by MacShayne
‘You know what, I believe you’, Reddington said with a smile. Then he grabbed his gun and shot Cherikov in his head.
Reddington’s hideout, Burdines waterfront, Florida keys, 8 February 2010
Mitch met Robert and Eveline before they were instructed by Reddington. Robert and Eveline went into one room, so it appeared like they were making love. But Robert managed to get into another room and locked its door. Then he acted like he was Mitch so that Reddington’s henchmen wrongfully got the idea that Mitch was back inside.
‘Now you know how we managed to keep you out, what did you find out?’, Eveline asked curiously.
‘I know very little’, Mitch lied. ‘Richard Home is the person responsible for killing Sandra and her husband. That’s what matters. Cherikov did break and he was killed by Reddington. What they discussed, I don’t have a clue. Far as I’m concerned, it’s neither our business.’
Crystal Gateway Marriott, 12 February 2010
Sibranski was Reddington’s joker. Sibranski would make the mission or break it. He learned the escape routes since he worked as guard in the hotel for the past months. He got to know Home’s escape plan in detail via Reddington. He was instructed to act when the shot was fired. Else why, it would appear to suspicious. Home was not stupid in the end. Sibranski was near Home’s apartment in a secret service costume. Part of Home’s security plan as high official in the government, was the protection from the president’s own men. However, the person whose name was Jonas McGee, was not in his attire that afternoon. Sibranski poisoned the agent while he left home. Sibranski hit in the back of his car and before McGee was able to drive, he was out of conscience. Maybe for good, maybe temporarily. That was up to the condition of his heart.
Dolley Madison Towers, Washington, 12 February 2010
Mitch Crowne’s first task was to set the mission in motion. From a safe distance, he would open fire that ultimately cause Home to flee. After his shot, he could escape quietly and quick since he was far away from the Marriott Hotel. Crowne was laying on the rooftop of the Dolley Madison Towers. The distance between the weapon and his target was estimated to be around 2400 meters. If Mitch would kill someone at such a distance, it would mean he was one of the three knowing and living snipers that were capable of doing so. The record of a confirmed kill by sniper is held by Craig Harrison. He killed an enemy at a distance of 2475 metres. Mitch was not aiming to kill House, yet. Not this easy. The circumstances were close to perfect. No wind, no rain in this time of year. Mitch focussed on his target, this was probably his most difficult shot since he killed the vice president in 2001. Mitch took long deep sighs to relax. Then he pressed his right eye against the scope. He was not able to see who was who, but he wasn’t aiming to kill. It didn’t matter. But it was tempting, trying to do kill someone from such a distance. He had a target, he was relaxed and shot three times shortly after each other...
Chapter 4:
Rendezvous
Crystal Gateway Marriott, 12 February 2010
Richard Bennard Home, his wife Meredith and daughter Crystal were all in the same room, joined by two body guards. Richard had selected them both personally. They weren’t the best agents in the field, but Home knew they were the most loyal. What were the best worth if they wouldn’t do their job! Like his nemesis Mitch Crowne.
Home was satisfied with his decisions. Sure, it had cost him more life’s to be perfect. But it was all for the best reason. A safe America. Home was standing near the window. No one would be able to kill him he was guaranteed. The surrounding buildings were heavily guarded by a special team of black opps send by Alan Fitch. Did Home felt safe? He didn’t. He was afraid that his daughter would become Crowne’s next victim in his trail of blood. They trained Crowne well. But Home knew that Crowne was never their best asset. When he served the bureau, there was another assassin that topped him. That assassin’s name was Will Robie. If only he had the influence to use his capabilities in order to stop Crowne.
One of Home’s lifeguards that was standing in the living room noticed that Home was staring out the window. He walked towards his boss. Emmett was a tall, muscular and athletic agent. He was 32 years old and worked for Home since 2002. He was once a promising candidate for the disbanded Blackbriar programme. Emmett grew up in Mississippi and had African ancestors.
