by Mike Ryan
“Seems you’ve got a problem,” Lawson told him.
“Come with me,” Powell hurriedly said, rushing out of the office.
Lawson quickly followed him as the two of them scurried down the hallway to the elevator. Powell pushed the button and they waited for the doors to open. A few seconds later the doors opened and the two took a step to enter before they were stopped in their tracks at the sight of Whitfield’s dead body still laying there.
“Umm, is that the guy you were talking about?” Lawson sarcastically asked.
“Yeah.”
“Looks like you’ve got a problem.”
“Damn.”
Powell immediately pulled out his phone and called his superiors to let them know what was going on and inform them of Sanders escaping. With Sanders gone, Lawson’s thoughts then turned to Cain.
“What will happen with Matthew Cain? Do you know what’s going on with him?”
“I believe right now he’s a fugitive, is he not?”
“He’s innocent. They set him up.”
“That’s not my call.”
“Well whose call is it?”
“Director Roberts,” Powell informed her. Jim Roberts was the CIA Director. “He’s personally reviewing all cases and records involving Project Specter.”
“Well how long will that take?” Lawson wondered.
“Probably months.”
“That’s not acceptable. His case needs to move to the top of the pile.”
“How do you know there aren’t others like him? Why should he get top priority?” Powell asked.
“Because I’m not familiar with anyone else. I am with him. I also know that he’s a very dangerous man and if the CIA looks for him and treats him as a criminal, dead bodies will begin to pile up,” Lawson told him.
“If he’s really innocent than I’m sympathetic to your case. All I can do is put you in touch with Director Roberts’ secretary so you can make your plea personally.”
“I would appreciate that.”
Powell gave her the CIA Director’s office number. Lawson walked back to her office and dialed the number. She paced back and forth in her office as she waited for someone to pick up. After a few rings the secretary answered.
“Hi. My name’s Michelle Lawson. I’m with Project Specter, which the CIA apparently just shut down. I need to talk to Director Roberts immediately. I’m sorry, I know I’m talking fast here and probably not making sense, and the Director probably doesn’t even know who I am, but I really just need to talk to him. It’s extremely important.”
“Director Roberts is very aware of who you are and Project Specter,” the secretary responded.
“Oh. Really? Is there a way I can talk to him for a few minutes? I know he’s extremely busy but it’s about an agent named Matthew Cain. Ed Sanders set him up and now he’s a fugitive but he’s really completely innocent and I’m just afraid something will happen to him before Director Roberts gets to review his case. I’m sorry, I’m Cain’s handler and I’m just very worried for his safety.”
“I completely understand your concern for your agent’s well being. Director Roberts has been reviewing Project Specter records exclusively for the last week, eighteen hours a day.”
“So can I talk to him. Please?”
“It usually requires more effort than simply calling me for an appointment. Especially for someone who’s not in a high government position.”
“I know. If I could just have five minutes of his time. That’s all I ask,” Lawson pleaded.
The secretary stayed silent for a few seconds. “Hold on a minute.”
She was only on hold for a couple of minutes but it seemed like an eternity. Lawson kept pacing, nervously waiting for an answer to her request. She sat down for a second but got back up once she heard the secretary’s voice return.
“Director Roberts will see you at nine o’clock tomorrow morning in his office here in Washington. Can you make it?”
“I will definitely be there. Thank you so, so much. I really appreciate it,” Lawson replied.
“Good luck in pleading your case.”
“Thank you again.”
Lawson immediately went to her computer and made the travel arrangements to go to Washington. She’d get there later that night and stay in a hotel so she’d make the meeting in plenty of time. The CIA was now fully in control of the Project Specter building and began clearing employees so they could leave or holding them for further questioning. Lawson was cleared rather quickly. As soon as she left she went home to pack for her trip. She then went to the train station and headed down to Washington.
The next morning, Lawson was sitting in the waiting room in Director Roberts office, fidgeting with her fingers as she anxiously waited for her name to be called. She looked at the clock on the wall. Five minutes to nine. She prepared a little speech to make but just hoped she wouldn’t forget it once they started talking. She looked at her notes for a few minutes until she heard her name called. She got up and sighed, then headed into Roberts’ office where she was directed to take a seat. Roberts was looking at some files on his desk and writing on a pad of paper. He stopped what he was doing as soon as Lawson sat down.
“So, Ms. Lawson, what brings you here?” Roberts asked.
“First of all, Director Roberts, thank you for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice. I know you’re extremely busy. I’m here to talk about one of my agents, Matthew Cain. Where to begin? Well…” Lawson started, before Roberts put up his hand to stop her from continuing.
“No need to proceed, Ms. Lawson. I’m familiar with the case of Matthew Cain. I’ve already read his file.”
“Then you know he’s completely innocent and has been framed by Sanders.”
“What is it that you’d like me to do?” Roberts asked.
