Fatal Reunion
FATAL REUNION
A JAMES ACTON THRILLER
J. ROBERT KENNEDY
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"James Acton: A little bit of Jack Bauer and Indiana Jones!"
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BOOKS BY J. ROBERT KENNEDY
Please click here for the intended reading order.
* Also available in audio
The Templar Detective Thrillers
The Templar Detective
The Templar Detective and the Parisian Adulteress
The Templar Detective and the Sergeant's Secret
The Templar Detective and the Unholy Exorcist
The Templar Detective and the Code Breaker
The Templar Detective and the Black Scourge
The Templar Detective and the Lost Children
The James Acton Thrillers
The Protocol *
Brass Monkey *
Broken Dove
The Templar’s Relic
Flags of Sin
The Arab Fall
The Circle of Eight
The Venice Code
Pompeii’s Ghosts
Amazon Burning
The Riddle
Blood Relics
Sins of the Titanic
Saint Peter’s Soldiers
The Thirteenth Legion
Raging Sun
Wages of Sin
Wrath of the Gods
The Templar’s Revenge
The Nazi’s Engineer
Atlantis Lost
The Cylon Curse
The Viking Deception
Keepers of the Lost Ark
The Tomb of Genghis Khan
The Manila Deception
The Fourth Bible
Embassy of the Empire
Armageddon
No Good Deed
The Last Soviet
Lake of Bones
Fatal Reunion
The Special Agent Dylan Kane Thrillers
Rogue Operator *
Containment Failure *
Cold Warriors *
Death to America
Black Widow
The Agenda
Retribution
State Sanctioned
Extraordinary Rendition
Red Eagle
The Messenger
The Delta Force Unleashed Thrillers
Payback
Infidels
The Lazarus Moment
Kill Chain
Forgotten
The Cuban Incident
Rampage
Inside the Wire
The Detective Shakespeare Mysteries
Depraved Difference
Tick Tock
The Redeemer
The Kriminalinspektor Wolfgang Vogel Mysteries
The Colonel’s Wife
Sins of the Child
Zander Varga, Vampire Detective Series
The Turned
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
The Novel
Preface
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Acknowledgments
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About the Author
Also by the Author
For those murdered by the Russian Federation in Ukraine.
“Family quarrels are bitter things. They don’t go according to any rules. They’re not like aches or wounds, they’re more like splits in the skin that won’t heal because there’s not enough material.”
Babylon Revisited F. Scott Fitzgerald
“This is a very violent place to live, the Earth, and we’re a very violent species. Cain is still killing Abel. We see that every day.”
Anne Lamott
PREFACE
The Ayutthaya Kingdom ruled much of what is now modern-day Thailand for over 400 years, and was responsible for turning the region into a center of international trade with a flourishing culture. The kingdom made contact with European traders, and in 1686 sent a delegation to meet with the court of King Louis XIV of France.
King Borommakot reigned for 25 years, the period peaceful, with arts and culture thriving. He died leaving a robust kingdom with tremendous wealth and a powerful military that had fought off numerous invasion attempts by neighboring enemies.
The question is why, after over 400 years, did tradition fail, leading in just nine years to the collapse of the kingdom? All that is known is that there was a feud over who should succeed after Borommakot’s death, for the coronation was anything but smooth.
As is so often true between royal brothers.
1 |
Thailand Present Day
Retired British Special Air Service Lt. Colonel Cameron Leather raised his weapon, his finger slipping onto the trigger of his M4 assault
rifle. But he stopped. The roar of agony from a man he respected tremendously demanded action, yet he couldn’t interrupt what was unfolding before him.
For if he did, this man’s sacrifice would be for naught.
The machete sliced across the man’s chest a second time, the open wound visible even from this distance in the firelight, and the scrape of the blade suggested the gang leader had reached the ribcage. Another roar of agony, this time weaker, erupted, and thankfully the man he was supposed to protect passed out, temporarily ending his suffering.
