House of Cards (Tech Billionaires)

by Ainsley St Claire

  “I recognize you from the pictures,” she says. “Welcome to our home.”

  “Where are your keys?” Murphy asks. “I want to move your car into the barn and out of sight.”

  “This may be a bad idea…” My relief dissipates as suddenly as it arrived.

  “It is a bad idea, but you haven’t told anyone else I’m alive, so there isn’t much I wouldn’t do for you.”

  I hand him the keys, and he disappears.

  I feel tears building. “This is such a mess.”

  Anna pats my hand. “We want to hear all about it and see how we can help. Let’s start with a cup of tea while Murphy moves your car.”

  “Thank you.” I sit down at the table and try to breathe slowly and evenly.

  When Murphy returns, Anna is serving tea, and I pull a file folder from my bag.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t make it to Dad’s funeral,” Murphy says.

  I snort. “You didn’t miss much. It was more of a show than anything else.”

  “That’s the same thing my mom said.”

  “Your mom and I were the only ones upset.”

  “He often made it hard to love him,” Murphy says.

  Anna reaches for his hand and gives it a squeeze.

  I take a sip of my tea.

  “He came out to visit when things started going south,” he tells me. “He and Mom were at our wedding. He explained what he wanted for me. I kept telling him I didn’t want anything from him or his crazy family.”

  I nod. “I’m sorry, and now his crazy family needs your help.”

  His eyes soften. “Neither you, Christopher, or Steven is crazy. Your mother, well, that’s another story. I’m guessing she’s behind this farce with you being all over the TV and Christopher and Steven in hiding?”

  “I think so.” I pull my dad’s will from my bag and walk Murphy through it. “The will says a Reinhardt must run the company or we have to divest and sell. It also says that person must be married. Although Christopher is still part of the family, he’s emancipated, so he has no ties to the business, and Stevie has no interest or qualifications for the job. That leaves me, and my mother is insisting that we comply with the terms of the will immediately, which means she expects me to marry, and she’s decided it should be Alex Walker.” Finally, I tell him about the forged promissory note Mother showed me. “I think she started out using it to blackmail me into getting married, but now she’s made it part of the media blitz, so she seems to have another objective.”

  “I don’t understand why she’d care if you’re married,” he says. “Or if she cares so much, why she’d give up her leverage.”

  “I believe it’s because the Kryetar, which is an Albanian organized crime family, are connected to the company. They may be calling some of the shots.”

  He sits back in his chair and clasps his hands behind his head. “And you didn’t know anything about that?”

  “No. This is all news to me. And it seems they’re involved with Elite Electronics too—that’s the Walker family’s company. I have a lot to sort out.”

  “Better you than me, sister.” Murphy shakes his head. “Why would your friend Alex want to marry you? What does he get out of it?”

  I shake my head. “When we first talked about it, I thought he was helping me solve a problem and keep the Reinhardt Corporation together. But he’s also in a bad financial place. The more I learn about this, the more I think it’s just about money.”

  We sit for a few moments drinking our tea. A deer walks through the backyard with her fawn.

  “Where do Christopher and Steven think you are?”

  “On the run,” I say.

  “But your lawyer in San Francisco knows where you are?”

  “No, not really. She just knows I’ll be in touch.” I hand him the SIM card and phone. “This is my burner phone. She can’t track me, but she knows I’m safe.”

  “We should call your brothers.”

  “I only have the number to Christopher’s burner phone. He’s in a safe house north of San Francisco. Stevie is in a safe house in Miami.”

  Murphy gets up and returns with a phone. “This will route your call through Paris.”

  “I’m impressed.”

  “We have the same family.” He grins. “I talk to my mom weekly, and we do it under the radar for her safety and mine.”

  “Why does she stay in Minneapolis?” I ask.

  He shrugs. “Better to keep your friends close and your enemies closer, I suppose.” He thrusts the phone at me. “Call Christopher. Try not to be longer than ten minutes but be sure he knows you’re safe.”

