The stage was set when Rosie drove out of her motel never looking back. She had traced on a map how to get there and forty minutes later pulled into the airport where a sign advertised Wayne’s Flight Service. Rosie felt relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the twin engine plane ready and waiting for her. She parked on the side of the office locked the car carrying her garment bag with her shoulder bag strolled to the office with a hat on with dark glasses to help hide the bruises thinking now in only a few short minutes she would be far away. Nancy from the van saw her enter the office and wondered if this was the assassin. Only a few seconds passed when she heard two shots ring out and then one more. Nancy had the door open by the time the third shot was heard.
Rosie the professional was on alert when walking through the door into the small office. What tipped her off was the girl sitting behind the counter didn’t look or when she said good afternoon sounded at all like the woman earlier this morning. Rosie dropped her garment bag and was going for her shoulder bag as Mike came through the side door into the office with a crescent wrench is his left hand. Rosie turned and saw right away who he was as she dropped to her knees raising a pistol from her bag and started to swing around with her gun pointing at Mike. Mike fell to his left digging his pistol out and almost at the same time both pulled the trigger. Mike felt the burn in his left shoulder and made another roll and fired into her chest as she took his first shot in her right shoulder making it harder for her to take another shot. Mike’s shot didn’t kill but took her in the right lung. She fell back dropping her gun as the FBI girl leaped over the counter kicking the gun aside and ignoring the screams from Rosie, handcuffed her while she gasped for breath having been shot through the lung. Mike crawled over and turned her over on her back looking into her dying eyes. He pulled up her shirt and saw the entry must have grazed her heart and she was slowing going to where she didn’t need a coat. Mike stared into her eyes and said, “I promised you would die a rich woman if you didn’t heed my warning. Now you have no one to mourn for you as the county will bury you marking the grave with unknown and unwanted.”
Nancy was by then standing in the doorway and other agents as well were crowding in to look at the carnage and the blood oozing from his wound. Nancy watched until Rosie or whatever her name was breathed her last. Nancy put her weapon away and opened her cell to call for the coroner and an ambulance for Mike. Mike knew better than to argue so he rode the ambulance to the hospital feeling both sad and happy they had put the assassin down and out.
At the hospital they X-rayed his shoulder and told him the bullet missed the collar bone and passed on through without much damage. The doctors wanted him overnight, but Mike wouldn’t hear of it. For Mike knew this wasn’t the first time he’d been shot and probably not the last time either; as he thanked the nice people and walked out the door whistling a tune. Nancy was with him and they took the FBI jet to Washington to make the report.
Brad when he heard the news felt scared for his friend and breathed a little easier knowing he was going to be fine. Once again he thought how he would face his best friend’s significant one telling her he fell defending his country. Such profound and at the same time empty words falling on ears that from the moment they heard the news no sounds were heard only a roaring noise of grief; all else was blocked out. Brad shook it off and both he and Steve were sitting in the safe house discussing the events upcoming.
South on the Virginia farm George Williams sat at his desk cleaning his pipe looking at his aged hands. The tiz is not so bad he thought. I can still clean and light my pipe at age ninety. He mentally ran through his physical self. I’ve had no strokes no heart attacks and escaped the dreaded Alzheimer’s disease. Walking is not so good and once in awhile he used a cane to get around with, but overall he was fairly fit for an old man. Now he sat thinking about the phone call to Africa and while filling his pipe, thought about the hit he just scheduled for the double dealing secretary of state. This one would not be subtle due to the fact this guy was always getting the biggest bang for the buck.
George’s birthday was coming up and he scheduled it for the twenty eighth of March. This he thought would be the end of it and then he and his group would flood the news media it was time for a change. Impeachment proceeding started and then he would alert his military people to take over the White House. A knock at his library door produced his man servant announcing the arrival of four out of five with the secretary of state absent and in a few days, absent from this earth.
Peril of State
Chapter 20
At forty thousand feet Secretary of State Janet Cortez felt nauseated not from being airsick, but what awaited her landing in DC in a few hours. Ever since Switzerland she’d been running on autopilot knowing her government would want to know why George Williams outsmarted everyone. Now she couldn’t eat or sleep very well. After a day's work in Europe she would quickly return to her hotel room and throw up like she had morning sickness with her kids. Going back over her conversations with the FBI she never once lied to them. Her only option, as she looked in her hand mirror seeing an old woman rather than a pretty middle aged smart bureaucrat, was to resign. Charges of treason would be forthcoming and the thought of what it would do to her family made her run to her private toilet in the back of the airliner and more dry heaves racked her body. As she gripped the stainless steel toilet some blood came up with the last dry heave and tears of both pain and sorrow ran down her lined face. Desperate silent cries for forgiveness echoed through her mind not from the president but from her family as a knock on her toilet door with a voice saying it was time for landing in thirty minutes sounded like a death sentence being carried out.