The gang leader stepped back, his blade dripping in blood gripped in one hand, and the artifact this was all about in the other. So much death, so much suffering, all over something discovered by accident, lost centuries ago.
Yet would it buy his people a reprieve? The gang had been pursuing them for hours through the jungle, determined to slaughter every man, woman, and child. Motivated by revenge for an untimely, innocent death, as well as greed, they were determined to possess what this hero had just given them in an attempt to buy those he loved a chance.
Leather prayed the man remained unconscious, yet he wouldn’t, for he was too strong, too stubborn, and knew the longer he stayed alive as a distraction, the more distance the people he was dying for could put between them and their pursuers.
Leather cursed as their potential savior stirred.
And Hugh Reading once again stared his captor in the eyes, ready to die for those he loved.
I swear you’ll be avenged, my friend.
2 |
Ayutthaya, Ayutthaya Kingdom April 25, 1758
Prince Uthumphon sprinted along the central road that cut through the capital city, his personal guard clearing a path while struggling to provide the protection he was due. But these were his people. He didn’t fear them, nor they him. He occupied the luxurious position of second son. It meant he was an honored member of the royal family, and second in line to the throne by tradition, but his father had plenty of years left in him, and his elder brother many more beyond that.
It gave him the luxury of being friendly to their subjects, and he was loved for it. Yet today, the hordes wishing him well were in the way, delaying his urgent journey, spurred by a message he had received while supervising the bridge repair across the gorge that cut them off from their territory to the south. The old bridge had partially collapsed in the last monsoon season, and repairs were desperately needed, so he had been tasked to get it done by his father, King Borommakot.
It was an honor to have been given such an important undertaking, but the assignment had unfortunately widened the gulf that existed between him and his brother, Thammathibet. The job should have been given to his brother, but he was too unreliable. He was more concerned with food, drink, and women—the trappings of his position. And while Uthumphon enjoyed all three as well, he never let them get in the way of his duties.
He had excelled, of course, as he always did, and the bridge was nearing completion when the messenger arrived from the city informing him his father had fallen gravely ill.
And the long sprint home had begun.
He loved his father, and his father loved him. Perhaps a little too much, in that he clearly favored him over Thammathibet. Their mother had died while giving birth to Uthumphon, and everyone who had known her always commented on how much he resembled her—he had her eyes and smile. Perhaps that was why he was his father’s favorite. Whatever the reason, Thammathibet had always been jealous, and the two of them weren’t terribly close. Instead, Thammathibet had rebelled against their father, shirking his duties and sullying the family’s reputation through his drunken antics.
But they were the royal family, rulers by decree of the spirits, who had given their ancestors the Jade Mask, or what was now known within the kingdom as the Mask of Succession. When his father passed, the abbot would place the mask on his brother, who would then succeed him as ruler.
And Uthumphon would be sworn to obey his elder brother, despite his unworthiness.
It gnawed at him, yet it was tradition.
And tradition was just that for a reason—it was never broken.
He sprinted up the palace steps and rushed through the doors opened by servants on either side. He raced up the wide stairs to the second floor then down the hall toward his father’s chambers. One of the guards was about to open the door for him but he stopped the man with a wave of his hand. He halted, catching his breath for a moment, hunched over as he gripped his knees. A servant appeared holding a tray with flavored water. He drained the cup then straightened himself before nodding at the guard.
The door opened and Uthumphon stepped inside, the door immediately closing behind him. His father was on the large bed. Two servants were in the corners pulling on cords linked to the overhead fans, while two more busied themselves doing things he wasn’t concerned about. There was only one servant he cared to hear from, and that was the family’s personal physician, a native of Portugal, now leaning over his father.
“How is he?” asked Uthumphon, his voice low, respectful.
Dr. Ferreira glanced over his shoulder. “Recovering.”
Uthumphon rounded the bed, opposite the side Ferreira occupied, and gasped at how pale and weak his father appeared. “What happened?”
