by MacShayne
‘Hello, Mr. Groenhof. Welcome back’, he said when Mitch entered the shop.
‘Aah, Mr. Manufrere. Still looking good.’, Mitch responded sarcastically.
‘Don’t try to joke yourself into bargains. You know I won’t fall for that.’
‘At least I have to try.’
‘Like every Dutch man. You folks have a reputation. You know that.’
‘That is true.’
‘But, it would work though. if you had nice big boobs and long blonde hair.’
‘I need the best sniper rifle you have.’, Mitch said in a serious tone.
‘What makes you think I sell that stuff. You know we don’t hunt in this country.’
‘No I didn’t.’
‘You should read the tourist brochure once. It really clears up some thing or two about out beloved country.’
‘I don’t have time for that.’
‘Of course you don’t. So, what are you going to hunt? If I may ask..’
‘Scum.’
‘Good enough for me. You see, you are that kind of person that doesn’t bullshit. You know that?’
‘Never been told before’, Mitch answered.
‘Well, you should come to the back in about ten minutes. You may leave a specific figure written on a specific paper on a certain desk on this table.’
While Manufrere walked towards the back, Mitch was about to leave the shop when he saw CNN on the television that was in the shop. An article about a bomb exposition was on the news. In Fort Washington, killing multiple individuals that were inside for reasons unknown. Mitch however, immediately knew that his predictions already became true. But, Mitch didn’t care about their deaths. It meant that it became a lot more easier for him to settle his score. Once he was able to get Sandra and Mia into safety. Mitch left the shop and met the bright sunshine again. Thankfully, he wore sunglasses. No time for headaches he thought. But, it was still bloody hot while it already became noon.
In at Fawnskin B&B, Fawnskin, California, 28 January 2010
Eveline could not get a hold of Gustanso, but, decided to call Robert instead. It was very likely that Mitch had spoken with him moments ago. Maybe he had a clue where Mitch was heading, besides, she didn’t know exactly what to do right now.
‘What happened over there?’, Robert asked. ‘Shared an intimate moment with my brother?’
‘Well, that’s a way to put it. But, why the hell did he contact you?’
‘He told me something about the meeting. He said it was a trap.’
‘When was the last time you have spoken to Agent Anderson?’
‘Simple answer, the last time I spoke you.’
‘I can’t reach him. Where are you?
‘Somewhere far away from where you folks left me. You think I let me use as bait? You should have come clean Eveline!’
‘It’s special Agent Turner, Mr. McEachran!’
‘Yeah, that’s what I thought. Look, he also said that I could trust you. That’s why I’m going to give you a second chance. But, if you withhold anything again, even the slightest detail, you can go find someone else to play with. Do you understand.’
‘You don’t get to give me orders Robert.. I’ll agree. But, you must tell me anything Mitch said.’
‘Well, I found that there is this woman living in the Dominican republic. She is related to Mitch. Probably, he saved both hers and her daughter’s life.’
‘Listen Robert, we need to meet and work this out together. Since the beginning when they proposed to invite you in our little secret group, I had my doubts. I think you aren’t just going to be used as bait. I think your life is in danger.’
‘What are you going to do?’
‘Let me find you, we wait until we know what happened to Gustanso and then we must track down Mitch. He’s onto something, I don’t know why else they want to have so much bargain against him.’
‘Didn’t you just tried to kill him?’
‘I never aim for a vital organ. I aimed at my phone because I thought he was looking into my files. We can’t allow a fugitive to get a hold of our intell.’
‘From where I’m standing, I don’t think we have anything to offer he doesn’t already know.’
‘I’m aware of that Robert. Where do we meet?’
‘I always wanted to see the ocean from a different point of view. I’m now in the neighbour of Myrtle Beach. You should go there. I’ll text you my exact whereabouts later.’
‘Myrtle Beach. Why?
‘I really, really, liked the name.’
