by Ali Vali
Chapter Ten
Berkley was briefed but wanted Aidan with her since she guessed what direction all this was headed. Jin Umeko was still in custody but now was within the walls of the Pentagon, and from what she could see, that wasn’t changing in the near future, but the attack on the compound where she’d been had finally potentially loosened her tongue.
“Has she said anything at all?” Berkley asked Rooster.
“She asked for you, then sat and waited. Make her understand whatever she says will be recorded and shared. Later on, I don’t need someone telling me I violated her rights.” Rooster appeared to be a man wanting to hit someone, but the right target hadn’t come along yet.
Aidan followed her in and offered Jin her hand. “We met briefly, but hello again, Captain Umeko.”
“Please call me Jin, and thank you both for coming.” Jin stood and offered them a seat in the very plain room that had to be a drastic change from the compound that had been her home for months. “Your president is dead.”
“One of our presidents was killed, but we have a new one,” Berkley said. “The people responsible for having me shot down are to blame, and they will be punished. During World War II, one of the Japanese admirals was supposedly quoted as saying, ‘I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and filled him with a terrible resolve.’ Many may see the United States as the aggressor in numerous cases, but for the most part a sleeping giant is what we are. We want democracy and freedom for all people, but when provoked, all the firepower at our disposal will rain down on anyone poised to do us harm.”
“Do you think I in some way played a part in what happened here?” Jin asked, her facial expression not changing.
“I don’t. I actually think you’re as much a victim as I was when my man double-crossed me, and President Khalid was when he was gunned down. If you know something and choose to stay silent, I will think differently about you.”
Jin nodded and turned to Aidan. “That is fair. Will you go back to my old home?”
“We haven’t received our final orders, but maybe. It all depends on where the man who’s leading these people will be found,” Aidan said.
“I have told Berkley about my mother, Minseo Umeko, and a little about my father. I am sure your people might know better than me exactly what happened to him, but I have my theory.”
“Berkley told me some, but then our day got out of control for all of us, I think,” Aidan said.
“My father was General Pak Kwang Lee. He was the security commander for our supreme leader and trusted with many of Kim’s secrets.”
“He was? Do you think he’s been replaced?” Aidan asked.
“The mission of the facilities you destroyed was to perfect a nuclear weapon, and my father Kwang Lee’s job was to see that nothing happened to them. He placed who he thought was the perfect person to see that job through, and I failed him miserably. I then escaped and lost the supreme leader Lowe Nam Chil, the man with all the secrets. The destruction of the plants was bad enough, but Chil’s capture by the United States sealed Lee’s fate. By now, some other monster has taken his place.”
“Berkley told me you lost your mother, and I’m very sorry,” Aidan said. “But what does all this have to do with us?”
“Chil was sent to deal with me and my partner Yong Nam. She has flown with me for years, and I went willingly with him, hoping Yong would be set free. I doubt that happened, but Chil took me to his home before he could sentence me to death. That is where I saw Yong for the last time, and I begged her in my own way to get out. It did not matter where she ran, but she needed to.”
“You don’t think she did?” Berkley asked.
“I could not say too much since Chil was watching us, of that I am sure. All I knew was that was my last day to live, and I would go willingly since I had tried my best with Yong. I am still not sure why he kept me alive for as long as he did, but my love for Yong has kept me silent all this time.”
“He’s in a place he’ll never escape from, and there’s always hope that Yong survived,” Berkley said.
“I truly believe what I told you in that I am now alone, but there is a chance to get justice for all those I lost. Beginning with Chil, the loss of his power is the greatest punishment you can inflict on him, but while I was there, I was surprised that some of the guards were not Korean.” Jin stopped, as if wanting everyone to understand.
“They were American?” Berkley fought the urge to shake Jin to make her speak faster.
“I believe so, but they all seemed to speak Korean, from the brief encounter I had with them. Whoever they were, they had the run of Chil’s home, and that is what I found most rare.”
Berkley nodded and glanced back at the two-way mirror. “Jin, before you say anything else, people are listening. You don’t have to do this until you speak to someone. You have the right to an attorney.”
“All my life, people have been listening, Berkley. I have stayed quiet because I feared more for Yong than for myself, but I believe now I am the only one left who can speak for the dead, and there are so many. My family is gone and so is my friend. Someone should pay for that.” Jin slammed her hand down and finally showed some emotion other than her usual calm façade. “I will lead you to Chil’s home and to the office in it, but I want to go with you.”
“We weren’t planning to return on the ground,” Aidan said.
“Berkley survived, and with me she will again, but you need me. Whatever secrets you are searching for are all in Chil’s fortress. If the person you are looking for is hiding in North Korea, whatever information he possesses was the price he had to pay to live within the supreme leader’s borders. Of that I would bet my life on, and if he gave him what he wanted, it will be found in Chil’s home.”
“Excuse us a moment,” Aidan said.
They stepped back out, and Rooster seemed even more agitated. “What the holy fuck?”
“All the intelligence we have is that Chandler has disappeared effectively. Maybe he’ll be found in the most remote place ever,” Berkley said.
