The Reluctant Assassin Box Set

by Lee Jackson

  “Maybe,” Jaime chimed in. “We’ll use a slow-fast approach. Danilo and I will go in together for a couple of days to re-establish contact. We’ll talk about our training in Cuba and meeting Castro and his interest. We’ll say you’re on your way and talk you up. By the time you arrive, they’ll think they know you.”

  “Why aren’t I on scene already? Won’t they ask why I didn’t come back with you?”

  “You’re a great son.” Jaime chuckled. “You stopped in to see your ailing mother before you came down.”

  “Are we talking about Senderos? They’re vicious. They boast about having no regard for human rights and killing anyone who opposes them. They push for social rights, which means Maoist theory. Remember Mao? He choked the Yalu River in China with tens of thousands of dead bodies.”

  His face grim, Jaime shrugged. “They’ll hold you in high esteem because you come from Castro. Either they’ll accept your story about caring for your mother, or they’ll give up the technical expertise Castro offered by sending you. If they do the latter, they risk offending him. At least, that’s what they’ll think.”

  “I’m sure they’ll check me out more thoroughly.”

  Danilo laughed. “They’ll do their best, but their capabilities are limited. We’ll run interference. On the other hand, if they find you out, the time until your extraction will be unpleasant.”

  Atcho crossed his arms, blowing air out of puffed-up cheeks while nodding. “Who extracts me?”

  “The CIA. This is a cooperative mission. They don’t have undercover officers here, but they do have an active presence that can mount a rescue. We don’t. We’ll walk you through the signaling methods and give you time to study the details of your cover story. That’s why your mother’s sick, God bless her.”

  “One thing I’m not clear on yet,” Jaime interjected. “What exactly is your objective? Don’t tell us anything more than what we need to meet our mission—the less we know, the less we can give up if we’re compromised—but make sure you’re thorough.” He grinned. “And by the way, when you go back to the US, we will never have known or heard of you, and don’t want to see you again until after we retire.”

  Atcho grimaced, then took a moment to consider how best to respond. “If you hear of a Chechen anywhere around Senderos, let me know ASAP. That’s critical.”

  Danilo scraped his chair back, rose to his feet, and disappeared into an adjoining room. He reappeared moments later holding a photo and tossed it on the table in front of Atcho. “Is that him? We got this just before we came after you. We’re supposed to be on the lookout for him.”

  Atcho stared down at Klaus’ black-and-white face. “That’s him. He’s why I’m here. If you see him or find out what he’s up to, get to me quick.”

  The other two men studied the photo. Only the tick-tock of the clock and the hum of the refrigerator broke the silence. Then Jaime slammed a hand down on the table. “Let’s talk about how we do this.”

  10

  Austin, Texas

  Early July 1992

  “Rawley” spoke in rapid Arabic to Kadir in Berlin. “I’ve contacted the surveillance team. They tell me that Miss Sofia has guests staying with her—another woman and a child.”

  “Do you know who they are?”

  “We’re working on it. I’m going over to observe for myself.”

  “Don’t include them. Hitting Atcho’s wife will be a sensational news story. We don’t want it traced.”

  Rawley hung up and walked into the convenience store in a strip mall where he had made the phone call. He was a gangly blond with light blue eyes and wore enough Texan attire to look authentic without pressing the point—denims with work boots, an untucked Western shirt with sleeves rolled to the elbows, and a Houston Astros baseball cap.

  “Where’s the beer?” he called to the clerk in a flawless Texas accent. As he paid for a six-pack of Lone Star, he asked, “Can you give me directions to Mt. Bonnell Road? I need to make a delivery.”

  Rawley’s journey through life to arrive at this point had been long and circuitous. He was born and raised in Afghanistan to a tribe with features that sprang from Alexander the Great’s ancient foray there. The iconic general’s soldiers had dallied with local women before being among the first great armies brought to heel in that barren land. They left behind a large progeny.

