Solemn Duty (1997)

by Leonard B Scott

  The operations officer wrinkled his brow and leaned back in his chair. "Dr. Valez, with all due respect to your professional qualifications, you're making an awful lot of just one comment by Agent Sutton. Devoe is a Cambodian, as are his men.

  Someone has seen them, and we'll find them within twenty-four hours. All we have to do is delay him with our decision until we locate where they are."

  "Don't underestimate him, as Triad did, and the team of hit men that was sent to deal with him. He's been ahead of us all since day one, and as far as I can see, he still is ahead of us."

  The legal counsel shook his head. "I think we're getting ahead of ourselves. He said he would call; let's hear what he has to say and take it from there."

  The deputy stood and began pacing in front of the table.

  "No, Eric, I don't agree. Ramona is right, this Mr. Devoe has been ahead of us since the first murder. It's obvious we were wrong in assuming Tram was the leader of the Cambodians, and we were wrong when we thought there were only five of them, and we were wrong when we closed this case. I don't want to be wrong anymore. We can't afford any more bodies."

  Charlie Lee lowered his eyes and spoke softly. "Sir, there is something else that we must consider. We won't be the only ones looking for Devoe and his men. Triad will have every hit man for hire in the country here within twenty-four hours to find and finish Devoe and his men. It's a matter of saving face."

  The deputy stopped pacing and pointed at his Chief of Operations. "Bill, you're lead on this. Get additional help in here and form a task force with other agency and department involvement. I want a canvass of this town to find every Cambodian who lives here or has lived here in the past year. You were right, somebody has to have seen these people. I also want the airports, small and large, manned, and all known or suspected hitters picked up as they enter the city. Get a flash message out notifying all our people of our situation and have them track the hitters in their cities and keep us informed of their movements. People, this case is our first priority. Each of you division chiefs form a group of your best to work your field of expertise on this and send a rep to Bill's task force.

  Ramona, I want you working with our behavioral scientists, and I want to know who Mr. Devoe is. Get in his head and tell us how long we can safely delay our answer to his proposal."

  The deputy looked at his watch and glanced at the table next to him, where two agents from the technical support office sat in front of recording equipment "Devoe should be calling in a minute. Are you ready?"

  The older agent nodded. "Yes, sir. We have the code for Agent Tanner's cell phone and have this phone coded identically. When Agent Tanner receives the call, we will receive it on this phone as well and the conversation will be recorded. It is also on a speaker so all of us will hear the conversation. In our offices we have an additional phone coded and we'll be tying to trace the call."

  The deputy dipped his chin and turned to Eli. "Agent Tanner, have you been briefed on the techniques of hostage negotiations?"

  Ramona spoke up. "Sir, the expert who talked to Agent Tanner didn't understand this situation. I told him to leave because he was wasting our time. Eli knows rapport must be established, and that's all that is necessary for now."

  The deputy's face turned red and he was about to respond when Eli's phone began beeping.

  The support agent turned on the recorder and nodded to Eli, who answered. "Agent Tanner."

  "Agent Tanner, this is Mr. Devoe. Are your superiors with you?"

  "Yes, they are, Mr. Devoe, and we have you on speaker phone. Are Agent Sutton and Mrs. Anderson doing okay?"

  "They are quite comfortable, Agent Tanner. Please listen very carefully. I desire to make a trade of the two ladies for Mr.

  Anderson. I am fully aware such a trade is a difficult decision for your superiors, but I will make their decision easier for them. In exactly seventeen minutes the yellow line Metro train will make a stop at Pentagon Station. Your people will find a briefcase under the third seat of the second car. In the briefcase they will find car keys belonging to your rental car, Agent Tanner. Agent Sutton was worried that you did not have them.

  Please remind your superiors the briefcase could have held explosives. Also you will find that four colonels assigned to the Pentagon did not report for work this morning. We have them.

  I will release them in one hour unharmed. Again it is a reminder to your superiors of what I am capable of doing anytime and anywhere I choose. I promise to you the ladies will not be harmed. I make no promise for others. Make no mistake, I want Anderson. I doubt that you have told him of this proposal. I ask that you do so immediately. He will do the honorable thing and sacrifice himself for his wife, Agent Sutton, and for others. You must help him regain his honor. . . . Tell him I am waiting. I will call back at six this evening for the decision.

  Warn your superiors I will not tolerate a delay on their part or tomorrow morning a lesson will be taught that will bring tears to many. Good-bye, Agent Tanner."

  The line went dead and Eli slowly lowered the phone. The others at the table were frozen in their chairs in silence. The phone ringing by the support agents broke the foreboding quiet. The older agent answered, listened, and recradled the handset. "Sir, we weren't able to trace the call."

  The deputy lowered his head for a long moment and finally raised his eyes. "I will brief the director personally on this. . . .

  He'll want the Attorney General in on the decision. The rest of you get started on my instructions. Bill, have your people confirm the briefcase and missing officers. I believe our Mr.

