With even pressure, he squeezed the trigger three times with control and saw the sparks coming off the rim of the tire. His last shot scored, and he was rewarded with the front end of the car dropping as the tire went flat. Sparks showered from the escaping vehicle, and John put his head down and took off running for them again.
“Arrêt!”
John heard someone shouting behind him. More voices joined as police officers swarmed him.
He had been so laser-focused on the car, that he didn’t register the French police around him, pointing their weapons. He stopped abruptly, the pistol held low at his side and watched the sedan screech away on the flat tire.
“They’re getting away!” John said, pointing to the car with his empty hand. That movement set the police on edge, and they were moments away from opening fire on John. He had no choice, but to let the serpents escape with the doctor. John dropped the pistol to the ground, and raised his hands, lacing his fingers behind his head.
He narrowed his eyes, and his breaths came out in deep aggressive huffs as one of the police officers grabbed his wrist.
CHAPTER
18
“Three civilians were killed in the attack. Seven more wounded,” the officer in charge relayed to Gavreau. “Including two security personnel and the American you asked about. John Stone.”
The RAID commander and his team spent the last half hour securing the convention center. He thanked the officer and finished writing in his notebook, tucking it back into a pouch on his vest.
The American was in the custody of the French Police now. They had treated his injuries and made it a point to let Gavreau know he saved the life of a security guard injured in the firefight. Lionel wanted to have him transferred to RAID HQ and held there.
He was at his wit's end of watching this man operate with impunity on French soil. For all Gavreau knew, this shootout was a result of Stone’s actions. When he was arrested, Stone was holding the pistol of the critically injured officer.
“Would you like to question him?” the Police Nationale officer asked.
“I’d like to throw him in a cell and lose the key,” Gavreau said. He finally let out a sigh, ran a hand through his hair, and said, “Take me to him.”
The officer led Gavreau to a police car parked at the perimeter of the scene. The American sat in the back, looking calmly straight ahead with his hands still cuffed behind his back. Gavreau wondered how they even got him into the back seat, as he seemed almost too large to squeeze through the door. The officer opened the back door and stepped away to handle other business.
Gavreau leaned on the door and stared at Stone for a long time before he finally spoke.
“I do not know what to do with you, Stone,” was all he could think to say.
“Dr. Steven Takada is working with the Four Serpents,” John said, as if they were in a briefing room, exchanging intelligence, and not locked up in a squad car.
“Enough. I told you we don’t want your involvement. Look at what happened now? You are on the news, you know?” Gavreau said in his passable English.
John saw the news trucks filming him in the car, and he heard someone had captured his exploits firing at the fleeing car on a cell phone camera. He nodded to Gavreau and tried to continue.
“We have to find them, I know someone that can help―”
“We do not need your help,” Gavreau cut him off.
He wanted to say more to the American, but he just pressed his lips together and closed the door, resisting the urge to slam it shut. John looked through the window at Gavreau with an intensity that some might have mistaken for anger. He saw determination, however, and he knew this would not be the last he saw of the American. Gavreau was at the end of his rope and walked away to cool off.
“I heard he saved that security officer,” Deschanel said, walking beside Gavreau now.
Gavreau shook his head, no longer wanting to hear about the heroic actions of the meddling visitor.
“I don’t know what to do with him,” the RAID commander said.
“Look how far he got on his own. Maybe we could help him a bit, or just aim him at the bad guys and let him loose,” Deschanel said.
Gavreau shot him a glare. Deschanel faltered for a step and put up his hands in surrender.
“Just a suggestion, sir,” he said.
“When you’re done giving me unhelpful advice, I want you to get in touch with central command. Have them grant us access to the CCTV footage for a ten block radius. We also need satellite surveillance to find where the Four Serpents are taking Dr. Takada,” Gavreau said.
“You think he’s involved? Like, working with the enemy?” Deschanel asked.
“I don’t know, but no matter whose side he’s on, Takada is in the custody of the enemy now.”
“Have you made a decision about him yet?” Deschanel asked, tilting his head over to John in the back of the police car.
Gavreau stopped and looked back at John. Then he shook his head and said, “Have him remanded into our custody. John Stone has the information we need to continue this investigation. I want to know everything he knows.”
Deschanel nodded an affirmative and turned back.
CHAPTER
19
Bièvres, Essonne
Gavreau parked his car in his assigned spot at the RAID headquarters. Another vehicle parked nearby. Deschanel stepped out and opened the back door. John Stone’s immense form emerged.
He was still in handcuffs, but Gavreau thought remaining in the restraints was optional for a man like Stone. The two men escorted John into the front entrance of the building.
“We are going to take you to interrogation, and you will assist us in our hunt for the Four Serpents,” Gavreau said, his statement more of an order given to the American.
The ride in the elevator was tense, as the two RAID men were prepared for Stone to suddenly decide he no longer wanted to be in custody. The beep of the lift was a relief, and Deschanel did not entirely hide that in his face.
