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Published Date: September 3, 2022

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Episode 1 of the Democracy Trilogy

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6.14 X 9.21 inches
English
9780645282375

Overview

The last thing Gordon needs this week is an abuse of political power.

One man’s fight against political corruption.

Will he win or will politics and power threaten democracy?

After 40 years’ service, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Gordon O’Brien, hopes to enjoy his final week before silently disappearing to go fly-fishing.

A tragic plane crash changes everything.

Gordon is forced to defend the integrity of the parliament against a corrupt prime minister hell bent on getting his way.

Prime Minister Gerrard is forcing through parliament legislation for offshore immigration centres. The legislation includes a generous secret commission negotiated with the Indonesian president. He needs the money to fund his wife’s dream of retiring to Paris.

Gordon detects a fraud after discovering mysterious changes to the funding legislation. He must convince others of the fraud so they can stop the prime minister. He convinces an investigative journalist to research the legislation and covertly uses the opposition party to stymie its progress.

An enraged Gerrard insists on enacting the legislation within the week. He turns the tables against Gordon leveraging the Speaker to ignore any parliamentary challenges from the Clerk or the opposition party.

Will a reluctant Gordon expose himself to end the deceit by pushing parliament to act against Gerrard and the Speaker? Or will the prime minister escape to a new life in Paris?

DECEIT is a gripping political thriller featuring compelling characters, a page-turning story, and an ‘everyman’ hero facing adversity.

If you like fast paced, crime thrillers with a touch of political mystery then Richard Evans’ book will not disappoint you.

Grab this story from the former MP to learn how parliament can be manipulated and how decent people doing everyday jobs protect our democracy. Is this story of political corruption fact or fiction?

Buy DECEIT today to learn what really happens in parliament.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

THE DEMOCRACY TRILOGY

The stand-alone political thrillers in THE DEMOCRACY TRILOGY exposes the question: can truth overcome political power?

The Trilogy is a gripping political thriller featuring emotional and surprising plot twists, convincing characters, and exposes the dark-art of politics will have you questioning the ethics of politics and politicians and if Democracy is under threat.

Author Information

THEMES USED IN DECEIT

IMMIGRATION

 

PARLIAMENTARY INTEGRITY

 

POLITICS & THE POLITICAL PROCESS

 

Readers’ Comment

Richard Evans’ first book, Deceit, is a five-star thriller that brings the Australian political process to life.  – GOODREADS

I absolutely loved it, couldn’t put it down. I would love to see your book become a movie. – IAN S., MELBOURNE

Richard Evans’ first book in the Democracy trilogy was compelling. – GOODREADS.

Rich in ideas and provokes much thought about our parliamentary process, abuses of power, corruption, and the need, at times, for ordinary people to step up and take a stand in the name of honour and professional integrity. – NADINE D., EDITOR

This is an outstanding debut from Evans, and this terrific read comes highly recommended.’ – GOODREADS

From former Federal MP Richard Evans comes this exceptional political thriller debut, which serves as the first part of his Democracy trilogy. – CANBERRA WEEKLY

I adored Gordon O’Brien. Straight as an arrow amongst those who are only in things for themselves, I couldn’t help but cheer him on as he was like a dog with a bone, searching out the truth’ BJ’S BOOK BLOG

Just finished reading Deceit and it was gripping; I could not put it down. It was brilliant. I just loved the book and can’t wait to read Duplicity.’
FORMER CLERK OF VICTORIAN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and did not want to put the book down, but neither did I want the story to end!   Congratulations! – TRINITY MARKETING

Evans’ writing style allows the reader to glide through the book’s chapters whilst being familiarised with the plot and major protagonists. Go on, have a read. – Amazon review.

 

Media

 

Media contact

media@852press.com.au

About the author

Richard Evans served as a federal politician in the national parliament giving his books added authenticity. As an insider, Richard recognises the tribalism, warped egos, and the ruthless lonely life of a politician, writing thrilling character driven stories about this exotic, mysterious world.

