by Dirk Patton
“You will not!”
“Don’t push me, blondie. I’ve known you a long time and I’ve got plenty of stories I bet lover boy would enjoy hearing.”
“Do your guys know about you and the midget hooker?” she asked, hands on her hips.
He looked at her in shocked surprise, unable to respond.
“Brody told me,” she said with a smirk. “So, go right ahead and tell stories. I’ll return the favor.”
“Damn,” Baldwin grumbled under his breath. “When did you get so cold?”
Katarina leaned in, smiled and hugged him.
“Let’s just agree we don’t want to invoke Mutually Assured Destruction. Okay?”
The lock beeped and Liam came back into the room with several key cards in hand. He paused when he saw Katarina with her arms around Baldwin. She slowly straightened, winked at her friend and dropped back into a chair.
“Okay,” Liam said, coming forward and handing Baldwin the stack of room keys. “You’re next door and your guys are right across the hall in three-twelve.”
Baldwin nodded and tucked the keys into his shirt pocket.
“So, I know we don’t know how or when we’re going to grab this guy, but where are we taking him once we’ve got him? The longer I’m driving around with a prisoner in the back, the greater the risk of something going south. Even a fender bender could be catastrophic if someone sees or hears something they shouldn’t.”
“Agreed. I was hoping you might know of another empty warehouse like the one you took the Retriever to.”
Baldwin shook his head.
“Sure, we could find one, but there’s a lot of homeless in the area. It’d work for a couple of hours but keeping them away without drawing attention for any longer than that would be problematic at best. You said it might take days.”
Liam nodded.
“I know of a place, but it’s a long haul to get there.”
The both looked expectantly at Katarina.
“Zophiel’s house. He’s away, or told me he was. If he’s not, then maybe he could even help.”
“Where is it?” Liam and Baldwin asked in unison.
“Out by Index. The plane crash is close by and the whole area is in the middle of nowhere. It’s the same place I tried to get the Retriever to meet me.”
“That could work,” Liam said, turning to Baldwin. “So, you know where it is? Can you have a couple of your guys go scout it?”
Baldwin nodded and raised his phone, frowning when there was no signal.
“The Jimmy special,” Liam explained, pointing at the anti-surveillance device on the coffee table. “Have to get away from it.”
Without a word, Baldwin got up and left the room.
“I’ve been thinking about something,” Katarina said once they were alone.
Liam looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
“What we were talking about before Jimmy got here. The cartel still after me?”
“Okay.”
“You said you were working on an idea.”
“One thing at a time,” he said. “I can’t deal with this and that simultaneously.”
“I understand that. But...” she hesitated a beat. “This is what I was thinking. I got the idea from the Retriever, actually. Anyway, what if we make their lives so painful, they’re happy to just forget that I and the missing money even exist.”
“I’m not sure how we’d go about doing that. I mean, sure, the DEA can apply a lot of pressure. Interdict shipments, arrest their mules and soldiers, but it’s not like we’ve been able to stop drugs from coming in. As long as there’s a demand for a product, they’ll keep finding ways to deliver. The best we can hope for is to slow it down.”
“I get all that,” Katarina said. “But I’m talking about going after them in a different way. You tell me if I’m wrong, but it’s not like these guys sit on piles of cash. Right?”
“No. Well, not for long, anyways. Too much risk, plus they like to make the money work for them.”
“So, what do they do with it? Where do you think that plane was taking thirty million dollars?”
“The cash was most likely on its way to be laundered somewhere so the cartel could use it legally,” Liam said, answering the second part of her question first. “And what do they do with it? A lot is spent on incredibly lavish lifestyles. More goes to paying off anyone and everyone that can help keep their distribution networks operating. Beyond that, lots of investments in legit businesses. They tend to avoid the stock markets because they see them as too much risk.”
“So, that means a lot of big bank accounts to fund these legitimate businesses, plus the revenue streams they generate. They’re all a potential pressure point. Right?”
“Absolutely. A huge one. We have an entire division of financial analysts that work hand in hand with Treasury. Anytime we can identify bank accounts or a business that was funded by questionable means, we go after them where it hurts. But, they’re very good at what they do and have whole armies of bankers, lawyers and CPAs to make sure things will withstand an audit.”
“So, we just need to know which cartel sent the Retriever.”
“I have a good idea. There’s a crime family operating in BC. British Columbia. They’re the only one big enough to have that much cash on hand. But on paper, they’re squeaky clean businessmen, so I don’t see how this helps.”
“How sure are you they’re the ones?”
Liam thought about that for a moment before answering.
“Ninety percent. But I’m still not seeing how that helps. The DEA has never been able to touch them.”
When she told him what she was thinking, a grin slowly spread across Liam’s face.
“That’s fucking brilliant!” he said.
“And the best part is,” she said with a grin, “suddenly, I wouldn’t seem very important.”
Forty-Four
Baldwin came back into the room, nodding at a look from Liam.
“Couple of my guys on the way to check the house.”
“Thanks,” Liam said. “Now. How do we snatch a senior FBI official and get him out of the city?”
