Assassin (The Billionaire Series) (4 page)

“Good evening everybody and welcome to today’s meeting. Before
we start, I would just like to welcome three new members or should I say Ohayo
Gozai-Masu, Buenas Tardes and Good Evening.”

 
Three of the small
silhouettes acknowledged this welcome, one giving a very deep and long bow.

The new members increased the Committee’s foreign membership
to twelve and resulted in the Committee’s membership more than doubling over
the previous year. Of course, it was not hard to guess where the new members
were from, as each assassination led to a new member.

A chorus of welcomes echoed through their headphones, another
feature to ensure security.

“Thank you Gentlemen… we’ve got a lot to get through this
evening,” said The Chairman bringing the meeting to order. “First on the agenda
is an update on our operation and for this, I will hand over to Member Four.”

A small mumble was heard amongst the members who thought The
Chairman had said the wrong number - usually Member Three gave the operational
updates.

Member Four was Beaumont.

“Thank you, Mr Chairman,” he said. Although heavily digitised,
it was obvious to all other members that no mistake had been made and a few
members shifted nervously in their seats as a younger voice took the floor.

“Gentlemen, as you are aware, this operation has been in
planning and preparation for many years. I am pleased to report that with only
two months left of our operational phase, we are on track. Every deliverable
has been met and no obstacles are anticipated. We are, of course, at the most
difficult and critical point of the operation and security is exceedingly tight
around the remaining world leaders…”

“How can you say no obstacles are anticipated? The leaders are
virtually living in nuclear bunkers?” interrupted another member. It was
apparent that The Chairman’s young protégé was not going to have an easy ride.

“I’m glad you asked as that brings us to the next phase of the
operation - Incrimination and Deception.”

“What the hell does that mean?” asked the same member becoming
more irritated.

“Exactly, what it says,” replied Beaumont, biting his tongue.
His audience, he reminded himself, were the richest and most powerful men in
the world.

“The plan is,” continued Beaumont regaining his composure, “to
throw up a wall of confusion and to provide the authorities with a credible
suspect who will be found guilty of the assassinations. Security will then ease
and our final victims will be easier to take down.”

“So who do we propose will make a credible suspect?” asked the
irritated member, laughing as he posed the question. A fall guy for these
assassinations was bordering on farcical. It was widely known that not one
person, country or group had anything to gain from the wide and diverse list of
victims. Nor did they have the opportunity, skill, wherewithal or resources to
undertake such an extensive and complex operation.

“The identity of the proposed suspect shall remain
confidential at this time. In fact, not even The Chairman is aware of this
detail and has agreed that in the interests of the operation, it should remain
so. The first you will hear of our unwitting suspect will be when he is
plastered over the front page of your newspaper, labelled the world’s most
wanted assassin.”

A wave of discontent began to fill the airwaves as members
began to mumble disapprovingly.

“Gentlemen, please,” boomed The Chairman. “I’m assured that
the need for secrecy is vital. As you can imagine, there is only a limited
number of people who have the resources to be a potential suspect and therefore
it is vital that on the capture of the suspect, we’re as shocked as anyone
around us at the time.”

The Chairman had given his approval to Beaumont’s plan and all
mumbling ceased. “Carry on, Member Four,” he instructed Beaumont.

“The operation will begin next week and requires the
involvement of one of our friendly African dictators. He, of course, is unaware
of the true purpose of the operation but will give us the perfect opportunity
to plant the seeds which will blossom and provide us with the perfect suspect…”

“Just because he’s apprehended doesn’t mean the leaders will
come out of hiding. It may in fact drive them deeper underground and may even
incite greater panic, dependent of course upon who this poor fool is,” said the
irritated member, trying once more to score a point against Beaumont.

Despite the digitisation of his voice, Beaumont’s clipped tone
was evident. “Yes, we understand
that
and that is exactly why, when everybody is certain of his guilt, he will meet
with an unfortunate accident. Afterall, African prisons are very dangerous
places.”