‘You shouldn’t stay too long near the window Boss’, he said in a subtle but confident voice.
‘It’s not like they can kill from two kilometres away, is it?’, Home said a little irritated. Then he looked at Emmett who was not giving any expression back.
‘Too be honest boss’, and then Emmett stopped.
‘I know. And I also know you are very protective when it comes to me and my family. That’s why you are here with me. Just like Sit.’
Sit was the second bodyguard that was present in the room. He was Emmett’s superior. A real American patriot and Home’s leading bodyguard. He served in Iraq and the Gulf war before Home had him appointed as his protection. Sit was now 58 years old but still very much in shape. He didn’t own a television or computer in order to keep his vision one hundred percent. Of course, his sight was not like in his younger years, but he did see the sharp flash from far way. Without hesitation he was able to do two things.. He warned Emmett and automatically ran towards Home. Emmett pushed Home away when the bullet cracked the window. Home fell on the ground while Emmett took his place. He had his eyes closed and was filled with adrenaline. When he opened his eyes shortly after, he noticed Home on the ground next to him. He was mumbling since he fell against a lamp. Then he scouted the view and didn’t see anything. While the door was kicked open and two hotel guards stormed in, Emmett saw the effect of a bullet that had come from more than two kilometres away. The bullet may have missed its mark, it didn’t miss Sit. Bone fractures and pieces of flesh were scattered on the floor while a lifeless Sit was laying on the ground face up. He was bleeding all over the floor...
‘One man down’, one of the guards said to the other guard.
Emmett helped Home on his feet and took him with him. ‘You need to work with me boss!’, Emmett instructed as they passed Sit’s death body.
In the hall, Home and Emmett were joined by two other hotel guards and Meredith and Crystal Home. Sibranski’s part of the evacuation planned started successfully. He was keeping Crystal Home close to his side while escorting the Home family out of their apartment and towards the stairs. While going downstairs, Crystal followed his every instruction and thanked him more than once for saving her. It was now crucial that Eveline succeeded in her part of the job.
Private airplane Alan Fitch, 12 February 2010
Alan Fitch was sitting in his private jet when he received the news about the Home family from one of his assistants. Fitch immediately picked up a phone from a desk and dialled a number. At nearby buildings, Fitch had installed a group of black opps agents. They weren’t only to protect Home, but also to execute the liability that Home would become once he needed to flee the apartment. Which was now the case. But, he also knew that Mitch Crowne was in the city. So, after he instructed his team to follow and take out the Home’s, he made another phone call. This was his best chance to deal with another liability. Mitch Crowne.
Crystal Gateway Marriott, 12 February 2010
Eveline was waiting for Home to arrive in the garage of the hotel. Reddington bribed the chauffeur that used to drive Home’s escape car at this day. In order to make it look natural, the driver was going to be delivered at the hospital almost stabbed to death shortly after the Homes and Turner would leave the Hotel.
The three Home’s, Emmett and two Hotel guards arrived in the garage while all exits were guarded by FBI. Emmett opened the door while Richard, Meredith and Crystal stepped into the car. As Emmett was to enter next, he was stopped by one of the Hotel guards.
‘Let me take place in the far side of the vehicle. You are far more important to them’, Sibranski said wisely. Then the second hotel guard inject
ed Emmett with a serum that caused Emmett to collapse immediately.
‘Medic, we need a medic!’, the second hotel guard, also on Reddington’s payroll, said while Sibranski entered the car.
‘Drive!’, Sibranski said while closing the door.
Turner hit the gas pedal and drove away while Emmett was laying in the arms of the second hotel guard. He was injected with a serum that was not lethal. Unless, he also had a particular heart condition. Sibranski created the serum when he was recruited by Reddington. He was taught chemistry at the Centre.
‘Where is Emmett. What happened dammit!’, Home said with rage in his voice.
‘Sir, you need to keep calm and do what is asked. It’s for your own safety, and that of your family. ‘
‘Do you know who I am?’, Home said.