The trio stepped out of the elevator into a minor commotion in the common area. Gavreau saw a man he didn’t recognize talking to the other RAID members around the desk. The man turned to face them when he heard their footsteps approaching. John straightened up a little, and Gavreau saw a small amused smile hiding under his mustache.
“Good afternoon gentlemen. Lieutenant Curtis Clarke,” the man said, extending a hand to shake with Gavreau and Deschanel.
“What can we do for you, Lieutenant Clarke?” Gavreau asked, apprehensive about the answer.
“Sir, this man came here to―” one of the others in the room started, before Gavreau waved him off with a hand.
Clarke looked at the man that spoke, then back to Gavreau. The friendly but professional look never left his face.
“I’m here on behalf of the United States government. I have official orders to have John Stone remanded into my custody. I will escort him out of France and back home,” Clarke said. “Out of your hair, if you will.”
“What is this about?” Deschanel asked.
“Let’s call it diplomacy. These two terrorist attacks occurring in the same week are a critical use of your resources. Lieutenant Stone,” Clarke said, sure to use John’s previous military rank, “has been a thorn in your side during that time. All he wanted to do was to find the ones responsible for the death of a friend.”
Clarke paused, a somber look on his face. Gavreau suspected Marvin Van Pierce was also a friend of Lieutenant Clarke.
“In the interest of preventing an international incident, and in light of his distinguished service record, I am here to escort John Stone back to the states,” Clarke said.
“On whose authority?” Gavreau asked.
“The U.S. State Department,” Silvestre said, holding some freshly printed pages in his hand.
“I was letting the rest of your team know, as you arrived. I assure you the request is official, and it has the approval of your government,”
Clarke said.
Gavreau snatched the papers from Silvestre and looked them over. He frowned and shook his head slightly.
“This man is directly involved in our search for the terrorists. His actions may have aided in their evading capture,” Gavreau said.
John bristled, but stayed quiet.
“How are we supposed to just let him go? What if he might have information critical to our investigation?” Gavreau asked.
Curtis put on his best reassuring smile. “He doesn’t have to go right away. You can ask him whatever questions you need to ask. I’m sure he will cooperate fully. After that, all I ask is that you allow us to leave here and head straight for the airport,” Clarke said.
“We really have no choice, sir. The documents are official, signed by members of both nations,” Silvestre said.
“Fine, take him to interrogation, and debrief him. I want to know everything he knows about the Four Serpents. Everything,” Gavreau said.
Curtis nodded and followed one of the RAID men with a hand on John’s back guiding him along.
Gavreau waited until they were out of earshot before talking any further.
“Did you get anything more from Brassard?” he asked.
“I’m afraid not,” Silvestre said, shaking his head. “He clammed right up. He won’t be a reliable source of information anymore. We moved him to a holding cell now.”
Gavreau nodded and looked off into space, thinking.
“What are we going to do with him?” Silvestre asked.
“I don’t know,” Gavreau answered honestly. This man was part of their family, but his betrayal cut to the bone. Could they live with the decision to lock him up and throw away the key?
* * *
In the harsh lights of the interrogation room, John sat at a table, no longer wearing the handcuffs.
“Thank you very much for answering our questions, Lieutenant Stone. Your information will be of great help to our investigation,” Cartier said.
They all stood to leave, and John allowed the interrogator to exit first, before whispering to Clarke.
“I have no intention of leaving, Curtis,” he whispered.
“Believe me, Stone, I know,” Curtis replied under his breath.
Months ago, when John was accused of committing acts of domestic terrorism on U.S. Soil, a charge that was eventually proven false, Curtis Clarke had been tasked to bring Stone to justice.
Clarke had butted heads with the man then and knew full well how Stone would be, when determined to achieve his objective. They walked back to Gavreau’s office. Clarke knocked on the door and stuck his head in through the opening.
“Everything is all wrapped up here. Thank you for your cooperation in this sensitive matter,” Clarke said.
“One of my men will accompany you to the airport,” Gavreau said abruptly.
“No need, sir. We can find our own way. You’ve got your hands full,” Clarke said.
Gavreau gave him a suspicious look.
“You need a ride there. One of my men will take you,” he repeated.
Clarke shook his head slightly, then shrugged. “Okay, thanks for the offer,” he said.
Gavreau picked up the phone and made a call to one of his men, to escort John and Curtis out of the headquarters. He was very clear about driving them directly to the airport, looking at Curtis and John as he spoke.
CHAPTER
20
Dr. Steven Takada fixed his gaze on the concrete bunker, as they approached in a nondescript sedan. Takada and the driver switched vehicles twice and took detours that led them through tunnels and other areas that restricted the view of any surveillance. They were here to meet with Azhaar bin Hashim, the leader of the Four Serpents, and had to minimize the chances of someone finding the base.
