Xposed

by Lynda Filler

  They sat enthralled waiting for more.

  “She left the US for China after earning several post-grad degrees in Computer Sciences and Finance and anything else that interested her. She created a new identity. Bought and sold arms and information with impunity. She is laser focused on both power and money. She didn’t need my classes. Her motivation was more personal. She’s brilliant, and that’s saying a lot coming from me. I know she’s a super brain. I think she’s become mad, a megalomaniac who wants to control the world.”

  Luke hesitated before going forward.

  “She’s out to destroy me because she knows I can stop her. And at one point she tried to ruin my marriage because she wanted me. She wanted a child with me.”

  No one spoke.

  “I’m certain she murdered my wife and daughter, but I could never prove it. And if that wasn’t enough, now she wants to destroy my country.”

  Luci nodded. She could relate to the fierce determination and anger in Luke’s eyes.

  The agent code-name Luci touched Luke’s arm gently. “Thank you for saving Alice and me. I will help you do whatever it takes to destroy her.”

  38

  Four Seasons, Seattle Washington

  THE TEAM ARRIVED in underground parking at the Four Seasons, 99 Union Street, downtown Seattle. Luke liked hotels, they were big and impersonal and always filled with people.

  The top floors of the hotel boasted the most amazing views and luxurious real estate in Seattle. ‘The Residences’ were just one of many properties owned by Luke’s corporations. He demanded privacy and convenience, and most important, control over his security.

  “Samaar, I’ve combined three units with over ten thousand square feet of living and workspace.” The super sleek modern architecture aligned with Raven’s lean and mean approach to life.

  “When planning missions, I need the team to be together 24/7. We have our own chef and staff, vetted and trained in the Military. Maggs cooks occasionally. The team will cater to anything you want to eat. Mostly we stick to a lot of protein and carbs. Light on alcohol for obvious reasons.” Samaar admired the views of Puget Sound, and Mount Rainier from the oversized armor-plated windows.

  “Hey, boys, who wants to climb that little mountain over there? I’ll race you to the top!” She looked around. “Oh, my reputation precedes me. What? No takers? Pussies.” They all howled.

  “There are sleeping accommodations for everyone. And within the middle of the unit, I’ve built a secure command center that’s impossible to crack. RB calls it Raven’s Playground. And if the impossible were breached, my toys would self-destruct.”

  “Impressive.”

  The views of the ocean and the mountains always soothed his soul. And tonight, being close to Samaar, he desperately needed closure.

  Maggs spoke up, “The Chef has prepared Seattle’s best surf and turf. Plus, lighter fare for those who are watching their weight.”

  Hoots of laughter were heard from his lean and mean team.

  “We are assembled here tonight to plan the demise of Sying Li Ma. Let’s raise a toast to freedom and the United States of America.” The team clinked coke tins and glasses of orange juice.

  “I want everyone to go to sleep after dinner and set alarms for 2:00 am. Get some rest and be ready. We’re going sightseeing.”

  39

  TASHA FASTENED THE diamond and emerald choker around her neck. She observed her erect nipples and her voluptuous body in a full-length mirror. She knew her strengths and ignored her weaknesses. High-heeled black suede boots stopped mid-thigh.

  Sying moved slowly, savoring her pleasure. It was all about control. She placed a black lace opera mask over Tasha’s eyes and admired the effect.

  “The best masks in the world are made in Venice!” she whispered. “Do you like it, my sweet girl?”

  “Yes Mistress, I love it.”

  Tasha watched as Sying tried on her gown from Versace. Black see-through lace exposed tiny perfect breasts and a child-like hairless mound. Sying’s long ebony hair hung straight down her back making a perfect “V.” The back of her dress dipped down to the top of her butt. The effect was tantalizing.

  “What should you wear my pet.” Sying looked through her wardrobe for something that would stop traffic.

