by CW Browning
Stephanie glanced at him. He didn't look worried. John was inhaling his dinner with all the abandon of a man whose appetite was as voracious as usual. She looked down at her own dinner and sighed.
Her phone started vibrating across her desk as Stephanie attempted another shot at her shrimp. She glanced at the incoming number and set the carton aside, snatching the phone off the desk quickly.
“Matt! Good news?”
“Not good, but better than I expected,” Matt replied over the phone. “We figured out how the virus worked.”
“And?”
“It's brilliant,” he said simply. “It was in the mainframe for six months. In that time, it subtracted two dollars from every direct deposit that went into roughly 2.4 million checking accounts.”
“Are you serious?” Stephanie demanded.
“Yep!” Matt laughed. “Brilliant, right? It's the same amount as a standard fee. No one would ever notice their paycheck was minus two bucks, and if they did, they'd just think it was a fee charged for an ATM withdrawal or something.”
“Well, that explains why there's been no public outcry,” Stephanie said, shaking her head. “None of the account holders know anything was taken.”
“Exactly.”
“Now we just have to find where it went,” Stephanie murmured. “Thanks, Matt. You deserve a wild raise.”
“Oh, trust me, I'll be addressing that when this is all over,” Matt informed her with a laugh.
Stephanie hung up and looked over to John.
“Unbelievable,” she said. “The virus took a grand total of two bucks out of every direct deposit that went into the accounts for six months.”
“That's it?” John asked, his eyebrows soaring into his forehead. “Two bucks?”
“Those two bucks added up,” she answered, picking up her shrimp again. “You figure most people get paid twice a month, sometimes three. Times it by two dollars over six months and it adds up fast.”
“How many accounts?” John asked.
“2.4 million.”
John whistled.
“That's insane,” he exclaimed.
“Brilliant is what Matt said,” Stephanie replied with a slight shake of her head. “I guess it really is.”
“Well, at least we know how it works now,” John mused.
Stephanie nodded.
“And how dangerous it is,” she agreed. “Can you imagine if Moon gets it?”
John looked grim.
“You're convinced that's where Kwan is headed, aren't you?” he asked after a moment.
Stephanie raised dark eyes to his and nodded slowly.
“I am,” she said quietly. “And we can't touch him.”
“No, but we can watch him,” John said, setting his carton aside and turning to his computer. “Let's find out exactly where Moon is and go from there.”
Hawk swiped the screen of his phone and touched an icon. Selecting the security cameras he had hacked into earlier in the day, he entered his access code and smiled when the application connected to his server controlling the cameras. A few more swipes and he had replaced the actual feed from the cameras with his own. Closing the application, he slipped the phone back into his pocket, picked up his guitar case and disappeared through the door into the employee hallway. He nodded to a baggage carrier on his way out, stepping aside so he could pass, then headed down the hallway. None of the employees he passed took any notice of him and he made it to the service elevator without incident. Using the edge of his guitar case, he pressed the button and waited, watching as the doors slid open. Stepping into the elevator, Hawk pulled tight-fitting black leather gloves from his pocket and slipped them on before he hit the button for the third floor. He glanced at his watch as the doors slid closed.
He was right on time.
Hawk's mind focused entirely on Jin Seung Moon as he rode the elevator up. He had been tracking him now for four weeks, following him all the way from Beijing. Four long weeks later, and after very strict instructions, it was finally time to slay the dragon.
The elevator stopped and the doors slid open. Hawk stepped into the empty alcove and glanced around the corner. Moving down the long, silent hallway toward the electrical closet, he pulled a tool out of his pocket. When he reached the closet, he bent over the lock. A few seconds later, a soft click broke the silence and he disappeared into the closet, closing the door silently.
Hawk set his guitar case down and pulled a small flashlight from his pocket, switching it on. Setting the light on the floor, he bent over the case and snapped it open. Inside was a change of clothes and gear belt, his rifle, and a box containing his modified Beretta, a back-up Ruger, and his military-issued knife.