The Serpent’s Lair was an impressively large warehouse area, located on the outskirts of town. The Serpents conducted all of their sensitive research and experiments indoors, in the reinforced, high ceiling hangar bays. Armed guards patrolled the area, waving the car through as they passed.
“What’s in there?” Takada asked.
“You’ll see that soon enough, Doctor,” the driver said.
Kaliq approached the car as they pulled up to the main building, parking near a collection of random cars and trucks. He opened the door and helped Dr. Takada out, taking him to bin Hashim.
Takada retreated a step when the assassin greeted them, uncomfortable around the unpredictable man. Kaliq rarely spoke and showed little emotion when he did.
He led Takada up a set of metal stairs against one of the inside walls of the hangar. It led them to a set of offices high up, with large windows affording a view to anyone in the office to see what was happening in the hangar bay. They entered through the heavy door, which opened up into a large reception area. A hallway led to the entrances to the two adjoining offices.
Inside the reception room, a bearded man was speaking to another man in a language Takada didn’t understand.
“Yes, sir. It will be done,” the man responded in English, then he left the room. The other man turned to face the doctor.
“Dr. Steven Takada. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I am Azhaar bin Hashim, and you are going to help us wake the world.” Bin Hashim spoke English with only the slightest Arabic accent. He extended a hand to the doctor, who shook it with some trepidation.
“What happened at the convention center? Who was that man?” Takada asked. He was visibly shaken.
“Don’t worry about him, dear doctor. He is simply a pebble in my shoe. That man is in the custody of the police so we won’t have to worry, for now,” bin Hashim said.
Takada pressed his lips tighter and nodded, still not convinced. “They know I’m helping you,” he said.
Bin Hashim raised an eyebrow, amused at the comment. “Yes, good doctor. They know you have pledged your loyalty to the Four Serpents and our greater cause. Soon the world will know.” Bin Hashim leaned in and lowered his voice. “All who have not given the Four Serpents their full allegiance will fall before our might, right Doctor?”
Takada swallowed. “Yes. Of course.” He gave a quick nod.
“Excellent! I assure you that there is nothing that stands in the way of our success in this great mission,” bin Hashim said.
He put an arm around Takada’s shoulder, guiding him to one of the adjoining offices. Bin Hashim opened the door and ushered him through, following close behind. Takada looked around at the modest office setup, with a new computer set up at the desk. The boxes and bags of parts were still stacked in a corner.
“This workstation is isolated from everyone. No network or internet connection, and no remote connectivity. You will set your work up here,” bin Hashim said.
Dr. Takada nodded and looked over the computer, approving of the setup.
“My work. I left it at the convention center,” Takada said.
Bin Hashim’s face changed at hearing the news. His features sharpened as he stared through the doctor.
“What did you say?” bin Hashim asked.
“My work. Everything happened so fast with that big guy trying to take me, and your guys shooting at us, I left my work at the table, where I was setting up for the presentation.”
Bin Hashim’s face went deep red, and he was on the edge of losing his temper. Before he could blow up, Dr. Takada tried to calm him.
“It’s not a big deal. I have all of my data saved on a cloud network. I just need to access it to download everything, and I’ll be back on track,” Takada said.
“But you see, it is a big deal,” bin Hashim said through clenched teeth. “All of your research, the research that you are here to complete, is now in the hands of the Police Nationale and RAID,”
“Yes, but I won’t need that once I have my backups downloaded,” Dr. Takada said, oblivious to the fact that his research in French government hands would mean they now know what the Four Serpents could be working on.
He also didn’t
fully grasp that bin Hashim wanted all of the computers in this area to stay offline, for security purposes. Downloading Takada’s data online would expose this base to unnecessary risk. The doctor was ever so naive which could prove to be a significant detriment to the mission.
Bin Hashim considered, for just a second, if he could just kill Takada and try to continue on without him. In the end, he decided he still needed the doctor. Tying off all loose ends later, however, was now a real option.
“Kaliq, please have one of our computers set up with an online connection, and bring Dr. Takada with you, so he can download everything he needs,” bin Hashim said.
The assassin nodded and escorted Dr. Takada away. Azhaar bin Hashim took a moment to calm himself, then walked to the office window. He looked down at the panel trucks parked inside, with the rear doors opened. A forklift rumbled as it backed away, pulling out pallets loaded with what looked like parts to assemble a small plane.
The leader of the Four Serpents assured himself that they were far enough along now, that their enemy’s knowledge of their plan would not stop the mission from succeeding.
* * *
At the Orly International Airport, the silver Peugeot pulled in to the passenger drop-off. John remained quiet, but Curtis Clarke chatted with the driver the entire way. By the time they arrived, the driver’s relief was visible in his face.
The man put the car in park and Curtis said, “Oh are you coming with us, to make sure we find our flight okay?”
The man closed his eyes, and his head dropped for a moment. He just wanted the incessant talking to end.
“No, you go ahead. I am sure you will manage,” the man said.
Head of the Serpent (A John Stone Action Thriller Book 4) Page 9
