Assassin Flame

by Tomson Cobb

  Chapter 27

  The nightmare Jago was experiencing had him tied to a metal cross while he was roasted over a fire.

  The reality was much worse.

  His head throbbed like a church bell. The first image he saw as his eyes became accustomed to the heat in the steam was a tall, slim, incredibly beautiful woman, her hair held in a bright red clip. She was naked, her arms folded in a yoga asana headstand position, upside down with her feet flat against the door to the sauna. She watched him with an upside-down smile that made her look very angry, the clip keeping the hair from her eyes.

  She lowered her feet to the floor in a lithe, practised movement which allowed Jago to view her from behind. Her body was slim, with well-toned thigh, calf and shoulder muscles that wouldn’t look out of place on a bodybuilder. She turned in silence like a ballet dancer on her toes, in her own world as he attempted to move towards her in his still semiconscious state. Unsuccessfully, it turned out, as his wrists and ankles were tied tight in some sort of restraint harness, each one attached to a hook drilled into the wooden walls which meant his torso was stretched out in a figure X. He looked down to see that he was also naked, sweat falling in rivers off his chest, down his stomach and genitals onto the floor.

  The young woman now turned away from him to lie down on a white towel, her arms alongside her as she lifted her whole body into a shoulder stand position. Her triangle of dark pubic hair, cut into a Brazilian, now taunted him as she lowered each leg apart to form a letter T. She held the position for a moment then rolled over into a cobra position, arching her back as she continued to stare at Jago without a word, the smile still prominent while she observed the involuntary physical reaction as his body finally succumbed to the deliberate sexual lure of her exercises. She stepped over to his prone torso to touch his groin. He couldn’t control the reaction it caused.

  ‘So, you like what you see, Mr Hale,’ she said finally. ‘That’s good. I can promise you will enjoy the next hour or so, although maybe not the few minutes after that, I’m afraid to say.’

  Jago remained silent. His eyes switched to the two bodies on the other side of the chamber, then to the wooden towel rack above the door which he realised she must have raised herself onto, to lie in wait for first Joe then himself. A stupid mistake by them both, he knew now, although he hadn’t paid the ultimate price – yet. His eyes flickered around the steam-filled room. A silenced semiautomatic rested alongside their two Glocks on top of a small waterproofed backpack, which he guessed also contained the clothes she’d worn before she’d divested them outside the sauna.

  ‘Your colleague was careless, Mr Hale. You also. There’s no point in attempting to escape from your restraints either. You must lie back and think of England. That’s who you work for, isn’t it?’

  The girl did a cartwheel across the sauna room that ended with her straddled above him, one leg either side of his torso. She lowered herself until the tip of her vagina touched his now fully attentive member. She giggled like a child, then threw herself back in a reverse somersault that ended in a perfect finish, both feet flat with arms on hips as she watched him once again.

  ‘Oh, I do love this work,’ she said. Her body shuddered as if she’d had an electric shock. It was obvious to him that she was in a state of sexual arousal, while he was in a no-win one. He had to keep her occupied as long as possible while he thought of a solution to the problem, which might prove difficult if he couldn’t control his own body.

  ‘Nine point nine for the execution,’ Jago said, as he tried to avert his mind from the carnal thoughts created by the physical beauty in front of him.

  ‘I also love your voice, Jago. Execution is so the right word as well. How clever of you.’

  The perspiration was now visibly heavy on herself. Her smooth, agile body glistened, not just from the heat of the furnace but also from the version of Bikram yoga she was so well versed in. Also perhaps from sexual desire, he thought.

  ‘Now we’re in conversation mode, Jago, I know you spy for MI6. So who is it you report to there?’

  ‘I don’t spy for SIS, Belette. I’m a researcher. I analyse situations.’ There was no point in a waste of time by denial. Her eyes narrowed as the smile disappeared. For a second he had control. It didn’t last.

