| UC Donovan - The Hunt By LMVT |
| Part 3 CIA Headquarters, Langley, Virginia George J. Tenet had been the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency since 1997. He had been a distinguished soldier in the line of duty in Vietnam where he had met William Donovan. They fought side by side in the Mei Kheong Delta and both had miraculously survived. George and William were best friends and chess buddies as they each ranked quite highly in that game that saw them through many difficult times in the jungle. Their only moments of peace were playing on the small chess set William had brought with him as they sat waiting in a muddy foxhole sometimes for days. Both were remarkably adept at soldiering and also intelligence work, which they eventually did towards the end of the war. When it did end William went home to Israel and to his wife he had met and married there years before and to their son Frank. George went back to the states and joined the CIA and very quickly discovered that his friend was the grandson of the famous Major William J. Donovan whose bust stood at the entrance of the Agency. Frank was the Great-Grandson of the Major who was nicknamed “Wild Bill” during his days in World War I and he was to this date the most decorated soldier. He was given the four highest honors. The Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal and the National Security Medal. He was also the founder of the OSS, the Office of Strategic Services during World War II that was the predecessor of the CIA. William Donovan had a career that spanned decades, his last post being Ambassador to Thailand until his death in 1957. That was why George Tenet took an interest in Frank Donovan and that was why he wanted him recruited when he was Director of Operations. Now years later he sat back at his desk on the top floor of CIA headquarters and pondered the career of the thirty-six year old Frank. Frank had worked for them and the FBI along with Israeli intelligence but all that ended when his fifteen- year- old daughter was brutally murdered. A daughter he had not realized he had until five years before when his mother died and she was sent to live with him. Frank in his grief walked out on all his responsibilities until he had come to grips with his life. Now a little over a year later he was on a quest to find Marisca and the Director, very aware of this was going to use it to his and the Agency’s advantage. “Sir, I’ve left another message on Mr. Donovan’s cell phone” reported Director Tenet’s secretary Mary. “I want you to leave another, Mary. This time just say ‘Marisca” and he’ll call” George ordered. “Could you also order me some lunch in. I need to go over these reports before I go to the White House.” “Sir, what orders do you have for the Director of Operations regarding Mr. Henning?” asked Mary. “Have him picked up and arrested for conspiracy. Legal Affairs should have his warrant filed. I wish I could just hang the guy” he said off the cuff. “God! I despise traitors! I also want you to have Human Resources put in the paper work for Donovan. He’ll be coming back to work for us after I talk to him. And start arranging an office. I’m giving him a new position, he’ll be the Director of Counter Intelligence.” “Should I contact his superior and give him notice?” Mary inquired as she jotted notes down. “Not yet, I’ll let Donovan decide how he wants approach that” George replied. Frank and his group were on the plane to Singapore when Frank’s cell phone buzzed indicating a message was there to be retrieved. He took it out of the pocket of his jacket and looked at it. It was another message from the Director of the CIA but this one now caught his interest as it had something to do with Marisca. Director Tenet had been courting him to come back to the CIA so the other calls had meant nothing to him. This was different so he excused himself, left his seat and went to the bathroom to phone the man back. Donovan’s call went directly through a secure line to the Director’s office where his secretary picked up. “Hello Miss Moneypenny” he greeted the woman cheerfully as he always used to. They would joke about him being James Bond and she the every amorous secretary of M in the movies. “Bond, James Bond! Hi, Frank! How are you?” Mary asked as cheerfully back. She was a grandmother so there was nothing ever going to happen between them but she had her dreams. “Busy! You’d better put me through. I’ll talk to you later” Frank answered then he was put on hold listening to a recording of Neil Diamond singing Coming to America a song he could appreciate himself. “Frank” greeted the Director after he picked up. “Finally you call me back!” “Director Tenet. Your last message caught