Arielle Immortal Journey (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 5)

by Lilian Roberts

  Rainer cleared his throat again. Turning in Larue’s direction, he said, “We are going to use one of the most common practices, extortion. We are going to send a letter to his office and include a couple photos of his loved ones. We'll demand that he surrenders all the designs and documents, or something very unpleasant will happen.” He looked smug. “If he doesn’t cooperate, we must be prepared to make sure that he understands that physical harm will be our only option. We must also be prepared to find the most important person in his life, and I mean his real weakness if we are going to use that person to force him into negotiations.”

  “That sounds good. I think that you have something solid here, Rainer,” Larue said, smiling.

  “I sure hope Nikola finds it interesting and gives us his approval. If he does give us the go ahead, we’ll figure out the best people to assign for the project. We’ll need people to handle the surveillance, the extortion letter issuance, and someone to enforce both items. Be prepared to expand on these issues to that son of a bitch tomorrow.” With that, Rainer ended the meeting and sent the others home.

  Larue and Hahn walked out of the conference room deep in thought. They held no delusions that their lives were on the line. They were sure that Rainer would send them down the river before he went down himself.

  It was early the next morning when the black Volvo rolled down the quiet street of Gorokhovaya Ulitsa. Rainer, Larue, and Hahn were ready for their presentation. They decided that Rainer would do all the talking unless Nikola asked them directly for details. They rode in awkward silence. Rainer's thoughts consumed by Nikola’s threats. When they arrived, they pressed the button on the first floor that would give them access to Nikola’s private elevator. His secretary buzzed the private elevator door open, and allowed them to walk in. Rainer hit the button on the panel that lead to the fourth floor. The door opened directly into Nikola’s office. He and his assistant were the only ones that occupied this side of the building.

  Nikola was sprawled in the big chair behind his desk facing the window. He appeared to be reading some papers. When the elevator doors opened, he swiveled around to face it and waved them in. There was a deep line showing across his forehead.

  “Bad news?” Rainer asked.

  “The Prime Minister said that he is thinking of having the Federal Security Service work with us on this assignment.”

  “But I thought that FSB was put in place as additional power to target and intimidate opposition groups?” Rainer asked.

  “The truth is that they are one and the same with the old KGB.”

  “The KGB!” Larue exclaimed. “I thought they dismantled them back in 1991?”

  “Yes, that’s what they said about KGB as well as that communism was dead. However, what they failed to tell everyone is that communism never really died in Russia. It just took a more compassionate form in order to smooth the progress of relations with the West,” Nikola said, scarcely looking at them. He gave them the impression of being engrossed in the piece of paper in front of him. He finally threw the piece of paper on his desk and stood up, letting out a long loud growl. He faced Rainer, ignoring the other two.

  “Do you have a plan for me that I can give to the Prime Minister, and see if he can leave us alone to do this job?” he snapped, his tone cold.

  Rainer swallowed, and then surprised himself with the calmness in his voice. “Yes, we have a plan, and a backup plan, and I’m sure that this time we’ll be successful.”

  Nikola waved for them to sit. He moved behind his desk and threw himself back down in his big chair, took a cigar from the cigar box, and lit it with a swift move. “I’m listening,” he said frostily.

  Rainer went into long detail about both plans. Nikola seemed interested. A faint smile replaced his tough look. By the end of the presentation, he actually appeared satisfied. He held the cigar between his teeth and rubbed his hands together with pleasure. His face even softened a bit. He reached for the paper on his desk and glanced at it again. “I want you to get your best men to handle the job with no mistakes. Tell them to use force if necessary to unearth what we need. Give me an update once you have the photos, and let me know who we are after. I’m a bit confused about the first plan, it may be a little more difficult to achieve.” After taking another deep puff from his cigar, he continued. “I’m sure that if this Sebastian is as smart as I've been told, then he must have extraordinary protection for his company’s computer systems.” He blew a thick puff of smoke toward the ceiling, and then smiled as he wished them each good luck. They three exchanged surprised glances. Nikola was not the type to say or do anything kind, not for anyone.

  The three of them left the office, this time a little more upbeat than they were the day before. The ride back to their office was more relaxed as they tossed around names of agents that they wanted to use for this assignment. When they arrived at the office, they pulled out each agent’s file and moved the folders to the conference room. They spread the papers on top of the huge table and started going through them carefully, looking for the right qualifications. They wanted to make sure that they selected the individuals that would be able to carry each particular segment of the assignment with no blunders.

  Their personnel files described their strengths in detail as well as their previous assignments, including their successes and failures.

  They zeroed in on four names and set their files aside. Larue and Hahn gathered all the files that were not chosen, and walked back to Rainer’s office to put them away. Rainer hurried behind them carrying the chosen folders and set them on the top of his desk.

  Rainer shuffled the folders in his hands. “Hahn, I want you to examine each one of these files carefully and give me a summary,” he said tightly. “We will then evaluate the information together and choose the right people for the job.”

