Elizabeth set her pen down. “He made a public statement. First he claimed the lab was working on a genetic crop enhancement process that would triple world wheat production. Then he blamed the attack on nationalistic elements who don’t understand the need for global regulation of food production. He’s made himself into a kind of green energy martyr.”

  “Green energy dictator, more like,” Ronnie said.

  “I’d be surprised if that lab had anything to do with food production,” Nick said.

  You are correct Nick.

  “Have you finished analyzing the files, Freddie?” Stephanie asked.

  Yes, Stephanie.

  They waited. Freddie was silent. Stephanie rolled her eyes and sighed.

  “Would you tell us what they contain, please?”

  The files contain records of experiments focused on three specific areas. The first is production of a genetically altered protein that is activated by electronic stimulus. The second area concerns the modification of a virus developed by the Iranians.

  “A virus?”

  I have determined that it is the same virus which caused the deaths seen in the video you placed in my database.

  “Damn,” Lamont said.

  “You said three areas. What’s the third?”

  Development of a vaccine to counter the virus. The vaccine will be used as the vehicle to introduce the genetically altered protein into the body.

  “That’s diabolical,” Nick said.

  “How far have they gotten, Freddie?” Elizabeth asked.

  With the exception of vaccine development, the files show that the experiments were successful. Both the protein and the viral agent have been created. The virus is a genetically altered form of swine flu and is extremely contagious, with a seventy-two percent chance of lethality if left untreated. The incubation period is less than twelve hours.

  “Seventy-two percent mortality?”

  That is correct.

  “They haven’t got a vaccine yet?”

  That is correct.

  “What kind of person creates something like that?” Ronnie asked.

  “A psychopath,” Selena said.

  “He’s used Kezri’s work,” Elizabeth said. “It’s just what she was afraid of, that someone would follow up on what she discovered.”

  “Just what the world needs,” Ronnie said. “Another bio weapon.”

  “At least it’s all been destroyed,” Selena said.

  That is not accurate, Selena. The files show delivery of samples containing the virus and the altered protein, with detailed instructions for replication.

  “Where were they sent, Freddie?” Elizabeth said.

  I have not yet determined the physical coordinates.

  “Shit,” Stephanie said.

  I do not understand why humans mention excrement in certain situations.

  “It’s an expression of frustration, Freddie.”

  You have told me this before, but it does not seem a satisfactory answer. However, I will make an additional notation in my database.

  “Where do we go from here, Director?” Nick asked.

  “We have to find out where those samples were sent.”

  “It’s more than just finding the samples,” Selena said.

  Elizabeth reached for her pen, thought better of it.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Doctor Kezri said the protein could be activated by a satellite signal.”

  “What are you getting at, Selena?”

  “Ask yourself, who controls the satellites?”

  “Governments,” Nick said.

  Selena nodded. “Yes, and private corporations.”

  “You think a government is behind all this?” Elizabeth said.

  “I don’t know, but it has to be more than Hauser. He’s only one man. It could be a small group of people, the kind of people who tell governments and corporations what to do.”

  “Like AEON,” Nick said.

  “Yes.”

  Centuries before, AEON had begun as a secret society in Europe. In the pursuit of personal power and wealth, its members had caused the deaths of millions.

  “You think they’re still around? I thought we put them out of business for good.”

  “I don’t know if they’re still around,” Selena said. “I don’t think it matters. There are always people with too much money who think it’s their right to rule. These days they dress it up as being for the greater good, but it’s really about power and control. They don’t care if a lot of people die, if that’s what it takes to get their way. To them, people like us are nothing more than cannon fodder and potential slaves.”

  “That’s pretty cynical,” Ronnie said.

  “Maybe, but it’s true. All you have to do is look at history. The pattern is always the same. It doesn’t matter what time period or culture you’re talking about. Sooner or later, someone tries to take over and make everybody do what they want. Humans don’t change. What changes are the weapons and technology they use to gain control.”

  “All that may be so,” Elizabeth said, “but it doesn’t affect what we have to do. We have to track down where those samples went. From there we can figure out the rest.”

  “We’ve got one thing going for us,” Nick said. “Those files show Hauser doesn’t have a vaccine yet. If I were him, I’d wait to release the virus until I knew I could protect myself.”

  “Might buy us some time,” Ronnie said.

  “Selena’s right about human nature. Sooner or later, people like Hauser crawl out from under their rocks. At least there’s something you can do about it when they do.”

  “Which is?” Elizabeth said.

  “Fight back. You don’t give up, no matter the cost. You don’t let the bastards win.”

  “Takes guts,” Ronnie said.

  “That’s how you tell the sheep from the wolves,” Nick said.

  “Lot of sheep out there,” Lamont said.

  “Yeah,” Nick said. “Me, I’d rather be a wolf.”

  “I don’t think you have to worry about that,” Selena said.

  Elizabeth’s phone rang. She looked at the display and picked up.

  “Yes, Clarence.”

  As she listened, her face grew tight.

  “You’re certain?”

