| UC Donovan By LMVT |
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| Disclaimer: This story is fiction. The characters of Frank Donovan, Alex Cross, Monica Davis, Cody, Jake Shaw and Sonny Walker were created and are owned by Shane Salenrno and Don Wilson and produced by NBC Studio's. No infringements intended!!! All other characters were created and are owned by the author. The above picture was taken from the UC Undercover website on www.nbc.com. This story is rated PG-13 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ |
| New York City The taxi pulled up to an old bar named Pravda at 281 LaFayette Street in New York City. Frank paid the driver remarking as he always did on the fares he felt were extreme. A total rip off he said to himself as he practically flung the money at the Indian immigrant asking for a receipt for his expense account. It was cooler day out now that September had arrived and with it apparently Fall having just flown in from Phoenix where it was well over one hundred. He had made a made dash to the Calvin Klein shop on Fifth Avenue to get some warmer clothes and then came directly to meet with his boss. Two men speaking Russian opened the door as Frank approached it walking past him. One of them men greeted Frank in his native tongue thinking the young man was Slavic. Frank had a look that blended well with undercover work. He was dark and his features were strong enough to be taken as many nationalities and he used that to his advantage. The room he entered now was darkened and the décor old Soviet style. A little bit of Moscow he thought as he spotted Sonny Walker at a red leather booth across the room. Frank strolled up nonchalantly to the table covered with white linen. On it was a pitcher of Martinis, an expensive plate of caviar and salmon with toast points to the side. Sonny had a large napkin tucked in his collar eating the black fish eggs on toast carefully as to not drop any of it. He was rough looking man from Brooklyn with longish blond/white hair very comfortable in his current surroundings Frank thought. “I hope that’s not Beluga”, stated Frank as his sat down and took a sip of the Martini that was waiting for him. “It’s Beluga Donovan! Don’t worry I’m paying for it myself! God! Why don’t you loosen up a little?” replied Sonny. “How’s the Martini? This is suppose to be the one of the top ten places in the city for Martinis.” “It’s fine Sonny! Why are we here? Obviously you have a new assignment for me” Frank responded. “The rest for the group will be here in a few hours.” “Let’s just say I thought this place would be appropriate”, the older man laughed. “There’s a woman that just arrived in New York last week. We feel she is the one responsible for the theft last year at the De Beer’s Mine in South Africa and the Singapore Bank the year before that.” Sonny picked up a file that was next to him and handed it to Frank. “There’s not much to go on” Frank exclaimed looking at the brief notes. “She’s an ex-KGB spy from Lithuania. Why aren’t the CIA going after her?” “They’re not interested in former cold war spies only current ones. They don’t feel she’s in to that anymore. It’s not profitable enough for her and the CIA doesn’t deal with international thieves. That’s why you’re going after her. She’s in New York for her next job the agency knows that. We of course just don’t know what it is”, he laughed taking a long sip of his vodka Martini. “Do you know her location now?” asked Frank who broke down and had some of the salmon on toast. “She bought a place in the Trump Towers which she just moved in to yesterday. The Agency has made an arrangement with Trump for you to use one of his condominiums. Fortunately it’s just down the hall from hers on the Fiftieth floor” remarked Sonny who took the key out of his pocket passing it over the table to his young agent. Frank took the key and handed the file back to Sonny as there was not much of consequence in it not even a name. He stood up to leave taking the last of the liquid down his throat. “What name is she going by?” he asked. “Marisca Vanius. A very Lithuanian name and she’s traveling with a Russian passport” Sonny replied. “She in number 5001.” “I’ll be in touch”, laughed Frank as he saw Sonny take out his company credit card. “Be sure to keep the receipt.” He looked at the key now and saw number 5004 on the brass tag thinking it would be close enough to do surveillance and be neighborly at the same time. Frank hailed a cab and got one immediately as he looked like a good fare to any cabbie. “Take me to Harlem” he ordered sitting back. “What’s the address?” asked the cabbie who was another Indian. This one wore a turban but drove just as erratic as they all did. “I’ll show you when we get there” Frank stated. It took almost an hour to get through the traffic and in to the bad section of Harlem where Frank had shown the cabbie to turn in to. He looked down the street and saw Jake’s Pawn Shop and told the driver to stop there where he got out and again paid the outrageous fare. The bars on the windows and doors were old and rusted as he pressed the buzzer to be let in. He heard the door click its release allowing him to enter, which he did to see Jake standing behind the counter smiling. “Haven’t seen you in along time man” he stated in a very richly ethic voice as low as Frank’s. Jake was an older man about sixty, very bald and black wearing African native dress. “Yeah. It’s nice to see you Jake. How’s business?” asked Frank strolling up to the counter. “The pawn business is getting by but my other business is