Convergence

by Brian W Claspell

  Frank’s simple response, “Take care of Jim. He is your responsibility. Be careful and check in frequently.”

  Jenny hung up feeling that her options were limited within the agency. She had spent so much time in the field she did not know or understand the politics at Langley or even many of the players. Frank would have to push that end. Jim and she would have to move forward with the Iowa connection and hope that led to some answers.

  Chapter 69 – Heidi

  Heidi paced the floor vigorously as she tried to convince the banker at the small Swiss bank that there was a warrant out for the arrest of three fugitives. She wanted to pound her phone against the desk but then she figured she would lose the connection. She explained that at least one, a male, was seen entering their bank and she just needed confirmation. The banker refused to share any information without an order from a Swiss court. This, of course, would never happen.

  Heidi knew that she could strong arm him, if not through pressure with her title but by literally putting a gun to his head, if she were there in person. But there was no way she would make it to Zurich before the bank closed. Tomorrow the trail would be cold.

  The Captain sat on the couch sending text messages and looking at his laptop on occasion. He sent one to Heidi. When Heidi finally resolved that she would not get anywhere with the banker she just hung up.

  The Captain said, “Get people to the Bank of America in Des Moines as soon as possible and send plenty. We better go also.”

  Heidi looked at him and asked. “Iowa?”

  “Yes.” The Captain said with certainty.

  “Which branch? Why?” Heidi continued.

  “You have the address. I sent you a text with it. Part of the message had coordinates on it. This bank is at these coordinates. I am sure Jim and maybe Yuri will be heading there now.”

  “You don’t think the vault in London?” Heidi asked.

  “I already have tickets booked for three to Chicago. Let’s go to Iowa.” The Captain responded quickly.

  “Who is the third person?” Heidi inquired.

  “Our Yuri insurance policy.” The Captain said. Heidi knew exactly what he meant.

  Chapter 70 - Insurance

  Amir sat in the hotel bar taking a drink. His religion did not allow such a thing, but he had given up that tenant long ago. However, while he was home with his wife, his living child and his grandchildren he observed abstinence from alcohol. He also observed some of the most adherent Islamic customs and pretty much all other moderate Islamic customs.

  He had not even returned to his own hotel for the drink. He was still in the lobby of the Captain’s hotel when Heidi called to meet with him. “It is an easy walk, I am downstairs.” Amir responded.

  After hanging up Amir quickly came to his senses. He called his wife while he went out the front door. The abrupt ending to his meeting and the quick call back meant nothing but trouble. He quickly told his wife to execute their emergency plan. She was frantic but they had discussed that in his line of work the family needed a safe house and emergency plan. In Lebanon, it was fairly easy to find a place to not be found. Amir was fairly certain that she would be safe.

  He was not as convinced about himself. Hailing a taxi seemed to be too slow, so he headed for the nearby Metro station. He had a pass and was certain he could hop one of the trains before Heidi figured out where he was at.

  Heidi observed the bar and did not see Amir any place. She immediately asked the front desk attendant if she had seen a Middle Eastern man recently. She pointed out the front of the hotel. Heidi immediately exited the hotel and saw Amir heading down the stairs of the Metro.

  She pursued vigorously after him. She did not have a ticket handy but just jumped the gate flashing her Interpol badge to the attendant. Amir caught a glimpse of Heidi out of the corner of his eyes and knew that he would not make a train in time so he headed immediately for the exit.

  Exiting from the top of the stairs he got lucky and caught a taxi. Heidi was just behind him and stepped in front of a car. She pulled the driver out and drove after the taxi. Amir coaxed the driver into staying ahead of the car behind them by placing a stack of money on the front seat and promising more. Then he made a quick phone call to one of his associates. In essence his message was, “bringing company and need your help. Where do you want me to go?” Once he had an address he instructed the cab driver to a specific address.

  Heidi knew that if she could just get next to the taxi then she could flash her badge and it would all be over, the taxi driver would just pull over. Traffic was tight and that seemed impossible. The traffic did not slow down enough to just get out of the car, although she started to several times just to have the traffic clear and move before she could get around the cars and up to the taxi. It was frustrating but also crowded enough that the taxi could not just speed away either.

  When they finally got to a little open road and to the less crowded area of Paris, the taxi pulled into an alley way. Amir dropped additional money on the taxi driver’s front seat and hopped out heading down the alley.

  Heidi pulled into the alley blocking the taxi car in. She hopped out and started after Amir. “Amir, you do not want to do this.”

  Amir said, “I feel I am dead no matter what I do. But I must at least try for my family.” He continued down the alley a little way.

  Heidi un-holstered her gun and proceeded cautiously deeper into the alley. Spotting one gunman, it was what she had anticipated, a quick trap. She did not know how many. She continued to scan as she walked cautiously into the alley avoiding the first shooters direct line of sight. Then Amir turned and said. “Can’t you just let me be?”

