In the new world that his old friend, Hardin Lancaster, the Sphinx, would shape after the Omega Event was taken care of, Marren would be a major player, not a mere banker. And when that happened he would make sure he got himself a big fully loaded airliner.

That said, there were still perks to his current position, like the black Maybach limousine with tinted windows that was waiting for his plane at the end of a short red carpet.

A tall, thin driver stood beside it, holding the rear door open.

Marren gathered his things.

He put his laptop, cell phone and some files into a stylish black leather briefcase. It was a custom-made Underwood high-security case. Luxurious and sleek, the briefcase was also bulletproof and fireproof; essentially a portable safe. Even so, Marren cuffed it to his wrist.

For the items in it were important.

Between them, the computer, the phone and the printed documents contained all the financial records and contact details of every member of the secret royal world, including those inside major governments and armed forces.

In the new world order, when key officials were appointed and borders redrawn, this information would be vital.

The royal banker’s jet pulled to a halt in front of the Maybach and John Marren strode out of it, gripping his briefcase, and, without missing a step, slid straight into the back of the limousine while the door was closed behind him.

Someone was already there.

Marren was shocked to find himself staring down the barrel of a gun held by a portly bearded man with an eye patch.

‘Hello, Sir John,’ Pooh Bear said.

Marren whirled to see the tall driver slide into the front seat and look back at him: Stretch.

Pooh Bear said, ‘My name is Zahir al Ansar al Abbas. That’s Benjamin Cohen. We work with Jack West Jr and we’d like you to come with us.’

Tyres squealing, the limousine sped away.

It raced into a nearby hangar where Marren was bundled into the Egyptian president’s A340–200 and before anyone at the airport knew what was going on, the Egyptian plane took off, with the captured royal banker on board.

A Man Named Jack: Part I Zoe

Jack kept a copy of his Message from the Other Side in the small utility box clipped to the side of his helmet.

He knew by heart the section of it that referred to Zoe.

Zoe, my wife, my love, my soulmate. I’ve never loved anyone else.

You are brilliant, caring and kind. And you never, ever, ever give up.

You were the finest role model Lily could ever have and the best thing is you never even knew you were doing it. A warrior who was forged in Irish special forces, with a brilliant mind sharpened at Trinity College. You were just being you.