flourishing” he laughed. He did not know Frank’s name as he did not know his other customers. “What name do you want to use this time?” “I need something that sounds very elite with money attached. With of course the necessary documents to go along with it”, replied Frank. “I just saw an old movie with Preston Foster. That’s a good name man” Jake chuckled. “That’ll do. How long?” the younger man asked wanting to know when he could get the forged driver’s license, credit cards and all the others he needed to a successful undercover identity. Frank at that time took out his wallet and five thousand in cash that he handed to Jake. “Half hour. What address do you want?” Jake questioned. “Trump Towers. Number 5004. Make me a banker this time” Frank stated watching Jake leave the room for his workshop in back. His cellular now went off which he took out of the pocket of his CK jacket. “Speak to me.” A woman’s voice answered. “We just got here”, it said simply waiting for a reply. “Good. Meet me in the lobby of Trump Towers in two hours by the main fountain” Frank ordered and then ended his call putting the cellular back in his jacket. He looked around the pawnshop until Jake came out then went over all the forged papers before he left. It was harder getting a taxi in the neighborhood being white but one finally stopped, as the cabbie knew Jake and the businesses he did. Frank went back to the Calvin Klein shop and bought more clothes to fit his new image one that was going to be very Americana as was his new name. He liked nice clothes and he liked the simple elegance of Ralph Lauren and CK. By seven he arrived at Trump Towers entering the great edifice that Trump and his former wife had created pacing quickly across the enormous first floor lobby over to the marble fountain that stood in he center. His four agents stood around the fountain watching his approach them. “Nice” said Jake Shaw one of his undercover agents smiling. He was an average height young man and very attractive. “CK?” “Yeah” replied Frank. “We need to get up to 5004. Find the service elevator and meet me in fifteen minutes.” The group left the building having done this a thousand times. Discretion was their job and they needed to quietly get to their destination and service elevators were usually at the back of the building for delivery people. They found it off the alleyway to the side and got in. “At least this time it’s not a dive!” laughed Cody who was the youngest and a brilliant techno-wizard trying to put his fingers through his frizzy hair, which was a nervous habit of his. “You’ve got to stop doing that”, stated Monica to Cody about his habit. It got on her nerves his nervous habits even though she was a psychologist and should be more patient. The elevator stopped at the lobby level and a black woman got in dressed in a maid’s uniform and she looked at Monica who was also black. “Are you starting to work for someone here? I haven’t seen you around?” “Just because I’m black doesn’t mean I’m a maid” Monica said indignantly. “Take it ease Monica”, stated Alex the very thin blond woman standing by her. “Sorry my friend isn’t herself today” she said to the woman. Frank had gone to one of the several elevators around the lobby finding the one that went to the fiftieth floor. A crowd gathered as he waited and he took notice as he always did of the people around him. There was an older couple, two unescorted women, one with a dog and five businessmen who all joined him the elevator. He noticed the woman with the black Scottie pressed the button for the fiftieth floor before he could. She was medium height and built with the same color and style Martha Stewart’s hair was having seen her picture in a magazine on the airplane. She was perhaps forty and dressed in a very expensive pantsuit with amber jewelry to match the color of her outfit with a black chasmina over one shoulder. She had a lovely profile with a turned up nose Frank thought as she briefly turned and bent over to pet her dog named “Scottie.” How very appropriate he said to himself as they reached their floor. He watched her get out and then left himself. “You live on this floor too?” he asked trying to be neighborly as he saw her now go to 5001. “What?’ she asked turning around looking at him as she took her keys out of her hand bag. “I’m just moved in”, Frank stated noticing her very well manicured hands as they held her keys. “I’m in a bit of a hurry if you don’t mind!” she said in a snotty way but with a very American accent. Very New York in manner he thought. She opened the door and went through slamming it behind her and in his face. Frank opened the door to 5004 and was in pleasantly surprised when he entered finding an apartment very well suited for a wealthy bachelor. It was very Hemingway in décor with animal skins about the very safari looking room which he examined carefully as he went over to the picture windows. There was a beautiful view of Central Park and the Hudson River from his fifty- floor vantage. The colors were just beginning to change to their autumn that he loved as he did the slight chill in the air. He heard the service bell ring at the back of the apartment and found his way to the kitchen and the servant’s door. Frank answered finding his people and let them in going back in to the living room. “So what’s the job boss?” asked Cody the most casual of the four. “The woman in 5001 is an ex Soviet spy turned international thief. She did the job at the Singapore Bank and De Beers and now she’s here for something new. I just met her. We need to set up the