7. Edgar Hamilton
Chapter 7
Edgar Hamilton
My daughter strolls into my office, unannounced and uninvited, so I continue reading through the report on the screen, making her stand before me for several long minutes before I acknowledge her presence with a glance.
“What?”
“Don’t be upset with me. I did everything you asked me to do.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose and heave a sigh. “Nothing was asked of you. You were told.”
She presses her lips together, and I stand, needing a drink. She takes a seat on the sofa and waits. Deanna is smart for a woman. She takes after her mother in that regard. I down the entire glass, pouring another as memories of my ex-wife rush to the forefront. Deanna is a constant reminder of the bitch who brought her into this world. Otherwise, I might have found some fondness for her. But no, she’s just as conniving and backstabbing as her mother.
I take a seat in my armchair next to the sofa and watch her over the rim of my glass as I take another sip.
“Are you aware there’s a team of Maddox Security Officers sequestered with Fiona Edgewater in one of your conference rooms?”
“Of course I’m aware. Emilia is paranoid about the Angelo Tech merger. They’re doing a cybersecurity audit or some nonsense.”
“And that doesn’t concern you?”
I swirl my glass. “Should it?”
“Fiona could spill all our secrets.”
“Unlike you, she was obedient to her father. She is not privy to my secrets, or she’d be dead already.”
“Do you know Victor’s team was going to approach her to bring her on as Infinitum’s lead hacker?”
No, I didn’t. I only stare at her and let her assume what she will.
She sighs. “I wish you would take things more seriously.”
“You are not privy to all of my secrets, either, dear daughter.”
She presses her lips together, annoyed by my sarcastic endearment.
“How goes your mission with Xander Beck? Did you run into him on his business trip like we planned?”
She drops her gaze and I sigh.
“I bought him a drink, and he spent the entire time telling me how much I reminded him of his daughter.”
I scoff. “Rachel isn’t his daughter.”
“He raised her from an infant. I’m pretty sure that qualifies.”
“Regardless, Rachel is nothing like you. She’s got class.”
She presses her lips together again and I hide my smirk with a sip from my glass.
“He wasn’t interested.”
“Try again. Time is not on our side.”
I glance at the old burner phone on my desk. When Anax handed it to me years ago and told me to keep it ready, but never use it, I assumed it was just one last tactic to keep me on my toes and I’d never see him again.
He taught me everything I know about Infinitum. I never saw his face, and I couldn’t determine his true identity, but it didn’t matter. He embodied an ideal that spoke to my soul. The underdog deserves a fighting chance. The overlooked deserve their time in the spotlight. That was especially true when Anax stepped down, but one phone call from that dusty old burner phone last month changed everything.
He’s back. He’s pissed. And he’s ruined all of my plans. The coward still won’t show his face, but I’m not stupid enough to challenge him. Not yet. The man taught me the art of deception. There’s no way he’s not hiding something. I just need to figure out what it is before it’s too late.
Deanna sighs and offers a begrudging nod.
“Are you prepared for next week?” I ask.
“I smoothed things over with Fiona. She’ll cooperate.”
“Very good.” I glance at my watch. “Next time, make an appointment with Harriet.” I set my tumbler on the tray.
She stands, adjusting her skirt. “How do you think it looks to the congregation when I have to schedule an appointment to visit my father?”
“I think it looks like I’m focused on our mission.”
She shakes her head. “You’re a fool,” she mutters under her breath. I grab her arm and shove her against the wall.
“Mind your tongue before I have it removed.”
She has the audacity to roll her eyes. “Idle threats, father. Idle threats.”
I yank my hand back and smack her across the face. She stares at me in shock, her hand covering the red mark on her cheek. I’ve punished her before, but never by my hand. There is no time for her bullshit.
She gasps as I grab her throat and pin her to the wall. “I’ll say this slow so your small brain can comprehend. I’ve been lenient with you, but if you push me too far, your life will change drastically. If you enjoy your designer handbags and clothes, and the status I’ve carved out for you despite your shameful and overt dalliances, I suggest you remember who you’re dealing with.”
She whimpers and I release her, shoving her towards the door. “Get out of my sight.”
She races out of the room and I clench my fists. I’m not the violent type. I pay people for that, but damn, it feels good to be in control of something.
My mood sours in an instant when the damn burner phone rings. I take a calming breath before answering.
“Something tells me brute force is not the ideal tactic for dealing with your daughter,” Anax says.
“With all due respect, mind your damn business.”
The bastard chuckles. “The sooner you realize everything is my business, the easier this will go for you.”
I bristle at his intrusion, but I’m powerless to stop him. If he already has eyes and ears in my impenetrable office, he’s right.
“What can I do for you?” I ask, lightening my tone with great effort.
“The Chens are close to a breakthrough on the super serum. I need your team to be ready to implement phase 3.”
Fear grips my spine. Phase 3 is a demonstration for the US Department of Defense, where we showcase the abilities of the super soldiers. Once they’ve poured billions into our program, we inject the soldiers with the super serum and take over. I never thought we’d get to phase 3. It just seemed like something a child would dream up when they’re playing pretend. Once it begins, there’s no going back. And as Infinitum’s current figurehead, I’ll be the first man on the literal chopping block. No. I haven’t spent the past decade killing myself for it all to end like this.
“Of course, Sir. We’ll be ready.”
Silence.
More silence.
“Sir?”
“I understand this wasn’t a part of your plans, but I appreciate your cooperation. If you do anything other than what I’ve asked of you, I have ways of killing you that don’t require super soldiers. You’ve got one chance to redeem yourself. Don’t fuck it up.”
He hangs up and I slam the phone on the desk. I adjust my tie and stare at the photo of me and my best friend, Dennis Davenport, on my desk. His own wife murdered him. I had warned him against marrying her. Something about her just didn’t seem right, but beautiful women were his Achilles heel.
What would he do in this situation? He’d never back down, that’s for certain. With renewed determination, I head for the helipad. It’s time to cash in a few favors.