Page 131 of The Last Kingdom

Nothing about that sounded good. “What about your White House envoy?Both of them.”

“I wantyouto take the lead.”

“What about Malone? He’s higher ranking than I am.”

“He’s retired. You’re not.”

Then he got it. “Meaning you can give me orders. And I don’t actually work for the White House. So I can be trashed.”

“Trinity said you were a quick one.”

That he was. “So what am I looking for?”

“A deed between the king of Hawaii and the king of Bavaria, dated 1881.”

That was a bit unusual. But he knew better than to ask why.

That was not his concern.

“Find it,” Fox said, “and you’ll have my and the country’s gratitude.”

“What makes you think Koger or Malone can’t get it done?”

“Nothing, except that they’ve been out of contact nearly all day. An attempt was made on both of their lives this morning, which we know failed. They eluded the Munich police earlier, and have been on the run ever since. We also know they headed south, to where you’re headed right now. The Scythe, the Chinese, and God knows who else is headed that way too.”

“What about what happened with the Munich police with me just a little while ago?”

“We can only assume that you and my envoy were meant to die, as your German associate did. Either that, or be arrested, taken out of service. I don’t think the Guglmännerreally cared which. We’ve learned that they are complicit in this with the Duke of Bavaria, who wants the Chinese to have that deed.”

The duke himself? “What about Prince Stefan?”

“He and the duke headed south by helicopter earlier. But we think the duke himself is running this show.”

Lots goin’ on.

“Watch yourself, Luke. I’m told the Chinese play for keeps. It’s important we play a similar game.”

“It’s the only way I play.”

“That’s what I want to hear. Now, would you pass the phone to Ms. Dorner. I need to speak to her.”

He handed over the phone. Dorner accepted it and listened. He noticed that they’d left the autobahn and were now on a two-lane highway lined with snow, the wipers continuing to brush new flakes from the windshield.

He glanced up toward the front seat.

Dorner was still listening. Finally, she said, “I understand.”

She ended the call.

“You clear?” Dorner asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said.

“He can be a great ally, or your worst enemy,” Dorner said. “Your choice, Mr. Daniels.”

“I have a pile of both of those. One more in either stack doesn’t make a whole lot of difference.”

“Unless that one can cause you immeasurable amounts of grief. Which, I believe, the president of the United States can do.”