Page 53 of The Atlas Maneuver

“Which means,” Koger added, “that he pretty much did whatever he wanted.”

“Apparently, the job paid well,” she said, motioning around her.

“Indeed, it did. One of the perks of managing a covert, illegal cache of stolen wealth with a bank that operates by its own rules.”

She noticed that Koger was staying close to the open terrace doors, keeping a watchful eye out toward the rear yard and lake.

“I have a proposition,” Citrone finally said.

Koger turned back. “I’m listening.”

“Let us find that gold. Together.”

CHAPTER 30

AIKO HAD COOPERATED WITH THE LOCAL POLICE AND PROVIDED Astatement, corroborated by her driver, as to how the wreck occurred. Operators from other vehicles had backed up their version of the collision—that it had all been caused by a white van marked EDELWEISSCATERING. She’d offered the officers the explanation that the van had trespassed at the consulate, and they were in pursuit when the wreck occurred. The police assured her that the van would be located and released her to return to the consulate. Things had definitely become convoluted. Certainly not according to plan. But that was nothing unusual.

Her line of work was full of surprises.

Years ago she’d been involved with investigating Aum Shinrikyo, the murderous cult that committed many heinous crimes, including sarin nerve gas attacks that had murdered hundreds. The group disseminated a unique doctrine, one proclaiming that it was okay to kill another human being, so long as that person was committing “evil deeds.” Of course, the definition ofevil deedswas one the cult set for itself. Its leader prophesied the coming of Armageddon and, after failing to win any meaningful support in a national election, transformed a political party into a terrorist group that used violence to make its points. It even wentinternational, establishing branches in the United States, Germany, Russia, and Sri Lanka.

She’d been assigned to the task force that kept Aum Shinrikyo under nearly constant surveillance. She’d also been the investigator who first detected the profit-making businesses used by the cult to finance its operations, even locating where their account books were secretly stored and their monies deposited. It took a little over two decades but finally the cult’s leader, a psychopath named Shoko Asahara, was caught, tried, and executed. She’d been there, watching, as Asahara was hanged. His final words assigned his remains to his wife and third daughter. But fearing that the ashes would be enshrined where followers might honor them, she defied her superiors and poured them into one of the prison toilets, flushing them to the sewer.

That had earned her a reprimand.

But nothing more.

She spent fourteen years tracking Aum Shinrikyo, and that dogged determination had brought her to the attention of superiors. She steadily rose to her current rank of chief investigator. From there the imperial family had chosen her for this specialized task. Why? That had never been explained. But emperors were not noted for explanations. Not even retired ones. She learned a lot from pursuing Aum Shinrikyo. That group institutionalized paranoia so, to get inside, you had to be clever.

The same was true here.

They’d tailed Kelly Austin from Luxembourg to Switzerland, expanding their already tight net on the bank. But when they noticed that Cotton Malone was also on Austin’s trail, that had elevated their interest. Aiko and her men had watched the attack on Austin and Malone’s spirited defense, then bided their time and taken advantage of Austin’s trip to the bathroom in the café to make a move. Taking Austin seemed the prudent course considering that somebody, most likely elements in the CIA, wanted her dead.

Austin didn’t help by biting the hand that had shielded hermouth and calling out. True to form, Malone had traced the car to the consulate. What she’d not counted on was an outside attack and bloodshed. Malone had even managed to follow in the van and succeed with a rescue. She’d underestimated Austin, who freed herself from the trunk, and the collision at the intersection had allowed them both to escape. Would the bank become aware that Austin was free? Would Austin reveal that there was a spy within the bank? She doubted either would occur since Austin had no reason to make contact and could not care less if the Japanese had infiltrated.

The man whose job it had been to deliver the van to the consulate was still missing. Most likely dead. The intruder at the consulate dead too, thanks to Malone. They’d run an identification on him, but she already knew that trail would lead nowhere. Most disturbingly, thinking she had the matter under control, Aiko had alerted Catherine Gledhill to the PSIA’s presence.

Taunting her.

Which was fine when she had control of Kelly Austin.

But not now.

COTTON SWITCHED OFF THE VAN IN THE PARKING LOT OF A BUSYrural shopping center, parking near a grocery store, nestled safe among other cars. They were maybe a dozen miles south of Basel, beyond the metro sprawl, in the Swiss countryside. The van had surely been reported stolen, and fleeing the wreck at that intersection had not helped, so further driving around seemed foolish. Shoppers were coming and going from the stores. His eyes scanned the building’s exterior and saw no cameras. Thankfully, they were not as prevalent in Europe as they were in the United States.

They climbed out and he noticed that the EDELWEISSCATERINGon each side was an attached stencil, which was easily ripped off. Apparently, this had been a hastily prepared transport. Heremoved both signs and tossed them into a garbage can near the grocery store’s entrance, which should help keep their location secret. They then walked inside among the other shoppers.

“You okay?” he asked her.

She nodded and rubbed her neck. “I’ll survive.”

“Tell me what happened.”

He listened as she recounted what occurred after the café.

“What are the Japanese after? And please don’t bullshit me.”

“Stolen gold they consider theirs.”

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