by Orion Gaudio
He went back inside and grabbed his phone. Sirens drew closer as he opened the VPN app and wrote out a message.
Merlin
Just attacked at home by Chinese. Five dead. Two escaped. Police about to arrive.
He heard voices just outside his house, so he closed the app and tossed his phone on the couch.
“Come out with your hands up!”
Turner stood up from the couch, put his hands above his head, and walked out the front door. There were four officers standing in his front yard, weapons drawn and aimed at him.
“Get on the ground! Hands behind your back!”
Turner knelt down and put his hands behind his back. One of the officers holstered his service weapon and handcuffed him.
“What the hell happened here?”
Turner looked at the officer. It was the local Sheriff. His nametag said Worton.
“These men attacked me. They shot through my front door… and then knocked it down.”
“Did you kill them?”
“Yes. There are three inside the house… two dead on the side.”
The officer shook his head.
“Get him in the car and read him his rights.”
The officer that had cuffed Turner pulled him to his feet and walked him to the back of the closest car.
He looked out the side window of the police cruiser. Alice pulled out of her driveway and drove away.
Turner let out a sigh. She was safe. He had to remind himself that was the only thing that mattered.
He realized that for the first time since New York, his hand had been steady while holding a gun. The only explanation he could come up with was that his mind had been so focused on protecting Alice that his reluctance to shoot had evaporated. It was a blessing because they would have both been killed otherwise.
31
Turner looked up at the door and waited. They had brought him to the local station and put him in a room with nothing more than a desk and two chairs. The officer had told him someone would be with him shortly, but it had already been fifteen minutes and he was still alone.
He looked up at the video camera in the corner of the room.
The door opened and a man walked in. He was older than Turner, he guessed early fifties… even though the lines in his weathered face suggested he could be older. Turner figured it was from years of stress that came with the job.
“Mr. Turner?”
“Yes?”
The man sat down across from him.
“I’m Detective Alderson.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Can you explain to me what the hell happened?”
“Of course, but I’d really appreciate it if you could uncuff me first.”
Alderson sighed and pulled a key from his pocket.
“Don’t try anything. There are officers right outside the door.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. These things just aren’t very comfortable.”
Alderson reached across the table and unlocked the handcuffs. Turner rubbed his wrists where the metal had dug into his skin. The officer that had cuffed him tightened them down as much as possible, not that he blamed him considering what they had found when they arrived at his house.
“So, explain to me why we found five dead Chinese nationals at your home.”
Turner sighed and shook his head.
“I honestly have no idea what they wanted.”
The detective grumbled something under his breath before asking his next question.
“And you expect us to believe that these men attacked you for no reason and you managed to kill them all without a single one of their bullets hitting you?”
“It’s the truth.”
“I’m assuming you have a permit for the Glock we found in your house?”
“I do.”
“And that’s the weapon you used to defend yourself?”
“It is. You can check the ballistics report if you don’t believe me.”
The detective shook his head.
“We don’t have a ballistics department. Once the bullets are recovered, we’ll have to send them and the pistol to Pittsburgh for testing. In the meantime, I need you to explain to me what happened.”
Turner sighed and leaned back in his chair. He knew Howard wouldn’t have asked him to come in unless they’d ascertained the location of the flash drive from Rollins. Every minute he was stuck in custody was just time they were wasting. Normally, in this kind of situation, Howard would just send someone else… but Turner was skeptical his boss would go that route after what happened to Rhys and Smith.
“So, am I being charged with something?”
“Are you ex-military?”
The detective had ignored his question, so Turner knew for the moment they were still investigating at his house and trying to determine if he was justified in defending himself.
“No.”
“I just looked at some photos the crime scene. You know how to handle a gun.”
“I go to the range here in town.”
“So, you’re an enthusiast?”
“Yes. I also graduated from West Point, so I’ve had some training in the past.”
“But you didn’t go into the service?”
“No.”
“Can you tell me why?”
Turner shrugged.
“It wasn’t something I wanted to do at the time.”
“And what’s your occupation?”
“I work in a mine.”
“So, you’re telling me… that you went to West Point… and ended up working in a coal mine in Altoona?”
“Yes.”
“Mr. Turner… I’m sure you can understand… that it’s a little hard for me to comprehend.”
“Well, it’s the truth. I don’t know what else you want me to say.”
The questioning to that point had been fairly standard. Turner was trying to gauge how long they intended to hold him… and if he was going to need a lawyer.
“The thing that really gets me… is that you don’t seem all that shaken by the whole experience.”
