TWO SUDDEN!: A Pair of Cole Sudden C.I.A. Thrillers

by Lawrence de Maria

  Sudden thought he’d take a shot in the dark.

  “I hear he’s quite the ladies’ man.”

  She smiled.

  “Who told you that?”

  “Oh, I just heard it around. I’ve been talking to a lot of people. Told most of them how impressed I was with Bokamper. Isn’t it true?”

  “Klaus is not married. And, as I said, he works hard. Who can blame him? We’re all adults, after all.”

  “Was he ever married?”

  “I think so. But he doesn’t talk about it.”

  “Children?”

  “I don’t know. Why all the interest in his personal life?”

  Sudden thought he should get off the subject.

  “I’m thinking about modeling a character in my book after someone like him. You know, brilliant scientist with a real passion for his work, on the cutting edge of everything. But I like to soften my characters. I don’t want them to be cardboard cutouts. I like personal details. I’ll probably just go talk to him again.”

  Their drinks came. The waiter then handed them menus.

  “Would you like to hear the specials?”

  Witte looked at Sudden.

  “Why don’t you let me order for the both of us? I promise that you won’t be disappointed. Assuming you like fish.”

  “I place myself in your hands.”

  She looked at the waiter.

  Salade verte d'été to start. Then sole meunière for two, on the bone, with a purée of celery root. A side of steamed green beans. Cheese and fruit for dessert. And a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. The 2008 Cakebread Cellars.”

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Witte. We sold our last bottle only yesterday. But I have the 2009. Some people actually prefer it.”

  “Well, we will see. But I’m sure it will be fine. Thank you.”

  The waiter left.

  “Too bad you have trouble making up your mind,” Sudden said dryly. “I am a little surprised at the California wine.”

  “I like to eat. And I know what I like. As for wine, I am not a slave to European pretensions.”

  “Well, it doesn’t seem to have done you any harm. You are a very beautiful woman.”

  It was true. Katarina Witte, long blond hair, blue green eyes set wide apart in a lovely face, perfect skin, looked as if she could be a model in an ad for the Swiss skiing team. And she was dressed to the nines, wearing a tight, grape-colored sheath chiffon cocktail dress with a single beaded shoulder strap.

  “Thank you, Cole. If I look presentable, it’s because I just flew in from London. There was a reception at Claridges.”

  Their waiter returned with their wine. Seeing that they hadn’t finished their cocktails, he opened it and then put it in a wine bucket next to their table and left.

  “What about you, Katarina? I don’t see a wedding ring.”

  “Are you thinking about putting me in your book?”

  “I’m thinking about putting you on the cover.”

  She laughed.

  “I’m divorced.”

  “Who takes care of your son when you travel?”

  “Manfred? He’s old enough to manage on his own for a day or two. But he’s not even at CERN. He’s spending the summer with his father in Australia.”

  “You must miss him.”

  “I do. Terribly. But it is a great opportunity for him. Hans, that’s my ex-husband, is a marine biologist studying the Great Barrier Reef. We get along, and it will be a wonderful experience for Manfred.”

  They spent the next hour eating one of the best meals Sudden ever had and talking about their respective lives. Sudden had his Cole Swift shtick down pat and had no trouble playing the role of an American thriller writer. Witte seemed quite fascinated by his stories. He was used to people thinking that writers were something special, when it was a talent that came easy to him. She promised to buy his books and he, in turn, said he would just send her some autographed copies. By the time they were into their fruit and cheese they were the only ones left in the restaurant.

  Even though Katarina said that she had an expense account, Sudden insisted on paying for the meal.

  “I’m old-fashioned that way.”

  “Not too old-fashioned, I hope,” she said, looking deep into his eyes. “Because I insist that we have a cognac at my house.”

  CHAPTER 25 - HOT TUB

  Katarina Witte lived in a small villa outside Ferney-Voltaire, a town just over the border in France. They drove there in their own cars.

