In a deserted alley in New York, Theresa Lee, an investigative reporter, is shot and left for dead, and Bill Walker, a top analyst with connections to national security, is kidnapped. Emerson Campbell, who works for a small subagency within the Department of Homeland Security, puts his top man on the job. Travis Devine earned the nickname the 6:20 Man because of the scheduled train he once took from Mt. Kisco to Manhattan. But this new assignment will take him far afield, to Australia where he will have to get inside the business and family of the richest man on that continent.
Carlton Woodwine, a widower, is second only to Rupert Murdoch in Australia in terms of influence, but is first in wealth. His wife, Martha, was murdered two years ago at one of their homes and the assailant has never been found. Walker had been married to Woodwine’s daughter, Charlotte. Devine learns that Walker had recently filed for divorce, a move that was greeted with much surprise in Australian business and social circles since the couple seemed to be truly in love. Their two daughters are at a private academy in Sydney, while their son is in college in California. The entire family was in shock about Walker’s disappearance and when his body is discovered in the waters close to Charlotte’s mansion, their grief deepens.
Just as Devine is about to board a plane to Los Angeles, he receives a call from his sister Claire. Their father in Connecticut has suffered a stroke. Devine, the family’s youngest, was never close to his father who disagreed with his son’s decision to join the Army and eventually graduate from the prestigious Ranger School. After being wounded in combat, Devine never received a word from his father. Leaving the Army, Devine worked on Wall Street for a time, something his father disdained. His current government job also didn’t make the grade with his dad. Despite the animosity he feels for his dad, he delays his trip to Australia. The greeting he receives from his father – “What the hell are you doing here?” – does nothing to change his mind about his father’s feelings towards him. Devine’s brother is a star doctor at the Mayo Clinic, so he leaves for Australia knowing his father will be getting the best care, even if he’s not there.
After landing in L.A., Devine expects to board a Qantas flight, but Dennis Mueller, who works for the Woodwine family, invites him to fly to Sydney on a private jet. The other passenger? Charlotte Woodwine. After clearing the arrangement with Campbell, Devine accepts the offer.
Charlotte is nothing like he expected. She’s dressed casually and clearly in mourning for her about to be ex-husband. He learns that the divorce was Bill’s idea. Although she works for her father, she confesses she never wanted a role in the family business. She wanted to be a mother, but since she’s the only heir she was never really given a choice. She minimizes what she does for the company which has recently zoomed to the top of the Forbes list with its investments in AI and Crypto. After finishing her drink, she retires to her quarters and Devine knows he will need to interview her again.
Australia law enforcement is similar to its American counterpart in that there are many layers and entities that become involved, particularly when the deceased is linked to a powerful family like the Woodwines. Fortunately for Devine, he manages to become paired with Anais Jones, a detective sergeant with the NSW Police Force. One of their first stops is at the morgue. Walker had been in the water for a time and the various scavengers had done a job on the body. Devine also learns that Walker had terminal cancer and had been given only six months to live. Why would be choose that moment to divorce Charlotte?
Theresa Lee is still in a coma so her relationship with Walker remains a mystery. A dogged reporter, Walker might have been one of her sources. But their last encounter caught on CCTV, right before she was shot and he was abducted, shows them in a heated argument. Were they in a relationship? Was Walker the target and Theresa just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Campbell continues to dig into what Theresa was researching and nearly gets killed doing so.
Devine and Jones make a good team. His Army training comes in handy in the worst situations while her knowledge of Sydney, the powerful people who control the levers of government and business, opens many doors. But it will take all their skills to battle those who are determined to thwart any attempt to unearth the truth.
On the personal side, Devine receives closure about his father in a letter. Turns out Travis was more like his dad than he ever knew. Being able to understand that relationship finally gives him some peace.
Baldacci is at his best in this thriller, the fourth in the 6:20 Man series. One wonders if he somehow had a crystal ball. His plot, revolving around crypto, AI, and data centers is ripped from the headlines. And while Baldacci wraps things up quite nicely, whatever happens in the real life nightmare we now are living through may not have as positive an ending.
All In
David Baldacci
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