“Ok, will do, Jack.”
After hanging up and sending Lee the picture, I kissed Mi-young on the forehead, while she slept, and hurried out the door. I took a taxi to the U.S. Embassy, which was only about five miles away. I didn’t spot any one following me.
On the way there, the agency office called and advised that the plate number was to a rental car. They had no further information. It didn’t matter because I already knew who rented the car, thanks to KY’s information.
The cab dropped me off at the main gate. The U.S. Embassy is a modern rectangular eight-story building of considerable size. All the windows are bulletproof. For added security, Korean National Police are always based outside of the chain-linked twelve foot high razor-wire topped fence, 24-7. The fence perimeter is patrolled by the police on the outside and U.S. Marines on the inside.
The fenced in area, or the embassy grounds, are about five acres in size. There are several out buildings for visitors to stay and maintenance buildings.
There were five MSGs (Marine Security Guards) checking IDs, briefcases, and bags. Of course, everyone has to go through a metal detector. Outside the embassy there are three lines: one for U.S. citizens, one for embassy employees, and one line for everyone else. A long line was already forming at the gate for people who were applying for a visa to the United States.
If you are not employed at the embassy there is a sign posted showing what items are not allowed inside. The items listed are cameras, laptop computers, cell phones, electronic car keys, and of course, guns.
I proceeded to the employees’ entrance, which has an ID card reader. One Marine was standing there also checking the ID of every person. Even if the Marine guard knew you, he still checked your ID. No one got waived through just because you were employed at the embassy. Everyone still had to pass through the MD (metal detector). Every person was sniffed by the BSD’s (bomb sniffing dogs).
I handed the Marine Sergeant my ID badge. He said, “Good morning, Sir,” as he studied it.
I replied, “Good morning, Sergeant.”
“Sir, please state your business here today.”
I showed him my assignment orders. “I have a meeting with Ambassador Stevens at seven. I’m the new RSO (Regional Security Officer).”
“Yes sir, Mr. Gunn. Please remove all items from your pockets and place them in the box, along with your weapons. Then scan your ID and proceed through the detector.”
I followed his instructions. He closely watched me as I pulled out two Glocks, two ammo mags, a six-inch Black Bear fighting knife, brass knuckles, a small pocket switch-blade, cell phone, and a wallet. He gave me a little smile.
Normally, I always carry two Glock 19 handguns. One is in a hip holster and the other in a small-of-the-back holster. The agencies only issue one handgun. It’s a 40 caliber Sig, which I don’t care for. I like the Glock and use the 9mm luger round. I carry two guns because one gun is not enough. In the old west, men always carried two guns, if they could afford it. When you’re in the heat of combat anything can happen and usually does. A gun can miss fire from a bad round and then jam. You can’t waste time clearing a jam or you’re dead. Or something can break inside the gun. Once I had a trigger return-spring break during a combat practice session. Thank God it wasn’t real combat. If a tiny trigger return-spring breaks, the trigger will not return to the firing position, rendering the gun useless. You’re dead meat if this happens.
Once on the other side of the metal detector, another Marine had a bomb dog sniff me, as I held my arms out at my side. He said, “You are cleared to proceed, Mr. Gunn.”
While he handed me my weapons, one by one, I noticed he carefully looked at them.
“Thank you, Sergeant,” I said, as I holstered my handguns, picked up my blades and other items. I headed directly to the Ambassador’s office. This wasn’t my first visit here, so I knew where it was located.
It was exactly seven as I walked into the huge waiting room outside the Ambassador’s office. His secretary wasn’t in yet, but I noticed his office door was open. I walked up, peeked in, and knocked.
Ted looked up from his desk. “Jack, come on in.” He stood up, came around the desk, and shook my hand. “It’s damn good to see you again.”
“It’s great to see you, Ted. Congratulations on the new job, you earned it.”
“Thanks a lot, Jack. You look younger now. What’s your secret?”
“Hard work.”