Richard lives with his partner in the small village of Airlie Beach, overlooking the Whitsunday Islands, Australia.

In the Media

 

Read Chapter 1

PROLOGUE

EIGHT MONTHS EARLIER …

The two ageing politicians sprawled in the leader’s soft leather chairs; old friends, comfortable with each other after a slow, four-course dinner in the adjoining dining room. They were enjoying the pungency of expensive cigars, smoke spiralling toward the high ceiling. Both had a tumbler of Irish whiskey, preferring the smooth, refined taste to the harshness of the scotch usually imbibed by the philistines they ruled over.

‘I can’t do it.’ The prime minister stretched his long legs across the heavy coffee table, easing away a pile of books and magazines, his head dropping back onto the green leather. ‘It’s a generous offer, but I can’t.’

‘You have nothing to fear, my friend. There will be no trouble for you.’ The president blew smoke toward the ceiling. ‘It’s timing; there’s nothing criminal about this.’

‘I suspect pocketing a secret commission might be judged criminal.’

‘Consider it a gift from me. No-one will ever know.’

‘I can’t be certain of that – and you can’t either.’ Prime Minister Gerrard sipped his whiskey and flushed it over his tongue.

‘Andrew, you worry far too much. These things happen all the time in my country.’

‘To be expected then.

‘Exactly.’ The president sharpened his tone. ‘All I need to make this happen for you is your bank account – Swiss, of course – and your assurance the money will be released by your government to us before March next year.’

‘It’s way too risky.’

‘You should have little fear; trust me. Legislate the money and perhaps tie it to a condition we start construction at once. Transfer the funds, we start site works, and then you let me do the rest. You will not be involved; I can assure you.’ Surriento took a small swig of whiskey. ‘You get your detention centres, and we provide jobs to many thousands of my people. It’s a win-win for our countries – and us.’

‘I suppose I could appropriate the money and release it to you before March, but I’ll need compelling evidence of your government’s approval for the build well before then.’

‘It can be done.’

‘I would much prefer to see site works begin before we release any money.’

‘It is possible.’

Gerrard drew deeply on his cigar, pondering the deal. The president flicked a lump of ash onto the plush woollen carpet.

‘What, you can’t reach the ashtray?’

‘No problem, rub it in, it’s good for the carpet, just as this arrangement is good for you and me.’ The toothy salesman’s grin prompted a sly smirk from the prime minister.

‘You dirty bastard.’ Gerrard slowly shook his head, considering the offer. ‘I can’t just let you have four billion dollars with nothing to show for it.’

‘Then don’t give me the entire amount; we can do it in stages.’ The president began reeling in his catch. ‘If you are so worried about how this works, then let’s do it in four stages. Four hundred million down before March next year, then one billion for each of the next two years, with a final payment of one point six billion on completion. Just think, in four years you could retire on a high.’

‘I reckon if I can convince my colleagues to approve the money in the forward estimates next month, that will leave me enough time to get legislation through both houses of parliament later in the year for the first tranche of ten per cent to be paid, possibly enacted by February next year. Is that enough time to begin work on the first centre?’

‘Of course, my friend, more than enough time. Once you legislate, we can start ground works, and once we have the money, you will have your money. Simple as that. We can clear it to you within days of each payment.’

The president knew he was close to a deal: ‘You know you deserve it; you have worked hard and sacrificed much. This money will help with your retirement.’ The president sat forward, sliding his tumbler toward the prime minister for a refill, knowing silence in these moments was a powerful tool for a negotiator.

The prime minister splashed a handsome dram into his friend’s tumbler. ‘When do you need to know?’

‘Now.’

‘The parliament is too finely balanced, and a few of my junior colleagues hate your lot. It may be tricky getting the Appropriation Bill through. We’re okay for numbers in the senate, but the house of reps may be a struggle given your insistence on murdering some of our finest citizens.’

‘Drug traffickers deserve to die.’