Changing rapidly in the small space by the light of the flashlight, Hawk exchanged the black dress pants and blue button-down for black SWAT pants and black tee-shirt. He strapped his gear belt on and then added his leg holster. His lips twitched as he slid his back-up Ruger into the leg holster and his knife into the special sheath on his belt. Viper wore her knife on her ankle, and always had, but he preferred to have it closer to hand.
The slight smile faded from his lips as he picked up his Beretta and tucked it into his back holster.
It was almost time.
Stephanie grabbed her standard issue Glock and tucked it into her side holster, looking around for John. He disappeared about ten minutes ago and still hadn't returned to his desk. She picked up her phone to call him as he appeared from the direction of the elevators.
“What's going on?” he asked, his eyes going straight to her gun. “Where are we going?”
“Moon checked in at the Rittenhouse Hotel,” she told him. “I just got off the phone with the Delaware River Port Authority. They have a photo of Kwan passing through the tolls on Ben Franklin, taken about twenty-five minutes ago.”
“We're going to Rittenhouse,” John said. He opened the drawer of his desk and pulled out his holster and gun. “Do we know what room Moon is in?”
“One of the Park Suites,” Stephanie answered, switching off her monitor and grabbing her purse.
“Of course he is,” he muttered, putting on his holster. “He doesn't even try to be discreet.”
“Why should he? He knows we can't touch him,” Stephanie retorted, turning toward the elevators.
John glanced at her as they strode quickly to the elevators.
“Have you told Rob?” he asked and she nodded.
“He reminded me Moon is an internationally protected businessman visiting the US,” she told him, pressing the button for the elevator. “So, I reminded him that we have proof Kwan was involved in the largest bank robbery in US history.”
John grinned.
“And?”
“We're authorized to use all available force to get Kwan,” she answered.
“That's my girl,” John murmured with a chuckle as the elevator doors slid open.
Stephanie laughed and they stepped into the elevator.
“Call Blake and tell him where we're going,” she said as the doors slid closed. “I promised him I'd keep him posted, and we can use all the help we can get.”
Lowell Kwan entered the lobby of the hotel and looked around. He was in black dress pants and a casual shirt, and his right arm was in a cast with three of his fingers taped into splints. The swelling on his jaw had started to go down, but the bruising was out in all its colorful glory, drawing second looks from people who passed him. He ignored them, looking for the man who would take him to Moon. There were a few people seated on the plush, older-style chairs placed tastefully around the gleaming marble lobby, but none of them matched the description of his contact. Turning, he started to move through the lobby slowly, making his way past the front desk. He was strolling toward a set of shallow steps when he saw the large man in a suit moving towards him.
“Kwan?” he asked.
Lowell nodded and the behemoth in the suit nodded.
“Come with me. Mr. Moon is expecting you,” he
told him, turning to lead Lowell across the massive lobby toward the elevators.
Lowell followed him, slightly in awe of the hushed luxury surrounding him. They reached the elevators and Lowell's companion was joined by another massive gorilla in a suit. Lowell looked at him as the three men stepped into an elevator, oblivious to the dark eyes watching steadily from one of the seats in the lobby.
As the elevator doors slid closed, a woman got up unobtrusively and moved through the lobby swiftly. Later, as everyone present in the hotel racked their brains trying to remember everything they could about that evening, not one person would recall the tall, self-controlled woman dressed in black who disappeared from the lobby as silently as she entered, a soft instrument case hanging from her back.
Lowell watched the elevator doors close, sealing them in as the car began its short ascent. As soon as the doors were closed, the man who had met him in the lobby swung him around and pressed him against the wall of the car. He held him still with a beefy hand on the back of his neck while his companion frisked him, looking for weapons. Lowell tried to protest, but the hand on his neck pressed harder, cutting off the indignant exclamation. With his cheek pressed against the wall of the elevator, Lowell rolled his eyes. He had the worst virus the world's banking systems had ever seen on a flash drive in his pocket, and they were checking him for weapons?
