Time of Fate (Wealth of Time Series #6) by Andre Gonzalez (e book reader online txt) 📗

their allegiance to the Liberation. But we have left some that we call ‘floaters’ to sort of go back and forth. They attend Road Runner meetings, stay in the know, and relay that information to us. We could still do that ourselves, but don’t feel like it.”

The Liberators all stared at each other and broke into cocky laughter. Chris joined them, disappointed that he’d have to kill such a fun group of guys, who he’d surely enjoy working alongside if they didn’t have cruel intentions in their hearts.

“Well, I’ll admit, I like what I’m hearing so far,” Chris said, now curious to hear what sort of information they might have obtained. “Have you made a plan, or done any research into capturing Briar? I had to jump through all sorts of hoops and bribes to snatch Strike when I did. It was a precise window of opportunity that could have been squandered if I hadn’t been ready. I know how hard this is.”

“It’s much easier for us still being members of the Road Runners. We can check the news, even request meetings with prominent leaders around the continent. We’ve checked out the Denver office and Briar’s house—those places are truly impenetrable right now. Our best bet is to find him out of town and try to catch him off guard.”

“But there’s a big problem right now,” Joe said.

Thaddeus nodded. “Yes. It doesn’t appear—at least to us—that anyone knows where Briar is at the moment.”

Chris had been too occupied to have checked on his old friend in recent weeks, and this news was a surprise, especially coming directly from the Road Runners. “I’m sure he’s in the trenches, planning his next attack on me.”

“What can we do today to get started?” Thaddeus asked, the room falling silent as the mood had shifted all the way to serious.

Chris let his eyes wander toward the hallway where he saw his lead soldier waiting at the end. He grinned before turning his attention back to the Liberators gathered in the living room, ready for the fireworks to begin any moment.

“I don’t know,” Chris said. “We can certainly dig into the research you’ve already completed. I don’t have any on my end yet for Briar specifically, but I suppose a good amount of it translates from Strike. Another positive is that it’s back on my home turf of Colorado.” The men looked at him, puzzled. Everyone associated Chris with his Alaskan mansion and never thought twice about his origins. “I’m from Colorado Springs—a decent drive from Denver, but I’m plenty familiar with the area.”

Chris saw three soldiers out of the corner of his eyes, lurching in the hallway. “By the way, did I mention what a beautiful home you have, Thaddy? The feng shui is exquisite.”

He grinned and took two steps back, having given his code phrase of feng shui. The three soldiers barreled down the hallway as Thaddeus thanked Chris for the compliment, oblivious.

They reached the living room and immediately opened fire on the other three Liberators, glasses crashing to the ground in beautiful symphony, shortly followed by the heavy thumps of dead bodies hitting the hardwood floor.

“Oops,” Chris said, offering a polite giggle.

Thaddeus dropped his glass without second thought, his hands held high in the air. “Chris? What is this?” he asked, his voice coming out both shocked and mixed with a wary confidence.

“Don’t play dumb with me,” Chris snarled. “I know what you’re up to and I won’t stand by and let it happen.

Thaddeus gulped, shaking his head in slow motion. “I don’t know what’s going on, but this is treason, Chris. Do you understand what you’ve done? We have to retaliate—you just killed our entire leadership.”

“Well, not yet,” Chris said with a crooked smile.

Thaddeus dropped his arms, fear vanishing from his eyes as he realized death was imminent. “You played me. Pulled me along on this big joke, huh?”

“Quite the contrary, Mr. Hamilton. I had no issue letting you operate as an individual organization, but our meeting in Wyoming left a sour taste in my mouth. I didn’t appreciate all of the questions regarding my Keeper abilities. I’m afraid I can’t let anyone live who even suggests threatening that status. I already have my hands full and can’t fight two battles at the same time.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Thaddeus cried, desperation replacing his short-lived confidence. “Don’t kill me, Chris. I don’t know what conclusions you’re jumping to, but I think you have it all wrong.”

“I’m sure you say that now because it’s convenient. Do you even know how many times I’ve been crossed since becoming the Keeper?”

Thaddeus didn’t respond.

“More than I can even keep track of,” Chris said. “I’ve killed people in my past and don’t even remember their names, all because they thought it would be fun to dance with the Revolution. Now, I’ll admit you pose no direct threat to the Revolution, but if the Keeper status is what you want, I won’t stand for that.”

“Chris, you can’t go on forever. You need help,” Thaddeus said in his last ditch effort to spare his life. “And whether or not it’s me, someone will replace you eventually. We can work out a transition, something that allows you to retain power and respect across the world.”

Chris nodded for his soldiers to grab Thaddeus and they promptly did so, one each grabbing an arm, the other keeping a distance with his rifle aimed at his head.

“How generous of you, Thaddy, but I’ll be fine on my own—just like I’ve been my entire life. I am curious, was this your play all along? Was it ever about showing up the Road Runners, or was this the moment you longed for?”

“I’ve never thought of taking anything from you, Chris. I wish you’d recognize that. You’re making a mistake.”

Chris pulled out his pistol, admired it, and tucked it back into waistband. He rummaged through his pockets until whipping out a switchblade, promptly ejecting the knife and taking a slow step toward Thaddeus who started squirming in