Dual Assassins

by Edward Vogler

  “How’s Jim.”

  “He’s doing fine.”

  “And Mac?”

  “He’s up and about already. He should be released from the hospital tomorrow. We’ll have you out of there before you know it, sit tight.”

  “Thanks, I—” and the phone clicked.

  Less than an hour later, she heard multiple footsteps. Reanna snapped her head up and observed Carl Johnson as he strode down the hallway. He was accompanied by a police captain and another man wearing a black suit.

  The police captain opened the door and said, “You’re free to go, ma’am,” then turned and disappeared down the hall.

  “It sure is nice seeing you, Carl.”

  “I can imagine,” he responded. “Reanna, this is Leo Cretelli, FBI.”

  Reanna stopped in her tracks and with a wavering smile said, “Uh…may I see your creds, sir?”

  “Reanna, I know Leo, he’s okay.”

  “That’s okay,” said Cretelli and he held up his credentials at eye level.

  Reanna reached out and gripped Cretelli’s wrist and drew it toward her. She examined his I.D. and badge then let go of his wrist. “Thank you, Agent Cretelli.” She then turned to Carl, “Sorry, Carl,” as they resumed walking toward the office.

  Reanna focused on Agent Cretelli and asked, “Do you know the FBI Agent Richard Ports?”

  “No,” answered Cretelli, “do you know him?”

  “No, I only met him once. Then do you know an FBI Agent Daniel Duffy?”

  “No, I’ve never heard of him either. Where does he work?”

  “Uh…I don’t know. I just recently heard of his name.” They approached the main doors.

  She still didn’t know which one was the spy...or maybe both. She’d never forget either face.

  “Isn’t there something for me to sign?” asked Reanna.

  Cretelli grinned and looked at Reanna, then Carl, then back at Reanna. “I don’t really know what’s going on here, but we will be processing the paperwork. Also, all references to Reanna Wilson and Yana Dolinsky will be expunged from all records. It will be as if you never walked through these doors.”

  “Great,” said Reanna with a sigh. Carl and Reanna exited the building while the FBI agent stayed behind.

  They got in Carl’s car and pulled out of the parking lot.

  “This feels good,” said Reanna.

  “I can understand that. We’ll head straight for your house. You need to get ready for your trip. You don’t have much time.”

  “Yes, it’s a good thing I’m already packed. All I need to do is take a quick shower and change clothes and I’ll be ready. I can always catch some sleep on the plane.”

  While Carl was driving, he slowly shook his head. “I may be attached to the agency, but I’m no agent. I just run S & S Engineering and the upstairs operation. I don’t know how you and Jim can do all of this stuff.”

  Reanna grinned. Yeah, sometimes she wondered herself.

  As the car pulled up in front of the house Carl said, “You go get yourself ready. I’ll wait for you here in the car.”

  Reanna opened the car door and darted to her front door. She showered and dressed without any wasted movement. She called to mind when her life was simpler. She visualized her wonderful wedding to Jim on Waikiki Beach. But she quickly returned to the moment. She needed clarity and would have better focus if she remained in the present. With suitcase in hand, she exited the house, locked the door and hurried to the car. She opened the rear door and flipped her suitcase onto the rear seat. After closing the door, she climbed into the passenger seat, closed the door and turned toward Carl.

  “Okay, Carl, I’m ready. Sorry I took so long.”

  Carl didn’t respond, but remained sitting upright in the seat. “Come on Carl, let’s go,” and she gently poked him on the upper arm with two fingers. Carl didn’t respond, he just slumped forward hitting his head on the steering wheel and remained in that position. Reanna immediately spun around in her seat, looking for anyone else but the street was empty. Reanna thrust her fingers to his neck and felt his pulse at his carotid and eased him back to an upright position. Again she looked around and the street was still empty. She exited the car and sprinted up the front steps and into the house.

  She dialed the ambulance service. “Come quick, someone’s been hurt. Yes, that’s right.”

