by MacShayne
‘You have to know, I don’t know what this thing is or leads to. You must fully understand that it’s your own choice, I won’t be accountable for your own bad luck.’
‘You know Mitch, it excites you, doesn’t it? Pissing off people.’
‘I just don’t make promises I can’t deliver.’
‘Like saying goodbye or something?’, Ayda said with a grin.
Mitch also grinned. ‘I recommend some warmer clothes.’
Chapter 4:
Brotherly Connection
Parking lot, Sheriff’s Department, Sennen Cove, 19 January 2010
What would you do when you find out you have family that you never knew about previously? Not like a distanced nephew but, an estranged brother or sister? Would you like to find out if that’s true or just a fairytale? And what if it may be in connection with something even bigger than your bloodline? Maybe that estranged brother or sister had answers for your unanswered questions. Mitch wondered who this Robert McEachran might be. Did he need him in order to bring down something bigger. Something that was known as the secret organization from the beginning. Was Robert McEachran a trap or was he real? Mitch needed to know. Because if he was real, he would be in great danger when the wrong people would find out. And even though Mitch had no sense of responsibility for almost anything, he sure as hell disliked the thought that people were killed because of him.
Mitch left Kazakhstan by taking a boat towards Azerbaijan. He arrived in Bakoe at 9 January and stole a vehicle. It was a grey Opel Astra. Mitch changed the license plates with ones he bought earlier in a garage that was located in the suburbs. Soon he left the city and drove towards Cherbourg-Octeville (France) in five days. Each of these five days he drove twelve hours. He passed Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Czech and Germany before he arrived in France. Eventually, he arrived in the neighbour of Sennen Cove two days ago.
Robert McEachran and Deputy Christina Carter were standing on some kind of podia when Mitch walked into the crowd. He made sure that his appearance wasn’t too much giving away. Sheriff Larsen was killed, that was where this meeting was all about. Jeremy Clegane had informed Mitch a day ago about the unsolved murders of a few young females in this area. Jeremy also connected the sheriff to all of the unsolved cases which was enough for Mitch to have a talk with Larsen. Last night he drove the sheriff off the road and made him confess on tape.
Robert McEachran was a good looking man, a little more handsome than Mitch would be on his best days. Robert had short hair instead of the longer locks Mitch had. Robert wore suit pants and a black winter jacket. He had the same eyes as Mitch. Mitch recognized a few similarities in him. The eyes, eyebrows, colour hair and voice.
Mitch wore jeans, cowboy boots and a black leather jacket over a white sweater. He also hid his eyes behind sunglasses. But, Robert eventually laid his eyes on him and kept staring at Mitch for a while. Until he sensed that Christina couldn’t get out of her words. Robert took over and before he was finished, Mitch decided it was time to go. But, while Robert was talking, Mitch put off his glasses and Robert and he had for two seconds eye contact. He knew enough. The possibility that he just saw his brother was serious. And he wanted to give this lad at least a hint of his existence.
Mitch stepped into his British sports car and drove away before Robert could make it past the crowd. In the rear-mirror view, Mitch saw that Robert didn’t see him leaving. Unless, no, he couldn’t have seen him stepping in the MG. The MG was a rental by the way. The Opel Astra was left behind in France. While Mitch was leaving Sennen Cove, another car was parked in a street on his right. Mitch hit the brakes and saw eventually a suspicious person that was looking at a little house. This wasn’t were Robert stayed, but, Robert worked together closely with the female deputy. Was there already a party that found out Mitch was here? Beside the government?
Langley (Virginia), Mr. Home’s office, 7 January 2010
Mr. Home was polishing one of the pictures that were hanging in his office. It was a picture of him and his former superior. The person that was his superior nowadays is the assistant director of central intelligence. Home was selected for this position out of nine candidates. His superior noticed Home’s work ethic and devotion to the "greater good."
