Systematic Attrition

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  Nancy jumped on the opening and said with more enthusiasm than necessary and all heard the excitement in her voice say, “I have a good number two here in Washington and being gone for a week or so would be fine if you think my presence is necessary,” as she regained her composure.

  “Ok, it’s settled then. We fly out in the morning and how about you Steve?”

  “I have a few things to take care of here with Mr. X and then I will fly out in a few days time. Now for some reason these old bones need some nourishment.”

  Billy took the opportunity to run to his room for a cigarette or three and said he would meet them at the restaurant in an hour. All went to their rooms for a quick shower except Steve and Nancy who sat talking about the team and other things. Brad left for the bedroom and before taking a shower called his wife. Sujin told him the Master wanted to talk to him and after she heard he was coming home tomorrow, everything else could wait until then. He hung up with sweet words to her and little Brian and took a quick shower. Before he left the room for the restaurant he ran the whole day over looking for details he’d missed and a frown crossed his face when he flashed back on the secretary of state in a conference with the defense secretary. Something bothered him and he would look closer at it when Steve came to the west coast. Other than that he felt all was going well and regrouping was a good idea by Mike.

  Hong Kong

  Chapter 10

  Leaving a blanket of snow and landing into a late January rain on the west coast, Brad was happy to smell the salt air mixed with jet fuel at the North Bend Airport about an hour's drive north of the Round House.

  * * *

  Back in Washington DC a meeting was in place in a secluded estate owned by an older politician long since retired from the senate. With him were four other current and past senators along with the current Secretary of State Janet Cortez, the token Democrat in the cabinet to appease the liberals. The old man was pushing ninety and many believed a hundred was not out of the question. His mind still sharp as a tack some said. The old man who preferred to be called senator, was pacing the floor dressed in a three piece suit with a gold chain watch in the vest pocket. His other vest pocket contained wooden matches for his pipe. If someone didn’t know the difference that it was the twenty first century, looking at him you might think it was the ninetieth century.

  He stopped his pacing and looked out the window at the falling snow. His mind went back to the families beginning over two hundred years. That when during the civil war his family split between the Confederates and the Union became the focal point of becoming rich as funds, mostly gold was being smuggled into the North. The property boarded D.C. and Virginia. When Virginia finally succeeded from the North, the two hundred acres became a gateway to the North for Northern sympathizers from the South. For the family of George C. Williams, the first settler on the property, he became very wealthy from only taking gold and not Confederate or Union money as payment for hiding out on the farm until moving North or just passing through. The Union army camped out on his property and was used to the comings and goings of politicians and the like. It was also a place to spend a nice weekend enjoying the view of the South from the safety of his farm.

  Now as he smiled inwardly as he sent a message to his past family for their wisdom of gold. Now he turned around and lighting his pipe sent a cloud of blue cherry scented smoke drifting to the high ceiling and said, “Gentlemen and lady, it would seem we have been found out. It was inevitable, but a little premature. But on the other hand, we must take it in stride and stay the course, as our friend in the White House says way too much of the time. Well now,” as he sat down in high back 19th century French colonial chair, “apparently we failed to carry out successfully our mission at the monument. No matter they will blame the terrorists for the attempt. Next item is I fear the government is going to shut down our flow of capital to our accounts overseas, but we are safe in Switzerland. A little inconvenient is all. Next, we need to make a payment into an account for our contract person in Europe. For that I think we need a diplomatic courier with a rather heavy brief case.” Looking at the only woman in the room he continued, “Can you arrange it Ms. Secretary?” A nod was seen and he went on by saying, “All right the heat is on, but we cease using any forms of electronic transmission and use our usual messenger service if something comes up.” He looked around the room and all the principals understood what he said. A knock at the door produced a tall black man announcing lunch was served.

  Back on the West Coast, Mike drove the van into the gravel parking space in front of the Round House. Sandy was beating the air with her tail as Rocky flew out the door and they circled each other sniffing for smells familiar and foreign. A light rain was falling, but not much wind as Sujin stood at the top of the steps under the overhang with little Brian wrapped up like a cocoon. Brad strode to the door as she gave him an almost imperceptible bow of greeting. Brad handed her his briefcase and took the little guy from her holding it tight as if someone were going to take it away from him. It was late afternoon and all were a little hungry for lunch. As usual, the Korean women were prepared and hot steamy good smelling noodles sat on the floor table waiting for consumption by hungry eaters.

  After washing up and bags stowed away, it was a full team except Billy that sat down and ate a home cooked meal. The Master sat stoically and drank his beloved Chinese black tea with special herbs added. Nancy was a little taken aback when she saw the old Chinese man in traditional brightly colored clothes occupying a special place at the head of the table. What a strange group she thought as she sucked down the homemade noodles. Fresh perch sat in plates up and down the tables begging to be eaten of brain food. Brad's only thoughts at the moment were on a long beach run and Mike sensed his needs as well as his own. Wendy delighted the team was all back in place sat smug and warm with the company around the table. Since her return she had been running alone and struggling with learning Eastern Religions. She was hoping Brad could enlighten her as her upbringing and education failed to capture her attention years ago. Now she regretted not taking at least an intro course on religions. She looked up at Brad who was holding Brian and eating with the other hand. A feeling she never felt before came over her seeing the family side so clearly in front of her. I love my job she thought, but a relationship with a good guy might not be a bad idea either. Her gaze went to Agent Jones whose handsome face and friendly personality gave her pause to think. He was a good friend and they worked well together, but a relationship with a younger man? She didn’t know about that and returned to her fish and noodles hoping after lunch, when their lunch settled; they would run or walk on the beach.