“An attack of the heart, I suspect. He’s been complaining of chest pains for months now. I’ve instructed him to be careful and to take it easy on the indulgences, but you know your father.”
Uthumphon frowned and sat on the edge of the bed. “Yes, he ignores everyone’s advice and does what he wants.”
“It’s what makes a great leader,” said his father, the voice weak but still filled with the wisdom Uthumphon had known from birth.
“I thought you were asleep,” said Ferreira.
“Sometimes it’s wise to let others believe one can’t hear them, so they reveal the secrets they might keep to themselves.”
Ferreira grunted. “Well, you know me, and I know you, Your Majesty. You’ve always asked me to tell you the truth as I know it, and the truth is this. You have had an attack of the heart. It has weakened you considerably. As to whether you will live, I cannot say. The fact you are still alive is a good sign, and the next day will tell. If you are still with us tomorrow evening, I suspect you will be with us for a while longer. You will need to rest, remain calm, drink plenty of fluids—non-alcoholic—and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. Avoid salt, as it causes you to retain water, and right now we want to flush your system of the evils within.”
His father eyed the physician. “If we do all these things, will we live?”
Ferreira shrugged. “That is up to the spirits.” He leaned in, wagging a finger. “Piss them off by ignoring my advice, and they just might make an example of you.”
His father chuckled. “It’s a good thing our wife liked you, otherwise we might have had you killed long ago for your familiarity.”
Ferreira held up his hands, backing away slightly with a wry smile. “Killing me is your right, Your Majesty, and when the physician who replaces me is told I was killed because I didn’t give the king the advice he wanted to hear, I am quite certain you will be told to ignore everything I said and to enjoy yourself, for you survived. And then you will be joining me in the afterlife the next day.”
His father laughed, reaching out for Uthumphon’s hand. He took it. “This is the key to ruling well. Find advisors you can trust, who will tell you the truth rather than what you want to hear. Only then can you rule wisely, for decisions can only be made with good information informing them.” He turned to Ferreira. “What now?”
“I will take my leave of you, Your Majesty, and return in an hour to check on you. Get your rest, stay calm, eat and drink wisely, and I think your chances are very good.”
The door burst open and Prince Thammathibet barged in. “Father! Are you all right?”
Ferreira glanced at Uthumphon then leaned closer to the king, lowering his voice. “Most of all, remain calm.” H
e left the room, closing the door behind him, leaving Thammathibet to occupy his place.
“So, what’s happened?”
Uthumphon responded. “Father has had an attack of the heart. He must remain calm and get as much rest as he can.”
“Nonsense! He appears well to me.”
“Then you are a blind fool. Dr. Ferreira says the next day is critical.” Uthumphon leaned closer. “If there is anything you require, Father, let me know. We will take our leave of you now so you can rest. I’ll leave instructions with the servants as to what Dr. Ferreira said.”
Their father closed his eyes and nodded. “Very well.”
“But, Father! This is nonsense! A little food, a little drink, a good massage. That’s all you need.”
“Leave me.”
Uthumphon rose from his perch on the bed and headed for the door, beckoning Thammathibet to follow. His brother frowned. “Fine, but mark my words, in a few days we’ll be laughing about this.”
They exited the room and the guard closed the door. Uthumphon flagged down his father’s man. “He’s not to be disturbed by anyone except his physician unless he asks for someone personally. Bring him plenty of drink, but nothing alcoholic, and food—nothing too salty. He must get his rest and remain calm.” He glanced at the pacing Thammathibet. “No business of the kingdom, and that includes visits by well-wishers. His physician will visit him regularly and keep us posted. Understood?”
The man bowed deeply. “Completely, Your Highness.” His eyes flicked toward Thammathibet. “And family?”
Uthumphon picked up on the subtle implication. Thammathibet caused nothing but stress for anyone he was around, and had likely contributed to the current situation. “No family, not even me or my brother. Agreed, Thammathibet?”