“I’m still in shock.”
The detective narrowed his eyes as he inspected every inch of Turner.
“Your shots were so clean… like you’d done this before.”
“Obviously I haven’t… or you would have heard about it. I generally keep to myself… go to work… go home.”
“So you say, yet these men came into your house and tried to kill you.”
“They did.”
“I just find it odd.”
“Well,” Turner said, clearing his throat, “how do you think I feel? I was just minding my own business. They knocked on my door and started shooting. I did the only thing I could think of… and defended myself. That’s not a crime.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Look, Detective Alderson, I get that you’re just doing your job… but how much longer is this going to take?”
“You got some place to be?”
“Yeah, I was about to go to work when they showed up.”
Alderson leaned back in his chair and looked across the table. Turner could tell the man was torn. It was a sticky mess for their small city where nothing like this ever happened. Violent crime was a rare enough occurrence since he’d moved there, but the fact that five men had ended up dead made it seem like there was something more nefarious going on.
“Alright, I’m going to go make some enquiries… and then I’ll come back.”
Alderson stood up from the table and walked out of the room. Turner sighed. That wasn’t what he had hoped for. It meant they were still assessing the crime scene and deciding if it had in fact been self-defense. He didn’t think they’d be able to argue it was anything else, so it was just a matter of waiting until they released him.
32
The door opened and a woman in a suit walked in. She closed the door and sat down across from Turner.
“Mr. Turner… how are you?”
&n
bsp; “I’m fine… and you are?”
“Your attorney. Claire Deven. The mine has me on retainer.”
She flicked her eyes up and to the left. He glanced up and saw the camera in the corner was still recording.
“Right.”
“So, have they formally charged you with anything?”
“No.”
“Good. Give me a few minutes and I’ll have you out of here.”
She stood up and walked up to the door. Claire knocked on it and an officer in the hall pulled it open for her.
Detective Alderson walked into the room a few minutes later and held the door open.
“You’re free to go,” he said.
“Good.”
Turner stood up and walked toward the door.
“Just don’t leave town. We’re not done talking to you.”
“Sure.”
Alderson stepped aside and Turner walked into the hallway. Claire was waiting for him with a bag containing his personal effects. She handed it to him as they started walking toward the front of the station.
“I’ll give you a ride,” she said.
“Thanks.”
She waited until they were outside in her car before she said anything else to him.
“I’m taking you to the mine.”
“That detective just told me not to leave town.”
“You let me worry about that.”
“OK… as long as you’re sure.”
“I can stall them for a while, so you just do what you need to do. They have no reason to think you did anything wrong. It’s their small city mentality. I guarantee no charges will be filed against you.”
“Good.”
She pulled the car out of the parking lot and drove them in the direction of the mine.
“Do they suspect anyone else was in the house with me?” he asked.
“No… why?”
“Just curious.”
“Is there something you need to tell me?”
“I don’t think so.”
“James… I’m under retainer from NIA, but I still have your best interests in mind. You can tell me anything.”
“This woman… Alice. She lives a few doors down from me. We’re sort of seeing each other. Well… we were. Anyway, she was in the house when those guys showed up and started shooting.”
“I’m assuming you got her out of there before the police showed up?” Claire asked.
“I did. I gave her some cash and told her to get out of town.”
“She doesn’t know what you do for a living, does she?”
He shook his head and looked out the window.
“No. As far as she’s concerned, I work at the mine. She was pretty upset by what happened though, so I doubt she believes everything I told her.”
“You let me worry about that.”
“I told her it wasn’t safe here, so I doubt she’d show back up without at least talking to me.”
“Good.”
“Did you tell the detective anything?” she asked.
“Not really. I mean… I was honest. I told him they attacked me and I did what any reasonable person would do… and I fought back.”
“You didn’t mention your true profession, correct?”
He shook his head.
“No, of course not.”
“I’m sorry if that came across as… condescending. You just have to understand why I’m asking you.”
“It’s fine, I get it.”
“Good. And your cover as an employee of the mine was sufficient?”
“It would seem so.”
“Excellent. I’ll stay in contact with the department and continue to ensure that you’re not needed again.”
“Thanks.”
They drove the rest of the way to the mine in silence. She pulled into the lot, and he reached for the door handle.
“Thank you,” he said.
“You’re welcome, Mr. Turner. Take care… I’ll be in touch.”
“Sounds good.”
He got out of the car and headed inside. Jess motioned toward the open office door as he approached. He walked in and closed the door.
“James… good to see you. You doing alright?”