“You trust this woman?” Drew asked, having come in after they started.
“There’s really no way to verify her story, but do we take our foot off the throttle now? Either we walk into an elaborate trap, or we walk out with Chandler and the list of who’s working for him. To me it’s worth the gamble.”
“You would, Miss High Adventure,” Aidan said. “She’s right though. We’ve been at this for too long with no results. Chandler is in the middle of a literal black hole. We’ve all seen the satellite images of that pit at night.”
“This call will have to come from someone higher than me,” Drew said.
“The president needs to understand this might be our best option because it’s our only option,” Berkley said before going back in. “Jin, you have my vote, and it won’t be long before you have an answer. This isn’t the prettiest place, but you’ll be safe here until we know.”
“Only my revenge is important to me now. Thank you for listening.”
“It’s time for action, gentlemen, and I expect you to make our case with the president. It will be her call, and she needs to know the ramifications of blinking now,” Aidan said when they were ready to go.
“Hang tight for a few more days, and everything should be in place one way or another,” Drew said. “Your prisoners have been moved and secured, and I want to thank you for a job well done. Jeffery Chandler is now in custody.”
“I’d put everyone on high alert then. Men who see themselves as lions will do anything to get their cubs back,” Aidan said.
“He’s somewhere that doesn’t exist,” Rooster said.
“Unless you sat in the wizard’s chair for eight years. Then you know all the secrets,” Berkley said. “Know your enemy, gentleman, because he sure as hell knows all about us.”
“Sun Tzu, Captain, is something I know well,” Rooster said. “Chandler was the biggest cheerleader for the opening of all the
se special places no one wants to admit exist, but when a new landlord takes over, we change the locks.”
“The locks but not the locations?” Aidan said.
“Some of the locations, and Jeffery is somewhere new that was not in the system when Chandler was in office. The more I think about it, though, the more I realize we should’ve placed him somewhere more accessible. That big a piece of bait might draw out some bigger fish,” Drew said, and Berkley nodded.
“It’s good to know yourself as well, sir,” Berkley said, and smiled. “Either way, make sure the people at the location are vigilant. The ones who tried to bomb the Jefferson and tried to take me won’t give up easily.”
“And remember, we’re ready to go,” Aidan said.
“I think that goes for everyone involved,” Berkley said, looking at Jin, who sat like she was waiting for a coffee date.
* * *
Rachel Chandler stood deep enough in the woods of the compound her people had hit so she wouldn’t be seen and tried to let go of her anger. Her younger brother had been captured because he hadn’t followed orders, and her father had blamed her. It would be impossible to find where the feds were holding him, no matter how many of their minions they questioned.
“Why are we here, ma’am?” one of her men asked.
“You failed to grab or kill the woman who’s been living here, and you failed to realize how important it was to bring the Korean bitch down.” Her phone rang, and she wanted to ignore it since it was her father, but he would only become more demanding. “Keep an eye on the personnel that shows up now.”
“Where are you?” Dick asked, and Rachel moved her phone a few inches from her ear.
“The compound where they were keeping Umeko. Do you need something?”
“Why are you wasting time there? You need to concentrate on finding Jeffery.”
She leaned against a tree and took the phone completely from her ear to sigh loudly. Dick Chandler still couldn’t accept the fact that of all his children, she was the best equipped for battle strategy and leadership. That wasn’t the vision of his New World order, though. He wanted his sons to carry out the vision he’d started, while she was supposed to fade into the background once he took over the government.
“This place is too important to abandon, and I want to see who comes back. It might or might not give me a clue as to where Jeffery is, but these bastards have him somewhere that’s not on your list of possibilities.” The lights in the house came on, and a unit of guards started taking up positions outside. Maybe the Korean bitch was back, and she could finish the job by putting a bullet in her head.
“He’s your responsibility and top priority,” Dick yelled again. “Don’t forget that.” During the brief reprieve from his lecturing, Rachel didn’t feel the need to fill the silence. “Shit. I need to go, but keep me informed.”
“Yes, sir.” Something had happened on his end, but she had time enough later to find out. She needed to concentrate on her piece of the puzzle for now. “Come on,” she took out the long-range rifle and attached the silencer, “show yourself.”
* * *
Dick leaned back in the leather office chair he’d taken from the vice president’s office when he and George had completed their two terms. All the preparations and planning he’d put in for all those years under George’s unfocused gaze had made him a rich man, if he chose to use the defense money he’d redirected. This wasn’t about personal gain though, and eventually the American people would understand the choices he’d made and why.
Relocating his family and most loyal troops to North Korea wasn’t ideal, but the ability to work without having to worry about defense or detection had been a godsend. The only problem was these visits the fucker who ran the country insisted on to remind him of his side of the deal they’d made.
General Pom Su Gil had been promoted because of the debacle of Pak Kwang Lee’s failure. The man who’d learned his cruelty from Jin Umeko’s father was his most frequent visitor and spoke for the supreme leader. At least he claimed to do so. “General, welcome.” He stood and bowed slightly when the short man entered with his usual air of arrogance.
