by Jsavage
“When’s the trade to take place?”asked Jake.
“In about two hours,”replied Bill.
“Where?”
“Eastern Imports, on the docks.”
“I guess I should have expected that. Is Mr. SOB involved?”
“Naturally.”
“I guess I’ll need a vest and some hardware.”
“That would be a safe bet. You might also wear your lighter vest underneath just in case,”Bill advised.“These guys tend to play dirty.”
“Then they agreed to turn over the files?”
“Yes, no problem. They have to know we made copies. I don’t know the importance of these files. Where’s Mi Ling?”
“I sent her up the beach to keep an eye on beach house.”
“Does she suspect anything?”
“No. I told her we just had some routine things to take care of. That I would be gone for a few hours. That I would be home for dinner about six. When’s the meet?”
“Two sharp. You want to be backup? Wear a sky mask. Go through the tunnels. I have enough men going with me. Don’t react unless it gets nasty.”
“You think it will?”
“I hope not. I don’t know why it should.”
“I better leave now if I’m going to make it by two. I have the two-way also.”
“Good idea. I forgot to mention it. If all goes well, just meet me at the place. They need not know you were even there. Jake agreed then hung up. He had already packed the Jeep, even the sky mask. He took the binoculars and looked up the beach. Mi Ling was sitting on the beach reading a book. He felt himself stir a bit seeing the bathing suit she was wearing, or in this case, hardly wearing. Jake could imagine himself being an old man watching the scantily clad young things on the beach, and loving it. Jake put down the binoculars and left Mi Ling a note. He made his way to the Jeep and slid into the seat. He turned the key and it came to life. He drifted out of the driveway, and down the road. He took the back roads to the docks, avoiding the traffic this time. He made good time. He parked in a different place this time. More out of sight. He gathered up his gear. He put the sky mask inside his vest, and a 45 auto, with two mags. He picked up the specially designed rifle with night scope. He could easily hit a target a quarter of a mile away with accuracy. He hadn’t forgotten to bring the two small LED flashlights. He took the keys out of the Jeep and pocketed them. He was dressed all in black, right down to his shoes, light weight joggers, more than tough enough for this kind of work. He slung the rifle over his shoulder and made his way down the ladder into the tunnels. Having gone this way before, he made better time. He turned off his flashlight when he was able to clearly hear the voices coming from the Eastern Imports warehouse. He stood there perfectly still listening.
“You think they will be here right on time?”
“I think they’ll probably be here early,”said Mr. SOB.
“You expect any trouble?”
“I hope not. The orders are to kill Lee Chung, and anyone else if things do.”
“That’s a bit extreme, don’t you think?”
“Exactly why was the kid snatched last year?”
“Something to do with his sister Mi Ling.”
“Who’s Mi Ling?”
“A Chinese woman who free-lances sensitive information?”
“I suppose they hoped her younger brother knew something.”
“Yes, but he didn’t know a thing. Turns out she has always kept her brother out of things.”
“How’d they find that out?”
“They have developed this new drug, that is ten times as good as the older truth drugs. It’s painless, and a person never remembers a thing. Plus it saves a lot of time. If someone knows anything they tell it.”
“I guess he’s not much use now, other than trading for the files. What if the Americans made copies?”
“That doesn’t matter. They just want the original files back.”Mr. SOB wasn’t disclosing all he knew. Seems there was some sort of new technologies secreted into the files. China didn’t want the Americans to have any more time to examine the files.
“You think five men will be enough?”
“I don’t expect any trouble from the Americans. It ought to be a simple matter.”Just then two black cars pulled up aside the Eastern Imports docks. Several men piled out, and Bill was the man in the lead. Jake poked his head up and looked around. He saw the one man who had been talking with Mr. SOB, and four other men secreted behind boxes, spread out in the warehouse. Jake took up a position not far from the ladder. He had un-slung the rifle and was now holding it at the ready. He waited. The large door now opened, just far enough for Mr. SOB and his companion to walk through.