Home then texted his wife that he was coming home and would cook for the two of them. He didn’t have many hobbies, but, something in cooking made him feel more relaxed. Like he could pause his thoughts for a moment. The need to fulfil his duty. Everything went blank as soon as he opened the recipe book.
Everyone should have at least one hobby that empties their head from all the stress and problems they deal with daily. A hobby where a human can come to itself and find the drive to march on. Home used to do lots of fishing in his spare time, the sort of time he lost when he got in this position. Now he had to deal with assassinations and secrets that came along with them that even the president of the United States sometimes wasn’t even aware off.
This task force was one big failure in his opinion and it hadn’t even been operative just yet. It shouldn’t be. It cost lots of money from six different countries, money that could be spent much more useful for something else. Home also knew that the co-op this task force was created for, had to fail. If the truth came out then hell would break loose. Home was confident that it would be impossible for the task force to break down the walls of the secret organization. Back in 2005 it may have worked. But, since that time things changed a lot. However, six agency secret agents may not be able to expose even the slightest detail, but, an individual that was driven by something far more dangerous might be able to expose just enough for an even greater evil to tear everything down. This greater evil was a former colleague of Home named Raymond Reddington. The individual that might be the key to their downfall was Mitch Crowne. A simple foot soldier turned rogue that had nothing to lose. Well, then you have to give such a person something to lose.
Home was about to enter his black Audi Q7 when his cell phone began to vibrate in his right pocket. It was a secret number. The kind that is connected via the oldest satellites possible. Not a smart phone indeed. A phone you use to be poorly untraceable. There were two types of people that used this devices. The once that battled the shadows and the ones that operated in the shadows.
‘What do you want? Unless you have something good, I suggest you stop wasting your breath.’
‘The net is slowly closing you in and you know what is funny? You don’t know that there’s even a net.’
‘How are you so sure Mr. Reddington. I’m in this game for as long as you are. I know things.’
‘Of course you do, but, are you prepared for what is to come?’
‘You’ll never find what you want Reddington, you will always have to look over your shoulder.’
‘What if I told you it’s not me that has to look. I promise you Home, a storm is coming your way.’
‘And I’m prepared to chase it with the right tools.’
‘He will never stop until he’s death.’
‘What makes you think it’s me he’s looking for? Maybe he knows why you helped him escape. Just, to safe your ass.’
‘I don’t think you understand the situation very well.’
‘Oh, and I think I do. You see, I made some arrangements. For his wife and brother.’
‘Splendid. Now that I know you’ll even motivate him more, I can enjoy this delicious white wine much more better. Good luck Home. In the end, it’s all about the game we play.’
‘Maybe to you it is a game, for me it’s national security.’
‘Don’t be so naive Home, do you still believe in that fairy tale? When it comes to national security, you’re as crooked as all of us. The question is, can you handle the fact there are no rules. It’s not just the game you see, it’s the light that always seems to win. And since I’m the bad guy and you’re the good guy, you have to ask yourself a little question. Who has more to lose?’
Home didn’t answer the question
. he hung up and stepped into his car. He looked at himself in the rear-mirror and thought about something more attractive. He thought about his beautiful wife. Sure she became older but, so was he. The two of them met at high school and married when they both were twenty. Than his daydream was shortened when he was called again.
‘Mitch Crowne escaped’, A Russian voice told him. It was Cherikov. ‘But, you followed my instructions to capture his woman. That should be the leverage that offers us a chance to put him down ourselves.’
‘I know’, Home answered. ‘And again, I’m sorry one of your cousins had to die when Mr. Crowne decided to safe that bitch. But, it was good intell.’
‘Groyetski is dealt with.’
‘When can you come in. We have to talk.’
‘Do I have to cover myself?’
‘It has to look like a common visit.’
‘In two weeks.’
‘Make it fast. Things are getting serious. A lot is at stake.’
