Convergence

by Brian W Claspell

  “Well, in an open bidding environment so that whoever wants it and us can buy it or will know who did buy it.” He wasn’t really asking but merely explaining. The only part not clear to him iswhysomeone would want this andwhy they would want a professor dead that had seen pictures of the item.

  He pulled out his phone and called Ricardo. Ricardo saw the country code and knew who it was. “Yes, this is Ricardo.”

  “I have that unique item, but I need it openly bid not just sold to an individual. It needs to be seen leaving my hands.” Dragos explained.

  “Do I get to keep the profit?” Ricardo could tell that this was a desperate move and wanted to take advantage of the situation to some degree. However, doing business with Dragos was advantageous and he didn’t want to spoil that relationship.

  “I can take 25% and you keep 75%, reverse our typical arrangements.” Dragos was giving up a lot, but was really playing to keep his life. He figured that a 25% profit on the sale of the item was a nice bonus whatever that ended up being.

  “That seems fair. Can I see the item? Can you get a picture securely to my hotel in Paris quickly?” Ricardo requested.

  Dragos was pleased. He did not realize his friend was in the same city as he was. A picture would be good. He could get it in a hurry and could get an answer from Ricardo within a few hours. “I will get it to you shortly. Let’s arrange to meet once you have seen the item–I think you will be pleased.”

  Chapter 42 – The Courier

  Ricardo received a text message just moments before the courier arrived. “Do not mention my name to the courier. Ask yourself two questions. 1) Who could get the first picture? 2) Is the second picture something you would want?”

  The courier arrived at the door of Ricardo within a few minutes and had a manila envelope. He only said enough to confirm that the man taking the envelope was Ricardo Martinez. He did not stay but left the envelope with Ricardo. Slowly Ricardo pulled the picture out of the sleeve. It was labeled “picture 1”. The dining room table was familiar and the backdrop of the kitchen was a place where he had spent many hours. Only there were streamers along the walls and a few cards just sitting on the table. He cursed and then said to himself “how did he get a picture of my house?” He knew that his security was top notch and that very few people would even attempt to breach it. It was not conclusive proof, but it certainly was compelling proof that it was likely Yuri.

  Pulling the second picture out, he saw a bronze plate. Typed at the bottom of the plate was a brief description including dimensions and weight.

  Ricardo responded. “1) Believe it is you. 2) Will need to show item to my client.”

  Ricardo then sent a second text. “Have something you might like. I will meet you at your hotel lobby bar at 6 pm.”

  Ricardo received a response from Yuri. “I will be in Paris tonight. Let’s arrange a meeting with you and the buyer if possible. Tonight.”

  It was less than thirty minutes later that there was a knock on the door. A different courier stood in the hallway with a sealed manila envelope. Ricardo took the envelope into the room. He opened it and pulled out three pictures and a typed one page description. The page with the description was signed by Dragos. He carefully went to the picture from Yuri. The engravings were different, but the similarity of the two plates was astonishing. His eyes lit up as he realized that this was a sister plate. He knew that he would have Jim hooked on this sale and it would pay well, especially with a 75% commission on one of the items. Ricardo quickly determined that the first plate to sell would be Yuri’s. His commission would be greater on Dragos’ plate and he was sure it would sell for more.

  Chapter 43 – Corner Encounter

  Jenny and Jim decided to walk through the streets of Paris for a little while after finishing at the Louvre. They first went to the Cathedral of Notre Dame. “For a city that has grown somewhat less religious over the years they certainly have some of the most beautiful churches in the world.” Jim commented as they went into the spacious chapel area.

  On the way out they were handed a pamphlet. Jim motioned for Jenny not to take it–his personal policy on pamphlets. However, Jenny was determined. As they walked away she pointed to an address and time scribbled on the front. “We have a place to go.”

