Shattered Lies (Web of Lies #3)(79)

“Like the five million Sandra intended to give to the rebel leader in Syria,” Lizzy stated rather than asked.

Roland nodded. “I know there were other people involved, but Bertie handled it all. We each had one or two people under us we gave orders to, and then we ran everything through Bertie. It was to protect our identities.”

“What about Sebastian?” Lizzy asked it casually, but Grant knew this wasn’t a casual question.

“He came back to the table, and Bertie stopped us from talking. I could tell Sebastian knew he was being excluded from something. He asked me about it later, but I’d been ordered not to say anything about the group. I was told to see if Sebastian could be brought up to snuff after Stratton became president. I inquired about donations to help with the African leader we wanted to get out of office. He was later assassinated, but I told Sebastian we needed money to arm the rebels. He wouldn’t do it, so Bertie froze him out again. But Sebastian never really goes away. He knew something was going on, and when Manuel’s accounts were frozen and Bertie didn’t want to put in personal money, he said to bring in Sebastian and let him put his neck on the line. Bertie believed Stratton wouldn’t jail his best friend. Suddenly, Sebastian was useful, but he was brought in wearing blinders. There was this party the other night and Sebastian was there. I took him down here. He talked with me and Manuel. And he donated some money to our cause.”

Grant looked to Dalton and Val, who were very tight-lipped. They weren’t reacting at all. “And what did he think about working with Bertie?”

Roland shrugged. “He didn’t know who he was working for. I told him he had to prove himself first. I told him it was a secret club of the most powerful people in the world. I’m sure he put two and two together, though.”

“Who else is in the group? Besides Prince Noah, since he was conveniently killed off.” Lizzy kept her eyes on Roland giving him just enough to not suspect she didn’t already know the answer.

“There’s a long list, but I don’t have it. Bertie does. He’s paranoid about being hacked so everything is written down.”

“Where?”

“I don’t know where he keeps it. But it’s a notebook disguised inside an old book—brown leather, gold lettering. I can’t remember which book.” Roland started to sound tired and argumentative. “Will you call the AG now?”

“We’ll have more questions for you, Roland. But you did well. You’ll live.”

“Manuel will kill me. And if he doesn’t, Bertie will. I’m a dead man.”

“We won’t let them touch you,” Dalton swore. “Come with me. We’ll leave through the tunnels and Manuel won’t know you’re still alive.”

“You promise?”

Dalton nodded. “These two will go with us to make sure you aren’t seen while these two ladies,” he said nodding to Janet and Lizzy, “will stay here to make sure Manuel is taken someplace else.”

“Thank you,” he said softly, hanging his head as he stood up. “I really didn’t want anyone killed. It just spiraled out of control, and then Bertie shot Helena and George right in front of me. I knew he’d kill me if I ever talked.”

“I promise you, we’ll get Bertie. But what about Rue?” Lizzy asked as Roland started walking away.

Ronald turned slowly around. “He’s the worst of them all. He has no real power, so he constantly tries to prove he does. He went crazy when his dad announced Vivian was pregnant. I’m pretty sure Rue tied up the Stanworth loose end.”

“Christine?” Lizzy asked.

Roland nodded. “She knew about these dead hit men Bertie had had Sandra and George send on errands. By the time I got back to LA, Christine was dead. When I saw Rue, he was bragging about the power one has when they take a life. I put two and two together this time and have been staying the fuck away from him.”

Grant closed in behind Roland with his arm around Valeria as Dalton walked Roland down the stairs and into the tunnels. They had their answer. Bertie Geofferies was behind it all.



* * *



Lizzy and Janet silently turned off their body cams. She was shaking after that interrogation. She had hoped she could scare Roland into a confession, but she’d never dreamed he would know so much. And Sebastian . . . he wanted to participate, but didn’t. Then he did jump in but told her about it. She didn’t understand him at all. What stood out though was that Sebastian knew about Mollia Domini before anyone else and told no one. He even figured out who was in charge. Instead of telling her or even Birch, he chose to remain silent. Why?

“I’ll call Knoll and Kirby and let them know what happened. Good work, James.”

Lizzy smiled in return and called Humphrey. It was too risky to call Birch.

“Lizzy?”

The slightly high and nasally voice made her smile. It had been hard seeing Val and Grant bleeding. Way harder than it should have been. It brought her own mortality into question, and when you were in her line of work you couldn’t think about that. “Bertie Geofferies is the head of the organization. His son, Rue, is also involved, as well as Mrs. Mitchell. It appears she was active in its organization. Since her husband died, she has no real role besides trying to shape Birch’s staff to keep those she and Bertie had recruited in power.”