Peking Assassin

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  Now we have the Chinese President coming tomorrow. Let's not let our guard down. There're lots of killers for hire out there and until the Chinese President returns to his own country, we are responsible. Be vigil and never relax."

  ~++++~

  Not long after Brad had reminded his team to be alert, Number One was checking into the Red Lion in Coos Bay. Number One had flown in on SeaPort Airlines. He felt like stretching his legs after being squeezed in the nine passengers Pilatus turbo prop from Portland, Oregon down to North Bend, Oregon. Judging from this weather beaten airport, he felt lucky to have flown into here at all. He rented a car and drove to the hotel.

  Tomorrow he would drive down to Bandon and see the famous Round House if he could. It would be difficult to play the part of a tourist as he didn't have a family with him. Be that as it may, he could walk on the beach. August was tourist season and maybe he could just relax and enjoy the fresh air.

  As he entered his room, sat his bag on the spare bed; his thoughts drifted to the ninja assassin. This would be his last chance. If the Black Dragon couldn't kill the Chinese President and if the ninja failed they were no other options. He flopped down on the bed, closed his eyes and prayed that the ninja would be successful.

  Unknown to Number One, on the same flight, the ninja assassin was sitting behind him. Neither one was aware of the other person. Sumi was his name. He was in his prime at just under twenty five years old. His father was an instructor in the Samurai ways. Actually Sumi felt really proud of the fact that his history went back many generations, but not necessarily in the ninja tradition. His father was adamant that he not take this assignment due to its high profile nature. He told his father he would not take any undue risks.

  Now he was on his way to a motel on the Beach Loop Road called Table Rock Motel. He would spend the night resting then as the sun was setting tomorrow he would walk the beach south for the kill. Once in his room, he would log into internet and bring up Google Earth. What a marvelous thing the internet.

  Some years ago he wasn't happy because his father made him go to the USA to study. Now he was glad it happened. His English was very passable. That and having lived in the LA area, gave him a gift of gab. He'd discovered a long time ago a smile and being polite worked wonders on white people. Now here he was on American soil about to assassinate a Chinese man. How ironic, he thought.

  The next morning Brad and Rocky went for a run on the beach. Once again it was very foggy and Brad wondered if a plane could land today at North Bend. The President was due in around 2pm so the chances were good that the fog would be mostly gone by then.

  Up the coast to the jetty and back was the usual route he took. It was a little cool out with the tide being out, a strong smell of seaweed, muscles and starfish mixed with the salt air would make most noses turn up, but not Brad's nose. He loved the smell of the ocean and the roar at night made him sleep like a baby.

  He felt good, but a little apprehensive of the coming visit of the President. This visit was going to be a lot of responsibility on his part. Brad was running on the hard sand not so far from the surf. He had passed Fish Rock and the next big sea stack was Table Rock. It was so named because the top of the giant sea stack was flat.

  Brad was in the grove running his usual six minute miles. Rocky was matching him stride for stride. Suddenly, or rather quickly, he felt something out of the ordinary. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he slowed down looking around. With the fog so thick, he couldn't see anyone nearby. Later he would tell Sujin that he felt something rather evil or foreboding as he was running. She told him to keep that thought as that is what the Master senses when danger is nearby.

  After a shower, Brad called Mike. He told Mike what his run was like this morning. Mike told him that six SEALs were on the job as they were speaking. Four were on the beach walking as tourists and two in town looking for anything suspicious. Mike said he was on the way and would bring Julie and the kids up for the day. They would go back home around four to feed the animals, but they wanted to see the Chinese President.

  Taking a longer than usual shower, Brad couldn't shake the bad feeling he had. He was convinced danger was lurking out there. By noon, the team felt his wariness. All were on high alert; including the dogs. When he stepped out of the shower, Sujin was holding a towel and grinning at him. He said, "What are you so happy about?"