In the meantime, the former CPU safe house where Robert worked the last days was being entered by a team of CIA agents. they were looking for Robert but, he was already gone. The supervisor of the group reported the update directly to Mr. Home. The files about Mitch Crown were destroyed and the house was set on fire.
Jimani (Dominican Republic), Mitch’s safe house, 30 January 2010
Mitch was inspecting his sniper rifle. All the parts were spread on the only table that stood in the living room. Besides a kitchen and a bathroom, there was only the table and a bed. Mitch walked towards the kitchen and poured in a glass of water. Thereafter, he looked at himself in the mirror and cleaned himself up. Normally, he would shower for eleven minutes. The number eleven was somehow always related to him. If he also shaved himself, which he did once in three days normally, it would take him eighteen to twenty two minutes to clean up.
After he had cleaned himself up and put the rifle back together. He walked towards the balcony. he picked up his phone that was also laying on the table before he was on the balcony. Before he phoned anyone, he took some time to enjoy the view. The city lit up the sky. This could be the last time that he could enjoy such a view. It made him think about what his father once said about the changing world. Everything became more automatic, digital, he used the word robotic for the world. Harvey never saw a computer as they were now. Maybe that was for the better. It would freak the shit out of him. But, he did mention how he saw himself.
They were sitting on their veranda in their Hungarian home. Harvey, a man stone cold with a little heart. Proud of his son that was sitting next to him. His son that had a fresh scar because he kicked the living shit out of the two grades higher bully of hi school.
‘You could see me as a knife Mitch. When I was trained I was deadly and fast. Sharp as a knife. Then you become older, does that mean you’re not deadly anymore? It doesn’t Mitch. Maybe a little bit slower. A little more edgy. But, I will always be deadly. It’s the world around us that influences it the most. And when the time comes when people use computers more than they spend time with other people, you could compare the world that it is now to one where the atmosphere is filled with water. That will be the time where I am a knife in the ocean. Does that make the knife less dangerous? It does and it doesn’t. But, a knife in the ocean isn’t useable like it used to be in a normal atmosphere. That is what I’ll become Mitch. A knife in the water.’
Mitch laughed before he dialled Robert’s number, was he becoming slowly a knife in the ocean?
‘Did you find out what happened in Washington Robert?’, Mitch asked while standing on the balcony.
‘I heard it on the news. Seven bodies were found death..’, They both didn’t say anything for a few seconds. ‘wait, is this the trap you mentioned two days ago?’, Robert asked.
‘I have a feeling. Didn’t you find out about the fire in Fredericksburg?’
‘This means there’s a mole within the CIA.’
‘That’s right. There is a mole. Where are you now? Heard anything from Eveline?’
‘I’m safe. She is on her way.’
‘Good. Because now you’re the last two alive of that little task forced they created. Your names are on a list Robert. Be careful.’
‘I could say the same to you. You know it’s a trap. If you try to safe Sandra, it will likely be your end.’
‘You know brother, I used to life without having emotions. ‘
‘No, but, I think that the reason I’m still alive is because of Mia. This is the only way that I can repay her.’
‘That sounds insane. Courageous, but, insane! ‘
‘She in some way Robert, made me a little less reckless.’
‘You should wait till we get there. We have a bigger chance when we try to safe them with the three of us.’
‘This is something I have to do myself. It would else be too late. If I wait long enough, they will expect that I bring more to the party. Then they have the opportunity to enlarge their army. if it i already an army.’
‘Makes sense.’
‘Trust nobody Robert. Not even Mr. Home himself.’
Fort Washington, Inside, 28 January 2010
Gustanso walked ran towards the exit while Feenstra and the Chinese team informed the others that this could be a set-up. Gustanso tried to call Eveline but, still didn’t have any reach. His phone then slipped out of his hands. Gustanso picked it up and to his horror, he found out that he had to reboot the phone. That’s when he smelled something. He walked towards the room where the smell came from. It was a gas leak. While Gustanso walks towards the leak, the sound of someone else nearing can be heard in the hall.