  Hahn looked up and nodded. Taking the four folders from Rainer’s hands, he walked back and sank into the big sofa, settling his shoulders more comfortably against the soft leather. He chose one of the four folders and set the other three next to him. He started to thumb through each page slowly trying to absorb all the details. He was going to take his time.

  Larue sat in front of the computer and concentrated on researching documentation about analyzing coded documents.

  Rainer picked up the inside phone and asked Georgiana to bring coffee for three of them to his office. A few minutes later that she walked in carrying a tray with three cups. She looked stunning in a tight blue suit paired with a white shirt and high heels. Three men stared at her in wonderment. Her skin was clear like alabaster. She had a small, attractive nose and gorgeous green eyes. She wore a soft pink lipstick that made her soft lips even more luscious. Her lip gloss gave her lips an attractive moist appearance. Her blond hair was shiny and pulled back, emphasizing her high cheekbones. A few soft curls fell on her forehead, adding to her charm.

  She moved with an elegant walk and set the tray down, making a point of brushing against Rainer on her way out. Her lips curved up into a soft smile. When the door closed, they heard her soft chuckle. Rainer appeared shaken up by her touch. It took a few minutes for him to get out of the fog he found himself in. He coughed to clear his throat and ran his tongue over his dry lips. He shook his head as his gaze fell on Larue and Hahn.

  They looked like they were fighting not to laugh. Hahn averted his gaze back to the folders. Larue turned to the computer screen. Rainer picked up the newspaper, chose the sports sections, and moved to the other side of the room to read quietly while waiting for Hahn to finish.

  It had been more than two hours when Hahn finally put down the folders and picked up the pad where he had made his own notes. He rose to his feet and stretched quietly. He took a deep breath. He was now ready to provide his summary. He coughed loudly to clear his throat and both men glanced up, a quizzical look on their faces.

  “What?” Rainer asked.

  Hahn glanced down at the men with a smirk on his face. He gave Rainer a knowing sm
ile, and said, “Are you ready to hear what I have learned about the tugs or would you rather call Georgiana for some more coffee?” There was silence for a split second before all three broke into laughter.

  “Go ahead, Hahn, we are ready,” Rainer said, amused.

  Hahn paced back and forth as he read information about each name on his list. “Frans De Jong is an expert hacker who broke into countless business computer systems. He has the ability to write his own software, and uses restricted source codes to gain unauthorized access to a computer security system to obtain documents and private information. Every assignment given to him was carried out successfully, including several assassinations.” Hahn glanced up from the paper to ensure the others were listening, and then he continued reading.

  “Gustaaf Jansen is an expert in extortion. He has the knowledge and the ability to obtain property from others through threats of physical harm, blackmail, coercion, and intimidation. Every assignment given to him was carried out successfully. He uses murder to solve any problems he might encounter that can’t solve through simple extortion.”

  “Vitorio Capaldi is an expert in surveillance. He has successfully completed every assignment by doing efficient background checks. He has handled small clients as well as large-scale investigations. He uses state-of-the-art equipment and private investigators with lengthy experience in surveillance, information gathering, and investigative research, including e-mail tracing, locating, and following individuals. He has no issue killing his victims.”

  Hahn swallowed before reading the final name. “Mauritsio Visonde is an expert photographer and document decoder. He is experienced in photo analysis, aerial photography, and digital photography. He can provide information on time lapse, photo imaging, developing film, shutter speed, and aperture. He sounds like an overall expert in providing reliable photos of the target no matter what the conditions may be. He is also a paid assassin.”

  “They all sound perfect for the job,” Rainer said. “But even though these guys are the best in their field, we still need to select the person that will do the actual abduction. I think this guy will have to be one of Petrov Borowski’s men that are located in Belarus,” Rainer stated firmly. He walked over to the file cabinet and pulled Borowski’s file. Larue's skin crawled and Hahn paled as Rainer read over Petrov’s accomplishments.

  Rainer said, “Petrov Borowski is brutal. His men are well-known and feared. They kill without concern often using heavy objects such as brass knuckles, metal rods, and guns. They have smashed skulls and bashed brains in, leaving their victims half dead, paralyzed, and unable to walk or even sit up, eventually succumbing to a slow death. They are uncontrollable.”

  Rainer shut the file and walked behind his desk, wearing a perplexed expression. He collapsed in his chair, letting out a long sigh. He leaned back and rubbed his eyes angrily. He cursed under his breath clearly irritated. There was silence in the room until finally he looked up and ran his fingers through his thick blond hair as he said, “I’m not sure we can take a chance using this bunch. If we’re to abduct a member of the Gaulle family we can’t hurt them. They’ll be the only bargaining chip that we can use to get the documents. These goons seem totally out of control, best used for special cases when killing someone is what they have been ordered to do. We need to find someone else.”

  Chapter 9

  THE FILES WERE pulled out again, and each one of them took a stack and sat down to read through them, searching for a better choice. Their faces were pinched in concentration as they carefully read through each agent’s file. Three hours passed without anyone saying a word. Hahn was the first to speak.

  “I think I found someone that seems to fit the profile we’re looking for.” Rainer and Larue looked up, eager to hear the details.