  “This is perfect!” She held up a transparent emerald sequin dress, the plunging V would start above the pussy and expose Tasha’s perfect nude body. Two flimsy straps and about ten inches of solid emerald satin on the sides of the dress were all that held the see-through mini-dress together.

  “Yes, I like this. You will be my bait for Katching Kittens in Paris.”

  Tasha took a sip of her champagne and thought back to the journey that had brought her to Shanghai.

  Her mother had been the mistress of a mighty Russian man. He did business with the Taliban in Afghanistan. One night he tried to shortchange a Tribal Chieftain for a shipment of Opium. The only way the Chieftain would be satisfied was with the Russian’s wife. He sold her mother to the man to make up the difference.

  At that time, her mother didn’t know she was pregnant. When Tasha was born, the Chieftain thought she was his.

  Girls were of no value to the Taliban, so her so-called father ignored her. All she remembers is moving around a lot, hiding in the hills and villages of Afghanistan. Her mother got sick after several beatings from her Taliban master. And one day, they were both left behind in an abandoned tunnel in the mountains north of Kabul. She was seven.

  A force of angels, in the form of the United States Navy SEALs, found them. They recognized that Tasha’s mother had intelligence the US could use. So, mother and daughter were transported to the United States as refugees. She owed America her life!

  It was in a small town in New Jersey that Tasha was first told the story of her Russian father.

  His name was Vladimir Gregorki. He controlled an empire of drugs, sex trafficking, and information bartering.

  He was a silent partner with his brother, a very powerful man who was now dead.

  Tasha made a promise to her dying mother. One day she would find and kill Vladimir Gregorki. And Sying was going to lead her right to him.

  40

  Sedona Arizona

  AKAARN LIT INCENSE and began his ritual. While sage burned in a clay pot, he started his chant. He beat his drums, circling the fire-pit, letting the vibration take over his spirit in meditation.

  Rose sat peacefully, eyes closed, alone with her thoughts. When Akaarn was stressed or felt the need for clarity, he would sit cross-legged on an old native blanket, and call in the wisdom of his elders. Over the years Akaarn’s journey in life had brought him from California to the red rock and the vortexes of Sedona. He studied the old ways of the Shamans and found peace and clarity by connecting himself with nature and with the spirits of his native heritage.

  Rose was the more grounded of the couple; she waited patiently for the insight Akaarn was certain he would receive when he completed his ceremony.

  The smell of sage took her back in time to the summer she had spent as a waitress at Picazzo’s Pizza. She’d come to this sacred place to get in touch with her past. She was fourth generation Apache. Her parents preferred to remain oblivious to their history. Instead, they insisted on assimilating to the melting pot of the USA.

  Rose felt somewhat disconnected from modern life. She’d believed that her Sedona experience would be a life-changing journey, and it was—she met Akaarn. When it was time to return to university Rose joined him at Caltech. And much to the dissatisfaction of her parents, she never returned to Dallas.

  After twenty minutes, Akaarn offered up tobacco to his ancestral spirits and thanked them for their help. He stepped out of the Sacred Circle he had created and wrapped Rose in a warm embrace.

  “I’ve got it, Rose. I saw it in my waking dream. I know how to get into Sying’s computer system. I need only one thing, and we will destroy her power. Let’s send a secure message to Luke.”


  41

  BEFORE THE SOFT buzz of her iPhone went off, Luci was up and ready to go. Night maneuvers always excited her. She pulled on a black Lycra jumpsuit she found in her closet.

  It was skin-tight and showed off her lean and sexy body; but we’re all pros here, right? She smiled to herself. Some days a girl wanted to create tension. Sexual or otherwise. Tonight, it would be both.

  The team assembled at the bronze metal wall in the hall. Each had his weapon of choice, snacks, and water.

  Luke walked over, casually ignoring the heat he felt in Samaar’s presence.

