Chapter Three

"Bloody Hell!"

Rhys Griffiths hurled his cell phone against the far wall of his newly decorated office. The device shattered against the bricks, raining down in pieces onto the hardwood floor. "Just bloody hell! Who do I have to kill to have a decent level of competence around here!?"

The man standing in front of his ornate oak desk fidgeted nervously, careful not to look at him directly. Rhys glared at him for a moment before turning to the credenza behind him and poured bourbon in a glass.

"Every time I've tried to solidify my interests here in this wretched city, something always falls apart!" He swallowed his drink in one gulp and slammed the glass on the credenza surface. "We are being targeted! Over half a dozen trucks seized!"

He turned around and pointed at the man. "At that warehouse, you managed to not be in that upstairs office with me and my former associates trying to kill us, or downstairs when Eddie Diaz was busted. There has to be a secret stash I don't know about that we can use to make up our losses!"

Before the man could answer, a knock rang on the office door. "What?!" exclaimed Rhys.

The door opened, and Rhys' eyes widened in surprise at the new entrants. He slowly walked around his desk, rubbing his hands in glee. "Troy! I have to say you are a sight for sore eyes!"

He turned a perplexed eye to his companion. "Who is your friend?"

Reggie gave an exasperated sigh. "How many times do I have to tell you? You know me! I've worked with you, I've worked with Ben, I've worked with your sister!"

Rhys snorted as he sat down on a long, leather couch along the wall underneath stained glass windows. "And last I remembered, you also worked with my mother against Ben. It's a wonder you managed to escape the cops at Virginia Foster's house that night."

He turned his eye to the man standing in front of his desk and snapped his fingers. "Oí! Sweep that phone up and tell Jasmine outside to get me a new one. Chop chop!"

As the henchman rushed to comply, Rhys waved Troy and Reggie over to chairs close by the couch. "Troy, are you still fit? Would you like a snack?"

Troy shook his head. "No, thank you."

"Well, you let me know if I can get you anything you want. Such a polite young man." The smile on Rhys' features faded from sight as he turned to Reggie.

"Still wondering what brought you scurrying up to my doorstep like a well dressed, muscle bound rat."

"Will you shut up? Listen, I wasn't even trying to find you or anyone in the firm, but this guy here found me. He told me what you and Ben were getting into with the FBI." Reggie leaned forward in his chair, staring hard at Rhys.

"I want in."

Rhys laughed, gesturing widely at the office. "You are obviously off of your rocker. Does this look like I'm working with the FBI here?"

"If I remember correctly, and I usually do, this is the alternate headquarters for Argosy," said Troy. "They have seven spread throughout Los Angeles."

"Seven?" Rhys raised a quizzical eyebrow. "I have seven?"

"Including a freight carrier down at the port."

Rhys slowly covered his mouth.

"A - a freight carrier?"

#

Ben poured coffee into a white mug in the AVI break area. "By now, Reggie and Troy should have found Rhys' new location and told him about the shipping carrier," he said, setting the coffee pot down and sliding the mug over to Agent Diaz.

Diaz briefly glanced down at the mug. "And I suppose that we already have one that will check out and escape Rhys' observing eye."

Ben shrugged. "It's being worked on. I hope you plan on giving this some time to develop so we can see exactly how deep Rhys's hands are in the cookie jar."

"The bureau is giving you some leeway to work on this."

Ben nodded in satisfaction. "In the meantime, we need a place to work out of. Someplace where Rhys won't think of looking."

"I have a friend looking into that." She finally picked up the mug and took a sip of her beverage. "But I do need to talk to you about something."

"Oh? What's that?"

"You and your daughter. I stuck my neck out for you not only to get your deal reinstated, but to have your daughter included as well. The bureau will accept no less than the head of the Kensington Firm, or else you two will have to serve as suitable substitutes."

