Chapter Fourteen
Caroline
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“DO YOU THINK HE’D FALL for something like the Swiss government suddenly suggesting they send Adam home by boat?”
I glanced around, anxious possibility simmering at the ICC’s idea.
However much I hated the thought of Harper being employed as bait, the notion of Jackson being detained by the French was irrefutably exciting.
I didn’t think it was possible to despise anyone as much as I hated that bloated little prick.
Aside from living happily ever after with my commander general, nothing but the thought of seeing him rot away in prison made me happier.
“The mode of transport can be fabricated.” Akari met my eyes. “The Swiss can claim the French have blocked the use of the air space. It is, after all, not unusual for French air traffic to be on strike.” She peered over at Laurent for clarification.
“It is not so unusual,” Laurent confirmed. “And we could send Mr. Harper with a full flotilla of pageantry.” He smiled. “The British think they do such things better than anyone else, but it’s clear to anyone who has ever visited the Palace of Versailles that we have also mastered this.”
Harper sniffed, and I sensed he was biting back on a typically British response to the Frenchman.
“Ian would like the idea of an armada in his honor. This could work, but it would need maximum publicity. He’d need to think the entire planet was watching the moment I came home with my tail between my legs. ”
Sucking my lower lip past my teeth, it wasn’t difficult to imagine the scene they were all painting.
I’d only had the indignity of meeting Jackson once, but that had been enough to assure me how much he liked the sound of his own voice.
I could only imagine how big his ego would inflate if he thought he’d been able to bring all sea traffic in the English Channel to a complete standstill in order to claim Harper back as his own.
“We might be able to play up the ocean travel.” The hand Harper had used to cover mine rose to rest at his chin. “That was how I got away, after all. There’s a twisted kind of irony that I’d be forced to return the same way.”
Murmurs of acquiescence rumbled around those assembled.
“Back into his arms, so to speak.” Harper nodded as though the plan made sense.
“But how would all this be managed?” I asked. “How do we ensure Adam’s safety?”
“You can arm me for a start.” He laughed, but the sound of his amusement was hollow. “But Caroline raises a good point. The British wouldn’t even entertain the idea unless there were security guarantees, which effectively snooker my opportunity to get away if something goes wrong.”
“Like, the boat not accidentally entering French waters.” My tone was imploring. “I mean, how can that kind of thing be managed in open water? There isn’t exactly a boundary where Britain meets France.”
“That could play to our advantage.” Laurent’s tone was contemplative. “Not having a land border means there is no definitive answer, and French ships can be waiting on standby.”
“We would have to monitor everything carefully,” Akari agreed. “It is not our intention to trigger an international conflict. We know the British military is comparatively depleted, but Jackson still has the codes for its nuclear weapons.”
“You don’t think he would use them, though?” Stunned, I glanced around at the people the ICC had sent to meet Harper. “I mean, he’s a self-absorbed wanker, but nuclear weapons?”
“He’s imprisoned and killed more British citizens than any conflict or leader since the 1940s.” Harper’s tone was somber. “I think every possibility should be considered seriously.”
“My God.” I shook my head at his answer.
Are we really having this conversation?
Jackson was vile, but I couldn’t believe he’d actually fire weapons—nuclear or otherwise—and potentially start a war. As far as I knew, his only agenda had been the subjugation of his own people.
“We would also need to monitor the weather,” Harper went on. “And prepare for any adverse conditions.”
“Yes,” Meyer replied. “That follows.”
“So, you’re thinking about this?” Squeezing his fingers, I asked the question to Harper directly.
“Do I have any choice?” He glanced up at the three judges. “I mean, if I say no, won’t the ICC move to prosecute me?”
“That is certainly possible,” Akari confirmed.
“And if he does help with this...” Lunacy. The word flitted into my head, but somehow, I held it back. “If Adam gives you Ian Jackson, what happens to him?”
“If you support a plan such as this one, which results in Jackson’s arrest, then all charges against you will be dropped, Mr. Harper.” Akari selected a piece of paper from the stack before her and slid it across the table toward Harper. “I have that confirmed in writing.”
