Page 129 of Blind Prophet

“I’m in London. At my flat. How are things there? People worried?”

“When we parked, I saw two surfers lugging surfboards down to the ocean and a line at the coffee shop down the street. But it’s LA that has the blackout. We’re about two and a half hours away. What’re you hearing?”

“I have a reputable source claiming that Five Eyes has been infiltrated.”

“Infiltrated how? Hacked?”

“An employee. A leak.”

“Working for who? Russia?”

There’s no way. Those employees are thoroughly vetted.

“Awaiting details. Interesting that you bring up Russia. Your father’s financial adviser, Geoffrey Cromwell, is Russian. Did you know that?”

“Does he have dual citizenship?”

“No, nothing that obvious. His mother.”

Look at that. Rory’s hunch was right.

“I’ll shut down my dad’s accounts.”

“If Cromwell is involved, he would’ve transferred funds before this went down.”

“I’ll get someone to check.” I shoot off a note to Jay to request a full account report from Bedrock on my father’s accounts.

The geopolitical implications hit me. With Zenith’s control over global communications infrastructure, any state actor would see us as both a threat and an opportunity. The satellite network I built could be the ultimate prize. But no—Zenith is out of Geoffrey’s reach.

“Another option would be that your half-brother is setting up your father for treason. The question is, if he wanted him dead, why not just kill him? Or kill you, for that matter? The math’s not working on that one either.”

“Well, he may have attempted to kill me. My helicopter may have been sabotaged. Hydraulic lines. Cause yet to be determined.”

“Why would he aim to kill you and not your father?”

“Maybe Geoffrey’s not in the will? If I die, he’d be added?”

“Come now. The bloke’s controlled your dad’s finances for ages. He could’ve robbed him blind and spent his twilight years sunning on a beach off the grid.”

“You think he’s working for Putin?”

“Or he’s looking to hurt your dad where it will hurt him most—his reputation. But Halston’s not of sound mind, right?”

“And Geoffrey’s aware. Maybe Dad’s dementia forced him to alter his plan. It’s been a gradual decline. Perhaps he went from someone who could be easily manipulated to someone who wouldn’t comprehend what had been done to him. I don’t know. Investigators have yet to visit the crash site. It’s not easily accessible, and a storm system came through late yesterday. I’m guessing there, too. Could’ve just as easily been a mechanical malfunction.”

“How old’s your bird?”

“Latest model.”

“Get your head out of your arse. It’s sabotage.”

“Would my staff be in on it?” My question is as much to myself as to Nick. In my rush, I didn’t bring anyone with me, but I’ve got a hefty payroll back in Colorado.

“That, I can’t say. But one thing is certain. Someone out there has infiltrated the syndicate, and that someone fakes your father well. You’ve got to let everyone know the truth about your Dad. Not just the syndicate. Anyone with weight that he influences.”

CHAPTER31

CAROLINE

---