Sheriff’s Department, Sennen Cove, 22 January 2010
Mitch knew he was taking risks to stay this long in this remote area. But, he had to find out if the person that was wandering through the village was hostile or just a stalking creep. Mitch stayed during the day at Trevedra farm and returned to Sennen Cove during the night. It had been a few days since he killed the sheriff who really was the serial killer his brother was trying to expose. However, Mitch knew that his time was running out and that his presence was not a secret any longer. So tonight would be his last night, and for Robert and Christina, it was just good luck that Mitch broke one of his own rules. Staying longer than two days at the same place.
Mitch broke into Robert’s truck and put the proof in his console. When another car showed up at main street, Mitch closed the door and took cover. Before he realised what was going on, shots were fired. Mitch grabbed his knife and walked towards the police station. No one was inside, so he went into the sheriff’s office and found Christina’s weapon. Mitch looked at the map for a moment and made an educated guess where Christina would set up an ambush to overpower the shooter. Mitch ran towards the South West Coast path towards the North.
Eventually he witnessed how two persons were hiding and a third was about to shoot them. Mitch was fast and efficient. He shot two times, both hit target. Mitch did not waste any time and ran back to the police office. In order to give Christina a possible explanation for the shoot out and it’s ending, he put the gun on her desk after whipping it clean. She would get the hint. Mitch then ran towards main street and went off road next to the Old Success Inn. He knew that someone could see him leaving town. And it was crucial to him that he could make it unseen out of here. He stepped in his car after an hour and drove away. He just saved his brother’s life.
Parking lot, Sennen Cove, 23 January 2010
Robert McEachran stood next to his car. After his conversation with Eveline Turner, he may as well lost his ability to think straight for a short time. That he was going to leave first thing in the morning was a fact. But, would he appear in Disneyworld three days later? And would he bring closure to the family of Wendy Chaplin?
Eveline Turner (Manhunt) was sitting next to Gustanso (Perfect Enemy). I haven’t formerly introduced these persons. Eveline Turner is an American. She was selected by Mr. Home for the co-op as the American agent. Eveline Turner also worked as government assassin as replacement for Mitch Crowne. She was the one that brought him one year earlier. She had shoulder length dark brown hair and is 1.77 metres long and she weighed something near 64 kilogram. Gustanso Anderson was the British agent selected for the co-op. He had African roots. He was 1.73 metres long and excelled in mixed martial arts. He had blonde hair. He is former MI6.
‘He looked just like Mitch, didn’t he?’, Gustanso asked in his gentle voice.
‘I still wonder why we need his brother?’
‘Who made him a priority? Wasn’t it your direct superior?’
‘That doesn’t answer the question. How can an attorney possibly make a big difference?’
‘The first thing that popped into my head was leverage. Something tells me we aren’t working to bring down the syndicate, but, to hunt Mitch Crowne once again’, Gustanso thought out loud. ‘We barely missed. The next time he’s ours. My guts tell me he has information that will help us’, he continued.
‘Maybe that’s why we have to get his brother on board. Mitch isn’t the man you get to talk. But, maybe his brother will be the key. What really annoys me is who could have possibly help Mitch escape? I mean, there is no country that supports him, right?’
‘So I’m not the only one that feels to be kept in the dark’, Gustanso replied, ‘There’s this female hacker that worked together with him back in 2005. All I know is her name and what she can do. But, helping Mitch escape.. in Russia... I doubt that.’
‘We need to find her, she might be helpful.’
‘Her name is Shelley.’
Egilsstaðir Airport, (Iceland), 23 January 2010
Jeremy and Mitch arrived in Iceland a few hours later. They had talked about Robert McEachran and about what happened in Sennen Cove. Jeremy also explained that he and Ayda found out that Sandra Barros was now living with a different surname and had a fiancé. The two of them also talked about how Jeremy arranged the plane, which was a long story. He had to hack into the flight registers to find out where on this island a private jet was being unused for the whole week. Long story short, it brought him to this small airport.
Egilsstaðir is a remote village with only 2250 inhabitants. However, it’s still the largest settlement in the Eastern Region. Mitch and Jeremy walked towards a grey BMW M5 which was driven by a female. Of course that was Ayda.
