Diamond Legacy (33 page)

Too bad he didn’t actually work there. Instead, Matt drove around the trophy building and down the block to a nondescript complex in the shadow of its grand neighbor. He parked the Rover, and a few determined strides later, he and Jason entered the long building.

Both men were silent. For Matt, the gravity of the situation, along with the horror of his past, threatened to crush his ability to function. He’d spent the better part of the past half hour trying to shut down inside, to disconnect from the fear that robbed his focus. Miranda’s life may very well depend on his success.

He led the way to the middle of the building and crossed through double glass doors that contained the nerve center of IDS. Jason followed him down a series of desks, all buried under mountains of paper. Several agents called out a greeting as they passed, but Matt merely nodded and kept moving. He didn’t even slow down for the industrial-sized coffee maker, despite the aroma of a fresh-brewed pot.

He finally came to a stop in front of an office door and, after a quick rap, he pushed his way inside.

Nik was on the phone, but gestured to the chairs. Neither man took him up on the offer. Matt was too keyed up to sit. Instead, he circled the office like a caged lion. Jason hung back, casually leaning against the closed door, but his relaxed look didn’t fool Matt. He knew the kid spoiled for a fight.

As soon as Nik hung up the phone, he came around to sit on the front of his desk. “I am greatly concerned about you, Matthew Bennett.”

“Don’t worry about me. I always survive.”

“Do not flatter yourself. I am speaking on behalf of IDS. Rash moves make for dead agents, and your objectivity is gone in this case. Perhaps you should be pulled.”

That stopped Matt in his tracks. “Do what you must, Nik, but realize I’ll continue with or without your blessing.”

Nik stared hard at Matt. “I knew it would come down to this when you let the girl get involved. And now we have another.” Nik nodded toward Jason. “Who is this?”

“Jason Harvick,” Jason answered for Matt. “San Diego Zoo intern and friend of Matt and Miranda. And Hank,” he added, almost as an afterthought.

Nik nodded to him in acknowledgment but responded to Matt. “Since when have you ever worked with a partner?”

“These aren’t normal circumstances.”

“And I’m not a normal intern,” Jason added.

“Fill me in,” Nik said.

Matt relayed the details of Miranda and Hank’s kidnapping as he knew it. “Neil Vernel is involved, but he didn’t take both alone. He’s too scrawny. He does hang with dangerous company, however. Breaking into Neil’s circle is an angle I started to play, but time’s run out. He’s just a middle man, and I can no longer afford to wait.”

“Miranda can’t afford it either,” Jason said. “I hope you have enough on this investigation to blow it wide open, because the gig at Katanga is over.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Matt replied. “Getting her back safe and sound is the only important thing right now.”

“Let’s not forget Hank.”

Matt’s jaw hardened, and he glared at Jason.

“Hey, I don’t like him any more than you.” Jason held his hands up to ward off Matt’s evil eye. “He’s white-collar administration all the way. But the man gives me a paycheck, and he needs to go home.”

He agreed. It was what he’d take with him that bothered Matt.

The phone rang again, but Nik ignored it. “Time slips away. Its opening night of Council you see, and you mentioned a plan.…”

“I’m going straight to the top,” Matt said. It was the only course available at this point. “Weston will give me the answers I need.”

Nik’s brows drew downward. “Weston is busy preparing for his commencement speech tonight.”

“Exactly.”

Nik was on his feet in an instant. “A public spectacle at the council is absolutely not permitted.”

“I’m certain Weston doesn’t want it either,” Matt replied. “In fact, I’m counting on it.”

“His plan sold me.” Jason thumbed toward Matt. “Especially since it involved wearing a tuxedo. Kicking ass GQ style has always been tops on my must-do list.”

“I will not allow a hothead access to an international event,” Nik growled.

Jason’s glib manner turned harsh, and he stared Nik straight in the eye. “How about a weapons trained army brat dead set on rescuing Miranda and Hank? Whatever the cost?”

Nik dropped his head into his hands with a groan. “This is not good, Bennett.”

“No, it isn’t,” Matt wholeheartedly agreed. “But it will go a lot smoother with IDS clearance. I will get to Weston one way or another.” And in the process, he’d take down other, bigger fish. He just had to get Miranda safely away first.

