The Mystery unfolds

Chapter 8

Agent Pearce was reading the email she just received from the Tampa Police. They now had a description of the unknown man who had been mysteriously running McGrath's shop for two days.

She was looking now at a sketch made by the police artist that had been faxed over. The unknown person looked like one of thousands of males that walked the streets any time of any day. Nothing really stood out about his appearance. Yet, to Pearce, there was something familiar about him.

And that's what sent off alarms in her head.

"Oh damn," mumbled Pearce as she sat back, staring at the sketch.

Her assistant, Thomas Wright, sat across from her, "What? You think you might know who he is?"

"No. It can't be! "Pearce spoke in a hushed tone, before looking at her assistant "By God, Tom, I hope I'm wrong!"

She clicked onto her computer and typed her secret password into one particular covert CIA site. A printed picture came up with a description. The word "DANGEROUS was flashing in red on top.

"Dammit..." Pearce gave a sigh of dread,"...from that description and what had happened to McGrath, there's a possibility that the man in the bookstore was Gideon Hunter!"

Tom Wright's eyes got very large, "but...how is that even possible?"

All the agents had heard of The Butcher.

A mercenary assassin, The Butcher was rumored to have been hired by dirty CIA agents, who had turned rogue against their country. Hunter had been linked to at least five known murders of CIA agents in Europe, two in the U.S. and one in South America.

Hunter would systematically get in, kill and get out. And he'd always worked alone; no one would ever guess that the average-looking individual in the crowd was a hired assassin. He'd hit and simply vanish.

After a man-wide search for five years, The Butcher was eventually caught, but not before he had murdered CIA agents worldwide.

Pearce began putting the pieces together. Perhaps Agent McGrath, before he had been murdered, was attempting to pass along the rumored 'List' which involved The Butcher.

Supposedly this was a list of unknown criminal CIA operatives in the field. That would be a list worth killing for, Pearce thought as she shuddered.

"The last I heard," Wright stated, "was that The Butcher was safely locked away at Riker's in New York City."

That's the same news I had heard, "Pearce acknowledged, "We need to verify that Hunter is still incarcerated." There was a steely determination in her eyes, "Tom, I want you to connect me to the Police Commissioner in New York City …while you do that, I'll inform Westen."

Pearce had begun wondering if she did the right thing by sending Fi out so soon, with such little information. But how could Pearce had known the most wanted assassin in CIA history would be involved in this simple courier mission?

"I'll get right on it..." Tom stated, and yet he hesitated in his seat.

Noticing Tom's reluctance to act, Pearce asked, "Is there something else that needs my attention, Tom?"

"It's just that..." Tom began, "...well, I don't know if I should tell you..."

Alarms went off in Pearce's head, "More bad news is not what I need right now, Tom..."

"No, no..." assured Tom, "if anything...it may be good news...but it's unconfirmed..."

Pearce breath out in relief, "Go ahead..."

"There have been...reports...scattered, unconfirmed reports, now...that one of our Audi cars was involved in a cars chase."

Pearce furrowed her brow, "You mean 'a car chase'?"

"No, 'cars chase'," Tom almost sounded in awe, "Seems three cars were chasing a lone Audi through the streets of Tampa..."

Audi...Tampa...

Agent Pearce leaned forward, excitement in her voice, "And you think this Audi might be the one we assigned Fiona Glenanne?"

"Too early to say," Tom said, "That's why I wasn't sure I should have told you."

"What else do you know about the 'cars chase', Tom?"

"Not much more," Tom said, "Rather strange really...It was reported to have been a fast, frenzied chase, and then...nothing...no sign of any of the vehicles...it's like it never happened."

"She's escaped," Pearce said almost in a whisper to herself, "...she got away from THREE cars chasing her..."

And with this news, Pearce smiled for the first time that day.

"That would be grand, wouldn't it?" Tom stated in admiration, as he got up to leave, "...anyway, I'll connect you with the police commissioner now, Kim..."

"Dani," she spoke out.

Tom stopped to look at her again.

"What? 'Dani'?" he repeated, a puzzled expression on his face.

Pearce smiled for the second time today.

"You may call me Dani from now on," insisted Pearce, "It's stronger."

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Fi and Sam had finally arrived at the warehouse on the wharf. Most of the buildings were opened and easy to enter, but one of three hidden buildings stood apart and isolated, surrounded by a high wall that ran to the left and right of the gate.

They drove up to the front of the gate. Sam stuck his head out with a wide smile plastered on his face, for the security camera to see.

