Monster

by Bernard L. DeLeo

  “You are missed. I will be happy when you return to our team for good. All these new leads may mean a lot more danger. It is as Tom has pointed out - this situation resembles the proverbial onion, one layer after another.”

  “It makes you wonder after all the layers are peeled if we’ll have any Americans left.”

  “You are very cynical, my friend.”

  “And getting worse by the day - don’t let my pessimism ruin our get together. This Christmas decoration thing was really a great idea, Kay. Did you ask Pete to come over too?”

  “Yes, but he told me he is meeting with the families of the team members who were killed. Pete agreed to help with the services and funeral arrangements. He is what you have described as a standup guy.”

  “No doubt about that.” McDaniels clipped the end of the last string in place. “Think you and I could sneak off and have a couple of Jack’s together?”

  “You are still making fun of my reticence to let Ansa in on my one small vice. I will not forget this.”

  “Get over yourself, Kay.” McDaniels put an arm around Rasheed’s shoulders. “Now c’mon, you can brazenly walk past Ansa. Show her who is the man.”

  Rasheed looked up quickly at McDaniels, getting ready to make an excuse for why that would be a bad idea. He saw McDaniels had already started smiling and nodding with obvious disdain. Rasheed stopped walking and looked down at his shoes, stuffing his hands in his pockets. McDaniels started laughing again as Barrington and Rutledge walked over from where they had finished their task.

  “Kay, what’s wrong with you?” Rutledge asked.

  “Mr. Reskova has again seen fit to challenge my manhood. Apparently the Christmas spirit is greater in our small house of Allah than in the heart of this oversize infidel.”

  “This is about the Jack, isn’t it?” Rutledge asked while Barrington and McDaniels laughed. “I wasn’t supposed to tell you this but your wife already knows you sneak a shot now and then. Ansa thinks you’re pretty funny.”

  Rasheed looked quickly toward the picture window of his house where Ansa was watching the group with little Cold sleeping in her arms. She waved at her husband. Rasheed waved back before sticking his hands back into his pockets as Reskova and Suraya walked over to join them. Suraya put her arm around her Father’s waist.

  “Want to turn on the lights, Father?”

  “It will not be as impressive in the daylight, little one,” Rasheed kissed his daughter’s forehead.

  “It will give us an idea though of how it will look tonight.”

  “Very well then, go and turn them on. Do you know which switch it is?”

  “Yes,” Suraya called out as she ran up the steps to their front entrance.

  A moment later, the lights came on. The lighted reindeer began bobbing their heads slowly. The group walked out to the street where they could get a wider view of their decorative work with Dino trailing Reskova attentively. Suraya joined them with Ansa close behind, having grabbed up an afghan to drape around her and the bundled baby. Reskova leaned into McDaniels, clasping his hand tightly in both of hers. Barrington and Rutledge saw McDaniels and their former boss. They stepped closer together but with one look from a smiling Rasheed they quickly pulled away from each other. Rasheed chuckled appreciatively as Rutledge gave him the finger while Suraya was looking away.

  “It looks beautiful even in daylight, Father. Can we do the tree now?”

  “Of course, child. If the infidels can stay around a little longer we will have the whole tamale.”

  Reskova laughed. “The whole tamale? Kay, you’re really getting into the cultural Americanisms. I thought it was the whole enchilada.”

  “Yes, Boss,” Rasheed answered thoughtfully. “Now that I think of it, you are right. I have mixed my food groups up. One day I will take the family out to brave this cultural question and find out what enchiladas and tamales are.”

  “Yes, you have braved the cultural difference already between the Jack Daniels and the Jose Cuervo,” Ansa commented, smiling up at a very appreciative McDaniels. “May Allah forgive you, my husband.”

  Rasheed sputtered out incoherent sentence fragments. Both his family and friends hooted in laughter. It took only a moment for the beleaguered man to cease his attempts at an explanation and begin giving his co-workers glaring glances of promised retribution. Rasheed’s new tone instantly quieted Barrington and Rutledge. They knew Rasheed could be even more formidable than McDaniels in getting non-violent revenge. Suraya hugged her father tightly.

  “Allah will overlook so small a misstep, my Father.”