Ben nodded. "I know you were disappointed with how everything turned out. Believe me, I feel the same way. But my sole focus is getting to Rhys and bringing his house down on top of him. You have my word."

Ben caught the grimace Diaz attempted to hide her frown behind her coffee mug. "What?"

Diaz sighed and set her mug down on the counter. "Ben, underneath this suave exterior is a man who was betrayed by someone who is not only your daughter's uncle, but someone who you once considered a friend. A brother."

She reached up and squeezed his arm. "I hope when it comes down to it, you're not going to pull some trick like you did that day at Alice Vaughn's house, because I expect your full cooperation."

"You have it, Agent Diaz."

She shook her head. "I am serious, Jones. My entire career is on the line this time. You steer off the road on this, and I will make sure you and your daughter will never see the outside again."

Diaz held Ben's gaze for several seconds before she turned and made her way to the AVI elevators. He watched her departure with trepidation, knowing deep down exactly what she meant.

#

"Right now, the carrier is out to sea. It was due back here almost two months ago." Troy set the dry erase marker down and turned back to Rhys and Reggie. "Before the … transfer of power, former Special Agent Edgar Diaz commissioned it to transport weapons to and from South America several times a year."

Rhys sipped on a martini as he looked over the various notes Troy scribbled on the board. "On this last trip, was he bringing guns in or out of the city?"

"In. Various makes and models of tactical weapons used by special military assault groups and police units, plus over six million in cash."

Rhys whistled. "And does he have someone in charge of the carrier?"

"Yes. A woman by the name of Sarah El-Alim. She inherited it from her father."

"And why didn't she bring the carrier back when I took over?"

Reggie snorted. "Probably because she has huge trust issues. Considering the current leadership, I can't say I blame her."

Rhys turned to him. "When are you going to let bygones be bygones and have a micron of faith in me?"

"I don't know. What's my name?"

Rhys started to respond but stopped with a look of puzzlement. Reggie sighed.

Rhys turned back to Troy. "Is there a way to contact her?"

Troy nodded. "She has offices here in the city."

#

Princess Zara will pose as Sarah El-Ackbar, the owner of a shipping carrier currently out to sea. By now Troy should be laying it on thick with Rhys about it, and her.

But I've worked with Rhys for more than fifteen years. He's not going to jump for it just yet. He'll need a little bit of chaos in his life to push him over the edge.

And that's where Margot comes in.

#

"Seven trucks packed with drugs hijacked, fifty associates arrested, and nearly five million in cash seized." Margot spun her laptop around on her desk to Alrick Shive so he could see the screen. "I must say, very impressive first day of events. My brother must be beside himself."

Shive shrugged, not even glancing at the computer. "I'm glad that you're impressed, even though I could care less."

Margot glanced over at Tessa, who stood watching the exchange by the window. Her daughter remarkably remained silent. "It seems that something is on your mind, Aldrick. Don't be shy. Spit it out."

"Very well." Shive leaned forward in his chair. "You promised a piece of the firm to the major families in the city. I don't really care for that. I want something more."

Margot rolled her eyes. "And what else is it that I can possibly give you? The Crown jewels? The Shroud of Turin? Change in election results?"

"Your brother."

The casual answer to her question put Margot to pause. She quickly recovered. "What do you mean?"

Shive tapped the desk with his right forefinger as if punching a single typewriter key repeatedly. "I know he killed Mickey several months ago. I read the police report. Ballistics matched a similar case Interpol was working."

He rose from his seat and walked around to the side of Margot's desk, resting on its edge as he look down at Margot. "I want your word that when this is finished, Rhys is mine to do with as I please. That you will not interfere."

Margot gave the man an impassive look.

"Do what you feel is necessary."

A slow smile formed on Shive's face. He straightened and buttoned his tailor-made jacket. "I'll be in touch." Nodding once to Tessa, he turned and exited the office.

Once the double doors closed behind him, Tessa hurried over to her mother's side. "Are you crazy, Mum?! You can't let him kill Uncle Rhys!"

