by Mike McNeff
“Roger, boss.”
Robin walked up to the team area conference room where the men were assembled. He looked over the team and smiled. Ernie had opened the bar and the men were relaxing with their favorite adult beverage.
“Listen up, gentlemen. I want to do a final debrief while things were fresh in our mind. I know we debriefed our main missions while we waited for pick up, I just wanted to make sure there weren't any final thoughts.
Rick Santos raised his hand. “I just want to say from the time we formed up to jump out of the plane until the time we got back, I was scared shitless.” Knowing chuckles floated around the team. “I also want to say working with this team is the highlight of my life. We are the best damn team in the world. Tell Grassley to bring it on.”
The team cheered and they rose up and pounded Rick's back. Rocky gave Rick a bear hug. Robin smiled with satisfaction as he looked on. Yes, we are the best damn team in the world.
Colonel General Ivan Picushkin, Commander of the Soviet Union Nuclear Arsenal, took a long drag from his cigarette in the rear seat of his official car parked in a wooded area on the south end of Lake Ladoga near St. Petersburg. Viktor Danshov sat across from the general. Danshov ran the narcotics and fencing business for the Russian Mafia. Bao Ma Teo, an intelligence agent for the Ministry of State Security for the Peoples Republic of China, sat next to the general.
Danshov leaned forward in his seat. “General, Mr. Teo is my contact for the people who wish to purchase your merchandise. I think you will be pleased with his offer.”
General Picushkin turned to Teo. “I am listening.”
“My contacts would like to purchase five devices. They are prepared to pay ten million US Dollars apiece”
Picushkin's cigarette stopped on the way to his lips. “How can I be sure your clients have that kind of money. They are not from any government.”
They do have support from several of our allies.”
“I understand they are Muslim Jihadists.”
“That is correct.”
“Will any of these devices be used in this country?”
“Aside from the Chechnya question, they do not want to make the Soviet Union an enemy. One of the clients, is Saddam Hussein, so you can be sure he certainly doesn't want that to happen.”
The general sat quiet for a moment. “The price will be twenty-five million for each device. I will deliver them in Pakistan as you previously asked as long as Pakistani Intelligence (ISI), is still willing to provide protection.”
“That presents two problems. The first is you want too much for the devices. The second is, one of the devices needs to be delivered to North Korea.”
“Well, then Comrade Teo, I'm sure you can find other sources for your needs.”
The back of the car fell quiet for a few moments until Teo spoke. “I guess there is an occasional time when the concept of supply and demand applies. We will agree to your price, but one of the devices must be delivered to North Korea.”
“No, I will not deliver anything to North Korea. I will make delivery of that device in Vladivostok since that is the closest port to North Korea and it must be before the other devices are delivered in Pakistan.”
Teo slowly nodded his head. “Very well, I will make the arrangements. Your demands make for difficulties, but you are doing a good thing General. I fear your government will soon be a paper tiger and will no longer be part of the movement to destroy America.”
“Thank you. I cannot sit idly by and watch us give up. I am taking a serious risk to do this, so I must do what I can to make it worth my while.”
“Well, then I must leave you. I have much to do.” Teo went to his car and drove away.
“You almost brought tears to my eyes, with your patriotic talk, Ivan,” Danshov said with a sardonic grin.
“Screw you, Viktor. Let that monkey think it is patriotic. I just want my money before everything goes to hell.”
Danshov laughed. “We are of the same mind.”
ELEVEN
FROM HIS ROOM at the Silver Cloud Hotel, Special Agent Chris Fleming watched the late afternoon sun create a golden shimmer on the water. His many years as an FBI agent had conditioned him not to question strange assignments, especially when the assignment originated from high up in the CIA. He had been told to get to Mukilteo, Washington, go to the Silver Cloud Hotel and wait for further instructions. So, he watched Possession Sound and waited.
At exactly five pm his phone rang. “Chris Fleming.”
“Hey you ol’ fart, are you hungry?” That voice sounds familiar.
“I am.”
“Well, get your raggedy ass up to Arnie's just up the hill from you. You're already a drink behind.”
“I'm on my way.” He walked up to Arnie's, his memory searching for that voice. He made his way through the crowd at the entrance, but stopped in mid stride on the way to the hostess. Robin Marlette stood next to the podium, with a grin on his face.
“Rob!” Chris rushed forward and gave his old friend a warm handshake. “Damn, it's good to see you!”
“Good to see you too, Chris. C'mon, there's a bunch of hooligans waiting for us.” Robin led Chris down the stairs to a banquet room and they walked through the door, the Guardians mobbed Chris and subjected him to bear hugs and thumps on his back.
Chris looked around at the twelve friends who dared to cross into Mexico and take on the most dangerous drug cartel to rescue Robin's daughter, Cathy. A tear or two welled up in his eyes. “For a bunch of guys shot to shit a couple of years ago, you all look pretty damn good! Where's Doug?”
“Doug is taking some time off for medical treatment,” Robin said.
“Is he going to be all right?”
“When his treatment is done I suspect he'll be healed in more ways than one.”
“That's good to hear.”
