“That’s nuts.”
“Of course. But the point is, you’re a target. Haven’t you had any of that kind of thing?”
Drake shook his head. “Not really. I mean, my dough’s mostly in the foundation, so it’s technically not mine. And I keep a low profile. Nobody really knows who I am. The groundskeeper here thinks I’m a dope dealer or something, I’m sure, because I’m always either surfing or hanging out. I mean, the only one who knows anything about me is Kyra next door.”
“And you’re not tapping that?”
“No. I mean, she’s beautiful, but Allie and I…”
“What happened with her?”
Drake explained the situation as well as he could, and by the time he was done, Spencer was shaking his head. “Dude, that’s deader than Michael Jackson. Time to play house with Miss Hollywood there.”
“No, it isn’t. Allie just needs time.”
“How much?”
“She hasn’t said. But in the end, I think it’ll be worth it.”
“In the end, we’re all worm food. I say you go give blondie an oil massage and see what comes up.”
“She’s going to be here tomorrow, by the way.”
“Who? Allie? Or Kyra? Do you need a cameraman?”
“Allie. Your buddies in the CIA came by for a talk today,” Drake said, watching Spencer’s reaction carefully. Spencer appeared genuinely puzzled.
“Really? What did they want?”
“They said if I told anyone, they’d have to kill him.”
Spencer grinned. “At this point, I could use the life insurance payout. I’m broke, dude. That was actually one of the reasons I stopped in.”
“Not because you miss me?”
“Hey, of course, but I need time…” Spencer laughed. “Seriously, though, I could use a loan.”
“A loan? How much?”
“Enough to deal with the lawyers and all the bills.”
“Which is…?”
“Fifty?”
Drake’s eyes saucered. “Thousand?”
“I wish. No, million. That should last the year, until I can get the money back from the fund. It’s crazy, but I had more money before I had money. You know?”
“Why don’t you sell some stuff?”
Spencer began pacing. “I have both the plane and the boat up for sale already. The brokers were in shock — I mean, the ink’s hardly dry. But they’re probably used to it.”
“Then your problems are solved. Or will be soon.”
“Not really. Apparently there isn’t a big market for planes right now. It’s the economy.”
“So you lose some money. Big deal.”
“It’s not that. They already told me I’ll lose. It’s just that there are no buyers. Planes don’t sell like real estate. They said it could take a year or more.”
“And the boat?”
“Those take even longer. Every big boat in the world’s for sale.”
“What about chartering it out? That would cut your burn.”
“Right. Every other owner has the same idea. It’s a cutthroat market. But right now, between the suits, the repairs and maintenance, the airport fees, the salaries… it’s bad.”
“That sucks.”
“Three million a month, dude, and I’m not enjoying any of it.”
“I can’t believe…”
“Tell me about it. But apparently it’s easy to buy, and really hard to sell. Go figure. They’re brilliant at separating you from your money, but not so great at helping you unload your junk.”
“So why fifty? Adds up to more like thirty-five, doesn’t it?”
“Because the attorneys said it will get more expensive moving forward. It’s like a protection racket — pay up or else.” Spencer stopped moving and stared off into the distance at the shimmering blue Pacific. “You know I’m good for it.”
“The problem is I can’t just write a check, Spencer. It’s the foundation’s money, not mine. That’s how I got around the tax issue. But it has an independent board of directors I have to run projects over a million past before I can get any cash. It’s in the charter. So none of it’s simple.”
“How can that be? It’s your money, not theirs.”
“In the end I opted to keep only twenty out, and the rest is the foundation’s, Spence. Sorry.”
“How do they have it invested?”
Drake shrugged. “I think most of it’s in bonds or cash. And I know ten percent’s in gold. In Switzerland.”
“What? Don’t you know anything? The place to be is in stocks.”
“Nah. I don’t like the market. Too much I don’t understand about it, and my attorney told me never invest in anything you don’t understand.”
“What are you doing with the twenty?”
Drake finished his water. “I’m thinking about buying a house. I’m just leasing this. But that’s got to last me forever, Spence. I can’t get more out of the foundation.”
“Then I’m hosed.”
Drake grinned. “Hey. Wait. Allie and I are going on an expedition. There’s supposed to be a treasure at the end of it all.”
“What? Where?”
“Laos. Myanmar. Thailand.” Drake explained about the plane and the lost temple. When he was done, Spencer had fire in his eyes.
“Count me in. It’s either that or wait around for someone else to sue me. When do we leave?”
“Really?”
“Absolutely. You had me at treasure.”
“And you don’t mind the whole CIA aspect?”
“Nah. Why would I? Their intel helps us find the green gargoyle, I’m all for it.”
“Emerald Buddha.”
“Whatever. When does Allie come?”
“Tomorrow morning. I’m going to call these guys and set up a briefing.”
“I can help with the logistics. We’ll want guns, you know. That area is heroin central. Some mean characters.”
“You ever been there?”
“I spent a few months in Bangkok in my misspent youth.”
“What were you doing?”
“What wasn’t I?”
Drake moved to the phone, eyed the note he’d left by it, and dialed Collins’ number. When the CIA man answered, Drake told him he’d assembled a team that would be available for briefing at noon tomorrow. Collins sounded grudgingly grateful, and promised to have someone come by.
“Now let me get the permits in motion. It’ll take some doing, but we’ll manage. And Mr. Ramsey?” Collins asked.
“Yes?”
“Thank you. From me, and from the senator. You made the right decision.”
“I hope I feel that way next week.”
Drake disconnected and turned to Spencer. “I’m starving. Let me shower off and then let’s go for a ride in your land rocket. You can show me how to lose your license. We can hit a place I know on the coast for lunch, and then you can give me a tour of your new digs.”
Spencer tossed him the keys. “You drive.”
Chapter 7
Drake waited by the charter terminal as the Citation X he’d booked for Allie taxied toward him, its turbines whining as they wound down. His heart was palpitating at the thought of seeing her again, and he realized as he watched the plane coast to a stop that he was more excited by her arrival than on embarking on an adventure in the Laotian mountains.
The fuselage door opened and the stairs lowered, and then Allie was standing at the top, her hair blowing in the wind, one hand shading her eyes as her gaze swept the tarmac. Drake waved at her and she smiled. His heart skipped a beat and he remembered why he was so smitten — she was nothing short of incredible; or at least, she was to him.