Critical Incidents: The ROK - Land of HAN (A Jack Gunn Mystery Thriller Book 1)

by Thomas H. Ward

  A taxi drove by going up the hill. Another came back down. A few more people staggered by the alley. One drunk stopped to pee. He didn’t know I was standing right in front of him in the darkness. They moved on loudly talking, the way drunks do.

  After thirty minutes, I wondered what was going on. Why was it taking Kim so long to leave the bar? Then I heard footsteps, so I peeked out around the corner of the building. Walking down the dimly lit street were a man and a woman. I couldn’t make out if it was Kim or not from this distance. Sliding back into the shadows, I drew my Glock, racked a round, and waited.

  Shit, if this is Kim, and he has a woman with him, I would have to kill both of them. I didn’t want to whack an innocent woman, but I had no choice. She would squeal to the cops for sure. The problem was all the ladies at the Tiger House knew who I was. They knew I was Mi-young’s lover.

  My plan was simple. Once they passed by the alley, I would step out behind them. When within a few feet, I would pop both in the back of the head; Kim first and then the chick. One shot to each head and it would be over, quick and painless.

  I heard the footsteps getting closer and closer. Then I saw the dark figures pass by me. It was Kim alright. He was closest to me and the girl was on his left arm. She held him up as they staggered along. He had his arm around here shoulder. I couldn’t make out her face, but her silhouette looked familiar. I had second thoughts about killing the girl, but realized I had to or I could be in deep shit.

  After they passed, I quietly stepped out of the shadows. I slipped in behind them, without making a sound to within five feet of my targets. It was noisy, with cars honking, and music echoing down the street from the nightclubs. I checked both directions, up and down the street. No one was around. I thought, it’s now or never.

  I pointed my gun at the back of Kim’s head. Carefully taking aim I squeezed the trigger, popping him. He fell limp to the ground with a thud. I knew the hollow point bullet would blow his brains out the front of his face, leaving a baseball size hole.

  As he fell, he dragged the girl to the ground with him. She was on her hands and knees trying to get up. I took a step closer for a better shot. I hesitated as I took aim at the girl’s head. I put my finger on the trigger and started taking out the slack. Then I decided, since she hasn’t seen my face, I’ll just bash her in the head and knock her out. Instantly I removed my finger from the trigger and stood over her. As I raised my arm to deliver a knockout blow, she screamed. I knew that voice.

  She suddenly turned her head around. I saw her face and she saw mine, as I almost whacked her in the head. I was shocked to see Mi-young.

  Without saying a word to her, I shoved the gun in my waistband, and quickly dragged Kim’s body far back into the dark alley, among the heaps of garbage. It was a fitting place for a terrorist to be dumped. I quickly frisked the body, taking his cell phone, wallet, money, passport, and his hotel room key.

  Mi-young stood there, somewhat in shock, staring at me. I angrily asked, “What the hell are you doing here?” I noticed her dress was torn and her right hand was bleeding.

  She started to sob. “Kim demanded … girl help him to hotel. He too drunk, can no walk good. I decide take him hotel.”

  We were standing in the street talking, and now people were walking by us.

  I put my arm around her, took out a handkerchief, and wrapped it around her hand. Softly I told her, “Everything is ok now. Get the bugs and go to the Chosun. I will be there soon.”

  She whispered, “But you kill … Kim.”

  “Mi-young, you did not see anything. Do you understand? I’ll explain later. Go now, hurry back to the Chosun,” I ordered. “Do not tell anyone what you saw.”

  She was afraid and confused and didn’t say a word. I watched her trot back to the Tiger Bar to obtain a taxi and hoped she’d follow my instructions. Now I had to explain to her why I killed Kim. She’s going to learn more than I wanted her to know.

  I watched her get in the taxi and head towards the Chosun Hotel. I thought, one down and two to go. But I wondered where Ellington was at? Maybe he decided to stay at the Chosun Hotel tonight.

  I reached the Hamilton Hotel and Lee was standing near the front door waiting for me. We huddled together, off to the side, as people strolled by us. “What room is Watanabe in?” I asked.

