Crown's Vengeance, The Read Online Free PDF Page A

twice and then immediately shouted toward the door.
    “Liz, get in here.”
    His secretary scurried through the door, bronzed legs generously on display between a high-cut skirt and blood red Manolo Blahnik’s.
    “Get my broker up here immediately.”
    Liz’s flowing black hair bobbed once in acknowledgement before she vanished out the door. Nigel Stirling had given him a task to complete, one that was critical to their success.
    Spencer needed to purchase oil futures. Millions of barrels worth of them.
     

Chapter 7
    Philadelphia, PA
     
    Tires screeched as the yellow taxi shuddered to a halt. In back, a wide-eyed Parker Chase breathed a sigh of relief, once again amazed at the breakneck driving style of Philadelphia hacks.
    On the sidewalk in front of Erika’s apartment, a warm breeze blew through fresh leaves, though the slender saplings’ aesthetic effect on their urban environment was somewhat spoiled by pieces of trash that swirled around his feet. At least it was sunny, blue skies overhead free of clouds.
    The sidewalks were filled with pedestrians enjoying the beautiful weekend weather. As Parker hefted a carry-on suitcase up her steps, his thoughts flashed back to the strange phone call he’d received yesterday evening.
    Erika had recently received a grant to study some of Alexander Hamilton’s personal effects, a proud moment for both Dr. Carr and the university. However, when they’d spoken late last night, she’d seemed out of sorts about the assignment. Though he couldn’t put his finger on why he felt that way, he’d known something was up even before Erika ended the conversation by telling him he needed to see the artifacts.
    Despite his pleas, she said nothing further, promising to explain herself when he arrived in Philadelphia.
    Erika stood inside the open front door when he made it to her floor, and his train of thought derailed with crashing finality. No matter how many times he saw her, Erika Carr never failed to impress.
    Just under six feet tall, her athletic frame as toned as the day they’d met, she was a knockout. Her flowing blonde hair carried a floral scent as he wrapped his arms around her waist, returning the welcome embrace.
    “How was your flight?”
    She turned on her heel and led him inside, where a small platter of meat and cheese lay on the kitchen table.
    “Early.” To prove the point, a wide yawn escaped his lips. “You better appreciate all the sleep I lost getting here at this ungodly hour.”
    “Stop complaining. It’s not my fault you don’t have any friends in Pittsburgh. You’re lucky I’m letting you hang out with me.”
    Freshly cut prosciutto on the table distracted him. Mouth full, he looked up to find Erika gazing at him, the excitement from moments ago vanished.
    “What’s up? Everything all right?”
    Her soft blue eyes held his for a moment longer, before she abruptly stood and disappeared into her bedroom, re-emerging moments later with a single sheet of paper.
    “This is what I wanted to show you.”
    His eyes locked onto the page. It was a photocopy, completely covered in numbers.
     
    11 26 7 14 11 24 8 7 20 3 4 23 22 7 18 4 3 19 6 3 24 8 19 13 23 17 15 7 26 26 10 17 18 3 6 7 11 20 18 4 3 19 25 3 19 19 3 16 7 19 4 11 26 26 10 20 7 11 1 11 24 13 19 17 9 4 19 7 20 7 24 3 18 13 13 23 17 22 23 19 19 7 19 19 11 19 13 23 17 15 7 26 26 1 24 23 15 8 17 20 3 24 5 25 13 18 3 25 7 4 7 20 7 3 24 26 23 24 8 23 24 3 4 11 16 7 9 17 26 18 3 16 11 18 7 8 11 5 20 23 17 22 23 6 26 23 13 11 26 3 24 6 23 20 25 11 24 18 19 15 4 23 4 11 16 7 11 9 9 7 19 19 18 23 1 3 24 5 5 7 23 20 5 7 19 3 24 24 7 20 9 3 20 9 26 7 3 24 18 4 7 22 11 19 18 18 4 7 3 20 3 24 6 23 20 25 11 18 3 23 24 4 11 19 22 20 23 16 7 24 10 7 13 23 24 8 20 7 22 20 23 11 9 4 20 7 9 7 24 18 26 13 23 24 7 19 17 9 4 16 11 26 17 7 8 22 11 18 20 3 23 18 3 24 6 23 20 25 7 8 25 7 23 6 11 8 11 19 18 11 20 8 26 13 22 26 23 18 10 7 3 24 5 6 23 20 25 17 26 11 18 7 8 11 18 18 4 7 4 3 5 4 7 19 18 26 7 16 7 26 19 23