by L. T. Ryan
Satisfied the hall was empty, he closed the door and walked back to his desk. Set the gun in the drawer and slid the drawer closed. He scanned the room one more time, making sure nothing was out of place. He grabbed his coat and hat, then left the office.
He was greeted by the warm spring breeze as he stepped out of the building and onto the busy sidewalk.. The overcoat was too much. Not only would he bake inside it, he would also draw unnecessary attention to himself. And unnecessary attention was always a bad thing for a man in his position.
He slipped out of the coat and draped it across his left arm. He pulled the brim of his hat down and lowered his head. At six-three it wasn’t quite enough to hide his face completely, but it had to do. He only had to make it a block or so and then he could relax.
An opening in the crowd appeared, and he took it. Merged in with a group of tourists. The group was a curse and a blessing at the same time. There were plenty of bodies and faces, making it harder for someone to notice him. But the meandering group moved slowly, making the walk take that much longer.
Finally, he felt comfortable enough to leave the group and remove his hat. His car was parked at the Pentagon, so he had to either walk or catch a cab back. It wasn’t that far, only about a mile, so he elected to walk. It’d do him good, he figured. Although he considered himself in shape for his age, a softening around his mid-section had started a few years back and progressed faster than he was willing to accept.
Twenty minutes later he entered one of the most secure buildings in the world. The guards standing around greeted him by name and smiled and barely paid attention as he passed through the security station.
He nodded as he passed the guard he knew as Jones.
“Have a great day, Secretary,” Jones said.
2
Jack sat alone in Frank’s office. The room, much like Frank himself, was dull. There was little there to keep his mind off Alik. The scene from the previous night played over and over in his mind. He hated that they dumped him in the icy river, but they had little choice. They couldn’t leave him at the General’s house. Couldn’t leave him on the side of the road. He’d have been found too soon. Sure, his body would probably be found a few miles or a few hundred miles downstream That didn’t matter. It gave them time and that they got out of Russia without further incident.
The door handle rattled. Jack tensed. Instinctively, his hands went to where his pistol would be if he had one. He shrugged his shoulders and exhaled. Frank’s office was secure and Jack knew he had nothing to worry about, except maybe for Frank.
The door cracked open and Jack twisted in his chair. He nodded at Frank as the man stepped into the office. Jack shifted and followed Frank with his eyes as the man walked past.
Frank stepped around the desk and stood in front of Jack. He placed two cups of coffee on top of his calendar. Offered one to Jack, who reached out, grabbed the cup and brought it to his face. The lid hovered inches from his nose. He inhaled the steam and aroma and then took a sip.
“Thanks for coming alone, Jack,” Frank said.
Jack set the coffee down on the desk. He folded his arms over his chest. Rubbed his freshly shaved chin. “You didn’t leave me much choice.”
“Beard’s gone. Looks good.”
Jack said nothing.
“When are you going to take care of the hair?”
“Soon.” Jack paused for a second, waiting for Frank to continue the conversation. When he didn’t, Jack said, “You didn’t bring me down here to talk about my grooming habits. What the hell is this about?”
“No, no I didn’t.” Frank placed his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair. His eyes shifted from Jack to the ceiling. He opened his mouth several times to speak, but didn’t say a word.
“Frank,” Jack said. “What is it?”
“You remember I told you we think we have a lead on the leak? For the documents?”
“Yeah, that was a few hours ago, Frank.”
“We were wrong.”
“How did you find this out?”
“We…” Frank paused. He narrowed his eyes and seemed to study Jack. “Let’s just leave it at we were wrong.”
“Jesus, Frank. You’re about to ask me for my help. If you want it, you have to be honest with me. Who did you think it was and why were you wrong?”
Frank pushed back in his chair and stood. He placed his hands on the desk and leaned over. His face was inches from Jack’s.
“Listen to me, Jack. You’re going to do whatever the hell I say you’re going to do. One phone call and some very important and dangerous people are going to find out that Jack Noble is, in fact, still alive. Oh, and did I forget to mention that those same people also know that you are the one responsible for the documents getting into the wrong hands in the first place?”
“Yeah while they were on their way to North friggin’ Korea or the Middle East or wherever the hell they were going.”
“Your point? You think this is a lesser of two evils thing, Jack? I can assure you that these people don’t see it that way. They get their hands on you and you’ll spend the rest of your life in Leavenworth. Or dead. Take your pick.”
Jack forced a laugh. “I’ve survived death once. I’ll take my chances again.”
Frank pushed off the desk and stood up straight. “This isn’t a joke.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and held it face up in his palm. “What’s it going to be, Jack?”
“Just for clarity’s sake, what are my options?”
Frank exhaled loudly and shook his head. “Death or prison or you work for me and we get this resolved once and for all.”
“What’s the resolution you are looking for?”
“Catch whoever leaked the documents.”
“Why are we working this?”
“Can’t answer that.”
