Dangerous Bet: A financial thriller
Page 24
“As you said, it is your hobby.”
I took another sip, carefully choosing my words.
“I have to ask you one more question.”
He looked at me in non-binding look.
“Why did you help me?” I asked.
He was still silent, his eyes measuring me.
“I thought a lot about it,” I slowly said, “about the phone call that night, where you led me to believe that I should be careful, so I was ready for them. The hint Judy mentioned about gambling, when I know she was quoting you. I also think you made sure Eddie didn’t know he was being followed because you knew that way he could meet me privately and I could turn him over to my side. He was not watched at the hospital, and so he was able to get out. I can only imagine that the note in the shoe was also your work—not to mention that you guys would have gotten me within days, had someone not messed with the procedure. So, once again: Why did you help me?”
He sipped his beer and answered in that same quiet voice. “I regret that I can’t answer you directly, and I’m sure you know why. But imagine a person that is being coerced into a situation against his will—and with it, he has no choice and must cooperate because otherwise he’d lose everything he had worked for his whole life. That kind of person would undoubtedly work in order to prevent the success of things he deems unworthy.”
I sipped my whisky and looked straight into his eyes.
“So the deceased L was in charge of it all and you were nothing but a victim… How convenient and terrific that sounds! Almost heartbreaking,” I said, “until you think about those millions of dollars still missing…”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I could see the trace of a fake smile on his face.
I knew I was right.
“It’s a brilliant plan, I must admit, except for the ending…which you could not anticipate. You were the person closest to him and you never managed to really get to know him. He had made mistakes, but his goal was to benefit the public. And as a true believer, he paid the price for his mistakes in full.”
I picked up my drink and downed it. I no longer had anything to do there.
“I was your decoy. A perfect cover up for your get-rich-quick scheme. I believe you didn’t know about my hobby in advance, but once you discovered it, you realized you could harness it and use it for your own devices. You knew that once L understood I was becoming a real threat, he’d cancel the whole operation, and then you would get the lot, just as you had originally planned it. We all served your goals. You pulled the strings and we all danced. And one last thing: I have absolutely no doubt that at the end he understood exactly what you did, that he saw exactly how far your treason had extended. His suicide was actually a small revenge. I hope he inflicted you with nightmares that will never let you go.”
He shook and shrank in his seat.
I got up and walked out. Once I stood at the door, I turned around and looked at him.
A lonely and tormented man in an expensive suit.
I wasn’t jealous of him.
Thank you very much for reading this book. If it made your day, I’d love to read your review on Amazon.com – it will make mine. Just click here.
Regards,
Jack Gardner
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jack Gardner, MBA, studied at Stanford University in California and at a Senior Officers’ Military Academy. For years, he specialized in information accumulation and analysis for the government, and currently writes mystery novels, as well as articles for travel and economics magazines.
He has a daughter and two sons, is an enthusiast of thrillers, and he devotes his spare time to flying, extreme sports, riding motorcycles and traveling the world.