“I had it in writing once before.” Harper chuckled. “In the end, that didn’t appear to count for much.”
“This. Will.” Meyer punctuated the words by tapping the end of her expensive-looking pen against the countertop. “The ICC wants Jackson in the dock.”
“But it’ll take me if it can’t get him.” Harper’s focus flitted my way, his expression sardonic. “And I can’t do time when we have a life to live together, can I?”
His lips curled, the gesture belying just how serious the moment was. It seemed whatever choice he made, I was going to have to say goodbye to him with little guarantee of his safe return.
“I don’t want to lose you.” My voice lowered, as though the others couldn’t hear me. “I can’t.” Sir. I emphasized the final word, hoping he’d know the one I omitted.
“I won’t let that happen.” He shifted to face me, the intensity of his stare muting every other face in the room.
In that moment, there was only him and me; two people who adored each other and would do anything to claim the future they deserved.
“I need to do this. Bringing Ian to justice will redress some of the harm I’ve caused in the last few years. ”
My eyes fluttered closed as I considered his point.
Of course, I understood his desire for deliverance.
I wanted that for him, too. Harper had been involved in one of the most monstrous administrations of the last one hundred years.
I couldn’t even imagine how he’d look at himself in the mirror if he did nothing to bring that machine down, but yet again, my desires sat opposed to the moral outcome.
It was just like when I’d considered what justice for my fellow female Fortorus survivors would mean for me personally, I was caught in the crossfire of those two opposing needs.
In order for those women to have legal parity, I would have to lose Harper to jail time, and, if the ICC had its way, in order for the international courts to get their hands on Jackson, I’d have to risk losing Harper all over again.
“I just don’t see much concern for your welfare in this plan.” Staring into his eyes, I couldn’t bear the thought of even a few hours without him, let alone an uncertain future where he was shipped off to tempt Jackson into French territorial waters.
“What protection does Adam have?” I posed the question to the assembled judges. “I mean, he’s already betrayed Jackson. Who’s to say he won’t just have his men kill Adam on sight?”
“I don’t think he’d do that.” Harper’s thumb stroked at the top of my hand. “He’s a cruel bastard, but so long as he’s getting all the attention, his ego will demand he plays along. He’ll want photo opportunities galore, so we’d need to ensure there’s a media presence out there, too.”
“We can facilitate that,” Laurent confirmed.
“I would suggest the plan needs to be timed to perfection. We get you out there, have you board Jackson’s ship at an allotted time, ready for speeches and all the photo ops he requires.
Then, once Jackson is embroiled in the attention, we have French troops board and expedite the warrant. ”
“Got it.” Harper nodded. “And the French military is on board with this?”
“Completely.” Laurent smiled. “To be honest, the French government will be pleased for the chance. The new British regime hasn’t exactly been good for trade with the European Union, and French fishermen have done particularly badly in the deal.”
“I’m afraid I wasn’t in charge of trade and foreign relations.” Harper’s free hand rose in conciliation. “But I understand.”
“Let’s just say the French will not cry if Jackson is removed.” Laurent sneered.
“So...” Akari clapped her hands together, her gaze scanning me and then Harper. “Do we have an agreement?”
“How would this all be arranged?” I interjected, already sensing Harper would agree without asking the necessary questions.
It wasn’t like him to be slapdash, but I supposed after the last few days of his arrest and then being hospitalized, he could be forgiven for being a little out of sorts.
Fortunately for him, I was there to look after his interests.
“We would start with a message from Mr. Harper.” Akari motioned to Adam as though I wouldn’t know who Harper was. I followed her gaze, regardless, though, my focus landing back on his handsome face.
“Yes, we would need a reply of sorts,” Laurent added.
“A reply to what?” I pressed.
“Ian’s message.” Harper sighed, apparently way ahead of me. “I’ll need to record my own video and respond to his comments about me.”
“That is correct,” Akari made a note on the paper in front of her. “You’ll need to persuade Jackson that you’ve made a terrible mistake by leaving and you want to return to his government in Britain.”
“Joy.” Harper’s jaw clenched as he presumably imagined having to ingratiate himself with the asshole who’d threatened to kill me.
