Mark Midway Box Set: Mark One, Mark Two, Mark Three, and Mark Four

by John Hindmarsh

  “Sad, mon, very sad. You know this man?” He indicated the dead body.

  “We met with him this afternoon, for the first time,” said Schmidt.

  “I’m Constable Penn. Inspector will come soon. You guys wait, OK?”

  “Yes, we’ll wait,” said Schmidt.

  The constable wandered off towards the body. He lifted a corner of the sheet covering Pete and looked at the dead man. He dropped the sheet back into place and wiped his hand along his trousers. He came back to Schmidt and MayAnn.

  “Our CID Inspector will be here in maybe thirty minutes. Please do not leave.” He went back to the two ladies in the bar and then, after a brief conversation, returned to sit in his small patrol vehicle.

  ***

  Chapter 6

  “Come and have a nightcap with us,” invited Sam, when they reached their apartment building.

  Mark knew Sam had questions she wanted to ask, questions he did not want to answer. “I have things to do, and no, they can’t wait.” He explained. “I promised Julian Kelly to get some information to him—he’s expecting me back as soon as I can get there.”

  “Sure it’s not Paula who’s calling you back?”

  “No. Seriously, Julian and I discussed—I made a promise—it’s his business and I can’t disclose it.”

  “OK.” Sam sounded dubious. “If you change your mind, we’ll be up for a while.”

  “I know. Thanks again, I enjoyed the gallery visit and I want to see Evan’s new painting when it’s delivered. Now I have to go.” Mark could hear the seconds ticking over. He wanted to fulfill his promise to Julian and then, with luck, he could forget all about the Kelly family and return to his normal schedule.

  Mark sat at his computer and copied video clips and stills that he thought would be of interest to Julian. He was using an external drive; the video files were large, more than his thumb drive could handle. He tried to dismiss thoughts of Paula from his mind as he worked. At last he had a good collection of files and he ejected the external drive from his machine. He was ready to go.

  Julian opened the apartment door and ushered Mark inside. He had used his security system to let Mark enter the building and use the elevator.

  “Good. You made it. I had some concerns, just a small amount, that you might not return. Paula is resting. She still has flashbacks to that attack, and the best cure for her is to rest and relax. I’d like to see what you found, and if needed, I’ll show the images to Paula to see if anything strikes a chord. She may have been watched, even followed, by these people for days before the kidnap attempt.” As he spoke, he led the way to his office where he and Mark had their discussion earlier.

  “I’ll wait until you upload the files. If they’re OK, I’ll leave. I have some work to do, to prepare for my course tomorrow.”

  Julian booted up his computer and connected Mark’s external drive. He examined the list of files. “Good, they seem to be readable. I’m anxious to see what you have. I’ll open up the jpegs, first.” He looked at Mark with that full, piercing focus. “Sit here, while you’re waiting.” He indicated a chair that provided a view of the large monitor plugged into his laptop.

  “Sure.” Mark sat and watched as the files opened up, one after the other.

  Julian froze, his face pale. He turned to Mark. “This is not some kind of prank, is it?” The intensity of his blue eyes was almost overwhelming.

  “No, sir.” Mark was bewildered. “I’ve done a lot of work to find these images.” He tapped the display. “This man was watching your daughter’s kidnap.”

  “I almost don’t believe it,” muttered Julian, his hand on his forehead. “That man—he’s my new security chief.”

  Mark and Julian each turned and looked at each other.

  “Sir—the files are genuine. I included copies of the videos, so that you can check the sources.”

  “I appointed him just weeks ago. He and his men are responsible for guarding my daughter and me. For the security of this house. For my businesses. I depend—I rely on this man and his security force. I don’t often feel under attack, but this changes everything. Damn him to Hell.”

  Mark realized he was not going to be able to just walk out, closing the door on the Kelly family. “Sir—”

  Their conversation was interrupted as Paula entered the study.

  “Daddy. Mark—you came back. Why are you both looking so serious?”

  “Paula, I want you to look at some images. Tell me whether you’ve seen this man.”

  Paula stood next to Mark and looked at the display as her father clicked through the files. “I—I’m not sure.”

