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Books by this Author
On the Edge
From the wilds of Africa to the ancient ruins of Greece, this romantic suspense novel takes you to the edge of civilization and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Time Will Tell
Jason Wright is selling his country’s secrets to the highest bidder and if he is successful, his actions will set off a chain of events with worldwide repercussions. Andrew Blythe, a Canadian CSIS agent, races against time to stop the exchange, knowing that a dangerous terrorist organization is using Jason to try to gain control of the Baku oil leases in the Caspian Sea. If they win, the terrorists will have a controlling interest in the world’s energy market and be able to finance a weapon of mass destruction.
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Excerpt from "Time Will Tell"
Chapter One
Jason Wright looked nervously down the street before climbing the concrete front steps before him. His hand gripped the iron railing as he started carefully up the stairs. The stone lion topping the pillar on the steps stared straight ahead, as if it couldn't bear to look at Jason---as though it knew what Jason was about to do. Jason held his head high, trying to appear nonchalant, if anyone happened to be looking, but the situation he was now in consumed him. He'd dealt with criminals his entire adult life, but he'd never joined with them. Until now.
The England fog swirled around his ankles, appearing finger-like, almost seeming to hold him back from what he was about to do. His conscience pricked him for a moment, and he wavered, but then he remembered Kamal and he strengthened his resolve. He wanted to strike back at those who had killed his partner and this was the only way he knew how. Knocking quickly before he could lose his nerve, he looked around once more to make sure he hadn't been followed. If even a whisper of his disloyalty were uttered, he knew he would be a dead man.
As he was let into the house, he noticed small cameras in each corner covering every inch of the foyer. Jason's neck prickled and he knew he was being watched by more than just the butler who was regarding him with a look of bored arrogance.
"I'm Jason Wright. I'm here to see Cesar," Jason said, raising his eyebrows as if daring the butler to dispute him.
"You're expected," he said, his English accent making the words clipped. Jason started forward, but the butler stopped him. He pulled out a small wand and began to wave it over Jason from head to toe, nudging his arms outward so every inch of him could be checked for weapons. When he'd finally passed the security tests, he was relieved of his coat, and led down a short hallway. The butler extended his hand toward glass double doors. Jason went through them, his shoes sinking deep into the thick, blue carpet. The room he had been shown to was very elegant, everything in matching royal blues, burgundy, and muted creams with gold accents, telling the world it was the home of a rich man.
The owner of the home was waiting for him in a wingback chair, the cigar he held to his lips glowing red, matching the glow of embers from the fire that had once burned brightly in the fireplace next to him. His dark hair was slicked back off of his face and he wore an expensive- looking Italian cut suit. His legs were crossed comfortably in front of him, his shoes so distinctly shined that the red from the fireplace was reflecting off of them.
Jason was offered a seat across from him, and he sat down, making himself look comfortable. He didn't want this man to sense any hesitation on his part or his effort would be for nothing. "Thank you for agreeing to see me Cesar. I'll get right to the point." He settled back in his chair. "I know you are engaged in a rivalry with your fellow countryman Mustafa Namizi and that you have seen the strength and numbers that he has added to his organization this year. I believe you would do anything to match what he has built, and I have some information that you will be very interested in, that could give you the upper hand over Mustafa."
Cesar took a long drag on the cigar, watching Jason carefully as he blew the smoke out. "I am a curious man," he said. "When a Canadian Intelligence agent offers information that I'm sure his own country could use, I wonder what he is thinking." He raised his eyebrows, giving Jason his cue to speak.
Jason leaned forward to meet Cesar's eyes, knowing the moment of truth had come. "Cesar, as you know the Baku oil leases in the Caspian Sea are going to be auctioned off in two weeks. World oil companies are scrambling to snatch them up because the person who owns the giant share will practically control the world energy market, not to mention make millions of dollars."
He could tell he had Cesar's attention. Smiling, Jason sat back in his chair, feeling confident. "I have a recording in my possession of Mustafa Namizi's meeting with leaders of an ultra-violent faction of the Kurdistan Workers Party in Tabriz two days ago. It details their plans for obtaining the oil leases and a new weapon that will be financed through the profits they expect to see. I'm willing to give you all this information so you may make a competitive bid, and all I ask is to be paid enough money for my trouble so I can disappear with a new identity and a new life somewhere warm."
