The Price of Freedom
Chapter 8-Trouble
They arrived at Wilson library, and the three agents, dressed in civilian clothes, made their way toward the front entrance. Daniel Riles, the man they were after, was still confirmed to be inside the building. Agent Simons told the team to split up and search for him. She would take the first floor, Ramirez the second, and Stephens would sweep the third. If they found Daniel and he had the brilliant idea of trying to evade them, they were to notify the others via their coms, and follow him. Marilyn nodded at the other before they took different directions to their designated areas. Marilyn straightened her jacket, checked her hand gun, and com and headed toward the large gleaming glass doors.
With her head on a swivel and senses alert, she sent a quick text to her daughter, Katelyn, that she would be working late that night. Snapping her phone shut, she noted the time and strode past the library's front desk. Though they lived in a small town, the Wilson library was a state-of-the-art facility. Founded by the successful business owners Carrie and Don Wilson, it really was something spectacular to visit. There were three floors full of books, periodicals, movies, and more each accompanied by floor to ceiling windows that had an outlook onto the town's main plaza and Monnet Park. Inside were two coffee shops and areas for private study and even a small children's play area. Two years ago, it had been officially named a landmark for the town.
Marilyn scanned the front entrance and the first coffee shop, but came up empty. She then headed over to the research center and pretended to scan for a book. Using the aisles as cover, she moved from one to the next searching for Daniel. There was no sign of him. She then moved to the other side in the teen section, though she doubted he would be there, but one never knows. It was clear. She wandered over to the technology section and sat down behind on of the monitors. As she waited for it to turn on she did a quick 360 but she didn't see him anywhere. The computer refused to boot up so she wandered over to the main quiet section of the floor and scanned the crowd. There were mainly single women, a few older couples, and a woman rocking a sleeping baby. Marilyn hoped the rest of her team would have more success than she did.
For a Saturday afternoon, the library was quite busy. Teens giggled to one another over their phones, some read books while others feel asleep in the lounge chairs. There was enough background noise so Marilyn checked in with her team.
"This is Simons. The first floor is clear. Do either of you have eyes on him?"
"This is Stephens. The third floor is clear. No Daniel Riles."
They waited for Agent Ramirez and moments later the com buzzed.
"Ramirez here. I found him, but we have a problem."
"Go Ramirez. What's the problem?" asked Marilyn.
"I have eyes on Daniel. I thought he was alone until a woman came over with a small child. The young girl jumped in his lap and he began to read a story to her. Simons, I think this guy has a family."
"Really? His records show no marriage status. It could be a niece or cousin perhaps."
"No. I've observed them for a bit and he and this woman are close, and I don't think he's planning on leaving anytime soon."
"This is strictly a recon mission so there is no way we can pull him away. I don't want to alert him to our presence, so Stephens meet me downstairs in the coffee shop. Ramirez, keep an eye on them. If I know Daniel, he likes to take his time with thins. Notify me when they move," said Marilyn.
"Roger that."
About an hour later, Ramirez hit the com.
"Simons, they are headed towards the elevator. Scratch that. They are taking the stairs."
"Good. I sent Stephens outside to watch what car they get in. Make your way down here and get ready to move."
"Where are you going to be?"
"It doesn't matter. Just follow my orders."
"Yes, ma' am."
Marilyn watched Daniel descend the stairs with the woman and the small child.
"Stephens, they are headed toward you."
She watched as her agent headed over toward them.
"Excuse me. Could you guys tell me where the Summit Coffee shop is?" asked Stephens.
Daniel immediately grabbed the woman's hand and began to pull her along.
"Honey, wait. This poor woman is just asking for directions," the woman smiled at Stephens. "You head on inside and it's on the second floor to your left."
"Thank you so much," Stephens then looked down at the little girl who clung to her mother's side. "What a beautiful daughter you have."
"Thank you," said the woman smiling proudly. The little girl ducked behind her mom.
Stephens nodded at the couple and then continued into the library's entrance and disappeared inside. The man and woman continued to the parking lot, but then headed toward the city bus terminal. Marilyn told Ramirez to get the car and to have Stephens follow him. Marilyn watched the bus pull up as the three of them got on.
"Ramirez, follow that bus. Stephens there are three stops before the next major station. I need you to see who gets off so follow the road that runs parallel to the highway before the station. We will rendezvous there unless they got off before then."
"Simons, what if they split?" asked Ramirez.
"If the woman and child get off alone, leave them. Our mission is Daniel Riles. Are we clear?"
"Yes, Agent Simons."
"Good, the bus is getting ready to pull out so get in position and stick to the plan."