  His location was a decent giveaway as to where other potential shooters might be. “Amir, I do not intend to hurt you. I merely need you to travel with me.” She really hoped he would just walk out of the alley and no one would need to be shot.

  “I have done enough for you. It is time I go home.” Amir was determined that he wanted out of this situation immediately.

  Heidi had a second shooter in her sights and decided to take a chance. She could likely take out both of them before either could get a shot off. If there were more, then it might be a different outcome than she wanted. She took the one out that she saw second. Then anticipating how the first shooter would need to position himself to get a shot at her, she was ready and shot him.

  A third shooter behind Amir poked his head up and got a shot off completely missing Heidi. It came even closer to hitting Amir than it did hitting Heidi. She was able to quickly dispatch of him also. Amir walked with her back to the car. The taxi driver said, “That was amazing” just before Heidi shot him in the head.

  Heidi took the car to the airport and left it in the tow zone. Amir and she went to meet the Captain and wait to catch their plane to the states.

  Thursday Morning

  Chicago

  Chapter 71 - Ricardo at Breakfast

  Walker Brother’s Pancake House has several locations in the Chicago area, several closer to Ricardo’s house than the Lincolnshire Walker Brother’s. But Ricardo only ate at the one in Lincolnshire. The food was just as good at any of the establishments, but the atmosphere at this one was wonderful. The entry way has ornate stain glassed windows with some of the most famous composers as the centerpiece. The restaurant is elegant and simple. The food is magnificent from the fresh squeezed orange juice to the flavorful crepes and of course the Dutch Baby.

  Ricardo would often go across the street to play a round of golf after breakfast. Today, however, after enjoying his favorite-the banana crepes, he would head back to the house and relax.

  Mary had already reserved the large party room in the back. Ricardo preferred privacy even if it were just Mary, him, his wife and the grandkids.

  They each ordered the fresh squeezed orange juice and talked about Paris. His wife went with him on many trips and expressed disappointment, teasingly, that he had not taken her this time. It was her favorite
city in the world besides Chicago.

  Mary finally asked in the conversation. “It is tragic that Jacob is in a coma, isn’t it?”

  Her father looked perplexed and asked. “I do not remember a Jacob that I would have a picture of. It must be someone else’s picture and one of the servants or you just loaded it onto the electronic picture frame by accident.”

  “But daddy, you were in the picture with him.” Mary pressed.

  Ricardo was still confused, “How do you know him then?”

  “I don’t know him that well. We go to the same church but it is a big one and he goes at a different time. We have met and even had dinner at their house before his wife was killed in an auto accident.” Mary continued.

  “I think I would remember that Mary, maybe you should just show me the picture later.” Ricardo suggested.

  Mary responded. “Yes, I will show you tonight when I come over.” Then she just continued on to another subject.

  Before breakfast was over, Inspector Pierre had called Ricardo personally to warn him that his friends had shown up on an Interpol watch list. Ricardo figured this might be why they needed the fake passports and decided he would call them sometime after breakfast.

  Breakfast was every bit as good as expected.

  Chapter 72 – Jenny/Jim on plane

  Jim and Jenny had selected to travel by coach by design. The plane was only about half full, so they were able to move near the back of the plane and have complete privacy. They could stretch, sleep and talk. It was as much room as first class without paying for it. Jim would have thought that was a bargain before he became so rich.

  Once the plane was off, Jenny did not waste time. “Tell me about your family, your parents and growing up.” She was in an all business analytical mode ready to solve the mystery.

  Jim considered the question and said, “I told you about my wife and kids. Tell me a little about your family, your parents, do you have any siblings? Have you ever been married? You know, the whole nine yards.”

  Jenny was taken back a little. Her intent was purely to profile the situation and see if there were any clues that might help shed light on the current predicament. Perhaps something his mother had told him. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to get to know him, but she was focused on solving the problem that was in front of them. “Jim, I have never been married, my family is very unique–it is one reason I am really estranged from them now. But I do love them. I have a boat load of siblings and I want to hear about your growing up to see if there are any clues to your biological father.”

  Jim looked a little embarrassed. “Okay, but my growing up is boring. Promise me though, you will tell me all about you growing up when this thing is over.” Jim wasn’t sure this would end well. But, it only mattered a little to him either way.

  Jenny continued. “If you still want to, I will personally take you to meet my family when we are done and you can ask my father yourself.” It was a promise that she hoped she would not need to keep. “For now, tell me a little bit about your family. I will ask specific questions if I think there is something to explore.”

  “OK, I was born in mid-size town in downstate Illinois called Peoria but grew up in nearby Pekin. But I might have been conceived in Colorado. My mom was an army brat and they were stationed at the air force academy the last year my mom went to high school. But she was from Illinois, at least they lived there almost ten years while she was growing up. My grandfather worked in the armed forces recruiting office. My mother and father were high school sweethearts.”

  Jenny jumped in. “But we now know he was not your real father.” Jenny said it judiciously so she wouldn’t offend Jim in any way.

  “We could call my mother. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina now. I know her number.” Jim explained. He was now purely analytical in his evaluation of his life also. He would not be offended by Jenny’s questions.

