by Mike Gomes
Rolling his eyes at the screen and the thought of the smug rich boy, Tim found more interest in a series of assault and battery charges in his college days. Three in total. Drilling down deeper to the file a common theme developed in what Tristan Duke was all about. He had a lack of respect for authority. Whether it was keeping a car off the road or challenging a bouncer in a bar, Tristan Duke was not willing to take orders from anyone. He would rather defy people and blaze his own trail and then use his money to get himself out of the problem. For a kid who made his first million in his second year of college, this was entirely possible.
Getting a piece of the personality of Duke, Tim scrolled down the screen to the section labeled Psychological Profile and opened it. The report was long and cumbersome the result of hundreds of hours of research and interviews all of which was important but there was no time to dig deep into that now. Tim keyed in the number of findings and pulled open the paragraph that attempted to surmise the life of Tristan Duke to this point:
Findings: A full psychological profile was conducted and lead by Special Agent Anthony Weathers. Special Agent Weathers has a PhD in psychology and has been working for the FBI for 10 years in which time he has profiled over one hundred cases. The following information is extracted from Special Agent Weathers’s report on Tristan Duke. Mr. Duke is a young man with fundamental characterological defects that allow him to not have a full range of empathy for others to whom he causes pain. This is evident by his corrupt business practices that caused innumerable difficulties for countless people and the suicides of 20 people. Mr. Duke showed no remorse for being responsible in some way for these deaths stating he thought it was just part of business. Mr. Duke may have started his journey into having character issues as a child. As the child of a physically abusive mother his father attempted to divorce the mother and get custody of Mr. Duke. The courts of New York made judgement for the mother and the abuse continued despite his father remaining in contact. During this period Mr. Duke appears to have given up any faith that the authority system could provide him with any safety or protection. As a result Mr. Duke acted out in school and refused help from others despite how difficult a project was. He became singularly obsessed with financial success and him having to rely on nobody for protection. Along with his wealth came admiration and various sexual partners none of whom he had any kind of lasting relationship with. It is felt by this writer that the diagnosis of Anti-Social Personality Disorder is appropriate for Mr. Duke.
Tim paused staring at the screen shaking his head in disapproval before hitting the print screen button. He moved his hand and selected the number for Financial Holdings. Without batting an eye Tim immediately hit the print button again seeing the long list of holdings around the world. His work would be cut out for him attempting to hack each and every one of the holdings to see if there was any money left inside or a trace of where the money had been moved to. It was a marathon session of hacking that could easily last over 24 hours, but was nothing that Tim was not ready for.
The older man let his eyes work their way down the list until he came across the name of a company called “Wellington Financial”. Tim squinted his eyes trying to think of where he had heard the name of the company before. He looked up into the air as if the answer were just out of reach and lingered in front of him for the taking. Then it came back to him. The commercial he had seen years before with the silverback gorilla looking regal as he sat on his perch looking down on the others in his tribe. He was the leader and Wellington Financial wanted you to know they were the leader in finance and you could be the leader of all the people you know with their financial advice. Clicking onto the link Tim found that Tristan Duke had established the company while still in college and it was currently under the ownership and control of his college roommate David Schwartz. The sale of the company to Schwartz was completely legal but seemed all too convenient. Tim checked the transaction date for the company and it was less than one month before Duke had been arrested for his actions with the Security and Exchange Commission.
Chapter 12
The Mercedes pulled up to the intersection stopping at the red light. Falau and Gabriela had their eyes on Tristan Duke as his Porsche pulled into the parking spot in front of his local coffee shop. The young man got out and was greeted by friendly hellos and having his hand shaken like he was a long lost friend. It appeared that the fact that he had went to prison for cheating people out of their life savings had no effect on his reputation in the socially elite town of Sterling Rock, New York.
Falau shook his head as the light turned green and he drove up the road and out of sight. Entering a parking lot he turned the car around and pulled into a spot that would give them a view of the door of the coffee shop.
Gabriela pulled down the visor and opened the mirror. She tossed her hand through her hair giving it a slightly messy look turning her head to each side making sure it was just right.
“Why mess up your hair. It looked fine?” questioned Falau.
“Men like it. It makes you all think I just had sex. Why do you think they do it in all the magazines. Messy hair and windblown hair. It all plays to your base urges. Men are very predictable.”
“Never heard that before. Interesting.”
“Well is it working?” questioned Gabriela turning her face to Falau and giving a bashful smile attempting to ratchet up her sexuality to prove her point.
“Ah! Now I can see it. Yes, very good.” replied Falau looking away at the intoxicating beauty of his teammate. Falau could feel the rush come over him as she looked at him with her smooth as ice hazel eyes. Not only had he become enthralled with her just by her doing subtle things he was impressed with her knowledge of psychology and what made people behave in different manners. She was a powerful ally but could also be a deadly enemy.