  “Room 810.” Lee replied.

  “That’s the same room as Kim. They must be staying together.”

  “Is Kim dead?”

  I nodded my head. “Yeah, he’s dead meat. The thing that bothers me is Ellington never showed up.”

  “Maybe he stayed at the Chosun tonight or he left Korea already like his brother,” Lee said.

  “Yeah, we’ll find out. Let’s go kill this bastard and get this over with.”

  “Ok, but how are we going to get in the room?”

  I pulled the room key out that I took from Kim’s body, and held it up in front of Lee’s face. “We’re going to walk right in and kill him.”

  “What about the girl?”

  I said, “Good point. Let’s have a cup of coffee here in the lobby, and wait until she leaves. Maybe she won’t’ be long because he was pretty drunk.”

  “Yeah. I hope she leaves soon.”

  This hotel is buzzing all the time, even at two or three in the morning. Mainly there are hookers and men, coming and going after room sex.

  As we sat down Lee said, “Jack, you smell like vomit.”

  “Yeah, it’s from the alley. I’ll be right back.” I hurried to the restroom, washed off my stinking head, and threw away the slimy hat.

  We had just received our coffee, when Lee said, “Look, there she goes.”

  I asked, “Are you sure that’s her?”

  “Yes, I’m positive. Let’s go.” We each took one sip of coffee before leaving.

  Getting on the elevator I checked it for cameras. There were none so we rode up to the eight floor with no one else on the lift. Stepping out to the right, we passed nine doorways stopping at the tenth. The number read 810. I scanned the hallway for more cameras and didn’t see any. Satisfied we weren’t being watched or recorded, I whispered to Lee, “You stay here and watch the hallway, while I go in and finish the job. If anyone comes down the hallway, just act drunk. If someone tries to come in the room kill them.”

  Lee replied, “Ok, got it.”

  I pulled my out Glock and quietly unlocked the door, slowly pushing it open. The floor squeaked a little as I stepped inside. The room was dark, except for the glow of the TV. Passing through the alcove entrance, I heard a voice speak in Japanese. The voice asked if I was Kim-san. In Japanese, I replied, “Hai (Yes),” as I closed the door. I swiftly moved into the room, visually sweeping the area with my Glock in ready position, searching for the asshole. He was laying on one of the beds.

  When he saw me his jaw dropped. He jumped out of bed, grabbed a knife, and threw it at me. I dodged it and heard it stick in the wall next to me. Raising his hands, he screamed, “No shoot! No shoot!”

  My three rounds hit their target: one in the head, and two in the chest, killing bastard on the spot. There was no doubt he was dead, with a bullet in his forehead. His eyes were locked open and fixed on me. As I moved around the room, they seemed to follow me. It kind of spooked me, so I put a pillow over his face.

  I searched around for evidence and found a briefcase with notes and some kind of plans. I took his cell phone, wallet, money, and passport. Satisfied the room was clean I made sure to wipe off any fingerprints on the key I used and on the doorknob.

  Walking out into the hall, I told Lee, “He’s dead meat. Let’s go.”

  Lee asked, “What’s in the briefcase?”

  “Evidence, I think we hit the jackpot.”

  We made a hasty but orderly exit from the hotel with no problems.

  Lee and I left the Hamilton and swiftly drove to the Chosun Hotel. On the way, we stopped so I could throw their ID’s down a street sewer. I kept the phones so the AIG could c
heck out the numbers they were calling.

  Lee asked, “What are we going to do about Ellington?”

  “That’s a good question. We can’t go breaking into his room because there are security cameras in the hallways. The Chosun has cameras everywhere,” I said. “Security people monitor those cameras and as soon as they see something funny they’re on it, like flies on shit.”

  As Lee drove us to the Chosun, I called our agency office. I asked them if a man named Ellington was still at the Chosun.

  Fifteen minutes later they called me back. It seems Ellington had a fight leaving today at 8:50 am to Hong Kong, on Cathay Pacific. To make that flight, he would have to leave the Chosun at 6 am. The agency advised he would stay at the Royal Garden Hotel.