  Devoe has made his point. We'll meet again in two hours for an update from Bill on Devoe's surprises and on how his task force is going to be organized and manned. I expect each division chief to brief me on what you're planning. Expect the director and, most likely, the Attorney General in attendance at the meeting. Ramona, you and Agent Tanner remain a moment. The rest of you are excused."

  Waiting until the office was cleared, the deputy sat down with a solemn expression and lowered his eyes to his hands.

  "We all know Devoe is capable of doing what he says if we delay our decision. We could play it tough and refuse his proposal and hope we'll be able to find him, but I'm convinced he will kill too many innocents before we do manage to locate him and his men. May God forgive me but I'm going to recommend to the director that we allow the colonel to decide if he wants to trade himself. That's going to be tough for the director and the Attorney General to allow, but they can't play hardball with Devoe, he's too dangerous."

  Ramona nodded silently. Eli's jaw muscles rippled as he pushed away from the table and stood. "Sir, there's no question what Colonel Anderson will decide; we sure as hell can't wash our hands of this by simply letting him turn himself over to that killer."

  The deputy wouldn't look at Eli as he slowly shook his head. "Agent Tanner, I understand your feelings, but if we do not approach the colonel, we are facing the worse of two evils-the deaths of many innocent people. It will be impossible to stop Devoe from carrying out his threats. If not a Metro station, he could bomb a bus station, airport, or even a fast food restaurant. He can strike anywhere, and we're completely powerless to stop him. I simply don't believe we can find him before he strikes."

  Eli pinned the deputy with a stare. "We're not letting Anderson go alone, sir. He is incapable of driving himself to a handoff location for a trade, so I volunteer to assist him. But don't think for a minute I believe this to be a one-way trip.

  We've got to figure out how the colonel and I are going to beat Devoe."

  Ramona shook her head. "Eli, even if Devoe allowed you to assist the colonel, he would just have you leave him somewhere."

  Eli motioned to the recorder. "Devoe mentioned the word `honor' twice. He would understand that it would be my duty not to leave the colonel someplace alone in his condition. I've thought about this since he first called and I have to believe there's a way for a reaction team to track us. Sur
ely we're smarter than Devoe? Transmitters are awfully small these days, so all we have to do is figure out how I tell the reaction team to come in for the takedown once the women are safe."

  Ramona began to respond, but the deputy said, "Ramona, Agent Tanner is right. We must try. I'll have our best technical support people work with him on this and get the special ops people up here, too." The deputy shifted his gaze to Eli. "In the meantime, Agent Tanner, talk to Colonel Anderson. You know him and so the information will be better coming from you.

  Tell him the truth and see what his decision is. I'll have a chopper on the roof in fifteen minutes to take you to him."

  The deputy stood and placed his hand on Eli's shoulder. "It is a very difficult thing I've asked of you to do. You can refuse and I'll understand."

  "Sir, I'll tell him . . . but I'm also telling him it's not a suicide mission for either of us. I'm telling him I believe we can beat Devoe."

  The deputy walked to his desk and pushed his intercom.

  "Jill, notify operations I need a helicopter on the roof landing pad in fifteen minutes. And get Harold Johnson on the line for me." The deputy covered the mouthpiece of the phone and looked at Eli. "I'm going to get you the best there is for this type of mission. The CIA people have the latest high tech equipment, and you'll have it."

  District of Columbia Ten miles from FBI headquarters, Jean Paul sat in the dining room of a large house with a view of Anacostia Park and the Anacostia River. Pinned to the wall were large maps of Virginia and Maryland, and on the table were smaller topographical maps giving much more detail. Jean Paul finished writing on a yellow legal pad and stood. He walked to the Maryland map and inserted a red pin. `This spot is where I will meet Anderson again. . . . It is a fitting place for a soldier to die." He moved his finger and pointed to two green pins. "From here and here, Kaing and Soy will be able to see if he is being followed and also see any planes or helicopters they might try to use to track the vehicle. With the other precautions we have made, I see no problems for us."

  Seated at the table, Hu Nim raised an eyebrow. "They will use transmitters, Jean Paul."

  "We will ensure they do not use them. There is a device that can detect such things. Add it to our list of things that are needed. The mountains may cause communication problems with the handheld radios. We will need cell phones for everyone. We will leave tomorrow and make a reconnaissance, but you can begin briefing the men on their duties. Only minor modifications may be necessary once we see the actual terrain.

  Our plan is simple yet it ensures against trickery on the FBI's Part "

  Nim nodded and rose from his chair. "And the women?"

  Jean Paul looked at the wall map again. "They will remain here under Sovan's watchful eye. I will call Agent Tanner and tell him where they can be found once I have Robert"

  Hu Nim dipped his chin and walked out of the dining room, leaving his superior alone. Jean touched the red pin and whispered, "You will not be alone Robert, you will sleep with the ghosts of many who gave their lives for your country. . . ."

  .

  9:45 A. M. Fort Belvoir.