  During the Soviet’s ill-fated adventure there, Rawley had caught the attention of military intelligence officers, who took note of his looks and cleverness and recruited him as an interpreter. While he was still young and malleable, they sent him to Moscow to train for assignment in Texas. Upon completion, he infiltrated the menial labor ranks of contractors serving NASA’s Johnson Space Center south of Houston.

  Rawley also trained as an assassin and had been diverted for short-duration operations in other parts of the world. His skill of blending in with Texans and sending treasure troves of space-related secrets back to Moscow had earned him respect within Soviet clandestine services.

  With the dissolution of the Soviet Union foreseen by its retreat from global engagement and its withdrawal from Afghanistan, Rawley sought other sponsors. Having strayed from Islam, he made overtures through several mosques in Houston to rejoin the faith and make inroads into Middle Eastern terror groups, pointing out his value as a field operator with a successful background in representing himself as a Texan.

  Before long, he caught the attention of both Sunni and Shia organizations and found he could operate as a freelancer, doing jobs for the highest bidder. He did not care to aim his weapons at women and children, but after speaking with Klaus in the Sudan camps and learning of Atcho and Sofia’s incursions against Muslims in Berlin and Kuwait, he was happy to oblige.

  The convenience store clerk directed him to Mt. Bonnell Road, and Rawley made his way back to his delivery van. He drove to the address he had memorized, Atcho and Sofia’s home overlooking Lake Austin. He drove past it, noting the horseshoe driveway lined with mature oaks, the shrubs in front of the house, and the wide expanse of lawn. If I can find the right place, this should be an easy shot.

  He waited an hour, and then drove past again. This time, he observed two women arrive in a sedan. They parked the car under a porte-cochère, exited, and removed two children from the back of the vehicle—a toddler boy and a little girl a year or two older.

  Rawley left the neighborhood again, deciding that he had taken enough risk of exposure for one day. Then he thought better of his decision. I’ve got to hit the right woman. She’s there now.

  He first went to check that his getaway car was undisturbed and had plenty of fuel. Then he drove nineteen miles to Lakeway Airpark. He walked out to the single-engine, red-trimmed Cessna Cardinal he had parked there, opened it, and ran through the pre-flight checklist—twice—to save time later. That done, he retraced his route.

  Rawley had considered bringing in a team but decided against it. Doing so would take time. Not only would that increase the odds of discovery, but Kadir had also impressed on him that the hit was urgent. He knew of Sofia’s background but felt that, with surprise on his side, he should be able to handle the job on his own.

  The sun had begun its slide on the western horizon, meaning he would have to take off illegally from Lakeway—the runway shut down at sunset. But he did not expect to fly far on the first leg—just enough to be out of the immediate search area.

  He drove back through the neighborhood, his heart beating faster, his hands sweating. Between houses, he saw the waters of Lake Austin, a widening of the Colorado River forced by a dam farther downstream. He approached the driveway and turned in.

  A green-lettered sign on Rawley’s van read, “Mt. Bonnell Flowers.” He parked so that it was easily seen from the front door. Circling to the back of the van, he removed a bouquet and carried it to the house.

  Rawley rang the doorbell and stood back, his hand checking the Beretta 70 in his belt at the small of his back. He heard a female voice call, “I’ll g
et it,” and then the door swung open.

  As soon as Rawley’s van left the neighborhood for the second time, Sofia’s phone rang. “This is Ivan. We’ve seen some unusual activity in your neighborhood. Stay alert.”

  When Sofia hung up, Isabel asked, “Who was that?”

  “Ivan. He’s keeping watch while your father’s gone.”

  “Anything to be concerned about?”

  “Maybe. His security guys noticed a van that didn’t belong circling the neighborhood.”

  Isabel’s expression became fearful. “Is it that serious? The children.”

  “Exactly. Right now, it’s only a heads-up, but there are people who would like to do your father in, and they’re not fond of me either. We’re taking no chances. Ivan will move his guys in closer, we’ll turn on our outside surveillance, and you need to move into the safe room.”