“C'mon, have a seat, order a drink and catch up.”
“What do you know about us?” Robin asked as he and Chris enjoyed Arnie's great seafood an hour later.
“Nothing. After the raid on Rodriquez's compound you guys and Bill Grassley disappeared and all information stopped as if you didn't exist anymore. The last time I saw you all was at Davis-Monthan when they brought you back from Mexico and you all looked like hell. I honestly thought some of you were dead.”
“We weren't too far away from it, especially Jamie and Marv.”
“So what are you guys up to?”
“We're in the import/export business.”
Chris cocked his head sideways.
“We have reps all over the world and we're always looking for good people.”
Chris looked around at the team. “Rob, you're so full of bullshit. All of you guys had the tactical operator look back when you all were SWAT cops, but you guys really have the look now. So, are you going to level with me?”
Robin handed Chris his business card. “Come see me when you retire. I guarantee it will be worth your while. I'll even pay for your travel.”
“I can't believe you're not going to tell me now!”
“I am telling you, Chris. You know more about us than any other person not involved in our company. The rest will come naturally.”
Chris took in a deep breath. “I plan on retiring within the next year. I'll come up the next day. Or better yet, you're all invited to my retirement party. We'll come back here together!”
“We'll be there in spirit.”
Chris laughed and shook his head. “Okay, Rob. Have it your way.”
“That's the way I like it. Now sit back, relax and enjoy yourself. It's damn good to see you.”
The next morning, Chris rose at six-thirty. When he got back to his room last night, there was a message on the phone telling him to report to the Special Agent in Charge at the Seattle FBI office at nine in the morning. He did a three mile run and then prepared for the day. After checking out, he headed to his rental car. As he approached the car, he saw a figure in the front passenger seat. He dropped hi
s bag and put his hand on his gun under his sports coat. Coming up behind the person, Chris looked in and saw a man who was shackled, gagged and blindfolded with a typed message pinned to his chest.
The agent opened the car door and removed the gag and blindfold. He then pulled the paper off the man.
“I demand to be taken to the Russian Consulate immediately!”
“I'm Special Agent Chris Fleming of the FBI. Who are you?”
No reply.
Chris looked at the paper and read the name Anton Ivanov, the man's date of birth and reference to several arrest warrants from the United States, Britain and France for Trafficking of Children for Sex and other related crimes. A photo matched the man in his car.
“Mr. Ivanov, I presume.” Again, the man didn't answer. “Well Mr. Ivanov, we're going to the FBI office in Seattle and get this figured out. In the meantime, you're under arrest for the warrants listed on this sheet of paper, which include Trafficking of Children for Sex. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney prior to and during questioning and if you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you free of charge. Do you understand these rights as I have explained them to you?”
“I want to speak with an attorney.”
“That's fine. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.” Chris closed the door and retrieved his bag. As he walked to the driver's door he grinned broadly. That damn Marlette is always a step ahead of everyone else. Strictly speaking, I don't know how Ivanov got here…strictly speaking…like in court. Chris smiled all the way to Seattle.
TWELVE
ROBIN TURNED INTO HIS DRIVEWAY and parked. The colonial style house overlooked the Strait of Juan de Fuca and in this mid-morning, sparkles of sunlight danced on the water under a deep blue sky dressed with wisps of cloud.
He turned his attention to the beautiful woman standing in the front door. She started toward him as he walked to her and they met in a loving embrace and kiss. Robin could feel Karen wore nothing under her sundress. Passion urged them together and Robin dropped his bag and lifted Karen into his arms. “Are the kids home?”
Karen smiled. “They're in school.”
Robin carried her to their bedroom, laid her on the bed and kissed her deeply. “I've missed you so much. I think about you all of the time.”
“I know. I can feel you. Robin, I love you with all of my heart.”
“I know. I love you with all of mine.”
“I know.”
Robin kissed his wife again and they made love, treasuring each other. When they were spent, Robin rolled them over onto their sides and held his wife close. God I love this woman! He continued the embrace without a word.
Karen gently pushed him back with a happy smile. “Welcome back!”
“I like this kind of homecoming.” They both laughed.
Robin put his hand on her cheek and looked into her beautiful green eyes. His heart felt so full, he thought it might burst. His kissed her gently and pulled her closer to him.
The sun set low in the September sky as they sat on their deck enjoying a glass of wine and filling each other in on events the past two weeks, when they heard a car pull into the driveway.
“Laurie and Eddie are home.”
Robin rose from his chair just as the front door flew open and Eddie came running into the house.
“Dad!”
“Out here, Eddie.”
Eddie ran out onto the deck and wrapped his arms around his father, squeezing tightly.
“Damn, son, you're getting strong!”
“I'm working out because I'm on the JV football team.”
“So mom told me. Good going. What position are you playing?”
“I play end and quarterback.”
“Wow! That's pretty darn good for just starting out.”
Eddie grinned and Laurie came out onto the deck and hugged her father and kissed him on the cheek. “Hi, Dad.”
“Hi honey, how are you?”
“I'm doing good.”
“What does that mean?”