“You are Mr. Wong?”questioned Bill.
“That’s right,”Mr.SOB returned.“You are?”
“Mr. Smith.”Mr. SOB stood there a moment thinking Bill was being funny, but Bill’s last name was Smith. He’d always had trouble with his last name, especially checking into hotels and times like this.
“Are you ready to make the trade? I don’t see Lee Chung.”
“Where’s the files?”Wong asked. A man behind Bill now held up a flat leather case. Wong motioned to someone far behind him in the warehouse, and a man lead out a blind folded young kid about eighteen. Lee was in fact almost twenty-two.
“I’ll meet you half way,”instructed Bill, now taking the leather case from the man behind him.
“How do I know those are the files?”Wong asked.
“Come and see for yourself,”replied Bill. Wong motioned to the man holding Lee, and he now pulled a gun from his pocket, and poked it into Lee’s side, sending Bill a message. Bill understood. Wong walked towards Bill, then stood in front of him. Bill handed him the case, revealing a 45 auto in his one hand. Wong took the case from Bill, then unzipped. He now looked through the enclosed papers. These were the files. He closed the case and motioned to the man holding Lee. He lead Lee out of the warehouse, unmasking him. He directed Lee towards Wong. Lee hesitated for a moment, then did as he was instructed. Wong motioned for Lee to go to Bill, as he passed him, retreating back towards the warehouse. Two men immediately came and took Lee by his arms, and hurried him away. Bill nodded to Wong, then the warehouse doors closed as Mr. SOB and his men disappeared inside. Bill and his men got back into their cars and speedily left. Jake had retreated back down the ladder, and was standing just out of sight at the bottom of the ladder. This time he couldn’t hear anything that was being said, so he went back the way he had come. He would be meeting Bill in two hours at the place. It was a restaurant they both frequented. Bill wanted some time to speak to Lee before Jake took him home to Mi Ling, his sister.
Jake pulled his Jeep in front of the restaurant, and got out. He briefly looked around seeing Bill’s car. An old rust bucket of a Chevy, with a 450, and a four barrel carb. It would do a quarter mile in fifteen seconds. Not bad for a four ton piece of iron. It was said to have bullet proof glass and doors. Jake walked past the car into the greasy spoon. Seated in the back were Bill, and Lee, and out of the corner of his eye, Jake saw a couple of heavies Bill sometimes brought along. They were seated at the counter having breakfast. They had been up early with little time to eat. There was no mistaking the bulges in their jackets. Jake sat down in the booth across from Lee. He also was eating breakfast. He looked like he could use a few meals.
“Hello Bill. Your name is Lee?”Jake asked.
“That’s right,”Lee replied, looking at Jake.
“I think Jake knows someone who is going to be real glad to see you,”said Bill.
“Mi Ling?!”responded Lee with great excitement.
“That’s right,”added Jake.
“Where is she? Is she alright?”
“She’s just fine. In fact, she was looking real fine when I last saw her earlier this morning.”
“Did you get all you wanted from the kid?”asked Jake. Mi Ling isn’t going to want to turn loose of him any time soon.”
> “If we need more, I’ll let you know,”replied Bill.
“Can we go now?”Lee asked, having woolfed down the last of his breakfast. Jake had wanted to eat breakfast, but seeing how anxious the kid was to see his sister, he just finished his coffee.
“Sure kid. We can leave right now.”
“I’ve got this,”said Bill.“I’ll call you later.”Jake and Lee quickly left, and was headed back to the beach in a matter of minutes.
“Lee, your sister thinks you are dead. Killed by being run over by a truck. I’d like to spring you on her gently. I’d like you to let me break things to her a little at time. She’s probably still watching a house for me down the beach. Let me call her in, then say something about you being found alive, then you can come out and see her. How’s that sound?”
“Sounds fine. I had been wondering what if anything about what happened to me she knew about.”