  “At Dory and Kossuth…hurry.”

  “Thanks.”

  She then dialed Mac’s number. She quickly informed the person of what just took place.

  “We’ll have the police there for you as soon as possible. Are you ready to travel?”

  “Yes, but hurry, Carl’s hurt.” Then she heard a click and she replaced the handset on the telephone base and ran back out to the car.

  When she got in the car, Carl turned and said, “Uh… what happened?”

  Reanna knelt on the seat and reached for his head as a few drops of blood trickled down and coated his gray hair. “You’ve been shot. You’re one lucky man. The bullet just grazed your head.”

  “Are you sure?” He felt his head, then brought his hand down and noticed blood on his fingers.

  Reanna twisted around in the car and spotted a bullet hole in the back seat. She had seen many of those over the years. “Yep, you’re one lucky man alright.” A siren sounded and increased in volume, she spotted the flashing lights racing down the street. The ambulance stopped next to the car.

  “You’ll be alright, Carl,” said Reanna. “I’ve seen this a dozen times, it’s just a graze.”

  “Maybe so, but all I want to do is run a company. I don’t want this kind of stuff…not me.”

  Reanna grinned and exited the car as the ambulance attendants opened the driver’s door and began to examine Carl.

  As soon as the ambulance left with Carl, a police car pulled up and two police detectives whisked Reanna away to the airport.

  Soon she was fast asleep on a military aircraft headed for Washington, D.C.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Reanna was met at the airport and driven to H.Q. on E Street. When the car pulled up in front of the CIA building, the driver said, “Miss, you may leave your bag here in the car. I’ll wait for you here.”

  “And why is that?” asked Reanna.

  “I’ve been instructed to drive you directly to the airport as soon as you come out.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Reanna exited the car and headed for the large double doors of the facility. After she signed in, she was escorted to a conference room where Bruce Hemphill sat at the end of a long table. He stood up when Reanna walked through the doorway.

  Reanna smiled and said, “Hello admiral.”

  “Reanna, it’s been a long time. Come on in and sit down. We don’t have much time.”

  “Okay,” she said and sat down at the conference table.

  She focused on Hemphill when he spoke. “First of all, please remember to call me Bruce and not admiral.”

  “Sorry, I forgot Bruce. It’s been awhile as you say.”

  “Your mission has changed somewhat. Henderson will be leaving this afternoon and you’ll be on the plane with him. Henderson knows about you but he doesn’t want you with him. However, it took a conversation with his boss before he agreed you could accompany him. The secretary himself had to convince Henderson that you would prove valuable in his ensured safety. You’ll be traveling as his administrative assistant. Don’t let him out of your sight.”

  “Okay, that’s not a problem.”

  “You’ll be traveling out of Andrews Air Force base and when you arrive, go to the operations office. That’s where you’ll meet Henderson. He may be a little grumpy, but he’s expecting you.”

  “Not a problem, sir.”

  “I had a special cape made just for you. A man will give you the cape at the operations center at Andrews. You’ll understand more about that later. It’s imperative you get it and wear it before you board the aircraft.”

  “Okay, I will.”


  “Any questions?”

  “Yes, how’s Jim? Have you heard from him?”

  “He’s doing well…no problem. He’s right on target. You better go now. The plane will be leaving soon. Good luck to you.”

  Reanna thanked Bruce and shook his hand. She exited the building and was driven to Andrews.

  “I’ll make sure your bag gets on the plane, ma’am,” said the driver.

  “Thank you.” She exited the car and walked into the operation center. There were several men talking in the center of the room in the midst of a heavy layer of cigar smoke. They stopped talking as soon as Reanna approached them and they stared at her.

  “Mr. Henderson?” said Reanna as she reached out her hand for a handshake.

  Henderson frowned and grabbed her hand, giving it one big shake, then said, “Are you sure you want to go, Miss Dolinsky?”

  “Yes sir…orders sir.”

  “Listen here, Missy. Don’t bother me or get in my way. South Korea is our ally. There’s not much of a need for you. Just stay out of my way, do you understand?”