It took a while, but the gate finally opened slowly and Fi pulled her car in.

Once inside, the gate door immediately started closing again. A lone man, wearing a standard warehouse uniform, came out to greet them. He was of Mexican descent with dark skin, sharp brown eyes, approximately the same age as Sam.

"Hey, Sammy!" he said his arms outstretched as he clasped Sam's hand from the inside of the car, "¡Qué sorpresa! What a surprise! Long time no see, eh?"

"Roberto, buddy!" Sam seemed genuinely happy to see him.

Fi took in the moment, thinking this was one of the few times she actually saw one of Sam's contacts instead of Sam's usual boasting of, "I've got a contact down in...". . At times, Fi assumed Sam made up the contact part, that somehow he was just very good at utilizing Craig's list or something.

Go figure.

"I almost didn't recognize you, you look like the father of you!" the man jested with Sam.

Sam opened the passenger door of the car and couldn't help but grimace as he stood up, supporting himself with the door of the vehicle. Roberto's mouth dropped as his eyes followed down Sam's bloodied leg, "But what happened to you here, mi amigo? It's like I'm reliving the old days in Latin America with you!"

"Yeah, " kidded Sam, "I've been hanging out with the wrong crowd again. Feels like I got shot while getting shot!"

Roberto was going to laugh until he noted Sam in pain.

"But enough of this idle chitchat! You and your lovely lady friend need food! Need rest! Peppino!" he yelled out, "Get a wheelchair for our friend here!"

From out of seemingly nowhere, a younger man arrived in no time, pushing a wheelchair.

Peppino was helping Sam to sit in the wheelchair as Roberto now eyed Fi. He then turned back to Sam, who was now comfortably seated.

"Ho-ho, my friend, I see you haven't done bad for yourself! Still have the way with the ladies, I see!"

"Pfft! Her?" Sam dismissed her with a wave,"That's just Fi."

"Sam!" Fi gave him a look of annoyance.

Sam's friend gallantly bowed in Fi's presence, "Roberto Diego at your service."

Fi nodded, "Roberto."

Roberto smiled, "I see, Senorita, that you are too good for this uncouth man," he said as he gestured at Sam," If you ever drop him, I will show you how a real man treats a lady!"

She bit back her tongue at the thought that Sam and her were…she didn't even want to think about it.

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The CIA have many safehouses throughout the country. This one, like the others was used by undercover agents as a meeting place and/or for refuge. Besides having complete living quarters, it was fully equipped with the latest in CIA computer technology.

Sam had retired for the day as Peppino attended to his leg. Meanwhile, Fi gave a description of the man and Diego had a look of trepidation with Fi's description.

Fi was then given a quick dinner and was shown her room for tonight.

It was a nice little room, thought Fi, simple yet friendly with whitewashed stucco walls, two wooden chairs and a plain small table. Almost like a room in a real house.

Michael would be so proud of her, she thought. Well, except for the part that she didn't get the book. That will be remedied soon enough, Fi was sure of that.

After she did some cleaning up, Fi lay on the bed, intending to get out her book and do some reading. She took some time to look about. This room reminded her of a room in a real home, what it would be have a 9-5 job, without danger always being around the corner and CIA agents milling just outside her room. She sighed, wishing Michael was right by her side now.

Instead, she turned off the light and two minutes later she was sound asleep.

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Fi woke up to bright sunlight, for she had neglected to draw the curtains across the windows last night. She lay wondering for a moment where she was, and then, remembering, sat up and looked at her watch; it was only 7 am. What had wakened her were the sounds of footsteps outside. Leaving her bed, she quickly got ready for her new day.

Sam's door was still closed, so she continued down the hall towards the kitchen, passing a living room and another lit room with computers and security monitors.

In the kitchen, Peppino had already prepared oatmeal and grapefruit. Roberto Diego, obviously finished with his breakfast, and was seated at the table reading a file.

"Help yourself to the coffee, Senorita Fi," he smiled and gestured towards the big pot.

Fi poured herself a mug and got a helping of breakfast, "You can just call me, Fi."

She brought her breakfast to the table.

"A beautiful woman like yourself deserves to be treated like a fine lady with a respectful title , no?" he asked, still smiling.

Fi sat at the table, wondering why people needed all this useless talk. Small talk never got anything accomplished. Getting some information did.

"How's Sam?" she asked.

The smile disappeared from Roberto's face, "Ah, Senorita, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but not so good. Peppino cleaned his wound last night and our Sam is running a fever. Plus we must watch for infection."

