by JC Ryan
Later, the two would stand at the summit of Black Rock, taking in the grandeur of the valley below and the mountains further in the distance, and know that their love was perfect. There would never be another man for Sarah, nor another woman for Daniel. Yet, in the midst of their happiness, was the sorrow for Martha’s grief, and the knowledge that someday, hopefully far in the future, one would be without the other. All they could do was vow to make every day until then count.
That philosopher and poet of ancient China, Lao Tzu was right when he said, “If you are depressed, you live in the past. If you are anxious, you live in the future… If you are happy … You live in the present.”
Chapter 22 – The Linguist
Thoroughly shaken by everything that had happened and all they had learned in the two weeks since Mark’s death, Daniel took Sarah to Raj’s to talk about what they should do before she left. In his pocket was the small device, about the size of a cellphone that Ryan had given him for this type of meeting. Because it was classified, he said nothing to Raj, but he had it switched on before they knocked on Raj’s door.
To his surprise, both Raj and Sarah advocated continuing the research. Raj put his arguments forth with more passion than Daniel had ever seen him display.
“My friend, we must not let the forces of evil deter us. We are too close to learning the secrets that have been hidden for thousands of years. Don’t you realize what it would mean to my research? A final confirmation that we are not alone in this universe, that ancient visitors have helped us along!” Sarah nodded her head as he spoke, until he got to the part about extraterrestrials. She wouldn’t go that far.
“Honey, we’ve already had this conversation, right after Mark’s funeral. We agreed then that it’s more dangerous not to know than it is to know. At least we’ll understand what they’re after,” she said. “And what’s more they still don’t have the data which they were looking to get from Mark so the only place they can get it is from us.”
“But, we don’t have a linguist,” Daniel protested.
“I have an idea about that, if you agree. There’s no reason to believe anyone would suspect your grandfather of conspiring with us. What if we asked him if he knows of anyone, or could find someone through his cronies?” Sarah was only a little concerned about danger to Nicholas and Bess. Not at all, really. A retired archaeologist shouldn’t be a threat to anyone, and maybe he even knew of a linguist without having to ask around.
“All right, suppose for the sake of argument that he did know of someone, and that they agreed to help us, even though the last guy that saw a translation of only part of the message got murdered,” Daniel said, pausing for effect. “What would we do with it once we had the whole thing? Who can we trust not to kill us for it? Sarah, Raj, it’s too dangerous.”
“I disagree,” said Raj. “Before, you were not taking me seriously and did not take adequate precautions. Now you must be even more clever.” Daniel thought about the device in his pocket. With it, he could communicate in person without fear of being overheard. Maybe this would work after all.
“We need to see Grandpa in person, then, Sarah. We can let him in on the email ruse when we do, but we can’t risk any talk over the phone. My grandparents are old and vulnerable. I can’t risk them, either.”
Sarah said, “I understand. Hey, I don’t have a class until Tuesday afternoon, do you want me to go with you? We can make it a day trip this time, and I’ll spend the night back here with you, then get an early start for Providence Tuesday morning.”
“I guess that would work.”
On Monday morning, Daniel and Sarah set out for Little Egg Harbor, arriving mid-morning. Bess answered the door, and gave a little scream of surprise and pleasure to find her grandson and his girlfriend on her front porch. With rain threatening, she drew them inside and called for Nicholas.
“Hi, Grandpa,” Daniel said, as the old man came out of his study.
“Well, I’ll be damned, look who’s here!” Looking from Daniel to Sarah, his analytical mind, keen as ever, took in their tense posture. “What’s happened?”
“A lot, Grandpa, and we need your help. Can we sit down and talk?”
Bess immediately offered coffee and cookies, and Sarah went to help her in the kitchen while Daniel settled his grandpa in his favorite chair. “If you don’t mind, let’s wait for Sarah, and I guess this concerns Grandma, too,” Daniel said.
As soon as the women were back with the tray of refreshments, Daniel brought his grandparents up to speed on recent developments, absorbing Bess’s cry of dismay when he got to Mark’s death. A white-faced Bess pressed her lips together and listened grimly along with her husband as Daniel explained what they’d learned since. He fell silent after stating that he and Sarah felt it was best to go on.
Nicholas observed them keenly from under his bushy eyebrows. “You need a linguist,” he stated, simply. Daniel wasn’t surprised that Grandpa had cut to the chase. He knew that quick mind as well as he knew his own.
“Yes, Grandpa, and we’re hoping you know one. Here’s the thing. We can’t ask around, because we don’t know what they’re doing to watch us. For all we know, it could be just our phones, computers and houses, but we have reason to believe it’s more sophisticated. I don’t want you to have to ask around much, either. Rossler isn’t that common a name, and I don’t want you or Grandma in danger. But we thought you might know someone off the top of your head. We couldn’t call to ask you, so that’s why we’re here.” Daniel added, “Although I’m always glad for a chance to see you and Grandma.”
“Good save, boy,” Grandpa growled, amused. “As a matter of fact, I do know one, and a brilliant one at that. Do you think it’s safe for me to call him?”
