“I’m not sure the American public is ready to learn that the man who might be their next leader is the grandson of the most reviled dictator who ever lived. A man who ordered the annihilation of an entire race and was personally responsible for over thirty million deaths. It would blow their minds to discover their next president was Adolf Hitler’s grandson. Make no mistake, I am prepared to release the original documents if you leave me no choice. But I’m prepared to offer you both a way out.”

Richard Franklin gave a slight nod and discreetly kept his right hand hovering by the open drawer.

“Tomorrow morning, you will make a joint press statement. John, you will announce that, for personal reasons, you have decided to stand down from public life with immediate effect and therefore renounce the Republican nomination. Richard, you will announce you are retiring, and as the CEO and majority shareholder you are handing the Franklin Corporation over to the government as a gift to the American people. As long as neither of you ever reneges on this deal, the contents of Box 1321 will remain a secret. Any deviation whatsoever and the world media will receive everything.”

Richard Franklin managed a wry laugh. “Lieutenant, no one is going to accept our resignations at face value. It’s a ludicrous idea and I also think it’s a massive bluff on your part as all the evidence you’re talking about has been destroyed.”

At that precise moment, Franklin produced a gun from the open drawer and aimed it directly at Hembury. “Let me introduce you to a very special weapon that has a secret all of its own.” He stood up from the desk and slowly walked across the office towards an alcove supporting a six-tiered bookshelf. He continued to aim the gun at Hembury and used his left hand to reach for a red leather-bound book on the bottom shelf. He raised his arm and proudly held it high in the air. “This is a first edition of Hugh Trevor-Roper’s bestselling biography, The Last Days of Hitler. It was first printed in 1947, and, ever since it was published, it has been regarded as the definitive biography of my father. When it comes to Adolf Hitler, this is the bible and, for sixty-five years, historians and students alike have paid homage to its contents.”

Hembury knew Franklin was a ruthless killer, but now he could see he was facing a level of malevolence he’d never encountered the like of before. Franklin placed the book down and walked back to his desk, keeping the gun raised the whole time.