‘You know that, I know that, but the great unwashed don’t like their own facing a firing squad in the jungle.’

The president picked up his glass, rolled it between his hands and pondered for a moment. ‘So, you’re telling me, if I do a deal on your two citizens, you will approve the money?’

‘No, I’m not saying that at all, but it might be helpful.’

‘You get state-of-the-art detention centres in my country, and you want me to breach my own laws?’

‘Oh, come on, Amir, you know this project will be good for your economy, and it will shut the fucking humanitarians up. We both need this project.’

‘Yes, but if we don’t get initial funding by next March, we won’t be able to do it.’ The president had his own deadlines and financial needs.

‘You mean if you don’t get your money, you won’t do it?’

‘I have my own troubles, my own projects that need to be funded.’ The president took a larger draw of his whiskey, swallowing hard, stifling a small ref lux before the liquid and vapours disappeared. Suddenly, he felt hot and prickly, wiping his brow with his palm as the whiskey coursed through him. ‘I won’t deny it will help me, as it will you. I just can’t release drug traffickers for no reason.’

‘Let me give you a reason. I will approve the four-billion-dollar project on the day you grant them clemency. Not a pardon, but clemency from the death penalty. Let the fuckers rot in jail as far as I’m concerned.’

‘I can’t; I would lose the next election if I were to do that.’

‘Okay, so we agree to disagree.’ The prime minister could sense a deal was at hand.

‘I can’t, Andrew!’

‘So, this idea of money was just talk – you had no intention of really doing a deal.’

The politicians sat quietly, not knowing who had the upper hand in the negotiations. The prime minister, almost asleep with his eyes closed and breathing heavily; the president smirking ever so slightly in recognition of his friend’s efforts to force a winning play.

‘Here’s an idea,’ the president said finally, drawing his friend from his sham slumber. ‘What say I allow an appeal on the first payment? This then runs for two years, and if I am re-elected, I recommend clemency when the final payment is made.’

‘No, my friend. Just the agreed clemency is no longer on the table. The deal now is – you also agree to release them from that hell hole you call a jail when you receive the final payment, then I will consider your plan to embezzle appropriated funds from the Australian government.’

‘Clemency and then a pardon?’ the president scoffed. ‘So, if I agree to this new outrageous demand, you will get me my money?’

‘Our money,’ the prime minister said, swinging his legs off the table and leaning forward, his tumbler held out in anticipation of a toast.

The president leaned forward and clinked the proffered glass. ‘Best you get yourself a bank account, Mr Prime Minister.’

‘To a long and prosperous partnership.’

The president brought his glass to his lips but did not drink. With a barely perceptible smile, he recalled his actions of the morning: he had already decided to grant clemency to the two Australians stopped at Jakarta international airport twelve years earlier with ten kilos of heroin strapped to their bodies. Now he could reverse his decision, leaking it to the media to show he was tough on crime, adding further political gravitas to his re-election campaign in two years’ time. He loved his Australian friend like a brother. Their wives were friends from university, and he didn’t enjoy taking advantage of him, but this was business – and in his culture, business was never personal.

The prime minister lay back and drew heavily on his cigar, mouthing smoke rings as he slowly exhaled, reflecting on his newfound wealth. It would be a richly deserved legacy for his years of service and sacrifice. ‘I’ve been in this damn business for nearly forty years, and I still have little to show for it.’

‘In my country, it is expected our leaders will be looked after. This is the problem with you Australians – you should embrace the political culture of Asia.’ The president smiled; his fat cigar stuck in the side of his mouth. ‘It is only a small amount to start with, but it will grow and be ready for when you retire. When will you retire, by the way?’

‘I am thinking I might do one more term, maybe two. Margaret still has it in her head to move to France.’

‘Perhaps there will be room for us as well. Can you imagine both of us retired in the south of France?’

‘That’s where the shysters go, I suppose. It’s an attractive thought, I must say.’

‘Get this deal done on time before March next year, and you will be halfway there, my friend.’

 

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