  “From your lips to Allah’s ears, child,” Rasheed muttered. “Come, let us go inside so I and the infidels can abuse my newly revealed vice while we put electrical accessories on a now dead pine log.”

  The group sat together in silence, listening to the Christmas CD Rutledge had brought over. The scent of pine, coupled with the blinking multi-colored lights covering both the tree and the mantels around the Rasheed living room hid for a moment the thought of dire times ahead. Even little Cold, lying attentively in McDaniels’ huge grasp, blinked appreciatively at the display. Reskova glanced furtively from the baby’s face to McDaniels’, a yearning rising within her that obliterated her sense of duty and the love of her chosen profession.

  She clutched McDaniels’ hand tightly, causing him to look down at her questioningly. When he saw tears leak down from the corners of her eyes his look of incomprehension startled her. Reskova quickly wiped away her tears, glancing around to see if any of the others had noticed. When she looked back at McDaniels he leaned down and kissed her softly. The need Reskova felt for him almost overwhelmed her. She resisted the temptation to return it with a fervor unsuitable for the situation.

  “It’s getting late, Kay,” McDaniels commented. “I think…”

  “It is only three o’clock in the afternoon, infidel,” Rasheed broke in, noticing the look Reskova had on her face.

  “I am not as comfortable with sipping Jack this early as you are, my friend,” McDaniels said, provoking chuckles from the rest of the group at Rasheed’s expense. “Besides, I have something to ask you. Diane and I are going to get married. Will you be my best man, Kay? This will have to take place very quickly.”

  “Of course,” Rasheed answered in awe. He grasped McDaniels’ shoulder. “I know nothing of this best man thing but I will of course be the man for you.”

  “What does this very quickly mean?” Reskova asked tentatively.

  “I have to go back December 28th,” McDaniels answered, putting his arm around her again.

  “Shit,” Reskova whispered, leaning into him.

  Barrington reached over and shook McDaniels’ hand. “Congratulations, Colonel, I’m sorry to hear your leave was cut short.”

  McDaniels and Reskova accepted hugs of congratulations from Rutledge, Ansa, and Suraya. “I’ll be back, Tom. You and the team line up all the dirty jobs for my return. Don’t forget to send the care packages when me and the Marines get settled over there. I’ll E-mail you an address.”

  “We won’t forget, Cold,” Rutledge promised, going over to sit next to Barrington. “What do you want us to send?”

  “I’ll get a list from the guys and send it with the address. Usually snacks, reading material, and baby wipes are always a sure bet, but I’ll be more specific when I E-mail you.”

  Reskova pulled away and stood up. “We better get going, Cold. I need to call my folks. Want to just have a small ceremony here?”

  McDaniels stood up next to her. “I’d like that. I don’t know much about the laws around here for…”

  “You let me handle that,” Reskova stated. Dino jumped up to walk over and sit next to her feet expectantly. “Can you be my Maid of Honor, Jen?”

  “Of course,” Rutledge replied immediately. “We’re going to take off too, Kay. Thanks for a great day, Ansa.”

  “Yes, it was most extraordinary,” Ansa agreed happily.

  “What is this
we are going to take off, Agent Rutledge?” Rasheed asked sternly. “Do you have a rodent in your pocket?”

  “Kaaaaaayyyyyyyy…” Rutledge said through clenched teeth as the others laughed at Rasheed’s continued needling of Rutledge’s change in relationship with Barrington.

  * * *

  “Did you only mention marrying me quickly because of going back to Iraq early?” Reskova lay in McDaniels’ arms on her bed with Dino lying contentedly near the footboard.

  “I think I resent that,” McDaniels answered with mock indignation. “Are you saying I wouldn’t have gone through with it otherwise? You had already said yes.”

  “Don’t turn this back on me, Cold.” Reskova ran her hand over the newly scarring skin of McDaniels’ chest. “Just answer the question.”

  “I love you, and I want to marry you. Does that answer your question?”

  “No, but I guess it’ll do.”

  “What did your Mom say when you told her on the phone?”

  Reskova chuckled. “Not much. Her and Dad were pretty surprised. I think they had me figured out to be a career-oriented old maid married to the job. They weren’t wrong either - that is, until I met you. Now look at me. I have a fiancée and a dog. To top it all off I look forward to holding babies in my arms.”

