Stephen Frey - The Fourth Order

A novel by Stephen Frey

National security, terrorism, and human rights-these explosive issues lie at the heart of Stephen Frey's riveting new thriller, a high-octane novel of suspense, revenge, and intrigue.

Dynamic chief financial officer Michael Rose is looking to add an exciting and profitable new dimension to energy conglomerate Trafalgar Industries via the major acquisition of CIS, a global information technology company. But it's far from a done deal, thanks to fierce resistance from CIS, and from certain members of Trafalgar's own board, to Rose's takeover proposal. But Rose isn't about to sacrifice his best shot at the score that could land him in the CEO's chair. While swiftly scaling the corporate ladder, Rose has played the big business power game expertly enough to know he has the moves to outmaneuver the opposition. But what Rose doesn't know is the truth about his latest adversaries at CIS-that they are linked to an organization hell-bent on a twisted mission and are lethal to anyone who stands in their way.

The Order, an ultra-secret shadow government agency, was founded by high-level administration officials in reaction to the assassination of President Lincoln. Nearly 150 years later, the group was galvanized anew by the worst act of terror ever perpetrated on American soil-and pushed to dangerous extremes by the specter of fear... and the taste of power. The Order had always been sanctioned to manage national security at all costs, by any and all means, without consequences. But behind the sleek veneer of CIS Technologies, the fourth and newest incarnation of The Order not only maintains the ultimate nationwide surveillance and intelligence-gathering system, but conducts officially licensed covert operations rife with torture and murder-all in the name of freedom. The mission cannot and will not be jeopardized, even if innocent lives must be sacrificed. Unfortunately Michael Rose doesn't yet realize that his hardball tactics have made him the Order's number one hard target, and his penchant for playing to win has brought him unwittingly into a deadly duel with an enemy more powerful than he can imagine. In a world where the rule is kill or be killed, Rose's rep for sealing deals might just seal his fate.

For my wife, Diana,and,

For my editor, Mark Tavani.

MICHAEL ROSE APPROACHED THE security checkpoint inside Dulles airport. Six months ago he'd been promoted to chief financial officer of Trafalgar Industries, a publicly traded conglomerate based in northern Virginia, and he was headed to London for a week of meetings with the company's European executive team. It was his second trip to London since being promoted. This time he was bringing Sheila, his wife. She was going to shop and relax, live the good life while he worked.

He sighed. At least the line at the checkpoint wasn't too long.

"This is ridiculous," Sheila muttered, removing her belt and bracelets, placing them in a gray plastic tub beside her purse. "Do I really look like a terrorist?"

"Shoes, too, ma'am."

Sheila glared at the TSA agent behind the table. "Shoes?"

"People can hide things in the soles," Rose explained, slipping off his black loafers. The World Trade Center towers had tumbled down a year ago, but Sheila hadn't been on a plane since then. She hadn't experienced the new security procedures. "Just do it, honey."

"I don't want to do it."

Rose grinned. Without her heels Sheila was barely five feet tall, and he knew she had a complex about her height. That was the real problem here. Sometimes she even wore heels around the house. "Come on."

"You think it's funny that I'm short," she snapped, pulling the heels off and dropping them in the container. "Gives you a big laugh, doesn't it?"

Rose's smile faded. Lately, this was typical. He was hoping the trip would help patch things up, but it wasn't starting off very well.

"Next." The TSA agent on the other side of the metal detector waved Rose ahead once Sheila had passed through. "Let's go."

Rose held up his boarding pass.

"Let me see that," said the agent, snatching it out of his hands.

Rose almost said something, but held back. The guy was probably having a bad day or had a long shift ahead of him. No reason to escalate anything. Just get to the gate, he thought to himself. Always keep your focus on the primary objective. Never let your emotions get in the way.

"Step over there." The agent nodded at an area off to the side where three other TSA people were standing, arms crossed over their chests.

"What's the problem?" Rose asked.

"Just do what I tell you."

Rose stared at the man for a few moments, tempted again. But again he refrained and walked to where the other agents were.

One of the men pointed at a chair against the wall. "Have a seat."

As Rose sat down, he saw Sheila being led off to another inspection area. They hadn't let her pass right through, either. Well, if they weren't out of here soon, she was going to lose it. That was his bet. Patience wasn't part of her personal dictionary. "Sir?" Rose tried to get the attention of one of the TSA people. They were talking about the Redskins football game played over the weekend. "Sir?"

The man who had directed Rose to the chair looked over at him. "What do you want?"

"My flight leaves in a half hour. I really need to--"

"We'll get to you when we're ready."

"Yes, but--"

"That's enough," said the agent sharply. "Next time get here earlier."

Rose leaned back in the chair, doing a slow burn. At least he and Sheila could finally agree on something. This was ridiculous.

Ten minutes passed. The security agents still hadn't given him any explanation about the delay. The three men who'd been talking when he first sat down had moved off, and now a woman was watching him. Rose glanced at Sheila. She was still sitting in a chair as well, talking loudly to the agent that was watching her, waving her arms. This was turning into a nightmare.

Rose stood up. The plane was pulling back from the gate in fifteen minutes. If they didn't get out of here now, they wouldn't make the flight.

"Sit down, sir," the agent who was watching him ordered sternly. "Right now."

"I'm going to miss my plane," Rose said calmly. "I'm going to Europe. I've got to be at a meeting in the--"

"I told you to sit down," the agent said loudly, striding toward Rose. "Do it now."

"Would you please just tell me what's going on?"

"All right, that's it." The agent waved to several men who were posted by one of the metal detectors. "Turn around and put your hands behind your back."

"What? Are you crazy? I haven't done anything wrong."

Seconds later Rose was pushed face-first to the wall by three burly agents. They cuffed his wrists tightly behind his back, then hustled him off toward the ticket counters.

** Chapter 1

Present Day

"MY GOD," ROSE MURMURED. He'd been off in another world, thinking about that day five years ago when he and Sheila had been arrested at Dulles airport. Thinking about how deeply it had affected his life, how it had shaken his faith in his government. How it had taken a year to get to the truth behind what had happened. "Amazing."

David Cortez glanced up, following his boss's line of sight. Cortez had been about to pick up his beer off the smooth, dark-wood bar but stopped with the chilled glass halfway to his lips. "Jesus," he said softly with a hint of a Cuban accent.

Rose tried not to stare, but he couldn't help himself. He'd spent an entire career keeping his nose an inch from the grindstone, doing the right thing, shunning the temptations that were constantly swirling around him as he climbed higher and higher on Trafalgar's corporate ladder. Now, in an instant, this. "She's perfect."