my interest. I assume you know what I’m doing?” Frank inquired. “You always do, Sir.” “Frank, I’m going to cut to the chase. Marisca’s immediate superior has just been arrested for conspiracy. He sold her out to the Chinese Triad and released their funds we were holding back to Singapore. To Zizi Hong. They abducted her from Trump Towers and my best analysts are working on possible locations for her. But I know you and your relationship with her. If anyone is going to find her you will. When you get to Singapore you will have authority to use all the resources available. Police, CIA, whatever else it takes to get my best operative back.” “I have reason to believe she’s dead, Sir. But I do want to get the man that was responsible” Donovan replied. “Why are you doing all of this? If this is someway to get me to come back it isn’t going to work.” “Frank, you’ve been hurt by the murder of your Jennifer. I understand that. But, I had nothing personally to do with it. All I do know is that someone under me in Operations gave the order to kill her and you know that. For the past year you’ve gotten your feet back on the ground but you’ve also been wasting your talent in Chicago. Your Father would say the same thing and I’m sure he has” stated the Director. “I want you to be my new Director of Counter Intelligence effective immediately. You’ll have the authority to find Jennifer’s killer and Marisca’s if she really is dead. I’m giving you cart blanch. And I’m not going to take no for an answer this time. I need you in Langley. You’re a Donovan and that’s where you belong!” “All right, Director. I’ll accept your offer but I want to bring my people over to the Agency. I have two undercover agents, a tech and a psyche profiler who have talent but need training. I want to give them the opportunity to find out what they’re really made of”, Donovan responded. “Done. You’re on the payroll now. Do what you need to do then get back to Langley. I’ll make all the necessary contacts for you in Singapore” the Director exclaimed then hung up. Frank went back to his seat and finished his drink quickly then tried to relax a bit relieved he did not have to break in to the Singapore Police Department to run the fingerprints from the note through their database. He had sworn he would never succumb to seeking revenge again because it had eaten him up. When his daughter Jennifer had been murdered he had done everything he could to find the killer and now he was doing the same thing, having the same feelings as he sought out Marisca’s. The Director had given leads to the killers of both people that he had loved in his life and he was ever more determined to hunt them down. Everything came in to place now and it was not revenge to Frank Donovan, it was justice. Marisca had set her course south and she was determined to survive. There was enough rice to munch on for days and her supply of water had been replenished at a local stream she had found. But the heat was staggering and after one day of non-stop traveling she finally dropped, exhausted and passed out. “I wonder who she is?” asked Dr. Sally Benson the woman from the PBS show that studied Orangutans. “Probably another drug dealer, doctor” said her helper as they looked down at the unconscious body. “Let’s get her back to camp. You take her feet”, he said as they picked Marisca up. They got her safely to their camp, which was thirty mile from the coast at the south of Borneo. Dr. Benson called the hospital in Jakarta as that was the closest for an emergency helicopter to come and evacuate the woman they had found. They had no medical supplies to set her broken leg but they cleaned Marisca up the best they could. Six hours later she was on her way to Jakarta City Hospital still unconscious and very unaware that she had been saved. “Do you get the feeling he’s been around?” asked Alex to Jake after they arrived in Singapore and followed Donovan once again through an airport he obviously knew. “Yeah, I just wonder who he called in the bathroom on the plane” Jake remarked. “What are you talking about?” retorted Alex as they walked a ways back from Donovan, Cody and Monica. “He got a message on his cell then he left for the bathroom right away. He took over five minutes so obviously he called whoever it was back” remarked Jake. “I’m getting a little tire of his silent routine. I need to get some answers.” “I know, Jake. What is he? CIA, Israeli or is he a double agent like Marisca with a cover in our unit. I don’t know anymore” Alex interjected. “We’ve done our best work under him but I’ve got to know more if I’m going to continue working with him.” The Republic of Singapore required no visas so they easily got their luggage and passports