Solemn Duty (1997)

by Leonard B Scott

  Eli let out a breath of air and closed his eyes as he spoke.

  "Mr. Devoe, my superiors accept your proposal, but there are two stipulations. As you know, Colonel Anderson sustained a major leg wound. He cannot move without assistance. The first stipulation, Mr. Devoe, is that I be with the colonel and assist him in reaching you. Like the colonel, I am a veteran of the Vietnam War, and the colonel and I have become friends. It is a matter of honor, sir, that I accompany him. I assure you I will follow your instructions to the letter and deliver him to you personally. The second stipulation is that the women be kept somewhere safe and not be taken to the handoff location. My superiors are concerned about the women's safety after the handoff is complete. My superiors request that you release the ladies upon the arrival of Colonel Anderson and myself, allow time for confirmation, and then the handoff of Colonel Anderson to you will be conducted. My superiors believe both stipulations are reasonable and actually benefit you."

  With his eyes still closed, Eli held his breath and prayed as he waited for a response.

  "Agent Tanner, what do you believe?" Devoe asked.

  Eli spoke without hesitation. "Mr. Devoe, I agree that the stipulations benefit you and reduce potential complications. I do not believe Mrs. Anderson would want to leave her husband if she was at the site."

  "Yes, Agent Tanner, you are correct. You, however, have again underestimated me. I fully expected someone to assist the colonel, and I am honored that it will be you. Your first stipulation is accepted. I also had no intention of causing Mrs.

  Anderson unnecessary anguish. Your second stipulation is also accepted. But please inform your superiors no tricks will be tolerated. Explosive devices have been placed in very heavily crowded locations that will cause a great many deaths. Should your superiors play games with me, a device will be activated as a lesson to stop such foolishness. Tomorrow morning at 0900 hours I will call with the first instructions for the delivery of Anderson to me. Position yourself and Colonel Anderson in a white van on the south side of the Springfield Mall and await further instruction by cell phone. Good-bye, Agent Tanner. I look forward to meeting you tomorrow."

  Eli lowered the phone. Robert nodded and whispered, "Looks like we're a team, Ranger."

  .

  7:45 P. M. District of Columbia.

  Jean Paul folded the last map and placed it on the table before shifting his eyes to the nine men who stood waiting.

  "My good friends, within fifteen hours it will be over. You have all heard our plan and know what I expect of you. Soy, you will remain in position as observer on the hillside until the operation is complete, then rendezvous with us tomorrow night at our last base." Jean Paul turned to Nim. "Is everything prepared?'

  Nim nodded. "All the equipment is packed in the vehicles and all checklists have been rechecked. We can depart when you are ready."

  "And you have given Sovan his packet and instructions?'

  Again Nim nodded. "He has everything and will depart only when you give him the orders to do so."

  Jean Paul handed the folded map to Nim. "I must say my farewell to him, and will speak to Agent Sutton for a moment.

  You and the others can wait in the vehicles and I will join you in a few minutes." Turning, Jean Paul walked toward the kitchen and doorway leading to the basement.

  Ashley was seated on her bed watching Oprah with Sandy when she heard a knock on the open door. Jean Paul stepped in and motioned for her to join him in the large open area outside the room. Sandy touched Ashley's arm. "'Tell them we need more bags for the chemical toilet."

  Ashley moved out into the well-lit room and saw Sovan wiping his eyes with a handkerchief. She looked at Jean Paul with a questioning stare. "Bad news?" she asked.

  "No, Agent Sutton, good news. Tomorrow you and Mrs.

  Anderson will be free. The proposal was accepted. After tomorrow Sovan will depart your country, like the rest of us. I just bid him farewell for I will not see him again. Like the others, they are dear, trusted, fiends."

  Realizing the implications of his statement, Ashley lowered her head. "I won't tell Sandy about the trade until we're free God, I hate you for this."

  "Yes, Agent Sutton, I'm sure you do. Now please listen to me very carefully. Tonight your room will be locked, and will remain so until the authorities come to free you. Listen for them and stop them from opening the door until the simple detonation device is removed. This is simply a precaution that you do not try to open the door before they arrive. Please don't be alarmed. The device is harmless unless you do something very foolish. They will merely have to pull the two wires from the exposed charge to disarm the device. Sovan has been instructed to provide everything you need to be comfortable before locking the door."

  Jean Paul reached out and gently raised her chin. "Agent Sutton, do you understand my instructions?"

  She nodded silently. He nodded as he let his hand fall to his side. "I shall meet Agent Tanner tomorrow, and he will be the one who calls the authorities to set you-"

  Ashley's face paled and her eyes widened. "What do you mean you'll meet him?"

  Jean Paul took a step back, surprised at her sudden change.

  "He insisted on assisting Colonel Anderson. He no doubt believes there is still hope for the colonel, but I will quickly dispel those notions very early."

  "You'll kill Eli, won't you?" Ashley was unable to hide her tears.

  "No, Agent Sutton . . . Why are you crying? Ah . . . I see.