“I’m fine. It was a little touch and go there for a bit.”
“Any idea how they found you?”
Turner shook his head.
“No, not at all. They could have seen my face in D.C. while they were chasing me, but that’s the only thing that comes to mind.”
“I’ll have someone check into it.”
“Thanks for sending the lawyer. I was starting to think they were going to hold me as long as possible.”
“Of course. Claire is the best, which is why we hired her. Take a seat.”
Turner sat down across from Howard.
“So, what have we got?”
“Well, we have a lead on the flash drive.”
“You got Rollins to talk?” Turner asked.
“We did. It was… a bit of a challenge.”
“Where did he stash it? He implied to me that someone was holding it for him and that he’d tell us where it was if we paid him.”
“He claims a friend has it. I’m inclined to believe him considering what we just put him through.”
Turner nodded. He didn’t feel the need to know what they’d done to Rollins. It wasn’t pleasant, that much was clear.
“Where is it?” Turner asked.
“You’re not going to like it.”
Howard leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.
“Just tell me.”
“He claims he left it with Senator Trivet.”
Turner shook his head.
“Yeah… that’s not ideal.”
“No. We got into his schedule and he’s supposed to leave for China the day after tomorrow.”
“So, Trivet is going to hand carry it?”
Howard nodded.
“He’s on a private flight out of Washington Executive Airpark in Maryland.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Well, I’m assuming security is going to be tight after what happened at your house. We have to assume that those men were working with Trivet in some capacity and that he’s going to expect you to come after him.”
“Right… not a good situation.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Should I try to intercept him at the airfield?”
Howard shook his head.
“Security will be even tighter there… he’s a sitting US Senator.”
“So, what should I do?”
“I want you to get it from him before he leaves for the airport.”
“From his house?”
“Yes.”
“Won’t security be equally as heavy there?”
“Perhaps, but we’re sending Agent Holloway with you.”
“Are you sure?”
Howard nodded.
“Yes, I think this needs to be a two-agent operation.”
“Has he been briefed?”
“Yes, I just finished talking to him a little while ago while we were trying to get you released.”
Turner wasn’t thrilled by the idea of working with another agent on such a sensitive mission, but he wasn’t going to argue with Howard about it.
“Anything else?” Turner asked.
“No, I think that’s it. Go ahead and get kitted out… and meet Holloway in the parking lot.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Turner stood up and walked toward the door.
“Turner?”
He stopped and turned around.
“Yeah?”
“Be careful out there.”
“I will.”
He walked out of the office and headed down the hall.
33
Turner walked across the parking lot toward Holloway, who was leaning up against the door of a blue Chevy SS.
“You ready?” Holloway asked.
“Yeah.”
“Mind if I
drive?”
“Not at all.”
Turner got into the passenger seat and put his bag between his feet. He was fairly confident in his own driving ability, but after San Francisco, he knew Holloway was on another level—the man was at home behind the wheel of a car and could convince it to do his bidding with no issue.
Holloway started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.
“So, how are you feeling about the mission?”
“Not terribly optimistic,” Turner said. “What about you?”
“I think we’re walking into a trap.”
“It’s likely.”
“I tried to tell Howard, but he didn’t seem to care.”
“There’s nothing we can do… we need to get that flash drive.”
“I know, but I think we would have been better off hitting him at the airport… or even on the way there.”
“You said that to Howard?” Turner asked.
“I did. He didn’t want to hear it.”
“I guess we have to trust he knows what he’s talking about.”
“He better… or he’s going to get us both killed.”
Turned nodded and looked out the window as they pulled onto the highway. He agreed with Holloway. The mission wouldn’t be an easy one… and he knew they’d be lucky to come out of it unscathed and with the flash drive in their possession.
His thoughts drifted to Alice. Turner hoped she had made it safely back to Charleston. One of the last things she said to him was that she couldn’t go back there. He’d been in a rush to get her out of there before the police showed up and didn’t have a chance to ask her what that meant. It occurred to him that she might have been referring to her ex-husband. Still, even if he was a scary guy… it was better than having her be in constant danger from the Chinese agents that were after him.
“I heard about what happened at your house,” Holloway said, breaking the silence.
“Yeah.”
“Nice work.”
Turner shrugged.
“It is what it is.”
“How’d they track you down?”
“No clue.”
“Shit… that’s not good.”
“Yeah. I was pretty careful. I mean, Rollins didn’t even know I was alive… so I’m not sure. The only thing I can figure is that I was unconscious for a few minutes… and maybe he told them who I was and that I was there.”