  Once inside, she directed him into a small living room and then disappeared into the kitchen, returning a moment later with two Waterford crystal brandy glasses and a bottle of Courvoisier.

  “It is so nice out,” she said. “Why don’t you take these out to the terrace?” She handed Sudden the bottle and glasses and then hit a switch which bathed a side yard in light. She also turned a knob on timer next to the switch. “It’s right through those doors. I’d like to get into something more comfortable.”

  The terrace was large and walled in. There was a small table with chairs in one corner and a large hot tub on a small platform. The water in the tub began to bubble and he could see steam rising into the night air, which was pleasantly cool. That was what the knob and timer were for. Sudden poured the drinks and watched two moths flit around one of the outdoor lights. He heard the terrace doors open and he turned around.

  Katarina was wearing a large white bathrobe and was carrying another robe and two towels. Her feet were bare.

  “You certainly look more comfortable,” Sudden said, a bit hoarsely.

  “I’ve had a long day,” she said. “And I want to end it with a soak.”

  She went over to the hot tub, which was now bubbling fiercely, and dipped a toe in the water.

  “Perfect. I hope you will join me.”

  She dropped the extra robe and towels she was carrying on one of the chairs.

  “I didn’t bring a bathing suit.”

  “Neither did I,” she said, walking over to the tub.

  She took off her robe and, with her back to Sudden, gracefully lowered herself into the water. She was naked. Sudden caught a glimpse of a beautifully tapered back, small tight buttocks and long, sinewy legs. She glided over to the far side of the tub and turned around, the pink nipples on her breasts showing briefly before she settled lower.

  “Will you bring over my cognac, please?”

  He did. She took a sip and then placed it on a ledge.

  “We don’t wear bathing suits in our hot tubs,” she said, a challenge in her voice. “But if it makes you more comfortable, you can keep on your underwear. If you don’t, I will avert my eyes.”

  “No need,” Sudden said.

  He undressed, piling his clothes on another chair. When he took off his underwear and moved toward her, bottle and glass in hand, she didn’t avert her eyes. Indeed, she looked boldly at his groin. He knew he was partially aroused.

  “Bravo,” she said.

  He put the bottle on the ledge and stepped into the tub, easing himself against the side opposite her. The warm, almost hot, water bubbling around him was soothing. He took a drink of cognac. He began to feel lightheaded.

  “I read someplace that you should not drink in a hot tub,” he said.

  “There are many things they tell you not to do in a hot tub,” she laughed. “Don’t believe them. Besides, you look strong enough. Not what I expected from a writer. You are in excellent shape.”

  “So are you.”

  “Those scars. Are they what they appear to be?”

  “I was in the military,” Sudden said.

  That was true enough, even if some of the scars came after he was mustered out and went to work for Nigel Buss.

  She held up her glass.

  “May I have more cognac?”

  Sudden grabbed the bottle and slid across to her. He filled both their glasses. She moved over and said, “Why don’t you sit by me?”

  He did and she sat up, revealing her breasts. S
he took his free hand and placed it on one of them.

  “Would you like to spend the night?”

  “The thought had crossed my mind.”

  “You must think me terribly bold.”

  “I’m not doing much thinking right now.”

  She leaned over and kissed him hard on the mouth. Her hand disappeared below the surface and fondled him. Then she swung her leg over and straddled him. He sank deep into her. She sighed contentedly.

  “Now, let me show you something else you’re not supposed to do in a hot tub,” she said, moving her hips.

  A moment later Katarina shuddered and let out a small cry, biting him on the neck. Then she was still.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I came too quickly.”

  “I think the man is the one who is supposed to say that.”

  She laughed.

  “Let’s go up to my bedroom. Then it will be your turn.”

  ***

  Sudden woke up alone in bed completely spent. He could hear kitchen sounds and could smell coffee and bacon. He was famished.

