James (Teumessian Trilogy Book 2)

by Ana Elise Meyer

  Ray was frazzled, “Those are my team members in there. I need to see what happened.”

  “I understand that, sir. I have lost some of my own as well. However, the situation is complicated. I am Lucas Creed and I am the head of the secret service here at the US Embassy.”

  Ray shook his head to get himself back on track, “Yes, I am sorry. It was a long flight, and I have been very concerned about my agents. Raymond Clayton, I am sorry we are meeting under these circumstances.”

  Lucas took a deep breath, “We have evidence that it was his wife.”

  Ray blinked rapidly, “What?”

  “She killed all of them.”

  “Katrina did this? No, that makes no sense. She is a bit bossy, but it is not possible for her to have taken out my three trained agents as well as yours. She has no history or training. She was a secretary!”

  “One of your team members wasn’t killed instantly. He bled to death and before he did, he left a voice recording on his phone. He implicated her.”

  Ray was in shock, “I want to hear this recording and I want to see the bodies.”

  “Okay, everything is as we found it,” Lucas said, turning and leading Ray into the home.

  Ray saw the carnage the minute he walked into the foyer. The white marble floor was splattered with blood. Two bodies sat near the front door, both necks were slit. Ray didn’t recognize them.

  Lucas noticed, “They were mine. This way.” They climbed the staircase. Blood droplets littered the steps and railing. Another body lay in the hallway. It was Norma. Ray knelt down beside her body, brushed her dark hair from her face. Her neck had been snapped. Ray took a deep breath and stood back up. “Where are the rest of them?”

  “In here,” Lucas directed, walking through the open door to their left.

  Ray had seen a lot of carnage in his career, but never before blood covering an entire room like this. Elliot’s bloodied body lay to his left. He had multiple stab wounds covering his body. He had bled out, soaking the white rug red. The Ambassador William was sitting upright in his desk chair, a knife sticking out from the front of his throat. It had been left there as a message. It wasn’t what killed him. Ray looked closely at his body. Small gashes on his inner upper right arm, inner upper left arm, and the inside of both thighs. Four arteries were cut. He bled out in moments. Ray felt his heart race. He had seen this before while on an assignment in China. Another body sat on the floor to the right of the desk. It was one of Lucas’s team members. Her neck was snapped as well. Ray scanned the room and saw a blood trail leading from the room to the closet on the far right. He followed it and slowly opened the door. Ray let out a deep sigh as he stared at Tim’s lifeless body. He had multiple stab wounds and appeared to have bled out in the closet.

  “This is where we found the evidence.” Lucas pointed to the phone sitting next to Tim’s body. “We hit play on the recording.”

  Ray was listening but was already looking at the phone, “May I pick it up?” Lucas nodded. Ray picked up the phone and hit the center button. The phone lit up. The phone had the record app open with one recording. Ray took a moment to ready himself for what he was going to hear, Tim’s last words. Ray’s hand was almost shaking as he pressed the play button.

  Tim’s voice was clear the minute it started, but his breathing was heavy, “This is Timothy Clark, and I am an interpreter at the US Embassy in France. I have been attacked and received multiple stab wounds. My attacker is Katrina Drake, the ambassador’s wife. She is highly trained in the use of a knife and physical combat. It was a trap. She called and had us come to the ambassador’s residence stating that she was concerned for her husband’s safety. Once we arrived, we were greeted by dead bodies. We never stood a chance. She believed I was dead, but I know you will not get to me in time. She is dangerous and I don’t know her motives or other targets. Please get this to Raymond Clayton. He will know what to do and tell my family, I love them.”

  Ray could hear Tim gasping for air on the recording as his breathing stopped. Ray placed the phone down on the desk and hurried from the room.

  Lucas was confused and followed, “Sir?” he questioned. “If you know something, I need to be brought into the loop.”

  Ray spun to face Lucas, “The injuries on William, they were distinctive, a calling card. I have seen it before in China.”

  “Okay, who did that killing?”

  “I don’t know, but I have a nagging suspicion that Katrina is tied to that killing as well. I want everything you have on her.”

  “Hold up, this is my investigation. We work together or not at all,” Lucas barked.

  Ray realized he needed to keep friends, not make enemies, “You are right. I am sorry, but we need to apprehend her as soon as possible. We need to get in contact with all our Embassies to make contact with the authorities in their countries. We need every law enforcement body looking for her.”

  “I agree. I will make contact with the FBI and will get her on the top of the most wanted list and I will contact Interpol.”

  “I will handle our other Embassies,” Ray said, reaching out his hand for Lucas to shake.

  Lucas extended his hand and shook Ray’s, “We will catch her and make her pay.”

  Ray just nodded his head.

  Ray then quickly made his way out of the building to his waiting car. Ray slammed the door shut and turned to the driver. “Airport now, I need a plane ready to take me to London.”

  “Yes, sir,” the man replied, picking up his phone and making a call.

  Ray was doing the same, “John, I need you to send everything we have on Katrina to my phone. She killed William and our team. She has training, serious training. I have seen work like hers before and I need to find the connection.”

