Lady Death

by Brian Drake

  “Not much to see this time of night,” Speidel said. The guards departed. One shut the study door behind him.

  “No,” Schrader agreed. “But I like to imagine my own view when the sun goes down.”

  Speidel had sat and talked with the boss on the balcony many times. On the wall adjacent to the balcony, Schrader had his crew construct a set of steps embedded down the length of the wall. A support rail alongside the steps helped steady anybody descending the emergency escape route to the patio. From there, the plan called for heading for the lake and Schrader’s boat there or gaining alternate access to the garage.

  “What do you imagine?” Speidel asked.

  Schrader looked over his shoulder with a grin. “I’m keeping that to myself.”

  The study was as spartan as everything else Hugo Schrader touched. Bare walls except for various paintings Speidel had no interest in. No book cases. Small corner bar. Conference table in another corner. Clean desk with computer and printer.

  Schrader moved to his desk. Speidel stood in front of the desk. There were no chairs for him.

  “Raven is dead?” Schrader said.

  “No.”

  Schrader raised an eyebrow. “What happened?”

  Speidel described the confrontation between Raven and the three killers as he knew it. Having not been there, he was relying on their lack of contact and police reports after the discovery of the bodies.

  “Unfortunate.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “What is also unfortunate,” Schrader said, “is that the CIA managed to penetrate our servers.”

  “What did they download?”

  Schrader chuckled. “Nothing. We booted them out. The hack was very brief.”

  “They might have found something.”

  “From a small scrap of data that may be incomplete? I think you overestimate them.”

  “We need to—”

  “Wipe the servers. Yes. In progress. If they try again, they will find nothing but legitimate business information.”

  “And the rest of our files?”

  “Secured on the backup servers on the island, Sebastian.”

  “What about Raven?” Speidel said.

  “Will he be at the party tomorrow, or leave the country?”

  “He knows you know who he is. I can’t imagine he’d be stupid enough to show up.”

  “What do you think he’ll do?”

  “He was seen near your daughter, sir. If he thinks Hannah has any information the CIA can use, he’ll grab her and go.”

  Another eyebrow. “Explain.”

  “Hannah met friends at a hotel bar. The men I had following her spotted Raven watching her. They trailed him as he followed Hannah to her apartment.”

  “Did he visit her?”

  “They think so. He parked his car halfway down the block. My men turned off to go around the block and see what he did. They didn’t have orders to enter the apartment.”

  Schrader nodded.

  “What do we do with Hannah, sir?”

  Schrader let out a sigh. “It’s regretful, but she must die.”

  “Are you positive?”

  He nodded as a hint of sadness washed over his face. “She left me a long time ago. Tanya is my triumph, Sebastian. Hannah is my failure. Tanya will finish what I started.

  “If Raven shows up,” Schrader continued, “let him take her. Follow them to their destination, which will probably be a CIA safe house. Then, wipe them out. We’ll send a message with the corpses.”

  Speidel said he would issue the new orders. Schrader dismissed him.

  Raven slipped back into the hotel through another exit. He made his way to his room and shut the door.

  He opened the drapes. The windows didn’t overlook the street. They instead overlooked the inside of the hotel and the tall blue aquarium in the center of the lobby.

  The aquarium was a tall cylinder of water on a platform supported by steel legs. Bright lights inside highlighted the blue water and the fish swimming within.

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, he called Clark Wilson in the US.

  “I need some CCTV cameras scrubbed,” Raven said.

  “What happened?”

  “Schrader made a move. Sent three killers after me. I left the bodies at a construction site across the street from the hotel.”

  “Which hotel?”

  Raven gave him the name and the nearby streets.

  “We’ll cover the cameras,” Wilson said. “It’s good you didn’t wait to call.”

  “Not my first rodeo.”

  “What else is happening?”

  Raven filled him in on his meeting with Hannah Schrader and the party the following night.

  “It is no longer safe to attend, Sam,” Wilson said.

  “Meaning what?”

  “Our hacking team managed to break through Schrader’s firewalls for exactly thirty seconds,” Wilson said. “We grabbed a little data, but who knows if it’s worth anything.”

  “So far this doesn’t mean anything to me.”

  “Now they’re erasing the servers.”

  “Destroying evidence?”

  “They’ll have a backup somewhere, but Schrader is covering his tracks. We won’t get anything from his computers. Which means he’ll have another surprise waiting for you at the party.”

  “Which means,” Raven completed, “Hannah is in danger.”

  “Do you think she has any information we can use; maybe details she hasn’t thought of?”

  “We’ll have to ask.”

  “Get her to a safe house. I have two other guys in the area who can back you up.”

  “Who?”

  “Macedo and Storey. You don’t know them but they’re good.”

  Raven checked his watch. “We need to move fast. Have them meet me at Hannah’s address. I’m going there now.”

  “Take it easy, Sam.”

  “You get those CCTV cameras scrubbed and I’ll get Hannah to the safe house. The clock is ticking on Operation Triangle and if we don’t find a lead—”

  “You don’t have to tell me, Sam. I’m well aware of the stakes.”