“Why not the NSA or Homeland? Hell, the FBI would be better equipped than us to handle this.”
“What’s your answer, Jack?”
Jack waved him off and looked to the side. “I’m thinking.”
“Better hurry.”
“Any other incentives? What happens when this is over?”
“I’m pretty sure that I can clear your name if we are successful.”
“Only pretty sure?”
“Best I can offer.”
Take the offer or leave it? Was Frank bluffing or was he serious? He owed nothing to Jack. They had parted ways years ago. Jack took on a contract every once in a while, but other than that, the two men meant nothing to each other. He knew what Frank was capable of and didn’t put it past the man to turn him in. Frank obviously held some contempt over Jack swiping the documents with an intent to sell them.
“I’ll do it,” Jack said. “After this, you and I are through.”
Frank nodded.
“After you clear my name, that is,” Jack said.
“You have my word, Jack. I’ll do everything I can if you find the leak.” Frank looked down at the buzzing phone on his desk. He scooped up his cell and tapped on the screen. His expression went from hard-ass to looking like he was going to be sick.
“What is it?” Jack asked.
Frank waved him off. Kept his eyes on the phone. He swiped at the screen with his index finger. His eyes darted left to right repeatedly. He set the phone down and lowered his head. Covered his eyes with his hand. His head shook side to side.
“What?” Jack asked again.
“Addendum to the previous offer.” Frank dropped his hand and looked at Jack. “Find the man responsible, and the documents, and your name is cleared.”
“The documents?”
Frank nodded.
Jack shared the same nauseous feeling. After all the work that went into securing the intel and the lives that had been lost, the documents were gone again.
“I thought they were in a safe place,” Jack said through clenched teeth.
“They were,” Frank said.
“So it’s someone
in your group?”
“Not necessarily.”
“Who had access?”
“Us and them.”
“Who are them?”
“Can’t say.”
“Frank,” Jack said.
“Jack,” Frank said.
Jack clenched his jaw tighter.
“Look,” Frank said. “You’re a lone operator. I don’t know for sure whose side you’re on. You could double cross me on this, and I’ll be the one standing around taking the blame, and the bullet. I can’t tell you who else had access. Yet, at least. I’m going to have to eventually. Maybe. For now I want you working this on a specific angle. My gut tells me that if, no, when we find the man responsible, we will find the documents. I’m sure he wants them back and will have them in his possession by that time. No harm, no foul kind of thing. Got me?”
Jack nodded. Said nothing.
Frank sat down and opened a drawer. He reached in and pulled out a handgun and holster. “You armed?”
Jack shook his head and remained calm despite his muscles tensing at the question, and the sight of the gun.
“Take this.” Frank slid the weapon and three magazines across the table.
Jack picked up the weapon. Inspected it. Sat the Glock 17 down and said, “I prefer a Beretta.”
“You’ll make due with this.”
Jack shrugged. “I might need something heavier. H&K MP7, silenced.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“What now?” Jack said. “I’m supposed to figure this all out on my own?”
“No.” Frank reached into the drawer again and pulled out a card. He slid it face-down across the table.
Jack reached out and picked it up. The card had a local D.C. phone number and the name Rico printed on it.
“Who’s Rico?” he asked.
“Your starting point.”
Jack got up and turned around. He grabbed the doorknob, pulled it open and walked out of the office. Stopped at the elevator. Frank’s footsteps echoed down the dimly lit corridor. He’d have preferred to not see the man again, but he had no choice. A security card was required to operate the elevator, and Frank possessed the card.
“When’re you going to get me an access card?” Jack said without turning to look at Frank.
“The day you are on my payroll again.”
“So, never.”
Frank swiped his card. The doors opened and he extended his arm, gesturing Jack inside the elevator. The men rode up in silence. When the elevator stopped, they got out and Frank escorted Jack through the hall to the lobby. Frank stopped just short of the entrance and held out his hand. Jack grabbed it.
“One more thing,” Frank said as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out a cell phone and handed it to Jack. “It’s a secure line. You don’t have to worry about your calls being traced or hacked. I can track you with it, so if something happens to you, I’ll find you. It already has my number, Jasmine’s and a few other numbers loaded into it. Be careful about calling other people on it, though.”
“Like who?”
“Your girlfriend for one. Get a cheap phone for that. And your hacker pal, Brandon. You don’t want him getting a hold of this number.”
Jack stuffed the phone in his pocket. “Anything else?”
“That’ll be all. Good luck, Jack.”
Jack said nothing. He turned and started toward the door before Frank finished speaking. When he reached the exit, he glanced over his shoulder. The empty lobby stared back at him with the presence of a thousand restless souls. The spirits of those that he and Frank, and the men and women who were like them, had been responsible for removing from the living. He knew that this mission would only serve to add to that number. The thought crossed Jack’s mind that he could double back and end the whole mess right then by taking Frank out in the hall. Two things stopped him. First, he was certain every inch of the place was under video surveillance. Second, he knew he had to fix the mess he created when he transferred the documents to the old man. If he had done the right thing six months ago and turned the classified intel in, none of this would be necessary.