We chuckled and Ted pointed to a chair. “Please, sit down. We have a lot to talk about. How have you been?”
“I’ve been great. Thanks for getting me the RSO position here.”
“You’re welcome, my friend. When I received the Ambassadorship I wanted you for security here. They tried to give me someone else when the old RSO retired, but I stuck to my guns. I told them no one knows Korea better than Jack Gunn.”
“Thanks, that means a lot coming from you. It will help my retirement pension out.”
“So, what’s new with you?” Ted asked.
“Well, I got married. That’s the only thing exciting that has happened to me. What about you?”
I didn’t bother to tell Ted that things weren’t going to good in the marriage department, mainly because of my job; I am never home. But there are other reasons as well. It seems somewhere along the line our love for each other just stopped. It’s tough to admit, but I blame myself for letting it happen.
“Congratulations, Jack. I got married also. You remember Keiko Kamata, well we were married about a year ago. We have a kid on the way.”
I chuckled and said, “Congratulations to you both. She got a good man.”
“Yeah, I couldn’t get her out of my head. I went to Africa for six months, which was a hellhole, and then they sent me back to Japan. So, we started seeing each other again.”
I interrupted him, “Did you go back to the Black Dragon?”
“It’s the Golden Dragon. Yeah, I went back after we got engaged. I found out her father, Kamata-san, is the owner of the Golden Dragon. But get this, he’s also and the Boss of the Inagawa Yakuza Clan. Don’t tell anyone I told you that.”
“Holy crap. I won’t tell anyone. Doesn’t that concern you a little?”
Ted said, “Yeah, in the beginning, but then I found out her father was really happy that his daughter was going to marry a respectable man. He didn’t want her involved in the Yakuza. We had a long talk about that.”
“I’m surprised he let her marry a gaijin.”
“Believe me, we had long talks about that also. He’s a pretty international type guy and accepted the fact that love doesn’t know race or color. He did tell me, if we ever get divorced he’d kill me. So, I don’t plan on getting divorced.”
I let out a slight laugh. “That’s great, so everything worked out for you. Whatever happened to the guy who broke her finger? I think his name was Nakanishi.”
“Yes, that was his name. He mysteriously disappeared.” We both laughed. “Kamata-san would like to meet you someday. He thinks you’re a great warrior for defending his daughter and fighting three of his men at one time.”
“Ted, tell him thanks for the compliment, but I don’t think I’ll ever get a chance to meet him. Is Keiko living in Korea with you?”
“Yes. We’ll get together for dinner at our place sometime. Every now and then her friend Midori comes to visit her. You remember her don’t you?”
“Yes, little Midori.”
“She asks about you all the time. I mean all the time. I think you made a big impression on her.”
Just then Ted’s secretary came in and offered us some coffee. Upon seeing me she said, “Welcome back to Korea, Mr. Gunn.” She’s an American-Korean who has worked here for years and does the translations for the Ambassador.
I replied, “Hello, Ms. Lee. It’s great to back here.” She smiled and left to obtain our coffee.
Five minutes later, she returned with a tiny cup of Korean coffee. Real Korean coffee is like drin
king espresso. It’s bitter and strong as heck. Most people add sugar and cream, but I prefer it black.
Ted asked, “So, what’s your plan for this place?”
“Well, first I’m going to meet everyone who reports to me, and then get a little one-on-one time to hear their comments. After that, I’ll do a walk around and check out the embassy for any weak points. I also want to review your routine and the security where you live. After that I’ll go inspect the consulate office in Pusan. But that won’t be for a while.”
“That sounds good. I have a staff meeting at nine to introduce you to the key people.” He glanced at his watch.
We had less than one hour so I needed to fill Ted in on the situation. “Ted, I need your expert advice and input on something that popped up since I arrived here.”
“Sure, how can I help you?” Ted asked.