checked to gain entrance in to the country under visitor’s restrictions. Frank rented a car this time then headed for a restaurant he had been to once called the Singa Inn Seafood Restaurant on East Coast Parkway. It was just a block away from the Ana Hotel Singapore where he had made reservations. Frank needed to inform his team of the recent developments in his career path before they waltzed in the Police Department and he gave his credentials. Frank was not predisposed to telling the story of his life to anyone except the most trusted of friends. Marisca did not even know about his daughter and his lose nor was he going to tell this group about it. But he did need to inform them of his new position with the CIA and in effect that their work in Singapore was under the Agency’s jurisdiction. “What looks good?” asked Cody then he mimicked Chinese chatter as the whole menu was in Mandarin. “Who did you get your so-called humor from? Your Mom or Dad, Cody?” asked Monica. “My Mom! She’s hilarious!” he replied. “Anyway, Sir. What would you recommend?” “The tempura Octopus is good. That’s what I’ll have with a good bottle of local beer”, he said to the waiter who did speak English. Cody and Jake ordered the same and Alex and Monica ordered a vegetarian meal but all opted for a round of beer to along. Donovan waited until they were on their seconds before he broke the news to them. “I’ve resigned my position with the DOJ effective immediately”, he stated and all of them looked at him shocked. “This is sudden but the Director of the CIA as offered me a new position as Director of Counter Intelligence. I have accepted it and we will now have full resources in Singapore at our disposal.” “Wait a minute”, laughed Jake. “Why is this coming out of the blue?” “It’s not, Jake. I’ve had a history with the Agency and they’ve been courting me to come back for a while. It’s to my advantage to do it now” Donovan answered. “My decision is personal and maybe someday I’ll be able to tell you why. But now the Director has given me authority to offer you positions. I want you to come with me. You all have talent and with additional specialized training you could be invaluable assets to the country in ways you’d never think of.” “Could be invaluable?” quipped Monica ever the psychologist. “Yes, could be Monica. It takes years of work to be the best. You’re all young. But the Agency has the best training facilities and if you can’t make it through that then you’d better quit. I know you all have a hard time with this work. Especially Alex and Jake. It’s not easy but if you have the right training it would be more palatable. I’m giving you the opportunity to stretch your abilities and find out”, Frank related. “So we go through training like recruits?” asked Jake and Frank nodded. “I’m sorry I’ve had enough training, Donovan. If I join I go in as I am now.” “Well, I’m definitely not has cocky as you are, Jake” laughed Alex. “The way I’ve been approaching everything the last six months just isn’t getting me anywhere. I’m a nervous wreck and I’m having a hard time seeing the big picture in all of it. I wanted to join the CIA at the beginning of my career but I wasn’t good enough. So, I guess what I’m saying Mr. Donovan is that I’ll join you in Langley. I’m smart enough to know when I need help and I respect you opinion about my talent.” “Well, you know my answers an affirmative, Sir. I spoke to you about not being challenged so I guess you’re challenging me now. When do we leave for Virginia?” Cody questioned. “After this I’ll go to Langley and you can have a couple weeks back in Chicago to get you affairs straightened up” Frank responded then looked at Monica. “Monica?” “Sure, you can count me in. I’d never thought I’d be working for the CIA so I’m not going to let this opportunity pass by” she said smiling. “I know I’m good enough to be an asset. Maybe even an analyst in the future.” “So Jake’s the only one that won’t be with us”, remarked Monica. “Too bad. I guess I was wrong about you” she directed to Jake. “Wrong about what?” he inquired in a snip as he drank his beer. “I thought you had guts. I always thought you were the most courageous of us”, Monica stated trying to psyche him out. “That you would do what it takes to be the best agent you could be. Obviously, I was wrong in my profile. The profile I did of you when Mr. Donovan took charge.” “Jesus! Your psychobabble always gets to me! Ok, count me in” Jake stated after her cutting comment and the fact he did not want Donovan thinking him less of a man. “So what now?” “We go to the Criminal Investigation department in the city and run the fingerprints”, replied Donovan. “The Chinese Triad took Marisca and they got their money back from