“How’s it feel being suddenly free?”
“A bit strange.”
“Mi Ling says you’re a first rate carpenter. How’d you like to do some work for me, then I know some ladies who you could do work for? How’s that sound? You can live in the downstairs apartment. I even have some tools you can use, and an old pickup truck.”
“Who are you to my sister?”Lee asked.
“She and I are very good friends. Very good.”
“How’s it all sound?”
“It sounds wonderful.”Jake and Lee now sat back enjoying the ride back to the beach. It hardly took any time to reach the house. The Jeep pulled into the driveway, and Jake got out, Lee followed. Jake stopped in the garage and put away his equipment, before he walked into the house. He stopped in the kitchen and instructed Lee on what he was going to do next. Lee sat down at the counter.
“Help yourself to something more to eat,”instructed Jake as he now dialed Mi Ling’s cellphone. She answered on the second ring.
“Sweetie, I’m home. You want to come home now? I bet you are hungry. How’s Italian sound tonight?”
“What about the house?”Mi Ling questioned.
“I’ll have someone else watch it for a few days. Bill promised to send a couple of guys over. They’re going to install some inside alarm sensors Jim wanted, then spend a few days until they get back.”
“What are we doing?”
“Oh, I think I can come up with something for us. Come on back home.”
“Alright, I’ll be there shortly. The cell went silent.
“She’ll be here any minute. Hide behind the refrigerator. There she is! Hide! Lee did as instructed, as he heard the sliding glass door open. In walked Mi Ling in her string bikini, with a light cover-all. She walked over to Jake and put her arms around his neck neck, and kissed him. Her hand went down to feel of him. Jake suddenly pulled away.
“Is something wrong Jake? Did everything go alright?”
“Yeah it went alright. You know these things sometimes have surprises to them.”Then right on cue Lee stepped from behind the refrigerator. For the briefest of seconds Mi Ling couldn’t believe her eyes.
“LLLLEEEE!!!!”she screamed running towards him and embracing him. Tears were now streaming out of her eyes, and the all too fast course of Mandarin Chinese began between both her and her brother, as she then took him into the living room to sit down next to her. Jake didn’t understand a word, as he went to the refrigerator for a beer. He knew it could be an hour or more before he got into the conversation. He simply took his beer out onto the patio, and sat down on the lounge chair, and watched the pretty young things sun bathing, or walking down the beach. The waves were gently rolling in. There was a soft breeze.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The limo took Julie into town as scheduled, and she was deposited right on time for her bridal dress appointment, where she was plied with Champagne and countless number of dresses, all of which she simply loved. She was having the time of her life, and true to her present reactions to the Champagne it was making her horny. This time she had chosen to wear underwear, two pairs, one over the other, with a light monthly pad. She still was wet, though she didn’t care, she was having too much fun. She finally decided on a nice wedding dress that accented her best attributes, and teased a little. The dress would be ready for the wedding right on time, the day after tomorrow. She wondered now where she was getting married, but somehow sensed Jim had it all planned out somehow. He had somehow planned everything else, much to her surprise. She finished her second glass of bubbly and had the limo take her downtown shopping for a few other things she’d need and wanted. It was a glorious day, when her cellphone rang. It was Jim.
“Hello Sweets. When are you coming home? Well, you know what I mean.”Jim asked.
“Why? You miss me?”Julie teased.
“Well, there’s this upstairs maid, and you know how it is,”Jim teased in return.
“Well, you tell her I carry a 380, and I’ll be home in about an hour.”Jim wasn’t quite sure she was teasing, as the phone went quiet. In any case, he had an hour before she returned. He could get things going for dinner. He was having dinner prepared dinner for two, with White wine.
In exactly about an hour, Julie returned with a mountain of packages, which took the driver four trips to the car to retrieve.
“Hello Love,”Julie said coldly. Jim didn’t know what Julie was up to. She kissed him warmly, then felt the front of his pants, arousing him which was her intent, then she ignored him, as she displayed what she had bought. There seemed to be no end of things which created a mountain on the bed, even this large bed.