  “We might need to but it might only put her in jeopardy. I think we should wait. Besides, calling from a plane is too easily traceable and you can bet someone is monitoring your mom’s line.”

  Jim continued. “I grew up a pretty normal life. I have a younger sister and a younger brother.”

  “So someone, maybe Jim Conrad, got involved with your mother in Colorado.” Jenny was thinking through the possibilities.

  “I don’t think so.” Jim interjected.

  “I know it is hard to accept, your father not being your father, but we had pretty . . .”

  Jim interrupted. “No, I mean to go to the academy you need to be a top student. I suspect that a lot of the CIA comes from the various military institutions. Perhaps my father came from the Air Force Academy and joined the CIA. Then he started the first Jim Conrad and plotted to take money.”

  Jenny looked at him. “It’s plausible.” She thought for a moment more. “Then Frank should be able to look at who joined the CIA that attended the academy around those years.”

  “I still think calling my mother is a better idea.” Jim concluded.

  “Frank can access the data and find out pretty quickly and we can keep your mother out of it.” Jenny argued.

  “Yes, but if there is a mole in the CIA and if we lose Frank as an ally, we are in trouble. Besides, if I go to my home town then I can visit with my great uncle. He can call my mother and ask on our behalf.” Jim said. “Of course, after you meet my uncle you may have a completely different view of me.”

  Jenny figured that Frank was probably already getting himself in trouble and she did not want to jeopardize his life. “I suppose you have a way to ensure your uncle’s phone call is not recorded.”

  “My great uncle, not my uncle and yes I know how he can have a private conversation.” Jim concluded.

  Chapter 73 – Interpol

  The message came through from Interpol while the Captain and Heidi were in the airport waiting to board a plane for Chicago. Officers in the Zurich airport had seen the two suspects getting on a flight for Chicago under assumed names. The message also indicated the plane had already landed and customs had been cleared. There was an APB on the rental car and the American authorities had been alerted.

  Frank had already heard the message from his superiors at Langley and was in the process of getting an American military plane to get him and his team back to the states. He had a lot of explaining to do to his boss, Tom, but that would have to wait. His first priority was to get Jenny and to make sure Jim stayed safe.

  Inspector Pierre called Ricardo and let him know of the change in status of the situation. Not only were his friends being pursued, they had been spotted and traced to Chicago.

  Ricardo sent a polite text to Jenny. “They are onto you. Change ID’s and cars immediately. RM.”

  Jim and Jenny had barely left the parking lot of the rental car company at O’Hare airport when they received the text. An alias for Jenny would be easy. She always carried a couple with her. In her line of work it became a necessity. They were ID’s that no one else knew about. However, all of the alternative identities for Jim had been created and vetted by the CIA. If there were a mole in the agency, they could trace all the identities for Jim. Jenny knew that they could probably get by without an alternate ID for Jim in the states, but she had an idea of where to get one just in case it was needed.

  Jenny suggested dumping the automobile first. And Jim suggested leaving it in the long term parking lot of the airport. They could take public transportation or a taxi from there to find something else. They parked in the remote parking, took the train to the international terminal and hailed a cab.

  Jenny had an alternative identification for Jim but had to decide how to get into the bank after hours. With a little bit of convincing to the night guard and the fact that there was a banker that happened to be working late, they were able to get into the bank. After opening the safety deposit box, she looked at Jim and said. “Your new alias is Jacob Caldwell. Remember the identity well.”

  “That might be a stretch.” Jim
said jokingly. Then he continued in a more serious tone. “You don’t think they will be tracking my real name also?”

  “As for all concerned, Jacob is in a coma. Sometimes the best disguises are the most obvious.” Then she indicated that they should hurry. They needed to find a car dealer that was open late. Jim was about to buy an automobile. First they stopped at a drug store where they each transformed their look slightly by adding highlights to their hair and a few cheap accessories.

  The auto dealer was delighted to get a late evening sale. He was sorry they wouldn’t finance, the dealer knew his profit was much more when someone decided to defer payment. However, the dealer would not turn down an all cash deal. Jim added the last touch, “Can you wait to process the plates for about a week.”

  “Well I can but the state doesn’t appreciate us waiting too long. You might not get them until after the temporary tag expires.” He said.

  Jim continued. “Yes, but our daughter is turning sixteen this week and this is her birthday gift. Her mother,” he said as he looked half annoyed at Jenny, “thinks she might want a vanity plate.”

  “I understand. We can hold off on sending anything to the state. Just let us know pretty quickly.” The auto dealer concluded.

  As they drove off Jenny turned to Jim and said, “Nice touch. That should keep the state from being alerted to us if someone is tracking your real name.”

  Jim and Jenny drove a couple of hours south. They could have made it all of the way to Pekin, but didn’t want to show up too late to Jim’s uncle’s house. They found a hotel about 20 miles off of the interstate to stay the night.

  Chapter 74 – Yuri in Iowa