by Taylor Lee
Both Craig Spellman and Tom Roberts had insisted that they have this party. Looking at the assembled group, Jake conceded it was the right thing to do. Along with the Mayor and other dignitaries Spellman invited key players in his department. Likewise, Tom Roberts ensured that Dan Rourke and Mark Peterson were honored guests, along with as many members of the Vice Squad who could afford public scrutiny.
As Spellman said, their victories were few and far between, the least they could do was celebrate when something went right. Jake had to agree. His team was thrilled that they had stopped the delivery of what turned out to be sixty young Korean women, none older than twenty. In the process they’d killed nearly fifty Kkangpae fighters. By any standard, it was a victory.
As Spellman raised his glass first to Lexie and by extension their team, and then to Dan Rourke and the members of the Vice Squad, Jake knew the others shared his conflicting feelings. Yes, they’d made a dent. And yes, lives had been saved. But in the eyes of his team, the victory was bittersweet. They’d missed their prime target, the White Dragon. Worse, they had telegraphed to key people, including their prime suspect, that they knew he was out there.
While waiting for dessert and post-dinner libations to be served, Spellman encouraged the guests to mingle. Jake joined Brady and Peter at the side of the pool. He turned to Brady.
“What do you hear from the guys?”
Brady nodded pleasantly as though Jake had asked him if he was enjoying the weather. “Not much. Everything is quiet inside the perimeter but Denny agreed to call in Mike and his squad. Both of them share our concerns. These grounds are huge. And the fences and gates are primarily decorative.”
Jake nodded. The last two days had been filled with reaction to the operation. The press attention alone had been fierce. Given Lexie’s role in the takedown, the Center was bombarded with reporters. Jake had managed to get the stations to set up a shared satellite feed so at least there was only one truck outside the gate. But each of the outlets was demanding personal access to the Blonde Barracuda. Every lead reporter wanted a personal interview. Jake asked Tiffany to take over scheduling the interviews and to stand in for Lexie when she could.
Although Jake was as much in demand as Lexie, he preferred to be in the background. He, Brady and Peter had enough to do figuring out how to capitalize on the takedown. They all agreed that Young-soo must be going ballistic. It didn’t take much to know that Young-soo would be eager for revenge. It also was clear that the demon’s primary target was Lexie. The rest of Jake’s team was a close second.
Their biggest concern was how to keep the White Dragon from going underground or disappearing altogether. Like any other despot, Young-soo would insist that heads roll in response to the ignominious defeat of his men. They hoped that the White Dragon would get one more chance to prove his worth before Young-soo took him down himself.
At first they viewed Spellman’s event as a distraction. After thinking it through, Jake began to see ways they could capitalize on it. All of the key players in Roberts’s, Spellman’s and even the Mayor’s office would be in attendance. It was a virtual certainty that unless Young-soo had already eliminated him, the White Dragon would be among them. Much as Jake hated to admit it, in any counter action they could devise, Lexie was the obvious bait. Building on that premise, Jake agreed to attend and ensured that any and all potential suspects were on the confirmed attendee list.
Treating the event as the next major step in the war against Young-soo, Jake and the team planned a full-scale initiative. They called in operatives from around the globe to augment their stateside squads. They included some of Tiffany’s Korean-based consorts, many of them spoke fluent Korean and had been after Young-soo for years. This time around they brought Dan Rourke and Mark Peterson into the planning process. Both of the premier police officers and their undercover unit had proven themselves worthy confidants.
Brady returned from taking a call from Denny. At that moment Tiffany and Lexie joined them.
Jake put his arm around Lexie and gave her a quick kiss. Brady slipped his arm around Tiffany and said, “How’s the world’s sexiest public relations maven? The Blonde Barracuda keeping you busy, wildcat?”
Tiffany laughed. “You joke, Brady. After ‘handling’ Lexie’s access to the press these last couple of days, I’ll bet I could get hired to head up any rock star’s PR detail. I’m expecting to hear from Eminem’s manager any day now, inviting me take over the bad boy rapper’s next world wide tour. Damn, he couldn’t be any more popular with the press than Lexie is!”