“He's clear.” The beast behind him straightened up and nodded to his captor.
The man released Lowell and stepped back. He made no apology, not even glancing at Lowell as the elevator came to a whispered stop and the doors slid open again. He stepped out into the hall and his companion motioned for Lowell to follow. Shaking his head and straightening his shirt, Lowell followed him out into a thickly carpeted hall.
Their footsteps made no sound on the carpet and the silence was almost eerie as they moved along the corridor. The doors were spaced widely apart and Lowell was led all the way to the end, to the last door on the left. His contact opened the door silently and motioned for him to enter the suite. The two men followed him in, closing the door silently behind them and staying near the door as Lowell moved forward into the main sitting room. Standing near the window, his hands crossed in front of him, was Moon.
Jin Seung Moon stood shorter than Lowell expected, but what he lacked in physical height, he more than made up for with a demeanor that commanded attention. Dressed impeccably in a dark charcoal suit with a steel gray shirt and charcoal tie, his gaze was sharp and direct. As Lowell entered the room, he was aware of the assessing look in those cold, dark eyes. Moon studied him in silence for a moment, watching as Lowell moved closer.
“You look like your father,” he said finally, his voice strong. His accent blended a curious mix of Oxfordian English and North Korean lilt. “Do you remember him?”
Lowell started, his eyes widening.
“Not very well,” he answered. “You knew my father?”
“Know, Lowell,” Moon replied, moving forward and holding out his hand. “I know your father. He is looking forward to meeting you again after all these years.”
Lowell grasped Moon's hand firmly.
“I'm honored to meet you at last, sir,” Lowell said, bowing his head respectfully as he shook Jin's hand. “I've been waiting for this moment for a long time.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” Jin told him graciously. He motioned to the ornate sofa nearby. “Please. Have a seat. Would you like a drink?”
“No, thank you.”
Lowell sank down onto the sofa and Jin nodded, moving to an adjacent chair. The round glass table before them was tastefully appointed, with an enormous wine and cheese basket sitting in the center. Moon seated himself, undoing the buttons on his suit jacket as he did so. He crossed his legs and sat back, studying Lowell.
“I understand you ran into some difficulties,” he said softly. “I trust everything is as promised?”
“It is,” Lowell assured him. “It's true I lost my two associates, but the fail safes we built into the system did their job. Philip was able to warn me before the operation was compromised.”
“And the money?”
“Still transferring through the list of accounts you provided,” Lowell told him. “It will deposit into your account in Beijing at nine o'clock tomorrow morning, our time.”
Jin nodded, raising his hand and motioning to someone in the adjoining room. Lowell turned his head and watched as a slender man in black slacks and a black shirt came towards them, a laptop in his hands and thick glasses on his nose.
“This is Min-ho,” Jin said, waving toward the young man. “He is going to verify that the money is in transit.”
Lowell nodded and watched as Min-ho seated himself in the other chair, opposite Moon.
“While he is doing that, tell me of your mother,” Jin invited him, his eyes dark. “She is well?”
Lowell swallowed, noting the suddenly ugly glint in Moon's eyes.
“I don't know,” he answered truthfully. “I've had no contact with her since I went to Stanford. I don't even know where she's living now.”
“Pity,” Moon murmured. “I know your father would like nothing more than to settle the disagreement between them once and for all. I was prepared to assist.”
“How do you know my father, sir?” Lowell asked.
“He has worked for me for many years,” Moon answered easily. “You are like him. He is very proud of your intelligence and your work for our great cause.”
Min-ho cleared his throat, glancing at Moon.
“The funds are currently in France,” he told him. “It appears to be the full amount.”
Jin looked at Lowell and smiled.
“I never doubted you, my young friend,” he said. “You understand, of course, that I had to check.”
“Of course.”
“And do you have the flash drive?” Moon asked.
“I do,” Lowell answered.
“And there is no other copy?”
“None.”