“You really believe Weston will volunteer Miranda’s whereabouts?” Jason asked.

“He will or risk total exposure as the fraud and criminal that he is.”

“Won’t he get that anyhow?”

“Guaranteed,” Matt vowed, “but it’s all in the timing.”

“Every available law enforcement agency from Cape Town to the Congo is either patrolling our streets or working security detail. I’m the only agent left.” Nik walked back around his desk and pulled open a drawer, searching inside. “I’m going with you. Someone has to keep control of the situation.”

He tossed a set of keys onto the desk. “Let’s go over the plan before suiting up. This kind of surprise gives me heartburn, and I need to know exactly what you have planned.”

Dusk rolled in with a heavy hand as Matt and Jason pulled around back of the National Assembly. Security blanketed the area, from the highly visible officers on the streets to the camouflaged men that Matt’s trained eye picked out on neighboring rooftops.

Diamond Council strained Gaborone’s resources. From manpower to luxury hotels, shortages hit every sector. A perfect situation if you were looking to move an illegal shipment of weapons across Botswana’s borders.

Matt squeezed the Rover into a spot clearly marked
No Parking Zone
. It was the closest to the back door, and he tossed an IDS marker onto his dashboard to avoid getting towed. A glance in the rearview mirror revealed Nik pulling in behind them.

“It’s show time.” Matt reached across, opened the glove box, and grabbed a small pouch. He climbed out and used the door frame to prop his foot up and strap the derringer to his ankle.

Still inside the Rover, Jason watched his actions with a wry grin. “You realize that metal will set off security sensors.”

Matt just shrugged. “Nik will take care of getting us inside.”

“Not with that thing on your leg,” Nik fired off. “No guns and absolutely no bloodshed allowed. Weston must give the commencement speech. You got that?”

Matt frowned, unhappy with the order, but conceded and pulled the derringer off to toss it back in the bag. “You’re the boss.”

“And do my heart a favor by not causing a scene that involves security,” Nik continued. “There are diplomats and bodyguards covering every square inch in there. One hint of trouble and half of them disappear.”

“You worry too much, Nik.”

“And I know you too well, Bennett.”

“We’re wasting time.” Matt tugged on his sleeves to adjust the fit of the borrowed tux. “I want to get at Weston before he steps to the microphone.” He headed for the building.

Jason fell into step beside Matt. “If Weston spills his guts, what assurances do we have that he’s telling the truth?”

“International exposure is a powerful threat,” Matt replied. “But Weston isn’t the one I want. I’ll promise him the moon, including a chance to walk, just to get a name and a location.”

Nik stopped in his tracks. “I knew there was something you weren’t telling me.”

“I’ll explain later. Confession takes too long.” And weapon smugglers never allowed witnesses to live. Miranda was already on borrowed time. Every wasted minute ate at Matt.

They entered the building, and Nik checked them through security before they headed down a maze of staff corridors. Matt knew the way and took off with a determined stride. Despite Nik’s warnings, he didn’t care how he got the information from Weston. If it took bloodshed, so be it. He wasn’t leaving until he had Miranda’s location and the name of the murdering bastard running guns through Glory Hill.

Matt didn’t slow until the doorway of the grand entry hall appeared in front of him. There, he took one deep breath and entered the crowded hall.

Stately and spacious, the expansive room felt small due to the number of dignitaries mingling about. An eclectic mixture of ambassadors, undersecretaries, prime ministers, and government aides all sipped champagne, engaged in conversation, or read pages of text. Few paid any attention to the trio as they threaded their way through the crowd.

With single-minded purpose, Matt circled the grand hall searching for Weston, but he wasn’t to be found. Undaunted, Matt moved into the main auditorium where many had already found their seats. Plenty still stood, however, and the sound of voices echoed in the cavernous room.

They’d entered on an upper level and the threesome began a gradual climb down toward the stage. That was when Matt spotted Weston. Stage right, he stood deep in conversation with several dignitaries.

A surge of adrenaline rushed through Matt. His step quickened until a hand grabbed his arm, stopping his forward momentum. He turned to face Nik.

“Perhaps I should do the talking,” Nik said with a troubled expression.