Lexie blushed but shared in the laughter with the others.
“I’m glad Craig barred news people from this party. Let me tell you it’s a relief. I never realized how tiring being in the public eye can be. Thank goodness for Tiffany. I’d be dead on my feet without her.”
Jake glanced around to make sure none of the other guests could hear him and said in a conspiratorial voice, “Just think of the bombshell there would’ve been if anyone besides us saw Lexie in her outrageous disguise.”
Brady guffawed. “Jesus, Jake, that picture would be front page news from the New York Post to the Examiner. I don’t know about you guys, but I’ll never forget hotshot jumping out from behind that eighteen-wheeler, looking nine months pregnant and brandishing two Hk416 rifles. Damn, what a photo opportunity!”
Jake chuckled, “Don’t forget, she went on to mow down twenty armed fighters. Hell, Brady, if the press had seen that, no question but that Lexie would be TIME Magazine’s woman of the year, and on the cover of every magazine from The Economist to People.”
Peter added with a wink, “Don’t forget Victoria Secret and—”
Brady broke in, “And Playboy and Hustler and—”
“All right, you guys! That’s my woman you’re talking about!” Jake barked.
Craig Spellman strolled over and joined the group, interrupting their laughter.
“I’m glad to see that all of you are enjoying my party. I know you questioned the wisdom of the event, Jake, but I felt it was important to honor all of you who were involved. It was a remarkable feat. I’ve told you before, but let me tell you again, all of you are genuine heroes.”
Jake accepted for the group. “Thanks, Craig. We appreciate your comments and this terrific party. I’ve changed my mind. After tasting that toro tuna, I’ll never again question the wisdom of a party at the Spellman’s.”
After additional pleasantries and good-natured ribbing, Spellman went off to chat with Dan Rourke and the Mayor.
Peter waited until Commissioner Spellman was out of earshot then spoke quietly.
“I think you and I agree, Jake. Spellman is not likely to be the White Dragon. Everything he has done since the warehouse attack, at least in my mind, confirms that he is not our target.”
Jake grimaced. “Yeah, I concede, Peter. Hell, my neck doesn’t even quiver, much less itch, when he comes near. Worst of all, I think I’m beginning to like the guy. Imagine that.”
He nodded surreptitiously to Tom Roberts who was standing across the room talking to his wife, Cynthia.
“Now, on the other hand, except for his initial excitement at the warehouse, our police commissioner has been anything but cheery since we met with him. At the scene, he was a pro. Like a true leader he didn’t take credit. Rather he credited Dan and his men and was positively effusive about Lexie. Hell, he even praised us. Watching him handle the press and answer question after question about an op that I’d briefed him on for the first time a couple of minutes earlier, I could see why he’s considered a political up and comer. He’s got presence, and he’s charming.”
Lexie glanced over at the couple.
“He sure doesn’t look charming now. He looks like he’d smack Cynthia across the face if there weren’t people around.” She hesitated. “I can’t get the scene out of my mind when he came and picked up Sammie this morning. He didn’t call ahead, he just showed up. I don’t think he’s ever been at the Center except
for exhibitions. Ji-Hun always brings the children and picks them up. I met Tom at the door expecting that he’d come to talk to me about Sammie. Instead, he glared at me and said ‘I came to get my daughter. Where is she?’ Before I could tell him anything he marched straight past me and charged into the dojo. The next thing I knew they were both walking out the door.”
“Did Sammie look frightened?”
“No, Tiff, she didn’t. Clearly she was surprised. But again, in a strange way she looked excited, glad to see him.”
Peter asked, “Is that common for an abused child, Lexie?”
Lexie sighed. “No. But then none of her behavior is. She is sending a mixture of signals. The clearest one is that she hates Koreans or more specifically, a Korean man; and that she is worried about her father. Seeing them together today just made it more confusing. She barely looks at her mother when Cynthia comes to the studio. But with Tom? If I had to describe her expression, I would say it was ‘adoring.’ I honestly don’t understand. Everything about this is confusing.”