"He's not 'our Sam'."

"Oh?" Roberto seemed to see her in a new light, "You mean you two aren't...uh, sharing files?"

Small talk peppered with annoying cute sayings was the worst of all.

"No," Fi said with disdain, "I would never open his file."

Roberto expression showed surprise.

"Then the senorita is single, no?"

"You're right. No."

Roberto understood completely.

"Ah, he is a lucky man, whoever this mystery man is, then," concurred Roberto.

Even the implied mention of Michael was making her miss him more. She needed to stay on task here.

Fi was concerned but outwardly she was casual, "I think it's wise you keep Sam in bed and let him heal slowly. Otherwise, he'll be off and away in an hour or two, hunting down whoever shot him-and probably getting shot in the other leg. It's better he rest. I won't need him anyway."

Roberto looked amused, "An independent senorita, I see! I will certainly convey that message to Peppino! In the meantime I have been reading a file…"

Fi's eyes shown with interest, "So you can tell me who Fake McGrath really is?"

Roberto Diego leaned forward, "Yes, Senorita, but that is not the file I was reading just now. I have in front of me YOUR file, and I must tell you, your involvement with the CIA as a civilian reads like a great American adventure novel! ¡Muy interesante!"

"Not civilian...CIA trainee," Fi held her head up high, "At least for now, but soon, I plan to be leading my own missions."

Roberto chuckled, "Quite confident for one so young and pretty."

Fi took a bit of her oatmeal.

"So," said Fi, changing subjects, "I suppose you told Agent Pearce how I was not able to complete my mission. Yet."

Roberto surprisingly shook his head, "No, we try and give out as little information as possible to headquarters. This indeed is a dark time for CIA operatives, for we know not whom to trust and not trust."

Fi looked puzzled.

"You need to tell me what you mean by that," she said.

For a split second he hesitated.

"It is fortunate that I trust your friend, Sam," he stated, "for if he trusts you with secrets, I must, too."

"Tell me, then , " she sounded impatient, " why all this CIA secrecy?"

"Ahh!" said Roberto, not at all offended, "I like a woman who knows what she wants!"

So as Fi finished her breakfast, Diego gave her the identity of Benjamin McGrath. He also informed her how a small group of unscrupulous CIA double agents had been involved in criminal activities; gun smuggling, drugs, prostitution, and so forth. He explained that good agents were being eliminated and he believed these rogue operatives were involved.

"You mean, the bad guys, who work full time for the CIA, are killing the good guys?"

Roberto shook his head, "It would not be possible they would do the killing themselves, Senorita. No, they must have someone doing the jobs for them."

"Whom would that be?" asked Fi.

"The best killer we know is someone we call The Butcher," Roberto whispered the name, like it was sacred, "He is mucho ruthless, Senorita. His name is Gideon Hunter and the style of killings tell me it is him! They also say Hunter keep a list of all bad CIA agents. That list means much to both sides."

"So why doesn't the CIA get him?" she asked.

"We did! Hunter was put in jail," Roberto said, "but he is smart, and he is slippery. I fear he is out. But that is just my theory in my head..."

"How do you know so much of this, Roberto?" asked Fi.

"We in the spy world are a small family, are we not?" Roberto stated quietly, "and like a family, we hear things from other agents."

A 'List' of evil CIA agents. The Great Gatsby book. Everything started to make sense to Fi. The agent trying to get the list to CIA authorities was McGrath. And McGrath had probably hid the ' List' in "The Great Gatsby" book.

Fi mumbled something outloud, "Microfilm."

"What?" Roberto asked.

She turned slowly to face him, her eyes bright.

"That secret list...it could have been put on microfilm, right?" she asked, "or something so small so that it could be smuggled back to CIA headquarters, say, in a deck of cards, a flower pot or …even a book."

"Si! Yes! it is possible that information could be passed that way!" Roberto looked impressed, "We have used that method before, but how does this concern you?"

Fi looked composedly at Roberto, "That had been my mission..."

"So you have the 'List'?" he looked hopeful. She did not directly answer him.

" I will get the book into CIA hands." Fi stated it like a fact.

"Can this be?" Roberto's eye got round as he looked at the petite woman sitting across from him, "And how do you propose to do this, Senorita Fi?"

Fi took another spoonful of her breakfast before answering in a neutral, but confident tone.

"Very simple, really," Fi propose, "I plan to capture The Butcher myself."

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