  I dial the number, and it gives the fast double-ring, as if I’m calling from Europe.

  “Where the fuck are you?” Christopher growls without saying hello.

  “I’m in France. And hello to you too. How are you doing?’“

  “Frankly, Maggie, I’m pissed. You were safe with Jonnie.”

  My lip starts to tremble, and my voice breaks. “Christopher, I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to him.”

  “How do you think we feel with you out there on your own and no one to protect you? Jonnie is a mess.”

  “Please tell him and Stevie I’m working on this and I’m safe.”

  “What’s in France?” he asks.

  “Distance.”

  “Can we use this number to call you?” he asks.

  I look at Murphy, and he shakes his head no. “I’m moving around,” I tell him. “This isn’t permanent.”

  “I want to hear from you regularly. Marci has a lawyer in Chicago working with the US Attorney. The Kryetar are hot and heavy there. Do not even think about going to Chicago. Stay far away.”

  “No problem.” I shift gears. “Marci was surprised they moved forward with the arrest warrant so soon.”

  “We didn’t come out of hiding and declare ourselves safe as they hoped we would after their first press conference,” Christopher says.

  “What planet were they living on to think we’d do that?”

  “It’s a sign they’re nervous about you.” He lowers his voice. “Which means they’ll probably act first and think second. Remember that, okay?”

  “I still don’t understand why Mother didn’t take the money she stole and disappear to some beach or an ice castle in the Swiss Alps, out of prosecutorial reach,” I muse out loud.

  “None of us can figure it out either,” he says.

  Murphy clears his throat and points to his wrist.

  “I need to go. I’ll call again soon.”

  “Be safe,” Christopher says.

  “Tell Jonnie I’m doing this for us.” I hang up and take a deep breath to build my confidence.

  Looking at Murphy and Anna, I force a smile. “I have a plan.”

  Anna reaches for Murphy’s hand, and their fingers intertwine. “Well, don’t leave us in suspense,” she says.

  Chapter 30

  Maggie

  I look across the table at Anna and Murphy as they clasp hands and stare back at me. “Your mom is still employed by Reinhardt Corporation—”

  “I don’t want to put her in any danger,” Murphy interrupts.

  I nod. “I agree. I sympathize. I have a security company I’ve been working with, and I want her to have a protection detail. Some strange things are going on, and I don’t trust anyone at Reinhardt right now.”

  “I can get on board with that.” Murphy glances at Anna, who shrugs. “Convincing my mother she needs a detail may be another story.”

  “It really is important,” I tell them. “If I can’t convince her, you’ll need to talk to her. Tell her safety is paramount.” They nod. “Do you think she’d meet with me?”

  “You’re not thinking of going into the lion’s den, are you?” Murphy asks.

  “No… I don’t know exactly the best way to meet her. Maybe over a protected phone line? But I’d prefer for her to come here.”

  Murphy turns to Anna. “Do we tell h
er?”

  “Tell me what?” My stomach is in knots. Have they already talked to Nancy and she wants me gone and away from them?

  Anna smiles. “He means do we tell his mom I’m pregnant—with twins.”

  I wasn’t expecting that at all. I jump up. “Twins? That’s amazing!” I rush over to hug Anna and Murphy. “I’m going to be an aunt! Christopher and Bella are pregnant, too.” My hand flies to my mouth, and I scramble to recover. “Although, that’s their news. Oops. I probably shouldn’t have shared that.”

  “That’s great news,” Anna says. “But of course we’ll keep it to ourselves.”

  I take my place at the table again, and the gravity of the situation hits me. I can’t stay here. I need to leave, and I need to leave tonight. “What if your mom can meet me, say...in Denver before coming here?”

  “On one condition,” Anna says. “You need your own protection detail.”

  She’s right. I’m tired and I’ve only been on my own for a day. But I can’t. I try to explain it so they’ll understand. “I want everyone to be able to be honest if they’re questioned by the police or, God forbid, the FBI. If they don’t know where I am, they’re not lying.”