  "How many people can say they have met two world leaders personally? I can say that this afternoon. I'm going to call my mother and father to tell them the news. Sometimes, my husband, it's the little things that make us happy. Now here," she threw him the towel, "dry yourself off and join the party."

  Park felt it too. While working in the garden, he kept looking at the ocean. A nagging at his neck, like an itch, but when he scratched his neck, the itch remained. He vowed to stand watch tonight. It would be very bad if something happened to the Chinese President here at the Round House.

  At the Table Rock Motel, Sumi had just returned from a recon down the beach. A few tourists were walking in the foggy weather. Sumi, with a pocket notebook made notes of landmarks along the way. It didn't take him long to locate the target area. A nice open area with tall grass to the north would make perfect cover. Stealth was the key to a ninja. He must not alert anyone while fulfilling his contract.

  His keen sight spotted the outside dog. Yes, dogs were a problem but staying upwind, then a throwing star or a dart would take care of the watch dog. On the way back he timed his return. Without hurrying it took only 40 minutes to walk from motel to the target house.

  In Coos Bay, Number One was just leaving the Red Lion at 11am. He was waiting for the fog to lift. The desk told him by early afternoon, the fog would clear off to reveal a sunny day. He took their word for it. Meanwhile he was getting very hungry. The breakfast menu had all western foods. Finally, with his poor English, he ordered rice and ham. He really needed to go back home. What was lacking was someone to talk to.

  He drove south on 101 to Bandon. It was a short drive of thirty minutes or so. It was still foggy, but the road was clearly visible. Once into the 'Old Town' of Bandon, he pulled over and studied the map. He found the Beach Loop Road and slowly took in the sights. From the town, next to the river the road went up a steep hill to the bluff area that looked over the ocean. Not far he found a lookout point and peered over the edge. The fog was lifting quickly now. He could see the jetty and the beach. Soon the sea stacks appeared out of the fog. Number One was amazed at the size and when it finally cleared enough to see south, many sea stacks were evident.

  Number One wondered where the ninja guy was about now. While he was thinking about that, he saw below him two tourists with windbreakers looking up his way with what looked like binoculars. Then it appeared they scanned the lower area as well. Number One looked up and saw many sea gulls flying around not far over his head. They're bird watchers, he thought.

  Ironically, less than a half mile from where he was parked, Sumi was taking a shower at the Table Top Motel. Number One drove by it without a glance. He continued driving slowly noticing new buildings and old mixed together along the way. The road dipped downhill and crossed a creek. To the left an old golf course with mostly brown grass had a few players enjoying the salt air. He must be getting close to the Round House, he thought, as he continued down a straight part of the old road. Just before the road went downhill with some twists and turns, a driveway of sorts went to the right. Number One could see the sign: NO TRESPASSING – BEWARE OF DOG. He'd found where the Chinese President would take his last breathes of life; he hoped.

  The two guys on the beach with matching blue windbreakers were SEALs. Both wondered if they'd been spotted looking through glasses at an Asian on the bluff. A call was made to Mike and the message relayed to him. Mike told Brad and he said for Agent Jones to hang out in the new part of Bandon to see if any Chinese were lurking about.

  It was time to meet the plane. Brad had the seats removed out of the van so a gurney could b
e placed in back without any problems. Billy had secured a hospital bed and it was set and ready to go in the living room. All was in place for the arrival of the President. Mike did the driving and Brad was the passenger. Billy was a little upset he didn't get to go to see or meet Mi Ling. He was resigning himself that being romantically involved with the President of China's daughter was not a good idea. Actually, his thoughts were on Sandy at the compound.

  Sumi had been meditating for the last hour. It was going on late afternoon, but dark didn't come until around ten o'clock this time of year. He thought it prudent to make one more scout of the area before finalizing his plan. But first he made sure his weapons were ready to go. He had a blow gun with a tranquilizer dart to put the guard dog asleep. Also he had four throwing stars that really weren't designed to kill but to wound. Then he had his tanto, a short blade knife. This he would use on the target. All, after an inspection, were ready to go. If all went according to plan, he would in and out of the house in less than five minutes.

