Europa Conspiracy (Babylon Rising 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

weeks. I like to be on top of any breaking events. It's good for the ratings and makes the Barrington Network News lots of money."
    Kovacs nodded.
    "Say, what ever happened to Professor What's-his-name at Preston University? You know, the one who searches for biblical artifacts," Barrington asked.
    "You mean Dr. Michael Murphy?"
    "Yeah, yeah. That's the one. Didn't he leave on some kind of search for something?"
    Barrington knew full well who Murphy was. He was just trying to play dumb. He didn't want to come across as too interested. That would arouse Stephanie's news reporter curiosity. He also didn't want to reveal the increased pressure that the Seven were putting on him for information. They hadn't heard from Talon after he had
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    come down from Ararat. He had seemed to disappear off the face of the earth.
    Immediately a red flag went up in Kovacs's mind. What's Shane trying to do? she wondered. He knows full well who Murphy is and that he's looking for Noah's Ark. He even tried to hire him, but Murphy turned him down. Who's he trying to fool?
    "Yes," Kovacs replied slowly, thinking. "He was looking for Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat."
    "Whatever came of that?" Barrington, looking out the windows, appeared to be engrossed in a police helicopter flying with its searchlight on.
    "I don't know." He's after something. A spark of enthusiasm surged through her. It reminded her of the excitement she felt when following up on investigative leads. Maybe this was the opportunity she had been looking for.
    Her mind flashed back to that night when she stepped into the room on top of the Barrington Communications Building. It had been filled with huge sprays of flowers, the carpet sprinkled with rose petals. Barrington had said that it was in appreciation for her hard work and loyalty and that it was to make up for having missed dinner with her. That night a small crack in his armor of secrecy had been exposed. He had told her that some people had found out about his massive debts and less-than-legal creative accounting. They had invested $5 billion into Barrington Communications, and he was now their pawn.
    Kovacs had wondered who these powerful people were, but Barrington would say only that they were "hell-bent on establishing a one-world government. And a
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    one-world religion too. And people like Murphy, they see it all coming, in the Bible. So they have to be stopped. Before they can persuade others to resist."
    In the time that they had been together, Kovacs had recognized that Barrington was doing something more than just making money. It was more than just fulfilling a power-hungry ego. It was something... evil.
    I need to get away from this man and his lifestyle , Stephanie recognized. It's not what I really want. It's empty. Maybe this is where I can make some kind of difference and somehow redeem my poor choices. I can warn Murphy of the danger he is in.
    "Shane, why don't you let me check it out for you? There might be a story that you could use."
    Perfect, she took the bait. Barrington grinned to himself. She's so easy to manipulate.
    "Well, that might give you a change of pace," he said. "If that's something you'd like to do, then go for it. Take one of the cameramen if you need one. You can also use the jet if you like."
    You can't let Shane know your true feelings. You need more time to plan your escape from him. You must keep up the masquerade. Kovacs ran over to him and gave him a big hug.
    He kissed her. Great! I'll have a good evening tonight and get the information I need too. Not bad, Barrington. Not bad.
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    SIX
    "MURPHY, DO YOU HAVE any idea how old that white powder and chips were?"
    Shari's green eyes were bright with excitement. She so loved the joy of discovery.
    "Let me guess, Shari. Hmmm ... at least two thousand years old?"
    Shari put her hands on her hips and cocked her head. "You knew, didn't you?" she said accusingly.
    "I was only guessing, Shari."
    Murphy proceeded to tell her about his vacation in