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“You’ll be safe on my plane It has all of the latest defense features, and I travel with a squad of former Special Forces operatives at all times”

“It’s too bad that the defensive capabilities weren’t enough to save your son Again, my condolences”

Carlton pursed his lips at Gupta’s holloords of syht change his lazy, spendthrift ways and become an heir to my seat of the Nine Unknown, but it was not to be Besides, I have four more sons to choose from”

Gupta gave him a mirthless smile “Of course” He paused, then said, “You don’t seem very concerned about Wakefield’s incident in Sydney”

“Why should I be?” Carlton leaned toward Gupta “Were you behind it?”

“Certainly not Are you accusing me of—”

Carlton smiled and waved his hand “Relax I knoasn’t you”

“How?”

“Because I knoho did itDo you?”

“I had suspected Wakefield of being behind the attack on the Colossus 5 until yesterday In fact, I spoke to hi to catch him in a lie Now you seem to have all the answers Who is it?”

“Romir Mallik”

Gupta sat back as if he’d been slapped “Mallik? But he’s always been so enthusiastic about the Colossus Project How sure are you?”

“Sure enough to blow up one of his satellite rockets two days ago”

“You did what?” Gupta shouted, his eyes bugging out “Are you crazy?”

“Far from it” Carlton stood and went to the door “Walk with me”