When Hamilton was safely locked in another bedroom, Tarnwell motioned to Lobec to close the library’s door. He poured a snifter of Courvoisier and took a hand-rolled Cuban cigar from the mahogany humidor. Tarnwell noticed that Lobec stayed far on the other side of the room as he lit the cigar.
“Care for one, David?” he asked innocently.
“No, thank you.”
Tarnwell blew a smoke ring in Lobec’s direction, then closed his eyes as he sipped the cognac. After a long pause to savor the taste, he swallowed and opened his eyes. “Fine job tonight, David. I hope your plan for tomorrow is just as good. Tell me about it.”
Still standing at the other side of the library, Lobec’s eyes followed the smoke ring until it dissipated. “It’s very simple really. I will have two men in separate cars posted at each end of the Arlington Bridge. They can’t get there too early or police may stop to ask why they are holding up traffic. We will let Miss Jensen approach, if she is not already there. Once I verify that she has the notebook, we make the exchange and let them leave.”
Tarnwell raised an eyebrow. “You let them leave?”
“At least give them that impression. Since Mr. Bern and I must be on foot, it would be risky to terminate them in the middle of the bridge, too much attention would be drawn to us, with no way to escape easily.”
“Then where do you get them?”
“My men have instructions to take them out at the end of the bridge. A few short bursts should do the trick. They can then make their escape, with no connection to us.”
“Don’t you think they might have thought of that?” said Tarnwell.
“Of course, but there really is no defense. My men have automatic rifles. No matter if they leave by foot or by car, they will be vulnerable.”
“What about the water?”
“Unlikely. Since we will be in the middle of the bridge, they would have to swim a quarter of a mile to get to the shore. Even if they tried something as foolish as jumping, my men would have no trouble picking them off while they are still in the river.”
“And the police?”
“She has no proof. The police won’t help her.”
Lobec’s reasoning seemed valid. “It sounds like you’ve got things under control, David. Just make sure you get the right notebook. We don’t have time for any more delays. Just in case Miss Jensen doesn’t show up, I will be handling our contingency. Call me on my cell phone when you’ve succeeded.”
Lobec turned to leave, but Tarnwell wanted to remind him of something.
“David, I hope you haven’t forgotten about your brother and his family. Because I haven’t. I really want to see that notebook in my hands tomorrow, and I wouldn’t want to see a slipup on your part harm them.”
Lobec narrowed his eyes but said nothing. Tarnwell smiled. Lobec understood. With a wave of his hand, Tarnwell dismissed Lobec, who left the room. After the door was closed, Tarnwell pressed an intercom button next to his chair.
“Come in, Richard,” he said.
Through the library’s other door came Richard Bern. He stood uncomfortably in front of Tarnwell.
“You wanted to see me, Mr. Tarnwell?”
“Yes, Richard, I did. You have a bright future in this company. You’ve become one of my most trusted employees, and you know that I reward my employees well.”
“You sure do, Mr. Tarnwell. I’m lucky to be working for you.”
“Thank you, Richard. That’s nice of you to say. The reason I asked you in here is because I need someone I trust on my side. You see, David is a very competent individual, but I’m afraid he may be planning something silly after the operation is completed tomorrow morning. I need your help.”
“Sure, Mr. Tarnwell, anything.”
“Once you have the item you are receiving from Erica Jensen tomorrow, never take your eyes off of it or David. I’m trusting you to make sure it gets back to me safely. It contains something that will make us all very wealthy, you included. This will be the most important job you’ve ever had. Don’t let anything stop you from getting that notebook to me. Do whatever it takes, I mean anything. Are you up for that?”
“You pay the bills.”
“Good,” Tarnwell said. “I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
Sensing that Tarnwell was finished with him, Bern left.
Tarnwell turned the cigar over in his fingers, treating himself to one more relaxing moment. In less than 24 hours, moments like these would be few. Even with the Adamas process, it would be hard work becoming the richest man in the world.
After an almost sleepless night tied to a four-poster bed, Kevin’s muscles ached, and his eyes were gummed from sleeping two straight nights without removing his contacts. At 6:00 in the morning, Richard Bern loosened his bonds. Bern was uncharacteristically dressed in gray sweatpants and a blue, hooded sweatshirt. He led Kevin to a different bathroom, but this time Kevin was afforded no privacy. The door remained open while he urinated.
He was given water but no breakfast. Kevin tried to suppress his growling stomach. He wasn’t sure, but he thought he could hear Bern chuckling behind him as they walked downstairs and into the library.
Lobec stood as Kevin and Bern entered the room. He was already dressed, but like Bern, did not wear a suit. Instead, he wore jogging shorts, a long-sleeved cotton pullover, and an Orioles baseball cap.
“I hope you slept well despite the conditions,” Lobec said.
Kevin had caught a glance at himself in the upstairs mirror and knew he looked like hell.
“Where’s Tarnwell? Doesn’t he want to join in on the fun, too?”
“Mr. Tarnwell had some business at the Capitol this morning. He’s quite involved in fund raising.” He looked at his watch. “Are you ready to meet Miss Jensen?”
“I don’t have much choice, do I?”
“Of course not.”
Lobec nodded at Bern, who cuffed Kevin’s hands in front of him. The three of them went outside to a Ford waiting for them at the mansion entrance. Franco was in the driver’s seat.
“Just the four of us?” said Kevin as they pulled away from the house. “I would have thought you’d bring the whole goon squad.”
“Mr. Francowiak will be dropping us off. There is no reason to upset Miss Jensen unnecessarily with a large contingent.” Even though Kevin couldn’t tell from the smooth voice, he knew Lobec was lying. Lobec probably already had men stationed around the bridge, waiting to tell him when Erica arrived.
Forty minutes later, Franco stopped at the eastern side of the Arlington National Cemetery. It was a ten minute walk to the bridge.
As Bern dragged him from the car, Kevin said, “So what’s the plan?”
“We will escort you to the middle of the bridge,” said Lobec, “where Miss Jensen should be waiting for us. She will leave the notebook and videotape on the sidewalk and you will be free to go.”
Kevin withheld a contemptuous chuckle and held up his cuffed hands. “Can I at least get these off?”
“I don’t think so. You have already shown a penchant for causing trouble. I will release your hands before we make the exchange.”
Bern pulled the hood over his head, and they began walking toward the Arlington Memorial Bridge. The western face of the Lincoln Memorial was still in shadows, and in the distance Kevin could see the Washington Monument and Capitol. They climbed down the incline, crossed a busy interchange, and walked onto the north side of the bridge.
The bridge was essentially a six-lane road with fifteen-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides. Cement railings lined the edge, with lamps embedded in square pillars every twenty feet. The half-mile span arched over the Potomac 75 feet below. A fine mist rose from the river’s placid surface, and the rising sun cast long shadows across the water.