  It was the side street of a side street, a little restaurant that Jim and Jenny slipped into. There were three tables and a bar area. It was the only restaurant on the block. “Good cover” Jenny thought to herself. “You would have to really know where to go if you are eating here.” She also surmised that strangers would be easily spotted on this less than busy road.

  The proprietor was French and didn’t look like CIA or even French authorities. Usually she was good at spotting the type. One thing she noted, “Don’t be too sure of self on who is a spook and who is not.” She knew that the real proprietor would have been excused. There is no way Frank would jeopardize the mission by allowing some random French man to talk to the wrong person. She knew this encounter was fully orchestrated, including whatever speech Frank might be giving.

  Jenny started to order a bite to eat. Before she could finish Frank sat down with a woman. “I already ordered for you two.”

  “Well I hope we like it.” Jenny said with a crooked smile. Frank’s tone already sent a message that he was not pleased.

  “I suppose you gallivanting around town like love birds is part of the cover. I mean I let last night slip and then you just wander off today also.” Frank leaned back in his chair and waited for Jenny to start talking.

  Jenny started with a distracting question, “Who is the...”

  Frank leaned forward almost across the table right into Jenny’s face and interrupted. “This is Heidi. She is my European contact, part of Interpol. She has worked assignments in the US, South America and Europe. She is very qualified. Trevor is arranging for tonight’s encounter. He is on track and Heidi is and I am. Are you?”

  Jenny perked up. “I got a text that Ricardo had something, how did you know?”

  “We intercepted some communications with him earlier. They were cryptic, but it sounds like the first potential purchase opportunity will be tonight.” Frank paused just long enough to let Jenny understand that he was watching the operation. Letting Jenny know that they knew she went out the night before and they knew about the meeting with Ricardo was a clear message to Jenny about who was in charge. Before she had chance to respond Frank continued. “Are you sure you can be professional enough to do this?”

  “We are just staying in character. Do you think a man like Jim Conrad is going to sit in a hotel all day?” Jenny didn’t back down and was just playing her part. She knew that Frank had rehearsed this conversation in his head and anticipated each of her responses.

  “Do you think Jim would take the subway?” Frank responded in a prepared frustrated tone.

  Jenny sat back to create a little distance between her and Frank. Then she folded her arms. “He did. And he usually does, it is one of the advantages of keeping a low profile. You don’t have too many paparazzi and you can just enjoy the sights.”

  Frank was about to speak, obviously ready with a response, when Jim jumped in. “We were contemplating spending the weekend at the villa on the ocean. Would you like to join us?”

  Jenny laughed her cute little laugh. “Alright, you said your piece Frank. What do you want us to do tonight?”

  “I have one more thing to say. You had better stick close to the script. We are getting big players early and may need to do a couple of transactions quickly.”

  “Do you mean Yuri?” Jenny asked anxiously.

  Heidi spoke. She had a distinct German or Swiss accent. However, her English was clear. Not spoken on this day, but she was also fluent in French, Italian, and two Arabic dialects. “Yes, Yuri. In fact, we believe Yuri will want to meet with you in person.”

  “Is this the artifact that Ricardo will show us later?” Jim asked.

  “Already a full-fledged spy I see,
” Frank responded. “Yes it is. You will want to buy whatever Yuri is selling and ask if there are more items like it. These are the type of things you want– anything to keep Yuri engaged.”

  “Yes.” Heidi continued. “We will pick up this trail through a few phone calls Yuri might make and associates that Yuri hangs out with. With this and a photo, Yuri will be well on the way to becoming an extinct arms dealer to the terrorist.”

  They discussed several scenarios on how the interactions may occur and several locations where they could be monitored most effectively. It was clear that it would be most important to make the connection and build the relationship and not to worry if they were forced to another location. “Don’t blow the cover.” was what Frank emphasized.

  After eating a quick meal for France, Jim and Jenny left the restaurant. Jenny said, “When we go out tonight we will walk out the front door so you see us go.”

  Frank just gave a disapproving look.

