Forged in Honor (1995)

by Leonard B Scott

  She got up immediately. "I'll help you get dressed."

  .

  11:18 P. M., Waterfront Apartments.

  Grant picked up the phone on the first ring, praying it was him. "This is-Thank God! Josh, where are you? The FBI are here and-Yes, one of your men told Stef you were okay.

  She went to the hospital to be with Meg.... Josh? ... Josh?"

  She lowered the handset and looked at the FBI agent standing beside her. "He hung up."

  .

  11:20 P. M., Falls Church, Virginia.

  Sitting in the study in his home, Director Jennings put down the report he was reading and picked up the ringing phone. "Hello? . . . Yes, put him through. . . . Hawkins?

  Where the hell are you? I heard what happened and-"

  Jennings's eyes widened and his face reddened. "Don't play games with me, Hawkins! We had a deal! Damn you! Why the hell do you need three days? ... You can't do that! ...

  Dammit, don't hang up. Let's discuss this. I have to hear Kang's story first.... I'll come alone, but you're pushing, Hawkins, and I don't like being pushed.... Okay, you have my word on it.... 1 A. M. I'll be there."

  .

  11:35 P. M., Georgetown Boathouse.

  Kelly walked through the office door and gave Stephen a once-over before pinning Josh with his stare. "I've been listening to the MPD radio. You've been busy, huh?"

  Josh motioned to Stephen. "Kelly, meet Stephen Kang. He knows your Mr. Dorba."

  Kelly's head snapped to Stephen with an incendiary stare.

  Ten minutes later, after hearing Stephen tell his story, Kelly took a deep breath and shifted his eyes back to Josh.

  Josh knew what he was thinking and shrugged. "It's all hearsay. No district attorney will touch the part about Dorba.

  Kelly raised his eyebrows, but his eyes were smoldering.

  "But we know he's dirty. He's going down, Hawk. Hearsay or not, I'm taking that fucker down. It's his turn for a lesson."

  Josh exchanged a look with Stephen. "I thought you'd say that. Stephen and I discussed it before you got here."

  Stephen lowered his eyes and spoke from the unbandaged side of his mouth. "I didn't know Dorba was responsible for the bombings and killings of your people until only minutes ago. I am partially to blame and want to help you stop him."

  "I'm in too," Josh said.

  Kelly looked at the two men for a moment before nodding in silence. He turned and began thinking aloud. "Alvarez and Cummings are burying their families day after tomorrow.

  They'll want in. So will Hanson and Youngblood 'cause of the attempts on their wives. We're gonna need a plan that-"

  His eyes suddenly focused, and he turned back to Josh. "I know how we can get in. Remember Michael Woo, the assistant D. A. who ..."

  Director Jennings stormed into the small boathouse office expecting to see two men, not three. He came to an abrupt halt, looked at Josh, then took the cigar from his mouth. He motioned toward Kelly. "Who the hell is this?"

  Kelly rolled his eyes as he took out his badge and held it up. "Detective Kelly, MPD, Your Holiness."

  Josh motioned Jennings to a seat and put his hand on Stephen's shoulder. "This is Stephen, who you know about.

  He's told us some things that will sicken you. We need you to help us. If you don't, then-"

  "I won't go back," Stephen said with a cold glare. "My country caused this, and I must right the wrong before I can return."

  Jennings stuck the cigar back in his mouth. "I can't promise anything. Tell me what you know."

  Jennings stood up and shook Stephen's hand, then Kelly's, and then faced Josh. "This conversation didn't take place, understand?"

  Josh nodded. "Right. Just make sure the FBI and DEA find those heroin distribution centers that Stephen told you about. And make sure they agree to the cover story."

  Jennings took the stub of the cigar out of his mouth. "The cover is no problem. Stephen was killed during the attack. As for the distribution centers, the ones in Carlisle and Sacramento should be no problem for the bureau and DEA to find, but 'Kansas' is not much to go on. There's no guarantee on that one."

  Stephen shook his head. "I'm sorry. All I heard them say was 'Kansas.' I wish I could be more specific."

  Jennings shrugged. "It's got to be on a major interstate.

  They'll find it eventually."

  Kelly looked at his watch. "Forty-eight hours, Mr. Director. We hit him tomorrow at 1 A. M. regardless."

  "I understand," Jennings said. "Just make sure it's done right."

  Kelly smirked. "He'll learn."

  Chapter 21.

  Chinatown.

  Qui knocked on the open door and walked into the large office. Dorba leaned back in his chair and motioned toward the morning paper on his desk. "I see they eliminated Kang ... but it was costly."

  The chief of staff furrowed his brow. "The paper is correct.

  We had four killed. Three escaped, and one wounded man was captured. There must have been more FBI on the boat that our men didn't know about. The American, Hawkins, was wounded and is in the hospital at Fort Belvoir. It will be very difficult to get to him."

  Dorba leaned forward in his chair. "Did Kang speak to him about us?"

  "No, our people attacked before he could discuss anything."

