“You mean a one-world order?”
“I mean a one-world collective looking out for the interests of all people. An organization of leaders powerful enough to cut through regional politics to shape human history, to effectively protect our world from those who wish to destroy us.”
“As if the United Nations has done a bang-up job getting people to work together. And how do you decide who’s the enemy?” Gerrit asked.
“The world community of leaders, supported by their constituents, will delegate those decisions to those in the best position to protect our global community.”
“You mean someone like yourself?”
Kane shrugged one shoulder. “Whoever is called upon to serve.”
“And what are you willing to do?”
“Whatever it takes.” Kane’s reply came back like a rifle shot. He slowly lowered himself into his chair. “My question to you, boy-are you willing to do whatever it takes? The lines are drawn and the war has begun. I need to know which side you’re on.”
“What happens if the interests of the United States conflicts with your global community’s interests? Which side will you take?”
Leaning forward, Kane peered at him with hardened eyes. “I choose the survival of mankind.”
“Even if it means bringing the U.S. to its knees in submission to other countries?”
The man leaned back. “Which side do you choose?”
“Time for me to head home, Kane. I consider myself a patriot. We will never see eye to eye on this issue.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Gerrit. I had such high hopes for you. Maybe after you have time to chew on this, you’ll change your mind.”
Gerrit threw his suitcase on the bed and began packing. “Don’t hold your breath. We’re finished here.”
Kane just held his hands out as if in surrender. “Whatever happens will fall on your head. I gave you a chance.”
“You’re asking me to betray my country. That’ll never happen in my lifetime.”
“Be careful, Gerrit. Without me, you’ll be on your own with no connections. A very dangerous place to be.”
“ On my own has been the story of my life. I’m used to it.”
Kane just shook his head before walking out the door.
Chapter 17
San Francisco, California
Touching down on U.S. soil, Gerrit began to breathe easier. Maybe Kane never alerted Interpol and the Austrian police about his presence at the crime scene. At least not yet.
He glanced at his watch as he strode through San Francisco’s International Terminal, weaving through a crowd of passengers as he worked his way toward Terminal 3. He slowed down when a departure monitor flashed information that he had more than an hour before boarding his connection to Seattle.
Great. More time wasted.
Sixteen hours in flight, not counting a short layover in London, left him feeling sore and tired. He needed a shot of caffeine and spotted a Starbucks a short distance ahead. He had plenty of time to grab a cup and relax before boarding. His checked luggage would probably beat him to Sea-Tac.
The adrenaline rush of passing through security in Vienna-looking over his shoulder for Kane’s people-had ebbed a long time ago. Making the switch in London had been this side of boring. Vienna police apparently hadn’t singled him out in their investigation, so he surmised Kane hadn’t burned him-yet. Gerrit became more relaxed the farther he traveled from Europe.
He guessed that walking away from Kane was not an everyday occurrence. There would be repercussions at some point, but when the man might drop that hammer could be anybody’s guess. Gerrit agonized through every security checkpoint and the stress tired him out. He needed a java fix.
As he approached the counter, a woman laid her hand on his arm. “Detective O’Rourke. May I have a moment of your time?”
Startled, he drew back for a moment. The woman was tall and gracefully lanky, a few inches shorter than his six-foot frame. Her hair, dark and straight, cascaded over her shoulders, and he estimated her age just shy of forty. Wearing hardly any makeup and with eyes the color of his coffee, she possessed a quiet beauty that might easily be overlooked in a crowd. Unless a man took a closer look. Right now, she caught his full attention.
As if reading his thoughts, she smiled. “I am sorry to alarm you like this, but it is very important that we…how do you say, speak alone.” Russian accent, but not native. Her chocolate-brown eyes glanced away as she seemed to be searching the crowd. She motioned toward a table farthest down the corridor. “Shall we sit?”
Now it registered. Jewish and Russian? Odd combination. He gathered his coffee and followed her to the table. “How do you know my name? Have we met?” He sipped the coffee and studied her, knowing he’d never crossed her path.
She settled into the chair next to him, making sure she faced the crowd as they conversed. Just like a cop. “We know about your meeting with Richard Kane in Vienna. And we know you’ve been followed ever since-a team of three, two men and one woman.”
Gerrit glanced around. No one seemed particularly interested in them, although several men glanced their way in passing. “So, where are they?”
She briefly smiled. Her furrowed brow seemed to relax for a moment, and her eyes carried a gentleness he never once saw in Marilynn’s. And yet, there seemed to be an edginess about her, an attitude shared by those who must always be on their guard. “The men are in the bathroom trying to rid themselves of the last of their lunch. They can barely walk.”
“And the woman?”
“She got off the plane and tried to connect with your flight to Seattle.”
Gerrit raised a brow. “Tried?”
“A canine unit hit her.”
“Hit her?”
“They found a small package of C4 in her coat. The dog almost ripped her clothes apart trying to reach the explosive. She’s currently being interrogated by security.” Again, the smile.
He briefly eyed the cameras.
“For the next forty-five minutes, those cameras are looped back to show the crowd that passed here about an hour ago. We will be long gone by the time the surveillance cameras return to normal viewing.”
“You did all this, Miss…?” Once more, she placed her hand on his, not in a flirtatious move, but more like how a friend might touch another. “Gerrit, we have been watching over you for more than seven years. Waiting for this time.”
He tensed. Watching over or spying on me? “Waiting for what?”
“For someone like Kane to approach.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “We know you turned him down in Vienna. That was a very dangerous thing to do. He is a khutspe, a very arrogant man. He does not like to lose. Be on your guard. If you need to contact us”-she withdrew a cell phone from her purse-”use this. Once you use it, destroy it. We’ll provide another.”
“Who are you and what’s your connection to Kane?”
She shook her head. “We do not have the time. Just be careful. If we feel you are in imminent danger, we will move in. Keep that phone near you at all times.”
Standing, she looked down. “Have a good flight.”
He rose. “What’s your name?”
After a moment’s hesitation, she said, “My name’s Alena.” She touched his cheek with her hand before turning away, disappearing into the crowd.
He started to reach for his own cell phone, then changed his mind. Alena’s information made him suspicious of everything. It took him a few minutes to find a pay phone. He slipped in the coins and dialed.
“Hey, partner. Gerrit here.”
“Hey, bro. Where in the Sam Hill are you?” Mark Taylor’s voice sounded incredulous. “First, you disappear on me and when I ask the boss, he tells me it’s none of my damn business. What’s going on?”