“Mr. Chandler, I came to ask what happened.” Pom ignored his outstretched hand and sat down. “Do you often make empty promises?”
“I told you I’d fix Lee’s mistakes and return Chil once I’m back in power. I do not understand how you think I have failed in that promise.”
“According to our contacts in the US, Umeko is still alive. Your people fail to kill her.”
“It’s not like the government was keeping her in the open, and none of it matters. My contacts in government assure me that Jin Umeko hasn’t opened her mouth from the day her plane went down. She thinks her silence will keep Lieutenant Nam alive.” He sat and poured two whiskeys. “Is Nam still alive?”
“Nam is breathing, but she probably prays to die more than once a day.” Pom accepted the glass and took a sip. “The supreme leader lost Comrade Chil, so a suitable replacement is being trained. Nam has been good for Ji Woo Min’s training. Min has broken her, but Nam’s will to live has been hard to get past. It is only a matter of time though, when death will be preferable to the pain.”
“I’m sure, and when Min succeeds, stay quiet about it. That’s the only thing keeping Umeko silent.”
“Do not concern yourself with things that are none of your business, Mr. Chandler. Instead, concentrate on all the pretty words you spoke to build your compound here.” Gil stood and smoothed his tunic before placing the ridiculous uniform cap on his head. “I suggest you do everything you can to keep your promises, since the Kim family is not known for its patience.”
He poured himself a drink and turned on the four televisions in his office. Both CNN and MSNBC were covering the live press conference Olivia Michaels was having with George Butler. Good ole George, who’d ridden his daddy’s coattails to office, was dumb as horseshit, but the voters loved him anyway. The moron should be thanking him for giving him a legacy to be proud of.
“What the hell are you up to?” He turned the volume up and threw his glass against the wall as he listened.
“I stand before the American people today to apologize for ever subjecting them to Dick Chandler and for placing this man in power. To stand against America and attack our soldiers on US soil is the act of a coward. Any ally or adversary would do well to heed the president’s warning to turn Chandler and any of his followers over to face prosecution,” George said.
“Is Chandler responsible for President Khalid’s murder?” a reporter asked.
“That is an open investigation, but we’re not ruling out any possibilities,” Olivia said as she stood shoulder to shoulder with George.
“If Dick Chandler wanted to change what he didn’t like about our great country, he should’ve run. But the track he’s on, and anyone who follows him, is treasonous. That will not be tolerated no matter your party or your reasoning. Above everything else, we are all Americans.” George looked directly into the camera and pointed his finger at it. “Chandler, if you’re listening, it’s time to turn yourself in. You can’t and won’t win this, and you’ll burn in hell for killing Peter Khalid in front of his wife and children.”
“It’s time to show these assholes we aren’t bluffing,” he said into the phone.
“Are you sure, sir? We’re two weeks ahead of schedule already, but that might be pushing it.”
“Fucking get it done, or have your assistant do it if you don’t have the balls.” He slammed the phone down and punched the top of his desk. “You’ll pay for this betrayal, George.”
“Did you say something?” Ruby Chandler asked quietly as she sat across from him. Her black eye was still swollen shut, and the cut on her upper lip had to make talking painful, which was why he’d put it there.
“It’s time to light the world on fire and watch it burn.”
* * *
CIA Director Marcus Newton stood by Walby Edwards and stared at
the young man on the other side of the mirror. According to the report, Jeffery Chandler had been an exemplary student at the US Naval Academy, liked by his fellow cadets and instructors despite his last name, and had gotten in on his own merit. Dick had used every excuse to avoid the military service his son had embraced, and it had set the younger man apart as far as the academy’s senior officers were concerned.
Marcus had called Walby back in to persuade the kid to talk after Jeffery had only recited his name, rank, and serial number. “He doesn’t act like a fanatic,” Walby said. They’d spent the last few hours interviewing prisoners they’d captured with Jeffery. “And after the last two, we witnessed the total definition of what fanatics sound like,” Walby said.
“This is daddy issues then?” Marcus asked before laughing. “I doubt he’ll give us much, but you’re free to get creative. Sounds like this morning was the straw that broke President Michaels’s patience with all this.”
Walby usually worked at Gitmo and the CIA’s facility in the Middle East. The man had no family and no problem doing whatever he had to in order to get the job done. “You sure?” Walby asked, his eyes never leaving Jeffery.
“The president needs results, but keep in mind she’s not George Butler. Try not to leave any marks, and report to me directly before you report to anyone at the White House.”
“Don’t worry. The bruises I leave will all be under the skin.” Walby took only a small notebook and a pen with him.
“Who are you?” Jeffery asked when he sat down. “Where am I? It’s my right to know.”
“Where’s your father, Jeffery? I’m sorry. May I call you Jeffery?” Walby started writing and never looked up.
“Who are you?”
Walby stood up quickly, and Jeffery did the same, but before he could do anything else Walby had pressed his head against the metal table with one hand and jammed the fingers of the other up and under the edge of his rib cage. Jeffery stopped moving when Walby pulled up with relentless pressure, not caring how much pain he was in. “Where’s your father, Jeffery?”