  Isabel nodded, her eyes wide.

  “Good. Get the kids and bring them down. I’ll open the room and switch on the security cameras. If the doorbell rings, don’t open it. I’ll handle that. You make sure the kids are inside the safe room and then close it. Ivan will send someone to the hidden exit at the back corner to take you down the path to a boat on the lake. Got all that?”

  When Isabel nodded again, Sofia saw that she was trembling. She cupped Isabel’s face in both hands. “It’ll be all right,” she said, looking into her eyes. “It might be nothing, but if it’s something, we have a great team to help us. Ivan is one of the best in security, and all the people who work for him are combat veterans. They love your father. I pity anyone who threatens his daughter, granddaughter, or son.”

  “What about you?”

  Sofia chuckled. “Me too, but they know I can take care of myself. Now go.”

  Isabel hurried away, and Sofia went to the safe room. There, she turned on all the cameras, checked the monitors, and called Ivan.

  “We’re set. Have you checked the waterfront?”

  “We have, and there’s no sign on either side of the lake. Our guys are watching for other team members in the neighborhood, but so far there’s nothing suspicious.”

  “Good. Get that boat over here. We have to get Isabel and the babies out.”

  “And you?”

  “No one’s going to push me out of my home. If this is a real threat, we’re going to deal with this guy. Did you find out anything more about that van?”

  “It has a sign on the side—Mt. Bonnell Flowers. Looks nice, except there is no such flower shop. I checked.”

  “Keep me posted. I’ve got to keep Isabel calm. She’s not used to this.”

  “I’ll have her taken to my house. Lara would love to see her and the kids.”

  “Sounds like a plan. If this flower guy comes here, let him get to the door. I’ll have my weapon out and my headset on. You’ll hear whatever is going on and be able to speak to me.”

  “That’ll work. I’ll reposition several men to within yards of your front door. The rest will be on the lookout for accomplices. Our guys will be invisible.”

  “I think we have all the angles covered. Now it’s a waiting game.”

  As the sun sank in the western sky, Ivan called Sofia again. “We’ve spotted him. He’s headed your way. My guys are in position. We’ll notify authorities as soon as he makes his move. There’s still no sign of others working with him.”

  “That’s fine, but Ivan, don’t mention this to people at the company or to Burly. Do you understand? I don’t want Atcho hearing about this.”

  Ivan sucked in his breath. “You’re putting me in an awkward position.”

  “Humor me. He doesn’t need to worry about what’s going on here. He’s got his hands full, and we can handle this. Where’s the boat?”

  “It’s almost there.”

  “Tell your man to cut the engines and come in silently. Does he have an electric motor?”

  “He’s using it now. Take a look at your driveway monitor. Your visitor just turned in.”

  “I see him.” Sofia grabbed a Glock from the gunrack and headed out of the safe room. “Get in there and close it,” she told Isabel. Together, they hurried the children into the room. Sofia watched to make sure the entertainment center swung back into place before heading upstairs.

  “You’re my eyes now,” she said to Ivan through her headset.

  “We’ve got him. He parked the van in front of your entrance.”

  Sofia reached the foyer and unlocked the door. “Tell me when he’s on the other side.”

  “He’s taking flowers out of the van now.”

  Sofia’s heartbeat thundered in her ears.

  “He’s almost at your door. He’s reaching for the doorbell.”

  Sofia took a deep breath and pressed herself against the wall beside the entrance. She jerked involuntarily when the doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it,” she called out.

  “He’s taken a step back,” Ivan intoned in her ear. “His hand is going to his back. Gun!”

  Sofia threw the door open and leveled her pistol in Rawley’s face. Simultaneously, two men moved out of the shadows with guns aimed at his chest.

  Astonished, Rawley froze, taking in the weapons, his pistol still gripped behind him. He dropped the bouquet and opened his other hand, moving his finger away from the trigger. Then, he lowered his weapon carefully to the ground.