normal surveillance while I try to ingratiate myself with her. Then we’ll see what happens”, stated Frank. “Well, you always get the good job” laughed Jake. “You shouldn't have any problems. Women love you!” “This one got totally pissed off when I had the audacity to speak to her” Frank joined in the laughter. “It’s interesting but she spoke with an American accent. One that sounded like she was from Connecticut.” “Where’s she from?” asked Monica his psychological profiler. “From Lithuania. Her name is Marisca Vanius and I have a feeling that’s her real name” he replied. “Anyway, I want her phone and internet lines tapped and the cameras set up before midnight. I’ll see what I can do to get past her defenses.” “OK. I need you to get her out of her apartment for at least thirty minutes” stated Cody. “Jake and I will go get the equipment. We’ll be back my nine.” “I’ll create some diversion at ten”, exclaimed Frank as Cody and Jake started back for the service door. “Well, I’m getting hungry you guys!” remarked Alex who could eat a horse and never gain a pound on her very thin body. “Italian OK?” By nine Jake and Cody were back with the equipment setting up their fax machine and computer lines. By the time the computer was up to speed an e-mail came in for Frank who looked at the Russian writing and calling Alex over to translate. She looked at the message, which appeared to be an official report. “It’s a report on the woman from the current Russian government. It says she was thought to have been a double agent working for the Americans. She was one of their top people until the fall of the Soviet Union. She moved to Vilnius the capitol in Lithuania. After that she fell out of sight” read Alex. “That’s obviously why the CIA doesn’t want to be involved”, remarked Frank looking over Alex’s shoulder at the computer. “I have her phone line tapped Donovan”, stated Cody he said with a pair of headphones on listening. “There’s actually a call coming in now.” He put his hand up to quiet everyone and he sat listening for a few minutes. “That was a domestic agency she hired to locate a maid and chauffer for her. The agency is sending two people over tomorrow morning. A woman named Selma Hopkins and a man named Martin Sawyer. They’ll be at her place at nine.” “Ok. We’ll intercept them and you Jake can be Martin and Monica you can be the Selma woman”, Frank ordered. “God! Here we go with the maid thing!” stated Monica shaking her head. “What’s wrong?” Donovan asked not knowing what she was inferring. “Don’t ask!” chuckled Alex. “It’s a black thing!” “Monica” Frank came over to her. “You’re the best profiler in the business. I need you to get close to her. Figure her out for me.” “All right Donovan. But I don’t do windows!” Monica said smiling. The food arrived and they started to eat in the kitchen keeping the living area free for any entertainment Frank needed to do. He tried to think of some diversion he could use with the Vanius woman who was going to hard to crack. She was a professional and would know all the tricks and she was a master criminal whose mind was no doubt on a different level. But he was a brilliant investigator as were his people, which was really why they were there. No one else could trap this woman and bring her to justice. No one else had. “Well, it’s ten”, stated Frank getting up from the table having finished his lasagna and red wine. “OK” stated Jake getting up with Cody now. “We’ll wait down the hall. We need twenty minutes tops!” Monica and Alex cleared the table quickly and would make their way in to the room with all the equipment allowing Frank free access to the apartment. Frank opened the front door and when he saw no one was around the three left with his two men taking their positions. He walked up to number 5001 and pressed the doorbell, which rang. He waited and then rang it again until he heard the brass plate in front of the eyehole open. He saw one blue eye look through it piercing his brown eyes. “What do you want now?” she demanded in a huff. “I’m really sorry but I noticed you have a bit of a Connecticut accent. I was just speaking to my cousin and he wants me to join him there this weekend and I can’t find it on the map” Frank was grabbing at straws. The door to his amazement opened and she stood there brushing her long bangs that covered her eyes away looking at him. She was an attractive woman very sure of herself he thought as gave her the once over. She was wearing tight black slacks and sweater with the tiniest gold shoes that caught Frank’s eyes. “Yes, I’m from Connecticut. How observant of you. I noticed you’re in 5004. What happened to the Armstrongs?” she asked testing him as she made that bit of fiction up. “Who are they?” replied Frank knowing what she was up to. “Never mind! So where is the place you need to meet your cousin at?” she asked still in a rude manner indicating she was being put upon. “I have a map in my place. Can you show me if it’s not too much trouble?” Frank inquired being friendly but not charming to make her think he had some other sexual motive. She looked at him carefully and his wardrobe liking his loose fitting black slacks and his cotton shirt with the navy “Tee” underneath. His hair was dark almost black with gray at the sides. He was immaculate in the way he shaved just allowing the hint of a mustache and beard at his chin. This told her a lot and it told her he had money and was probably safe. “You like Calvin Klein too?” she asked as she came out closing the door. “That’s all I wear. I’m sorry I was rude to you. You have to be careful in