  Robert Anderson leaned back on his pillow and looked up at the ceiling. Slowly his eyes lowered to Eli. "I want my wife to live, Eli, but I don't want you to go with me . . . they'll kill you."

  Eli forced a smile. "Sir, I know I'm gray and old, but I'm not stupid. I'm not volunteering for this duty because I have a death wish. I volunteered because I believe in us, you and me.

  Devoe has had everything his way and he thinks he'll keep it that way. I say you and I can beat him. We're two old Rangers past our prime, but we have a lot on our side. The high tech wizards of the Bureau and the CIA will be working with us, and we'll even have military support. Hell, sir, we have the whole U. S. of A. backing us up."

  Anderson looked into Eli's eyes. "Eli, do you think we really have a chance?'

  Eli's plastic smile dissolved as he held the colonel's gaze.

  "Sir, we have to try. . . . You and I aren't afraid of dying .. . we're afraid of losing again. And sir, I'm not planning on losing this one. Devoe is going down." Eli held his hand out to the colonel. "What'd'ya say, sir, are we going to be Rangers one more time and drive on?"

  Anderson took Eli's hand. "I say, get me out of this damn hospital and let's drive on, Ranger."

  .

  District of Columbia.

  Kenny Chun walked down the carpeted basement steps with two plastic shopping bags. He strode to Sovan, who sat in an easy chair watching a small television. Chun took a can of Diet Coke from a bag and handed it to his friend. " 'General Hospital' on yet?" he asked.

  Sovan accepted the can without taking his eyes from the screen. " 'Days of Our Lives'-Bo is helping Marlena so he can see Hope again."

  Kenny motioned with his head toward the open doorway of the room ten feet away. "I have things for the ladies."

  Still not taking his eyes from the small screen, Sovan waved his hand.

  Ashley was sitting on her small bed thumbing through Cosmopolitan when the small man stepped through the doorway.

  He was wearing tight jeans, cowboy shirt, and sharply pointed rattlesnake-hide cowboy boots. She judged the young man to be no older than his mid-twenties. Glancing at Sandy Anderson, asleep on the bed beside Ashley, the young man tiptoed closer, whispering, "Miss, I brought you snacks and books to read. I didn't know what you would like so I bought all the top ten bestsellers in paper coverings." He set the bags on the floor beside the bed and motioned to the small television in the corner of the windowless room. " 'Days of Our Lives' is on. Would you like me to turn on the TV for you?"

  Ashley shook her head and spoke softly. "No thank you... what is your name?'

  "Kenny, miss. I am called Tep in my country, but I like Kenny here."

  "Nice boots, Kenny," Ashley said.

  Kenny smiled as if embarrassed. "They are like a pair Kenny Rogers wears. I saw him many times on TV in Hong Kong. He is very popular, you know. I have all his tapes and videos collected."

  Ashley leaned over, took two Diet Cokes from the bag and handed the young man one. "You speak English very well, Kenny. Did you learn it in Hong Kong?"

  "Yes, miss, the old one taught us. English is the second language, you see, and it was good business to learn. We watch all your TV programs on satellite in Hong Kong and learn new words all the time. I'm the best English speaker of us except for Jean Paul. He went to Hong Kong University and graduated with honors. The old one was very pleased."

  Ashley took a sip of Coke, lowered her can and looked into the young man's eyes. "Kenny, you know you will probably die very soon working for Jean Paul, don't you?"

  Kenny hunched his shoulders. "Life is suffering, miss. If the enlightened one chooses for me to die I will be reincarnated and be closer to Nirvana. I do not fear death; the enlightened one will bless my journey."

  Ashley kept her gaze steady. "Buddha does not condone killing, Kenny, as my God doesn't condone the taking of another's life."

  Kenny smiled. "Miss, I have seen all the movies and know you try to plant seeds in my head. Please don't waste your time. You know nothing of Buddha's blessings and know nothing of true suffering. Jean Paul understands and is driven to right the wrong done those like me and my family, who suffered greatly. Sovan, Penn, Sani-all of us have lost our families and our country. The French, you smiling Americans, the Vietnamese, our own Khmer Rouge, all have made us suffer in ways you will never know. The enlightened one knows, and we who seek justice know. . . . That is enough."

  Kenny made a gesture as if touching the brim of a hat.

  "Good day to you, miss. I must see if Bo finds Marlena."

  Chapter 19.

  11:05 A. M. FBI Headquarters.

  On the top floor, in a small conference room, Eli concluded his background briefing and looked at the three men who were considered experts in their field by the FBI, CIA, and Special Operations Command of the Department of Defense. He motioned to Robert Anderson,
seated in a wheelchair beside him. "The bottom line, gentlemen, is I'm asking for your support to keep the colonel and myself alive after the handoff, at the same time to figure out a way to take down Mr. Devoe and his people. The problem is we don't have much time to come up with a plan. I'd like to turn over the meeting to Special Agent O'Malley, who will be Agent in Charge of the operation."