USA, Inc. (A Mike Wardman Novel: Book 1)

by Larry Kahaner

  “You mean to tell me that Kane placed all of these things in motion—the state government—just so he could cash in at the end?” Burke asked. “He would have turned this country inside-out just to make a buck?”

  “It appears so,” Mike said.

  “How did you learn about options?”

  “I didn’t at first, but I kept hearing that the states would sell stocks and options. So I asked around, and several brokers told me they thought it odd that they would offer options in addition to stocks. Options are risky, and not many mom-and-pop investors know how use them. In order to be approved to buy and sell them, brokers require customers to have a higher level of wealth. This didn’t make sense if they wanted regular investors to buy into the new state government idea. Offering options was all Kane’s idea, and he spearheaded their approval at the SEC.

  “Once I saw how panicked Kane was about getting out of his trade when the price had done down, it was clear to me that he saw the sweet spot slipping away. He was counting on the AG’s remarks to keep the price depressed so he could cash out.”

  “But he didn’t, because of you,” Evelyn said.

  “Don’t forget Al’s spoof phone that showed POTUS was calling the AG. Believe me, the irony was not lost on me that Kane, who always espoused how great a country this is, sought to make a fortune by betting against it.”

  “And he lost,” Evelyn said.

  “What would have happened if the attorney general had abided by the original plan?”

  Mike thought for a minute. “Kane would be wealthy beyond belief. The states’ stock prices would remain down, because people would be terrified of continual runs on the border. They would sell their shares en masse, which would force the price down even lower and for a prolonged time. It might even go to zero. The shares that states kept for themselves would be worthless. California and Texas would go bankrupt, their stocks and options now close to zero, and other states would follow suit. Best guess? Half the states would crash into depression, and if other countries bought stocks and options, thinking that American states were a great investment, they too would suffer a massive financial hit.”

  Al and Evelyn didn’t say a word.

  “Beer, anyone? I could sure use a cold one,” Mike said.

  Burke signaled for one of his officers to bring him a small green duffel. “Billy left it on one of our boats, along with a note that it belongs to you. What is it, Mike?”

  “It’s a statue we picked up along the way,” Mike said. “It might be worth something someday.”

  Epilogue

  “Welcome back, Mr. Kane,” the immigration officer said as he stamped and returned the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis passport.

  “Good to be back,” Kane said. He pointed to his pilot. “He’s with me.”

  The officer nodded. “Of course.”

  Thank God for politicians who understand business, Kane thought. He had received the passport as part of a deal that gave citizenship to anyone who bought more than a half-million dollars’ worth of real estate on the small islands. So what if a few terrorists or unsavory actors bought their passports? Nothing’s perfect.

  “Let’s take two cars,” Kane said. “I have a few personal stops to make.”

  The pilot winked. “Yes, sir.”

  His black Escalade, perhaps the largest automobile on the island, waited outside Vance Amory International Airport, doors open and air conditioning on full blast.

  “Take me home,” he said to the driver.

  Kane looked up and saw Nevis Peak, the highest point on the small island, a name derived from the fluffy white clouds that covered the mountain most every day. The Spanish called it “Our Lady of the Snows,” a miracle that would allow snow in such a warm climate.

  No one lived on top of Nevis Peak. No houses were allowed, but Kane’s residence was as close as possible.

  The last mile was a near-vertical climb. The car, designed for city roads, growled as it spat out rocks and dirt, slipping a bit here and there. A mid-century modern, his house had been carried piece by piece on barges from Miami and assembled. The western view was spectacular. The island of St. Kitts loomed large, and Kane felt like he could almost touch it across the peaceful narrows separating the two hunks of volcanic rock. On a clear day, he could see past Kitts to the island of Sint Eustatius. To the east rose Montserrat and Antigua.

  The staff, hearing of his arrival, had opened the house, letting the sea breeze freshen the inside. The landscaping was neatly trimmed. The pool was full of pure cistern water. A rum drink was already on the veranda table next to his phone.

  The phone rang.

  “I’m sorry to tell dis,” the police officer said, “but your pilot has been killed in a car crash. We don’t know da man or his family, Mr. Kane. Who will make de arrangements?”

  “I will take care of it,” Kane said. That was fast.

  Kane gazed at St. Kitts as dark clouds passed in front of Mt. Liamuiga, leaving shadows on the land. He sighed as he opened his laptop. He already knew the attorney general had sounded an all-clear on the border, that billions of his own dollars had evaporated, that Spalding Chapman had died in an unfortunate but necessary car crash, and that states were debating whether to dismantle their new governmental systems. There was also a small story on an art buyers’ forum, warning about someone trying to peddle a phony Senufo statue.

  As the sun dipped, he sipped a Killer Bee cocktail made from the local moonshine known as Hammond.

  He searched online for any mention of a federal agent named Mike Wardman.

  There was nothing.

  And why would there be anything? Kane thought. He’s just a fish cop.

  Acknowledgements

  I am indebted to the following people for their advice and counsel. Among them are Trish Hunter, Pat Jones, Jim Mele, Bill Adler Jr., Mark Schwartz, Michael A. Black, Doug Starr, Alan Green, Sheri McInnis, the writer guys in the Squatting Toad—Allen Appel, Audie Appel, Marc Smolonsky, John McKeon and Dan Stashower—Lisa Cerasoli for her editing skills and Louise Harnby for her proofreading acumen. And to Robin Latham for simply saying: "Make it better."

  Authors always are grateful for reviews. Please feel free to express your opinion about this book on Amazon.com, Goodreads and elsewhere.

  Also, please enjoy my blog www.non-fictionnovelist.com for novel writing tips, commentaries and opinions and my website www.kahaner.com to see my other books.

  About the Author

  Licensed Private Investigator and investigative journalist Larry Kahaner is the author of 15 non-fiction books, including the best-selling Book-of-the-Month selection Competitive Intelligence, which was translated into six languages, and AK-47: The Weapon that Changed the Face of War. His work has appeared in many publications including The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post and The Christian Science Monitor. He has been a guest on CNN, CNBC, NPR and local TV and radio stations throughout the world. He has received the Jesse M. Neal National Business Journalism Award, the American Society of Business Publication Editors Regional Gold Award and an Associated Press Newswriting Award.

  Please visit Larry’s website at www.Kahaner.com and his blog www.non-fictionnovelist.com for novelwriting news, ideas and tips.