I took a deep breath. “When I arrived here … .” I went on to tell the story about Stan Wright, Ellington, Kim, and the unknown man who spoke in Japanese to Kim, while meeting at the Tiger House Bar last night. I told him how Ellington and Kim passed briefcases to each other in the Chosun Hotel lobby.
I advised him that these men were known communists and that Kim was defector from the north. Ted really took notice when I told him that the twin brothers were engineers, capable of designing weapons of mass destruction.
Ted sat there listening and nodding his head. Finally, he said, “Jack, you’ve only been here two days and you’re already investigating suspicious activity. That’s what I like about you. But maybe these men are just here on normal business.”
“Yeah maybe, but my instincts tell me they’re up to no good. I want your permission to check them out further. Guys like these just don’t get together for the fun of it.”
“Officially, I can’t authorize that, but unofficially, go ahead and check them out. But keep in mind, we never talked about this. I don’t know anything about what you’re doing. I am sorry, but you’re on your own on this one. Unofficially, keep me posted on what you find out. I don’t want any surprises.”
“Ok, fair enough,” I said. “Now, here’s the crazy part. This may be related and maybe not. My close friend, K.Y. Lee, used to be the personal bodyguard to President Roh. He was in charge of four other men who also guarded the President. They all work for the NIS.”
Ted said, “You mean the National Intelligence Service.”
“Yes, that’s right. Lee told me that he and the other guards were assigned new duties. They were given desk jobs and were replaced by one man, named Kwon. Now, maybe you know this and maybe not, but the Director of the NIS is appointed by the President, but needs to be approved by the National Assembly and the Army Chief of Staff. He reports directly to the President.”
“Yes, I understand that.”
“Well, the Director of the NIS was replaced, about a month ago, without the approval of the National Assembly or the Army. The new Director is named Jin-chil Suk. This guy, Kwon, is now in charge of the President’s security and he reports to Suk.
“Lee is concerned that the President is being set up. He wonders how the NIS Director can be replaced without the proper approval. Lee and the other bodyguards were secretly removed without even getting a chance to say good-bye to President Roh. They were his close bodyguards for four years. Doesn’t that seem odd?”
“Damn, Jack. This is a complicated situation alright. It sure makes me wonder what’s going on with the NIS and National Assembly. It sounds like some type of internal coup has taken place. But maybe Roh did approve the new NIS Director. How does your buddy Lee know that he didn’t?”
“He doesn’t, but the main point is the National Assembly and Army Chief of Staff hasn’t approved the new NIS director.”
“Maybe they will and haven’t got around to it yet.”
I replied, “The main reason Lee thinks something is funny is because there was no news about the change, officially or unofficially. Nothing was in the media about it. So going a step further, I wonder if Wright and Ellington are involved in this in some way.”
“That’s really a stretch, but a good question. For now keep the two separate until you find a connection. I really don’t want to get openly involved in Korean politics. That’s a big no-no,” Ted said.
“What if there is a coup in progress?” I asked. “We have to know what the hell is going on because it affects the security of the United States. Like it or not, Ted, Korea is a hot zone.”
“Yes, I guess you’re right about that.” Ted scratched his chin and looked at the time. It was nine o’clock, time for the meeting. “Jack, let’s go to the meeting and after that we can discuss this situation further.”
At the staff meeting I was introduced to Master Gunnery Sergeant Wilson Smith who is in charge of the ten man MSG detail at the embassy. Gunny Smith was a big guy, standing at least three or four inches over me. He appeared to be in his mid-forties, which made him an old timer. His uniform was pressed and it fit him perfectly. He stood tall and straight like he was at attention all the time. He had the standard Marine close-cut hair and didn’t crack a smile. He was a real old school Marine and I liked what I saw. Gunny Smith would make my job easier.
I was also introduced to my Security Agents who all report directly to me. I set a time to meet with them to review the security procedures and the overall situation.
After the meeting, Ted and I returned to his office. He said, “So you want permission to work with your friend, Lee, to find out what’s going on with the NIS and President Roh. And you want to investigate these other men you mentioned, because they seem suspicious.”