“Time to meet my new boyfriend.” said Gabriela reaching for the door handle. She pushed the door open and stepped out of the car. She started down the street and Falau watched her as her body moved softly and smoothly. In some ways it reminded him of Carla back in Colombia. His hand reached down and felt the Ruger 9mm that laid at his side. Now was not the time to be thinking of old friends and missions gone by. His focus had to be on job one and that was the recon that Gabriela was about to engage in.
“Tim are we all on line?”
“I can hear you. Gabriela if you can hear me clear your throat.”
The sound of Gabriela doing as she was instructed came through loud and clear to Falau and Tim.
Falau pulled out a laptop that Tim had made some changes to that would allow him to watch everything Gabriela was doing from the camera that was placed on the button of her blouse. The screen instantly popped up with the opening of the laptop and asked for a code that had been previously supplied to him from Tim. Falau pecked out the numbers and letters having the camera jump to life. Gabriela was still a few yards shy of the door.
“Tim, I have video. Are you up as well?”
“I have an active feed. Looks like my toys are working.”
“OK, one more time before Gabriela gets in there with the target. Tim you will have a constant watch on Gabriela. If anything happens to her raise hell in whatever way you have to police, fire department, anything to get attention on her. Gabriela you make contact with the target and occupy him as long as possible. Once you are locked in with him I will be going to his house to set up so we can get him tonight. All clear?”
“All clear here.” said Tim.
A clearing of the throat came from Gabriela as the bell above her chimed out as she pushed open the door to the coffee shop.
Gabriela took a gentle step into the shop and adjusted the purse that was on her hip. Her hair dropped down onto her shoulders and had held the messy look that she had aimed for just moments before. Her blouse was satin and had a shine to it that made the green color come alive. Purposely leaving the top two buttons undone she knew that if she could get close to him her generous supply of cleavage co
uld keep the attention of the young billionaire. She completed her outfit with a simple pair of jeans that were stylish and form fitting. She had been aiming for fun and sexy with her outfit and she had made all the right choices by the looks coming from the men in the coffee shop.
Tristan Duke did not respond to the bell ringing indicating that a new customer came in. He stood with his hands in the pockets of his khakis and looked up at the menu that had a list of sandwiches and soups that were available.
“Tristan” called out the woman behind the counter holding up a cup of coffee with his name written on the side of it.
He reached for the coffee and Gabriela saw her opening. Pacing her stride she came up close to Tristan just as he turned causing the two to collide. His coffee splashed back onto himself and ran down the front of the shirt. Holding his hand out in front of himself looking down at the stain that built on his shirt and pants he let out a grunt of derision.
“Why don’t you look where you are...” his sentence was cut off as his head raised to meet eyes with the beautiful woman. He paused and a smile started to form on his face. He quickly ran his eyes up and down her body just as Gabriela had expected. He stopped for a moment on the open buttons.
“That’s one way to get a clear identification with the camera.” whispered Tim from his location back at the hotel.
Falau laughed and smiled. “She has him right where she wants him.”
“Oh, I am so sorry. I am such a klutz.” gasped Gabriela in an English accent grabbing napkins off the counter and trying to wipe the coffee off his shirt.
“It’s ok. It’s just a mistake.” said Tristan not taking his eyes off the woman moving frantically to clean him up. “I still have half a cup.”
Gabriela stopped rushing about letting him know that she was sure her efforts to clean him were futile. She pushed her hands down at her side and made a motion much like an angry child. Lifting her head she made eye contact with the young man and let it linger for a moment before stammering as she spoke. “I... I am so sorry. It... it was all my fault.”
“It’s just a shirt. I have others at home.”
“I ruined your coffee and your shirt. I am so sorry.” she said and again she let her eyes lock with his for just a few seconds. She could feel him being pulled in by her beauty and coy behavior. She was leading him down the path and he was going without hesitation. “Let me buy you a new shirt.”
Gabriela reached into her purse and pulled out a wallet. Quickly moving to open it the young man placed his hand over it and pushed it back closed.
“You do not need to get me a new shirt. It is fine. Honestly ,if it were a big deal I would let you get me a new one, but I am fine.”
“Well at least let me get you a new coffee and some lunch. That is the least I can do for causing you all this trouble.”
“Ok, we can call it all square with lunch and a new coffee but the catch is you have to have your lunch with me right here.”
A broad smile crossed her face and she nodded her head. “I would like that. Why don’t you get us a table and I will get a few coffees and some of the beef barley soup?”
“Sounds good to me.”
Tristan walked to the far end of the shop looking for a table that was not so close to others. Gabriela watched him as he looked for just the right location. She went up to the counter and placed the order and waited for it.
“Moron took the bait.” she whispered speaking to her team.
“Yes he did. You didn’t even have to work that hard with this jerk.” said Tim with a laugh in his voice. “A simple sneak attack just like in the old days. This guy will never know what hit him.”