“You’re asking me? You’re the one that wanted to be in charge.”
Baldwin dropped into a chair.
“Conversation starter,” Liam said, refusing to rise to the bait. “So, Katarina. Tell us what you know about Pettigrew.”
She thought for a long moment before raising her hands in the air.
“I don’t really know him,” she said. “He’s a very private person. I know he came to Seattle after a few years as the ASAC in San Francisco.”
“ASAC?” Baldwin asked.
“Assistant Special Agent in Charge. Number two in the field office,” she explained. “Before that he was in counter intelligence and---”
“Sorry,” Liam said, cutting her off. “I don’t care about his professional resume. It’s safe to assume he’s not a soft target. He probably practices good situational awareness and he’ll be armed and know how to defend himself. What I’m looking for is intel about the man. Where does he live? Married? Family? Mistress? Habits and routines such as a daily coffee stop. Maybe he likes to go to strip clubs in the evenings, or he could be volunteering at a soup kitchen. Stuff like that.”
“I can’t tell you,” Katarina said, shaking her head. “He’s a very private person and he’s the boss, so it’s not like he’s going to talk about any of those things. About all I really know is he doesn’t wear a wedding ring, but that means nothing. Most agents I know that are married don’t wear their rings. There’re no family photos in his office, but again, meaningless.”
“Okay,” Liam said in thought. “Then this is going to take a little longer than we’d hoped. We’re going to have to sit on this guy for a while until we get a feel for his routine and nail down the times and locations where he’s vulnerable to being grabbed.”
“I can put my guys on him,” Baldwin offered. “Start building a profile.”
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“No disrespect, but are they capable of being subtler than when they were hanging around outside my house?” Liam asked.
“That was protection work,” Baldwin answered to which Liam nodded acceptance.
“If Pettigrew catches a whiff of them, he’s going to know something’s wrong. He’ll change his routine and might even have your guys scooped up and interrogated. Depends on how much attention he’s willing to draw to the fact that he’s being surveiled.”
“My guys are good. If they could go unnoticed in Kabul, this should be a breeze.”
“Don’t get overconfident.”
“Just statin’ a fact.”
“Alright. It’s late, so let’s plan on them starting at his office tomorrow morning.”
Baldwin nodded then turned to Katarina.
“You think Brody would know more about Pettigrew than you? Maybe where he lives?”
“Don’t, Baldwin!” she said quickly. “Brody’s already deep enough. Let’s keep him well clear in case this goes to shit any more than it already has.”
“Okay. Good point,” he said. “And there’s somethin’ else I need to bring up. About my guys.”
They watched him expectantly as he took a deep breath before continuing.
“I’m doing this for you, Kat. You know the reasons. They’re here because of me, but they’re putting their lives on hold and takin’ a big risk for someone they don’t know.”
Katarina looked at him in confusion, but Liam understood what he was asking.
“They want to get paid.”
“It hasn’t even come up,” Baldwin said. “But I know it’s in their heads. These guys are mostly living on whatever pay they got from the Corps that they managed to squirrel away. Was wondering if maybe you could free up some of that cash.”
The expression on Katarina’s face made it clear this was something she hadn’t even considered.
“We can’t touch the cash, Baldwin,” she said. “We don’t know if there’s a trace on any of the serial numbers that could land them in hot water, or...”
He nodded understanding.
“I was also thinking that maybe each of them could get a piece of the dispensaries. Doesn’t have to be much, but it would go a long way. Besides, with that kind of business it might not be a bad thing to have some muscle that has a vested interest in making sure no one messes with us.”
“Dispensaries?” Liam asked, confused.
Katarina quickly explained to Liam the idea Brody had come up with to clean the money and put it to work for them.
“Actually, that’s not a bad idea,” he said when she was finished. “But we’re a long way from being able to make that happen.”
“Did you talk to Brody about this?” Katarina asked Baldwin.
“Nope. Figured this was between you and me. Doesn’t touch his percentage.”
Katarina nodded immediately.
“I’m okay with that. But what about immediately? Are we going to lose them?”
“It’s possible. They’re my brothers, but they’ve got obligations of their own. Two of ‘em are married with kids and mortgages. Other two got child support payments. All the usual. Bills pile up and instead of earning a paycheck, they’re helping me. You. For free. One thing to ask for a couple of days of their time, but this is pushing it.”
“I don’t know what to say, Baldwin. I’m flat broke until I can get out from under this,” Katarina said.
After a moment he looked down at the worn carpeting.
“How much?” Liam suddenly asked.
“Huh?”
“How much to keep them around for another week?”
Baldwin looked at him in surprise, casting a quick glance at Katarina before answering.
“Bare minimum? For asking them to put their asses on the line?”
Liam held his eyes and nodded.
“Five grand each. With the promise of more to come if things work out.”
He turned and looked directly at Katarina when he said the last.
“I’ll get the cash when the bank opens in the morning,” Liam said, shocking both of them.
“Liam?” Katarina blurted.