“I like the school and the kids are very friendly…and I love my car.” Laurie smiled brightly. “Thank you for getting it for me.”
“You're welcome. What else?”
“I've started writing more and have joined a writer's group in Seattle. I'm also volunteering at the Veterans Hospital there.”
“Well it sounds like you're not wasting any time. You going to let me read some of what you're writing?”
“Sometime…maybe.”
Robin laughed. “Okay, Laurie, but don't make it too long.”
Eddie spoke up. “There's a guy who's sweet on Laurie.”
Laurie's face turned the color of the wine in Robin's glass. “Eddie, stop!”
“It's okay, Sis, I like him.”
“You going to tell us about him?”
“Oh, Dad!”
“C'mon, you have to tell us something about him.”
“I'll tell you about him!” Eddie offered. “He's a senior, an honor student and a half-back on the football team. He wants to be a fighter pilot and he's helping me get better at football.”
Laurie's eyes slid over to Eddie with a dark glare.
Eddie just grinned back
“Does he have a name?” Robin asked.
“His name is Dan Hansen,” Laurie sighed with exasperation.
“He sounds like a good guy.”
“I think he is.”
Robin put his arm around his daughter's shoulders. “I'm glad you're doing well here, honey.”
Robin walked up to the receptionist at the Island County Sheriff's Office.
“Hi, I'm Robin Marlette and I have a nine o'clock meeting with the Sheriff.”
“Oh, yes, Mr. Marlette. He's expecting you. Come with me.” The receptionist let the Sheriff know his nine o'clock was here and led Robin to the end of a short hall.
The Sheriff was a tall, blond muscular man who looked vaguely familiar, but Robin didn't say anything.
“Come in, Mr. Marlette.”
“Please call me Robin.” He shook the sheriff's hand. “It's nice to finally meet you.”
The sheriff smiled. “Call me Pat. We've met before.”
Robin took a deep breath. “I was afraid of that.”
“I used to be a team leader on the Seattle SWAT team. I attended a conference in Phoenix where you gave a presentation on the tactical aspects of taking down air smugglers and I talked to you afterward. Don't worry, I have a good idea of what's going on. As you know us SWAT guys have occasion to come in contact with some lesser known federal agencies, so it wasn't hard to figure out what's going on when I saw your name in Mel's case report. I haven't mentioned this to anyone and I won't. I'm just glad the rumors of your death are premature.”
“Actually, the rumors came close to being true for several of my team, but we all survived, although some of us not in the same condition as before.”
“Well, I appreciate what you did for us the other day and whatever you're doing now, I just want you to know if there's anything we can do to help out, let us know.”
“I appreciate the offer and if there is anything my team can do, just let me know.”
“I will. You don't have to worry about going to court on the armed robbery. Mel tells me the suspect is going to take a plea.”
“That's a relief. Mel struck me as good detective. Has is priorities straight.”
“He's my best.”
“The young trooper did a good job too, really. I think he figured the bad guy was out for the count and I was his only threat. He'll grow into a fine officer.”
“I guess you haven't heard about Trooper Echoles.”
“No, I haven't.”
“He was arresting a suspect on a felony warrant. The suspect started to resist and they struggled in between their cars. A drunk slammed into Echoles’ patrol car pinning Echoles and the felony suspect. The
suspect was killed and Tim is in critical condition at Harborview.”
“Damn, the same thing happened to some of our guys in Arizona. One of them died. What are Tim's chances?”
“They think he'll survive, but the doctors are saying he'll never walk again, which might kill him in the end.”
“What do you mean?”
“Tim lived to be a trooper. He has a master's degree in economics and a doctorate in business administration, but he loved being a trooper and that's all he wanted to do. Now, that's over.”
“Sheriff, please keep me informed of Trooper Echoles’ condition and if his family needs anything, I want to know about that also.”
“The State Patrol is doing a good job of taking care of them, but if I hear anything, I'll let you know. They have set up a fund for the family with Whidbey Island Bank.”
“Thanks for the information. I've got to get going, it's been great talking to you.”
“Same here, Robin.”
“I'll be seeing you, Pat.”
Robin left the Sheriff's Office and walked over to Whidbey Island Bank where he transferred ten thousand dollars to the Echoles fund as an anonymous donation.
Two hours later, Robin walked into his warehouse office suite. Ann Newman, who now handled all of the business phones and clerical work followed him into his office. Ann was the sister of Fatboy's navigator/pilot, Eric and the wife of a lawyer that the team put in prison for life. Ann divorced her husband and refused money the government offered her as a settlement concerning the seizures of all of her husband's assets because it was “dirty money.” When the team became operational, Robin hired her.
“I'm sure glad you're back here.” She plopped a stack of folders a foot high on his desk. “You need to make some decisions on the shipment and purchase contracts or Worldwide, Inc. will be out of business before you can say Worldwide, Inc. We're backed up with the ones you need to make decisions on. We also need to decide what shipments we are going to pick up in our plane or have shipped by common carrier.”
Robin stared at the stack. “Transfer the phones to the com center and bring the rest of the stuff in. We'll work our way through them until we're finished.”