  “I like your thinking.” McDaniels pulled Reskova into a tight embrace. “We’ll have to see about starting a family when I get back. I’m like you. I never gave marriage and family much thought.”

  “I’d like to have something more than the job to look back on. Seeing Kay, Ansa, and Suraya with the little Cold didn’t have anything to do with it, did it?”

  “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t,” McDaniels answered. “They had no effect on you though, huh?”

  “Seeing you hold the baby hit me harder. You just like the red hair.”

  “I don’t deny it. Making love to you is like a fantasy come true. You remember the craze on Broadway called Riverdance with the Irish dancers?”

  “I saw it on PBS, why?”

  “Do you remember the lead woman dancer - you know, the redhead?”

  Reskova sat up in McDaniels’ lap, moving temptingly against him. “So, you wanted to bed the dancer and settled for me instead, huh?”

  “Not exactly.” McDaniels gripped Reskova’s hips firmly. “The first time I saw you with your hair tied back I thought you looked just like her, only your lips and hips are fuller.”

  Reskova tried to pull away, pretending outrage at an assumed insult, but could only manage a slight squirm. “Let me go you pig. What do you mean fuller?”

  “I meant it in a good way.” McDaniels leaned in to kiss Reskova.

  Dino sighed and jumped down as the bed began to rock.

  Chapter 31

  Tamara

  “Colonel.” Barrington looked up from the computer screen on his desk in Reskova’s former office as McDaniels walked in and shook hands with him. “I haven’t seen you since the funeral. Diane told me yesterday you’d be by today. She thought you might have an idea concerning Tamara.”

  “I think little Nancy knows more than what she’s said. I believe we have to think creatively on this one.”

  “Why not ask Diane, Colonel?” Barrington gestured for McDaniels to sit down, confusion evident on his face.

  “I go through the chain of command, Tom. The only thing Diane knows is I would be speaking to you.”

  “Okay, I don’t get it. What…”

  “Did you see her with Tamara?” McDaniels interrupted.

  “Sorry Colonel, go ahead.”

  “I think we should put Tamara into witness protection in house. Kasyanov may have been the only one who knew her in the group we busted but I’m betting she knows someone above Kasyanov. We already know the Dillon woman was the one who recruited her. It took Diane two days to get Dillon to acknowledge Tamara’s name. It only happened at all because Reskova told her Kasyanov gave up Tamara.”

  “I was there. Between Diane and the dog I figured we had gotten everything out of her after the first day. Diane sensed there was more. When she tricked Dillon into admitting she knew about Tamara you should have seen Diane’s face. Dino smelled her displeasure and went right for Dillon.”

  “So that’s when Diane found out about who recruited Tamara.”

  “Diane let Dino’s leash go. Dino ripped Dillon right off the chair. Then Diane goes ‘oops’ but she still didn’t pick up Dino’s leash. That damn dog knew just how far he could go too. Why not use Dillon, Colonel? She’s like Reskova’s bitch now.”

  “Dillon is done, Tom. We’d never convince her even with Dino to act out something to get at the higher ups. Besides, she was on site personally directing those assholes in the warehouse. We can offer Tamara a break. We may hit the jackpot.”

  “I don’t know, Colonel. Diane didn’t pull any punches interrogating Tamara and the woman never budged. She yelled a lot but I think she figures even with the evidence we have on her she may still walk.”

  “Well then it’s up to us to convince her otherwise,” McDaniels replied. “I think Kay and I will take Tamara on a road trip tonight. I’m going to need your help getting her out of lockup. I can’t say it won’t be risky for you. I hope to bring Tamara back with a real helpful attitude.”

  Barrington stood up. He clasped his hands behind his back as he walked around the desk. “Tamara might see through your bluff and… wait a minute… I…”

  “Easy, Tom, don’t project any further than you authorizing Tamara’s presence here and turning her over to Kay and I. Anything after that will be between me and Kay.”

  Barrington walked back over to his chair and sat down heavily. He put his hands palm down in front of him on the desk. Staring at his desk pad, Barrington sat still for a few moments in silence. Finally, he met McDaniels’ inquiring gaze uneasily.

  “You probably think I’m a pussy for even hesitating, don’t you, Colonel?”