  “Mark, please run the videos you mentioned. We’ll both watch”

  “There’s a video montage. I’ll play that. If you let me sit at the computer—”

  Julian and Mark changed places. Mark clicked on the video file and they all watched intently. Mark had assembled nearly twenty minutes of video that showed the observer walking along the streets to the bank and later, returning to his vehicle, a black Cadillac SUV, and then driving off. Paula’s face paled.

  She said, “Yes, I’ve seen him. I’ve seen that vehicle. I thought a couple of times it was following me, and then convinced myself I was imagining things. Who is he—why are you looking at these files?” Her face was ashen. “He’s involved in my kidnap—he’s responsible for Fergo’s death, isn’t he?” She turned to her father as tears started.

  Julian reached out and wrapped his arms around his daughter. “Shhh, my dear. You’re safe here, with us.” He looked over his daughter’s head at Mark. “We’ll need your help.”

  Mark was sunk. He had only himself to blame; he could’ve walked away from the kidnap scene, pretended he hadn’t seen the Glock, ignored the fear on Paula’s face. “Yes, sir.”

  Later that evening, after Mark had explained to Paula and Julian how he had obtained the files, they sat and tried to relax with a glass of wine each. Mark’s mind worked through the various issues facing him, and Julian and Paula Kelly.

  Julian looked thoughtful as he sipped his wine. “I’ve an idea. A friend of mine—well, he’s invested in one or two of my companies and we’re in a joint venture. He has security contacts. I’ll call him. You’ve met him, Paula. Archimedes Schmidt, remember?”

  Mark felt his world crumble. There could be only one Archimedes Schmidt. His face must have reflected his growing concern, even a small edge of fear, because Paula grabbed his hand.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “It’s a very long story.”

  Julian stared. “That’s it. I remember. You’re Midway, Mark Midway. Schmidt mentioned you—you attended our LEO course last year and excelled at it.”

  “Did he mention the rest of it?”

  “Yes,” said Julian.

  “But your name’s Darrow—Mark Darrow.” Paula’s world was not on stable footings and she clasped Mark’s hand more firmly. “What’s happening?”

  Julian and Mark exchanged helpless looks. Mark decided he needed to allay Paula’s concern.

  “After I did the LEO course, I worked with Schmidt, early this year. We had a very difficult set of security issues to deal with. As a result, I was in danger, and had to change my name.”

  Julian nodded his head. He could support Mark’s very incomplete summary.

  “I’ll talk with Schmidt. We’ll need your support, Mark. Paula, for the next few days we both need to be extremely cautious.” He turned back to Mark. “I want you to stay here, with us. I want you to be Paula’s security, until we sort this out. Will you do that, for me? For Paula?”

  “Sir—”

  Paula interrupted his response, a frown on her face. “But Daddy—Mark’s not a bodyguard. How can he help?”

  “I think he’s more than capable, Paula. Remember what he did?”

  “Oh. Oh.” Her voice was tiny. “I’d forgotten.”

  “Paula’s correct, sir. I’m not a bodyguard. We both know that.”

