roughly fifty fifty. It would be far less if this strain was let loose in the undeveloped world.”
“Which is why we’re trying to develop better vaccines.” Dare felt floored. He’d thought he could believe anything of his father, but this was a lot.
“But as you develop the vaccines, the scientists at Tandy are also working on a better anthrax.”
Huisman’s words sent a chill through Dare. For the first time, he felt anxiety begin to thrum through his system. His father wouldn’t do that. “Why would anyone want better anthrax?”
“That’s a naïve question, Dare,” Taggart said, but his tone was softer than it had been. “There’s money in a better anthrax. The same way there’s money in building bombs and running guns. Dr. Huisman, I do not believe that Dare is involved in his father’s illegitimate businesses.”
Huisman nodded. “I had made that assessment myself, but at the very least Oakley believes his father will be willing to trade the weaponized anthrax process for you.”
“I’m not sure he would actually do that.” His father would definitely weigh a cost analysis versus losing his eldest son.
“I believe that’s a correct assessment,” Taggart countered, speaking to Huisman. “He needs Dare in order to look like he’s got someone ready to take over. His father doesn’t think anyone else in the family is capable of handling the business. He’s put a lot of time and money into Dare. He won’t let him go easily.”
“My father hates me.” Dare felt like that should be clear, but no one was getting it.
“I don’t think your father knows how to hate or love,” Tasha added. “I think he views everyone as a chess piece to move around and sacrifice if needed. You are an important piece to him. There’s a reason they aren’t trying to get to your brother or sister. Your father wouldn’t care. They aren’t important pieces except they are an excellent way to manipulate you.”
He wasn’t going to argue with her. Especially since when he looked at it with an unemotional eye, she made sense. His father was concerned with having a male heir. So much so he would force an unacceptable one into the role. But there were other problems to deal with. “Why do you think Oakley is planning to kidnap me?”
“Because he already tried,” Huisman said grimly. “A few days ago I believe he sent someone to take Mr. Nash. It was right before we met, correct? You didn’t have a bodyguard when you first came to Australia. Did Benjamin stop him?”
So it hadn’t been a ploy by Tasha to get him to hire Nate. He’d pretty much let go of the idea, but it was good to know it for certain. “Yes. There was an incident Ben had to save me from. I was sedated, so I don’t remember much. You didn’t answer me. How do you know if you claim you’re not close to Oakley?”
