Systematic Attrition

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  Midnight Barbeque

  Chapter 22

  Before leaving for dinner, Nancy said they took a chance and dusted his room for prints, then quickly left. Brad thought that a little risky, but couldn’t fault the need to know. If they could get this guy alive and could connect him to George Williams, things would look a lot better than they presently did. The last resort would be to eliminate him and apply disinformation on the other leaders of the PAE group. Also, he thought, if we can round up the military insurgents that would surely take the pressure off any type of revolt.

  Brad took a moment to call home and see how things were doing on the home front. He found Sujin happy he called and his son sleeping. Nothing new just the day to day stuff, but she had a new project to look into with a possible show in San Francisco. Brad congratulated her and they talked about when the case was over taking the little guy down to grandfather’s house. Sujin told him his mother was still here and they were having so much fun with the little guy and she was really interested in my photography work. The last thing he told her was Agent Jones fear of introducing Wendy to his parents and Sujin said they would discuss it once all were back at the Round House later. He knew she would have an idea or two for both of them.

  But now it was time for dinner and a time to relax before the night’s work. However, the only who seemed relaxed was Brad and he was the point man tonight. Mike would be wired, but Brad chose nothing to interfere with his concentration. An FBI van would be not far away with Nancy and a team of swat members along with a van of bomb experts. Now at an Italian restaurant of Steve’s choice, the smell of garlic and Italian spices filled the room.

  Across the city in another seedy hotel Mr. Widmark sat making his plastic explosives into bombs. He’d left his bag and what few clothes he had at the old hotel fearing loose tongues might bring the law on him. He’d decided to not enter the house, but he had the heating service van he wanted. On the way back to the hotel he’d checked into he picked up a prostitute off the street for a late afternoon of fun. Having rough sex soothed his nerves before a job and this was no exception of the plus size black woman he chose for a playmate.

  Now at eight pm he sat at a small table with his bombs and timers while his hired whore lay face down on the bed tied spread eagle to the bed rails. The first time he took her was without regard for fairness. The second time he took her from behind as she tried to scream through her duct taped mouth. She was still alive, but he liked to soften them up a little before mounting and like a cowboy breaking a horse, his life frustrations of an unloved childhood were released in several minutes of rage. He looked up and smiled as the urge in his pants grew to upcoming pleasure knowing the final time would be the best as death was the ultimate orgasm.

  Down came the pants and naked he went to the bathroom to look in the mirror. He was vain to a fault and he loved the look that stared back at him: eyes so intense they would stare down a rattlesnake. The mirror was too small to show the many scars on his body and even though he was light in color, blonde heavy growth of hair covered his body. Not an ounce of fat with rippling muscles stood in front of the mirror while his erection mimicked his other muscles. He turned and walked to the bed with a high that reached the drug highs many never reached. Ten minutes later she lay dead and he was in the shower washing off the blood and sweat.

  Getting dressed in an all black outfit, tights and T-shirt, black camouflage, hand guns checked and double checked, one for the ankle and the other in the small of the back, he sat watching an old black and white TV ignoring the dead woman on his bed. He watched but didn’t see as he started to put his game face on for the nights work ahead.

  It was midnight the twenty eighth of March as Brad and Mike slowly drove to the secretary’s house. Their windows were open on a muggy spring night on a cloudless, but moonless sky. Rocky had his ears up knowing something important was happening when he felt the vibes from his master. Brad when on location at the rear of the house wanting Rocky to hear the assassin coming, but he would not let him interfere. This guy was his and he wanted to take him out. Brad was peaking as the adrenaline was starting to flow. Mike was driving and for both of them the beginning of a mission made their blood flow like a flood swollen river entering a narrow canyon. Mike drove past the house with only the porch light on and what looked like a dim glow from a light in the kitchen. Otherwise darkness swept most of the neighborhood. No FBI agents were seen, but felt as they parked a block away sitting in the dark letting their eyes adjust from the headlights. Both Mike and Brad were dressed in black with black camouflage applied to faces and hands. Wool ski hats keep the sweat from dripping into the eyes pulled down just above the eyebrows. Wool soaks up water and in the tropics where rain and humid conditions exist they’re hot but effective.

  Brad slipped out the door with Rocky and silently made his way up the steps and into the backyard without the FBI agents knowing he was there. He found his place next to the barbeque waiting, settled in with Rocky sitting next to him.

  A dim light showed through the kitchen window casting a yellow glow for about a twenty foot area and the street light was blocked by a large elm tree allowing only shadows dancing across the small lawn area from the slight breeze. Not a sound was heard only the false sound of his heart beating as his alertness was at full tilt. Brad thought the time was around two am, but as he wore no watch, it didn’t matter much.