her superior at the Agency. He sold her out and now he’s been arrested on conspiracy charges. The man that heads the Triad is Zizi Hong but I don’t believe he gave the order.” “Who’s his second in command?” asked Alex as their food was served. “God! This smells great!” “A year and a half ago it was Su-Lin Hong his first cousin. When Marisca did her bank job here I believe she also assassinated him. At this moment I don’t know who Hong’s right hand man is”, replied Donovan. “It’s got to be someone that would gain the most from her kidnapping and getting the Triad money back” sated Monica. “Someone so full of himself that he’d go over Hong’s authority. If Mr. Hong didn’t give the order then it has to be someone close enough to benefit and yet not risk any of the Hong’s wrath.” “Does he have any kids?” questioned Jake. “Yes, he has several but only one son”, responded Donovan. Jakarta City Hospital was in the center of the city and the largest on the island. Marisca had finally woken up totally amazed when she saw herself surrounded by medical equipment and lying on a hospital bed with an IV in her arm. She looked down at her right leg, which was cast and her gown that was as clean as she was. The clock on the wall said nine and it was dark out then she looked over to her side and she saw her roommate. She was an Indonesian woman who was watching television who finally stopped and looked over to Marisca and smiled. The nurse came in then called the doctor as she had finally come out of her unconscious state. “What day is it?” Marisca asked as the nurse took her vitals. “It’s Wednesday, November twenty-eighth” the nurse replied in broken English. “How are you feeling? Does you head hurt?” “My head is killing me. Where am I?” Marisca inquired. “The last thing I remember I was in the jungle. I think on Borneo.” “Yes, you were on Bornoe”, stated the doctor as he walked in. “Dr. Benson called us after she found you. You’re very lucky to be alive. Anyway, you’re at Jakarta City Hospital. You’ve been here a few hours. Do you know what your name is?” “Marisca Vanius” she answered hesitating for a moment not knowing which name to give. “Dr. Benson found me?” “Sally Benson the noted researcher. She studies the Orangutans on Borneo” the man replied. “I’m Dr. Salamatpo. Do you remember why you were on Borneo? Did you get lost?” “Yes, I was with some other tourists and we were in a helicopter that crashed. That’s how I broke my leg. I set my own leg then headed south”, she remarked. “Do you think my leg will be ok?” “I had to re-set it. And the cuts on your legs are badly infected so you’ll have to remain here for a while. The antibiotics I’m giving you will prevent any staph infections” the man remarked. “Is there anyone we can contact for you? Let them know you’re here?” “I’d like to call someone on their cellular. It’ll be an international call” she replied. “The phone by you. Just dial zero then dial directly”, the doctor answered. “I’ll leave you now but I’ll see you on my rounds in the morning.” “Thanks! Thanks for everything!” Marisca said then looked over at the phone. She was nervous about telephoning Frank, not really knowing what to say or how to explain what had happened. Finally after several minutes Marisca picked up the phone and placed it on her lap to get more comfortable. With the receiver in her hand up and to her ear she dialed his number and prayed that he would answer, as he often did not. It rang and rang and rang and rang more then it stopped. “Donovan” he said curtly having decided to answer since he was no longer undercover. “Frank” she said softly and then there was more silence. Frank was overcome when he heard her voice and the look on his face must have read like a book as his team watched his reaction. “Marsica. Where are you, honey?” he asked gently. “I’m in Jakarta City Hospital. I need you to be here. Where are you?” she asked softly, sounding very weak to him. “I’m in Singapore. I’ll catch the next flight and be there as soon as I can” Frank answered. “Are you all right?” “A little banged up and tired, but I’m ok. Please hurry up and get here”, she pleaded. “Get some rest and I’ll see you soon” Donovan exclaimed then deactivated his cell and got up. “Marisca’s alive and in Jakarta. She’s in the hospital there so I’m going to catch a taxi and get back to the airport.” “Is she all right, Sir?” asked Monica concerned. “She sounded weak but I’ll know more when I get there. For now, I want you to go check in to the hotel. Then get over to the Criminal Investigation Department at the Police Conton Complex. When you get there have the desk Sergeant contact Commissioner Ng Seng Leung. Have him tell Mr. Leung that ‘Wild Bill’ sent you then you’ll have