“Gabriela, I am going to need a few hours. I will get in the house and take out any guards that he has working there. After that I will let you guys know I am in position and to start making your move. I am going to have to shut down the ear piece while I do this. I can’t risk them picking up the frequency. Who knows what tech this guy has in his house. Can you hold him up that long.”
“Done.” said Gabriela keeping her answer quick incase others heard her.
“Great. Tim you’re going to lose your tracking of me but keep the system open. If I get in trouble I will put the tracking back on and that’s my mayday call. Come in guns blazing if I do that.”
“Will do boss. Be careful.”
“Thanks. Talk to you all later.”
As the Barista called out “Becky” Gabriela raised her hand and heard a clicking noise of Falau system being shut off. He was now vulnerable and all alone in his part of the mission. She collected the food on the tray and turned to see Tristan watching her. She walked to him slowly making him build with anticipation for their next interaction. She knew he was the kind of man that wanted to play the hero and seem in charge. She would let him believe that he was doing just that. But she would control his every move in a chess game he had no idea he was playing in.
“So your name is Becky. My name is Tristan. Tristan Duke.” He stuck out his hand to shake hers as she placed the tray down on the table. Her hand entered into his and he turned it palm side down and brought it up to his lips giving it a soft kiss on the back as he kept eye contact with her. She smiled shyly despite the nauseous feeling she was getting at the sickly sweet approach the rich boy was taking with her.
“Ya know, I was starting to think that this is a very expensive shirt.”
“Oh. Do you want the money now. That’s fine. I will have to write you a check.” said Gabriela attempting to sound flustered and caught off guard.
“I see you’re not wearing a wedding ring. Are you single?”
Pausing and looking up from her purse she smiled. “Yes, I am single and you?”
“Never married. No girlfriend. Totally available.”
“Same here. Guess we are too peas in a pod.”
“Yes we are. But this shirt is worth more than just lunch. Was thinking we could go out for dinner tonight and you could pick up the check.” Tristan said attempting to sound playful.
“That sounds like fun but not that much fun.”
Tristan’s smile dropped from his face and frustration started to overtake him.
Gabriela smiled again looking into his eyes. “I was thinking that we could go to a pub and have a few drinks. Maybe we could see if this English girl can drink you under the table.”
“I like the sound of that.”
Chapter 13
The sleek Mercedes parked a block away from the gated community that Tristan Duke lived in. There would be no way to pass through the gate. Falau had no relationship with anyone on the inside and this kind of place did not let in delivery men. The best he could hope for was to find some way around the security system.
Pulling the laptop back out of the backpack he opened it and linked into the internet using the satellite connection Tim had developed to make sure they could be in contact at any time. Falau was impressed that the man who looked like he should be puttering around the mall with his wife to get exercise was on the cutting edge of technology. Perhaps the Velcro shoes and old jacket were more of a disguise than anything.
Opening the browser he navigated his way to the Google page and pulled up the maps. He decided he would not use the location finder on the system just in case he was being tracked. That would provide someone with a clear trace to where he was. It was a long shot that anyone was watching but why take the chance.
Falau scrolled in and out on numerous locations worldwide. He would plant the cursor on the area and hold it giving any potential watcher the idea that he was studying the area. In the middle of all of this cat and mouse game he hit upon the real location. He drew in the image and looked at the gated community as a whole. He only needed a few moments to take the full image in and find a weakness. On the north side the of the property ran the road that was the only way in and out. Once past the guard shack it was approximately a quarter mile before the road forked leaving two distinctive roads. Duke lived on the upper ro
ad closer to the main road. A large amount of woods laid between him and the main road. A fence ran approximately ten feet from the road. If there was a way in it was this but it was sure that the millions of dollars that the residents of this gated community spent there would be security and not just old men driving around in golf carts telling children to stay off the grass. The woods had to be monitored in some way. Motion detectors and cameras. On top of that whatever Duke had in his home would be the second challenge of security he would face.
The sun was starting to drop and dusk would be coming soon. The opportunity for getting in was here and for the taking. The big man opened the car door and stepped out. He was dressed in all black and went to the back of the car. Opening the trunk he pulled a compound bow from the trunk. If he were to be spotted he could play it off that he was hunting and had wandered onto the property. If things got totally out of control he would have a weapon that made little noise keeping any negative casualties quiet from the rest of the homes in the area.
Falau left the car in the parking lot of the mini mart and crossed the street entering into the woods. He traveled north about a mile before coming to the road that ran up to the gate of the community. He had overshot his locating and was a half mile east of where Duke’s house would be. He dared not put on his GPS knowing that any signal sent out from the woods would alert the guards of the property. They would not be expecting a man like Falau but rather someone that saw a chance to kidnap the child or loved one of one of the elite rich that lived in the community.
Keeping to the same side of the street he headed west listening intently for cars that could be coming down the road. When out of sight of the guard shack at the gate he broke into a soft jog shifting his head from side to side as if looking for his prey. If he was being watched he simply looked like a hunter trying to get one last shot in before day turned into night.