  Sujin and her sister were waiting for the President to arrive. Julie was with them, while the kids went to the beach to play. It was an exciting time for all. This was a low key affair and only a three car caravan was evident. The front car, loaded with secret service from Washington, compliments of the American President, kept going as did the car following the van.

  Mike backed up to the front door. Park, Billy and Brad, along with a male nurse from China, unloaded the President into the house. They gently transferred him to the hospital bed. Mi Ling soon was drawn into the group of women. All went to the kitchen to make some tea. Sujin glanced at the clock, it said almost 4 pm.

  In town, Agent Jones was sitting in a van in front of the local supermarket. He had the side door open and was sitting on the van floor with his legs on the parking lot. He had an order of chicken nuggets from the 'arches' with a coke. Jones could sit there all day as he loved to people watch. Tourists were everywhere as the beach was a popular place to vacation. The one thing he did notice was how many fat people were going in and out of the market. And most were coming out eating ice cream or munching on cookies. Parents were doing the same thing, so it really didn't matter to any of them that someday they would pay the penalty of too much sugar.

  Jones was waiting for one person: an Asian. He would be alone with no family. He'd be driving a rental car. Jones felt confident that he would stop here at the market for something to eat. If such a mark did arrive he would kidnap the dude and take him to the Round House.

  After tea and a snack, the President took a nap. Billy had outdone himself with the addition of an aluminum frame work of cotton curtains to provide some privacy for the President. Now it was time for Billy to take Mi Ling for a walk on the beach.

  Brad, Mike and Park put their heads together talking about the sightings. There were now two sightings. An older Asian and a young Asian were spotted. The young one was walking on the beach and the older guy was driving a car. Mike said, "We're waiting to hear back now to see if the two of them are staying in a local motel."

  Brad said, "Check Coos Bay too for a single Asian staying in an above average motel or hotel."

  "Already done. We should hear back anytime now," said Mike

  Park said, "I've had this weird feeling all day. Have any of you felt the same thing?"

  "Yes, I have," said Brad. "I think we need a 24 hour watch on the President tonight. Let's draw straws. Shortest does the first shift, say 9 to 12, middle straw 12 to 3 and long straw from 3 to daylight." Park did the holding and Mike was shortest, Brad next and then Park.

  Dinner was raved about by Ben and Mi Ling. The President insisted everyone call him by his English nickname Ben. Sujin kept the menu simple with BBQ beef and noodles with rice of course.

  Ben was tired and needed his rest. Mike took his place for the first shift. Nancy and Wendy went to bed. There really wasn't much they could do. Billy went to the computer room to check on airline manifests into North Bend. Agent Jones had not been heard from. Unfortunately his battery died in his cell phone.

  A Chinese man did come into the parking lot, just as Jones had expected. However, just as the man opened the door, he looked up at the sky and closed the door. Jones thought that very curious indeed. Jones sacked up what was left of his nuggets and slide the door closed. He followed the Chinese man south towards Port Orford. Agent Jones opened his cell to check in with the team. He swore under his breath hearing the phone tell him low batt. He slapped the steering wheel in frustration. Now Wendy would be worried and he really needed to talk to Brad. Oh well, he thought, an opportunity will come up sooner or later. Meanwhile the Chinese man was driving slowly so Jones stayed way back.

  Number One had no idea he was being followed. He was busy trying not to think about what would happen to all of his holdings if the yuan was devalued. He realized two things would happen, one would be the value of the property would take a dive with no buyers. The second thing would be his personal holdings would sink like a rock.

  Back at the Round House, Billy had surfed up a Japanese man onboard a flight from Portland to North Bend. He was traveling alone. Upon further digging Billy found out this guy could not be found in any motel or hotel establishments anywhere within a 50 mile radius. He did strike gold with a Chinese man staying at the Red Lion in Coos Bay. He also was traveling alone. Billy reported this to Brad who passed it onto Mike. Mike passed it on to the SEALs to be aware of a young Japanese man.