“Remove the KOS order out on him and clear him of all charges.”
“To be honest, I’m not sure it’s in our best interests to do that.”
“What? Why not?”
“We’ve already discussed Cain’s case internally and there are those who question his status.”
“His status? What does that mean?”
“He could be viewed as a liability,” Roberts stated.
“A liability? That’s crazy, uhh, sir,” Lawson replied, raising her voice. “Matthew Cain is one of the best agents we’ve ever had. How could he ever be viewed as a liability?”
“He has memory issues and seizures. There are some that would consider this a severe liability. He was on a mission in Syria and had a seizure that could’ve gotten him killed or tortured to divulge secrets.”
“But he escaped and has helped this country immensely with the things he’s done.”
“He only escaped because of Eric Raines.”
“What?”
“Raines freed Cain and helped his escape,” Roberts told her.
“Why would he do that?” Lawson asked, astonished.
“Because Eric Raines works for us.”
Lawson sat back and raised her eyebrows, blindsided by Roberts’ revelation. “Eric Raines works for you?”
“I’m sorry for you to find out this way. I know it must be a shock considering your history with him. Yes, Eric Raines works for us. He’s been on a deep cover mission for the last several years. We recruited him to work for us and helped him fake his death in order to infiltrate some targets we’d been trying to destroy.”
Lawson sat there with her mouth open, stunned. She wasn’t sure what to say.
“It’s a lot to take in right now, I know. Especially with your history with him.”
“Uhh, yeah, yeah it is,” Lawson said before she got back on topic. “Besides that, back to the point of why I’m here, Matthew Cain is an excellent agent and it’s to this country’s benefit that he is cleared of these charges against him and reinstated.”
“And of his issues?” Roberts asked.
“Those issues were in part helped by bad medication that Sanders
gave him. They wanted him to have these problems and helped foster them for their benefit. If we save him, we can help alleviate those issues by giving him proper medication and eliminate the risks involved.”
“What if it’s too late? What if he can’t be saved?”
“He can be. It’s not too late,” she begged.
Roberts rubbed his chin and thought about the options he was facing.
“You feel strongly that Cain’s issues can be corrected and fixed and that he can still be an asset and a strong agent?” Roberts asked.
“Yes sir, I do.”
“I do as well. I believe it’s at least worth the risks. I told you that there were some who thought he may be a liability. However, I am not one of those people. I was glad you called and asked for this meeting. As much as I can study a file, it’s not the same as talking to someone such as yourself, who has intimate knowledge of him and his abilities.”
“So you’ll lift the charges?” Lawson hoped.
“Consider them dropped.”
“Wow. That’s great. Thank you so much.”
“Bringing him in might be a bit of a challenge but I’m sure we’ll manage,” Roberts said.
“Well I can just call him and tell him.”
“In his state he’ll think it’s some type of setup.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I just wish I knew where he was,” she replied.
“Oh, we know where he is. He’s in a small hotel in downtown Baltimore. I have agents just waiting for my orders. The trick is to get to him without getting any of my men killed in the process.”
“How bout if we tranq him? Get him in the open and shoot him with some darts and then bring him in.”
Roberts nodded his head in approval. He got on the phone and told the agent in charge of the plan to bring Cain in.
“Roger that, sir. We’ll move in shortly,” the agent replied.
“Keep me informed,” Roberts said.
Cain had been resting but suddenly sat up in bed, then looked out the window. He had a feeling something wasn’t right. Nothing definite. Just a feeling. When your life revolves around a gun and danger on every corner, you learn to trust your instincts, regardless if there’s any facts to support it. He looked out the window for several minutes, hoping to see movement to support his paranoia. He did not though. Everything seemed clear. He went back to the bed but before he got to sit down he was startled when the window shattered. Tear gas was shot in through the window, the smoke starting to fill the room. Cain went to the window but still had a hard time seeing anybody. The smoke was getting into his mouth and eyes, making him cough. He opened the door and stood to the side of it. The car was about thirty yards away. It’d be tough to get there but he figured it was probably the only chance he had. He took a big sigh and took off, running for the car. Cain got about ten yards when he felt a tingling in his shoulder, followed by what felt like sharp needles being stuck in his back. He stopped in his tracks and looked back and saw the dart sticking out of the back of his shoulder. He assumed the other two in his back were the same. He looked up to look at his attackers but still couldn’t see where the shots were coming from. His eyes were growing heavy but started walking toward the car. He was stopped by a dart to the front of his shoulder. He looked at it and put his hand on it to pull it out when he was shot again in the top of his back between the shoulder blades. The gun fell out of Cain’s hand as everything started spinning. He was starting to lose consciousness. He finally saw a few men in black SWAT outfits moving towards him and a few seconds later Cain dropped to the ground. The men put cuffs on him and tied him to a stretcher as they loaded him in a black van.
“Director Roberts?” one of them called.