Margot turned her chair to face her. "Your newfound loyalty to the family is refreshing, Tessa. It's also somewhat misplaced."

"Of course my loyalty is to my family. That means you, Daddy, and even Uncle Rhys." Tessa sighed. "He betrayed us, but it's just like when you betrayed him, when Dad turned on you and Grandmama, and vice versa."

Margot gave a come-on gesture. "I'm sure a point is forthcoming."

Tessa smiled. "My point is this. If Alice Vaughn can bring herself to forgive the man who almost destroyed her and her firm, to love him again, we can bring ourselves to forgive as well."

"And does that mean we let him go Scot free for said betrayals?"

Tessa sharply shook her head. "I said forgive. I didn't say just slap him on the bum and take away his dinner."

A corner of Margot's mouth turned upward as she regarded her daughter, who responded in kind. "You are walking a fine line between becoming like me and turning into your father," she said as she reached across her desk for her laptop and closed the device before rising to her feet.

"I think it's about time we go see him."

#

Ben looked around the small enclosed office area with satisfaction before turning to his host. "This will work. Though I didn't expect you to fly all the way from D.C. to set this up."

Agent Jules Dao smiled. "When Special Agent Diaz said what you had planned to take down Rhys Griffiths, I submitted a request to assist, based on our … long history. Only a few blocks from AVI and your hotel, but with the underground parking under FBI control, you can move about freely without being visible on the street."

"Well, I appreciate all the help I can get." Ben sat down at the fold out table and opened the laptop he had borrowed from AVI. "Alice and her people have finished developing Her Highness' new ID. Now all we need is that carrier, and we're set."

"And that is where we may have a problem." Dao sat down across from Ben. We have the inventory you requested on loan from the FBI, but no boat to put them on."

"Yes, we do." Valerie entered the office. "The princess just got a phone call from her brother, Bashir. Several ships from the royal family's fleet are moored in Seattle. He's having one sailed here and it should be here by tomorrow evening."

Ben and Dao looked at each other and then back at the princess. "How did she pull that off?" asked Ben.

Valerie waved the question away. "Never question the abilities of a woman when she wants something that is damn near impossible to get," she said, gracing Dao with a sly smile. "Agent Dao."

Dao grinned back. "Ms. Anderson."

Valerie started to say something but realized Ben was sitting there watching them both with rapt interest. She feigned a cough. "Ahem. Alice needs to see you at AVI."

Ben rose to his feet. "I'm on my way." He started for the door but turned back to Dao.

"It would be best if you and Agent Diaz stay scarce from AVI for the time being. If Rhys has eyes on the building and sees you two, he'll know something's up."

"Understood. If and when we need to see you, we'll meet here to compare notes."

Ben nodded. He looked over at Val and gave her a quick wink before exiting the office. She laughed before turning her attention to Dao.

"You didn't call to tell me you were in town. I had to find out from Ben."

Dao rose from his seat. "I was going to surprise you. I just didn't know how."

Valerie slowly walked up and wrapped her arms around Dao's neck.

"Consider me surprised."

#

Ben stepped off the elevators onto AVI's floor. With the lateness of the hour, the reception area and office bay was empty and dark, saved Alice's office at the far end, and the conference room beside Valerie's office.

He approached the open door and was pleasantly surprised to see Tessa and Margot sitting at the table with Alice. The older ladies conversed over bourbon. Tessa sipped on some water while eyeing the bourbon bottle.

"This is a picture I didn't think I would see again for a very long time," he declared.

The women turned at the sound of his voice. Tessa smiled and rose from her chair, walking over to Ben and raised up on her toes. "Hello, Daddy," she said, giving him a peck on his cheek.

Ben gave her shoulder a quick squeeze and a small smile, but his eyes were on Margot. "I thought we weren't going to meet up for a couple of days."

Margot nodded. "It seems we ran into a complication. One that I thought we should discuss as a family."