  The sound of water running down a pipe put a small smile on his face as he knew an agent probably flushed a toilet. He felt it was game time as a feeling of foreboding came across just before the action would put him on full automatic. Mentally he relaxed his muscles and watched Rocky for signs of anyone moving. Both he and Rocky heard the whiffed sound of a silenced pistol and then followed by more like sounds too many to count. Rockies ears came up and he squirmed a little. Brad whispered into his ear to stay quiet and not interfere as he felt rather than saw a shadow moving towards the back of the house. A few seconds later a person in black moved into the dim light of the kitchen window with a black bag in his hand. He was big and thick, Brad quickly determined. Brad not small, but lean and fast knew he had the advantage of quickness, but must stay away from his dangerous strength he visualized from the guy dressed in all black like he was.

  The assassin sat down his black bag next to the natural gas meter. Brad made his move and with a quick two step towards the assassin he flew through the air with both feet aimed at his shoulders knocking the guy into the house making a loud thump against the wall. Brad recovered as his opponent now in mortal combat rose up and said, “Nice try little guy, but martial fighters like you I eat for breakfast,” as he moved sideways down the wall to an area more confining. He pulled out a Rambo like knife and waved it in front of Brad. Faster than the guy could believe the knife flew from his hand while the other leg took him in the head knocking him sideways, but not down. Brad knew this guy was stout, but he quickly realized he was very stout. Now the big guy came straight in hoping to get a hold of Brad and squeeze the life out of him. Brad retreated to more room as Mike came up with his gun drawn. Rocky too wanted to get in on the action, but Brad ordered both of them to stay clear. The big guy was growling now and he was pissed. That was in Brad’s favor once an opponent lost his temper, all reasoning went out the door when that happened and clearly Brad felt it was time to take this guy down and out. First he feinted left and then like a blur that Mike said later, took the guy in his left knee with his right foot snapping the knee joint. Widmark howled with pain and stood on one leg while Brad went for the throat with two feet flying through the air crushing his windpipe laying the man on the ground holding his throat gasping for air.

  Mike knew he was down and out so he quickly handcuffed him and then rolled him over as Brad performed a tracheotomy to keep him alive for interrogation. Rocky was baring his teeth as Brad calmed him down. Brad asked Mike about the two FBI guys and Mike told him the bullet proof vests saved their lives. They were fine, but stunned when three
bullets each were taken in the chest. Nancy and team arrived running up the steps as were the inside agents with flash lights. Nancy put away her pistol and looked at the assassin who lay there with hate in his eyes and she was glad he was handcuffed. She called an ambulance and while they waited the bomb squad removed the bag full of plastic explosives into a trailer that was designed for holding bombs that could explode without warning. Nancy looked at Brad who was wiping his face clean of camouflage with his wool hat acting calm as ever. Not even out of breath she thought. Here I am shaking and he is acting like it is just another day at the office.

  Brad said to Nancy, “He’s in your hands now and we will go back to the safe house and take a shower.” Once more she looked down at the assassin and then for the first time saw his leg at an angle not natural and then on their backs with Mike and Rocky disappearing down the street. Well so much for that she thought.

  Golden Hills

  Chapter 23

  The following morning, after a hot shower and a short nap, Steve called Brad and told him the president wanted a meeting at one pm in his office. Brad reported last nights events and Steve just listened with no comments. If it had been anyone other than Steve, Brad would have been put out. A successful operation is something to put in the bank, not just pass off as, well; we didn’t expect anything less and move on to another case. However, Brad knew some pressure was off, but it only doubled now that total focus was ahead with the Virginia PAE sect. And it was mostly out of his and his team’s hands being political as he told the team in the morning. Now he said, “Agent Jones why don’t you take a few days or whatever time you need and visit your parents. Mike, go home and let Julie nurse your wound; Wendy take some time off and visit your family and friends while we are in DC. Billy and I will stay here and see what develops.

  While Brad was having his meeting, down in Virginia George Williams sat watching the morning news about the failed attempt on the secretary of state. He was fuming and already had four calls expressing a halt to any further activities with PAE. To each of them he told be here at two pm for a meeting. All agreed and now with three assassins taken out by the Brad Pratt team, he’d run out of people to continue his plan of taking out the cabinet and other significant politicians.

  Here I sit, he thought, on my birthday alone and without a friend in the world. No I won’t feel sorry for myself, never say die. There is always a plan to move to and now with the stomach acid building from lack of food and too much coffee he felt a migraine coming on. He filled his pipe and stuck a wooden match to it sending blue smoke to the high ceiling of his study while playing with a pencil on a bare desk, void of even a piece of scratch paper. He looked at his antique law books lined up like soldiers gleaming even after many years of standing there. His black staff kept the place dust free and the house spotless. On the opposite wall pictures hung stared back at him of famous presidents and business tycoons. The power I used to wield he thought taking a big draw on his pipe. Now my house of cards is crumbling faster than I can pick them up. He rang the bell for his manservant and when he came, ordered some pain killer for his headache and some medicine for his stomach. Time for a nap he thought as he looked at the long sofa just waiting to have him stretch out on.