 
“Let’s see what Schmidt has to say. I’ll call him now, he’ll be very interested.”

  ~~~

  Schmidt and MayAnn had returned to Ad Astra in the early evening. The CID inspector had been very thorough in his questioning. He was English, seconded to the BVIs to support the small local CID team. At last he acknowledged their situation.

  “Special Agent Freewell, Colonel Schmidt. Thank you both for your patience. Your documents are all in order.” He pushed their passports across the table towards MayAnn. “Special Agent, you have very high standings in US law enforcement; I’ve been able to validate that at top FBI levels. Colonel Schmidt, your White House credentials are very impressive. I understand your meeting with the deceased was an informal attempt to gather information, clearly neither motive nor reason to kill him. We have two of the bullets fired from a high-powered rifle, and neither of you possessed such a weapon. All our witnesses agree, you had just sat down when the shooting began. I think you were very fortunate that you did not join the deceased.”

  “Thank you, Inspector,” said MayAnn as she handed Schmidt his passport. “I wish you well in your investigation. Something tells me you have a major challenge ahead of you.”

  “You’re correct. The victim may’ve had some important information—he must have, otherwise he’d be still alive. A pity. We’ll probably never know what it was. Now I’ll get one of the constables to run you back to your boat.” He stood and offered his hand to MayAnn. “A pleasure, Special Agent.” He also shook Schmidt’s hand. “Likewise, Colonel Schmidt. Please enjoy the remainder of your stay.”

  Back onboard Ad Astra, after a very late meal at Pusser’s Edge, they sat on deck relaxing, enjoying the soft balmy breeze. MayAnn sighed and turned to Schmidt. “What did the woman from the bar—Torrie—say to you?”

  “Very little. Apparently Pete asked her to keep a thumb drive for him. She handed it to me. We may have whatever Pete wanted to trade.”

  MayAnn shook her head. “I don’t know how you do it.”

  “What?” Schmidt tried to look innocent. The chime of his satellite phone halted conversation. He looked at the caller ID. “Now that’s interesting.” He pressed the accept button.

  “Schmidt.” He listened intently for a moment and then interrupted the caller. “Julian, do you mind if I put you on speaker? I’m with FBI Special Agent MayAnn Freewell. She’ll be very interested in what you’re saying.” He placed the phone on the table and pressed the speaker button.

  “Julian, you’re on speaker. Special Agent MayAnn Freewell, Julian Kelly. MayAnn, Julian’s the man behind RDEz.”

  “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Kelly,” said MayAnn.

  “I have you on speaker here, too. Pleased to meet you, Special Agent. Call me Julian, please. Also with me is my daughter Paula, and a young man, Mark Darrow.”

  “Pleased to meet you both,” said Paula.

  “Hi, MayAnn, Schmidt,” said Mark.

  “I’ll be damned,” said Schmidt, instantly recognizing Mark’s voice.

  “Hi, Mark. How are you?” asked MayAnn, hiding her surprise.

  “Until a few minutes ago, without a worry in the world. Now—I’m not so sure.”

  Julian spoke up. “Schmidt, I decided I needed your advice. You know the details of the attempted kidnapping of my daughter. Mark did some backtracking of security and street camera video files. His discovery has alarmed me. There was an observer at the kidnapping scene—my security chief, Raoul Bergman.”

  There was silence for a long moment as Schmidt and MayAnn absorbed Julian’s comments.

  “If Mark says this Bergman was an observer, and he’s in the videos, that’s credible. It means there is a substantial ongoing risk for you and your daughter and the FBI can take action.”

  “Midway is an excellent young man to have helping you. Depend on him, listen to him. Is there any reason to expect an immediate threat from Bergman?” asked Schmidt.

  “No. Not as far as I know. While we reached the conclusion that we’re at risk, we don’t have knowledge of anything immediate. Of course, I’ll fire Bergman and perhaps replace the security team. In addition, I’m seeking your help; I’m looking for ways to ensure our safety, immediate, short and longer term.”

  MayAnn said, “I can arrange FBI protection, almost immediately, until you have new security arrangements in place. I can also initiate apprehension of this person, as long as we have evidence.”

  “We’re currently in the Caribbean, Julian, otherwise I’d be on the next flight to Boston.”

  “I didn’t think you took time off?”

  “Well, this is not really time off—I’ll explain when we meet. It’ll take a few days for us to complete our affairs here, after which I’ll visit, and help you and Mark.”

  “When we conclude this call, I’ll call my Assistant Director. He’ll contact our Boston office and arrange a protection detail.” MayAnn turned to Schmidt. “Do you have any recommendations for Julian, for a new security team?”