  Brad's thoughts changed from a run on the beach to tracking the gold in China. He knew he had to wait for the right time as Americans like to get right to business, Asians are in no hurry the stage must be set before delving into sensitive areas. Sujin sensed his thoughts and squeezed his leg saying not to worry my husband all is well under our roof. She hadn’t been told the details of the Washington Monument affair, but she understood it was Brad who foiled the assassination plot by terrorists. She took the baby and went downstairs to feed and tuck him in for a nap. That is where Brad found her and Brian when he came down to change into running gear. He laid on the futon and snuggled up next to his wife who was feeding the little guy. Sounds of satisfaction were coming from the little guy as he sucked dry both of her breasts and then was fed a bottle of formula.

  Brad said, while laying his head on her thigh, “How is your body responding to the training?”

  “Very well and from what I hear, I might not need to make an appearance to prove my ability. Is that true?”

  “This is my idea,” he said gently. “I would like both you and the Master make an appearance at the press conference. If the assassin sees both of you and especially the Master, he might be distracted enough for us to take him alive. What do you think?”

  “I will have to ask him. As you know politics is not part o
f his life or character. However, if he was promised a meeting with the president of the United States, well maybe he could be tempted,” as she laughed at the thought and her laughter woke the little guy up from his full belly with the bottle hanging out of his mouth. A few more slurps and he was out like a light.

  “I think I could persuade the president to meet the Master and maybe even our Chinese ambassador if you think he would go to Washington.”

  “Later I will tell him when the time is right. Right now he is struggling with the idea of telling you some very ancient secrets and only time will tell if he speaks to you about that subject. Now how about you and all of us, including Nancy, which by the way I’m happy to see here, go for a walk on the beach in the rain.”

  “Yes, and let’s see if we could catch a few crabs for dinner. Have you fed crabs to the Master yet?”

  “No, I was waiting for you. That might influence him somewhat to talk to you knowing this was a special treat just for him, if you get my drift,” laughing at her attempt at English humor with a good expression.

  Brad pulled her on top of him and said, “I missed the hell out of you and tonight I want to show you how much I missed you and little Brian, but especially you,” as he gave her a bear hug and a long kiss.

  Down on the beach a light mist of rain was falling and the tide was very low. A rank smell of exposed seaweed and sea creatures filled the air. Brad and Sujin were walking hand in hand with Sandy along side. Nancy bundled up like a tourist at Niagara Falls walked with them. Mike, Wendy and Agent Jones were but fading dots up the beach running together. Brad had the crab pot and when they passed by Fish Rock, he tossed it over the side of the ledge and fastened the rope to his rusted piton driven deep into a crack in the ancient sea stack over four years ago.

  Sujin like a typical mother was talking about her son. Nancy was only listening with one ear and then remembered Brad’s words echo in her head: “Listen when she speaks as a deeper meaning is always behind her words.” Now Nancy was all ears as she told them the Master had been spending some time with the baby looking deep into his eyes and with his long fingers applying small circles of acupuncture pressure points on his little body. Nancy, with no experience or knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine wondered if this was good for a little baby or not. Sujin appeared to accept it without qualms as she continued by telling them the Master after a few days of practice actually smiled at the little guy when the baby seemed to respond to his touch.

  Brad asked her, “Does he, the Master, think he might be a special child?”

  “I have no idea, but he seems to like the little guy,” she said while checking out the exposed muscles and starfish on the rocks with an unusually low tide making them accessible. She pulled off a handful of muscles which are very hard to remove. She dug out of her pack a net sack and stuck them inside to drip while they walked. The Koreans would make a soup that was very healthy with the fresh muscles combined with kimchee making it a quite spicy dish.

  They continued their stroll down the beach with Sandy, Brad gave her the go ahead, to chase sea gulls or run through the surf. The other team members were starting to come in sight as they walked towards the jetty. When they ran up Brad told Mike to pick them up at the jetty when he took his shower and have Julie come to dinner if he hadn’t already told her he was back home. Mike nodded and then the trio ran south to finish the run. Nancy was on the verge of saying something to Brad about joining his team when her thoughts were interrupted by him saying, “Nancy you’ve come a long ways since our first meeting. Your organizational skills are excellent and since the Anacortes net we had on Senior John, we almost got our man. Then when we finally nailed the guy, your leadership skills showed me you have what it takes for our team. After this case is over and the smoke clears, I would like you to consider joining our team.”