  The president congratulated Brad on a job well done. The secretary of state was in the meeting and the president directed his attention to her saying, “Janet, I can’t forgive you for betraying me and your office. However, I can forgive you as a person. You’ve done an excellent job as secretary of state. I want you to continue until the first of the coming year. By then the country will have moved on and other problems will present themselves. I’m sure no one will really know your part in the PAE group and you can move into private life as you see fit,” as the president stood up and gave her his hand. Janet, head held high, gave him her thanks and thanked Brad on her way out.

  “Now down to the business of what to do with the PAE group,” as he sat down and looked directly at Brad ignoring Steve and Mr. X. Brad had told Steve he was tired of pussyfooting around with the George Williams and his group of power mongers. But Steve said to hear the president out and then if he asked to give him what you think is a plan he can live with.

  Brad, quite comfortable in a straight back chair looked the president in the eye and said, “I think we should give George Williams two options. One is to leave the country and the other one is to never arrive at the country of his choice. As far as his right hand men, I will take care of them in due time. Once the head falls the body falls too. This idea of showing force is good and I think you should follow through with it to calm the citizens of the United States. Deep in the military are some radicals that need ferrying out and with Eddie and Frank along with some early retirement officers our military should be back in control by year's end.” The room was silent. Brad wondered how many times in a day the Oval Office might not have a voice or two breaking the silence.

  “Brad, I think you are right and we need to wrap this up so business can move on. We are in enough trouble throughout the world and we don’t need this to hinder our global obligations and the affairs of our own country. Make it so and your country thanks you and your team and of course these other two gentlemen sitting with us. Oh, and Rocky too as I hear he plays a greater role than I once believed,” he said with a smile and handshakes around.

  At two pm George Williams and his four lieutenants sat in his study waiting anxiously for George to say something. The four were senators and powerful men in their own right. Rich and each led indirectly a company that touched all parts of the globe. George finally said, through another cloud of smoke from his sweet smelling pipe, “Gentlemen we have experienced some setbacks, but don’t give up hope. We have strong connections in the military and when the time is right, we will turn them loose. Even though it looks bleak, we have been successful in waking up the world to a far right administration that needs to reexamine its house. We will not entertain any more assassination attempts; from now on we will rely on the military to do our dirty work. Now,” as he looked each in the eye, “are you with me or against me?” Each one of the four looked at each other and without confidence in each voice said they were in for the long haul and were with him till the end.

  “Glad to hear it and now let’s have some fresh juice on the lawn and some special snacks from my excellent cook.” They followed him through the kitchen which smelled wonderful and out the back door to a covered area with table and chairs faced his land to the east. The conversation was about the exploits of this guy Brad Pratt and a half hour later drifted to everyday things guys like them talk about always trying to outdo the other with one-up-men things. It was unusual George thought when he heard the sounds of a helicopter in the distance. It had been many years since it was a usual occurrence as he flew in and out on state business. The conversation stopped as the sound drew nearer until finally on the old grass helicopter pad a Navy gunship sat with its rotors blowing dust and grass while the PAE group sat covering their faces while the rotors died down. Wiping off their faces all saw a clean cut man and a frumpy looking college guy exit the helicopter walking boldly up to them. Twenty feet away they all recognized the man as Brad Pratt. Fear with the thought of death gripped them all except George who stood up and held out his hand to Brad ignoring the other tall skinny guy with him. Brad ignored his hand and sat down with Billy next to him. Then Brad turned and whistled to Rocky who bounded out and ran to his side looking fierce and mean to the five guys with looks of wonderment on their faces.

  Brad with his game face on said, “My associate here might not look like much to you guys, but he is the one who brought you all down. In his hand is a three inch file on each one of you from the time you were in high school right up till today. The media would have a field day with our information and I suspect when we are finished you couldn’t find a job at a fast food restaurant. I’ve taken out three of your assassins and today I will finish the job on the so called PAE sect. All of you are past yo
ur prime and if you doubt the power of the computer and what an expert like my man Billy can and will do if you don’t agree with what I promise you, then you are bigger fools than your Mr. Williams here. Now here is what you gentlemen are going to do. You are all going to retire and never sit on a board of directors or hold stock of any kind for the rest of your lives. That includes all of your family and any relatives who have close ties to you. You will additionally divest and turn one hundred percent of your wealth to charity. After our bookkeepers are through with you, you will have social security to live on like most retirees in our country do. Disagree and we will ruin you and make you wish acceptance rather than denial was chosen. Yes, I’m ruthless beyond your dreams. I love my country and it are assholes like you who think you can change two hundred years of what works. I’m not here to debate the issues you have. I’m here to stop this revolt once and for all. George here is going for a ride in my helicopter and if you want to say good bye now is the time. Now one more thing,” as he brought out a Rambo knife that the South African assassin had on him, “This is not the only weapon we took from your contract killer. But it will serve my purpose.”