the run of the place. Run the fingerprints and get whatever information you can on Zizi Hong. I’ll be back tomorrow.” “Is that you’re code name?” asked Alex and Frank nodded then left. “Wild Bill?” quipped Cody. “As in Hickock? I didn’t think he had a thing for the west.” “Wild Bill as in Major William Donovan, stupid!” replied Alex. “God! I can’t believe how stupid I am not to have even thought about him being related.” “Am I missing something? What the hell are you talking about?” questioned Jake. “Donovan is related to the most decorated many in US history. Major William Donovan. They called him Wild Bill during World War I. He actually was the guy who started the CIA. Or at least the idea of it and the agency that was before it during World War II” Alex exclaimed. “That would explain a lot about Donovan and why he’s so good at what he does.” “Well, it doesn’t for me!” responded Jake. “If he’s such a Golden Boy why did he beach himself for all those months then take a job with our lousy unit? Sorry, but we’re not in the same caliber as the boys at the Agency.” “Even the CNU” remarked Monica. “He said it was personal and that some day he might be able to tell us. But does that mean he can’t tell us or that it’s too difficult to tell us. Donovan is so careful with his words.” “Well, the guy gets on my nerves but I’m used to him as a boss now. We’ll get to Langley and maybe someone there will fill us in” interjected Cody. “But I’m glad the woman’s ok. Should be interesting to hear that story but then again that’ll be something else he’ll keep to himself.” Frank got back to Changi International Airport and bought a ticket on Singapore Airlines to Jakarta that would arrive by midnight. He made his way to the passenger’s lounge to wait and telephone Director Tenet to make his report about Marisca being in Jakarta. By the time their conversation was over, Mary the secretary had arrange Army transport for her the next day back to the hospital on their base in Germany. Now Frank’s thoughts went to what he would say to her. Would he tell her Ivan had told him of her confession? Would he confess his love for her? Or would she take the lead? But perhaps nothing would be said he feared and their feelings for one another would remain unspoken. All Frank knew was he had hit rock bottom when he had thought Marisca was dead and now that she was alive, so was he. Alex, Monica, Cody and Jake checked in to the hotel quickly, left their bags and got back in to the rental car. Ever the aggressor, Jake got behind the wheel and pointed the car in the direction the desk clerk had given them. The Police complex was no more than half an hour at the center of the city. After an hour or nagging from his passengers Jake conceded that he was lost. “If I had a gun I’d shoot you”, stated Cody as he sat next to him. “That reminds me. We need to get some when we get there” Jake responded. “Ok. I’m admitting I’m lost.” “Gees! Just pull over and I’ll get out and ask someone!” shouted Alex and Jake did. “These streets are a lot less complicated than Chicago’s!” “Ok! I’ve had enough comments! Just find out where we are!” Jake shouted back. Five minutes later they were headed in the right direction and they arrived at the complex just after ten. Alex took the lead and when they walked in to the main reception area she spoke in Mandarin very clearly requesting the desk clerk to phone the Commissioner and tell him about ‘Wild Bill.’ Much to all their surprise the man did and several minutes later the clerk called his superior to come out and assist them. For the next two hours they utilized the department resources as Alex ran the four sets of prints off the note and several off the envelope, Monica got up to speed on the Triad and Mr. Hong, Jake got their arms and Cody studied the Hong compound. Frank got off the small commuter plane at the airport that was right by Jakarta Bay. He caught a taxi to the hospital and by one a.m. he found Marisca’s room and walked in. The lights were off and she was asleep but he could see the damage her abduction had taken. As he approached her, his heart beat faster than it had on the journey there. Now his heart wrenched when he saw her beautiful eyes had been blacken and the bruises on her cheeks, neck and arms. He looked at her hands and all her long nails had been painfully broken off. Frank looked at the cast around her leg that was held up in traction then he carefully raised her blanket and saw her other leg that was bandaged. “I look like shit, don’t I?” she said having woken up and he smiled. “No, you look beautiful. Are you in pain?” he asked gently as he sat on her bed by her side. “They’ve got me pretty pumped up with drugs. I don’t feel a thing” Marisca