  She listened for another minute.

  “All right. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll call you later.”

  She set the phone down.

  “Doctor Kezri is dead. So are the minders Clarence had guarding her.”

  “What happened?” Nick asked.

  “Someone blew up the safe house with a bomb. The house was completely destroyed, with everyone in it.”

  “I know the Iranians are pissed, but blowing her up doesn’t make sense.”

  “It doesn’t have to be the Iranians,” Selena said.

  “Selena’s right,” Elizabeth said. “The damage to their program has already been done. They don’t stand to gain anything by killing her. Especially in a way that would call attention to themselves.”

  “They could do it out of revenge,” Ronnie said.

  “Revenge makes sense,” Valentina said. “Is very Russian thing, revenge.”

  “Yeah, but the Iranians aren’t Russians,” Lamont said.

  “You think revenge is Russian only? Do not be foolish.”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “I don’t think revenge is a good motive.”

  “If it isn’t the Iranians, who is it?” Nick asked.

  “How about Hauser?” Selena said.

  “That’s a pretty big jump.”

  “Think about it. He was the one funding her work. He’s the one who used her research to create this protein. She was a problem waiting to happen. Now she’s dead. She can’t talk about him, her work, or anything else.”

  “There’s no way we can prove that.”

  “It’s tough to prove something when the principal witness is dead.”

  “What are we going to do about this guy,?” Nick asked.

  “I don’t know if he killed Kezri,” Elizabeth said. “I do know we can’t let him release that virus.”

  “So we’re back to square one.”

  “Not completely. We have a specific mission, to destroy those samples.”

  “First we have to find them.”

  “Freddie is working on it,” Stephanie said. “He’s backtracking through the invoices in those files. It’s all encrypted, but we’ll find out where they were sent.”

  Elizabeth looked at her watch.

  “Let’s call it a day. Be back here tomorrow morning at eight.”

  “What about Hauser?” Nick said.

  “He’s gone to Davos for the annual meeting of the Global Future Symposium. He’ll be there all week.”

  “Hanging out with his billionaire buddies while they figure out how to screw the little guy,” Ronnie said.

  “Now who’s being cynical?” Selena said.

  Chapter 22

  The view was spectacular from the window of Hauser’s private jet. Few places in the world were as beautiful as the Swiss Alps. Hauser was too preoccupied to take notice. Kezri had been taken care of, but the way Strecker had done it was far from discrete. Luckily for him, the authorities had decided the explosion was due to a gas leak.

  Of much greater concern was the attack on the laboratory in Germany. He would find out who was behind it. When he did, there would be payback. In the meantime, the loss of the lab was a major setback, something he’d have to explain to the others. Everything was in place to begin the next phase of the plan. His position of authority rested on his ability to produce results. Failure to produce results led to unpleasant outcomes.

  Samples of the virus and protein were stored in a secure facility known only to him. He had already taken steps to move production to another laboratory, one unknown to the annoying inspectors from the agencies. At most, the delay would amount to no more than a week or two. More important was the development of a vaccine. There had been promising results to some of the experiments. Once he had a solution, millions of doses could be manufactured on short notice.

  There would be no obstacles to a fast rollout from the government, that had already been taken care of. There would be the usual protests when the vaccine program was announced, but the group was prepared for that. The virus was quite virulent. Once people began dying, there would be a world wide rush to get the shot.

  The profits from the vaccine would be enormous. Governments would make vaccination mandatory. Resistance to taking the vaccine would be suppressed, in the name of the greater good. How he loved that phrase. It could be used to justify almost anything and get people to go along with it.

  There would be two vaccines, although the public wouldn’t know that. One would contain the protein, the other would not. That was reserved for people like himself, those who were needed to establish the new order of things. His research team had assured him success in formulating the two versions was imminent.

  Hauser decided his position within the group was still secure. Whatever criticisms were leveled against him during the upcoming meeting could be deflected.

  The plane landed and taxied to the private terminal. A black Mercedes limousine with darkened windows waited as Hauser stepped from his plane. Customs inspections were waived for people like him. An assistant would take care of the necessary stamps on his passport. A chauffeur held the door open for him as he got into the limo.

  A large, older man sat on the far side of the leather seat. His face was reminiscent of one of those dog breeds that displayed drooping folds of skin. His eyes were a watery blue, surrounded by rims of fiery red. His hair was gray and thinning. His skin was mottled here and there with brown spots.

  Baron Friedrich von Breitenbach controlled a vast banking complex that spread in an intricate web across Europe. On the surface, he appeared to control only a small consortium of private banks, with headquarters in Hamburg. The reality was quite different. Breitenbach was one of the ten richest men in the world, a key player within the group.

  “Hello, Carl.”

  Breitenbach’s voice was hoarse and wet, as if something had died inside his throat.

  “Baron.”

  “I trust you had a smooth flight?”

  “Very smooth, thank you.”

  “I thought I would take this opportunity to spend a few moments alone with you. Before we meet with the others.”