  “You’re important to all of us, which means your safety is important, too,” Anna stresses.

  I need to get this moving if I’m going to get out of here. “Okay, we need to make some calls.”

  Murphy steps out and returns with the phone, offering it to me. “This time you’re calling from Prague.”

  “I’m a world traveler, I guess.” I dial Jim.

  “Jim Adelson,” his deliberate and strong voice says in greeting.

  “Hi, it’s Maggie.”

  “You’re in Eastern Europe?” he asks.

  “No, but I’m safe.”

  I hear a frustrated sigh.

  I start talking before he can ask the twenty questions I’m not going to answer. “Jim, I need a detail for my dad’s old secretary, Nancy Newcastle.”

  “What do I need to know?” he asks.

  “She’s the mother of my half-brother,” I offer.

  “Does she know we’re coming?”

  “She will as soon as I hang up.”

  He’s quiet for a moment.

  “I need you to tell her to go to her son in Colorado.”

  “His grave?”

  “Yes.”

  “What aren’t you telling me?” he presses.

  “She’s in danger. If you can join her, you’ll learn more. I better go. I need to let her know you’re coming.”

  “The team can be there in twenty minutes.”

  I’m stunned by this. “Why do you have a team in Minneapolis? And that’s probably sooner than she can be ready.”

  “Okay, let her know I’ll pick her up with her detail in Minneapolis in...three hours.” He doesn’t answer my question, which makes me nervous, but I don’t have time to press him. I suppose I’m not answering a lot of his questions either.

  “Make sure your team accompanies her as she moves around,” I tell him. “She’s the key to this.”

  Nancy knows everything, I’m sure of it. It’s time we all talk.

  “Are you at your brother’s grave?” he asks.

  I’m not at his grave, but that’s just semantics, right? “I am, but I won’t be by the time you arrive.”

  “Maggie,” Jim says. “I’m on your side in this.”

  “I know. I’d just rather you be able to be honest with the police if you’re asked.”

  “I work for Marci,” he reminds me. “If they ask, I’m covered by privilege. Everyone is worried about you. I’m bringing someone to stay with you. You shouldn’t do this alone.”

  “We’ll talk soon.” I disconnect the phone and turn to Murphy. “We need to call your mom now.”

  He nods, dials his mother, and hands me the phone. I hope she picks up.

  “Hello?” Relief floods through me at the sound of her voice.

  “Nancy, it’s me.”

  “I’m sorry, but I’ve already donated to the veterans fund.”

  I’m confused by this but realize she must not be alone.

  “Nancy, I’m sending you a security detail. I’m with Anna. They’re going to bring you here.”

  “That sounds like a great idea. Let’s aim for a return call at four o’clock today. Would that work?” I hear the edge in her voice, and I know we need to act fast. It’s less than a half-hour until four.

  “Thanks, Nancy. His name is Jim Adelson.”

  “I’ll watch for him then.”

  I hang up and turn to Murphy. “Something’s not right. I need to call Jim back. Your mom’s expecting a team sooner than we planned.”

  He nods, and I call Jim back. Before he can even acknowledge me, I blurt out, “Something is up. Nancy will be ready at four for your team.”

  “We’ll be there. Please, can you stay put?”

  “I have to make arrangements. I don’t want to put anybody in danger.”

  “Nancy’s team should arrive in the next fifteen minutes.”

  “Thank you,” I tell him, and I truly, truly mean it.

  “I’ll be there in a private plane at…” There’s a short pause. “Seven o’clock to pick her and the team up. I need to file a flight plan, so I need to know where Murphy’s grave is located.”

  I take a deep breath. “When you leave Minneapolis, land in Eagle, Colorado. I may meet you there, but for sure a friend of Nancy’s will meet the plane.”

  Eagle is just outside Vail. It’s an airport that mostly serves the rich and famous and their private jets.