  ‘So you know my name. Very good, Jago. Now, where did I make a mistake I wonder? Oh, it must have been the old woman. Mmm yes. She touched me didn’t she? I see now. I can’t have cleaned up properly so you must have got a DNA match somehow. No matter. It won’t do you any good. After tonight, you won’t be around to worry about me. No doubt your colleagues will try to find me once more, but they will be disappointed. However, back to my question. You’re more than just an analyst so don’t be so coy. Who do you report to?’

  ‘I couldn’t say. Anyway, I’ve forgotten. So what’s the plan now, Belette?’

  The smile left her face for a moment, then returned.

  ‘You mean after we’ve had some fun together, my Jago?’ She touched him again, enjoying the reaction that her fingers could produce, this time on a male partner. ‘My questions can wait for a while. You’ll tell me later. As to yours, you and your friend will be found here of course, together with Mr Hordiyenko. My employer will let it be known that you were all engaged in a sordid sex party here that got out of control. He will suggest that MI6 employed two sexual deviants to kill Mr Hordiyenko after they had an orgy. Then that he heroically managed to kill you both before he expired himself. Simple, don’t you think?’

  ‘Yes. I do, as a matter of fact. A little too simple. It won’t wash, Miss Dias. Or should I call you Globnic?’

  Her eyes lost the sparkle. ‘For someone in your position, you should not try to provoke me, Mr Hale. My grandfather was a great man. The best at his job, an artist even, although misunderstood even in the war. I’ve tried to learn all I could from him, and my father of course.’

  ‘’You’ve learned a lot, Belette. I’ll give you that. Your reputation goes before you.’

  ‘Why thank you my dear. Now, as I said, we’re about to have some fun, then you will tell me all I want to know.’

  She moved towards the backpack, pulled open the zip and took out a syringe that was already filled with fluid, the end protected by a plastic sheath.

  ‘Is that the same stuff you used on my father-in-law?’ Jago said, for no good reason other than to stall her.

  ‘Why yes. Also for Mr Bryan. He and I had an enjoyable time as well before he answered my questions. He had a good body, not as attractive as yours of course, though he made up for that with his technique in bed. He was very proficient in that department I have to say.’ She flicked the level in the hypo to check there were no air bubbles in it.

  ‘You’re mentally deranged, you know,’ said Jago. He tried to loosen his right wrist from the restraint while she was distracted.

  ‘Oh Jago. You can do better than that. Everyone has to enjoy their job, otherwise what’s the point of it? I’m sure you of all people would agree with that.’

  She replaced the hypodermic alongside the gun and touched her toes. Her black hair was now sodden with steam, sweat and animal desire, he thought. As she approached him, her lithe body glistened with moisture. She stepped up onto the first level of the wooden bench, positioned herself astride his helpless body, then lowered herself down again, her knees alongside his chest while her arms were clasped behind her head. He was helpless.

  ‘I think we can start now, my Jago. I’m going to fuck you for some time. I don’t want you to lose your virility too quickly though, so I’ll keep you interested, I promise.’ Her fingers slid down his chest and then behind her. Her eyes closed as she started to massage him with a skill he guessed came from lots of practice. He tried to keep his mind on other matters but it proved impossible.

  ‘Was your wife able to arouse you as I do, my Jago?’ She smiled down at him. ‘She was very attractive as I remember.’

  Jago reacted with a start. ‘Was it you who
killed her?’

  ‘Haven’t you worked that out yet? I was told you were very intelligent, Mr Hale. My hand tells me that information hasn’t inhibited you though. I wonder why that is?’

  Her eyes were closed again. If the statement was designed to test him, he’d failed. She returned to her own inner world of pleasure while he felt uncontrollable arousal mixed with utter helplessness.

  He raised his head in desperation. He couldn’t think of any solution that would change the situation. The thought of her using the truth drug, which had proved unstable with its lethal side effects, didn’t fill him with hope that he could survive the injection when Sam, Frank and Tom Bryan hadn’t been able to. At times of desperation, any idea might be floated.

