“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.“Ican’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.