Alice drained her glass and got up to her feet. "Where are you going?" asked Margot.

"I need to send some emails out to a client, so feel free to use the conference room."

"Wait." Margot held up a hand. "When I said there's something we need to discuss as a family, that … includes you as well."

Alice gave Margot a quizzical look as she slowly pointed at herself. "Me? Family?"

"Well, you are the stepmommy."

Alice quickly pointed at Tessa before she could reply. "Don't start," she said.

Margot continued, somewhat grudgingly. "In any case … after all you have been through, and everything we have had to endure, I feel that you have earned a place at the table for discussions concerning our family."

Alice took a step back, unsure of how to reply. Ben took the opportunity to walk over and take her by the hand and guide her back to her seat. "What's this all about, Margot?"

"We ran into a complication," she said, gesturing for everyone to take a seat at the table. "Aldrick Shive doesn't want a piece of the firm."

Ben looked over at Alice who shrugged in puzzlement. "Alright. What does he want?"

"Only Uncle Rhys' head," Tessa replied dryly. "And Mum agreed."

Now Alice leaned forward in shock. "Look, I understand taking down Rhys from his high perch, but offer him up to the Shives? Is this because of Mickey Shive?"

Margot nodded.

Ben shook his head. "No. We're not offering up Rhys to be killed."

"Oh, like he would not have done the same to us," said Margot as she reached for her bourbon.

"He wouldn't. Rhys may have a heartless attitude and a rebellious streak, but he wouldn't turn a gun on any of us. We're not about to do that to him. We have a plan. The plan is being executed. We stick to the plan. Rhys already made contact with the princess. He wants to meet."

Margot expelled a lungful of air in an exasperated sigh. "Oh! Like I would let someone like Aldrick Shive put a gun to my brother's head. The question is how do we prevent it without tipping our hand?"

"Have the Shives and the other families put a hurting on Rhys' business dealings?"

Tessa smiled. "It's more than a slap on the bum. A major kick in the ass."

Ben smiled.

"It's time the princess prepares to make her big debut."

#

Princess Zara stared at herself in the mirror in Alice's closet. "I must admit, Alice, you have an unique style all of your own. It sort of reminds me of … 'American Bandstand?' Is that the name of the show from the 1960's?"

Alice grinned as she leaned against the door frame. "You watched 'American Bandstand' in Kuroq?"

"When I saw this dress, that was the first thing I thought of."

The princess turned around to face Alice. She wore a black, long-sleeved mini dress with black leather calf-high boots. Her customary hair scarf was replaced by a single silver hairpin holding a lock of her dark hair in place. "What do you think?"

Alice nodded in approval. "I think you pulled it off better than I ever could."

Zara smiled. "I think I'm all set, then."

"We have a few minutes, so I would like to give you a quick rundown of tonight's events, if that's okay."

The princess followed Alice into her living room. Alice waited until she was comfortable on the couch before doing the same. "Agent Diaz will assign someone not known to Rhys as your driver. My people, Ben, Margot and their daughter, we all will instantly be recognized and can't be seen within a hundred feet of your meeting."

Zara smiled. "And here is the part where you tell me that you're not going to let that stop you."

"You need to stop hanging around Ben." Alice smiled as she reached for a bottle of bourbon and poured two glasses. "We will have an agent doing audio and visual surveillance not far from where you're meeting Rhys."

"Okay." She accepted the glass and quickly swallowed its contents in one gulp before Alice could even reach for hers.

"Nervous?"

The princess grinned. "It's that obvious?"

"Either you love bourbon, or you're nervous." Alice patted her hand. "You'll be fine. The main thing we need to do is get Rhys to that ship so we can take him down. We just have to make it a little hard for him."

"Meaning?"

Alice smiled as she poured more bourbon for the princess and finally reached for her glass. She held it out to her in a toast.

"Meaning we just not going to give it to him."

#