Gustanso was already trying to fix the leak while Ronald Feenstra appeared in the doorway. He picked up Gustanso’s phone and saw that it was rebooting. Gustanso used his jacket to prevent him from burning his hand. Feenstra did the same and began to assist him. They both did not know that the gas leak was just coincidence. Something no one seems to blieve in. Something that can change everything at any given moment.
‘It’s a god damn trap’, Ronald said.
‘You should get the rest out. Alarm them.’
‘We already did, some think it’s nothing more than a little Chinese paranoia.’
‘Then safe yourself Ronald. Get the hell away from here.’
A sound could be heard. Ronald looked at Gustanso’s phone and saw that it was operative again. He also saw that Gustanso’s reach was two bars. He picked up the phone and was about to hand it over to Gustanso.
‘Why didn’t you exit the building?’, Ronald asked.
‘What do you mean?’
‘You can’t blow up a building....’, were the last words Ronald Feenstra said before the building exploded.
Chapter 10:
Where is the World We Deserve?
Santa Domingo (Dominican Republic), Frederic’s House 31 January 2010
We get the world we deserve someone told him before Mitch pulled the trigger. This woman was a mob boss that was known to the public as potential Bondskanselier candidate. Back then, Mitch thought that it was truth. We did get the world we deserve. But, that was until the moment he met Sandra Barros and her fiver year old little daughter. Somehow, he felt for Sandra. Like she deserved a second chance in this big bad world of ours. That was, until he met Mia. She did not chose the life she was in. Her father was killed, she was kidnapped and her mother worked as a high class prostitute. Her mother was forced into that line of work by the person that had kidnapped her, the person that killed her father. The person that she called grandfather. No, we don’t get the world we deserve. We don’t get anything. We are all alive and that’s it. Sometimes you’re lucky and be a millionaire’s kid. Sometimes you’ll be lucky because you have great parents. Mitch would almost call it purpose now, but, that was just a little too much to believe for him.
Mia was the child that deserved a better future. Now, she accepted an assassin as her dad, was again in life threatening conditions because of that assassin. She had no chance at a normal life. And somehow, Mitch still had this growing feeling that she somehow loved him as a father. It was that reason that Mitch came tonight, for her, to safe her. And maybe a little to safe himself. Yeah, this was suicide probably.
Four men only, one of them female. A Mexican, a Chinese, an African and a Brit Mitch thought. One hell of a team to work together with. The Chinese was probably their leader. He was also the smallest. The Mexican was the pretty boy, probably did the most undercover work. The African woman was the team’s chameleon. Blend in easily with multiple races. And then there was the Brit, team muscle according to Mitch. Four persons only. In his best days it would be humiliating. Not now. Russia did nothing good to him. He was still fit though. And his marksmanship probably was still far above average. But, this was not the usual mission to kill, this time, it was to safe and protect.
Indeed, how could he take out four persons and safe three? Taking out the four was not the big issue. This was a CIA secret undercover cell. The house was probably wired with bombs. Which meant if he was able to kill them, there would be almost no time to evacuate. Best case scenario, he would be able to grab one or two and jump through the window before hell put the place on fire. Mitch almost made a little prayer. He looked at the sky. Thought about his father, his brother, Mia and his estranged sister that he still had to find.
‘Yeah this is a trap’, Mitch whispered to himself.
T hen he stood up, leaving the rifle unloaded behind. He walked the first metres before he lowered himself and almost crept to one side of the house. He knew that he would encounter the Brit and the African as first before he could go upstairs where the other two were. This was a surprise attack, and the only chance of what could be called success, was if the big guy didn’t cost him too much time.
‘I’m going to get you out of there Mia, I promise’, he told himself before his mood went back to robot. No more emotions were allowed. This was what he did. Do the impossible, like any other time. Shut down the thought of saving someone, just don’t die. Mitch exhaled in and out deeply and then nodded towards the sky. A knife was visible in his hand, a huge blade with only one purpose. Killing the muscle man of course...