replied. “I’m glad you’re here. Did Ivan contact you?” “Yes, that’s why I was in Singapore. We found your tracking device in your apartment in Moscow. It was sent with a note from Singapore. I supposed it was the Triad that got you” Donovan remarked. “I’ve been informed that your boss Henning was arrested for conspiracy Marisca. He sold you out to the Chinese but he got caught. I want you to tell me what happened.” “I was in my place in New York when they grabbed me. Then all I remember was waking up briefly feeling drugged then I hit the ground. They obviously tossed me from a helicopter or a small plane. That’s when I broken my leg. I had to set myself. Then I dragged myself until a found a plane wreck and stayed there until my legs stopped bleeding. Fortunately there was food and some beer. Can you get me some water?” she stopped and asked. Frank got up and went over to the other side of the bed where a plastic pitcher of water was and glass. He poured then brought it over to her and helped her drink it down. “Thanks. Anyway, I took off and headed south. If today is Wednesday I figure I was there for almost one week” she stated as he reached out to touch her hair. “Did you know where you were?” Frank questioned. “Not at first but then I figured I was on Borneo. With all those noisy orangutans. God! They’d never shut up!” she laughed slightly and he could see she was missing a tooth. “Then all I remember is the heat was just getting to me and I was getting weaker. I obviously passed out. Then I woke up and I was here. I was found by some woman who does research on the island and she got me evacuated.” “I thought you were dead. I was on my way to Singapore to find your killer. Director Tenet told me what happened with Henning and the Triad. He’s arranged for your transport to an Army hospital in Germany tomorrow. I’ll stay with you until you’re safely on the plane then I’m going back to Singapore. My team’s there and we’ll get the man who did this to you” Frank exclaimed. “As for you, I want you to recoup. When they release you from the hospital you’ll stay at the house I have near Langley. I’ll join you in Germany I’m sure before you’re released then I’ll take you home.” “What about Chicago? Your job there?” she questioned surprised by this news. “As of now I’m your new boss. It’s a long story that I’ll tell you later, but I’m now the Director of Counter Intelligence so I’ll be based in that area. And you will too, with me so I can take care of you. Give you time to decide what you want to do. So I’m beaching you. That’s my first order”, he ordered. “Why Frank? Why do you want to take care of me?” Marisca questioned as she looked in to his beautiful brown eyes. “Because I’m a sucker for leggy blonds” he laughed as he finally leaned forward to kiss her and as he caressed her somewhat swollen lips with his, he spoke his heart. “And because I love you.” “I love you, too” Marisca stated after his brief kiss. “I was so afraid I wouldn’t see you again”, she confessed and Frank could see her eyes tear up. “I know, honey. That’s enough talk for now. I want you to get some sleep”, Frank said gently. “I’ll be right here if you need anything. Now shut your eyes.” Marisca did as he said and quickly fell back in to her drug induced slumber while he watched. Frank waited a while then he got up and left the room to telephone his group in Singapore. “This is Cody” Cody said as he answered his cell. “What fingerprints did you find?” asked Frank not bothering to announce himself. “Ok. Yes, Sir. There were too many on the envelope but only four on the note. Jake’s, yours, Alex’s and Zenzu Hong’s, he’s the son of Zizi” Cody reported. “What are your orders, Sir?” “I want you to find out where he lives and start surveillance immediately. I’ll be back by noon then I want a full report on him”, Donovan ordered. “Call me if anything happens.” “Ok, Sir” said Cody then his cell went dead as Frank had hung up. “Doesn’t this guy ever sleep? I’ve been up for forty-eight hours straight!” Jake was lying on the bed next to him at the hotel listening to Cody’s side of the conversation. They had just gotten back to the hotel at one a.m. and everyone was ready for a goodnight’s sleep. “What does he want us to do?” Jake asked as he sat up. “Start watching the guy’s son. Right now!” quipped the techno-geek. “I’ll go wake up the women folk.” “Na, let them sleep. You and I can go over to their compound. Just write a note and slip it under their door” replied Jake Cody took the portable direction finder and this time got behind the wheel. They stationed themselves at a discrete distance away from the Hong compound that was at the northern part of the city. There was nothing exciting about car