  You have feelings for Agent Tanner. No, please do not be concerned. My business is only with Anderson. I can assure you that as long as Agent Tanner is not foolish, he will be released unharmed." Seeing the look in Ashley's eyes, he stepped closer. "Your Eli is not prone to foolish things, is he, Agent Sutton?"

  Ashley forced herself to keep her eyes on him and shook her head. "He is not a foolish man, Mr. Devoe."

  Jean Paul allowed himself a slight smile. "Then there is nothing for you to concern yourself about, Agent Sutton. I must bid you farewell now. It has been a pleasure meeting you.

  Good-bye."

  Ashley watched him until he disappeared up the stairs.

  Feeling weak, she had difficulty turning to face the door to the small room. She knew Eli would do whatever he could to save Anderson. He would be foolish for all the right reasons. He was going to go into the alley ... she wiped the tears from her cheeks and took in a deep breath. Exhaling slowly, she rolled her shoulders back.

  "Ashley, what's wrong?"

  She opened her eyes and saw Sandy standing in the doorway with fear in her eyes. "Did he hurt you? Is he going to . . . ?"

  "No, Sandy, I'm fine. I'm crying because I'm happy. Devoe told me we would be free tomorrow. He knows he can't stay any longer without being caught and is freeing us." Ashley took Sandy's arm and led her back into the room. "We're going to be fine. It's almost over for us all."

  .

  10:20 P. M. J. W. Marriott Hotel, Washington, D. C.

  As Eli inserted the card to open his door, Ramona stepped out of her room and approached him. "Eli, I've been waiting on you-we have to talk."

  Eli opened his door and shook his head. "Mona, I know what you want to talk about. Forget it, I'm going."

  She followed him into his room and grabbed his arm. "Look at me, Eli. This isn't a game. Devoe will kill you. You can't talk or try to reason with him. He's fixated on killing Anderson, he won't let anything or anyone stand in his way.

  He will do it, Eli. He will kill Anderson just as he did the others, and he'll kill you for trying to stop him."

  Eli looked into her eyes and spoke softly. "I know."

  "Then why are you going, for God's sake!" She threw up her hands and turned away. "I don't understand you, Eli. You know if you try to save Anderson, Devoe will kill you, yet you're going to try. It means you're going to die, Eli. Don't you care?"

  Eli took off his crumpled blazer and hung it up. "I care, Mona, and I don't happen to think I'm going to die. I think at th
is time tomorrow evening I'm going to be sitting by myself drinking a beer in a dark place, trying to unwind from the op."

  Eli looked at her and pointed at his head. "I can see it, Mona, right here. I can see the bottle of beer in my hand and I can hear the music in the background. Do you think I'm crazy? I'm not crazy, Mona, I just don't feel it's time for me to go under for the last time. Wish me luck, or pat me on the back and say 'Kill the bastards for me,' but don't come in here telling me I'm going to die. I don't need that"

  Her eyes welling, Ramona reached out and softly touched his cheek. "I'm sorry, Eli . . . you're right. I'm worried about you, that's all. I . . . I ... care for you quite a lot and--" She began sobbing and covered her face with her hands.

  Eli wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. "Jesus, Mona, don't cry on me. You're the toughest gal I know.

  Where's my old tennis partner, the one who gave no mercy to anybody?"

  Ramona slowly backed away from him and looked into his eyes. "Stay with me tonight, Eli. Hold me and--"

  Brad Brewer stepped into the doorway and came to an abrupt halt. "Oh ... uh, I'm sorry. I was just--"

  Eli motioned Brewer in. "Where's the colonel?" he asked.

  Brewer motioned over his shoulder. "He's rolling himself down. He asked me to come ahead and make sure the door was open."

  Eli looked at Ramona and wrinkled his brow. "The colonel is staying the night with me. We're a team now and we--"

  Ramona lifted her hand. "I understand. I guess I'd better get to bed, it's going to be a long day tomorrow . . . but I guess you already know that, Eli. Take care, I want you to drink that beer you saw in your head." She took a step, kissed his cheek, then left.

  Brewer raised an eyebrow once she was gone. "I messed somethin' up, didn't I?"

  Eli smiled. "A G-man mess somethin' up?"

  Anderson rolled through the doorway and whistled as he looked over the room. "You FBI guys must get paid one helluva per diem. Look at that, they even turned down the beds and left mints. Eli, you want yours?"

  Brewer patted Eli's back. "I'll pick you two up at six in the morning. Get some sleep, you're both going to need it." He walked out, shutting the door behind him.

  Anderson unwrapped a mint and raised his eyes to Eli. "You think you'll be able to sleep?"

  Eli sat on the bed, took the mint from Robert's hand and popped it into his mouth. "I think I'm going to try. It's settling in, and I'm getting used to it now, kind of like walking point.

  You know something is out there but you don't know where and when it's going to happen . . . you just know it is going to happen. It settles on you and you accept it" Eli quit chewing and looked into Anderson's eyes. "I've accepted it, Robert. It's out there and I'm ready for it when it comes."

  Anderson nodded in silence.

  Chapter 20.