  “I am always pleased to see you, Baron.”

  “I was sorry to hear of what happened in Germany.”

  “Yes, it was unfortunate. However, it will not interfere with our agenda. I had made alternative arrangements, in the unlikely event of a problem there. Production will resume within a week.”

  “Good, good. I am gratified to hear it.”

  The limousine began moving. A soundproof partition with a raised glass window separated passengers and driver. A cabinet with glass doors on the back of the partition displayed a bar and several bottles. Breitenbach opened the cabinet. He took out a bottle and two crystal glasses.

  “This is a particularly fine schnapps from my estate in Austria. Made from pears. I think you will enjoy it.”

  He poured and handed a glass to Hauser.

  “Your health.”

  “And yours.”

  The liquor was smooth, delicious. It tasted like sunlight and youth, leaving a feeling that all was well in the world.

  “Extraordinary,” Hauser said. He held his glass up to the light, marveling at the subtle color of the liquid. “Truly extraordinary.”

  Baron von Breitenbach nodded, pleased.

  “There are four bottles left. I’ll have one sent to your room.”

  “Thank you.” Hauser took another sip. “Baron, I don’t think you took the trouble to meet me simply to share a drink.”

  “You Americans are so direct, Carl. Of course, you are correct. I am concerned about the cooperation of our French partner.”

  “Fournier?”

  Charles Fournier was the founder and CEO of Sky Ventures, the biggest private aerospace company in the world.

  “As you are aware, he is responsible for providing the satellites we need.”

  “Is he still making excuses?”

  “You grasp the essence of the issue.”

  “This is unacceptable.”

  Von Breitenbach contemplated the liquor in his glass.

  “I am beginning to believe Fournier is having second thoughts about the plan.”

  “Then we must do something about it.”

  “Those are my thoughts exactly,” Breitenbach said.

  The Mercedes had left the airport grounds. Now they were winding through the countryside, headed to the conference center where the Global Future Symposium was about to begin a week of discussions.

  “Have you spoken with the others about this?” Hauser asked.

  “I have had a few casual conversations, yes. I’m afraid they are more inclined to believe Fournier’s explanations than I am. He has allies.”

  Hauser nodded. “Crampton.”

  Sir Peter Crampton owned a chain of food distribution outlets. He controlled seventy-eight percent of Western Europe’s food supply.

  “Yes. Also Romanoff.”

  “Romanoff? That surprises me. What about Radu?”

  “You know what he’s like. He’ll wait to see which way the wind is blowing and act in his own interests. I was unable to determine his position,” Breitenbach said. “He’s not been well, lately. He will not be at the meeting.”

  “If they all support Fournier, it will be difficult to force him to cooperate. I wonder why he’s gotten cold feet?”

  “I think he has become a victim of his conscience.”

  “Oh, dear. I didn’t think he had one. That won’t do.”

  “I may have to confront him at the meeting tomorrow. I would like your support if that becomes necessary.”

  Hauser held up the glass of schnapps, then drained it.

  “You may count on me, Baron.”

  Chapter 23

  The Global Future Symposium featured live interviews and lectures by important world figures. Some of these were recorded and broadcast worldwide, a primary way the GFS worked to shape world opinion. While outside observers were distracted by the public events, the future of humanity was being decided in a room on the second floor of the conference center, far from the cameras and annoying questions of the world press.

  Hauser called the meeting to order. He was currently the chair, a position based on majority vote by the members. Each of the members was a multi-billionaire. Each ruled a personal corporate empire. No one could tell them what to do. Decisions that affected all of them had to be arrived at by discussion and majority agreement.

  Not that this was always easy to accomplish. The difficulty with getting Charles Fournier to cooperate was a case in point.

  The meeting had been underway for over an hour. They had discussed the destruction of Hauser’s laboratory, production of the virus and protein, and a timeline for development and distribution of the vaccine. Now they moved on to the problem of satellite activation of the protein.

  Von Breitenbach turned to Fournier.

  “Charles, I’m hoping you can relieve our anxiety regarding the satellite transmission.”

  Fournier was a large man with a florid face, a testimony to his predilection for fine foods and expensive wine. His silk suit displayed tailoring typical of the French, with sharp lapels and emphasized shoulders. The clothes failed to conceal the fact that he was overweight, a man of soft physique at best.

  “My dear Baron,” Fournier said. “You simply don’t understand the complexity of what is required.”

  Breitenbach decided it was time to show his displeasure.

  “Oh please, Charles. Your satellites can pinpoint the location of any individual on the planet. You have the capability to listen to or interfere with any type of electronic transmission anywhere in the world. Yet you insist on telling us that it’s too difficult to transmit a series of simple signals to activate the protein. Forgive me for not believing you. It makes me wonder why you are stalling. I am beginning to feel you are no longer committed to our cause.”

  “How dare you question my intentions,” Fournier said. “I am as committed to our grand vision as you are. I am merely concerned about the massive death toll that will result from the release of the virus. I am not convinced it’s the best way to achieve success.”