surveillance as they sat watching until finally Zenzu Hong drove up at three in his red Ferrari convertible. “He gets two women?” laughed Cody as they watched the son with two beautiful Chinese women sitting on top of one another in the next seat. “A little ménage a trios for the evening?” “That’s what money gets you. It’s obviously not his looks” chuckled Jake. “They’re probably hookers, anyway! Is that voice thing of yours working? Can we hear what’s he’s saying?” “Yeah, it’s working and he just said ‘wang-we-chou-chu something” quipped Cody. “I guess we should have brought Alex! But I’m taping it.” They watching and listened to Zenzu and the women as Cody had his voice pattern registered and picked up from all the others in the compound. He had his headphones on but when the good stuff came through when they were all having a good tumble in bed he let Jake listen. They had a good laugh at the three’s enthusiasm which lasted well past eight in the morning. Then everything got quiet and the girls came out alone after a taxi pulled up and they got in quickly and left. By ten Monica and Alex had taken a taxi themselves to find Jake and Cody and join them with some much needed food. “I really do not think it wise to have her travel” said the Doctor to Frank as the soldiers finally came at ten. “We have medical capability on the plane, Sir” stated one of the soldiers. “She’ll be in good hands.” “Just keep the IV in her and I’ll have the nurse give you an extra bag of antibiotics” the Doctor exclaimed. “Goodbye, Miss Vanius. I hope everything goes well for you.” “Thanks, Doctor Salamatpo. I’ll be fine” Marisca replied as the two soldiers rolled her out with Frank by her side. “Frank, come closer” she said and he brought his head down towards her and she whispered. “Do you think you could put your jacket on me before I get on the plane? My backside is hanging out. And with all those men on board.” “Sure, I don’t want anyone else seeing your lovely butt except for me” he said kissing her gently as he walked along side her. An hour later he was on a commuter back to the Republic of Singapore and finally at the hotel where Jake and Cody were waiting in the bar having an early drink. They were watching all the hookers that were around the bar already and it was only noon. “This is like hooker heaven”, laughed Cody. “I’ve never seen such beautiful women.” “Yeah, well, it’s not illegal here. I always wondered why some men are fascinating with Orientals. I can see why now” Jake replied catching one the girl’s eyes across from him. “If I had the time.” “What? In you condition all you need is ten minutes” chuckled Cody as he saw Donovan now walking in the lobby. “Sir! Over here!” he shouted loudly as the lounge was not far off. Frank could use a drink himself so he headed over to his men, nodded then went directly to the bar to get a beer. He came back after and sat down as he took several sips from the glass. “Where are Monica and Alex?” Frank questioned as he gave all the women a quick once over. “They’re in the car watching Hong’s compound, Sir” replied Cody. “Give me what you’ve got on the son” Frank ordered as he sat back. “Zenzu Hong, age twenty-four, only son of Zizi Hong. He’s been arrested twice for drug possession and the charges were dropped. According to Singapore’s Triad Unit he does little if nothing for his Father. Just a kind of playboy until recently when his Father was on vacation in London. They tracked down large quantities of money being laundered and deposited in to the main bank here in town. The one Marisca hit. Obviously it’s the money from the Agency. This guy’s just stupid, Sir!” remarked Cody. “Yeah, he even signed one of the deposit receipts! And the fingerprints on that note” laughed Jake. “No wonder his Father doesn’t let him do anything! Anyway, the Police here think he’s trying in someway to take control of his Dad’s operation. Like that’s ever going to happen!” “The desire for power is blinding”, remarked Donovan. “Even to the point it makes you do irrational things. Fortunately his stupidity has given us the advantage. What else?” “Well, the unit here was doing some normal surveillance on some of his men. One of them is a pilot and Alex translated one of his ‘off the cuff’ comments. He said Zenzu ordered him to fly a passenger, a woman, in one of the family’s helicopters. That was it”, remarked Jake. “Does that go along with what Vanius remembered?” “Yes, it does. She said she was thrown from some kind of transport in to the jungle on Borneo” Donovan replied. “Obviously another stupid decision on his part. I’m sure he wanted her dead, he just underestimated her survival training.” “So what now, Donovan?” questioned Jake. “Do we make a hit on