  Ray heard a moment of silence on the other end, then John spoke, “Ray, she was a nobody. Met him at a party and they got married within six months. We had no indicator that she was anything more than a gold digger.”

  “That’s why I am so worried now. She appeared to be nothing, but was apparently a sleeper of some kind. Someone activated her, someone gave her the order to take them out. How many more Katrinas could we have?”

  “Oh, God,” John let out.

  “Contact all our teams, to keep their guard up for female companions of our Ambassadors. This may be a team. I am heading to London to touch base with our team there. Tim could have been targeted for his association with James. She called the team in to take them out. The ambassador was already dead. Our team was the target.”

  “It’s done. Katrina’s information should be on your phone. I will keep in touch.”

  “Thank you,” Ray replied as he hung up the phone. He opened the file that John had sent him. Katrina’s picture opened up immediately. Ray just stared at her picture, her long red hair draping on her shoulder. Her sweet friendly smile and bright green eyes staring back at him. “Who are you?” he questioned, staring at her picture. Ray clicked on the picture and sent it to James’s phone. Within moments James called Ray.

  “Sir, this photo. What am I to do with it?” James questioned before Ray could even say hello.

  “Katrina Drake. She is the prime suspect in the death of our ambassador in France. She is armed and dangerous. You are to be on the watch for her. Please contact the prime minister and make him aware of the danger.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Be on your guard for young women in the company of powerful men. She was his wife and appears to have been a sleeper agent. There may be more of them.” Ray heard nothing in reply from James, “James, do you hear what I am saying?”

  “Yes, yes sir,” James replied, but his mind was racing; young women close to powerful men. James turned to look at Blossom standing next to Huntsman at his desk. “I will take care of it personally.”

  “Good, I am on my way from France. I will speak with the three of you when I get there.”

  “Yes sir,” James replied hanging up the phone. Chessy and Greg had both be
en trying to listen in the call but heard nothing. Once James hung up, he looked directly at the two of them.

  “What did he say?” Greg questioned.

  Huntsman heard, “Yes, do you have any updates?

  James looked to all of them, “Yes, I need to make contact with the Prime Minister. We have a chief suspect in the ambassador’s death and we need to make sure he is aware for all law enforcement to be put on watch.”

  “Well, don’t keep me in suspense. Who killed poor William?” Huntsman questioned.

  “It appears you were correct sir, it was his wife.”

  Huntsman almost smiled, “See, I called it, told you he was messing around on her.”

  “Yes, it looks like it sir, but I need to speak with Franklin to get him up to speed.”

  “Yes of course, Blossom, please get in touch with the Prime Minister and let him know James here will be coming over to speak with him.”

  “My pleasure, sir,” Blossom said with a smile, picking up the telephone. As Blossom was on the phone, Huntsman sat down on his couch and started texting on his phone.

  James turned to Chessy and Greg and whispered, “Watch her like a hawk. She may be here to harm Huntsman.”

  “What?” Chessy questioned.

  “I don’t have time to explain now, just be on your watch for her,” James finished as Blossom was hanging up the phone.

  “He is waiting for you. A car will take you over,” she said with a smile.

  “Thank you.”

  “Tell Franklin I said hello since I am apparently still under house arrest,” Huntsman said with a laugh.

  “I will,” James replied as he walked from the room. As he approached the door, he looked back and locked eyes with Blossom. He couldn’t help but think she was up to something as he left the room and made his way to the waiting car. James was perfectly still the entire ride. His mind was racing. He would be alone with Franklin. Should he take the risk and push the issue or stay on track? He had to do right by his team and follow orders but could he get some of his own answers as well? James was greeted at the door by Franklin’s secretary and escorted up the stairs to Franklin’s office. She knocked twice on the door and Franklin’s voice called back, “Come in.”

  She opened the door and called back, “Sir, James Gold is here to see you on behalf of the US Embassy.”

  “Please come in James,” Franklin replied, waving his hand for James to enter.

  James stepped into the office, “Sir, thank you for seeing me.”

  “James, please take a seat. I have received a message with a photo and a request to make getting her a number one priority, but that is all. Can you please enlighten me as to why this woman is wanted for murder?” Franklin said, holding up a photo of Katrina.

  James took the seat across from Franklin’s desk. As he did, he noticed a small pin on the inside of Franklin’s blue jacket. It was a fox. James thought it was weird to wear a pin on the inside of a jacket, but he ignored his wandering mind and refocused, “Yes sir, she is the prime suspect in the murder of her husband William Drake, our ambassador in France.”

  Franklin set the photo down on the desk and leaned back in his chair, “So a lover’s quarrel puts her at the top of the most wanted list?” Franklin questioned, puzzled.

  “I have very little information on what actually happened, but we were told be on the lookout for young women spending a lot of time around our ambassador and that they may be a threat. I fear more has happened than we have been told.”

  Franklin’s eyes widened, “Young women as a potential threat? What kind of threat?”

  “Sir, I wish I knew more, but that is what I know. They want her apprehended without delay and want to know you will cooperate with bringing her to justice,” James said, sitting back in his chair.