  ‘Why don’t you work for us? I can guarantee you’ll be paid more by us than by your current employer.’

  It worked – partly. She released he grip on his lower anatomy to bring herself closer to him, her lips hovering an inch away from his own.

  ‘What makes you think I’m not doing that already, my darling?’ She waited for a reaction. Jago tried not to show one. It had distracted her, if only for a moment. She pushed his chin sideways and started to lick his ear. ‘Do you like that, Jago my love? Can I bring you to the edge of your self-control without you losing the admirable restraint you’ve shown thus far, or will you have to capitulate to my touch before I’m ready? What do we think?’

  He tried again.

  ‘My people can offer you more than just financial rewards, Belette. They‘d provide protection for you, so you could retire from this life before someone connected to one of your victims finds you to get revenge.’ Jago attempted to keep his mind focused on the danger rather than the intense sensations wracking his lower body.

  ‘Like you or your employers you mean? I don’t fear anyone, my Jago. Anyway, why would I want to end this wonderful work? I am a charitable donor of that most elusive addiction, pleasure and pain given together. I am unique in my profession in being able to offer both in combination, so most of my clients enjoy the end of their miserable, unfulfilled lives with at least one short, intense moment of satisfaction before they reach their unexpected death. What better way to end a life, don’t you agree?’

  ‘Well, when you put it like that, how could I not? Still, maybe we could help you put that skill to better use by working for us?’

  Time was not elastic, he knew, though at least the dialogue had resulted in a pause in her manipulation.

  ‘I don’t work exclusively for anyone, my darling. I learned long ago that trust is an impossible dream for those in my profession, which certainly applies to my current contract. I know that might have interested you in any other circumstance. Unfortunately it’s too late for you to worry about it. Now, shall we return to my hobby? I have only a little time to question you, so my hunger needs to be satisfied before then.’

  That put an end to Jago’s only realistic idea to deflect her from her current plan. The thought of the syringe and its likely effects dampened his optimism, so any alternative looked unlikely apart from a miracle. As he had no religious leanings, that option also seemed unlikely. On the other hand, perhaps there was an almighty entity. He imagined he could see a movement through the wall of steam that emanated from the stove. As he watched, an apparition that he recognised began to appear from the fog and approach the girl from behind. He tried to help his prospective rescuer.

  ‘You won’t get away with this, Belette,’ he said in a louder voice than before.

  She opened her eyes. His words had set off an alarm but she was a second too late. She turned just as the semi-automatic she’d left on the bag struck her across the side of her head. As she slid off Jago’s body, her head struck the side of the bench before she crumpled onto the wooden floor.

  ‘You do like to enjoy yourself don’t you Jago.’

  ‘Sadomasochism is not my usual bag, Tony. At least not till today. How the hell did you get here anyway?’

  ‘Call it intuition,’ Shapiro said. ‘After Joe left Washington, I didn’t feel right about this whole playbook of yours so I jumped on the next plane out here. Thought I’d keep a low profile so anyone who might have been watching me wouldn’t know I was involved in the operation. That would mean I could provide some backup if it all turned to shit. It looks like it has.’

  Shapiro was perspiring heavily from the heat in the sauna, despite being dressed just in jeans and T-shirt. He pulled out a clasp knife and started to cut Jago’s wrist ties. After Shapiro had managed to release his arms and legs Jago was able to sit up, grateful for once that he’d been able to maintain his chastity.

  ‘How’d you realise we were in trouble?’ Jago asked as he rubbed his wrists to get some circulation into his arms.

  ‘From the hotel, I accessed the NSA satellite feed. Watched you guys leave on the boat, then saw the cruiser overtake you, so I followed it on live feed. Saw the girl here anchor it then swim over here. She climbed the cliff ahead of you on her own. Quite an athlete, this one.’ Shapiro turned to look down at the lifeless form on the floor behind him.

  ‘How did she get into this place?’ Jago now made himself more comfortable on the bench, albeit still groggy from the after-effects of the blow to his head.