New York.” “That’s ok! This city does things to people. Anyway, I’m Preston Foster” Frank now introduced himself as they strolled over to his door, which he opened. “I’m Marisca Vanius”, she said as she entered his apartment as he held the door for her. “Very elegant. I like the wild look. You’re obviously single. You just moved in?” “Yes. Why don’t you wait here and I’ll get the map from my study. I was just having some Italian and I have a bottle of Chianti. Would you like a glass?” Frank asked. “I love Chianti! I haven’t had a good Chianti since I was at my place in Tuscany” Marisca replied going over to the gas fireplace Alex had turned on. “Charming.” She looked in to the flames getting caught up in their drama. Frank looked at her briefly thinking how lovely and how very dangerous she was. He went in to the study and then through it to the room Alex and Monica were in opening the door slightly. They saw his head as he then came in going over to his cases, which had been delivered. From his briefcase he took a Lane Guide of New England and thumbed through it finding Connecticut putting his finger down to any street just for a name and reference to show Marisca. He said nothing to the women and then left for the kitchen to pour glasses of Chianti for both of them. “Sorry it took so long Marisca” he stated handing her the wine. “That’s a beautiful name. It’s very unusual and so is your last name.” “It’s Lithuanian. There aren’t many of us around. I was born in Vilnius but I went to school in Connecticut. West Hartford and then I went to Yale” she stated being quite open now he thought. “I went to Harvard for my undergraduate and my business degree. Yale’s a good school though”, he laughed becoming easier now in her company. “What do you do now? If you don’t mind me asking.” “I travel. I inherited from my parent’s estate. I just moved in a couple days ago. I like New York especially this time of the year. What do you do Preston?” she inquired. “I’m a banker. Many banks hire me when they’re in a tight spot. I guess as sort of trouble- shooter. It pays very well” Donovan replied sipping his drink as he tried to glance at his watch that said twenty after. Cody and Jake had set up minute surveillance cameras throughout the woman’s apartment then combed it for any evidence indicating what she was up to finding nothing. They went back in to the hallway waiting for Frank and waiting who did not appear until after eleven with the woman in question. “If you’re not doing anything tomorrow night I’d like to take you to the Russian Tea Room” he asked thinking that would appeal to her, which it did. “I haven’t been there since they redecorated. That sounds lovely. Thanks. Pick me up at eight” she replied opening her door and disappearing for the remainder of the night. Frank went back to his door now greeted by Jake and Cody who looked at him and smiled. “Don’t get buried in the part old man”, stated Jake, telling Frank not to get too involved which he often did. They all did with each of their assignments. They got in to the apartment and Donovan started to laugh. “She almost had me believing she was innocent. God! That look she has. And those big blue eyes!” The next morning Jake placed a call in to the employment agency early to tell them Ms. Vanius decided to use another service. Monica and Jake went to a local uniform store and purchased the necessary garments and then went back to Trump Towers starting to play their parts. Marisca looked at their references carefully that Alex had forged the night before and everything to her satisfaction checked out. After settling in to their servant’s quarters, which still grinded on Monica’s nerves, both got busy with their duties. Monica cleaned and went over the menu with Marisca for the week and other duties. Jake went to the garage to find a brand new Bentley Continental T that was the sporty model that Rolls Royce produced. He took a call from the cellular she provided him indicating that she would be down in twenty minutes and to have the car out front. Frank went in to their operations room and watched Cody. The young man could do anything with any piece of technology Frank thought has he was busy at the computer and checking the surveillance cameras. He looked up when Donovan entered and smiled. “You’ve found out something?” his boss asked knowing that excited look Cody got. “She’s a major player all right! She’s a hacker!” Cody stated. “And she’s clever. I’ve monitored what she’s done this morning on her computer. She’s trying to hack in to someplace I just need more time.” “Get the codes from the major banks from the agency and see if they match up to anything she’s doing “ Frank ordered shaking is head. “Somehow I don’t think she’s going after the easy marks. The bank in Singapore handles all the money in Southeast Asia and De Beer all the diamond trade. There’s isn’t one bank in New York that has that much importance unless she’s going after several.” “That doesn’t fit her ‘MO’ Frank. There’s got to be one attraction for her. I’ll figure it out Boss!” replied Cody. Frank took a call from Jake saying he was taking the woman out and then he waited half an hour before going over to her apartment for an up close and personal look himself. Monica opened the door wearing rubber gloves and looked at him with glaring eyes as he entered strolling around the very Colonial American décor. It surprised him in a way when he saw the small decorative pillows that said God Bless America on them and there were quite a few things with lighthouses giving it a New England