  “To the right, you see four panels in the wall. The third requires my presence, eyeball, and handprint. This is a new process I’m perfecting. It also requires my voice and body odor at normal temperature to complete verification. Then we can go through.” The panel slid to the left and revealed rubber-tread stairs facing upwards.

  The room above had the same retractable roof as in the Pemberton Airport in Canada. A landing pad held the S-97 Raider ready to roll; and on the right side, an extended wall carried all types of equipment.

  “Nice ride Raven.” Luci admired the unique flying machine, but her smile widened when she saw the equipment Luke had chosen for their night maneuvers.

  “Urban climbing! Yes!”

  “Grab what you need and get fitted with the proper shoes. And let’s look at the wall map over here. We break into teams. Maggs, Zach and George Team 1; and Israel, Luci and I, team 2. RB is in charge to make it fair. He will monitor from the war room. We have cameras placed all over the city. Use this map to get your bearings. Google Earth will show you what’s between here and the Space Needle. The objective is to reach the top of the Space Needle.”

  Everyone made sure he or she had the correct equipment.

  “Each team member will carry this disc on their person to track your location on the screens. Winning and speed are all that matters.” He pointed to the map. “We’re here at 99 Union St. Turn left on 1st Ave. Take a right here at Virginia, then another left on 4th Avenue, a right on Broad Street about a km down 4th and then the Needle is on the left.”

  “Piece of cake,” Maggs offered.

  RB’s voice came over the intercom, “You leave as a team on different sides of the roof. In case you’ve forgotten, we’re on the 22nd floor. We have no idea what type of terrain we will encounter when we go hunting the Chinese. But we know we’ll need stealth and speed. Good luck.”

  Zach looked over at Luci. “Stop smiling Luci. I know you love this. But it’s a team game, so your entire team has to arrive at the top before anyone wins. And I’m not sure old man Raven is up to it!”

  “As I recall, we were born the same year buddy. And I’m not the one that takes seconds when Maggs is cooking.”

  “Let’s go!” Luci was off and running.

  RB left them to race towards their respective exits.

  Under the stairwell stood an innocuous door that hid Luke’s private space. The tightest security in the United States prevented access to Luke’s second war room. After a series of actions, RB entered. In two minutes he was at his wall screens remotely adjusting his CCTV cams. He had some surprises in store for the Raven Group.

  Luci observed the obvious way to their northeast destination. Then turning to Luke, she motioned directly across the street to a high-rise tower twice the height of the Four Seasons. But first, she pulled out her ID disc and threw it in the opposite direction. Israel looked at Luke and smiling, they followed her lead.

  With a series of hand signals, she pointed at a not-yet-on-the-market lightweight, super high-density wire and whispered her intention to create a visually low impact zip line that would require nothing but gravity to operate. She chose an unfurnished condo with a small balcony on the twentieth floor of the opposite high-rise apartment building. Minutes later, with the urban zip-line in place, she shot across 2nd Street. Israel followed. Luke took up the rear, releasing connections when he arrived.

  She was using a technique she’d learned watching YouTube adrenaline junkies create the world’s most extensive urban zip line in Panama City. She flew from building to building. She moved like a panther on steroids. The idea that she would be observed never crossed her mind. People only see what they expect to see. At night, no one was looking upwards.

  Hah! This is better than sex. Well, almost, she thought to herself.

  Even though it was a game, she reassured herself with her gun and knife easily accessible in case of danger.

  At Tower Four, she pointed south, back the way they’d come and to the east. Israel nodded, and the process was repeated in the opposite direction from their destination taking a zigzag route to the Needle.

  RB expected her to unload the discs, so he’d planted detectors in various parts of their equipment. In their rush to get through the course, they’d not taken the time to scan. He was ready for her. And he had a good idea that she would soon come to an irresistible parkour location.

  Team 1 took the low road. Doing the unexpected, they secured their gear to their backs and parkoured down the side of the building to the tenth floor. Using electrical cables, reinforced by lightweight wire, they shimmied across Union St. and made their way down the side of an industrial building. The soup kitchen and halfway house on the main floor were pitch-black in the middle of the night.