  Hahn licked his thumb and took the top page from the folder. He started to read. “The man’s name is Vasily Komarov. He runs a group of eleven operatives that specialize in kidnappings, but they are not known as a death squad. They coerce a company, a family, or a government through fear and intimidation to pay the requested ransom. They work methodically to achieve a resolution without elimination of the hostages. He has successfully acquired classified documents and ransom money in every one of his assignments.” Hahn looked at Rainer and Larue; their eyes were fixed on him. The soft smiles on their faces said they liked what they heard.

  “Well?” Hahn asked.

  Rainer stood up. He rubbed his hands together and smiled wickedly.

  “I think we found the people we want for this assignment. Let's make a few calls, set up a few meetings, and go over the details. We need to fly to Brussels and Belarus. We have to make sure that they understand that we call the shots.” Rainer took out his phone and made his first call to Jorrit Van Cleef in Brussels.

  “Hello.” The voice was hard.

  “Jorrit, it's Rainer.”

  Jorrit’s voice immediately changed. “Hey, Rainer, what’s up man?”

  “I need your help,” he replied firmly. “We need to meet as soon as possible.”

  “All right. Are you coming here, or do you want me to fly to St. Petersburg?”

  “I’ll be flying into Brussels Monday next week with Hahn and Larue. What time will work for you?”

  “Anytime you want. I’m here almost seven days a week, and spend a good part of each day in this hellhole,” he said wryly.

  “I'll call when I arrive.” He hung up. Next he phoned Vasily, who picked up on the second ring.

  “Vasily, it’s Rainer.”

  “Rainer! It’s been a while, how are you doing?”

  “I’m doing well, but I need your help.”

  “What’s up?”

  “This is something that we need to discuss in person.”

  “Oh?”

  “How about meeting next week sometime? I need to see Jorrit first, and then I can come talk to you.”

  “When are you planning on meeting with Jorrit?”

  “Monday next week. I’ll need to spend a couple of days there, but then I can come and see you. How about Thursday?”

  “Sounds like a plan. It must be something big if you are getting Jorrit involved.”

  “It’s big all right, and it can’t fail. Our lives are on the line.”

  “Fine, I’ll wait for you. Don’t worry, I’m sure we can make things work,” he said with confidence.

  “Thanks, Vasily, I’ll see you Thursday morning. We’ll catch an early flight from Brussels, and we should be there by ten. How about eleven thirty at your office?”

  “Perfect.” They hung up. Rainer took a couple of worrisome breaths and exhaled deeply.

  “When are you planning on us leaving for Brussels?” Larue asked.

  Rainer walked around the big desk, and took a seat at the huge armchair. “I’m thinking that we should leave four days from now, and take the Sunday afternoon flight to Brussels,” Rainer said. “That will get us there in the late evening. We’ll get a room, rest, and be ready to meet with Jorrit on Monday morning.”

  “How long are we staying in Brussels?” Hahn asked.

  “Like I said to Vasily, if we spend a couple of days with Jorrit we can get our plan in a good order, and then fly out to Belarus to meet with Vasily on Thursday morning.”

  “I’m sure things will work out a lot better this time,” Larue said. Rainer caught his attempt at appeasement but did not respond.

  Rainer picked up the desk phone and spoke to his secretary. He told her to make the arrangements for him and his men. When the confirmation e-mail came, he printed the boarding passes and handed one each to Larue and Hahn. “Let's go home,” he said. “Take a couple of days off, and we’ll meet at the airport Sunday afternoon.”

  Larue and Hahn left his office as Rainer fell back on his chair and closed his eyes. He worried about this assignment. He didn’t trust Nikola. More than ever, things had to go exactly as scheduled. All sorts of emotions clouded his thoughts, and his mouth flattened into a hard line.


  He was tired. He hated his life and the loneliness that enveloped his miserable world every moment of the day, seven days a week, three hundred and sixty-five days a year.

  Panic spread throughout his body. He didn’t want to kill people anymore; he didn’t want to be the bad guy. He wanted a normal life. He couldn’t remember the last time he took a vacation with someone he loved; he couldn’t remember a person that he loved! He had vanished from his normal life at the age nineteen, turning away from his family and friends, blinded by the vast amount of money and the fast life the mafia offered. It was too late when he realized that the price he paid was his life. He couldn’t remember the last time he made love to woman he cared about. Sex was always to satisfy a need, and paid for with dirty money.

  He had loved his parents, but he hadn’t been able to attend their funeral when they were killed eight years ago. Pain shot right through his heart and his eyes welled up. He leaned back on his chair and threw his arm over his eyes. Despair covered his thoughts more powerfully than ever before. He hated himself every time these memories invaded his mind. The thought of suicide had become stronger within the last year as he guilt for all the terrible things he had done, the people he had destroyed, and the lives he had left shattered in his path grew more intense.

  He groaned, thinking there was no out from this kind of life. Even a miracle couldn’t help him now. A soft voice snapped him out of his haze. He dropped his arm away from his eyes and let it fall on the armrest.