Back, I'm Back
Two months and nothing... No new developments on the Conspiracy Theory story and Megan was getting antsy about moving forward. Her research had turned up some interesting stuff on Tabib Balik, and Megan was ready to head to Istanbul. Pulling all her files and notes together, she was ready to march into Harry Bernstein's office prepared to lay out her need to return to the story.
The poisoning death of Maxim Voronov had made front page headlines with a hint of a conspiracy the reasoning for the assassination. The gut feeling that Harry Bernstein was having came for years of being one of the top newspaper men around and his gut was telling him the Russian murder and Megan's story was all coupled together. The lines drawn and dots connected were missing and he was ready to resume the digging. Now Harry Bernstein was also getting a fidgety about the incomplete story and halfway welcomed Megan's intrusion.
"He is a crook of the largest degree. I've tracked several deals the man has made and is working with some group in Northern Africa on supplying heavy weapons to terrorists in the Middle East." Megan placing her notes in front of Harry to examine.
Taking his time to review what Megan had brought to him and with his no-nonsense tone, "And everything you have isn't substantiate. All is just speculation and we can't go to press on conjecture." Harry giving her the look of don't bother me until you can prove the story.
"I need to go to Istanbul. To find this Tabib Balik."
"Four weeks Megan. You have four weeks to break the story. Use your connection with the CIA and pull out all the stops. What you do have is a good beginning so dig deeper. Also keep an open mind on the murder of Maxim Voronov. There is rotten smelling fish in that pot and my gut is tell me his death is connected to your story."
"Never knew you to work on gut, only facts that can be proven."
"You start with gut feel and discover the facts and gather the proof. Have you even considered there may be a link?"
"Yes sir I have and with good cause. I can't give my source but I do believe that is a connection and already done some research on Voronov travels and his associates. Another name pops up, Iwan Brodowski and a logistic company run by Omar Uzun. From the little I can tell once Voronov was killed, the company shut down operations and all quiet on that front. Makes you wonder doesn't it?"
"Second in command running scared. The actions of someone or group closing in. Good work Megan and you are on the right track. My advice, listen to your gut, ninety percent of the time it is right. Go do your thing and watch your back."
Thank you sir, I shall and thank you. You won't be sorry." Megan grabbing her scattered notes from Harry's desk, she wasn't going to wait if he changed his mind.
Back to her favorite coffee shop and a call to Arthur. Time for her to tell him about meeting Eyal and ask for renewed help. Her only hope was Eyal and Annie were still working the mission and Arthur was receptive. The Arthur's hurdle was the tough one to cross but she had no other way to go. Well she could just show up in Turkey but that was dumb on her part because she didn't have an in to Tabib Balik. Only a phone call to one of his associates, Omar Uzun from Michelle Defour.
"Hey big brother." Megan trying to sound as cheerfully as she could before Arthur nailed her for not keeping in touch.
"The answer is no."
"You don't know what I'm asking. Humor me and just listen please. It might just be something about our family."
"That my dear Megan would be a first. For your information the family is fine, Colin's girlfriend is planning one big wedding and Dad is being Dad. Now little sister I'm listening."
"I met Eyal Lavin in Monaco along with Annie Walker. We sort of created a team until things went cold and Annie and I returned to the states. Look Arthur, I know it isn't right for me to ask but this story I've been working on is tightly tired to what Eyal and Annie have been working with. If that mission is still ongoing I need to reconnected with them. Please Arthur."
"Not up to me Megan. The mission is run totally by the master himself and it would be up to him. I can only wish you luck and try to talk you out of this wild chase of yours for a death wish."
"It's not a death wish but a story Arthur and like you it is my job. I'm not going to back away from it. I'm a Campbell and too much like my big brother in our commitment."
"That's what I'm afraid of. If you know how to get in touch with Annie that would be your best bet. And for God sakes little sister, keep safe."
"I'll do my best and give my love to the family." Megan disconnecting from Arthur and now finding Annie's special number, the one that she was given her back in Monaco. Oh please, please Annie answer and be willing to allow me back in. Rats, the call went to voice mail and Megan wasn't about to leave a message other than to say, 'Hi friend and long time to hear. Give me a shout when you get free.'
Weather in Athens Greece during February can be all over the charts and on this day it was cold. Annie sitting on the terrace of her rich Greek estate and looking at the cell phone and allowing the call from Megan Campbell go to voice mail. A sparking blaze in the fire pit took the chill off the late afternoon and a glass of wine also helped. Eyal was wrapped in a blanket and reading a novel on his Kindle and slipping wine. A lazy day of establishing the fact they were wealthy.
"That was Megan Campbell on the phone." Annie listening to the voice-mail. "Calling just to say hi."
"She is calling for more. That woman has a motive." Eyal looking up from his reading and turning off the novel. He had enough of murder, mystery and mayhem for one afternoon.
"She is a nice person Elias, I like her."
