Private Sydney (Private 12)

‘The West continues to prop up militants who overthrow those who would keep the US, UK and Australia away from oil and other resources. Inevitably, the underdog rises to fill the power vacuum and, morally corrupted, becomes the monster it fought. Look at Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, the list is endless.’

‘The proverbs we used to talk about,’ Eliza argued, ‘like the one about the teacher coming to the pupil. They’re fiction. Buddha never said those things. China is no different from anyone else. It’s a superpower and equally prone to corruption.’

‘I disagree. China is looking to the future to break old habits. They are leading the world in commercialisation of renewable energy, and are proving giants in the manufacture of those technologies.’

Eliza shook her head. ‘This can’t be about solar energy, Dad. It’s too far-fetched. And you’re going to sell your life’s research to another superpower. How can you be sure you can trust them with it? How do you know you’re not selling your soul to another devil?’

‘Think about it. The Middle East is a debacle, in many ways trapped in the Middle Ages, still obsessing about crusades and infidels. China is on the rise and will have the economy, trained workforce, political influence and autonomy to orchestrate a better way. We’re not talking about a larger version of North Korea, like propagandists would have you believe. Without the West dependent on oil, Middle Eastern wars won’t have to be fought. If oil isn’t in demand, the power of Saudi Arabia will dissolve.’

For the first time, he made a reasonable point. The industry behind wars would need to look for new sources of income.

‘Finally, armies can save lives, not take them.’ He sounded like a politician campaigning for election.

Eliza paused, then spoke firmly. ‘I’m lucky, happy, and prepared to let fate take its course. I won’t accept you doing this for me.’ She pushed the card back at him.

‘The old ways aren’t working. The spy game doesn’t work. This is my way to make a positive difference.’

Despite his motives, I was concerned what would happen to us all if the USB wasn’t located. After all, it was the reason the Chinese were helping him escape. I reached into the zipper on my belt and pulled out the tiny device, still mulling over what to do. I eventually slid it across the table.

‘Thank you, Craig.’ He stood. ‘I have a clear conscience for what happens from here on. Eliza, you’ve made me a far better person. I will always love you.’

Eliza and I both realised that this was the last time we’d ever see the man known as Eric Moss.

Chapter 126

A KNOCK ON the door broke the tearful silence. ‘Time is up. I have to go,’ Moss said.

‘Please ask for more time, ask them.’ Eliza grabbed her father’s hands.

He looked at her with eyes full of love.

‘You couldn’t make me happier, or more proud.’

‘What about Lang Gillies?’ I asked. ‘How is he involved?’

‘Lang likes to think he’s involved in secret work. Truth is, Jim Roden has him in his pocket, for his own reasons. He would have let the ambassador know the second I sent him the resignation email.’

I wanted to know one more thing. ‘Was he complicit in the fraud?’ Seeing him pursued by the fraud squad would give me a certain satisfaction.

‘He can’t tell his left from his right. Subterfuge is beyond his minimal talents.’ Moss smiled to himself, then looked again at Eliza.

‘When will I see you again?’ she asked. ‘How will I contact you?’ She reached for his arm and he bent down, tenderly kissing her forehead.

‘I have to go somewhere no one will find me. While we’ve been talking, a deal has been brokered with the Australian and US governments. You will be free once you leave here. Fortunately, Ambassador Roden and his friends at the CIA won’t want it getting around that a man with no records and no passport conned the CIA, defence forces, even the Secretary of State into providing intimate knowledge of highly classified defence contracts and bases. The Australian government wouldn’t be proud of it either. The only price you pay is silence.’

‘Please, Daddy, don’t do this. We can work something out.’

An official entered the room with the guard.

‘It’s time.’

Eliza’s hands gripped him tightly and she cried softly in his arms. ‘I love you. Please don’t go.’

After a couple of minutes of silence, the guard moved to separate the pair.

I blocked him and took Eliza’s hands. Her father walked slowly towards the door. He turned and blew a kiss. ‘I hope you’ll see me one day as a hero in your story, not a villain.’

He didn’t look back.