Jason looked across the glass-topped coffee table, his eyes steady, but his heart racing. He was fairly confident that Cesar would make the deal, but if he was wrong . . .well, Jason didn't want to think about that. He knew this situation could turn deadly at any moment with only the snap of a finger from the man staring at him across the table. Cesar was someone you didn't want to cross. His organization was small, but had a reputation for being deadly.
The deep blue velvet of the wingback chair rustled slightly as Cesar uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, his brown-black eyes staring intently at the man before him. He tapped his cigar to rid it of the ashes before he spoke. "Mr. Wright," he said, his voice low, his brow furrowed. "It makes sense that a powerful Iranian like Mustafa would partner with the Kurdistan Workers Party in an oil war, especially when an oil pipeline carrying millions of dollars worth of oil will be going right next to Kurdish territories. The Kurds would have a prime opportunity to seek revenge on the Turkish government, especially after what the Turkish gendarmes reportedly did to the Kurds. That I can understand, but here's my question. Why you would betray your country like this, and why I should trust that you won't betray me?"
Jason frowned, drawing his eyebrows together, the emotion in his tone reflected in his eyes. "My country left me to rot in Iran and because of their ineptitude my partner is dead. Someone has to pay for his death and it will be the ones who united and orchestrated his murder." He stared back at Cesar, his eyes like two smoldering coals. "That is not betrayal, it is payback."
Jason took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair, resting his elbow on the armrest. He hadn't wanted to be so transparent in front of Cesar. He met Cesar's eyes, and was surprised. Cesar was looking at him, his lip curled in smug satisfaction as if Jason had just given him the answer he was looking for. Anger and revenge probably fit perfectly in Cesar's world, and it made Jason sick inside that he was now a part of it. He knew he had to get out of here before he lost his nerve. I'm doing this for Kamal, he reminded himself.
"I'm told that there was an elaborate team who set up your cover and helped you infiltrate the elite tier of leadership in Mustafa's organization so you could get the information you have on the oil leases." Cesar tapped his cigar, then turned back to Jason.
Jason nodded. "You've done your homework," he said.
"I want any information you have from your time there including the training grounds they use, pictures of leaders and hideouts as well." He paused for a moment, as if gauging Jason's reaction. "I also want the identities of the CSIS, CIA, and MI-6 agents who worked on the case and were your contact team. That information will assure your loyalty and give me some leverage over Mustafa and his network."
"No problem," Jason said calmly, ready to agree to anything, in order to get out of there. "If we have a deal then. . ." He made a movement as if to stand.
Cesar waved him back down to his seat and snapped his fingers. A large, burly man stepped into the room. "Mr. Jantzen will escort you to your hotel room and retrieve the information. When it is in my possession you will be provided with your asking price." Cesar narrowed his eyes even further, placing his cigar in a small glass ashtray and cracking the knuckles on his right hand one by one, watching Jason carefully.
"I prefer an electronic transfer," Jason said evenly. "When I see the money in my account, then I will give you a thumb drive with all the information you need on it."
Cesar was silent. "A thumb drive?" he said finally.
"It's the common name for a USB Flash Memory Device. I can load up to one gig of information on it and it's only about the size of your thumb. Very convenient and portable," Jason explained.
Cesar leaned over and retrieved his cigar, tapping it slightly on the tray before raising it again to his lips, his eyes never leaving Jason's face. After a few moments of silence Jason was beginning to feel the pressure. He could feel the sweat beginning to bead on his brow. What am I doing?
Cesar finally stood and clutched his cigar tightly in two fingers as he slowly walked over to Jason. When he was within inches of Jason's elbow he stopped but said nothing. Jason sat very still, wondering what was going on. He was weighing the pros and cons of standing up and meeting Cesar eye to eye, when Cesar suddenly slapped a hand on his shoulder, making Jason jump reflexively.
"Set it up then. I need the information and you need cash to start a new life. It's a good situation for everyone." He laughed cruelly, his eyes narrowing as he watched Jason. "I hope you know who you're dealing with, Mr. Wright, because once I make a deal it's until death," he paused, flicking an imaginary piece of lint off of his expensive suit jacket, "do us part."
No one in the room dared to contradict him.
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Time Will Tell by Julie Bellon