flavor. “God! This place looks like it’s out of Williamsburg!” he stated to Monica who watched him look around. “She’s very complicated. So ingrained in her Slavic roots but the way this place is. The way a person decorats their environment is a major indicator in to their personality. This is too extreme. She’s telling everyone who sees this that she’s an American to the tenth degree. And having spoken to her it’s not just an act” Monica stated. Frank relied on her sixth sense along with her educated ones and he nodded as he continued wandering through the apartment. It did not matter if she ended up patriotic and he thought if he pressed the CIA for more information on her it would turn out that she probably leaned towards the west in her espionage days. But for now she was a mastermind criminal that no one could catch. Jake drove Marisca to FAO Schwartz where she bought some toys arranging them to be sent as he took pictures of her with anyone that came in contact with her. Then they went to Bloomingdale’s and then finally Tavern on the Green where she met a man for cocktails. Jake took photos of the man with his small pen camera as he sat next to the woman. They shared a bottle of Dom Perignon that told him they were either intimates or celebrating some occasion. The man was fifty and dressed in a black pin stripped suit a white very starched shirt and gray tie. He was as elegant as she was having herself dressed in a black wool crepe suit with a black fox shawl collar. Jake used the mobile transmitter that could pick up conversations from a distance hearing them speak of Wall Street and what was happening to the market and her stocks. By six she was saying goodbye just shaking hands with the man leaving to find Jake at the Bentley opening the door. “I love this place this time of the year” she said to Jake as she got in the back seat. “I like when it turns dark early and all the twinkling lights. It’s magical!” She laughed and looked beautiful he thought in her contemplation as he looked at her in the rear view mirror. “Where to now Madam?” Jake asked bring him back to the reality of his job. “Home please” she stated becoming more courteous as the day went on. Jake reported to Frank the conversation and then Frank had Cody look in to her financial dealing on Wall Street. She had no stock portfolio on Wall Street of any kind. He thought about it as he dressed in his new CK black suit and tie with a light gray shirt to compliment his now graying hair. He was only in his thirties but he was graying fast making him look slightly older. Frank loved the clothes but he would turn them in after the assignment, which was procedure and he always went by the book. Everyone knew that. By eight he was at Marisca’s door and she answered promptly ready to go which impressed Frank, as he was timely himself. He liked people to be efficient and on time. He did not like any bullshit. Marisca wore the same outfit she had all day. Donovan found it chic despite the use of fur that he opposed of always having been against the needless slaughter of helpless animals. But it looked dramatic and the way she moved in the skirt that was slightly below her knees was very engaging as was the slight brush of fur against her white face. He watched her hand as she raised it to move away the hair from her eyes. It was a habit Frank found very sexual. It was like watching Veronica Lake in an old AMC movie as her hair draped across one eye. A mysterious look and one he found very appealing. He had never gotten involved with any criminals he had been assigned to and he was not going to now. They arrived at the Russian Tea Room just after eight thirty with the cabbie stopping up front. Donovan was the perfect gentleman helping her out and taking her arm escorting Marisca in to the restaurant. It was busy as he gave his name to the Maitre’d and shortly after seated at another red leather booth like Pravda. “I love Russian food!” stated Marisca excited to be there but wary of this Preston Foster. She had checked him out and he was not the man he said he was. She had spent too many years in espionage not to be anxious especially a man who asked her out so soon after they had just met. No one had ever done that without some motive either sexual or not. Frank laughed truly getting in to his role. Or maybe not he thought after the evening. “Then we’ll start off with vodka and caviar”, he ordered when the waiter dressed in Russian style came up. “Bring us your best bottle of Stolichnaya and some Beluga.” They drank several glasses of vodka while eating the delicate caviar speaking in generalities with Frank finally talking about the market and how bad it was. Marisca gave her opinion and spoke about the Bush administration and then about Greenspan and the interest rates. She did not get in to specifics with her new friend even though he was being more casual. Marisca played her part well as she often did. The topic of the market was common conversation but his attitude towards it was not as serious as a banker’s should be. “I gained quite an earning when Disney took over Fox last month” Marisca finally said testing him again. “Disney’s a good company to invest in. Their CEO has done a lot for them. Buying ABC and now the Fox Family Network is another coupe” Frank replied having answered her question satisfactorily. “What companies do you think are a good investment Preston?” she inquired having liked his last answer. “I don’t think there are any at this time that suit my fancy. I invest in gold and silver. And diamonds” he stated lastly slightly baiting her