Marilyn got into her car and drove out onto the main road. She then passed the bus and headed towards the second station. Once she arrived there, she parked and waited for any updates. After a silent fifteen minutes, Marilyn's com crackled.
"This is Ramirez. They haven't exited the bus yet, and we are five minutes away from the second station. What's our move?"
"Stick with the bus. If they get off pull into the parking lot and we'll follow them from there," Marilyn replied.
Five minutes later the bus pulled up and out walked the passengers. Among them was the man, woman, and small child. They headed over to a parked silver Honda Accord. They got in, started the car, and exited the parking lot. Marilyn pulled away from the bus, and got behind them allowing one car in-between. She notified her team and Ramirez pulled out along behind Marilyn. Stephens joined them on the road a few cars behind. The road now split into three lanes. The silver Accord sat in the middle lane with Marilyn behind while she sent Ramirez into the far left lane and Stephens to cover the right. Ten minutes later the car exited into a large neighborhood. Ramirez took over the front followed by the rest of the team. The Accord turned down a heavily forested lane before turning a corner and vanishing.
"This is Ramirez. I'm afraid I lost them. Their gone."
"They couldn't have gone far. Pull over into the park and we'll do another sweep. No one just disappears like that," said Marilyn.
The backtracked and that's when they found it. A hidden driveway.
"Okay, guys new plan. Ramirez, you stay with the car in case things go south. Stephens you're with me. We are going to observe on foot. If he leaves again, I want you to follow him."
Marilyn and Stephens grabbed their binoculars and headed back towards the hidden driveway. Staying in the shadows of the late afternoon sun they slowly crept forward. The drive wound back and forth like a snake trail but remained relatively flat. Soon enough they came to the front entrance and an electronic locked gate. Stephens spotted the car parked to the side of the two-story home. Marilyn looked at her watch. It was 6pm-dinner time.
Homes in this area don't have locked gates unless one is trying to prevent someone from coming in or going out. So why would Daniel have a locked paddock unless he was hiding something?
Marilyn motioned for Stephens to check the car. She took out a small disk with x-ray technology and sent a thin beam along the ground and into the car. She looked at the scanner hoping to find anything, but the car was clear. The two of them took cover behind some bushes and pulled out their binoculars. Marilyn detected movement inside near what she assumed was the kitchen. She presumed that the woman was making dinner. Suddenly, the front door opened and the man let out a small white dog. It trotted down the steps and into lawn where it stopped to sniff the air. It then began to advance toward the electronic gate. Marilyn motioned for Stephens to freeze. Though the pup was small a threatening growl emerged from its throat. Thankfully the dog couldn't go further than the front gate. It must've scented them because it started barking until the man yelled harshly scolding it.
"Stop barking at the squirrels and finish your business. You can play tomorrow."
The little dog whined in protest and let out one last excited yip before wandering to the other side of the lawn do to it duty. Marilyn watched it through the leaves as it scampered back into the house. That was a close one. How could I be so careless? I should've known from the doggy door they had! Marilyn mentally kicked herself for that rookie mistake. Thankfully it was a small dog and not a Rottweiler or German Shepherd. Marilyn motioned for Stephens to go back down the driveway. She stopped her before they reached the end.
"Are you close enough to get the tracker on?"
"Ha Marilyn, you know I am more than capable," Stephens said with a sly smile. She took out a small silencer from her jacket.
"Good. Put the tracker on and then meet us back at the park."
"You got it, boss."
Marilyn made it back to her car followed by Stephens a few minutes later. She gave Marilyn a thumbs up. Marilyn nodded when her phone rang. It was Director Hill who wanted an update.
"We located him and followed him home. Stephens place the tracker on him so we know if he makes a move," said Marilyn.
"Good," replied Hill. "The extraction team is ready. You are no longer just on observation, but I want you to be ready to take him down if he gets out of hand. I've discovered some new information on him, but I am confirming that is true. Until then see where he goes, who he talks with, and if he is heading anywhere. Call me if you need anything else."
"Okay. Hill I need the extraction team to be on standby because my agents and I ran into a slight obstacle."
"What's the problem?"
"Daniel isn't alone."
"Is he meeting with someone or his Anarchy contacts?"
"No, something worse."
"Hydra Agents? AIM? Don't leave me hanging Agent Simons."
"There is a woman and child—a young girl 6 yrs old maybe."
"That is bad. Do you think he plans on leaving later tonight?"
"That's what I am waiting to find out. I believe he is eating dinner with his family or presume to be with them, but I am not 100% sure."
"Let's wait for a bit. If he doesn't move, say in the next hour, then we will need to draw him out or bide our time which risks losing him again. What's the possibility of him using this child and woman as cover?"