“Hmm yes, I can see that may work,” conceded the irritated
member who did not enjoy being put in his place by a junior member.

“We believe it will work and just as the leaders begin to feel
safe again, we’ll take them out.” Beaumont tried to adopt a more conciliatory
tone. He could not afford to make enemies and The Chairman would not be
impressed if he upset members on his first update.

“Excellent and timescale?” asked The Chairman in a tone which
signalled an end to the discussion.

“Two weeks to frame our assassin. Two months to complete the
plan.”

“Good, thank you Member Four. The next item on our agenda is
financial reporting, Member Two…”

Beaumont listened as Member Two droned through the financial
update which seldom changed. The Committee had more cash in hand than any other
person, corporation or country in the world. The figures were now measured to
the nearest billion. Almost an hour later, the meeting finally came to a close.
The world had been put to rights and decisions made that would affect the
majority of the world’s population.

“Gentlemen, thank you and goodnight. Member Four please stay
on line.”

The silhouettes disappeared as The Chairman cut all feeds
except for his and Beaumont’s. Beaumont was worried, he had snapped at the
other member and expected the full wrath of The Chairman for his lack of
control.

“Well done Beaumont, succinct and to the point.”

“Thank you, Mr Chairman. I was slightly concerned about the
interruptions.” Beaumont figured it was better to bring it up himself.

“Yes, well, Member Seven is getting a little too big for his
boots. I think I need to send him a little reminder as to who is boss.”

Relief swept through Beaumont bringing with it an added confidence.

“Anything I can do to help?”

“No, no, this has been some time coming, leave it to me, I’ll
deal with it.” The Chairman’s tone was chilling and Beaumont thanked God that
he was not Member Seven.

“Good luck with the rest of the operation and call me if you
need anything. Particularly if that imbecile President goes off on one of his
personal vendettas again.”

Beaumont realised that The Chairman was referring to the
Kennedy fiasco, a year earlier.

“You knew?” Beaumont whispered, his body rigid with fear.

“Of course I knew, I’m just disappointed that you didn’t tell
me yourself, you’ve had ample opportunity. Anyway, I understand why you didn’t
and good job on covering the idiot’s tracks but don’t let it happen again. He
is expendable and don’t forget that.”

Beaumont’s face flushed as his heart pounded at the thought of
his stupidity, why had he not told The Chairman himself?

“Yes of course Mr Chairman and please accept my sincere
apolo…”

“It’s fine, in your position, I would probably have done the
same but as long as it doesn’t happen again.”

The Chairman did not need to say anymore, it was obvious that
a second time would be unforgivable and would result in immediate expulsion
from the Committee. However there was no such thing as a living ex Committee member.
Ex Committee members had two things in common, six foot of earth and a
predisposition for pushing up daisies.

“Anyway, let’s move on, we’ve got a very difficult two months
ahead. Are you absolutely sure your suspect will be credible?”

“Honestly, with what we’ve got on him, I’m beginning to
believe he’s guilty myself.”

“He must be a very interesting individual, I’d love to know
who he is…”

“It’s…”

“No, please don’t tell me, it’s better I don’t know, that way
I can’t put my foot in it. When do you begin?”

“We anticipate the suspect will be in position next week. I’m
just waiting for his latest schedule to finalise the plan.”

“Excellent. Good luck and if you need anything, don’t hesitate
to make contact.”

“Of course and thank you Mr Chairman.”

The screen blinked and died, the red L.E.D. indicating that no
transmission was being made.

Beaumont sat back and breathed deeply. A coldness hit his back
as his sweat-drenched shirt made contact with his flesh. His hand was still
shaking from The Chairman’s revelation. How did he know about the Kennedys? Why
had he not said anything before? What would he do to him? Surely The Chairman
would make him pay for his deception. Questions fizzed around his mind as he
struggled to come to terms with the situation. He pushed his seat back from the
desk, stood up and began to pace up and down, visions of the repercussions
flashing in front of him. His father’s words rang in his ears, ‘Don’t ever
underestimate The Chairman. He’s the most ruthless son of a bitch alive. Many
men have underestimated him and none have lived to tell the tale.’

