Thief (48 page)
Authors: Mark Sullivan
“It's a debacle,” said one anchor.
The other replied, “It's what happens when someone as politically and economically powerful as Beau Arsenault gets hit with treasonous allegations. People doubt the integrity of the government, they lose faith in the markets, and they go to cash.”
Barnett said, “Which is what we're about to do, right?”
Monarch nodded and hit send on his cell phone.
“Peter Solomon.”
“Get us out.”
“Orders went in two minutes ago,” Arsenault's son-in-law said.
“Perfect,” Monarch said, hesitated. “How's your wife and son taking it?”
“Sophia's shocked and humiliated, and Little Beau doesn't want to hear a word about it,” Solomon said. “I can say a lot of things about Big Beau, but he was a decent and caring grandfather.”
“Your mother-in-law?”
“Sedated and hiding from the media mob camped out in front of Twelve Oaks.”
“You still prepared to testify?”
“If I have toâ” Solomon began. “Hold on. The trades have all cleared. I ⦠I ⦠my god. Total take: four point one two billion dollars!”
Monarch pumped his fist, repeated the number, and everyone in the lounge exploded into cheers. The thief thanked Solomon, promised to be in touch, and hung up.
“Four point one two billion,” Tatupu said, shaking head in wonder.
“Think of the work Sister Rachel can do with that kind of money,” Barnett said.
“Think of the places and people who'll be protected now,” Santos said, tearing up.
A perky blond steward came in to say that their jet was ready for boarding.
They grabbed their gear, and followed the steward down a hall, and through a door out onto the tarmac. Monarch trailed them all. The Gulfstream was already whining. They'd be in Buenos Aires early in the morning, enough time to get some sleep beforeâ
Monarch's phone rang as he was climbing the stairs. He looked down and saw a number he recognized. He almost didn't answer, but then did.
“Dr. Hopkins?” Monarch said.
Willis Hopkins, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, said, “Well done, today, Robin.”
“Appreciate it, sir.”
“In England, they'd give you a knighthood for this sort of thing,” said Hopkins, a passionate Anglophile. “Defender of the realm and all that.”
“If you say so, sir.”
“Yes, well,” Hopkins said, clearing his throat. “The president was wondering if you're available? We have something of a situation going on in Mumbai.”
That interested the thief. He'd never been to India.
“When would I have to be there?” he asked.
“Tomorrow?”
Monarch ducked into the jet, saying firmly, “Sorry, sir, but that's not happening. I'm on my way to my brother's wedding.”
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The Robin Monarch Novels & Novellas
Thief
Outlaw
Rogue
The Escape Artist
Art of Rendition
Brotherhood
Other Novels
Triple Cross
The Second Woman
Labyrinth
Ghost Dance
The Purification Ceremony
Hard News
The Fall Line
with James Patterson
Private Paris
Private L.A.
Private Berlin
Private Games
Â
MARK SULLIVAN
is the
author of several international bestselling thrillers on his own, as well as the coauthor with James Patterson of the #1 bestsellers
Private Games, Private Berlin,
and
Private L.A
. He lives in Bozeman, Montana. Visit the author at his Web site at
www.marksullivanbooks.com
and at
www.facebook.com/marksullivanauthor
.
Â
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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.
THIEF.
Copyright © 2014 by Mark Sullivan. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
Cover design by James Iacobelli
Cover photograph © CollaborationJS; running man © Roy Bishop/Arcangel Images
eBooks may be purchased for business or promotional use. For information on bulk purchases, please contact Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department by writing to [email protected].
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-05231-5 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-4668-5441-3 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9781466854413
First Edition: December 2014