  “Keep them in mind. Talk soon.”

  Raven ended the call.

  11

  Raven called Hannah on his cell as he drove.

  No answer. The call went to voicemail.

  Raven dropped his phone into a cup holder and tried not to think the worst.

  The point of his personal crusade against the world’s predators was not to create more victims. But sometimes, no matter his effort, the worst indeed happened, and he found himself standing above the bodies of those he tried to save.

  The only course of action after each tragedy was scorching vengeance. Make the enemy pay. He didn’t want to add Hannah’s name to his list of failures.

  Raven weaved through traffic and drove faster.

  The elevator ride didn’t take long but felt like an eternity.

  Raven stepped off on Hannah’s floor and listened. Only the muffled sounds behind locked doors greeted him.

  Holding the Nighthawk .45 under his jacket, he advanced along the hall. Stopped at her door. No sign of forced entry. The outward appearance meant nothing. If she knew the crew her father sent, if he had sent anybody, they wouldn’t have to force their way inside.

  He knocked hard. “Hannah, it’s Sam.”

  He counted the passing seconds by the thumping of his pulse.

  The lock clicked and the door opened, stopped by a chain. Hannah’s worried face filled the gap.

  “What?”

  Raven stepped closer. “We gotta get you out of here tonight.”

  “But—”

  “Your father is sending people, they’re on their way.”

  Hannah shut the door, unhooked the chain, and let Raven inside.

  Any relief he felt as she shut and locked the door didn’t last long. All it meant was he’d arrived first. Unless he was overreacting. Would the old man really send a
kill team after his daughter?

  Raven explained the attempt on his life as she packed, and the more he spoke, the faster she moved. Hannah filled a small suitcase with clothes and essentials. Wiping sweat from her brow, she said, “Where are we going?”

  “CIA safe house. Then we get you out of the country.”

  “For how—”

  Raven’s phone rang. He held up a finger and answered.

  “This is Greg Macedo,” the caller said. “Wilson sent me.”

  “There’s supposed to be two of you.”

  “Mitch Storey is in the car with me. Where are you?”

  “Asset’s apartment. What’s your 20?”

  “Parked outside.”

  Raven described his car. “We’ll be out in two minutes.”

  “We’re in a silver BMW.”

  “I’ll stay on your six all the way.”

  “Copy.”

  Raven hung up. He said to Hannah, “I don’t know how long.”

  Her excited eyes examined his face. But her expression also showed resolve.

  “We better go,” she said, “and stop my father and sister from doing something terrible.”

  Raven took her suitcase in his left hand. They exited the apartment.

  Raven pushed a Bluetooth bud into his ear and dialed Macedo. The elevator descended quietly.

  “Macedo.”

  “It’s Raven, on our way down.”

  “We have at least one carload of opposition. Four shooters. Just arrived.”

  “Where?”

  “West side of the building. They have a partially obstructed view of the main entrance.”

  “Can you see the back of the building?”

  “Storey is on foot checking it out, stand by.”

  Raven mouthed, “It’s okay,” in response to Hannah’s concerned face. But he did ask her to hold the suitcase.

  “Mitch is back,” Macedo reported in Raven’s ear. “Another car, two men, clear view of the back steps.”

  “Get him back there. I’d rather face two than four.”

  “He’s on the move.”

  The elevator doors slid open. Raven and Hannah stepped into the lobby.

  “Do we go together?” she said.

  Raven grabbed her arm and led her across the lobby. They stepped near the rear doors leading to the courtyard. They had to cross the open space to reach the rear exit.

  Two gunners waited on the other side.

  Four in front.

  Did any wait in between?

  Raven paused to re-evaluate his choices. He faced a situation violating Rule One. No gunfights in public. He didn’t see a way to avoid a fight and it put people at risk.

  Unless there was a way to use the public to his advantage.

  He motioned Hannah into a corner.

  “Macedo?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Backside is out. How can we distract the first car?”

  “How about an accident and an argument?”

  “Do it.”

  “Stand by.”

  “Have Storey meet us in the lobby.”

  “Copy.”

  “He’ll ride with us.”

  “Copy all.”

  Raven shielded Hannah’s body as he watched the front doors. A chatty couple entered, too involved in their conversation to notice them.

  The rear lobby doors opened and a stocky man with a goatee and wearing dark clothes entered.

  “Storey?”

  “Raven?”

  “Name one of Clark’s kids.” Raven’s hand inched to the holstered .45.

  “Daughter. Brenda. Looking at colleges.”

  “In Wisconsin?”

  “California.”

  “All right.”

  A blast of horns from the street stopped Raven’s next remark.

  “Our cue,” Storey said.

  “Out the front, turn left. Follow the sidewalk. Audi at the curb.”

  Storey took the lead. He stepped outside first and looked around. He waved Raven forward. Raven and Hannah exited, and the trio turned left. They walked fast. Raven clicked the Audi’s remote key to flash the lights and unlocked the doors.

  More indignant horn blasts. Cars jammed both sides of the street. Raven didn’t look back but heard yelling. Macedo’s voice with other voices yelling back.