“I’m good at saving,” he said with a shrug. “Besides, we need the help and Baldwin’s right. These guys have put everything on hold. They deserve to at least be able to pay their bills.”
Katarina looked at him, a smile of gratitude on her face. Embarrassed, he found something else in the room to focus on. She turned to Baldwin.
“Five percent of my share of the dispensaries. For each of them. If this all works out. But in the end, there may be nothing, though, Baldwin. They’ve got to understand that.”
“I’ll make sure they do.” After several quiet moments he got to his feet. “Gonna go give them the news and get them briefed on what they’re doing.”
He left quickly and Katarina came across the room to sit in Liam’s lap and wrap her arms around his neck.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said after kissing him deeply.
“We need their help.”
“And you’re betting everything on me.”
“Feels like a good bet,” he said, holding her tightly.
Forty-Five
It had been a long day. Liam and Katarina were exhausted and soon went to bed, quickly falling asleep in each other’s arms. Within an hour she was wide awake, staring at the ceiling and listening to the dull roar of jets landing and taking off at SeaTac Airport.
Mind wandering, she turned her head at voices in the hall outside their room. It was only some other guests of the hotel and the sounds quickly faded. Turning to face Liam, she lurched to a sitting position in shock when she was suddenly lying in the rubble of a shattered building.
It was dark, the air a foul miasma of smoke and dust. Hard edges on the bricks pressed into her as she sat there, wildly looking about when a demon screamed from somewhere outside. After several seconds, she remembered the lesson from Zophiel and tried to see the dimension she’d just left but was unsuccessful.
Heart pounding in her ears, she cautiously checked herself over. When she’d gotten in bed, she was only wearing an oversized shirt she’d snatched out of Liam’s bag, but now she was fully dressed. To her dismay, there was no pistol on her belt nor anything else she could use for a weapon.
More screams, closer than before, sent her scrambling backwards over the debris to put her back against a scorched wall. Focusing with every fiber of her being, she tried to see the other worlds. She didn’t care which one she went to, she only knew she didn’t want to be in the abyss. But try as she might, she could see nothing other than fire blasted rubble.
Bending cautiously, she kept her eyes on the lone entrance into the room as she fumbled about in the broken stone. She was standing on the remains of a ceiling which had collapsed, and her hand grasped onto a thick, steel reinforcing rod. Tugging, she was surprised when it came free. She held it up protectively in front of her body.
The rebar was only a few feet long, but it was solid and heavy, making a formidable weapon. If she was able to wield it. But if one of the demons found her, would it be enough? Could she use it effectively to defend herself? For that matter, was it even possible to kill the creatures in their own home?
A low hissing from above brought her head up and she stared in horror as a demon stepped to the edge of a hole where the ceiling had caved in. Pausing, it swiveled its head as a hideous black tongue flicked in and out of its razor lined mouth, like a serpent testing the air. Katarina gripped the rebar tightly as she held her breath and watched the beast.
It made no further sound as it continued to sample the air. She was beginning to think it wouldn’t detect her presence when it suddenly snapped its head around to look directly at her. With a loud hiss, it leapt through the hole and landed heavily in the rubble a few yards to her front.
Burning red eyes bored into her and she was frozen in place. Like invading tendrils, something began squirming into her
head. Not physical, but a sensation of snakes writhing within her skull. For several interminable seconds, they probed deeply, seeking a way in, then were gone as quickly as the feeling had appeared.
In a fluid motion, it crouched and flexed its talons in a menacing show, just like a big cat preparing to attack. Katarina remained frozen in sheer terror. She could smell a sulfurous stink coming from the beast. It opened its mouth to reveal the rows of needle-like teeth and hissed again, the stench of death flowing out and over her.
From someplace deep inside, a fury bubbled up within Katarina. No longer frightened, she drew a breath and raised the rebar above her head. She knew she was about to die, but in that instant made the decision to inflict as much damage to the creature as she could before it overwhelmed her and tore her flesh from her bones. The demon leapt with a scream as she stepped forward with a shout of her own and swung the crude weapon.
Suddenly, the rebar became a long broadsword and the entire area was brilliantly illuminated by a searing light when it burst into flames. The demon’s eyes flew wide in recognition and fear an instant before she sliced deep into its head. The scaly body crashed to the rubble at her feet and didn’t move.
Katarina looked down at the demon she’d just slain. As she stared at the beast in revulsion, the flames vanished as suddenly as they’d appeared and she was left in darkness.
Katarina awoke with a start. Her heart was pounding, and it was hard to breathe. It was several seconds before she recognized the interior of the hotel room. Turning quickly, she sat up when Liam wasn’t in bed with her. Throwing the covers aside, she saw she was once again wearing only one of his shirts, then frantically dashed about the room to turn on every available switch.
The room brightly lit, she eased herself to a seat on the edge of the bed and pulled her knees up until they were beneath her chin. Wrapping her arms around them, she trembled as the adrenaline burned off. She didn’t know if her journey to the abyss had been a dream, a vision or reality. Raising her hands, she stared at the dirt and rust that were ground into her palms. Exactly what she’d expect to see after holding an old piece of rebar.
