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.”