  Nancy couldn’t believe her ears. He must be a mind reader she thought as the rain increased and so did the wind as a storm was in the making. She tried to find the words, but Sujin took away the moment by giving her a hug which is quite uncommon for a Korean to do with anyone but their family and then it is not in public view. Brad noticed tears running down her face and changed the subject to dinner and the Master’s first time eating American Dungeness crab. Coming upon the jetty the tide coming in now made the waves crash onto the jetty sending salt spray into the eyes. They quicken the pace and then found refuge from the beginning storm under the rest room area waiting for Mike. They didn’t have to wait long as the van drove under the steep bluff towards the jetty where a rim of the houses had a view equal to anywhere in the world of the Pacific Ocean littered with giant sea stacks and a view of the harbor.

  On the way home Sujin and Nancy went into the supermarket for some groceries. Mike took the opportunity to tell Brad Julie was coming and happy he was home. What he didn’t say was he felt it was only a short stay as he felt the boss was making a plan for them all. And he was right as it turned out.

  Agent Jones had pulled up the crab pot and remembered how Brad had handled the crabs from before when they had dinner in Devils Kitchen. He selected five good sized ones and threw the rest back in letting them grow up. He hurried off Fish Rock as the tide was rapidly making escape off the rock impossible without swimming.

  The wind and rain were upon him but to his back as he hurried up the creek and then up the side trail to the Round House. The old Korean woman took charge of the crabs and the Master was being coy not looking, but wanting to. Sujin was tending to the baby and her sister made the tables ready for cracked crab by putting down newspapers and metal crab crackers at each plate. The Korean woman had taken the legs off and then boiled the bodies in a soup for a most delightful Asian dish. Almost an hour later satiated all sat around the table drinking tea. Julie and Sujin were downstairs with the baby. The Master hadn’t said a word and Brad felt he was about to say something soon. The old man raised his eyes and looked deep into Brad’s eyes finally saying, in Chinese, which later Brad interpreted what the Master said. Brad told all of them it was difficult to put into English. “But in general he told me he would like to meet the president and he gave Brad a name in Hong Kong for contact about the gold trail. I’m going alone and he made me swear to secrecy upon my son’s life I would never reveal where it goes, but where it comes from is for our knowledge. What this means if we can trace the origin of the gold we can nail the sender and hopefully shut down the revolt.” This was great news and Brad left the group to call Steve.

  Trail of Two Cities

  Chapter 11

  Brad debated whether to take his jet or commercial to Hong Kong. In the end he took the new Gulf Stream and Rocky. He didn’t think it would take long for the short meeting he forecast and then back home. However, it didn’t turn out that way and he almost lost his life in the process. All he had was a hotel name and he was to wait until someone contacted him. What Brad didn’t know was a bounty hunter had been watching his plane and after finding out the flight plan he too made his way to Hong Kong. He’d called an associate and had him follow Brad to his hotel after he deplaned and to not lose him in the process on the threat of feeling the pain of death.

  On his flight over he kept having a feeling someone in the White House at a high level was feeding information to the PAE group. First he thought about the top and worked his way down. The VP was a possible suspect. He was actually younger than the president and everyone thought he was being groomed to replace the present president who decided not to run for a second term. From his conversations with Steve, he felt the political system was moving more to the center and this revolt was a result of the left moving to the right supporting big business and applying a burden on the citizens for maintaining world dominance in the global economy. It appeared to him that the USA was losing its status and Asia, particularly China and India was bent on raising the bar to obtain an equal footing with the Western powers. So what would these people gain by a revolt? This was mystifying for Brad as he searched his brain
for an answer. Everyone knew you would need the support of the military to take a government over. Well, there is one man he knew who could help and that was his father a retired Naval General from intelligence who kept his pulse on the nation through his contacts. Brad picked up the phone and called home.

  His mother answered the phone and immediately chastised her son for not calling in regularly. Brad’s mother could care less about politics. Her life was retirement and waiting for the opportunity to spend more time with her grandson. She told him her new dog from him was wonderful and very spoiled. They had a dog trainer come and work with him every day and then she laughed when she told him that his father let Greta sit on the sofa in his office while he played the big shot on the phone with his cronies. Brad laughed in return and felt good about touching base with reality talking to his mother. Then he asked if dad was available and she said he just was back from an early morning golf date and told him to wait a minute while she told him the phone was for him. After a brief pause his father answered and chewed him out for not keeping him in the loop. Brad apologized and told him he would do better in the future. Brad asked, “Dad, I know Steve has kept you informed and now I would like to ask you a question.”

  “Go ahead and I hope I can give you a good answer.”

  “Do you think someone in the current Joint Chiefs could be sympathizing with the far left group known as PAE?” The line went silent and at first Brad thought he lost the connection but then his father cleared his throat signaling a response coming.

  “Brad, Steve and I have discussed that very thing and have come to the conclusion that anything is possible, now wait don’t comment yet. Now son, if you catch my meaning, I think it is time for a visit as soon as you complete your current mission. Greta and I would love to see you and if possible, bring my grandson. I have to go now as I have another call waiting that is of interest to the both of us. Have a safe trip son and see you when you return. That is an order, not a request.”