  “Yes sir, completely.”

  “Good, see you in Seoul.”

  What a wonderful trip this was going to be! She turned and walked to another man who stood next to an office doorway holding a gray cape.

  “This must be for me,” she said as she approached the gentleman.

  “Yes,” and he draped the cape over her shoulders.

  “Thanks.”

  “When you—”

  “Flight is now boarding,” came the announcement and she rushed off to follow the men onto the plane wearing her cape.

  She was seated three rows behind Henderson who sat with two of his assistants. It wasn’t long before the engines started and after a long taxi, the plane became airborne.

  The speaker system crackled to life, “Welcome aboard, everybody. Our first stop will be in Seattle and then another stop before arriving in Tokyo where we will layover before we fly to Seoul the following morning. This will be a long trip so sit back, relax and enjoy the flight.”

  Two days on an airplane would be the worst part of this entire assignment. Of course she’d see Jim again after those two days as well. She smiled when she thought of Jim and she removed her cape. She began examining it and found a small semi-automatic pistol in a modified holster fastened on the left inside pocket. It was loaded with a full clip. Vertically next to the left front seam was a narrow dagger with only a short handle showing. There was a small inside right pocket which contained a coiled piano wire with a small metal handle on each end. Hemphill knew to think of everything. She curled up in her seat to gain some much-needed sleep.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Jim stood outside the main door of the Bando Hotel. At precisely 6:00 P.M., a car drove up in front. Kim exited the rear of the car and stood next to the open door and with a grin, waved at Jim to join him. Jim approached Kim and shook his hand, then Jim slid into the rear seat. Jim looked at the Asian driver but the driver didn’t acknowledge his presence. The left rear door opened and Kim slid in and closed the door. The car immediately pulled away.

  “So nice you have time to visit this wonderful city,” said Kim.

  “Where are we going?” asked Jim.

  “We will be visiting several gates of the Gyeongbokgung Palace; the first one was originally built with over seven thousand rooms. It was nearly reduced to ashes in the fifteen hundreds. It was once the royal palace. Although slowly being rebuilt, it is still somewhat damaged today.”

  After visiting two of the eight famous gates, they drove to the Geunjeongjeon.

  “This is the Imperial Throne Hall,” said Kim. “It’s where South Korea became a Republic in nineteen forty-eight. After they spent a few hours touring some history in Seoul, they ended up at the Palace Hotel.

  “We have nice dinner here.”

  They walked into the building and into the dining room, then into a small adjacent room that contained one table with two place settings and two chairs. The flickering candlelight reflected the magnificent red and gold tapestries that hung from the walls.

  Jim continued to scan the room and said, “This is a beautiful place. You wouldn’t know it from the outside.”

  “Yes, this is old but beautiful place and it’s where I stay. The rooms are just as nice.”

  They enjoyed their meal while conversing about many subjects although Kim’s focus seemed to be centered on the United States.

  “What kind of work do you do, Mr. Wilson?”

  “I work at S & S Engineering,” replied Jim.

  “Where secret work takes place too, I understand.”

  Jim stopped eating and returned his chopsticks to his plate. He shot a look at Kim as his eyes narrowed.

  “No, no,” said Kim. “I don’t want any secrets. No,” said Kim. “But we could do some business together.”

  When they finished their meal, the table was cleared by waiters wearing short white jackets. A woman entered the room wearing a sheer tight-fitting gold dress decorated with small black embroidered dragons. The dress emphasized every curve of her body and left nothing to the imagination. She carried a bottle in one hand and two stemmed glasses in the other. Jim was mesmerized by her entrance and watched every step she took. She placed a stemmed glass in front of each man and poured white wine from the bottle into their glasses.

  She placed the bottle on the table and walked behind Jim. Placing her hands on his shoulder she leaned over next to his face. Jim inhaled her sweet fragrance as she whispered, “Sunbae, if there is anything else you would like, just let me know. It’s all available.” She then kissed him gently on his cheek and stood up. Jim watched her every movement as she sashayed to the end of the room until she disappeared through the doorway.

