Failed State (A James Winchester Thriller Book 1) (James Winchester Series) - James Samuel (top novels of all time .txt) 📗

“I’ll be in touch.”

Quezada dragged James’ weapon with the underside of his shoe before sticking it in his waistband as he departed the room. His footsteps died away. The deal sealed.

James waited for Quezada to go before he finally rushed to Jessi. He hugged her tight to him as she wept into his shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” she repeated over and over again. “I’ve ruined everything for you.”

He held her tight. “You’re safe. That’s all that matters.”

Chapter Forty-Eight

Miami, Florida, United States of America

George never thought he would see the inside of a prison. The yard looked so desolate. Surrounded by high buildings and intimidating fences topped with razor wire, he saw no escape. No hope. Beyond the fences, the guard towers bristled with armaments following his every move.

“Quite the sight, isn’t it?” said Phelps.

“Look, Harrison, this is not the sort of place where I want to be seen. What if the press sees me?”

George’s heart thumped as he thought about the scandal if a journalist photographed him leaving a prison. It would only create suspicion. The faintest whiff of suspicion could end a man’s career.

“Nonsense.” Phelps held his chin in the air. “We are perfectly safe here. Unless you announce it to the press, there’s no reason to believe anyone knows we’re here. We’re only here to see our friend.”

George fidgeted and tried to focus on the task at hand. The doors opened and Governor Newton emerged in an orange jumpsuit, with a warden watching his every move. His face had turned a pasty white. No fake tan in prison, George thought.

Newton walked with an unsteady gait as he fidgeted with his cuffed hands. The warden removed the handcuffs and allowed him to walk unaided. Through the heavy steel doors, Newton staggered towards them. His retirement dreams in tatters and facing the rest of his life taking the air in a yard like this one.

“Governor Newton,” Phelps started. “How does it feel?”

“It was you.” Newton gulped. “You did this to me. And… you.” He stared at George. “We could have made a lot of money together and this is how you repay me.”

George straightened up. “I never wanted to work with you. But you wanted to dig your claws in. What did you think was going to happen?”

Newton gazed at him in disgust. “You’ll be in here with me too when I tell them what I know. I’m going to make sure all your dirty secrets get in the papers. I still have friends and you can’t stop me in court.”

Phelps smirked and stepped in front of George. “Now, now, that is something that will never happen. You must understand you are looking at serving the rest of your days here. But there’s also the possibility of getting out. Your retirement plans may have to change but –”

“What can I do now? Everyone knows about the corruption allegations. I’m as good as finished as governor. They can prove everything, and you know it.”

Phelps’ face barely flickered at the interruption. “Yes, you are. You will never hold any sort of political office again, and your influence will be toxic. So why not save whatever’s left of your reputation? Come out of that trial a free man.”

“So, you reached out to Black, did you?” Newton stared past Phelps at George again. “Is this just a way for you to make money?”

Phelps’ eyes flashed. “There are much easier ways to make money than this. No, Romero murdered my father. I am sure you must have known that since you were working with the senator.”

“No.” Newton’s mouth dropped open. “Never. I had nothing to do with your father’s death.”

Phelps shrugged. “It makes no difference whether you knew or you didn’t. The point is Romero is on my list. This is about vengeance. I’ll make sure Romero goes back into the dirt where he belongs. He thinks he’s stronger than a family stretching back centuries.”

“Harrison,” said George. “The deal?”

George clasped his hands behind his back. He’d jumped at the chance to see Newton removed from his position, but now Romero knew he’d turned against him. Only a fool couldn’t see that now. Although the public didn’t know it, he’d gone to war with one of the leading criminal drug traffickers in the US.

“You stay quiet about the senator’s involvement and you can be a free man after your trial. It may take six months in here, of course, but your trial will be expedited. You won’t leave the newspapers for weeks.”

“And how can I guarantee that?” asked Newton. “Why should I trust anything you say?”

“Because you have no choice. No choice at all. Take it or leave it. The senator stays out of the media, and you’ll get to enjoy your retirement. If he sees the inside of a cell, you’ll never see anything else.”

Newton’s eyes flitted between Phelps and George. He eventually gave a small nod as his head drooped like a wilting flower.

“Excellent. I will make the arrangements. I’ll also see if I can make sure your trial comes up a little faster. I think that’s all we need to talk about for now.”

Newton didn’t extend his hand. He turned and trudged away, defeated and broken. George no longer recognised the Newton he’d met at the ice cream bar not too long ago.

“So,” said Phelps as Newton disappeared. “What should we do with him?”

“Let him go, right?”

“The choice is entirely up to you,” Phelps chuckled. “We can always let him rot. Think about what he said he was going to do to you.”

“But he’ll squeal,” George blurted out.

“Not until the verdict comes down. Once that happens, it doesn’t matter what he has to say. He will look like nothing more