  Raven stowed Hannah’s suitcase in the trunk and the three of them slid into the quiet confines of the Audi. Storey took the back seat.

  Raven started the car and said, “Macedo, fall back.”

  More horns, traffic unmoving in the street beside them.

  “How do we get out?” Hannah said. “We’re stuck.”

  “We’ll slip out as traffic improves.”

  “But we’re sitting ducks.”

  “Yes and no,” Raven said. “Your father’s men are after you. Collateral civilian damage isn’t on the menu.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I’m betting your life on it, Hannah, yeah. I’m sure. They won’t risk a fight here.”

  “But later?”

  Raven shifted in his seat. He knew of two enemy cars they had to shake. Were there more?

  A fight was inevitable, but if he had a chance at controlling the time and place, the odds might shift in their favor.

  “That’s why we have Mitch,” Raven said. He glanced at the stocky man in the rearview mirror. “What are you packing?”

  “Stainless Beretta 92,” Storey answered. “Twenty-shot extension mags.”

  “Artillery may not be our biggest problem,” Raven said.

  The horns finally stopped. Traffic began to move.

  12

  Macedo checked in.

  “I’m hanging back a few car lengths.”

  “How’s it looking?” Raven said.

  Berlin at night was almost as busy as daytime. Headlights glared in the side and rear-view mirrors. Oncoming traffic contributed more visual chaff. It made watching for a tail tough. He had to watch for familiar headlamp shapes behind him.

  “I think we have one,” Macedo said. “Can’t confirm but he’s staying with you.”

  “Despite my evasive turns?”

  “They’re good.”

  “All right, stand by.”

  Raven glanced at Storey, who turned to look out the back, then faced forward. He shook his head.

  Hannah offered nothing but a nervous glance.

  There might not be a way to follow Rule One.

  He disconnected from Macedo and called Clark Wilson.

  “What’s up?” Wilson answered.

  “We’re hot. Safe out not an option. We need immediate extraction.”

  Wilson cursed. “Hang on.”

  Raven drove on. Using the center touch screen, he examined the GPS map for any open spaces where he could lead Schrader’s kill team. He wanted to try and control where the fight happened.

  “I know a spot,” Storey said. “It’s an office park,” he added. “It will be empty this time of night.”

  “Tell me how to get there,” Raven said, then held up a finger as Wilson returned.

  “Sam, I can re-direct a plane from Switzerland, but the cabin will be full, and you can’t talk to anybody.”

  “How long?”

  “Two hours to Templehof. Hangar 3-A on the east edge.”

  “Get them here as fast as possible. We’ll deal with our situation here.” Raven hung up and pressed the accelerator as he followed Storey’s directions.

  He updated Macedo, who already knew of the office park location, and broke off to get there first.

  “When we arrive,” Raven told Hannah, “I want you to get on the floor and make yourself small.”

  She stuttered getting her reply out, but said, “Okay. I trust you.”

  The sentiment did not brighten Raven’s outlook.

  Raven made a sharp turn into the business park. Most of the buildings still had light shining through windows. Some were dark. Streetlamps spilled light across the pavement.
/>   “What’s Macedo packing?” Raven said to Storey.

  “Pistol same as me and an HK UMP.”

  Macedo said in Raven’s ear, “They’re turning in behind you.”

  Raven wrenched the Audi left and bumped the edge of a curb as he entered a parking lot. The lampposts didn’t help concealment. Their brightness made the Audi an easy target. Raven pressed the accelerator again. The Audi took off across the open space for a cluster of trees on the far edge. The light didn’t shine there.

  “I’m on foot,” Macedo advised, “closing on your position.”

  “Light ‘em up!” Raven shouted. He braked hard and threw the car into park.

  Storey opened his door and rolled onto the pavement. Hannah crawled under the dash. Raven jumped out with the Nighthawk .45 in his right fist.

  The lone enemy car closed the distance. Storey broke left, in a semi-circle, firing his Beretta. The nine-millimeter pistol snapped and flashed fire. The enemy car swung perpendicular to Raven, and Raven added the buck and roar of his .45. Windows shattered. The car peeled off. The staccato chant of Macedo’s Heckler & Koch submachine gun joined the chorus. Tires popped. The enemy car halted. Gunners piled out, four of them, each man swinging submachine guns to bear.

  Raven charged; his eyes locked on the gunner who emerged from the rear passenger door. The gunner lifted the snout of his SMG into Raven’s face. Raven slammed the man into the car, pushing the SMG’s barrel from his face. The gunner’s strength became evident as he pushed back, slamming a knee into Raven’s gut. Raven ignored the flash of pain. The .45 barked twice. The gunner crumpled at Raven’s feet, leaving a smear of red on the side of the car. Dropping to a squat, Raven stowed the .45 and grabbed the gunman’s SIG Sauer MPX. The selector switch was set at full auto.

  Raven stayed low as he moved to the front of the enemy car.

  Storey, engaged in a ground fight with one gunner, looked to be holding his own. Macedo blasted one gunner while a second lined up a shot. Raven fired. The short burst ripped open the gunman’s back and sent him sprawling.