Brady murmured, “I’ll tell you what isn’t confusing.” He nodded at Cynthia and Tom Roberts who were facing each other head on. “If that isn’t the beginning of an out-and-out brawl, I don’t know what is.”
The couple seemed oblivious of the attention their argument was attracting.
Brady shrugged. “I don’t know how to describe it, but the missus seems to be giving as good as he is. She’s a ball-buster if I’ve ever seen one.”
Lexie shook head. “I disagree, Brady. If a man as big as Tom Roberts glared at me as if he wanted to hit me—or worse—I might act brave and like I had everything under control. But I’d be downright scared by that look on his face.”
At that moment Cynthia Roberts tossed her head dismissively and marched from the room. Tom Roberts stood for a moment, his fists clenched at his sides, staring at her retreating back. After a moment he glanced around then quickly left the room walking in the direction Cynthia had.
A flood of uneasiness washed over Jake. He remembered the end of the conversation he and Peter had with Tom in his office. Tom had turned his back on them and clenched his fists in the same way—as if he was fighting to control his temper. Remembering Roberts’s outburst about Cynthia and how much her ungratefulness angered him, Jake turned to the team.
“Okay, everyone, we have work to do. Lexie, go catch up with Cynthia. See if you can get her to talk. Peter, let’s you and I have a chat with the good police commissioner. Brady and Tiffany—”
Brady held up his hand. “Got it, Big Guy. We’re on top of the rest. Holler out on the com if you need backup.”
Jake nodded at his partner, grateful for their simpatico relationship. They were like brothers. They couldn’t be closer than if they’d grown up together as twins. In a sense they had. But the womb that had spawned them was one life threatening experience after another. They’d saved each other’s lives so often they’d lost count.
Jake grasped Lexie’s hand and followed Peter. When they reached the doorway that the Roberts had gone through, the hallway was empty. Making a quick assessment, Jake pushed his jacket aside revealing his Glock. He motioned to Lexie.
“You’ve got your Walther?”
She grinned, pointing at her evening bag. “And my knife is in my thigh sheathe. Oh, and don’t forget, Big Guy, I’ve been known to kick the shit out of men tougher than Commissioner Roberts.”
He gave her a grim smile. “Good. Check out the ladies room, Lexie. According to our blueprints, it’s up those stairs and to the left. Peter and I will circle around in opposite directions. Come back here if you don’t see Cynthia in the bathroom. Then check in with Brady. I don’t want you to go anywhere by yourself. Got it?”
Lexie kicked down a momentary flash of annoyance and then reminded herself of the expression on Tom Robert’s face. Heading up the stairs to the ladies room, she called back over her shoulder with a saucy wink, “Got it, Big Guy. I hear you loud and clear. Commander.”
~~~
“You received my message?”
“Only that I was to call you. I did not expect to hear from you. As you know we are at the culmination of the task. This is a critical moment, Sir.”
“You know I don’t call you unless it is necessary.”
“That is true. And I do not call you.”
“Unlike your annoying partner who calls me regularly—either to brag or apologize.”
“My apologies. I will try to do a better job of containing—”
“No need. We are finished with the White Dragon.”
“Finished? Completely?”
“Do I need to explain?”
“No, Sir.” He paused and then dared to question the eminent leader. “Was it ever possible that the White Dragon would survive this mission?”
He heard the disgust in the leader’s voice. “You are smarter than that, my son. Don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment. You knew from the beginning how this would end.”
He sighed. “Yes. Yes, Sir. I did.”
Chapter 24
Lexie poked her head into the spacious ladies room. She saw that it was several rooms. Just inside the doorway was a sitting room. Comfortable chairs and a sofa lined the pleasant space. Fresh flowers were everywhere. Books and magazines graced the coffee table and end-tables. Lexie was surprised to see French Doors along one wall. Peering through the doors she saw what looked like a patio. Thinking back on the blueprints they’d studied, she remembered that a second floor terrace of sorts ran across the back of the house. On the blueprints it had looked more like a balcony. In reality it was wider and featured several sitting areas that Lexie presumed were outside the various second floor rooms.