  It had been one of the wildest nights of his life. Most of it was a blur of passion and carnal sounds. Katarina Witte was a sexual revelation, aggressive and practiced. He guessed she was in her mid-30’s, but she had the toned body of a woman 10 years younger, with perfect, high breasts, a flat stomach and muscular calves. She was the kind of woman that even when you had it all, you wanted more. And he was quite sure that he’d had it all. He couldn’t recall missing any spots. She certainly didn’t and he had the soreness, bites and scratches to prove it. Her quick climax in the hot tub had been mild compared to her responses later. When he had insisted that he had no more to give her traditionally, she insisted, plaintively, that he use his hand and mouth to satisfy her. Finally, sated, she drifted off to sleep and he rolled on his back with a whispered, “Thank God”.

  He threw on his robe, and feeling slightly ridiculous, padded into the kitchen to find Katarina talking on the phone, a landline, while setting out breakfast on a center island. She had her back to him and was wearing a t-shirt that barely covered her adorable rear end.

  “I’ll be there as soon as I can,” she said into the phone. “When can we leave? Fine.”

  She hung up and turned around, not looking any the worse for wear from the sexual marathon.

  “Good morning, Cole. Did you sleep well?”

  “You must be joking.”

  She smiled.

  “I bet you are hungry. Orange juice, coffee with cream, bacon, eggs over and biscuits. Is that all right with you?”

  Sudden, who would have eaten a raw aardvark at that point, said it was and dug in. If he’d survived the previous night, no amount of cholesterol would kill him. For her part, Katarina sipped black coffee and nibbled on a piece of toast.

  “Aren’t you hungry?”

  “A girl has to watch her figure. Besides, I picked when I was cooking.”

  “What time is it?”

  Sudden had no idea where his watch was.

  “Almost 8:30. I have to get dressed and get to work. I think I’ll shower while you eat. Unless you want to shower with me.”

  “Lady, please, give me a break.”

  She laughed, leaned over and gave him a kiss and left. Sudden wolfed down his food and then went out to the terrace. His clothes and everything else, including his watch and iPhone, were right where he left them. He had just finished dressing when Katarina reappeared, still beautiful, but looking more like the prim-and-proper executive he remembered from the first day he met her.

  “I have to run, Cole. But you can still shower. Just lock the door on your way out. Can you find your way back to CERN?”

  “I’ll leave with you, Katarina and get cleaned up back in my room.”

  She walked over to him and put her hand on his cheek.

  “Last night was wonderful. I hope it wasn’t all research for the next Cole Swift book.”

  He knew she was teasing.

  “I write fiction, not fantasy.”

  “What a nice thing to say.”

  “Can I see you again.”

  “You may have heard me on the phone. I have to go away. Business. Can I call you when I get back?”

  ***

  Sudden was just getting out of the shower back in his room at CERN when he heard an insistent knocking on his door. He wrapped a towel around his waist and opened it. Rebecca Soul walked past him holding a suitcase and he shut the door.

  “Where have you been, Cole? I called your cell phone last night several times.”

  She put the suitcase on a coffee table.

  “I was busy,” he said lamely.

  Rebecca took in his upper body.

  “I guess you were. Jesus, what happened?”

  “Katarina Witte happened. It’s a long story. Don’t give me that look. Just tell me why you are breaking protocol coming here.”

  “The DNA came back. It’s Bokamper. He’s our man, or whatever he is.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. My Mossad contact wanted to know what the joke was.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He said the lab he used reported that the DNA sample he gave them was obviously a hoax, because it had almost equal parts of simian and reptile genomes.”

  “Good Lord. Perhaps it was contaminated en route, or in the lab itself.”

  “I thought of that. So I called Nigel. He said that was basically the same result the Government scientists got from the samples they took from the earlier corpses, the one from the sixties and the one in Guantanamo. Same DNA, same species.”

  “You slept with a snake?”

  “Fuck you, Cole. You look like you slept with a Roto-rooter.”

  “Sorry.”

  Rebecca sat on a couch.