“Grandpa, I don’t have a clue. For all I know they’re tracking all the linguists in the country. I guess it would be safer if you didn’t.”
“Then we’ll do it the old-fashioned way. Can you and Sarah stay for lunch? While Bess gets it ready, I’ll write a letter of introduction for you. You can drop in on him, he’s usually at home. Retired, like me.”
“That’s perfect! Sarah, do you mind…” Daniel began.
“Of course not, darling. I’m going to visit with your grandma and help her in the kitchen. You and your grandpa can handle this one on your own.”
Daniel was so happy to see the conspiratorial twinkle in Sarah’s eye that he didn’t even question what mischief she and Grandma might get up to if they were alone together.
Sarah trailed Bess into the kitchen and stood out of the way while Bess puttered around, deciding what to serve. Once she settled on chicken salad and biscuits, Sarah offered to cut up onions and celery for the salad. Bess handed her a sharp knife and cutting board and started mixing up the biscuit dough. “So, what did you want to talk about, Sarah? Has that boy been good to you?”
Sarah laughed. “I should have known you were just as sharp as Nicholas. Yes, Grandma Bess, he’s been good to me. I love him so much, and he says he loves me…”
“But?” Bess questioned.
“But, he hasn’t said anything about marriage. I don’t know where this is going,” Sarah said, a small frown marring her lovely face and soft expression.
“I told you before that I’d help if I could,” Bess said. “Do you want me to put a bug in his ear?”
Sarah laughed again at the old-fashioned slang. “Maybe later, Grandma Bess. For now, I just wanted to get it off my chest.”
After lunch, the pair left amongst admonitions to hurry back for a longer visit. The letter of introduction was safely tucked into Daniel’s laptop case. They planned to visit the man, Sinclair O’Reilly, that very afternoon if they could make good time back to New York. Before they arrived in the city, though, Daniel took a call on his cell phone that forced a change of plans.
Chapter 23 – You Are In Danger
“Am I speaking with Daniel Rossler?” the voice asked. Daniel didn’t recognize it.
“Who’s c
alling?” Daniel answered cautiously. His tone made Sarah look at him with concern.
“I’m a friend,” said the unknown voice. “Luke Clarke should have been in touch about me.”
“Oh,” said Daniel, relieved. “You must be David. Sorry, we’re a little paranoid. Yes, this is Daniel.”
“Can’t say that I blame you, and yes, I’m David. Now that we have the introductions out of the way, I’d like to set up a time to meet with you and Dr. Clarke. Is she with you right now?”
“She is. We’re on our way back to the city. She has to leave for Providence early in the morning, though. What did you have in mind?”
“I thought we could have a quiet dinner, and I could fill you in on some things that may be significant to you. In turn, maybe you can give me some help.”
“Dinner sounds fine. I’ll take the rest under advisement until we’ve heard what you have to say. Where shall we meet?”
David named a restaurant in Manhattan and provided the address, which Sarah wrote down as Daniel repeated it. “Seven o’clock okay? I know it’s early, but I’ve got to catch the last shuttle back to Washington afterwards.
“Seven’s fine. We’ll see you there.” Sarah was questioning him with her eyes when he disconnected the call. “I hope you don’t mind I didn’t check with you. I figured you were as anxious to meet with the guy as I am, right?”
She answered, “Yes, of course. So, we’re meeting him for dinner? Will we have time to get back to your apartment so I can change first?”
“I’m sure we will.”
Seven o’clock found them in the restaurant’s waiting area, where David spotted them when he walked in a moment later. He introduced himself and offered his hand to Sarah, who shook it warmly. Daniel didn’t much care for the way the man’s eyes took in Sarah’s charms, but he shook the guy’s hand anyway. He should be used to the effect that Sarah had on men by now. In fact, he was. He just didn’t like it much. Once again he reflected on his need to put his ring on her finger and claim her as his. Soon, he hoped. But not while all this stress and tension was in their lives. He wanted her to be nothing but happy afterward.
David had made a reservation, so they were shown directly to their table, a small four-top set in a private alcove. It was the perfect place to talk, though Daniel made sure his cone of silence device was in his pocket and turned on before David got there. He knew from Luke’s report that the CIA or NSA were watching them, but if any other bad guys could listen, he wanted to keep his meeting with the CIA agent on the down-low.
The three perused their menus and ordered, after which David brought up his reason for wanting to meet with them face-to-face. “Luke and I go way back, did he tell you?”
Sarah smiled at him and said that her uncle had spoken highly of him.
“I told him some things in confidence that concern you, and unless I miss my guess, he would have told you all of it, even the classified parts. Am I right?”
Daniel and Sarah looked at each other, deciding whether telling the truth would get Luke in trouble.
“Never mind,” David said. “It doesn’t matter, because I’m going to tell you myself. You guys are in danger.” David proceeded to tell them exactly what Luke had said, including the fact that David thought there may be a mole in the CIA department that was watching them.
“I’ve got two objectives, and frankly the first is the most important to me. But because I think you can help and because Luke is an old friend, the second is important enough.”
Seeing their confusion, Luke went on. “It’s my job to find that mole. I need some way to flush him out, and the fact that Luke came to me for help to protect you guys gives me a perfect way to do it. If you’re game, I need you to continue your research.”