  ‘She let herself in the main door. Must have had the number for the security system.’

  ‘Christ. Hooray for good old USA technology. How did you make your entrance?’

  ‘Climbed the wall then got in through your broken window. It was good to find out I’m not too old for a bit of fieldwork.’ Shapiro took two of the towels from the bench and threw one to Jago, then wiped his own head with the other.

  As Jago withdrew his face from the towel he saw a slight movement from the inert body behind Shapiro, a little too late. He shouted to him as the girl rolled and leapt to her feet.

  The CIA man was more flexible than he looked. He pulled the gun from where he’d stuck it in his waistband to raise it towards its previous owner. He was quick, but she was quicker. She punched him once in the abdomen then, as he collapsed to his knees, picked up her bag and ran through the door into the stairwell. Jago tried to react. By the time he’d prised the weapon out of the hand of his groaning partner she was out of the room, on the run up the stairs.

  Jago staggered up the stairs, across the kitchen then into the main room. He was just in time to let off a round at the naked figure at the far end of the lounge as she slammed shut the door leading to the garden.

  Jago was now able to move quicker. He pulled open the door to see Belette sprint around to the back of the pool. She skirted the low diving board and turned towards him.

  ‘See you soon, darling,’ she shouted. Then she blew him a kiss, threw the bag over the edge and launched herself over the metal rail behind the end of the pool, in a swallow dive into the semi-darkness where the cliff fell to the water a hundred feet below.

  In the few seconds it took for Jago to reach the edge and peer with extreme caution over the edge of the precipice, the only sign of her was a phosphorescence in the water.

  ‘Impressive girl. In more ways than one,’ Jago said to the slower Shapiro, who had now joined him at the edge of the cliff, his breathing laboured from the blow to both pride and stomach.

  ‘Glad to hear you cheerlead for the bitch. You’ve taken all this well, haven’t you? You know you would have been dead by now if I hadn’t got here in time.’

  ‘Might have. Maybe not. Don’t get me wrong though. I’m grateful, my friend. It’s just a shame she works for the wrong side.’

  ‘Or that I came through that sauna door a little too soon for you both, maybe?’

  ‘Hadn’t thought that,’ he lied. ‘Let’s not go there though. I have a lady on the other side of the world that I’ll have to explain this escapade to yet, so that’ll be difficult enough as it is without me analysing myself too closely.’ Jago smiled to himself. Had Tony put his finger on a situation Jago didn’t want to admit?

  They turned
to their left as the motor launch by the hotel beach fired up its engine, turned around in a one-eighty and roared out of the bay, disappearing from sight around the headland.

  ‘I’ll get my people to call the local police to look for her.’

  ‘Don’t waste your time, Tony. I’ll bet she has another boat tied to a lobster-pot line somewhere. She’ll sink this one then take the other into a harbour somewhere down the coast. You can warn the airport if you want but we’ll never find her before she gets off the island. I guarantee that.’

  ‘You seem to know a lot about the tradecraft of an assassin, Jago.’

  ‘Not really. I just read too many potboilers on my Kindle. I do think, though, that I know a little more now about what makes our Belette tick.’

  ‘I’ll be all ears. It can wait until we get out of here though. You can tell me later.’

  ‘You’re right. I’m also cold now I’m out of that damned sauna, so I think I should go look for my clothes. What’s the plan for Joe?’ Jago said as they started back to the house.

  ‘I’ve got a car outside the gate. I don’t have any cleaners on the island, so you and I will have to sanitise the sauna as best we can. Then we carry him in that rug I saw in the main room. We take him to your place, then I’ll call in some help. I’ll get my team in DC to fly in a private jet to take him home. What do you think we should do with the Ukrainian?’

  ‘Leave him where he is. Let the local police know the DEA believes he’s about to set up a big drugs deal tomorrow. They search the place and find him as we left him.’

  ‘I can do better than that. I’ve got a contact in the SVA, the Servicio de Vigilancia Aduanera.’