  Franklin smiled, “We will cooperate with helping the US in bringing a young woman to justice for murder. However, I doubt we will be of any help. This happened in France. I don’t think she would come here looking for help.” As Franklin was speaking, the light in the room reflected on a shiny object under Franklin’s desk, catching James’s eye. He figured it must be a pen.

  James reached for it, “Sir, it looks like you dropped a pen.” As James’s hand made contact, he felt that it wasn’t a pen and picked it up. It was a dart. James looked at it and then to Franklin. Franklin looked like he had been shot. “What’s this?” James asked, turning it and looking at it more closely. James felt a shock to his system when he saw it, ‘Soldat Ind’ on the side. “Where did you get this?” James questioned, confused.

  “I have no idea where that came from. Are we done here?” Franklin replied, his face was drained of color.

  James was becoming annoyed, “No we are not. How is it that you have a dart with my father’s company’s logo on it? That company was shut down over fifteen years ago. How would it get in your office?”

  “I have no idea. We are done. You can go.”

  “No, I won’t. You are lying to me just like you lied to me that night at the party. You knew my parents and you are hiding something and so God help me I will find out what it is!”

  “Watch your tone, young man!” Franklin barked standing up. “It does not concern you and I have nothing to say to you about your family. It is not your job to interrogate me on something that is not your place.”

  James took a deep breath and realized he wasn’t getting anywhere threatening, “Sir, please. Why would you keep something like that from me? It’s my parents. I know nothing about them. If you know something, why won’t you help me learn more about them?”

  Franklin’s face was firm, “It is best for you that you forget about the both of them. If you want your career to go anywhere, stay away from anything to do with either of them.” James was clutching the dart in his hand. He wanted to make Franklin talk, but he knew that it would go badly for him in the long run.

  James put a fake smile on his face, “Yes sir. Thank you for your time.” James turned and stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind him.

  Franklin just stood still as he watched James leave. Franklin felt himself get weak as the door slammed. He caught himself with his hands on his desk as he tried to catch his breath. James would not let up. Franklin didn’t know what to do or who to talk to. He didn’t want to report this to his superiors, none of this was James’s fault. Franklin sat himself down and took several deep breaths. He knew it would all come back one day, and he feared the time had come.

  Chapter

  25

  James ignored the car waiting for him as he exited the building. The driver tried to stop him.

  “I will walk,” James huffed, storming off. He held the dart tight in his hand as he stormed down the street heading north. As he walked, he felt that his heart was pounding. He felt himself running, but had no idea where he was going. He found himself overlooking the Thames River. Sitting down, he stared out at the water. He was trying to catch his breath. Franklin’s words kept running over in his head, Forget about them. Why would nobody talk to him about his family? Why was this such an issue for everyone? There were no records of his mother, why? Why did someone who obviously knew her refuse to talk about her? James looked down to his hand and slowly opened it. The dart was staring back at him. James felt rage coming over him as he closed his fist again. He looked back out to the water then threw the dart into the river. James slowly got back up. He looked around to try to figure out where he was. He was lost. James pulled out his phone and pulled up a map of London. He was about an hour and a half walk from the Winfield House. James shook his head and let out a small chuckle, “You wanted to walk!” James said aloud. James made his way down the street toward the Winfield House. As he walked, he started to enjoy the ability to just clear his head. He kept trying to wipe it all away. His parents were his past and not his future. He was trying to wipe the images of them from his mind. “I can’t let them define who I am,” he kept saying to himself. The further he walked, the easier
it became for him to let it go, to bring his mind back on track. He had to get back and get Chessy and Greg up to speed. The ambassador’s killer was his primary objective. She had to be brought to justice. James caught himself staring at every woman he walked past, checking to see if she was Katrina. He finally made his way to the Winfield House. He was stopped at the gate and had his ID checked and cleared.

  James made his way to the front door and was met by Chessy. “Where have you been?”

  “I walked. I needed to clear my head,” James replied, walking past Chessy and into the house.

  Chessy followed behind, “Well, Ray’s plane has landed and he is on his way here.”

  “Good, I need to talk to him.” James climbed the stairs.

  “When are you planning on updating the rest of us?” Chessy called out from behind him.

  James ignored her as he made his way to Huntsman’s office that sat next to his bedroom. James walked right into the room without announcing himself. Huntsman was standing by his desk talking with Blossom. Greg was sitting on the couch to his right.

  “Ah, James welcome back. Is our good friend Franklin going to help us apprehend her?”

  “Yes, of course, sir,” James replied, staring at Blossom.

  She stared back. “I hope they catch her. I just don’t feel safe with a killer running around,” she said, looking to Huntsman with soft eyes.

  “Oh, my dear, you are safe. I won’t let a thing happen to you,” Huntsman replied, tapping her lightly on the nose.

  Blossom giggled.

  James just watched the exchange with annoyance. His annoyance was interrupted by the sound of someone coming down the hallway. They turned to the doorway to see Ray entering the room. Ray froze in place and focused on Blossom dressed in a short red dress with a long golden chain around her neck.