Chapter 24 – By the Fires of Hell
Septentrio gazed at the wall-sized screen at the man who was making his report. Dressed all in black, Impes even affected the wraparound aviator shades that the stereotype dictated for a CIA operative, although this man was assuredly not CIA. Septentrio’s lip curled. His man needed some discipline, and the next time he or his team screwed up in this manner, he, Septentrio, would provide it in person.
“May I ask why you initiated an operation without authorization?” he said coldly.
“Sir, I was laying a trap for a traitor in the organization…”
“Did it require you to kill the researcher? His death has seriously compromised the authorized operation.” Septentrio brushed aside the man’s excuse, which was unlikely. No one would dare harbor traitorous intent. Septentrio’s reputation for punishment of error was too terrifying to consider it.
“No, sir, but…”
“No buts! So he resisted, you tortured him and killed him and you only got a piece of paper with a half-done translation? No data on his computer or on a flash drive or anything? What a fucking mess you have created! Why was it necessary to kill him before you had all the information, you idiot? This is what happens if dimwits like you take matters into your own hands!”
Septentrio didn’t have any qualms about killing. What angered him was the fact that he did not give the order for this and on top of that, the premature loss of someone who was key to finding the final answers he sought. Although the man, Rossler, and his woman instigated the research, it had gone nowhere until they enlisted the help of the dead man. Now it appeared it would be delayed while they found another linguist to translate, if this whole untimely operation did not scare them off the whole thing completely.
His fists clenched under his desk. Septentrio would like to wring the necks of the stupid thugs Impes had sent to get the information. It was a clear violation of protocol; Impes should not have interfered without authorization. Now they had lost a key researcher, and they’d soon have to do something about Impes. But, it was possible he could still be of use. For now, he would live.
“I want you to stand by. Sidus will report to me when the original researchers have brought on someone else to help with the translation. This time, I want the man alive, with the data. Do not act until Sidus directs you to, and by the fires of hell, you’d better not botch it.”
‘Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.” Impes sounded sincere, but who could tell from that impassive face what his thoughts were? Could he be mocking the most powerful man in the world? Surely he wouldn’t dare. Deciding it was his imagination that a tiny bit of irony crept into Impes’ eyes, Septentrio waved him away.
“Dismissed.”
On the other side of the Atlantic, Impes breathed a cautious sigh of relief, still schooling his expression and moderating the depth of his sigh, in case the connection were somehow still active. When he was recruited by a member of Septentrio’s vast network of operatives, he’d had no idea of the scope of the work. But, as a minor member of a minor branch of a Cosa Nostra family, he’d overstepped his boundaries once before, and had an urgent need to first disappear from his home city and then have his appearance modified forever. The offer from the recruiter had come at a very opportune time.
Impes wasn’t a stupid man, just lazy. As his shadowy employer sent more and more assignments his way, he gathered hints from here and there, information dropped from other associates and victims, until he had amassed enough information to know who he was dealing with. That, he kept to himself, for they were a dangerous group. So dangerous that even major families were afraid of them. But, he parlayed his knowledge into a plan.
For each assignment involving making someone disappear, whether dead or alive, he would do it so cleverly, yet with such flair, that he would eventually come to the notice of the top levels of his organization. He had confidence that he would be made a capo, or whatever the Orion Society’s equivalent was, then. Eventually, he dreamed of becoming one of the four prime members of the Society himself. It was unfortunate for him that his homework fell short of informing him that those were hereditary positions. Now his only objective was to escape with his life and perhaps enough money to enjoy it.
I
mpes was feeling rather savage about the dressing-down he’d received, and, like all bullies, decided to take it out on someone else. He called the two operatives who’d been responsible for Mark Simms’ death to report to him at a warehouse on the outskirts of the Bronx. Before he killed them, he would question them about any trace evidence they might have left at the Simms house.
Two days later, two bodies washed up on a deserted stretch of shoreline on Long Island Sound. They wouldn’t be found for days, and by that time, they wouldn’t be recognizable. Even if they had been, though, with their teeth all removed and their eyes gouged out, a firm identification would be impossible without their fingers, all of which were elsewhere in a landfill.
After dealing with the idiots who’d botched the Simms operation, Impes called Barry. “He’s upset, and I don’t need to tell you what that means. We need to come up with something solid as soon as they make a move. Be sure she’s still reporting everything.”
“Shouldn’t we bug her house, too, Impes? If she knows why Mark was killed, she’s going to be careful what she tells me, and on her phone to talk to Rossler. I think we need more direct information.”
“Since when were you in operations, Barry? You let me handle that part, and just make sure she keeps you informed.”
Chapter 25 - 8 Sides To It
Sarah had gone home on Tuesday morning as planned, with the information that David had given them ringing in her ears and the promise of an undercover agent watching her at all times for her safety. Daniel had objected at first; he wanted to be the one to protect her, and was ready to quit his job to do it. But, David had convinced him that he and his team would do a better job, since they were professionals. And that Daniel should remain on the job where the resources of the Times could help with the ongoing research. His arguments were compelling.