  Dorba leaned back in relief and shrugged. "Forget the American then. We have more important matters to attend to.

  I see by the reports our profits on white powder sales are higher than expected. The council will be very pleased."

  Glad the subject had changed, Qui allowed himself a small smile. "Business is very good. In fact, it is so good we will have to obtain more powder from the distribution outlet in Carlisle very soon."

  Dorba's eyes sparkled. "And I will be an elder very soon.

  The American appetite for white powder will cause our roots to grow very deep ... very deep indeed."

  Fort Belvoir, Virginia Kelly showed his special badge to the military policeman guarding the entrance to an old World War II barracks and walked in the door. Josh was studying a city map of Washington he had taped to the barren wall. He glanced over his shoulder. "Welcome to our new headquarters. There's coffee and some doughnuts in the back room."

  Kelly's eyes swept over the gray furniture and he shook his head. "This is all Jennings could come up with?"

  "Whatcha expect on short notice? Hey, he followed through on his part of the deal. Our cover, by the way, is that we're working with the CID on a security problem at the Night Vision Labs just a few blocks over."

  Kelly rolled his eyes. "Spooks and their fuckin' cover stories. They can't piss without a cover. Where's Stephen?"

  Josh pulled up a chair for his friend and motioned over his shoulder. "He's knocked out in a room upstairs. Jennings sent a doc over to check his face. He had to knock him out with a shot before removing some dead tissue. He's gonna have a helluva scar, but he'll be all right. He'll be ready. Did you see Stef?"

  Kelly winced. "Yeah, and I ain't never gonna do that again. Jeez, and I thought Mary could bitch. She laid into me like an ugly stepchild, but I finally convinced her you had to lay chilly for a while. Jennings came through on talking to the FBI--they were over early this morning making sure the MPD had their stories straight for the cover. Kang's body was 'found' in the channel this morning, and you're reported as seriously wounded. The people on the cruiser--the Coles--and Meg are cooperating with the Feds and won't give any interviews to the press. They've been told you were involved in busting a Mafia drug deal and anything they say could endanger you ... and them. Everything is good to go.

  Now it's up to us."

  Josh leveled his stare on Kelly. "You talk to your people?"

  Kelly gave a short nod. "Yeah, Alvarez, Cummings, Hanson, and Youngblood are all in. I told 'em this could end their careers, but they want blood."

  "Any second thoughts on your part, Kelly? You've worked a long time for that pension," Josh said, searching his friend's eyes for d
oubt.

  Kelly's face became rigid. "I'm going to two funerals tomorrow. I don't have any second thoughts. Dorba is mine."

  Ministry of Defense, Rangoon, Burma Newly promoted Major General Tan took a seat in front of the prime minister's desk with a smile. General Swei leaned back in his chair. "You must have good news for me."

  "Very good news. Stephen Kang is dead."

  Swei sighed in relief. "Excellent. Then let's get on with it.

  All threats to us are eliminated. I will inform our minister of information that Martyrs' Day, the nineteenth of July, will be the date of my announcement to the world that our borders will be opened. I will announce the loan guarantees and detailed plans for our rebuilding programs. Free elections will be scheduled for one year from Martyrs' Day. That will give time for our rebuilding programs to take hold and assure my election as the first freely elected president in forty-five years."

  Tan's brow wrinkled. "Sawbaw Xu Kang is still a problem. Many are joining his army."

  Swei smiled. "He won't be a threat once I make the announcement to the world press. The western companies will be begging to come in, and every government will send words of praise and support. We have defeated him-we have defeated them all."

  Thailand Border Xu Kang wiped sweat from his brow as he stood in the hot sun observing his newest recruits. He couldn't take it anymore and bellowed to the captain in charge of training, "Enough! Stop yelling at them." He strode forward, motioned the captain back, and waved the formation of young men and women to him. He raised his hands as if surrendering. "I am sorry. I see now we are wasting time by trying to make you into soldiers. You are college students, not soldiers, and we have been asking too much of you. Return to our homeland and go back to school in Rangoon. You will join my secret army and march, but not to cadence. You will need to march in protest when the time is right."

  A young woman stepped forward and raised her fist. "We came to fight!"

  The other students cheered her in support.

  Kang smiled, seeing the anger in her eyes. "And fight you will. Do you remember the student protests here in Thailand two summers ago? Young women and men like yourselves brought the prime minister down. He was not removed by an assassin's bullet. Students removed him by marching. You and many more like you are the real force that will cause change. Go back to school, recruit others, and when the time is right, march. March to Swei's headquarters and show the world he is nothing but a dictator and a lying pye dog."

  "But who will lead us?" a young man asked.

  Kang pointed at the young student who had asked the question. "You will!" He then pointed at the young woman with the angry eyes. "You all will. A leader is someone willing to take the first step. You may be slain or beaten by the soldiers, but another will step forward and take your place. A leader is one who believes and is willing to die for that belief. You are Burma ... you are her hope."