"Our observations at the library confirmed that he is close with the girl. However, there was no wedding band seen on either of the adult parties. If this is his true wife and daughter, I don't know how deep they are in with him or if they truly know who he is at all."
"If it isn't his real wife and child then you need to separate them."
"Got it. Agents are up and ready and I have you on speed dial. I'll keep you updated if we find something. Simons out."
Marilyn got off the phone with the Director and explained the plan to Ramirez and Stephens. The three of them waited for the next 45 minutes until bright headlights shone down the road. The tracker beeped turning red and flashing until it remained a steady light. The car had been activated. Marilyn signaled for them to start their engines. The tracker followed the electronic satellite map of the neighborhood. It began to move down the street away from them. Marilyn speed dialed the Director.
"He's on the move."
"Is he alone?"
"Unconfirmed. I am working on it."
Marilyn tapped her com. "Ramirez follow him and tell me if he is alone."
"On it!" said Ramirez.
Marilyn watched as Ramirez shot out of the parking lot and onto the road. All three of their vehicles were equipped with satellite GPS so they could all locate each other anywhere in the world. Marilyn flashed her lights at Stephens. She wanted her to follow Ramirez.
About ten minutes later, Marilyn's com buzzed.
"This is Ramirez. Daniel Riles is alone and is headed toward the Marina Bay off of Walt Street."
"Did you hear that Director?" Marilyn asked into her phone.
"Yes. I am sending the team out. All coms are on and we are a go," said Hill.
"Alpha Team One, this is Agent Marilyn Simons. I am heading this operation under the orders of Director Hill. Daniel Riles, presumed to be a rogue agent unless further notified, is our target. I want you to head out to Wester's Marina Bay. Spread out. I want all entrances and exits monitored, but do not engage with him unless prompted to."
"Simons, this is Ramirez. I am afraid there is going to be some trouble."
"Go Ramirez. What is it?"
"He is getting on the Queen Fort."
"The Queen Fort? Are you sure?"
"Confirmative. I have eyes on it right now. There looks to be some sort of party going on. If Riles plans on meeting with someone inside, he is going to use this party as a cover. So, what's the plan Simons?"
"Director, can you get eyes on the Queen Fort?"
"Yes, give me a minute."
"Ramirez, does it look like the boat is going to move out anytime soon?"
"I'm afraid so. I just saw one of the engineers begin fueling, so I'd say half an hour tops before she is released into the waters. We have some time, but not a lot."
"Okay, Ramirez. Stephens is on her way. She should be there soon as well as the extraction team and myself. I want you to meet them there and prep three of them to go with you and I. Stephens is to stay back with the final four for backup."
"Simons, this is Director Hill."
"Yes, Director I read you."
"Agent Sikes was able to gain access to the Queen Mary's cameras and scanners. It is a party, but there seems to be a guest list. Nearly everyone has come expect for a foreign business woman and her partner. They are from Geneva, Switzerland. We discovered their flight was cancelled and can't make it tonight. This is your opportunity. Take it. I am sending you files via your phone with more details on why they are here along with some IDs. If you need any more backup I can have a team ready in five minutes."
"Great. Thank you, Director. I'll let you know when we get him."
"Stay safe, Marilyn. If this guy is headed where we think he is going, who know what you are about to find."
"Got it. I am pulling into the Marina. I'll check in later. Simons out."
Marilyn hung up the call and then pulled up the documents she was sent. She scanned it briefly and then called Ramirez and the agents over to her. Getting out of her car, she walked over to him.
"What's the plan Simons?" he asked.
"Suit up."
"What?"
"We have a party to crash," she said handing him an ID she had printed from her car.
They had about 20 minutes until the boat left at 8pm. Marilyn found the check in station and went inside to change with Ramirez in tow. Ten minutes later they both emerged dressed to the nines. Agent Maxwell codenamed Koala handed her a phone, some documents in a purse, and her ID. Her and Ramirez were now Mr. and Mrs. Tournier, a couple that owned a large Swiss bank in Geneva. Simons told Stephens and the remaining agents to wait back on the main land. She explained the plan that they were to board the boat and find Daniel. They would then pull him into a private lounge and offer him a deal. According to the paperwork Hill sent, bankers were always on the lookout to make private money exchanges and dealings with individual business men. If they could get Daniel to bite, they would talk him into following them off the boat later that night to sign some papers after the party. If he didn't bite or if they ran into trouble, they would have to improvise.
"Everyone ready?" Simons asked her team.
Her team nodded and they set out.
"Simons, how are we going to get this to work?" asked Ramirez nervously.
"Stick to the plan. You are to be silent at all time unless I say. Understood?"
"Yes, ma' am."
"Good, now it's time to see how rusty my French is."