assassin isn’t as clever as he thinks he is. Use the napkins to hold the pitcher.”
The guard left, holding the pitcher at arm’s length.
“I want names.” His terse tone defied anyone to challenge his authority. “Who made this breakfast? Who set this table? I want a list of anyone who had access to the kitchen and this room in the last twenty-four hours. Also, I want to know who made this particular juice concoction this morning.”
The detective looked at the president and Jean-Paul. “I trust the law enforcement agencies have facilities to analyze and identify the toxin?” At their nods, he continued.
“Jean-Paul would you get a list of pharmacies that stock toxic plant oils? This is a concentrated poison and had to be purchased somewhere. These compounds have a very short shelf life so this was a recent acquisition. I want to know who bought plant alkaloid compounds within the past week. There has to be a record of a sale somewhere; maybe we’ll get lucky.”
The guards, waiters and Jean-Paul hesitated, looking toward the president for guidance.
“Do exactly as he says.” LaSalle roared the words like a wounded lion. “Treat this man with the respect you would give me! His requests are my requests; his questions are my questions. In this matter Mr. Erik Knight speaks for me and will be obeyed without question.” LaSalle turned back toward his daughter who was struggling to cope with the attempt on her life.
LaSalle placed a hand on Erik’s shoulder. “I owe you a debt that I cannot repay, Mr. Knight. Thank you.”
“You’re most welcome,” the detective said, “and please call me Erik. I was never big on formality.”
“As you wish, Erik. What is our next course of action?”
“We relocate your daughter to a secure location. Then we sit down with your security staff and come up with a plan to protect your daughter, both here and on the road.”
Erik watched as several guards escorted the shaken young lady back to her bedroom.
“I have a funny feeling that we’re going to have a lively six months, Mr. President. I believe our fanatical friends were hoping for a quick kill.” Erik closed his eyes and thought. “Whoever is behind this failed attempt is very familiar with me, and was probably hoping to avoid a direct confrontation.”
“Why? Was this an act of desperation?” the president asked.
“I honestly don’t know.” The detective decided not to pull any punches. “Either this was an attempt to embarrass me by having your daughter murdered under my very nose which would most likely further the wedge between our governments – or this was a message to convince you just how deadly these fanatics really are and force you to capitulate for fear that you may be next.” Erik shrugged. “Or both.”
“I would have to agree, Erik. This truly could have been the worst of a bad situation,” the president said while his aide nodded in agreement.
“Yes it is, Mr. President, but we’re not beaten. Word has probably already spread. Our assassin likely knows he has failed and lost face. In some circles that works in our favor,” Erik was remembering Jeremy Storm. “Let’s talk to your security forces. We need to interview the people who served us breakfast and see if we can uncover a bad apple – or in this case, a bad pomegranate. After that we’ll design a thorough security plan for your daughter’s upcoming travels.”
Gestation Day 38
Shanda Kerwin-Knight saw the rifle, but had no time to react. She heard a muffled concussion and felt a soft impact against her left breast. She looked down to see the feathered tail of a dart protruding from her chest. She plucked the dart from her body and tossed it to the ground. As she looked up, three heavyset men ran toward her.
When they were within reach, she showed her displeasure with a solid front kick to the nearest man’s groin. The man fell over gasping in agony. She wasted no time meeting her other two attackers. Her
The guard left, holding the pitcher at arm’s length.
“I want names.” His terse tone defied anyone to challenge his authority. “Who made this breakfast? Who set this table? I want a list of anyone who had access to the kitchen and this room in the last twenty-four hours. Also, I want to know who made this particular juice concoction this morning.”
The detective looked at the president and Jean-Paul. “I trust the law enforcement agencies have facilities to analyze and identify the toxin?” At their nods, he continued.
“Jean-Paul would you get a list of pharmacies that stock toxic plant oils? This is a concentrated poison and had to be purchased somewhere. These compounds have a very short shelf life so this was a recent acquisition. I want to know who bought plant alkaloid compounds within the past week. There has to be a record of a sale somewhere; maybe we’ll get lucky.”
The guards, waiters and Jean-Paul hesitated, looking toward the president for guidance.
“Do exactly as he says.” LaSalle roared the words like a wounded lion. “Treat this man with the respect you would give me! His requests are my requests; his questions are my questions. In this matter Mr. Erik Knight speaks for me and will be obeyed without question.” LaSalle turned back toward his daughter who was struggling to cope with the attempt on her life.
LaSalle placed a hand on Erik’s shoulder. “I owe you a debt that I cannot repay, Mr. Knight. Thank you.”
“You’re most welcome,” the detective said, “and please call me Erik. I was never big on formality.”
“As you wish, Erik. What is our next course of action?”
“We relocate your daughter to a secure location. Then we sit down with your security staff and come up with a plan to protect your daughter, both here and on the road.”
Erik watched as several guards escorted the shaken young lady back to her bedroom.
“I have a funny feeling that we’re going to have a lively six months, Mr. President. I believe our fanatical friends were hoping for a quick kill.” Erik closed his eyes and thought. “Whoever is behind this failed attempt is very familiar with me, and was probably hoping to avoid a direct confrontation.”
“Why? Was this an act of desperation?” the president asked.
“I honestly don’t know.” The detective decided not to pull any punches. “Either this was an attempt to embarrass me by having your daughter murdered under my very nose which would most likely further the wedge between our governments – or this was a message to convince you just how deadly these fanatics really are and force you to capitulate for fear that you may be next.” Erik shrugged. “Or both.”
“I would have to agree, Erik. This truly could have been the worst of a bad situation,” the president said while his aide nodded in agreement.
“Yes it is, Mr. President, but we’re not beaten. Word has probably already spread. Our assassin likely knows he has failed and lost face. In some circles that works in our favor,” Erik was remembering Jeremy Storm. “Let’s talk to your security forces. We need to interview the people who served us breakfast and see if we can uncover a bad apple – or in this case, a bad pomegranate. After that we’ll design a thorough security plan for your daughter’s upcoming travels.”
Gestation Day 38
Shanda Kerwin-Knight saw the rifle, but had no time to react. She heard a muffled concussion and felt a soft impact against her left breast. She looked down to see the feathered tail of a dart protruding from her chest. She plucked the dart from her body and tossed it to the ground. As she looked up, three heavyset men ran toward her.
When they were within reach, she showed her displeasure with a solid front kick to the nearest man’s groin. The man fell over gasping in agony. She wasted no time meeting her other two attackers. Her
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