Through the doorway of the sitting area was a room with two vanities and on one wall was a floor length mirror. Another door led to what Lexie assumed was the commode. She called out Cynthia’s name but there was no answer. Not comfortable leaving until she was sure that no one was there, she walked through the anteroom and knocked on the door to the commode. Again, there was silence.
Satisfied that Cynthia wasn’t in the bathroom, Lexie prepared to go downstairs. Instead of going back the way she came, she decided to circle around, thinking that Cynthia may have gone to one of the bedrooms to freshen up or just to get away from Tom. Turning a corner into a long hallway, Lexie heard voices. She thought for a moment that they were coming from the party below, but gradually realized that they were closer. She swallowed hard, recognizing Cynthia’s voice—and Tom’s.
Ahead to the left was a set of double doors. Remembering that there was a second floor library, she assumed that was where they were. She inched closer hearing what was clearly a continuation of the argument the Roberts were having downstairs.
“Goddamn you, Cynthia. How could you? How could you do this to our children? Jesus Christ, Cynthia, you have a daughter.”
Cynthia laughed, an ugly sound. “A daughter? I have a daughter? Really, Tom, we both know what Sammie is.”
“Don’t you dare, Cynthia. Do you hear me? So help me God if you defame her…lump her with you.”
“What, Tom? What will you do? Confess? Tell the world who you really are? What you are? The self-righteous Tom Roberts? The man who is above sin? Too good to take advantage of the biggest opportunity to ever come along? An opportunity that could have made you wealthy beyond your wildest dreams?”
“Jesus God, Cynthia, listen to you. You’re acting like this is an ordinary financial venture. An investment in a baseball stadium or a school for privileged children. How can you look in the mirror? More important, how can you look at your daughter and not see…them?”
Cynthia’s voice changed. Lexie heard the fear.
“What are you doing, Tom?”
“I… I’m going to stop you, Cynthia, no matter what I have to do, I’m going to stop you.”
Lexie rushed to the door as a volley of shots rang out.
Shoving the door open she ran inside, reaching in her
purse for her Walther PPQ. To her horror she saw Tom Roberts lying face down on the floor in front of the paneled desk, a gun in his motionless hand. Cynthia was behind the desk. She was pointing a gun at her husband’s head, where blood was already pooling.
Lexie cried out, “Jesus, Cynthia! Are you all right? Did he… did Tom try to shoot you?”
A strange look crossed Cynthia’s face. It looked like a sneer. She raised her gun and pointed it at Lexie.
“I guess you could describe it that way. Not that we would. Would we, darling?”
In that instant Lexie saw a movement to her left. Stunned she recognized the driver, Ji-Hun.
She grasped her gun when she heard Peter’s voice coming from the direction of the French doors.
“Down, Lexie!”
The next seconds were filled with the sound of rapid-fire gunshots. Peter barreled toward her, throwing her to the floor. As if in a dream she heard another shot and heard herself scream. The last thing she knew was blinding pain and the smell of Peter’s blood on her face.
~~~
The gunshots were terrifying enough. Lexie’s unmistakable scream shook Jake to his roots. His heart racing, he hurtled up the curved stairway toward the ladies room. Throwing open the door he yelled Lexie’s name. He yanked open the door to the commode then ran back through the sitting room and flung open the French doors to the balcony. It was empty. He met Brady and Tiffany at the top of the stairs.
Brady said one word. “Lexie?”
Pointing at the long corridor of closed doors, Jake shouted to Tiffany, “Take the left side!”
He pounded down the hallway toward where he’d heard the sound of the gunshots. Between the three of them they threw open door after door, slamming them shut on empty rooms. Rounding the corner Jake saw the open doors to what looked like a library. Jake ploughed ahead and rushed in. Tiffany and Brady were seconds behind him.
Jake came to a dead stop at the sight of Peter lying on floor in a pool of blood. Three feet away from him Tom Roberts lay outstretched clutching a gun in his hand. At the sound of Roberts’ moan, Jake was on top of him. Tiffany ran to Peter’s side.