to see her reaction. She gave none. “Yes. I must look in to that. I invested heavily years ago in the South African Krugeurand and it made me quite a bit of money. I understand De Beers might be a good company to put my money in to. What do you think?” Marisca leaned further in as she ate the Beef Stroganoff she ordered. “They’re still trying to recoup from their loss last year. They lost over half of their assets” Donovan exclaimed testing the waters again. “I heard someone took over half the uncut stones”, she laughed. “To think someone would have that nerve!”” “Yes. Someone very clever” he replied. It was no uncut stones they took but the money they received for them. It was like a cat and mouse game the remainder of the evening. Both found it exhilarating as they bantered back and forth now walking down the sidewalk on a perfect fall night in New York. Frank took Marisca’s left arm as he walked on the curbside strolling down the avenue and then turning on to Fifth where they window shopped. Monica and Alec were going through her place again with a fine toothcomb. Whatever computer she was using was nowhere to be found. A call came in about nine-thirty that Monica answered from a friend equally as Connecticut as Masica Vanius was saying he’d meet her in Hartford the next afternoon at three. In the meantime Jake was developing the film he took in a make shift black room in the apartment while Cody continued to monitor his equipment. Jake brought out the photograph of the man at the restaurant for Cody to track down eventually finding that the man was the head of the Nasdaq and of Russian descent. Frank finally hailed a cab at midnight and they drove back to Trump Tower, which was just as busy with visitors sightseeing and having cocktails in the two lounges it had. They got in the elevator going up to the fiftieth floor alone now saying nothing. Donovan looked over at Marisca who stood quietly looking at the number of the floors pass as they both leaned against the back railing. He walked her to her door in silence then watched as she took her key from the small handbag she carried. “I had a very nice time who ever you are”, she stated smiling looking in to his steady eyes and their gaze that held hers. “I am who I am”, he said touching her hair as he now brushed it away from her brow. “I’ll find that out soon enough” she replied kissing him on his cheek. “You can’t keep any secrets from me.” She then went in to her apartment and out of site as Frank stood there wondering what she had meant. He had been careful and there was no way she would know his identity but her statement and her kiss excited him beyond reason. Frank went back to his apartment and found Cody and Jake having pizza and beer laughing. “What’s so funny?” he asked coming in taking his jacket off. “We know what she’s up to Boss!” Cody exclaimed. “It’s a simple plan. She’s going after the funds at the exchange. Here!” stated Cody giving Frank the picture of the man they had identified. “He’s the head of Nasdaq!” “So she’s going to hack in and transfer the money from the market?” Frank asked. “Is this man going to help her?” “He’s a Russian. And I’ve looked in to his finances. He’s beyond broke!” smiled Cody. “I’m still trying to figure out what she’s doing on the computer.” “Hi” stated Alex as she walked in. “How was your evening?” she chuckled having over heard his goodbye to Marisca. “I think she’s on to us. I heard what she said to you.” “I don’t know yet. We have to get her in the act or get some hard evidence” responded Frank. “I want you to contact the CIA and get more information on her Jake.” Frank looked at the handsome operative now dressed in jeans and a sweater. Marisca got undressed thinking of the nice time she had with Frank Donovan. Yes she knew who he was now. When she got back to her apartment she got an e-mail from a friend at the CIA informing her of his real name and his job. It did not surprise her, as there had been many after her through the years. This man was different she knew that by the way he looked and presented himself in a manner she had not been accustom to. He was precise as she was in everything she did but she was determined to see this current venture to its conclusion. If that meant killing the handsome and exotic special agent than she would. For now she would play along and perhaps have another dinner out and another walk down the streets of New York. At noon the next day Jake helped Marisca in to the car and they started for Hartford that was a three- hour drive. The traffic was of course heavy in the city but once they reached the toll way in to Connecticut the traveling was easier. Jake found his way in to the capitol of the state and to the Four Season’s where she got out and entered. He parked the car over to the side and followed her discretely in to the lobby crossing it as she did. She waved at a man who was about her age with dark blond hair dressed in a brown “cord” suit that looked like he slept in it. They went arm in arm in to a restaurant that was near them sitting ordering drinks. Jake got up close and took pictures and then stood of to the side listening to their conversation. The man was an old boyfriend from college and there was nothing more of interest until the man who she called “Skip” talking about working in the computer science department of Yale, It was a stretch but for some reason Jake had an aching feeling that “Skip” was helping Marisca out trying to break the code for entry into the Nasdaq computer. Then Jake heard the word “Friday” which raised all flags to him. The