I didn’t envy him the task. Harper had been better off than me; richer and more powerful than I was from day one, but in that moment, I was the one free without conditions, while he needed to pretend to have sympathy with the devil.
“You can do this,” Akari prompted, apparently seeking clarification on the point.
“Yes, I can.” Harper stared up at the ceiling. “I know the kinds of things Ian would like to hear.”
I reached for him, gripping his muscular arm.
The solution to the riddle of his long-term liberty was a chapter of our story I’d struggle to be a part of.
It would kill me to let him go, but watching him then, it was obvious; Harper would do what had to be done.
Just as I, and many others, had done before him.
“That is good,” Meyer responded. “We can post that message and see what the reaction is, giving Jackson a way to contact the Swiss authorities if he’s interested.”
“And if he isn’t interested?” I scanned the faces of the officials for an answer. “If Jackson doesn’t get in touch, then what?”
“Then our original plea deal stands.” Akari met my eyes. “Mr. Harper will be given legal impunity in return for the information he has already given, and the two of you will be released into the Swiss asylum system.”
“I have a claim on French citizenship, actually.” Harper spoke directly to Laurent. “My mother was originally from Lyon. Monsieur, perhaps you could assist me with this when everything here is resolved.”
I liked the optimism Harper’s query inferred, although it seemed way too early to think about the possibility of our legal right to stay in the EU. Sitting there, there was still the matter of Harper’s health, as well as the new Jackson conundrum.
“I would be happy to help.” Laurent smiled. “Once this matter is finalized.”
“Merci.” Harper nodded. “I think I should help the ICC.”
His full attention was back on me, and even though every fiber of me wanted to resist his assertion, I already sensed his decision was final.
“I owe it to all the women I couldn’t help, and you never know, perhaps one begging message from me will be all Ian’s ego needs.
He might be happy to watch me humble myself but not get in touch afterward. ”
“Yeah, maybe.” Though knowing the man who called himself the president meant that I found the outcome unlikely.
I had little doubt that the video of Harper pleading for a second chance would thrill Jackson, and if he thought there was a chance he could obtain the same high from Harper in person, he’d take it.
“Or perhaps he’ll enjoy it so much he’ll be desperate for more. ”
A grim mental image of him compelling some poor woman to her knees and forcing her to satisfy his desires while he re-watched Harper’s recorded message filled my mind.
That was just the kind of dreadful thing a man who was prepared to put himself in charge while simultaneously subjugating more than half of the nation would do. It was innately Jackson’s style.
“Either way, we shall have our answer.” Meyer sounded irritatingly pleased with herself, and it was easy to see why.
Harper had done little but appease and offer to assist since she and the other judges had arrived. Naturally, the fact that they held his freedom in their grasp did little to harm their chances of success, but even given those odds, Harper had seemed irregularly compliant.
Eyeing the side of his face, I worried that the whole conversation had come too soon.
He still hadn’t received the all-clear from the medics and only the day before had woken up after collapsing in police custody.
The last thing I wanted was for him to push himself too hard in pursuit of the ICC’s approval.
We’d ignored Armitage’s advice when we’d left the country.
I wouldn’t allow him to risk his health a second time.
“Can you set the video up in here?” Harper glanced around the room.
“In the hospital?” Kaspar spoke up. “We would have to get the go-ahead from your doctors.”
“Fine,” Harper replied. “I’m feeling much better, and I’d like to get this started as soon as possible.”
“I shall speak to them right away.” Kaspar rose to her feet. “Can you judges wait for the doctor’s verdict?”
“Yes,” Akari answered for them all. “With the doctor’s approval, we shall hire a camera crew and consider what to film. Then, we wait to see if Mr. Jackson responds.”
“How long will you give him to reply?” I asked, already sensing that the entire plan was unraveling well beyond my grasp. Sitting there, it seemed as though everyone else was on board with the decision except me.
“A few days should suffice.” Harper’s tone was knowing. “With the exception of his ambitions at Fortorus, every decision Ian makes is based on his short-term wants and needs. Whatever his views on my performance, we’ll know soon enough.”