  “We’ll probably have to move fast, so I thought I might as well move in here. Got any coffee?”

  “Sure. It will only take me a minute. While it’s brewing I’ll throw on some clothes.”

  Ten minutes later they were sitting side by side.

  “What are we supposed to do now?”

  “Nigel said he’d get back to us. Apparently there is a big debate going on back at Langley, over whether to kill Bokamper or bring him in.”

  “Snatching targets is not what we do, Rebecca. I thought they just wanted to make sure he couldn’t get off any more messages. Besides, if they want him, why don’t they just send in the Marines or a SEAL team?”

  “Publicity. This whole complex is the pride and joy of the European Union. Forget the political ramifications of a military operation. There would be no way to keep it quiet. And they want it kept quiet. Don’t forget, only a handful of people in our Government know exactly what’s going on, what’s at stake. If they decide to kill him, we can make it look like an accident or a heart attack. If they want us to capture him, we can probably do that with less fuss. I can get him alone and immobilize him.”

  “Then what?”

  “Mossad runs legitimate ambulance services in several European cities that do double duty for snatch-and-grabs. There is one in Zurich. I’m sure a phone call from Penny to Tal Ben-David would be sufficient.”

  “What if the Israelis want to keep him for themselves?”

  “For what purpose? Besides, one clandestine service doesn’t ask a favor from another without the expectation that it will keep its word and deliver, no questions asked. At that level trust is the glue that keeps everything working.”

  Sudden knew that made sense. Despite policy differences and occasional spying against each other, the C.I.A. and Mossad had too much in common to betray each another after one’s word had been given at the highest level. Ben-David would do what Penelope Parsons asked without hesitation. Of course, the old wolf would bank the favor for later use, but that was par for the course. Hell, there had been instances in the past where the C.I.A. had even gone to its Russian counterpart, the Sluzhba Vneshney Razvedki, for help on something and the S.V.R. o
bliged.

  “I hope we don’t have to kill Bokamper,” Rebecca said quietly.

  Sudden looked at her. For the first time since he’d known her, she looked vulnerable.

  “What are you saying?”

  “I don’t expect you to understand this, Cole. I’m not sure I understand it myself. But I really like Klaus.”

  Sudden was so stunned he spilled his coffee.

  “Perhaps if you didn’t think of Bokamper as a ‘him’ it would help. For all we know, back on his home world he looks like an iguana.”

  “I can’t help it,” she said, miserably. “I know what you are thinking. But there’s something about him. Don’t correct me. I can’t think of him as anything but human. He’s a nice guy. Gentle, considerate, interesting. It was more than sex. I won’t lie. It was fantastic. And there’s something melancholy about Klaus. It’s almost like I want to protect him.”

  Rebecca looked at Sudden.

  “Will you do me a favor, Cole?”

  He knew what was coming.

  “Sure.”

  “If the decision goes against him, will you do it. I don’t think I can.”

  Sudden took her hand.

  “Yeah. But if they tell us to arrange a kidnapping, I’m not sure you will like what happens to him. Remember Baker and Guantanamo.”

  “Nigel says he won’t let that happen. Not everyone in the agency agrees with that approach. If Nigel and Penny have their way, Yunner and his maniacs won’t get their hands on Klaus.”

  “When do you expect Nigel to get back to you?”

  “He said a couple of hours. Klaus is expecting me for dinner at his place tonight. That should give us plenty of time.”

  “How are we expected to grab him without someone raising hell?’

  “I thought about that. There is an underground garage in his apartment building. I have his cell number. I’ll call him and tell him I scraped another car or something and ask him to come down. We’ll wait until no one is around and then throw him in the trunk.”

  “What then?”

  “I’m still working that part out. I have to make some calls. Then, I’m going to take a shower and then try to get some sleep.” Rebecca smiled. “You look like you can use some yourself.”

  “Take my bed,” Sudden said. “I’ll use the couch.”