A Deadly Conspiracy and the Return of Richard Roper
by Charles Kirkland, Jr.
As the plot tightens, Matthew Ellis finds himself racing to connect the dots between Teddy’s Cartagena shipments and a far-reaching British intelligence conspiracy that threatens to expose everyone involved.
Teddy Moves the Shipment and Tests Matthew
While Matthew lies unconscious by the pool, Teddy hands a briefcase containing the contents of the seized shipping container to one of his men and orders it delivered to Paloma. He instructs Roxana to care for Matthew, emphasizing that Matthew’s money is essential to his plans. Teddy then takes a call from someone he refers to as “Chief.” As the call ends, Matthew regains consciousness, and Roxana escorts him back to his hotel.
A Delayed Transfer Raises the Stakes
The following day, Matthew agrees to proceed with the deal. At Teddy’s office in Cartagena, he signs the paperwork and places a call to Sally on speaker while posing as a banking official. Sally authorizes a $20 million transfer from a Roper-linked account but explains that banking restrictions will delay clearance for twelve hours. Juan reacts angrily, demanding immediate access to the funds, but Teddy reassures him the money will arrive. Matthew and Roxana are sent back to the hotel under Victor’s surveillance.
The Missing Manifest
Once back at the hotel, Matthew slips away to search for the briefcase and the shipping manifest. With Basil disabling the security cameras, Matthew gains access to the office only to discover the briefcase is empty. He hides as Teddy enters and overhears him admit he cannot persuade the prosecutor to release the shipment. Teddy schedules a meeting with Gilberto Hanson at a rooftop restaurant. After Teddy leaves, Matthew texts Sally to identify Hanson.
Back in his room, Matthew tells Roxana the manifest was not in the briefcase and insists it must be recovered to honor their agreement. Angered, Roxana showers to create the appearance of intimacy and reminds Matthew that she controls the balance of power.
Allies and Cover Identities
In Medellín, Sally meets Martin, the private investigator who previously helped Matthew identify Teddy. Using the alias Joan, she hires him to work with “Max Robinson” for several days. Martin agrees.
Later that night, Matthew meets Victor at a club. Victor gives him a plane ticket to Paris, explaining that Matthew is no longer needed in Colombia and distancing himself from Roxana’s actions. Teddy and Roxana arrive soon after, and the evening descends into heavy drinking and dancing. During a dance, Teddy quietly tells Roxana he needs the manifest to shut everything down and secure her immunity. When Matthew confronts Teddy with his knowledge of the shipment and its financing, Teddy abruptly ends the night and leaves with his people.
Secrets Resurface in London
Back in London, Mayra summons Basil and reveals that while Rex’s files showed nothing incriminating, her tech team uncovered an old email referencing a Luxembourg bank account. She asks Basil to investigate. After leaving her office, Basil quietly transfers the $20 million back into the Roper account.
Meanwhile in Colombia, Teddy retrieves the briefcase from Paloma for an upcoming meeting. Before leaving the office, Roxana secretly copies the contents of the briefcase during a brief lapse in security.
Basil later confirms to Mayra that Rex controlled a $300 million account that has remained untouched for nearly nine years. Mayra questions what Rex had been protecting. Basil proposes moving $20 million to see who reacts, though Mayra insists the decision must be cleared with her superiors. Elsewhere, Sally grows increasingly anxious as the delayed transfer puts Matthew in immediate danger.
Matthew’s Life Hangs in the Balance
That danger becomes explicit when Teddy takes Matthew out on a boat, ties him to an anchor chain, and accuses him of lying about how he learned of the shipment. Matthew admits to having a background in military intelligence. Teddy states that the truth will be revealed when the money fails to arrive and orders Victor to throw Matthew overboard when the hour expires.
In London, Mayra finally approves the transfer. Basil immediately releases the funds to Sally, who completes the transaction to Teddy’s account. Teddy receives confirmation just in time and stops Victor from killing Matthew.
Revelations and a Shocking Return
The next morning, Teddy drives Matthew back into town in silence and asks if he is hungry. He takes Matthew to a church, prays for forgiveness, and blesses him with a cross. Over a meal, Teddy explains that he was born into this world through his father, who died six years earlier. He reveals that the shipment and the money are intended to build an army from orphans through his charity, the Aurora Foundation. Teddy warns Matthew to leave the country.
After parting ways, Matthew reunites with Martin. They follow Teddy to Gilberto Hanson’s vacant house and then to a nearby hilltop restaurant. Matthew exits the car and approaches on foot, hiding just out of sight. He begins recording with his phone and overhears Teddy and another man discussing plans to kill the prosecutor and align the operation with the country’s peace anniversary.
Then Matthew hears a voice that stops him cold.
He looks up and sees Richard Roper.