‘She’s on time’, Mitch said impressed.
‘She’s a professional Mitch.’
‘Have you thought about a way to disappear Jeremy?’, Mitch asked friendly.
‘Did you just sound like a friend? normally you have this whole feeling less undertone. I’m proud of you Mitch.’
‘This only means I’m getting a little reckless.’
‘No, you’re getting older. I don’t know what they did with you but it seems like you become human again. Just a little’, Jeremy joked.
‘Don’t push it. I need my rage.’
‘For what?’, Jeremy asked as he got in the co-driver’s seat.
Mitch took place behind Ayda. ‘For survival’, Mitch answered.
Ayda grinned and Jeremy shook his head. Mitch thought about what just happened the last couple of days. He wasn’t used to having friends or family. Did he now have both? Sandra was using his family name nowadays and found happiness herself. That was a good thing. He could have seen it coming. Once you’re related to Mitch, you’ll be in danger. Ayda and Jeremy were talking to each other about going to Asia, they named a few places to go but, Mitch didn’t listen.
‘Could I use one of your phones?’, he asked.
‘Who in the world is expecting a call from you? But, sure, here you go.’
‘Is this one...’, Mitch was interrupted.
‘I’m one of the best hackers in the world Mitch. Of course it’s not traceable.’
Mitch dialled a number, but, the person didn’t answer. That was a good sign. It meant that his brother wasn’t completely different after all. He was cautious as well. Mitch tried again, this time he picked up. However, Robert didn’t say a word.
‘Robert McEachran’, Mitch said.
Robert didn’t respond for a few seconds. ‘Can you be more specific?’, Robert answered.
‘You solved a case and can’t proof it...’
‘Do you think so?’
‘I know so. You did well, that’s why I offered you a little help.’
‘Who says I need help?’
‘The law.’
‘Who are you? Were you at the dunes that night?’
‘Just take a look in your console and enjoy. If it weren’t for you, those girls would’ve stayed un-avenged.’
>
‘Why don’t we meet? And discuss this in person? I want to know who saved my ass out there.’
‘Just know, Robert.. family comes first...’, Mitch said as he threw away the phone.
Jeremy and Ayda we’re laughing a little until Mitch threw away the phone.
‘What the f*ck man. It was encrypted. Which means you didn’t have to throw it away.’
‘I Know.’
‘Do you have any idea how long it will take a normal person to manipulate the satellites? To f*cking install such technology? Jesus!’
‘I do not have such detailed statistics Jeremy’, Mitch said as he sighed. ‘But then again, you’re not the average hacker are you? Besides, I don’t like me being laughed at.’
Chapter 5:
Cherish Your Sins
Ruse (Bulgaria), 11 October 2008
Approximately 74 kilometres south from Bucharest and 200 kilometres from the Bulgarian Black sea coast is the fifth largest city of Bulgaria located. The city’s name is Ruse. Ruse has Bulgarian most significant river port and serves as an important part of the Bulgarian international trade. The population is almost estimated at 150.000 (only the city) of which 90 percent are Bulgarian.
Mitch Crowne was briefly contacted via an encrypted message that one of the few people he was in contact with (Sandra) received shortly after the events in Killing Crowne. It was coming from Eastern Europe. The message included a date and a time and place in this city. Mitch would never go along with what he considered a huge risk. But, this time he made an exception. That is because the contact mentioned the word Blackbriar which Mitch only knew to be a programme he was selected for.
Once he arrived in Ruse he was shortly picked up by a female taxi driver who was aware of the meeting date and the code that was I the message. Mitch got in the taxi and let him drive to the meeting place from the main train station in Ruse. The taxi driver was a good looking woman in her early thirties Mitch estimated. She had long brown hair tied in a knot and wore sunglasses that most definitely hide beautiful brown eyes. Her appearance made him think about Sandra. It was the first time Mitch had contact with Sandra since he left a few weeks ago to help Jeremy Clegane.