  Chapter 44 – A tale of two plates

  They met in the hotel bar/restaurant in Ricardo’s hotel. The room was clear except for Ricardo, Jim, Jenny and a bartender. It was only 6:00 PM so it was early for anyone to be in the restaurant bar. However, Ricardo made arrangements for the room to be pretty much cleared before Jim and Jenny arrived.

  Ricardo sat behind a table large enough for six people but there were only three chairs around it. The bar was a small one lined with various drinks. The main series of alcoholic drinks were in fruit shaped bottles–peach, apple, raspberry, pear and an orange. There were a few others, but these were the obvious center pieces of the bar.

  “So can I get you a drink, perhaps a peach brandy? It is a fine drink.” He held up his glass and pointed to the bottle on the table.

  “Two waters.” Jenny responded.

  “You like to keep all of your senses about you for business. I like that.” Ricardo said as he took another drink. “I like to have a few to clear the mind.”

  The bartender brought two glasses of bubbly water and left the bottle. Jim had almost forgotten that often if you didn’t order “still” water you would get a carbonated water that to him was bitter tasting. He learned to drink it but certainly was not his preference. Ricardo motioned to the bartender and he promptly left the room.

  Jim looked at Jenny and Ricardo. Raising his glass slightly he began. “I propose a toast. To a new friend and an enduring business relationship that will please us all. Cheers!”

  The glasses all clanged as they hit. “Here Here” Ricardo repeated.

  “Are you enjoying Paris my friends?” Ricardo asked after taking a small sip of is drink.

  “Yes. It is a beautiful city. I would not want to live in the city but it is a wonderful place to visit.” Jenny responded.

  “Has he taken you shopping?” Ricardo asked as he lifted his eyebrows a bit and looked at Jim.

  “Oh, I will shop whether he takes me or not.” Jenny responded.

  They spent the next forty five minutes or so talking about the city and the sights that they each enjoyed the most. Finally Ricardo brought out a picture. Before showing them he said, “This we can see tonight. This is a unique item that I think you will like.”

  “Let’s see it.” Jim asked reaching his hand out. Ricardo handed him the picture of Yuri’s plate. “It’s a bronze plate? I like it.”

  “Yes. It would be a nice addition to the desk at your villa.”

  “And can we authenticate its origin and that it really is an ancient writing? Do we need to bring in an expert?” Jenny asked as she looked over Jim’s shoulder. “And we can see this tonight?”

  “Yes, we can meet my contact in a few hours. We can eat dinner and go from here.” Ricardo was pleased. He could tell that Jim was enamored by the plate. Jim’s response was natural; he was enamored by the whole spy thing. Ricardo continued. “I have arranged for us to meet in the Pantheon. It should be fairly quiet at that time of night and we can have enough privacy.”

  Jenny could have suggested another venue, but it would look too contrived. “It will just be us three, correct?”

  “The person selling the plate will also be there. Will that be a problem?” He knew that Jim preferred to be anonymous, but hoped a find this exciting would draw him in.

  “I believe that limited audience will be fine.” Jenny concluded. Her real intent was to keep the group small and to include the target of the operation to attend the meeting. She was hoping it would be Yuri.

  The restaurant had a superb braised hen with steamed fresh vegetables on the side. Ricardo was a bit surprised that neither ordered a drink with dinner either. The dinner was superb and lasted several hours. Jenny slipped to the restroom part way through dinner. Heidi was waiting in the restroom most of the evening. The location of the meeting was given. It was not one of the agreed upon locations, but there was still likely time to set up a simple surveillance.

  As dinner ended, Ricardo added. “My birthday is tomorrow. But I do not expect a gift, I have surprise for you.” He pulled another picture out of an envelope and handed it to Jim.

  “Another picture?” Jenny asked with a confused look.

  Ricardo laughed softly, “No my dear, another plate–a sister plate. We have a 10:00 am meeting to see this plate.”

  Jenny asked the obvious. “Why doesn’t your contact bring both plates tonight?”