Jin nodded to the bodyguards at the door and the one who met Lowell in the lobby moved forward, picking up a large briefcase on his way. He walked over and placed it on the sofa next to Lowell. Lowell reached into his pocket and pulled out the flash drive containing the only existing copy of the virus.
“If you wouldn't mind passing that to Min-ho,” Moon requested with a smile. “He will verify the contents.” Lowell passed the drive over to the young man and looked at Jin questioningly. He waved his hand royally. “By all means, check inside the case. You will find that all is in order.”
Lowell unsnapped the case and opened it. Over six million dollars in cash lay inside with a manila envelope laying on top. Lowell lifted out the envelope and closed the case on the money. Opening it, he glanced inside at the passports and plane tickets.
“Your ticket back to your homeland,” Moon told him with a small smile. “From there, you can watch as we bring the West to their knees and put an end to their international oppression.” Lowell fastened the envelope again and replaced it in the briefcase, closing it with a snap. “The rest of your reward awaits you in Pyongyang.”
“Thank you.”
Moon nodded and made no move to end the interview. Lowell looked at him expectantly, wondering what else there was to say.
“There are no loose ends, nothing to assist the FBI with their search?” Jin asked softly, his eyes probing Lowell's.
Lowell swallowed, drowning in those dark eyes. His heartbeat quickened and he felt his palms grow damp. Jin Seung Moon frightened him. For all his civil politeness, Lowell knew what a cold monster Moon was capable of becoming. He had seen evidence of it in the past, and saw it in his eyes now. Lowell's mind shot to a pair of arctic blue eyes that were more frigid than anything he'd ever seen.
Moon frightened him, but the devil with the blue eyes terrified him.
“Nothing,” Lowell assured Jin with a small smile. “The virus erases all trace of itself when it's extracted, and Philip and Rod
rigo are dead. There's no way for them to replicate what happened.”
Lowell held his breath as Moon studied him silently for a moment before turning his attention to Min-ho.
“Well?” he demanded, a note of impatience in his voice.
Min-ho looked up, startled, his eyes glittering behind his glasses.
“This is brilliant!” he announced, excitement in his voice. “Absolutely brilliant!”
“It is the virus, then?”
“Oh yes,” Min-ho assured him. He looked at Lowell. “You're a brilliant man, Mr. Kwan.”
Lowell nodded in acknowledgement, releasing his breath silently, and looked up to find Jin standing and buttoning his suit jacket. He got up, picking up the briefcase and Moon held out his hand, a smooth smile on his face.
“I look forward to working with you again, Mr. Kwan,” he said. “Until we meet again.”
Lowell shook his hand and turned to leave, relief rolling through him as the weight of the briefcase in his hand assured him he was on his way to his homeland. It was over and he had succeeded. Philip and Rodrigo were gone, but Lowell didn't feel anything apart from a passing melancholy.
Their cut belonged to him now, and he was going home to North Korea a rich man.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Viper glanced behind her as she melted into the shadows engulfing the stone half-wall. Crowded during the day, Rittenhouse Park fell quiet after dark with foot traffic consisting mainly of the occasional couple or small group of friends moving between pubs or bars. The wide path winding around the park was lit at regular intervals with electric lamp posts, but she had managed to darken the two lights closest to her before any pedestrians came by, no small feat in the middle of a city. Sinking into the shadows, she glanced at the water fountain built into the stone wall. Carefully cultivated, large thick bushes, enclosed by a black wrought-iron fence, flanked the fountain on either side and lent their shadows to her, concealing her from anyone passing by in the darkness.
Right now, the path was empty of pedestrians and Viper swung the soft case from her back silently. Her hands were steady as she unzipped the case and pulled out the pieces of her rifle, assembling her old friend quickly and silently. She attached the night scope last and leaned the rifle against the wall, resting it on its handle butt. Pulling her military binoculars from the case, Viper turned and peered over the stone wall, adjusting the binoculars until the entryway to the hotel across the street came into sharp focus.