Not so far behind her plane another flight inbound from South Africa contained a person to end Janet Cortez’s misery. If she had known at the time, maybe it would be a blessing in disguise. A Mr. Widmark lounged in first class formulating a plan to take out the secretary of state. His first plan was to impersonate a heating firm checking out her forced air heating and cooling system or maybe she just had room air cons.; either way his plan was to set plastic explosives and make her go out with class. His trade mark would be further enhanced as would his reputation. His employer had sent by currier the amount in gold as requested and he felt no remorse the courier would ever see the light of day again. His real name was Spencer Klien born and raised in Australia’s Outback. From childhood a bully and into adulthood a killer whose mercenary exploits ranged from Africa to South America with a two year stopover in Afghanistan. Those that thought they knew him stayed clear and beware the person who got in his way. A stone cold killer without country or home was, for the moment based out of South Africa. At age thirty five, he needed to slow down and use his head more than his brawn in this day of high technology he thought as he surfed the net on his laptop. One of the smartest things he did was take some computer classes on the basics of computer use.
Now as the flight attendant came by to see if he would like something to drink, he looked up and what she saw were eyes that scared the hell out of her. Among the two flight attendants in first class, he was the talk of the cabin. Not because he said anything, quite the contrary, he never spoke only nodded when he was offered snacks or dinner. They said after he deplaned in DC that he was the scariest looking man they’d ever seen. Not only was he big, but his look at you could stop your heart and suck the air out of your space around you. He never caused a problem, but they were sure happy to see him leave.
Meanwhile Brad and Nancy were at Andrew’s awaiting the secretary’s arrival. From what Nancy remembered about Brad and her confrontation he was gentle and realized people’s good points and bad points. She felt he would secure her confidence and listen carefully to what she said.
Now as they waited under a starless night in late March a heavy blanket of stagnant air hung over the nation's capital. The constant sounds of aircraft taking off and landing along with the smell of jet fuel drifted in the open windows of
Nancy’s car. Rocky didn’t much like the smell as he kept cleaning out his nose in the back seat spraying mucus all over the back seat and front seats. Nobody paid any attention as they saw her plane touch down and taxi to the waiting area assigned. A roll up step was provided to the reporters and other government employees that accompany her on overseas trips and Janet Cortez were the last one off. She held her head high, but in the dim light no one could see the haggard look on her face and the slump in her walk. Brad had gotten out along with Nancy as they waited for her at the bottom of the steps telling the secret service men they would be responsible for her safety and deliver her home.
Janet walked up with a smile and her hand held out in greeting. Brad put on his best smile and greeted her warmly as did Nancy. Her luggage would be transferred by secret service agents so all she had was her shoulder bag as she sat in the front seat with Nancy driving and Brad in the back with Rocky.
Brad noticed she was talking too fast about this and that making not much sense at all. Brad told Nancy to stop somewhere and have some tea or coffee and let her settle down. She was a wreck and she realized both of them knew it very well. It was all she could do to hold the tears back, but when they pulled into a nice restaurant and were seated comfortably in privacy she relaxed. A few patrons noticed who she was and said or waved at her, but she just smiled and followed the owner of the restaurant to a table.
She was still running off at the mouth when Brad said quietly and with compassion, “Janet, calm down we are not a judge or jury, but just concerned citizens who want to help. Start at the beginning and lead us to the bank in Geneva.”
Janet sipped a glass of white wine and tried to calm down. “I’m all right now. When I was summoned to George’s farm nothing out of the ordinary appeared to me. He gave me the name of the bank and told me to take the bag sitting on top of his desk. I was in a bit of a hurry so I took the bag and left. He asked me no questions and that was all I remember of the exchange. Next thing I knew I saw your man Mike and other embassy men I’d seen before hanging around. From there I went to the hotel and the next day began my rounds of meetings. I received a phone call saying no evidence was found and the voice we all know sounding like I betrayed my position again.” She sat back more relaxed now that it was off her chest. Brad looked at her and realized she spoke the truth. But he had no doubt George Williams was on to her. Now he realized she was in mortal danger and he didn’t want to be the one to tell her.
Nancy asked a few questions and then their salads arrived. Dinner was a quiet affair, but Janet ate heartily for the first time in days. Her confidence was returning and glimpsed a light at the end of the tunnel. After dinner Brad said, “Janet I think your life is in danger. I’m sorry to be so blunt, but there is no other way for me to tell you than directly. We know George has been in contact with someone in South Africa and a young man a few days ago from Washington DC was found murdered. He worked as a law clerk for the same firm where we found the New York guys belonging to PAE. We suspect he was carrying payment for a contract on another government official.” Before he let her say something, he quickly went on, “It stands to reason that the target is probably you. George could double the results and when the media took over and splashed it across the country and the world, the time would be ripe for his move to take over Washington. Here’s what I want you to do,” as he outlined a communications tie and a schedule to fit his plan.
An hour later she was tucked in her home safe and feeling like a new person. The threat of assassination was always there, but hearing Brad’s plan she felt confident is his ability.