Myrtle Beach, Robert’s hideout in a Motel, 31 January 2010
Robert was still waiting for Eveline to show up. He knew that she could arrive at any moment. She already shared the fact that she was within fifteen miles of Myrtle Beach ten minutes ago. Robert texted her an address in code. He did not say that he had rented three of the rooms. If Eveline betrayed him, he would still have a small chance to flee.
Of course that was not necessary. Eveline showed up twenty minutes after he gave her the address. She was alone. Robert watched how she left the car and walked around for a few minutes. No other life could be detected. If she would betray him, if there was a team hiding in the bushes to take him out, it would be his own fault to make it them so easy. Somehow he trusted Mitch’s word. Eveline could be trusted. So he did and opened the door. Eveline reacted immediately and saw him straight in his eyes. Then she marched towards his door and entered the room without saying anything. Robert closed the door as she let her fall herself on the bed.
‘Welcome to my new humble home Agent Turner’, Robert said.
‘You know Robert, I have this feeling I’m not an agent anymore.’
‘Why?’, Robert asked while he poured in a glass of water for her. ‘Thirsty?’
‘You are more of a gentleman then Mitch in just your finger Robert.’
‘Thank you. But, seen our careers I don’t think it’s that surprising. Now why aren’t you an agent?’
‘Didn’t you follow the news?’
‘Yes I have. But, should I be aware of something that I’m clearly not?’
‘I am a fugitive Robert. Somehow, they put a bounty on my head.’
‘That changes everything a little I think.’
‘You think?’
‘So, how much would I earn If I turned this angel in?’, Robert said as he seated himself on the bed next to Eveline.
‘Would you turn me in?’
‘Never.’
‘Did you just flirt with me Robert?’
‘Perhaps.’
‘You know what. You have the looks of Mitch but, unlike him you’re a complete gentleman.’
‘Do you like gentlemen?’
&nb
sp; ‘Normally I despise them. What do you think we have t do?’
‘My opinion? Leave. Like right now.’
‘I agree’, Eveline pulled herself together after a long, long ride and is now sitting next to Robert.
Robert looks at her right leg and then to her face. Eveline looks at his eyes and somehow completely out of nowhere, she leans forward and kisses him on the mouth. After a second she withdraws.
‘That was completely unexpected’, she said.
‘Not entirely. Was it inappropriate?’, Robert asked.
They looked at each other again and kissed again. They made out for a while. Then They undressed each other. Robert helped her out her shirt while she unbut,toned his blouse. Robert helped her out of her bra while she unbuckled his belt. Robert kissed her all over her body starting at her neck while she got out of her pants. Meanwhile, Robert also got out of his.
‘Do you still feel like we should go?’, she teased.
‘Well, If I go this way, I wouldn’t mind’, Robert answered before they made out again.
After twenty four minutes to be precisely, they both stood in the shower, cleaning themselves up. It wasn’t a big shower but, they managed to shower at the same moment while they helped each other. They made out once again and had shower sex before it got to them that they really needed to hurry up.
‘What if we get gunned down the second we leave? You still think it was worth it Robert?’
‘My dear, they can write the letters on my grave’, Robert answered.
Langley (Virginia), Mr. Home’s office, 29 January 2010
Everything is falling apart. That would be the first sentence in his conversation with Alan Fitch. But, the truth was actually a little different. More positive. It was by far the hardest decision he had to make. He despised him for what he had to do. Good people had to be killed in order to save the organization. For the greater good. But, now that it was executed, the plan to whip out the task force, he asked himself what good really meant. Nobody should be playing god. Deciding who would life and who would not.
But, there were still some loose ends. Robert McEachran was not one of them. Not yet. he only knows that his brother is an assassin and probably that he saved a woman named Sandra and her daughter Mia. But, once he would team up with Eveline, or Mitch Crowne himself would have contact with him before Mitch was taken out, then he did became a risk. So what should he decide, going for safe? Safe sounded good. Safe is good. Saving the organization was his priority.