this guy? It would be very easy to do the way he goes around town.” “I’ll do it myself. Then his Father will come after me when he finds out” Frank exclaimed. “How’s he going to do that?” asked Jake. “Because I’m going to leek the information to him. He needs to make the first move. Then I’ll be able to deal with him and maybe put a dent in the Triad, finally” Donovan responded. “Anyway, I’m going to clean up then go get Alex and Monica. Give me half an hour.” Frank went to his room and took a shower and changed in to something lighter as it was much warmer there then in Moscow. He did not like doing ghost work, a term the Agency used for being an assassin but he had no choice. The only action that would hit hard against the Triad and its leader was the murder of the young son. It seemed to be the only action that ever stirred them up, so to speak. Frank doubted that it was the money Marisca took from Zizi Hong but the fact she had murdered his cousin that led him to seek revenge. But as Donovan had said, fortunately his inept son had tried to take control of the situation and at that he had failed miserably. He might have gotten the money back but he had not gotten Marisca. Alex and Monica followed Zenzu in his Ferrari until he got to a restaurant then Alex telephoned Donovan and told him their location. He met up with them just before Zenzu left and ordered the two women to catch a taxi, go back to the hotel then get to the airport. Frank made reservations for the four to get back to the states while he remained to do the job. Too many people at that point would be more of a deterrent and he could not guarantee their safety in leaving the country once he had killed the young man. They had been to the Police Department making inquiries and even though the Singapore government cooperated with the CIA they did not condone assassinations of their citizens. His team had been invaluable in helping him find Zenzu but now it was time for Frank to go solo. And he did do it solo, as Frank followed Zenzu to an apartment building in the late afternoon finally at a place that did not have crowds of people around. Frank picked up the gun with silencer that Jake had gotten and shot Zenzu dead on the street. There were no emotions attached to this for Frank only another job done in a sea of jobs already performed. He drove back to the Hong compound and tossed the gun covered with his fingerprints on to the driveway and left. They would find out soon enough that he had made the hit so Frank did not bother going back to the hotel he went directly to the airport and got on a flight to Germany. “Hi!” he said cheerfully as he came in to Marisca’s hospital room with two trays of food. “My God! That didn’t take you long” she greeted him as he put one of the tray in front of her. “Obviously you found the guy and shot him.” “Yeah, that’s exactly what I did. Needless to say I got out of Singapore fast” he said taking the plastic lid off the food. “I promised you a turkey dinner. This’ll have to do.” Marisca looked at the turkey, dressing and mashed potatoes. There was pumpkin pie on a side dish and she smiled thinking about how she missed Thanksgiving with him in Chicago. “This looks great! Too bad we don’t have something to wash it down with”, she laughed really needing a drink. “Voila!” Frank laughed taking several small bottles of booze from the airplane out of his pocket. “What’ll it be, Ma’am? Whiskey, vodka or gin?” “Vodka of course!” she said eating some of the potatoes as he gave her the open little bottle. “Sorry, no cup. Speaking of vodka. Do you have any idea what happened to Ivan?” Frank asked out of the blue. “He never made it back to your apartment. Your housekeeper there was worried about him.” “He would have finished our mission in Afghanistan then he wanted to retire. So he probably made himself disappear. No one likes a double agent who quits” she remarked. “That’s what I threatened to do with Henning. That’s probably why he sold me out.” “So you were going to disappear? And disappear out of my life?” he asked taking a drink of whiskey. “No, I could never do that. I played the game he wanted but I had every intention of spending the holidays with you, Frank. You’ve got to believe me”, Marisca confessed. “I do, honey. That’s all over now and we’ll go on from here”, he answered. “So, tell me about this place you have in Virginia. It’s a house?” she asked happily. “It’s a house that’s been in my family for almost a century. My Great-Grandfather lived there and now we’ll live there” Frank exclaimed. “It’s not as grand as Trump Towers but its got more room. Anyway, let’s eat before this stuff gets cold. We have all the time in the world to talk.” THE END (on to a new life) |