  “That is the interesting twist. It is two separate contacts. Hence two separate purchases. Less commission for me but a better chance for you to get them individually cheaper than if they were together.”

  “That is intriguing.” Jenny said.

  Ricardo would go make arrangements for a car to take them. As Jim and Jenny waited she whispered to Jim “Don’t tell Yuri about the second plate tonight.”

  Chapter 45 – Dragos’ Near Death

  Dragos enjoyed a late dinner and just happened to stop at the desk before going up to his room. “Can I get a wake-up call?” he asked the clerk.

  “Of course, what time would you like and for what room? The clerk said in English with a heavy French accent.

  “Probably should make it 7:00 AM for room 317.” Dragos responded

  The clerk repeated the instructions and wrote something in the log book. Just as he was about to turn and head for the elevator the clerk spoke “Oh and monsieur, a Russian sounding man was asking for you. I did not tell him you were here, but I believe he is still in the bar on the other side of the elevator if you would like to meet with him.”

  Dragos turned right for the door and started out. He could sense that the Russian was not far behind him. He quickly walked towards a busy street. Glancing back he saw the Russian man gaining ground. Dragos saw a church. It had a side door and a front door, he could see both. He slipped into the front door, then quickly out a side door. His hope was that the Russian would take a moment to search the church and he would have time to slip away.

  After he exited he could see the Russian entering the front door. He also got lucky and was able to hail a taxi. The taxi took him about six blocks. He got out and hailed another taxi that took him in a different direction about ten blocks away. And then he repeated it one more time before calling Arthur. “Arthur, this is Dragos.”

  “Yes. It’s late you know.” Arthur said having just fallen asleep only to have the phone ring.

  “I know.” Dragos said a little panicked.

  “Are we still on for tomorrow or is there a problem?” Arthur certainly was hoping there was no issue. However, the fact that Dragos was calling spoke volumes.

  “I had an unwelcome visitor at my hotel. Can I use your room for the rest of the night?” Dragos asked.

  Arthur agreed and gave the address. Dragos took another taxi to get there. Realizing how close it was to his old hotel he figured he might actually be safe. There is no way the Russian would ever assume he would be dumb enough to stay that close to where he just was.

  Chapter 46 – The Interesting Deal

  The Pantheon was not nec
essarily one of the choices that Frank would have made. Even at night there was frequently someone there for a closed event. It was King Louis XV gift for being healed. King Louis XV pledged to build the edifice to the glory of the patron saint of Paris St-Genèvieve. It was Ricardo’s choice because it was one of his favorite churches in town. He had called the care taker earlier and asked that he be one of those given evening access and that a section be cordoned off so that he could use it. He heard an emphatic “no” from the caretaker. Ricardo convinced him by promising that the business they would be performing was for charity. That almost clinched the deal. When Ricardo indicated that one of the charities would likely be a large anonymous donation to the church in the next few weeks the deal was clinched. Suddenly it was available and set up per Ricardo’s request.

  Yuri arrived alone, after Ricardo, Jim and Jenny were already seated. As she walked across the room both parties were stunned. “Can I help you?” Ricardo asked. No one at the table expected a woman. She was stunning. Jim guessed that she was probably the same age as Jenny. He thought to himself that he had met a very beautiful woman that represented good a few days earlier and now was about to meet an equally beautiful woman that embodied evil. Probably an exaggeration but it sure seemed that way to him.

  “You are Ricardo but who are these folks.” Yuri spoke with directness and continued to scan the room and the area for anything out of the ordinary. Frank had time to install a listening device, but did not have time to get agents in place to have a view. It was probably better that there was not anyone else around, Yuri may have spotted even the most obscure out of the ordinary person or thing.

  Jim and Jenny stood, “I am Jim Conrad and this is Jenny, my business associate. You must be Yuri.”

  Yuri looked puzzled, “You, uh, are too young to be Jim Conrad.” She assessed his reaction. There was none.