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Chapters (61)
  1. Prologue
  2. Chapter One
  3. Chapter Two
  4. Chapter Three
  5. Chapter Four
  6. Chapter Five
  7. Chapter Six
  8. Chapter Seven
  9. Chapter Eight
  10. Chapter Nine
  11. Chapter Ten
  12. Chapter Eleven
  13. Chapter Twelve
  14. Chapter Thirteen
  15. Chapter Fourteen
  16. Chapter Fifteen
  17. Chapter Sixteen
  18. Chapter Seventeen
  19. Chapter Eighteen
  20. Chapter Nineteen
  21. Chapter Twenty
  22. Chapter Twenty-One
  23. Chapter Twenty-Two
  24. Chapter Twenty-Three
  25. Chapter Twenty-Four
  26. Chapter Twenty-Five
  27. Chapter Twenty-Six
  28. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  29. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  30. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  31. Chapter Thirty
  32. Chapter Thirty-One
  33. Chapter Thirty-Two
  34. Chapter Thirty-Three
  35. Chapter Thirty-Four
  36. Chapter Thirty-Five
  37. Chapter Thirty-Six
  38. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  39. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  40. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  41. Chapter Forty
  42. Chapter Forty-One
  43. Chapter Forty-Two
  44. Chapter Forty-Three
  45. Chapter Forty-Four
  46. Chapter Forty-Five
  47. Chapter Forty-Six
  48. Chapter Forty-Seven
  49. Chapter Forty-Eight
  50. Chapter Forty-Nine
  51. Chapter Fifty
  52. Chapter Fifty-One
  53. Chapter Fifty-Two
  54. Chapter Fifty-Three
  55. Chapter Fifty-Four
  56. Chapter Fifty-Five
  57. Chapter Fifty-Six
  58. Epilogue
  59. Author’s Note
  60. Acknowledgements
  61. About the Author

Richard Franklin sat in the study of his Pacific Heights mansion and downed a bourbon. Mucki was busy gnawing his way through a giant bone on the Persian rug in front of the huge marble fireplace. His master clapped his hands together and the Alsatian instantly stopped eating and took the “sit” position. Franklin waited a few seconds, nodded his head and Mucki resumed his decimation of the lamb leg. For Hitler’s son, total control was everything.

He reflected on how far he had come since his childhood days in Argentina. The intricate and improbable master plan hatched by his “uncle” over sixty years ago was now only a few months away from becoming a reality. But, suddenly, it was all in danger of unravelling, due to the actions of three insignificant men who had decided to rob a bank. He consoled himself with the thought they had all been executed on his orders and had died without ever knowing the reason why.

Now, there was a policeman six thousand miles away in Buenos Aires who was threatening to destroy everything and change the entire course of history. He couldn’t be allowed to do that. It was time for another conversation with Matias Paz.

Paz hadn’t heard from Franklin since he’d sent the images of Luciano’s demise. His heart sank when he saw the incoming call from San Francisco.

“Paz, I’ve just had a visit from a lieutenant in the Los Angeles Police Department. He claimed he was working with the Buenos Aires police and mentioned Vargas by name. He asked a number of questions about the direct phone line coming into our offices. I shut him down and he shouldn’t be a problem any more but I’m afraid Chief Inspector Vargas has become a threat that needs to be taken care of.”

“Sir, with respect, taking out a senior police officer may not be a wise move as it could lead to far more scrutiny from the authorities.” He normally knew better than to challenge Franklin’s instructions but he thought this suggestion was madness. However, Franklin was in no mood for a debate.

“Paz, don’t even think about questioning my orders. Just carry them out.”

Chapter Thirty-One

31 January 2012

Los Angeles