“Yes?” Roberts answered.
“We have him. Cain’s in custody.”
“Any casualties?”
“No. Went without a hitch. We’re loading him in the van now and will begin the transport.”
“Great work.”
Roberts hung up and smiled at Lawson. “They have him.”
“Is he hurt?” Lawson eagerly asked.
“No. They’re bringing him in now.”
“What are you gonna do with him now?”
“He’ll be taken back to New York to the Specter building. Agent Conlin will be taking charge of the facility and will talk to Cain upon his awakening.”
“Conlin? What’s his story? Cain doesn’t take to new people all that well. He has trust issues.”
“As well he should. I have no worries though. Agent Conlin is a very highly thought of agent. He’s young, but is intelligent, has experience, and trusts his people. You’ll like him. Everyone who remains there will need a new voice, a different voice, one that can be trusted. He’s that guy,” Roberts told her. “I fully expect he will be embraced.”
“I will trust your judgment.”
Chapter 10
Cain was brought back to New York and put in a detention cell on the twelfth floor. He stayed there for a few hours until he woke up. It took him a little longer than most to wake up since they used so many darts on him. Typically, only one or two were needed to get the job done but they used six on Cain. Six hours after being brought back, Cain woke up. He sat up in the bed and looked at the bright white walls. It was an entirely white room. White walls, a white bed, and a white door. That was it. There was a window, tinted, unable to see through it, which Cain assumed was for observation purposes. Cain sat there and wondered how it could’ve ended like this. He envisioned the end coming in a flurry of bullets, him getting killed in a huge gun battle in which he took at least ten men down with him. Instead, he wound up locked up in a white room for crazy people with who knows what about to happen. Agent Conlin, now appointed Director, had been alerted to Cain’s condition and came down to watch Cain through the glass for a few minutes. After five minutes, Conlin decided to go in and talk to him since Cain seemed calm and not violent as some prisoners would be. Cain stood up as the door opened, wondering who he was going to see. He backed up a couple steps like he was getting ready to fight. Conlin stepped in the room with a couple of metal folding chairs and a couple of armed guards behind him.
“You men won’t be needed. You can wait outside,” Conlin told them. He then set the chairs up in the middle of the room. “Join me?” he asked Cain.
Cain was a little unsure what was going on. It seemed strange that some guy would come into his cell with no guards and wanting to sit down with him.
“Please,” Conlin said, offering Cain a seat. “I understand your hesitation but I assure you all I want to do is talk.”
“Who are you?” Cain asked, moving closer to the chair.
“Greg Conlin. I’m the new director of this facility,” Conlin stated, holding his hand out to shake.
“Just what facility are we in?”
“The Specter building,” Conlin told him, sitting down.
“What? Where’s Sanders?”
“Gone. That ship has sailed.”
“You expect me to believe that?” Cain asked in disbelief, also taking a chair.
“I know it’s not easy to accept but it’s true. He’s been relieved of his duties and is currently a fugitive of justice.”
“Him and this agency have been hunting me down as little as three days ago and you think I’m gonna buy that?”
“Well, here’s how it shook down. The CIA had been keeping an eye on him for some time, gathering evidence against him for several transgressions. Apparently the plane he blew up looking for your girlfriend was the final straw. They decided he could no longer remain in power, capable of killing innocent civilians and would bring charges against him with the evidence they had. Some of which was contained in the documents you had a hand in faxing over I suspect,” Conlin explained.
“So you’re telling me he’s on the run?”
“Him and his deputy directors. We invaded the building and thought we had him but he managed to escape. Cunning man apparently.”
&nbs
p; “Seems to have happened rather suddenly.”
“These types of things usually do go down rather quickly, without warning.”
“So if this is true then what am I doing here?” Cain wondered.
“We needed a way to bring you in safely without you killing anybody, or yourself for that matter.”
“So what are you gonna do with me?”
“Well, that in large part depends on you,” Conlin responded.
“In what way?”
“As I said, I’m taking over this building. This will still be a black ops facility but with additional oversight. Before, Sanders only reported to the President and Vice President. This was initially something they created off the grid. It is now being listed under the direction of the CIA under Director Roberts. There will still be limited knowledge of this building but I need good agents and men I can trust. If the aura of internal shadiness, for lack of a better word, continues then they will shut this operation down. You can help keep it going and successful.”
“How?”
“All charges against you have been dropped. I’d like you to come back and work for us. For me.”
“How do I know I can believe all this?” Cain asked. “How do I know I’m not being baited to step outside and be shot or something?”
“How would you like me to prove it to you?”
“I don’t know.”
“I have a way,” Conlin said, getting up and going to the window, motioning to someone on the other side. “I believe I have someone you can trust.”
The door opened and Shelly Lawson walked in. She immediately went over to Cain and gave him a hug.
“Not professional I know but I’m just glad you’re OK,” she told him.