He pushed through the door and stepped out onto the sidewalk. The air was warm and smelled like beer. Thunder roared in the distance, rumbling and crackling above the city. Gray storm clouds covered the sky, hiding the sun and threatening to open up and soak the city at a moment’s notice.
“Jack,” the familiar voice called from his left.
He turned his head and saw Bear and Pierre approaching. He started in their direction.
“Take it you just met with Frank,” Bear said.
“You could say that,” Jack said. “How was New York?” He looked at each man in turn.
Pierre’s smile faded and he turned his head and looked up toward the darkening sky.
“We got the job done,” Bear said as he tilted his head toward Pierre and slightly shook it. “The old man’s gone.”
“The world’s a better place,” Jack said. “What are you doing here?”
“Guessing that we’re about to be asked to go to Paris and finish the job.”
“Charles?”
“Yeah.”
“Wish I could join you.”
“I’m sure you do.”
“Doesn’t Frank know that someone else will step up?”
Bear shrugged. “Who knows why he’s doing this. Maybe he just wants to break the circle. Anyone involved in the thing with the Russians. I really don’t think he cares about the old man’s organization one way or the other except for that. Anyways, we gotta get in there. Call me later.”
“Same old number?”
“Yup. It’ll ring me.”
The men said goodbye, and Bear and Pierre walked toward the SIS headquarters while Jack walked away from it. He continued on until he found a barren alley. He walked to the bricked-in end and pulled out the phone Frank provided. Then he pulled out the card with Rico written on it. Dialed the number. On the third ring a man answered.
“Hello?” the man said.
“This Rico?” Jack said.
“Who’s this?”
“That’s not important. Is this Rico?”
There was a pause and shuffling noises filled the ear piece, like the man was leaving or entering a room.
“Yeah, this is Rico.”
“We need to meet.”
3
Frank met the two men in the lobby of the SIS headquarters building. After they entered, he walked to the front door and locked it. “No need to go to my office. This will be quick.”
“Before you get started,” Bear said, “there’s still the matter of payment for the old man.”
Frank smiled and gestured toward the seating area of the lobby. He crossed the room and pushed one of the chairs close to the square glass coffee table. He placed a briefcase on the table and sat down.
Bear took a seat on the leather couch. Pierre sat next to him.
“I’ve got accounts opened for each of you,” Frank said. “False names. Encrypted online access. You can transfer the money through your computer if you want. ATM cards you can use anywhere. They’ll raise no red flags. The accounts are set up that when you make a withdrawal with your ATM card, it will show you in one of fifty random places all over the world. When you transfer money to a different account, it will display fifty random dummy account numbers, none of which are real.”
The explanation satisfied Bear. He leaned forward and took the manila folder from Frank. Inside were two ATM cards with paper wrapped around each and secured with a rubber band. He handed one to Pierre.
“The account details are on the paper,” Frank said. “Best to commit that information to memory. You don’t want to die or get captured with that on you.”
Bear nodded. Stuck the card and paper in his pocket. Saw Pierre do the same out of the corner of his eye.
Frank leaned back in his chair. Smiled. “Happy?”
“Happy,” Bear said. “Now what?”
&n
bsp; Frank gestured toward the briefcase. “Your passports are in there, as are two tickets to France.”
“They’re clean?”
“Absolutely. Best you can get. Those are guaranteed to get you into any country without any problems. Both are stamped, logged, so forth.”
“What are we to do when we get there?” Pierre said.
“I want Charles taken out,” Frank said.
“Any particular method?” Pierre said. “Want it to look like an accident?”
“You are working independently,” Frank said. “I’d say arrange a meeting under false pretenses. He might be expecting you sooner or later. He might even suspect you in the old man’s death.”
“You think so?” Pierre said.
Frank shook his head. “I doubt it. Look, you can tell him that you succeeded and Bear is dead. Now you want your money. The old man couldn’t pay up. Lure him to a meeting that way.”
“I need to think about it,” Bear said.
“It’s up to you,” Frank said. “However you want to do it. Stalk him if you want. Just kill him. It has to look like a hit. That’s all I care about.”
“Pay?” Bear said.
“One hundred thousand each.”
“What about a job after?” Pierre asked.
“We can start with additional contract work,” Frank said. “There’s plenty of non-sanctioned contracts.”
“I want to be left alone after this,” Bear said.
“No problem.” Frank leaned forward and stood.
“How’s Mandy?” Bear asked.
“Safe. You can see her when this is all over.” Frank extended his hand. “Anything else?”
Bear looked at Pierre. The Frenchman shook his head. The men stood and followed Frank to the door.
“Call me when you get to Paris,” Frank said.
Bear nodded and stepped through the open doorway. He and Pierre walked a block in silence.
“You ready for this?” Bear said.
“Absolutely,” Pierre said.