end of the week of the market and the perfect day to hack in to the data base. “I want to get her for the jobs in Singapore and South Africa” stated Sonny over the phone with Frank. “I don’t know how I’m suppose to do that! I can get her here in New York. Who’s pressuring you on this?” asked frank. He had nothing to do with any crimes outside the States. That was not his jurisdiction. “From the ‘powers that be’ Donovan. I don’t have to explain. I just want proof. De Beer’s wants their money back and so does Singapore. Then they want her head!” Sonny stated in his usual Brooklyn finesse. “Ok Sonny! I’ll do my job. I always do” Donovan stated then ended the call. “He wants us to get the money she took. Are you sure you can’t find any accounts connected with her Cody?” He stood next to the young genius still at the computer. “No. She’s too much an expert at covering her tracks. We need to get something more from the CIA about her”, stated Cody. “All the alias’ the Russian government gave us don’t pan out in any of my searches.” He looked at Frank who was standing by the windows looking out on to New York. “She’s really something isn’t she?” “Yeah. Something all right. I’m just interested in seeing her behind bars” he stated walking out of the room. Cody laughed to himself. “Sure boss! I’m sure that’s all you’re thinking about” he said under his breath. Alex came in with some notes she had written and sat opposite Frank who looked troubled. It was her job to do the background checks and she had done her best with this woman. Frank looked up at her at intensely. A look that frightened her at times and now made her a bit nervous. “I found out some information on Marisca Vanius. That is her real name. She was born in Vilnius, Lithuania on February twenty-fifth 1961. She just turned forty. Her parent’s were both born in Lithuania and both were physicians. Her Father’s brother immigrated to Connecticut and she was sent over to him to be educated. He still lives in Greenwich with his wife and their three sons live around the area. She went to Shirley Hills Elementary, King Philips High School and then Yale. Her major was Statistics and she got a 4.0 grade point average all four years. Then she left the States and dropped out of sight.” Alex finished her notes then looked back up at Frank. “Any word from the CIA?” “No. Not yet” he stated looking at his large hands and then his watch, which said six. “What’s wrongs?” asked Alex. She had worked with Frank too long not to know when something bothered him. “I’m not sure. There’s something not right about this whole thing”, he said looking at Alex’s pretty face. Jake came back at nine that evening to find the rest having Sushi and drinking Saki. He came in and got a plate out the cupboard. “She met with some guy named “Skip” today from Yale. I think he’s helping her with the codes. I’ll develop the pictures after I eat” he stated helping himself to the leftover sushi. “Did they say anything of importance?” asked Donovan. “Yeah! I think whatever she’s planning she going to do it on Friday” stated Jake eating the seaweed rolled around rice and shrimp. “Ok. Just get those picture developed so Cody can run them through the database” remarked Donovan. “I think I’m going to go over and pay a little visit.” Frank got up and went in to the bedroom over to the dresser and got out a new camel color cashmere sweater and put it on over his black slacks then put his hands through his short hair looking at his image in the mirror. He left the master suite and went over to the bar and found a bottle of Bollinger Champagne from the refrigerator and headed out the door to Marisca’s apartment. He rang the doorbell and Monica answered looking at him strangely obvious he was going to make some move on the woman seeing the wine in his hand. She allowed him to come in and then left to announce Frank. Marisca came out and greeted him cheerfully. Too cheerfully he thought as he followed her in to the living room. She was wearing the slim black capri’s, sweater and gold shoes she had before that he liked. Around her neck was a large chunky gold necklace worth more than his yearly salary. “I’ll get some glasses”, she said leaving for the kitchen while Frank opened the bottle hearing the quiet pop of the cork, which meant it was good. Marisca came out with two beautiful flutes he recognized as Waterford made in Ireland, as he was part Irish. He poured the sparkling wine in both and handed one to her delicate hand framed with red polished very long nails. She went over to the sofa and sat motioning for her guest to sit in a high back chair across from her. He noticed a new piece of decor against the wall, which was a large straw bird fashioned out of very rough trigs. “That’s an interesting piece,” Frank finally said pointing to the bird sculpture. Marisca smiled at his appreciation. “Thanks! I just got that up in Hartford. It’s Pennsylvania Dutch. I’ve ordered a chair also. I love the simplicity” she stated drinking her champagne. “Thanks for coming over. The champagne is very welcomed and so are you.” She was going to play the same game he was at least she thought she would. “I was thinking of last night and your company” Frank replied. “I have tickets to the opening of the opera at Kennedy Center Friday night. Would you care to go?” He was testing her about Friday now and sat back waiting for her answer. “That would be lovely Fra…..Preston” she stated having caught herself saying his real name. Frank knew at that instance she was aware of who he was but he continued his acting. “Their performing