  Brad was a bit dumbstruck if Japanese had contracted out to assassinate the Chinese President. Am I grasping for straws, Brad thought. Maybe this guy was just on vacation, but then why can't we find him staying anywhere? Brad said to Mike, "Mike, check here locally to see if a young Asian has registered at a motel."

  "I'll get right on it Brad, but first let me talk to the SEALs to see if they know anything." As it turned out, Mike did talk to the SEALs and they mentioned the Asian looking out over the view point. Then he instructed the SEALs to check all the motels in Bandon for an Asian staying there.

  Wendy was getting a little worried. Here it was going on 9 pm and no word from Jones. Nancy said, "He's a big boy Wendy. His phone is out of order. He's onto something or he would have stopped and used a land line. Never mind. Read a book and stop worrying."

  It was now 10 pm and dark out. Sumi, dressed in desert or a light brown two piece pants and coat, slipped out of the motel unseen and unheard.

  Brad had Sandy outside and Rocky in the house. The President was sleeping soundly with the nurse on a floor mat next to his bed. The only light inside was a night light in the kitchen. Mike was sitting on a wooden chair out of the light wide alert.

  Billy was still on the computer. There was still no word from Jones.

  Brad was taking no chances. He was dressed in brown camo as was the ninja man. Brad was armed with a Glock, knife and throwing stars. Brad positioned himself on the northwest side of the house behind Parks' BBQ. Park was near the motor home in the forest of pine trees. He too was dressed in brown and also armed to the teeth.

  Brad felt danger coming. He blood started pumping while his system started generating adrenalin. He had figured it out that someone had hired a ninja to complete the job on Ben the President. He also knew stealth was the main weapon of a ninja fighter. Brad was ready. He would show the world that anyone attempting harm to anyone on his property would pay for it with their life.

  In addition to Brad and Park outside, further out were six SEAL members. Two were hidden on line with where the ninja man was coming from. Later it would be discussed wondering if the ninja man knew what he was up against; would he still have tried to kill Ben?

  Sumi took his time moving down the beach. After he had reached the sand from the motel, he did some deep breathing and eye exercises. Once again he double checked his weapons: blow gun, darts with tranquilizers, throwing stars and short knife. He also had some smoke bombs in case of a rapid retreat. This was his moment and when he returned home, glory would be his as a
fully fledged Samurai warrior.

  Climbing up the steep bank to the cliff area, just north of the Round House, Sumi stopped and waited to attune his ears and eyes. He looked up at a quarter moon and a sky full of stars. The temperature was dropping and soon the fog would roll in.

  He took some deep lung full of air through his nose and let it slowly escape from his mouth. His mouth was covered with a linen clothe that wrapped around his entire head with only the eyes exposed. He estimated it was about 150 meters to the house. What wind that was blowing was from the east, northeast. He crawled south through the tall withered beach grass using his split shoes so as to use his toes very effectively in the soft sand. So far so good, he thought.

  Brad could feel danger nearby, but nothing he could do. Sandy was also looking northwest sensing the same thing. The two SEALs to the north also felt something but saw or heard nada.

  Sumi cut a diagonal path to the house. The first thing he had to do was silence the dog. He crawled inch by inch always knowing just where his hands, arms, legs and feet were. He could see the faint light from the kitchen nightlight. That was guiding him to where the dog was. He was sure the guard dog was trained to stay by the front door for intruders.

  Sandy's ears perked up. Her tail was raised up as were the fur on her back. Sumi now only 12 or so meters away, slowly took out his blow gun. Even slower he placed a dart in the mouth end. He still couldn't see Sandy and then as he moved forward maybe a meter, the dog was looking his way. Sandy was about to turn and hit the alarm post when the dart hit her in the side. A small yelp escaped her.