‘Sir, I need you to calm down. Now!’, Sibranski said in a commanding tone as he undressed his guard outfit.
‘Who are you for god’s sake?’, Meredith asked in a sharp tone.
‘Emmett collapsed as you guys entered the vehicle. That’s why you have to deal with me. I was disguised as hotel guard, but I was hired to do a job. And one job particularly. And that job extended automatically once Emmett was.. out...’, Sibranski said as they could see his gun.
‘Hired by whom?’, Home asked.
‘You don’t want to know.’
‘You’re with Reddington?’
‘The question Mr. Home is really, who is still with you.’
‘Reddington send Mitch Crowne to kill me!’
‘Calm down Richard. May I call you Richard?’, Sibranski asked in a demanding tone. He received no answer. Meredith was becoming more and more upset while Crystal seemed pretty calm.
‘I demand answers!’, Home yelled.
‘One last time before I have to take measures Richard, calm down.’
‘Just listen to what he has to say dad’, Crystal unexpected helped Sibranski.
‘Right. I need to say this very carefully. Reddington worked together with Crowne in order to get to Alan Fitch. He also knew that Crowne was only aiming to kill you. That brings us to today. Crowne was instructed to set today’s course of action in motion. In order to get you and your family in protection.’
‘I don’t want Reddington’s protection!’
‘You, perhaps not. But what about your lovely wife and daughter. Richard. Think!’
‘The moment you left your prison, what you apartment really was, Fitch ordered a hit squad to take you and any other liability.. out...’
‘My family, they don’t know anything.’
‘It’s not a risk he’s willing to take, for the greater good. Is it?’
Home, finally realizing where Sibranski was getting at, seemed to calm down.
‘We take you to a safe place. At least, your family. They don’t have anything to do with what is going on right now.’
‘What about Crowne?’, Home asked more calmly. ‘I am not going to help Reddington.’
‘Reddington doesn’t need you anymore Richard. He got what he want.’
‘The fulcrum. He has it?’
‘Your family is being taken care of. Weather you’ll survive or not is up to how good Alan Fitch’s men really are.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Reddington understands your delicate situation and tries to take care of it. By letting the system take care of things’, Sibranski said as he switched on the television.
In a news programme at NBC an article is shown about Mitch Crowne. His photo is on the news channel while it is being said that al authorities are active trying to apprehend the fugitive. He is suspected of many crimes. Including killing an American vice-president and a Russian ambassador. It is told that he is on the run in Washington and armed and dangerous.
Reddington’s hideout, Burdines waterfront, Florida keys, 12 February 2010
Robert McEachran was watching the news in the living room. Up till now he had monitored the operation. He was the brains behind the operation. The timing was arranged from behind his workstation. He gave the signal for Mitch to take the shot. To instruct Sybren to go inside en for Eveline to get ready for take-off. Now something unexpected had happened. Mitch Crowne was wanted by all authorities in Washington as of now. How could that be possible. Then Reddington stepped into the room while an helicopter was landing.
‘You betrayed him, why?’, McEachran asked Reddington with his eyes still on the television. He didn’t pay any attention to Reddington.
‘Change of plans Robert. Things turned out different than expected.’
‘What change of plans? Like you don’t need him anymore?’
‘I got what I wanted. Mitch wants something that.. well... intervenes with what I want.’
‘And that is?’
‘It’s a much bigger mess than you know Robert. I’m not doing what I do right now for my own sake. Even though it appears to be that way.’
‘So, now you’re going to kill me?’
‘Of course not. I’m going to ask you politely to join miss Luli in a little road trip.’
‘What is the game plan now? How is this going to play out?’
‘It’s in all our best interest for your brother to be apprehended. I can’t be more specific, but I am forced to do whatever necessary to keep this rodeo going.’
‘You betrayed Mitch. How do you think that is going to play out?’