It took Beaumont nearly five minutes of pacing before he
noticed an envelope which had been slipped under the door. He bent down and
picked it up. It was marked ‘Top Secret For Beaumont’s Eyes Only’. The envelope
was from a law firm which Beaumont used exclusively for Committee work. This in
itself signalled it was urgent and the three additional ‘urgent’ stamps were
completely unnecessary.

He tore open the envelope and extracted a single sheet of
paper. Half way through the first line of text he paused, his composure
returned. He had work to do and an operation to plan. He started reading the
document again, from the start.

‘Travel Schedule for Donald Kennedy…’

***

Member Seven did not have to wait long before he felt the
wrath of The Chairman. He realised he had gone too far and had desperately
tried to contact The Chairman after the meeting. But for the first time, The
Chairman did not respond to his urgent messages. Member Seven began to panic
and quickly contacted each member of his family to check their whereabouts.
They were all safe. The phone rang. At last he thought, The Chairman was
calling him back. But it was his normal work mobile not his special Committee
phone.

“Hello?” he answered. The caller id showed that it was his
Personal Secretary, a secretary who had been rather more personal than his wife
would have liked. It was after midnight why would she be calling him so late?

“Hello, I wonder if you can help. Do you recognise this
number?” asked a rather awkward male voice.

“Yes, of course, it’s my secretary’s mobile. Did you find it
somewhere?”

“Well sort of yes. I’m with the local police, I’m afraid I may
have some terrible news…”

Member Seven heard little more than she had been beaten to
death and had a knife wound on her back in the shape of a number and two
letters.

The waiting was over. The Chairman had vented his anger. His
beautiful secretary, only 28, was dead with
7 – TC
carved into her back. A message direct
to Member
7
from
T
he
C
hairman.

Part Two

Chapter 7

“Dad?”

“Yes Tom?” came the muffled response.

Tom tried to open the study door but it was locked. He didn’t
know the door had a lock.

“Just give me a minute son,” said his father nervously.

Tom was beginning to worry. His father’s behaviour was
becoming more and more weird. It had been a week since Saki had returned and
since Tom had spoken at any length to his father. Saki and Donald had spent the
week huddled together in the study. As Tom waited, he could hear the shuffling
of papers and agitated whispering.

Even Kano and Kisho had noticed that things were not normal
and were beginning to ask questions. In fact, from the moment they landed at
Glasgow, Saki had been like a man possessed, trying to get back to the Kennedy
Estate. They had landed early and rather than waiting 20 minutes for a
helicopter, Saki had insisted on jumping in the first cab available. He had
then coaxed the driver into breaking just about every road traffic regulation in
order to get home as quickly as possible. When they hit roadworks 3 miles from
the Estate, Saki looked at the queue of traffic, paid the driver, opened the
door and started running. Kano and Kisho followed suit but despite being
significantly younger than Saki, did not stand a chance of keeping up with him.
Saki forged ahead and was soon out of sight. Just as they thought they had made
it and jumped over the Estate wall, they were surrounded by Rottweillers.

Saki and Donald had not even waited for the twins to enter the
house before disappearing into the study and it was left to Kano and Kisho to
explain why they were there. Everybody had been so pleased to see the twins
that it was not until they sat down at the dinner table that Lela asked the
question

“But why are you here, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing at all. You didn’t think you were going to school
without us did you?” Kano replied. The twins, ex Special Forces soldiers, were
now Tom and Lela’s unofficial bodyguards at school.

With everything that was going on, Donald’s strange behaviour,
Saki being away and the terrifying assassinations, nobody had realised that
there was only one week to go before school started.