  Sofia glared at him, her cheeks crimson with rage. Without a word, she stepped forward and delivered a solid kick to Rawley’s groin. He screamed in pain and reached for his crotch, but before he could drop to the ground, Sofia high-kicked and brought her foot crashing down on the side of his face. He dropped, barely conscious.

  Sofia grabbed him by the hair and jerked his head up. “Do you know what happens to jihadis who die at the hands of a woman?” she hissed in his ear. “No Paradise.” She shook his head. “If you come near me or my family again, you’re going to find out what that means. Make sure your buddies know it.” She thrust his head down onto the concrete and stood over him.

  Ivan appeared, walking up the driveway. “The FBI is on the way to pick him up. They’ll decide what to do with him.”

  “Tell them I’ll be at the interrogation, and you can cancel the boat.”

  11

  Isabel emerged from the safe room, her eyes wide with uncertainty. The two children clung to her legs.

  On seeing his mother, Jameson rushed to her, arms extended upward, begging to be picked up. She scooped him up and buried her face in his neck.

  “Is it over?” Isabel asked.

  Sofia took a breath to regain her composure. “We got him,” she said. “He won’t bother us again. I’m sending you home, though. Someone else could show up, and you don’t need to be around if that happens.”

  “Bob’s not home yet,” Isabel objected.

  “Then go stay with a friend.” Sofia faced Isabel, placing both hands on her shoulders and meeting her eyes. “You have a child to think about. This place just became dangerous. You need to leave.”

  “You have a little boy to worry about too,” Isabel retorted. She reached up and caressed the toddler’s back. “At least let him come with me.”

  A look of horror crossed Sofia’s face at the thought of being separated from her baby. She started to object, but then the germ of an idea formed in her head.

  “Let me think about it. Make your travel arrangements. I have to go to the FBI office.”

  Ivan was still briefing the FBI agents when Sofia arrived at the field office. Above them, a TV monitor showed Rawley sprawled in a chair in an interrogation room.

  “He’s still recovering from that pounding you gave him.” Ivan grinned.

  “What do we know about him?” Sofia asked. “Who is he?”

  “A bit of a mystery,” one of the agents replied. “We already know that he’s worked on a maintenance contract at Johnson Space Center for a number of years. We have documentation of a minimal background check that had to be run for that job, but because he
was not expected to be in contact with classified material, it was a cursory check looking for criminal activity. He came up clean. He has a record of other jobs before NASA, but when we dug in, we found closed companies, unavailable references... Based on Ivan’s briefing of who his target was—you, with your background—we sent a team to his apartment in Houston. They should be there by now.”

  Sofia looked up at the screen again. Rawley had not moved.

  “Let me question him,” she said. “There’s one piece of information I want.”

  Startled, the agent raised his palms in protest. “Ma’am, I can’t—”

  Sofia stepped toward him. “That man just threatened my family,” she said tersely. “I want to know—”

  Before she could finish her sentence, the phone rang. The agent answered, and when he hung up, he turned to Ivan and Sofia.

  “That was the lead investigator in Houston.” He gestured toward the monitor. “This guy’s careless. As soon as they entered his apartment, they spotted stolen and forged IDs giving access to classified areas of the space center.”

  Without another word, Sofia strode to the interrogation room door and entered. Surprised, the agent watched her go but did not attempt to stop her.

  On hearing the door close, Rawley looked up. Seeing Sofia, he leaned back and grinned. His hands were cuffed to the table in front of him.

  “Wow, lady. You sure know how to greet a guy. All I was doing was delivering flowers.” He lowered his jaw to his hands and rubbed the spot where Sofia’s foot had struck him. “I’m going to love the lawsuit I’m bringing against you and…” He looked around. “Were those FBI guys who brought me in? Deep pockets. That’s going to be a great lawsuit.” He laughed.

  Sofia walked over and yanked his head back. “You attacked my family. You’re on video pulling a gun from your belt before I opened the door. Attempted murder. You’re going away for a long time.