  Kang shifted his eyes and looked into their young faces. "I see in you the leaders our country needs. I ask now that you go back and start becoming those leaders. Your day is coming."

  The students didn't move. He thought he had wasted his time when suddenly the girl in front of him snapped to attention and saluted with the wrong hand. "Permission to return home, General."

  Kang came to attention and brought his own hand up with tears in his eyes. "Permission granted, young leader."

  Another student came to attention, then another and another until all of them were saluting and asking permission to go home. He snapped his heels together and raised his hand again. "Permission granted, leaders."

  As he stood in the empty field and watched them walk back to camp to collect their belongings, the Shan captain stepped up beside him. "Sawbaw, they are not Shan. Can we trust them if they do become leaders?"

  Kang put his arm over the captain's shoulder. "We are not fighting for the Shan this time, my young friend-we are fighting for Burma."

  As the old man approached the but he saw the CIA chief of station for Thailand, John Hobbs, sitting with Colonel Banta on the covered porch. Hobbs rose and bowed his head.

  "Greetings and blessings, Sawbaw Kang. I bring good news."

  Kang felt his eyes misting again. "It is truly a blessing if you bring news of Stephen. You have found him?"

  The chief smiled. "Yes. He is with Colonel Hawkins and is safe."

  "The gods have blessed me! I will give prayers of thanks to them! When will he be here?"

  "Soon, Sawbaw. Perhaps a week, I can't say for sure. The message I received last night said only that he was with Colonel Hawkins and that he was safe. I came to tell you of this good news and ask if you have any more information. My government was very appreciative of your gift of the DDSI lieutenant. But I'm afraid we need more proof than a young officer with no toes."

  Kang's beaming face turned sour. He sat down in his campaign chair and shook his head. "You Americans are such fools. You are victims of your own laws. Listen to your heart! Look with your eyes at what is happening! Are you deaf and blind? Proof? My camp is full of proof. The people have voted with their feet. 'Proof' is a word when there are laws, courts, and judges. There is no law in Burma, U Hobbs.

  There is only despair."

  Hobbs pressed. "Sawbaw Kang, my country is trying to help you. With hard proof we will able to show the world what Swei really is and what he has done to the people of Burma. Hard proof will give us-"

  Kang raised his hand. "Enough. You know there are deadly cobras in the cave and yet you want my people to go in and fetch one for you. I will not waste a single man to `prove' what we already know. U Hobbs, they have killed thousands over the years and imprisoned thousands more. I am going into their cave very soon. Our deal was for you to bring Stephen to me. Do it. Watch, as your people have done before, and see who comes out of the cave. And pray to the gods, U Hobbs. Pray that you can live with yourself if the cobras prevail."

  Xu Kang stood up, but his penetrating eyes pinned the CIA chief. "I have other business to attend to. Don't come again until you have my son. I don't need your government's words-I need those willing to enter the cave." Turning around, the old soldier walked down the porch steps and strode for the distant rifle range.

  Hobbs shook his head in frustration and turned to Colonel Banta. "Will you talk to him and make him understand? He can't take over the government without our help."

  Banta smiled without humor. "You are the one who doesn't understand. We have no intention of taking over the government. We are Shan. The Burmese would never accept a minority 'takeover' of the government."

  Hobbs's eyes widened. "Who ... what is your intention, then?"

  Banta stood in the hot sun and walked toward the steps.

  He paused once and looked over his shoulder with a contemptuous stare. "Our 'intention' is to kill the cobras."

  Chapter 22.

  10 P. M., Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

  Kelly paced in front of the table where six men were seated. "Team one, weapons and equipment status?"

  Detective Hector Alvarez, the team leader, spoke up immediately. "We're good, Terry. Chick has the flare and smoke rounds for his blooper. Me and At have the uniforms, ignitors, and vehicle."

  "Tac sets?"

  "Yeah, we have the tactical headsets, and each of us has a Motorola for backup. Because of the distance, Chick will stay on the roof so he can keep in contact with you and relay to us while we're inside the building."

  Kelly kept pacing with his head down. "Okay, the phone company shuts down their lines at exactly 1 A. M. Bernie could only promise us fifteen minutes, so it's critical you begin the operation on time. Chick, are you sure you can get to the roof?"

  Detective Chick Cummings's hooded eyes shifted slowly to Kelly. "I went up last night to make a recon. The fire escape in back makes it a piece of cake. It's an easy shot from there to the seventh floor. They won't hear a thing."

  Kelly came to a halt and raised his wrist. "It's now ten forty-five. I want radio checks eve
ry fifteen minutes until show time. After that, keep me informed of each phase.

  Questions? Okay, one last thing before we go. Give me your badges. We're not cops tonight."

  The detectives tossed their badges to Kelly, who laid them out on the table with his own. Looking up, he nodded. "All right. Team one ... roll."

  Alvarez, Cummings, and Al Hanson stood and walked toward the door in silence. Kelly waited until they were gone before facing the remaining three men. "Hawk, did you and Stephen get checked out on the stun guns?"