  McDaniels leaned forward. “No, Tom, I don’t. We all have parts to play in this war. If you want nothing to do with this, say so. I’ll find another way. I came in here to get your help, not bypass you.”

  “I appreciate that. Can I think it over?”

  “Yep.” McDaniels shook Barrington’s hand again as he made ready to leave. “I’m going to be outside with the crew for the rest of the day going over the data they’ve gathered. How tight has security been on what happened over at the warehouse and the follow-up Pete and Kay did with me?”

  “A hell of a lot better than when Dillon and Tamara were at their desks. The only team knowing all the pieces in the puzzle are right outside my door. Only Aginson and Reskova know everything about this operation. We haven’t even acknowledged Dillon’s situation to her Mother. No one has asked about Tamara yet.”

  “Good,” McDaniels said, opening the office door.

  “Hey, Colonel, don’t give Kay any more ideas other than work related suggestions, if you know what I mean.”

  McDaniels glanced at Barrington in surprise, laughing as he spoke. “You think Kay needs me to come up with his material. Now that’s funny, Tom. I’ll be outside, awaiting your wisdom.”

  * * *

  McDaniels, Rasheed, Rutledge, and Donaldson sat in the break room drinking coffee when Barrington entered with Tamara, dressed in an orange jumpsuit. The prisoner’s hands were handcuffed behind her back. Tamara’s hair was tied in a pony tail tightly at the back of her head. Tamara looked sullenly at the group turning to face her.

  “Here she is, Colonel. She’s outraged at her treatment here. She wants her lawyer. She wants better clothes, better food, better shoes, blah, blah, blah. Take custody of her before I shoot her.”

  McDaniels laughed with the rest of the group. He waved a hand at Rasheed. Rasheed took the handcuff key from Barrington. After undoing the handcuffs holding Tamara, Rasheed handed them to Barrington. As Rasheed began putting a plastic tie around Tamara’s wrists she attempted to yank her hands out of Rasheed’s grip. Rasheed grab
bed her by the back of the neck with his free hand. Tamara was on her knees gasping in pain a split second later.

  “Do not move woman! I do not wish to hurt you but you will be restrained.”

  Tamara stopped resisting immediately. Rasheed pulled Tamara to her feet a moment later. McDaniels waited while Rasheed plastic tied Tamara’s wrists behind her back before walking over opposite Rasheed. He watched the procedure impassively. Tamara stared angrily into McDaniels’ eyes. Her whole body tensed as if spring loaded.

  “I’m an American citizen. I know my rights. You can’t just throw me into a dungeon without a trial.”

  “We have a Russian agent who has named you as his mole inside Director Aginson’s office. We’ve found enough tying you to him to put you away for the rest of your life. We need to discuss a few more items with you. It would be best if we have your full cooperation.”

  “Where’s Reskova and the dog. They got everything there was to get.”

  “I don’t think so. I think you know someone above Kasyanov, even he and Dillon don’t know about. We found deposits in one of your off shore accounts in the six figure range. Dillon never received over fifty grand at any one time. I…”

  “How the hell did you get into my…” Tamara broke in, before smiling arrogantly at McDaniels. “You bunch hacked into my personal records without a warrant. McDaniels, you might as well release me because I’m walking the moment I make a phone call.”

  “You really are an idiot as well as a traitor. The moment we tied you into Kasyanov we received Carte Blanche to find out everything in your life. Back to the subject, work with us to entrap the rest. We’ll cut you a deal.”

  “What kind of deal?”

  “The kind where you get to live.”

  “You’re bluffing,” Tamara said confidently. “I don’t scare, asshole.”

  “We’ll see. Go sign her out, Kay. Put her in the big van.”

  Tamara began resisting in earnest. “I’m not going anywhere! I’ll scream every second through this building.”

  Tamara felt something jab her neck. She turned around in time to see Rasheed smilingly put a cap on the used syringe he held in his hands. Donaldson pushed a wheelchair over Tamara had not noticed. Her lips moved. She struggled to speak but within seconds she collapsed, guided smoothly into the wheelchair by Donaldson and Rasheed. Rasheed cut off his now unnecessary plastic tie. Donaldson put the safety belt built into the chair around Tamara’s waist, fastening her in quickly. Rutledge added a pillow behind her head.