Honor Among Thieves Read online

  “Write in and tell them that you won it on a game show.”

  Tony was content to wait for his colleagues to run out of wisecracks before he spoke again.

  “Exactly my reaction when we were first approached,” he admitted. “But after several weeks of research and preparation, I hope you will at least grant me an opportunity to present my case.”

  They quickly came to order and began concentrating on Tony’s every word, though “skepticism” would have best described the expression on their faces.

  “During the past weeks, my father and I have been working on a draft plan to steal the Declaration of Independence. We are now ready to share that knowledge with you, because I must admit that we have reached a point where we cannot advance further on this project without the professional abilities of everyone seated around this table. Let me assure you, gentlemen, that your selection has not been a random exercise.

  “But first I would like you all to see the Declaration of Independence for yourself.” Tony pressed a button underneath the table and the doors behind him swung open. The butler entered the room carrying two thin sheets of glass, a parchment held between them. He placed the glass frame on the center of the table. The six skeptics leaned forward to study the masterpiece. It was several moments before anyone offered an opinion.

  “Bill O’Reilly’s work, would be my guess,” said Frank Piemonte, the lawyer, as he leaned over to admire the fine detail of the signatures below the text. “He once offered to pay me in forged bills, and I would have accepted if I’d got him off.”

  Tony nodded, and after they had all spent a little more time studying the parchment, he said, “So, allow me to reword my earlier statement. We are not so much planning to steal the Declaration of Independence as to replace the original with this copy.” A smile settled on the lips of two of the previously skeptical guests.

  “You will now be aware,” said Tony, “of the amount of preparation that has gone into this exercise so far, and, indeed, the expense my father and I have been put to. But the reason we have continued is because we feel the rewards if we are successful far outweigh the risk of being caught. If you will open the thin envelopes in front of you, I believe the contents will make my point more clearly. Inside each envelope you will find a piece of paper on which is written the sum of money you will receive if you decide to become a member of the executive team.”

  While the six men tore open the thinner of their two envelopes, Tony continued, “If you feel, on discovering the amount involved, that the reward does not warrant the risk, now is the time to leave. I trust that those of us who remain may have confidence in your discretion because, as you will be only too aware, our lives will be in your hands.”

  “And theirs in ours,” said the chairman, speaking for the first time.

  A ripple of nervous laughter broke out around the table as each of the six men eyed the unsigned check in front of him.

  “That figure,” said Tony, “is the payment you will receive should we fail. If we succeed, the amount will be tripled.”

  “So will the jail sentence if we get caught,” said Bruno Morelli, speaking for the first time.

  “Summing up, gentlemen,” said Cavalli, ignoring the comment, “if you decide to join the executive team, you will receive ten percent of that payment in advance when you leave tonight, and the remaining sum within seven days of the contract being completed. This would be paid into any bank of your choice in any country of your choosing.

  “Before you make your decision, there’s one further thing I’d like you all to see.” Once again Tony pressed a button under the table, and this time the doors opened at the far end of the room. The sight that greeted them caused two of the guests to immediately stand, one to gasp and the remaining three to simply stare in disbelief.

  “Gentlemen, I am happy that you were able to join me today. I wanted to assure you all of my commitment to this project, and I hope you’ll feel able to be part of the executive team. I’ll have to leave you now, gentlemen,” said the man standing next to the chairman in the Ozark accent that had become so familiar to the American people during the past few months, “so that you can study Mr. Cavalli’s proposition in greater detail. You can be assured that I’ll do everything I can to help make the change this country needs. But for now, I have one or two pressing engagements. I feel sure you’ll understand.” The actor smiled and shook hands warmly with everyone around the table before strolling out of the boardroom.

  Spontaneous applause broke out after the doors had closed behind him. Tony allowed himself a smile of satisfaction.

  “Gentlemen, my father and I will now leave you for a few minutes to consider your decision.”

  The chairman and chief executive rose without another word and left the room.

  “What do you think?” asked Tony as he poured his father a whisky and water from the cabinet in his study.

  “A lot of water,” he replied. “I have a feeling we may be in for a long night.”

  “But did they buy it?”

  “Can’t be certain,” replied the old man. “I was watching their faces while you were giving the presentation, and sure as hell, they didn’t doubt the work you’ve put in. They were all impressed by the parchment and Lloyd Adams’s performance, but other than Bruno and Frank they didn’t give much away.”

  “Let’s start with Frank,” said Tony.

  “First in then out, as Frank always is, but he likes money far too much to walk away from an offer as good as this.”

  “You’re that confident?” said Tony.

  “It’s not just the money,” replied his father. “Frank’s not going to have to be there on the day, is he? So he’ll get his share whatever happens. I’ve never yet met a lawyer who would make a good field commander. They’re too used to being paid whether they win or lose.”

  “If you’re right, Al Calabrese may turn out to be the problem. He’s got the most to lose.”

  “As our trade union leader, he’ll certainly have to be out there on center stage most of the day, but I suspect he won’t be able to resist the challenge.”

  “And what about Bruno? If—” began the chief executive, but he was cut short as the doors swung open and Al Calabrese walked into the room. “We were just talking about you, Al.”

  “Not too politely, I hope.”

  “Well, that depends on—” said Tony.

  “On whether I’m in?”

  “Or out,” said the chairman.

  “I’m in up to my neck is the answer,” said Al, smiling. “So you’d better have a foolproof plan to present to us.” He turned to face Tony. “Because I don’t want to spend the rest of my life as the man on top of America’s most wanted list.”

  “And the others?” asked the chairman, as Bruno Morelli brushed past them without even saying goodnight.

  Chapter Ten

  Hannah nervously grabbed the ringing phone. “This is reception, madam. We were just wondering if you’ll be checking out before midday, or do you require the room for an extra night?”

  “No, thank you,” said Hannah. “I’ll have left by twelve, one way or the other.”

  Two minutes later, the phone rang again. It was Colonel Kratz. “Who were you speaking to a moment ago?”

  “Reception was asking me when I would be checking out.”

  “I see,” said Kratz. “Your baggage has been retrieved,” was all he added.

  Hannah replaced the phone and stood up. She felt a shot of adrenaline go through her body as she prepared for her first real test. She picked up her overnight bag and left the room, switching the sign on the door to “Clean Me Please.”

  Once she had reached the foyer, she had to wait only a few minutes before the hotel minibus returned from the airport on its circular journey. She sat alone in the back for the short trip to the departure area, then headed straight for the bookshop as instructed. She began to browse among the hardbacks, struck by how many American and British authors were obviously