“When would you like dinner?”Jim inquired.
“I can eat anytime you like,”she returned.
“Good, said Jim. We’re eating on the patio in forty-five minutes. You just have time to dress.”
“Dress for dinner?”she asked. She actually was hoping to undress for dinner. Perhaps she had over played it.
“Alright. I’ll play.”Julie turned and went into the bathroom, and dressing room closing the door behind her. Jim then heard water being run. Jim returned to his bedroom, where he dressed. It only took him twenty minutes. Julie had yet to come out of her rooms. Jim busied himself making sure all was just right. The table on the patio had been set, along with flowers, and a bucket of chilling White wine. He also made sure he had his surprise at hand, when Julie finally escaped from her hide away. She was breath takingly dressed. A stunning black low cut, strapless gown, that very nicely revealed her developing breasts, cleavage and all. From her ears hung very nice blue white diamond earrings, and around neck, an equally very nice matching blue white diamond necklace. Julie had bought for herself while in Japan last year, which Jim hadn’t seen yet. He was stunned. He took her hand, leading her out onto the patio. Soft music was playing, and the scent of the flowers were in the air as Jim seated her at the table. Jim took his seat at the table as the dinner got under way. A waiter appeared from nowhere, serving both of them a glass of wine, with a nice light tossed salad, complete with fresh bread and rolls. Julie ate hungrily. Then braised tips of tender beef, with potatoes, carrots, and sweet red cabbage was served. Julie easily finished her portion, and was served a second of just potatoes and beef, before being satisfied. Seems the little guy was already dinning she thought.
“Dessert? asked the waiter.
“What do you have?”she inquired.
“How about Cherries Jubilee?”he returned, already preparing them. Whoosh! went the flames of the fire, as the waiter worked. The flames shone in Julie’s eyes, as Jim looked lovingly over at her. The waiter set her dessert before her, as she eyed Jim. She ate a bit of the warmed delight, and was about to take a second, when she noticed a small royal blue square box beside her dish. She looked over at Jim and tears came to her eyes. Her hands trembled as she picked up the box. She opened it, and the tears flowed more from her eyes as she saw a brilliant blue white diamond set in a gold ring. It somehow matched the jewerly she was wearing.
“May I have this dance?”Jim ask
ed as he slipped the ring on her finger. Jim took her hand and lead her onto the dance floor. She looked into his eyes and then kissed him in a long loving kiss. They danced close together as Julie’s heart beat quickly in her chest, and she felt warm all over. Ironically there was a full Moon in the sky as they simply held each other and danced. Time seemed to stand still, and they seemed to be the only people on the face of the planet. Julie kissed him once again, and said,”Jim I love you.”Julie was blissfully happy, as she for the first time felt the little guy within her move.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Jake was still sitting on the patio when he heard the sliding glass door open. Out walked Mi Ling still wearing her string bikini with light cover all. She sat on his lap and put her arms around his neck, and kissed him.
“I love you Jake.”she said and kissed him and then simply held him, resting her head on his shoulder. The gulls cried over head as they both just sat there in each others arms.
There was a pleasant breeze, and some kids could be heard playing further down the beach. While--
“I’ll meet you at the church,”said Jim, through the door of the bathroom. The driver knows the way. Jim turned and left the apartment. Today was the day.
“Jim!”yelled Julie, opening the door, but she was too late. From no-where appeared an older woman.
“My Lady, I think I can help you. Let’s get you into your wedding dress. Julie looked at her, then both women turned and went into the dressing room together, while Jim made his way to the church. Jim was going ahead to make sure things were just right. While at the house, after some pinning, and some pulling, and tugging, Julie was in the dress. She stood in front of the full length mirror, and viewed herself. Julie my girl she thought, you’re going to knock them dead. She paused for a moment and wished her sister and parents would be there.