  4:30 A. M. I. W. Marriott Hotel.

  Eli sat up in bed, fumbled with the light switch, and finally flicked it on. Mumbling, he got up and walked toward the door that someone was knocking on. He opened it and blinked. General Walker stood before him in camouflage fatigues.

  "Morning, Tanner," the general said, then pushed the door all the way open and strode in, followed by two men and a waiter who was pushing a cart. The general clapped his hands together and barked, "Rise and shine, Team Tan, we're burning daylight, we've got work to do. Up, Colonel. First order of business is for you two to eat."

  Eli let the departing waiter pass by him and turned to the officer. "General, we can't be burning daylight, it's still dark outside. My God, what time is it, anyway?"

  Walker ignored the comment and question and motioned to the cart. "Eat, Tanner, you'll both need something in your stomachs. It will be your last meal for a while. It's only scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast, but you'll need it"

  Walker motioned to the other men, who cleared off the table and set down their cases. "These are technical support people from the Agency. They'll be testing and helping you insert the transmitters. While you're eating I'll go over the schedule.

  You have eight minutes to finish your meal, then the transmitters will be inserted and we'll get a read from the command and control bird. O'Malley and Pullen are already airborne in the C and C, and we've tested the transmitters and they're reading them five by five. We want to test them again once they're inserted. Once that's done, we'll run another test outside and I'll brief you on the new accessories that O'Malley's tech people added to the van. Then we'll be escorted to Fort Myer to your staging area, where you will receive last minute instructions and await the call from Devoe to start the op."

  Walker strode to the window and looked out at the dark sky.

  "Weather conditions are good for us. It's going to be a hot day, but there will be enough clouds to keep the airborne C and C out of sight. You'll be happy to know the Secretary of Defense approved all our requests for support and even upped the ante.

  We now have an additional strike detachment to allow more flexibility and quicker reaction time. We also acquired a special bird with infrared capability. Since the handoff site will probably be remote, the bird might be able to spot Devoe and his people from their body and vehicle heat signatures. Finding them before you arrive will give us plenty of time to position the strike force for a quick assault and also tell us where the targets are located and how many."

  Eli raised his fork and spoke with his mouth full. "Sir, is there any chance we can take Devoe alive?"

  Walker shook his head. "My people won't have time to read him and the others their rights, Tanner, or shout warnings. My people are trained to kill, and that's what they're going to do.

  I'm getting ahead of myself, but remember what I told you yesterday. When my people come in, they're coming in fast. You both must be on the ground faceup so they can ID you. Don't panic when you hear gunfire and explosions. Now, getting back to where I was . . ."

  Eli exchanged looks of disbelief with Anderson and looked again at the one-inch-diameter capsule the technician held out to him. The tech made an apologetic shrugging motion. "We coated them with butter so they would go down easier."

  Eli took the lightweight capsule from the man's hand and held it up. "It looks like it's for a horse. What happens if this thing turns sideways when I try to pass it?"

  "Swallow it Tanner," Walker said impatiently. "You can worry about that after the op. The C and C is waiting for a read."

  Eli placed the blue capsule on the back of his tongue, shut his eyes and gulped.

  Seeing that his companion was still standing and breathing, Anderson mimicked his motions but immediately grabbed a glass of water to wash it down.

  Putting on a headset and attaching a small device to his fatigue shirt, Walker spoke into the small ball in front of his lips. "Command, this is Delta Six, transmitters have been inserted, how's your read? Over. . . . Roger. Outstanding. I will tell them. Be advised we'll be moving outside in two mikes.

  Out."

  Walker faced the two men. "Even from inside the hotel the transmitters are still reading five by five on their map displays.

  They're good to go. Let's move."

  Minutes later Eli stepped out the rear entrance of the hotel into the service area and knew without a doubt it was past the point of no return. Six FBI vehicles were parked end-to-end, with two agents standing by each vehicle, and directly in front of him was a white Plymouth Voyager. Walker strode past Eli and looked up at the dark sky, speaking into his mike. "Command, this is Delta Six. We are outside and preparing to depart for staging area. Do you have a good read on Team Tan? .. .

  Roger. Outstanding. We'll be departing in one mike, out."

  The general motioned to the van. "Let's move it. I'll ride with you to the Fort Myer staging area and explain how the radio works. The Agency installed an FM tac radio into the vehicle so you can communicate with the C and C bird."

  Eli climbed in and sat behind the steering wheel as agents helped Robert into the front passenger seat. Walker sat in the bac
k seat and leaned forward. `Transmitters are working fine and everything is good to go. Let three escorts proceed us, then pull in behind the third car. The rest will follow."

  Eli shook his head as he started the engine. "General, I guess I should have told you, I'm not a very good city driver."

  Walker leaned back in the seat and fastened his safety belt.

  "The police won't pull you over today, Tanner. Time to move."

  Thirty minutes later Eli sat behind the steering wheel of the Voyager in the deserted Fort Myer post exchange parking lot.

  He glanced at his watch and saw it was almost six-fifteen as he listened to the general explain how the operation was being controlled from the airborne command post.