Carmen. One of my favorites with that Spanish Tenor” he stated having his name at the tip of his tongue but forgetting it when he looked at Marisca who was blushing. “I know whom you mean but I can’t think of his name”, she laughed very at ease he thought. “Anyway, I look forward to it.” They sat and talked until midnight forgetting why they were both there but still careful in their conversation. Marisca found Frank very conservative but still very sensual in his look and manner. His voice was sexy and she always was attracted to men with deep voices and his attitude was one of strength and confidence. She knew he was going after her but for some reason Marisca did not care at least for that evening. Frank kept on thinking he would go crazy if she brushed her hair away from her eyes again. That simple gesture made him more aroused than he ever had been with a woman and the way she crossed her legs and swung her foot towards him. He had to finish this assignment and fast. The next day was Friday and the morning and afternoon went peacefully enough. The picture of Skip was one of her cousins. Alex traced him and did background check placing him still at Yale in the computer research department of which Cody hacked in to. He watched carefully what he was doing for the day and to his surprise he finally saw the obvious now that had not been there before. “Donovan!” Cody shouted bringing him in fast to his side. “It’s right here!” Frank placed his hand on Cody’s shoulder. “What is it?” “She sent him a code this morning and he’s decoded it. He sent it back to her an hour ago” stated Cody showing Frank the code he spoke of. “She’s got the secret password. The password that says money!” “How does she access it?” asked Donovan. “The only way is to use their main computer on Wall Street. She’ll have to break in and use their mainframe. That’s the only way Frank”, stated Cody. “Then she’ll try it tonight” he laughed. “That should be interesting!” He laughed thinking about the evening he would spend with her. Frank dressed in the CK tuxedo he purchased and left the apartment to pick up Marisca at seven. Monica opened the door letting him in and then went to announce him. He waited a good fifteen minutes before she came out in a red satin gown low across her shoulders and a matching wrap. The diamond necklace around her throat spoke volumes to him. It told him she was wealthy and unapproachable. Jake took them this time to the Kennedy Center dropping the couple off at the front and pulling over to the area for limousines. Frank took Marisca’s arm and guided her up to the theatre weaving around the people there for opening night. The crowd was heavy and very elegant as they walked in getting their programs and being shown to their seats. Donovan had pulled a lot of strings to get orchestra seat just twenty rows from the stage. The orchestra started and the audience clapped to the introduction of the opera and the performance was moving as ever Carmen could be. When the intermission came Frank escorted Marisca out to the lobby and left her briefly to buy two glasses of champagne. It took him fifteen minutes and when he finally paid he walked back to where he had left her and she was gone. “Your wife went to the ladies room”, stated an older man with his wife who had been standing by Marisca. Frank went to the ladies room and went in with the woman shouting looking under the booths for her red satin shoes and not finding them he ran out of the theatre finding Jake who was seated in the Bentley. Jake started the car when he saw Frank run up and get in the front. “She gave me the slip”, stated Frank as Jake headed down the street towards Wall Street. Marisca had taken a cab during intermission while Frank stood in the very long line for their drinks. She hated leaving his company but she had a job to do as they made their way to Wall Street. The cabbie took the hundred she gave him and “floored it” until the got out front of the Nasdaq building where she got out and headed for the front door. There were no security guards as she punched in the code at the door that she had gotten and went through in to the very empty and deadly silent lobby. Her friend had arranged for the guards to be gone. She took he wrap from around her shoulders and covered her head as she walked past the security cameras to the elevator. She punched in the code for the elevator and then got in pressing the thirteenth floor know chuckling to herself what a lucky number that had always been for her. The entire floor held the main frame and she made her way to the main terminal and started working. It took only ten short minutes to do what she had planned. Marisca got up and then came back opening her hang bag taking a piece of note paper out and a pen writing a short message leaving it. The elevator door opened and she turned around briefly and then left quickly to the fire exit making her way down the stairs. Frank and Jake made their way to Nasdaq and entered using the same codes they had gotten that day. Frank cursed himself thinking how foolish he had been as they ran across the very deserted lobby. Just a simple turn of the head and she was gone. They got to the thirteenth floor and ran out after the elevator door opened looking around finding it empty thinking perhaps she had not been there. “Frank” stated Jake. “Come here!” He had something in his hand as Donovan approached handing it to him. Frank took the note and read it thinking of the woman as he saw her handwriting. It said: “Perhaps next time Frank Donovan.” THE END (until the next time?) |