“Not this time,” Matt replied. “I’m on the front-lines. You supply backup.”

Nik looked ready to argue, so Matt shook his head. “You and Jason need to be in place in case he tries to bolt. Secure the area. I’m going in.”

“Remember what I said, Matt.” Nik’s dark eyes glittered with serious intent. “No scenes.”

With a curt nod, Matt aimed straight for the politician.

He didn’t bother with niceties when he got there. Despite an avid conversation taking place, Matt marched right up and interrupted. “We need to talk, Weston.”

The politician shot him a look full of disdain. “Do I know you?”

“Not yet. But you will soon.” Matt turned to Weston’s companions. “Please excuse us, gentlemen. Critical matters require the Under Secretary’s attention.”

Without waiting for acknowledgements, Matt grabbed the politician’s arm and steered him through a side door by the stage. Weston balked, but political training prevented him from making a scene. At least until they were out of the public eye.

Once in the privacy of the corridor, Weston’s anger emerged, and he tossed off Matt’s hold. “What is the meaning of this outrage?”

“An urgent matter requires your attention,” Matt said. “I need a name.”

“I’m to deliver a speech within minutes,” Weston spat out between tense jaws. “I have no time for games.”

“Nor do I.” Matt flashed his badge.

That got an instant change in attitude. Wariness settled into the politician’s eyes, and he glanced up and down the corridor. “This way.” He motioned Matt to follow.

He led the way into a small empty reception room, and Nik stepped in behind them. Jason followed to stand guard inside the door.

The move seemed to annoy Weston, and he settled his ire on Matt. “What’s this all about?”

“Simple, really.” Matt relaxed back against a table. “You give me some information and we go away.”

“Nothing is ever simple,” Weston said skeptically. “What do you want?”

“IDS stumbled across a very interesting network within Gaborone. Needless to say, we’ve been watching you closely for some time. You’ve some very unhealthy relationships, Weston.”

“Get to the point.”

“Very well.” Matt dropped the casual front. “There’s a man who’s a frequent visitor of yours. I’ve seen him myself at Glory Hill.”

Realization sank in. “That was you that night, I take it?”

“The one and only,” Matt replied. “I’ve discovered that your friend is a very bad man, and I want his name.”

Weston gave a sharp bark of laughter. “Not in a million years. That answer comes with a death sentence.”

“We all have to pay the piper sooner or later.”

The politician scowled at Matt’s cavalier attitude over his well-being. “Fortunately for me, I have better sense than to answer your abrupt demand. IDS be damned.”

“You misunderstand,” Matt said. “You have no choice.”

“This conversation is over,” Weston said through clenched jaws. He turned to leave.

Jason barred his way with a grim smile and arms crossed. “No way out here, Buster.”

The Under Secretary turned back to face Matt. “Call off your hound.”

“Not in a million years,” Matt repeated.

Anger flushed Weston’s face to ruddy-red. “I thought IDS had better sense than to harass one of Gaborone’s highest ranking officials.” His glare wasn’t for Matt alone. He turned his fury on Nik, too. “You realize the consequences of this insult?”

“Absolutely.” Nik turned on his intimidation voice. “And I grow weary of arguing, so I suggest you answer my agent’s questions.”

“I don’t have anything to say to you people.” Weston was still defiant. “Unless you have something to hold me on, we should save this for another time. There’s a room full of international guests awaiting opening ceremony.”

Matt didn’t care. “Then you might want to start talking.”

Weston’s expression hardened. “You realize if I give you that name, my career is over.”

“I’ve news for you,” Matt said. “Your career is over anyway. From conflict diamonds to arms dealing, IDS has enough on you to put you away for a good long time.”

“You are bluffing.”

Matt shoved away from the table hard enough to knock it over with a crash. “You want honesty?” He stood square in Weston’s face. “All right, listen up,” he snarled. “Men are waiting to take you into custody, and apologies will be made for your unfortunate absence. Another will make your opening speech tonight, and word of your arrest will spread like wildfire. Your reputation will be ruined, your career will be over, and you will live out the remainder of your days behind bars. Shall I go on?” The lethal seriousness of Matt’s tone must have sunk in, for Weston pulled out a chair and dropped down under the weight of his new reality.