  “Yes, I do. All right, Julian. The action plan is this. MayAnn will speak with her EAD, firstly to arrange protection for you, and secondly to initiate apprehension of Bergman. Mark will need to release his files so the FBI can validate the role of Bergman, at least to support an arrest warrant. I’ll contact a security company. You’ll get a call later from a security company—specialists—I’ll ask Brian Winter to phone you, personally. It’s late but he works all hours. I’ll be in Boston to assist, within a week. Mark, you need to take the lead role while this is being organized, agreed?”

  Both Julian and Mark answered at the same time, confirming they each were in agreement with Schmidt’s plan of action.

  ***

  Chapter 7

  When Schmidt disconnected the call, MayAnn said, “I need to contact Oliver.” Schmidt passed his phone across. It took only moments for Oliver to answer her call.

  “Oliver, it’s MayAnn. I’ll put you on speaker—Schmidt is here, too.”

  “Good evening—or morning—to you both,” said Oliver Stewart, the FBI Executive Assistant Director for National Security. “I thought you were on vacation.”

  “That was the theory, Oliver,” said Schmidt. “A friend of mine—Julian Kelly—called me with a problem.”

  “Julian Kelly? His daughter was almost a kidnap victim, a week back?”

  “Yes, that’s the one. It seems his security chief may have been involved. Kelly has videos showing where the man is near the attempted kidnap scene, observing.”

  “Damn. OK, what do you need?”

  “Protection for Kelly and his daughter. Arrest of the security chief. Kelly can provide your Boston office with copies of the files. They’ve been copied—hacked—from street and security camera files. I’m also arranging for Winter to get involved.”

  “Brian Winter—he’s excellent. Very well, I’ll call Boston. They’ll arrange a protection detail. I’ll authorize it—Kelly and his companies are involved in some critical and high profile defense projects. Give me his address and I’ll call Scott Gilmore—he’s my Special Agent in Charge, in Boston, for National Security. Gilmore can phone Julian tonight and arrange to meet with him in the morning.”

  “There is one thing,” said MayAnn.

  “Yes?”

  “The person who identified the involvement of Kelly’s security chief is a friend of ours. Mark Midway.”

  “You and Schmidt never cease to amaze me. How did—no, I’ll save the questions.”

  “He has a new identity; he’s going by Mark Darrow. I suspect—no proof, no details—he shot the two would-be kidnappers. I expect he’ll deny that and I don’t think we need to pursue it.”

  “I agree,” said Schmidt.

  “Very well. I’ll leave that part out of my call to Gilmore—I’ll tell him Midway’s favorably known to us. Is that OK?”

  “Yes,” said MayAnn. “I still want to recruit Mark.”

  “Good luck with that,” said Schmidt. “Oliver, we need to talk tomorrow, afte
r you’ve organized Boston. We lost our informant here. He’s dead, shot by a sniper. Long story. Now here are the details for contacting Kelly.” He provided Kelly’s cell phone number and his apartment address and then concluded the call.

  He then said to MayAnn, “I need to find out what happened to our fugitive sniper in the speed boat.” He dialed a number.

  When the call was answered, he said. “Schmidt here. I’m putting you on speaker. Special Agent Freewell is with me.”

  “Good evening Schmidt, Special Agent. Don’t you ever sleep?”

  “Only if I’m on my vacation. We’re okay to talk. I need an update—what happened to the sniper? Did the Navy intercept him?”

  “Sure. The Navy sent a chopper and intercepted the boat well south of any jurisdiction. Not sure if our target had enough fuel, but if they had maintained their course, they would have reached Suriname. The idiots fired at the chopper. The Navy recovered two bodies and the boat’s now under two hundred feet or more of water. I think the Navy’s arranging a retrieval. You’ll need to talk with them to get a detailed report.”

  “Thanks for the update. I’ll follow up directly with the Navy. I’ll call you when I’m back in Washington. Thank the overwatch team for me.”

  “Will do. Have a good night.”

  Schmidt ended the call and said to MayAnn, “I don’t know about you, but I think I’ve had enough excitement for the day.”

  “You need to call Julian Kelly,” reminded MayAnn.

  “Oh—it’s been a long day. Or should I say night? I’ll do that now.”

  ~~~

  Mark was restless. Schmidt had called back, confirming his discussion with MayAnn’s boss, and now he was waiting for the FBI Boston office contact to telephone. He had explored every room of Julian’s apartment, and even though it was near the top of a twenty-story building, he felt it was exposed. There were other apartments above, apparently unoccupied, and the roof had small sheds that contained utilities, air conditioning, and other equipment. The apartment appeared to have adequate security features including door and window alarms in addition to the video-monitored entrance, and if it were not for his knowledge of the security chief, he would be more relaxed.