  I glanced at my watch; it was almost 5 am. I advised Lee of the Ellington situation. We both agreed there was no way we could terminate him now. It was much too risky to bump him off at the Chosun.

  Arriving at the hotel, KY and I went to my room. Walking in, Mi-young greeted us. She handed me the bugs. I took the bug that was used in the room where Kim and Watanabe had their meeting and placed it in the briefcase I found, along with the cell phones.

  Lee and I quickly searched through the briefcase.

  I said, “It looks like we did hit the jackpot.”

  Lee replied, “Yeah, there’s a lot of evidence here. It’s time to phone Colonel Han.”

  “Yep,” I said, as I called his number. It rang, the voicemail told me to leave a message. “We only have two bottles of Kimchi.” That was all I said, and hung up.

  Mi-young ordered some coffee for us along with some breakfast rolls from room service. I took a look at her hand. It was a minor cut and I told her to put some alcohol on it and a band-aid.

  While eating, my cell rang. “Hello, Jack here.”

  “Jack, this is Colonel Han. We’re on a secure line. What do you have to report?”

  “Kim and Watanabe love Kimchi. Wright is in Hong Kong already and Ellington is on his way there today. They’re staying at the Royal Garden Hotel.”

  “What else do you have?”

  “I have a bug that recorded a meeting between Kim and Watanabe, and a briefcase with what looks like some plans and their cell phones.”

  “Have you read the plans?”

  “No, they’re in Japanese. I only took a quick glance at some drawings.”

  “What are they about?”

  “It looks like a NNEMP (Non-Nuclear Electro Magnetic Pulse) device.” I glanced at Mi-young being careful what to say.

  “An e-bomb?” Han asked.

  “Yes, that’s what it says on the drawing.” I didn’t want to repeat the word bomb with Mi-young around.

  “I’ll be over there within the hour to collect the evidence. Sit tight until I arrive.”

  Lee and I filled Mi-young in on the story. I had to tell her why I killed Kim. I just told her he was a North Korean spy. We didn’t tell her everything that was going on, because the less she knew, the better. She understood to keep her mouth shut about the killing. I advised her we had an important Army Colonel coming to our room soon, and that she should stay in the bedroom out of sight until he leaves.

  After putting my guns on the table, I poured Lee and myself a triple shot of JD, and we toasted each other to a job well done. I needed that drink, and a few more.

  While waiting for Han to arrive I advised my friend about my new job offer in Japan. He was happy for me, but surprised that I would take a job working for a Yakuza Boss. I explained to him that I am not getting any younger and I need to make a lot of money now, before the agency puts me out to pasture.

  Within the hour there was a knock at the door. Lee and I grabbed our guns. I looked through the door peek-hole, confirming it was Han. After unlocking the door, I cautiously opened it. You can never be too careful.

  Han walked in. “Annyonghaseyo (Hello).”

  Lee replied back using the same word.

  “Where is the evidence?” Han abruptly said.

  “In that briefcase,” Lee said, pointing to it on the table.

  Han opened the case and started to review the papers inside. I said, “The bug we used to record them is in there, along with their phones.”

  Holding up a piece of paper, Han said, “Here’s a drawing of the Blue House. All these documents are in Japanese, except for the drawings of the e-bomb. I’ll have to get these translated ASAP.”

  I commented, “Wright and Ellington are both engineers so they must have made the e-bomb drawings and manufacturing plans. They probably sold these to the terrorists for a pretty penny. I am not a Chemical Engineer or bomb expert but that e-bomb looks pretty simple to make. It can’t be very powerful and certainly wouldn’t knock out the whole city of Seoul.”

  “It don’t have to,” Han replied. “You only need to blow up one, in three or four strategic places, to have a devastating effect.”

  Lee said, “That makes sense.”

  “Colonel, what are we gonna do about Wright and Ellington?” I asked.

  “If they’re in Hong Kong we can’t do anything, since it’s part of Red China.”

  “Well, actually, Ellington is leaving this morning. His plane doesn’t depart until 8:50. We could nab him before it leaves.”

  Han thought for a minute. “No … let him go. If we arrest him and the media gets involved, then we might tip our hand to Kwon, Suk, and the NIS.”