  “I have a client with a place near the airport. We can stay there, and you’ll be safe and off the radar.”

  “I don’t know, Jim.” I was planning on heading to Denver tonight.

  “Consider it.”

  “I will.” I disconnect the phone and find Anna and Murphy staring at me.

  “You’re staying with Jim and not going underground on your own, right?” Murphy says.

  “I don’t know. Honestly, my plan is to stay away from anyone I care about.” I’m fighting tears.

  “I heard him say he has access to a place close by, which probably means Vail or Beavercreek. You could do that at least for a night or two. You need some rest before you rush into the hellfire,” Murphy reasons.

  All of a sudden, I’m exhausted. I can’t even think straight to argue my point right now. “When do we need to leave for the airport?”

  “If they’re leaving Minneapolis at seven, they’ll need time to drive to the airport, so they should land about nine. It will take us a little under an hour and a half, so we’ll leave here about seven thirty.”

  I glance at the time. That’s more than three hours away. “Can I lie down? I drove all Saturday night and into this morning. I grabbed a hotel, but it was so loud, I didn’t really sleep.”

  “Of course.” Anna jumps up. “Follow me to the guest room. I’ll wake you about seven. I’m making potato soup for dinner, and that will stick to your bones tonight.”

  “Sounds wonderful.” I don’t even undress and just crawl beneath the sheets. I feel safe, at least for the minute.

  I must fall asleep quickly because it seems like I just laid down when Anna knocks at the door.

  “Maggie?” she calls. “It’s after seven.”

  I sit up and attempt to shake the fog from my brain. My feet feel like they’re encased in concrete, but I move slowly to the kitchen. Murphy and Anna stop talking when I arrive. “I’m sorry.”

  “We were just discussing the plan,” Anna says. “As tired as you are, we don’t think it’s safe for you to drive tonight.”

  “Unfortunately, I haven’t grown wings yet, so flying isn’t an option.

  Anna pours me a dark cup of tea. “I think I should drive your car with you in the passenger seat, and Murphy will drive our car.”

  I feel like I should protest, but my body tells me it’s a smart move. “Okay.”

  “You
don’t understand. The roads are dark, and we know them better,” Murphy says. “If for some reason we need to go another direction, we’ll be able to do that.”

  I cock my head, confused. “I agreed with Anna.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” Murphy looks sheepish. “I expected a bigger fight.”

  “I know you think I’m being difficult, but I need to at least try to protect you. If these guys are coming after me, what will they do to someone who helps me? We can’t fight this battle from twenty different angles.”

  He shakes his head. “You won’t. You’ve got a team behind you. You don’t need to do this on your own.”

  I stand to give Murphy a hug, and my tears fall. “I’m so grateful you’re my brother.”

  He returns the hug. “I’m glad you’re my sister.”

  “You should eat.” Anna thrusts a steaming cup of creamy goodness at me.

  I swear, my eyes roll into the back of my head as I taste it. “This is amazing.”

  “I’ll tell you my secret.” Anna drops her voice as if we’re in a busy room. “I use a dry soup starter and add ham and hard-boiled egg. It gives it more substance to stick to your bones.”

  After finishing a second serving of soup, I feel refreshed and ready to take on the world.

  “Shall we go?” Murphy has an overnight bag. He looks down at it. “Just in case we have to stay in Vail with you while you meet with Mom.”

  “Good idea. I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

  “We’re going to drive out the back way without the headlights. We’ll go separately. I’m going to start south and you’ll head north.”

  I’m not sure I understand what he’s saying, but I attribute it to my lack of sleep. Anyway, I trust them. As we walk toward the barn in the dark, I pull my coat tight to keep out the chill. It’s so dark, I can hardly see anything. “Will you be able to see where you’re going?”

  “Yes, we practiced this many times,” Anna assures me.

  As we drive, it’s darker than I’ve ever seen before, yet Anna keeps the headlights off. “Why would you practice driving in the dark?”

  “Murphy’s really cautious about some of your family.”