Nancy driving Brad home to the safe house said, “Mr. Brad Pratt that was the smoothest I’ve ever witnessed what I would call an interrogation of a suspect of double dealing. No doubt about her duplicity in my mind and what about these plans you have for her safe keeping?” Brad laughed a little and told her he would hold a meeting with Mike and the rest of the team tomorrow morning, but let him sleep on it.
Nancy dropped him and Rocky off and went home to her mate and lover. Things hadn’t been going well between them for months now and mostly it was her fault. She was just too busy to give her lover the attention she demanded and needed. Maybe tonight they would bring it to a head. She thought back on the last five years of their relationship and it was better than good, it was both rewarding and spiritual, not to mention the great sex. But ever since her meeting Brad and the team when she headed up the John the Serial Killer case, another life appeared to shadow her previous life. Now she desperately wanted to join the team as a feeling of dread came over her parking her car underneath her building. Nancy was on high alert as she hurried to the elevator to take her to their tenth floor townhouse. She looked at her watch and it was eleven and then she noticed her hands shaking with the confrontation coming.
Swiping her card through the door lock she entered to find her roommate watching an old movie on the tube. Both stared at each other and Nancy took her coat off and sat down with her. Looking her lover in the eyes, both knew it was over and held each other crying like love struck teens breaking up for the first time over losing their boyfriends. They cried and talked and then cried some more. Three hours later Nancy told her she would leave in the morning and have someone come and pack her things.
Both felt relieved and sad, but like adults they moved on in life wounded but not mortally. Nancy moved into a hotel until this case was over and the next day gave Brad her new address and phone number. Brad never questioned the new address, just accepted it like the professional he was and is.
Brad, Rocky, Wendy and Agent Jones, who was acting peculiar lately, went for a run the next morning before Nancy and Steve arrived. Mike was taking it a little easy with his gunshot wound on the phone calling some old Seal friends of his. Mike had told Brad that he would recruit all the retired Seals he could locate and invite them to the upcoming show of force in the near future. Brad liked that idea and told him to make it so.
As far as Agent Jones was concerned, he was feeling torn by the knowledge that soon he must tell his parents he was in love with a white woman. He knew that never in their lives did they think he might marry a white woman. They were from Vallejo near Oakland living in an almost totally black neighborhood. Never giving a thought of his married life as his career was first and family later. Now as he pounded the sidewalk running with the team he had no energy left for running much less staying focused on the case at hand. He had no doubt that Brad was aware of his change in personality and wondered if he’d fire him for lack of contribution to the team. Agent Jones felt lower than low, but couldn’t rise up from his downside. He decided to confide in Brad and see what he suggested.
No sooner than he thought about talking to him Brad told Wendy to head on back that Nancy was coming soon. He told her to make a new profile on the contractual man from Africa. Wendy did as she was told and turned around jogging back to the house wondering why it couldn’t wait until after their run, but guess he wanted to talk to Agent Jones.
By now they were lovers and in love. She being older could easily separate the two relationships of job and personal life, but realized from his signals of something deep bothering him, she would wait for the opportunity to ask him about it. Whatever the case, their relationship was strong and they would rise above it and see where it led. She smiled as she remembered their first time in bed. He lacked experience that was true, but he was so tender and patient as she gently led him along the way. Another smile as she thought about how a quick learner he was and so they were in the swing of things pleasing each other in new found ways. Wendy now slowed down and cooled off before entering the safe house looking forward to a hot shower and work. Her excitement for the job was increasing as was her respect and admiration of Brad and the whole team for that matter.
Brad and Agent Jones slowed down to a walk and Brad said, “Agent Jones do you want to talk about it? I know you got something gnawing at your insides like a hungry coyote with a fresh sheep kill.�
� Agent Jones kept his head down thinking how to tell his boss and friend about his family and the relationship between him and Wendy.
Finally he raised his head and saw for the first time and looked at the day’s weather. Low clouds hung over the city the same as last night creating humid conditions spring like in Washington. Sweat was still running down his face when he said, “Brad, yes I want to talk about my family first and Wendy second.” In a strong voice he went on saying, “My parents live in Vallejo near Oakland in a very black neighbor full of gangs and druggies. How do I tell my parents I’m in love with a white woman? No way would they think their only son would ever think about marrying outside his race. They sacrificed their whole lives to educate me and now how can I fail them thinking their son will produce little black kids from a black woman?”
Brad said, “Let me think about this a minute. As you know we have a mixed race marriage and there are some social problems that present and prevent understanding. Love has no racial barriers, the only barriers that are perceived and little understood. I think in your parent’s case they perceive a non mixed race marriage for you. It will be very difficult for them to change their perceived notion from so many years believing black is black and white is white. Opposites if you will. Our language is based in part on opposites. To attempt change is to challenge belief. Therefore, to tell your parents you love a white girl, will shatter their beliefs. However, love is stronger than an abstract belief. If they love you and I have no doubt they do, then logical reasoning enters the equation. In a case where people are middle age or more, then a change of belief is more difficult to adjust to. I’m afraid you are up against a belief that is entrenched and it would take a crowbar to make it move into today’s mind set.”
Systematic Attrition Page 18