  “Pretty lady,” said Jim. When he turned he caught sight of Kim grinning.

  “Jim, we could do business together…yes, you and me. Let’s just get to the point. I know where you work and the activity on your second floor.”

  Jim jerked his head back, and shot Kim a look. “Like what?”

  “You make weapons…I know. There’s not much about your company that I don’t know.”

  “What do you have in mind?” asked Jim as he got a fluttery feeling in his belly. He had to think and think fast. He wasn’t prepared for such a brash statement.

  Kim reached into his pocket and pulled out a short stack of U.S. $100 dollar bills and placed them in the middle of the table.

  Jim stared at the bills and said, “I won’t betray my country, if that’s what you want me to do.”

  Kim took out four more stacks of bills and placed them on the table next to the first one. He then looked up, “I’m not asking you to betray your country. I would never ask you to do that. But here is five thousand in cash. That is a lot of money in nineteen fifty. All I want you to do is open the communications between you and me. That’s all I ask.”

  “What do you mean?” inquired Jim.

  “Well, you know. Once you’re back in the States, I just want to keep our communications open. That’s all…no more.”

  Jim eyed the bills on the table. So he needed to keep in contact with Kim, but this could be treasonous.

  “What is it specifically that you want me to do?”

  “Just keep me informed of your progress....that’s all.” Kim reached out and pushed the five stacks of bills toward Jim. “Remember, I already know what you’re building. It’s not much of a secret anyway.”

  “Okay, I can live with that,” said Jim. He scooped up the bills and put them in his coat side pockets. “What exactly do you want me to do?”

  “Nothing now, I’ll be in contact with you later after you are home.”

  “I can do that,” said Jim with a smile.

  “Now it is time for a relaxing nightcap.” He turned toward the doorway and called out, “Chung Su-Young,” The beautiful woman returned in her golden dress and Jim observed every bounce with each step. Kim spoke in Korean
and Chung Su-Yung smiled. She leaned down and held Jim’s arm, assisting him to his feet.

  Kim remained seated at the table. “Jim, when you are ready to leave, my driver will be waiting outside to drive you. Have a pleasant evening.” He smiled and raised his wineglass in toast to Jim. Yung held onto Jim’s arm and they walked together out of the room. They rode the elevator to the third floor and proceeded to room 302. Yung unlocked and opened the door and they entered the room. Several candles were lit which illuminated the huge round bed with silk linens which took up most of the room with a sheer white canopy hanging from the ceiling and draped over its side. Soft music filled the room while Jim took in the scent of incense.

  “Let me help you with your coat,” Yung said as she helped to remove Jim’s coat, then carried it to the closet and placed the coat on a hanger. She returned to Jim, “You need to make yourself comfortable,” as she pointed to the bathroom. “I’ll pour us some more wine.”

  Jim entered the bathroom and closed the door. What the hell should he do now? He splashed some water on his face, then flushed the toilet. Jim felt trapped and his mind raced through different options.

  He rewashed his face and hands before he opened the bathroom door. He gasped when he entered the large room and saw Yung wearing only an open front chiffon jacket that stopped at her waist.

  Jim felt his heart pounding in his chest, but stood frozen with eyes wide as he admired every inch of Yung’s young flawless body. Jim’s smile went stiff in an effort not to lose it. His feet refused to budge as Yung approached him.

  She clutched his forearms and pulled them around her waist. She reached up to unbutton Jim’s top button on his shirt. He felt her silky smooth body and inhaled her perfume as she smiled and looked into his eyes. “I thought you were going to freshen up for me.”

  “Uh…this is all very nice but…uh …but my stomach is not used to the Korean food and I fear I have started a bout with diarrhea. This is really bad timing. Can we get together some other time?”

  “Oh sorry, yes of course.”

  “Where’s Kim’s room?”