  “I know Hong Kong pretty well. I’ve stayed at the Royal Garden many times and have friends there. I could still terminate these guys.”

  “If you get caught … then you’re in deep shit,” Lee said.

  Han advised, “I hear Chinese prisons are worse than North Korean prisons. So forget about them for now. It’s too risky.”

  I replied, “Yeah, maybe I’ll run into them again sometime.” I thought, one day I will kill those bastards.

  “Well, gentlemen, I have to get going. We have to figure out exactly what these guys are up to. Thank you for your service to the Republic of Korea. Now we can raid the NIS as planned on Wednesday. We have to find out who else is involved with Kwon and Suk. The evidence you found should be very helpful. Kwon and Suk will tell us everything by the time we’re done with them.”

  “So, once you raid the NIS and arrest Kwon and Suk, then what?” Lee asked.

  “Martial law will be put into effect until this is under control,” Han replied. “I have to leave now. If you need anything, let me know. By the way, this incident never happened.”

  Lee and I replied, “What incident?”

  Han laughed at the comment, looked at me, and said, “Most likely we will never see each other again. But if you need anything, you do have my number. Just say, ‘I need some Kimchi.’

  We shook hands and the Colonel quickly left.

  After the Colonel was gone, I poured myself another drink. Killing people is very stressful work. It wears on your mind, if you let it.

  I asked Lee, “What do you think these terrorists were planning?

  Lee replied, “Based on what I’ve seen, they were going to try and overthrow the government.”

  “I agree with you. They had drawings of the Blue House and EMP devices. I think Wright and Ellington were just hired technical people to help with the EMP device. Kim and Watanabe were the hands on guys. They would place the devices and blow them up when the time came.”

  Lee said, “Yeah, I think your theory is correct. That’s why Wright and his brother left before the action started. Well, it’s out of our hands now. We did our job. I have to get going, Jack.”

  “Alright, I’ll talk to you later.”

  We shook hands and Lee patted me on the shoulder. “Thanks for your help, Jack. You probably saved Korea from a terrible incident and no one will ever know what you did.”

  “Thanks, my friend. We just did our jobs. That’s what we get paid the big bucks for.”

  Lee smiled as he left, and said, “I’ll talk to you later, after the NIS is raided.
”

  I knew that I wouldn’t receive any credit for stopping the coup or saving Korea and the United States from a potential war. It’s a Korean thing, and the Koreans like Han, Yoon, and Lee deserve all the credit and glory. What I have done is create goodwill, and new contacts within the NIS and the AIG. Who knows, maybe they’ll come in handy sometime in the future.

  If the truth were known, that I killed two terrorists in Korea, my government would probably hang me out to dry. Some bigwig would be after my head for murdering two innocent tourists who were on vacation in Korea. We can’t kill them, but they can kill us.

  CHAPTER TEN

  HIDDEN MOTIVE

  Mi-young came out of the bedroom as soon as Lee walked out the door. She said, “Me hear everything. So, you taking job in Japan.”

  Looking at her I could tell Mi-young was pissed. “Yes, I have to take the job. It’s my chance to make some big money.”

  “When you go Japan?”

  “I’ll leave by the end of September. Look at it this way, Japan is only two hours away, so I can visit you a couple times a month.”

  She stormed back into the bedroom and slammed the door. I poured another drink. I was bushed and laid down on the couch for some much needed rest.

  All she was concerned about was me going to Japan and leaving her. Women, you can’t figure them out. If she heard the whole conversation, you’d think she would ask me what was going on. Maybe she didn’t hear everything. Maybe she didn’t care. Maybe she was upset that I didn’t tell her sooner about Japan, but I didn’t even know until last night.

  I couldn’t sleep. My mind was racing because Wright and Ellington got away. Then I thought about my new job and the big payoff I would receive.

  It bothered me to leave Mi-young, but she would be fine without me around. She needed to find a real boyfriend, someone who would marry her. I was concerned about her future. The life of a single woman in Korea is not an easy one. That’s one thing I don’t like about Korea, there is very little empathy for those in need.