‘Like I said Robert, it’s also in my best interest that Mitch will be apprehended. But we both know he’s an ignorant little bastard himself. But, it won’t surprise me that he’ll get out DC alive. What is more important, is that no innocent people will die because of this game. Eveline will make sure that Home’s family will survive. Then she can join you and both are free to disappear.’
‘You, Raymond, deserve to die.’
‘We all go out eventually Robert, I’m not planning on a nearby exit though. Now I have to go, don’t try to evoke her skill set Robert. She’s quite the woman.’
While Reddington leaves the hideout by helicopter, Robert enters a SUV. He is not cuffed but isn’t wearing any guns or protection either. Not even a seatbelt. Probably a precaution in case he would try to jam the steer wheel. While he saw a beautiful sunset in the horizon, he already worked out an escape plan.
Fredericksburg, The happy Clam, 13 February 2010
Eveline Turner parked the car containing Sibranski and the Home’s behind the happy clam in Fredericksburg. The restaurant was closed at the moment for maintenance. The chance that someone would be suspicious was slim. Eveline had circled around on the other side of the Rappahannock river for hours until it became dawn. She was supposed to meet with Reddington one day from now. Sibranski kept the family calm. At the moment, Richard and Meredith were sleeping. Sibranski gave them a toxic substance that caused them to fall in a deep sleep. It was Crystal that woke up as first.
Eveline left the car and walked towards the river. It was fifteen minutes to ten in the morning. This was her rendezvous with Mitch. But like anyone else, she also received the news that Mitch was being wanted by almost everyone in Washington DC after being accused of yet another assassination. He killed someone. Which meant that he was now also one of the best snipers in the world...
Sibranski pours in a glass of water and hands it over to Crystal while he sensed that someone left the car. Crystal yawned before she accepted the water. Sibranski cheered her with a little smile which she responded by looking the other way.
‘I know you slipped something in our drinks’, she said.
‘Why still drink something I gave you if you are suspicious.’
‘I f you wanted us death, I wouldn’t be able to drink right now.’
‘You’re right. I don’t.’
‘So, what do you want?’
‘In different circumstances... I would have taken you out on a date.’
‘A shame.’
‘Why?’
‘I think I would have accepted’, She said while a grin appe
ared on her face. Then someone opened the door. It was Turner.
‘Time to stretch your legs. Don’t know for how long you’ll be sitting after.. let’s say... fifteen minutes’, Eveline said.
‘Sybren woke up Richard and Meredith while Crystal left the car. Right then, when Richard’s wife Meredith opened the other door, Eveline and Sybren knew they made a mistake. They both heard a car speeding towards the bridge coming to their direction. If that was Mitch, then something didn’t go as planned.
‘Take cover!’, Eveline yelled as she pulled down Crystal.
At the same moment Meredith stepped out of the car. A gunshot was heard from a distance. It hit her in her left shoulder. Then Sibranski was able to jump out of the car while a second bullet hit him in his leg while both he and Meredith fell on each other on the ground..
The speeding car made a right after leaving the bridge and its driver hit the brake as soon as it appeared on the parking lot....
Chapter 5:
Running All Night
Dolley Madison Towers, Washington, 12 February 2010
Three shots were fired. According to plan only one of them would be at harm for the Home family. The chance that he would miss that shot was far more higher than the chance that he would kill anyone from such distance. Mitch was on the rooftop dismantling his weapon while he kept track of intell via his police scanner. The scanner was in his car six blocks away. He used a phone and his ear piece to keep updated whether or not he was being wanted.
Mitch put the pieces of his weapon in a special designed backpack while he could hear the sounds of sirens in the far distance. Police and an ambulance. It didn’t meant anyone got hurt he thought. While his weapon was packed in his backpack within a minute, he stayed on the rooftop to exam the near neighbour. No suspicious activity at all. Mitch never took any risk, and even though he was connected with a police scanner, he also didn’t trust Reddington. Reddington had his own agenda. So did Mitch. That’s why he informed Eveline of a different rendezvous. The only problem was Robert. If Reddington double crossed, Robert had to deal with the situation himself.
