if you decided to punish his transgression. I' m guessing he chose American justice over yours. And then, of course, there is the matter of the diamonds. A child went to Marsh's apartment yesterday. I suspect Rebecca will eventually confess that she sent the child to Charlie with the diamonds.
Where does this Levy fit in?
Charlie is running out of money. I've checked. Evers doesn't come cheap. I' m guessing that World News paid Charlie for the interview and he used the fee to pay Evers. Levy probably smuggled the money into the country.
Baptiste stared straight ahead and Tuazama waited patiently.
I underestimated Charlie, the president said. I should have given him to you sooner. I want you to handle this matter personally. Go to America and bring back the diamonds.
And Charlie?
Charlie's not important. He's nothing to me anymore. It's the principle of the thing now, Nathan. If I let Charlie get away with this everyone will think I am weak. So, find what he's taken then make an example of him that will grab the attention of the next traitor who thinks about crossing me.
Chapter 8
A manda Jaffe's phone woke her out of a deep sleep. She groped for it after the third ring.
Hello, she mumbled groggily as soon as she located the receiver.
Is this Amanda Jaffe?
Who is this?
My name is Martha Brice. I' m the editor in chief of World News.
Shit, a reporter, Amanda thought as she swung her legs over the side of the bed and brushed her long black hair away from her face. Amanda's boyfriend, Mike Greene, the chief criminal deputy at the Multnomah County District Attorney's office, had spent the night with her at her condo because neither of them had a meeting or court appearance until noon. Amanda had been looking forward to sleeping in, for a change.
Do you know what time it is, Ms. Brice?
That's Mrs. Brice, and since its seven a.m. in New York, it must be four where you are, the woman answered calmly.
Is there some reason you couldn't call me at my office at a civilized hour?
Actually, there is. I' m in my corporate jet headed for Oregon. I should be at the airport in four hours. I want to meet with you as soon as I land.
Brice's imperious tone acted like a double shot of espresso.
Look, Mrs. Brice, Amanda snapped, I don't try my cases in the press, and if you think the best way to get an interview with me is to wake me up in the middle of the night, you should take a refresher course at whatever journalism school you attended.
You must not have understood me, Ms. Jaffe. I'll chalk that up to my waking you. I' m not a reporter. I am the editor in chief of World News. I run the magazine. I don't conduct interviews. I' m flying to Portland to hire you to work on a case; one that I' m certain you'll want to handle.
What case?
I don't wish to discuss the particulars over the phone.
Amanda was quiet for a moment. She didn't like Brice's attitude, but she was intrigued.
I'll be in my office by the time you land, she said.
I won't have time to drive into town. I have an important meeting in New York, later today. I'd like you to meet me at my plane. There's a conference area on board. There's also a galley, so I can provide breakfast. Am I correct that you' re partial to blueberry pancakes?
Amanda's mouth opened in surprise. If that was meant to impress me, you've succeeded.
I' m afraid you' re too easily impressed. One of my assistants Googled you. I obtained that piece of information from an interview you gave to one of my competitors after the Cardoni case.
That was a few years ago.
Don't tell me you' re on a diet.
Amanda laughed. No, Mrs. Brice, and your offer of blueberry pancakes has served its purpose. I'll need the carbs to get me through the day, since I' m going to be sleep-deprived.
Come to the Flightcraft FBO at eight.
FBO?
It means fixed base operator. Think terminal. Jennifer Gates, my administrative assistant, will be waiting in the lounge and she'll escort you on board. One more thing. Don't
Where does this Levy fit in?
Charlie is running out of money. I've checked. Evers doesn't come cheap. I' m guessing that World News paid Charlie for the interview and he used the fee to pay Evers. Levy probably smuggled the money into the country.
Baptiste stared straight ahead and Tuazama waited patiently.
I underestimated Charlie, the president said. I should have given him to you sooner. I want you to handle this matter personally. Go to America and bring back the diamonds.
And Charlie?
Charlie's not important. He's nothing to me anymore. It's the principle of the thing now, Nathan. If I let Charlie get away with this everyone will think I am weak. So, find what he's taken then make an example of him that will grab the attention of the next traitor who thinks about crossing me.
Chapter 8
A manda Jaffe's phone woke her out of a deep sleep. She groped for it after the third ring.
Hello, she mumbled groggily as soon as she located the receiver.
Is this Amanda Jaffe?
Who is this?
My name is Martha Brice. I' m the editor in chief of World News.
Shit, a reporter, Amanda thought as she swung her legs over the side of the bed and brushed her long black hair away from her face. Amanda's boyfriend, Mike Greene, the chief criminal deputy at the Multnomah County District Attorney's office, had spent the night with her at her condo because neither of them had a meeting or court appearance until noon. Amanda had been looking forward to sleeping in, for a change.
Do you know what time it is, Ms. Brice?
That's Mrs. Brice, and since its seven a.m. in New York, it must be four where you are, the woman answered calmly.
Is there some reason you couldn't call me at my office at a civilized hour?
Actually, there is. I' m in my corporate jet headed for Oregon. I should be at the airport in four hours. I want to meet with you as soon as I land.
Brice's imperious tone acted like a double shot of espresso.
Look, Mrs. Brice, Amanda snapped, I don't try my cases in the press, and if you think the best way to get an interview with me is to wake me up in the middle of the night, you should take a refresher course at whatever journalism school you attended.
You must not have understood me, Ms. Jaffe. I'll chalk that up to my waking you. I' m not a reporter. I am the editor in chief of World News. I run the magazine. I don't conduct interviews. I' m flying to Portland to hire you to work on a case; one that I' m certain you'll want to handle.
What case?
I don't wish to discuss the particulars over the phone.
Amanda was quiet for a moment. She didn't like Brice's attitude, but she was intrigued.
I'll be in my office by the time you land, she said.
I won't have time to drive into town. I have an important meeting in New York, later today. I'd like you to meet me at my plane. There's a conference area on board. There's also a galley, so I can provide breakfast. Am I correct that you' re partial to blueberry pancakes?
Amanda's mouth opened in surprise. If that was meant to impress me, you've succeeded.
I' m afraid you' re too easily impressed. One of my assistants Googled you. I obtained that piece of information from an interview you gave to one of my competitors after the Cardoni case.
That was a few years ago.
Don't tell me you' re on a diet.
Amanda laughed. No, Mrs. Brice, and your offer of blueberry pancakes has served its purpose. I'll need the carbs to get me through the day, since I' m going to be sleep-deprived.
Come to the Flightcraft FBO at eight.
FBO?
It means fixed base operator. Think terminal. Jennifer Gates, my administrative assistant, will be waiting in the lounge and she'll escort you on board. One more thing. Don't
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