  From street level, they moved alley-to-alley using back streets, so they would not be spotted. Anyone out in this part of town was busy with the bars and restaurants at Pike Place Market, or asleep wrapped in blankets in store doorways. Should be easy. Maggs, George and Zach high-fived as they came out on Second Ave. They were confident their strategy would get them to the Needle first.

  RB laughed out loud. Tapping his mike, he summoned a group of SPEC-OPS guys currently on vacation from Covert Ops, Miami. Everyone was aware that whatever transpired, it was a peacetime maneuver. Maggs and Team 1 might expect it, but they would still play as if their lives depended on it.

  RB also had fun and games in store for Luci and Team 2. Luke had been left out of the loop in all parts of the games.

  42

  Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai, China

  “VLAD, YOU FLATTER me. But I know your taste in women is far more submissive than I will ever be. You will be at the Ball, won’t you?”

  “Yes. I’ll be there. A man must take time for his pleasures. Life cannot be all work, no play, as they say in America.”

  “Vlad. Tell me, why are you calling?” Sying smiled to herself. In the areas of the world that mattered to her, she was the Queen. All powerful men fell at her feet. And this past week she had proved worthy of the title.

  “I understand Sying, you have the keys to the kingdom of U.S. Intelligence, and I want them! What is it going to cost me?”

  Sying filed a slightly nicked burgundy nail and smiled enigmatically.

  “I’m not ready yet, Gregorki. When I am, you will be the first to know.”

  “Remember our family relationship Sying. My brother was a great supporter of yours, before being murdered by the American spy. I want that information!! I want control over my enemy and the flow of my goods from Afghanistan.”

  “I know Vlad. But I have my government to consider. They allow me to operate above the law in Shanghai. And then, of course, my source of many things in the Mid-East, he has needs also. You understand many things will determine my decision on how to split the information. The bidding will start soon. I will see you in Paris, and we can talk there.”

  “You know me Sying. This is a dangerous play you are making. Do not disappoint me.”

  Sying could feel Gregorki’s anger and frustration. He could be a very dangerous enemy. Maybe she should rethink her strategy.

  Her iPad advised her of a call waiting.

  “I must go now. I will be in touch.”

  She immediately checked the other line. She recognized the Middle Eastern accent and took time to admire her reflection in the full wall of mirrors in her office. Yes, at t
his moment in time, Sying was the most powerful woman in the world.

  43

  Luci RACED FROM rooftop to vacant skyscraper terraces. Luke and Israel admired her form and determination to reach the prize first. The last stretch she changed tactics. With hand signals, she indicated the final man should retrieve the lightweight wires they’d used for urban zip lining.

  Luci, almost invisible in the dark, smiled and pointed at a series of buildings to their left. They were not far from Macy's. Luci mapped out a parkour course that had her buzzing with energy.

  “Follow me, boys!”

  Using only the human body and her surroundings for propulsion, Luci took off. Running down side lanes, climbing up obstacles, swinging from ledges, she advanced towards her destination. She vaulted up a pole by Starbuck’s at Third and Pine handling the University Electric Trolley system with shock-resistant gloves and booties. Luke’s equipment room had prepared the team for everything.

  What happened next blew her mind.

  A dull explosion rocked an empty bus parked on Pine Street. And blew her butt right off the wires. The team of three, shaken but not hurt, regrouped on 2nd Street.

  “What the hell was that?”

  “RB playing games, not to worry.” The team blended into their environment as police cruisers screamed down 4th Avenue. They had no time to hesitate. They moved forward on memory and adrenaline.

  44

  MAGGS TOOK THE lead, competitive like Luci.

  They moved cautiously but with speed down the back alleys by Pike Place Market. They had dressed the part of urban kids out for a night on the town. Camo gear, vests, weapons hidden but easily retrievable if needed.