“Yes, but unofficially of course.” I said.
“Unofficially, go ahead. But you’re treading on thin ice, Jack. I ask you to keep this investigation under your hat until something concrete is uncovered.”
“Don’t worry, I will. By the way, have you ever met Roh?”
“Yes, one time. He had a welcome dinner for me at the Blue House. But that was before this stuff about the NIS happened.”
“Ted, what do you think about giving him a phone call to see if everything is ok?”
Ted thought about this for a minute. “That sounds a little tacky. What will I say? President Roh, are you ok? Is you security team alright? Who is the new Director of the NIS and why did you change people?”
After what seemed like a five minute pause, Ted said, “No, I can’t phone him right now. Let me think about it while you continue the investigation. I need a good reason to call the President. If you can bring me some concrete proof that something is going on, I’ll phone him.”
“Ok. I understand.”
“If that’s all for now, I have several meetings to attend.”
“Yeah, that’s all for now. I have a lot of work to do.”
“Jack, you’ve only been here two days and I already got a headache.”
“Sorry, Ted. I’ll keep you posted.”
We both stood up and shook hands. Ted handed me a folder marked ‘Secret’ and said, “Here, take this information folder. Read it and keep it locked up.” Ted hesitated for a minute. “Jack, I want you to know, even with the headache it’s still great to have you on my team.”
“Thank you, Mr. Ambassador. I won’t let you down. See you later.”
As I walked out of the room, Ted commented, “Remember, we have a dinner date. How’s this weekend sound? Maybe Saturday.”
“That sounds good to me,” I said, as I left his office.
I felt a little stupid giving Ted all the bad news on the first day meeting him. But he was in the big leagues now and needed to step up to the plate.
I went to my office located in the basement, next to the armory room. Sitting at a desk, in a room next to mine, was my secretary an older career woman, named Lisa Shoemaker, whom I had met earlier. Lisa does all the correspondence and paperwork for the agents and the Marines. People like her are a valuable asset and usually know better than anyone else how to get around the red tap
e.
She stood up as I walked in. “Agent Gunn, this is your office,” as she pointed to the door. “The other agents are located down the hall. Anything you need, please let me know.”
She took me inside my office and showed me the intercom, the handheld radio, computer, and explained the filing system.
“Thank you, Lisa. I appreciate your help,” I said.
It was a nice big office, but it didn’t have any windows. There were ten large security monitors mounted on the walls, showing rotating views of the embassy. My office and those of my five agents are located in one area, all next to each other. Outside of my office, to the left, is the armory room, which is nothing more than a huge safe. Alongside of the armory room is a “Secret Room” which is also another large safe that contains confidential and secret files along with information on all the embassy employees. Standing in between the large safes was a Marine Security Guard. One is on duty here around the clock.
I sat down in my plush leather office chair. It was comfortable, so I leaned back and put my feet up on the oversized wooden desk. I picked up the classified file, given to me by Ted, and started reading it. The file contained information on all my agents and the Marine Guards. I read about their backgrounds and experience. Also enclosed was an outline of how the embassy functioned and whom to contact if there were any type of problems. A little over two hundred people work here everyday. The embassy has a dispensary with a nurse, cafeteria, and a driver service. Of course, any person employed by the embassy is given a complete background check by the DSS.
Below my office, in the sub-basement, is a secure panic room. It contains enough beds to sleep sixty people, including showers. There is a generator that will automatically turn on if a power failure occurs. It will run for thirty days before it needs fuel. Basically, people can survive for thirty days living in the embassy because food and water reserves are stored.
I found the combination to the Armory Safe in my files. According to the rules, the only ones who have the combination are the Marines, DS agents, and Ambassador Stevens. No one else is permitted in the room unless approved by me or the Ambassador.
Critical Incidents: The ROK - Land of HAN (A Jack Gunn Mystery Thriller Book 1) Page 8