"Good." Eyal not much interest in Megan Campbell or for that matter her calling Annie. His mind was turning to other more important things, like how beautiful Annie looked in the fading sun and the gold shadows drafting across her face. He took another slip of wine and hoping to change the course of the chat.
"Think I'll call her back and see what she wanted." Annie started to hit the call back button.
"Before you do let's talk about it. She hasn't finished that Conspiracy story as yet and we are still in the middle of it. My bet is she is wanting back into the team."
"We aren't getting very far as we stand now. Something has to happen to get us into Tabib Balik and I never got the chance to play the Honey Trap because Megan was with us. Too bad Tassos pulled his vanishing act when he did."
"Plans can always be modified and from the intel I'm being feed from North Africa our target will be in need of a new supplier shortly." This conversation is definitely not going in the direction Eyal had wanted. Megan was once more throwing cold water on his libido and she wasn't even in the country.
"So our living the life of luxury with your so call businesses perhaps paying off." Annie noticing Eyal eyes had that look, the look she know all too well and it stirred her.
"Think so as I've heard rumors of people making inquires of one Elias Zacharias. Now about Megan."
"Yeah about Megan, you know she will show up with or without us when she could do some real damage to our mission." Annie thinking it was time to put Megan to rest and join the Israeli on the lounge but they were in the middle of this conversation and she had to finish it.
"I know and her timing is a sign she is getting really restless."
"She is aware of Tabib Balik because of the call made by Michelle. Think she would just hop a plane to Turkey?" Annie swinging her legs to the side of the lounge she had been on and sitting up to face Eyal. He looked so inviting with the reflection of the fire on his face and the setting sun behind him.
"That is what a good reporter would do. Yeah Annie, give her a call and if she wants back in okay but only to play by my rules."
"You are softening Eyal Lavin."
"Not by a long shot just protecting our mission. Megan Campbell can be a help or hindrance and we need her on our side. Keep a leash on her." Eyal finishing off his glass of wine and placed the empty glass on the floor, shifted to one side of his lounge. His smile, his seductive enticing smile could not be ignored.
Annie slipping off of her lounge, placing her glass of wine on the floor, walk by the fire pit toward Eyal and lifting the edge of the blanket she snuggle down close to Eyal. "I'm cold."
"Well now let's see if we can cure that problem." Eyal engulfing her in his arms and the thought of calling Megan was put on hold. Their love making had improved with time, like fine wine and each taking pleasure in pleasing the other. As the sun slowly set, they renewed that fire spark between them in a magical romantic way. Annie wanting life with Eyal to go on forever.
Rainy day in Athens when Megan's plane touched down. Annie was at the airport to meet her and Megan was delight at seeing Annie again. As Annie hug Megan she softly whispered, "We are being watched."
Megan quickly looked around to see if she could see who might be watching and Annie just broke out in laughter. Megan turning to look at Annie, "You were joking right."
"Yes but it was partly joking but more of a test. Your reaction could have gotten you killed. Training 101 will have to take place before you can fully return to the team. Come on Megan and welcome to Greece."
"Oh great I'm off on the wrong foot already and just got here. Anyway I can make up for my screw up... Oh I know my notes on Tabib Balik. I've been doing a bunch of mind numbing research. This guy is into all kinds of stuff..."
"We'll talk about it back at the house. But for now Megan Campbell, a tour of Athens and dinner at Pil poul et Jerome Serres. You will be impressed I promise."
"Where is Eyal?"
"Elias is on a business trip."
"Elias okay I get the message loud and clear. Okay so who am I in this little family package." Megan getting back into the spy frame of mind and a surge of excitement came rushing through her body.
"A friend of mine from Philadelphia and you shall have a cover. All part of training 101 but first, Athens and some shopping." Annie guiding Megan with suitcase in tow to her car, a silver Audi A6 sedan. A nice car but not what Megan had envision she would be driving.
Their tour of Athens took Megan to all the fine clothing shops only a few drive pass the tourist destinations of the Parthenon and the Acropolis and finally winding up in the neighborhood known as Plaka. Parking the car, the women set out on foot to stroll the shops and markets of this old historical neighborhood. The incorporating labyrinthine streets and neoclassical architecture gave the feeling of returning back the clock to a time when possibly Alexander the Great may have walked the streets as King in ancient times.
Annie being the tour guide pointing out different spots, "They call this area 'Neighborhood of the Gods' because to its location to the Acropolis and its many archaeological sites. Elias and I have spend many afternoons browsing the district and always finding something new."
"I am impressed."
"Around the corner is the Jewish Museum of Greece and to the north is the Museum of Greek Folk Art, an annex of the Old Public Baths building. Both places are wonderful to visit and Elias is really fascinated with how they preserve the material culture of the Greek Jews."
"Elias is Jewish?"
"I thought you knew. Yes he is Jewish and proud of his heritage."
"No I didn't know but should have guessed. I must be slipping and need to pay closer attention to what is going on around me. Now that I think about it I believe I heard him swear in Hebrew."
"His normal way at being annoyed."
"He is not American is he?"
"No he is not but that is enough about Elias. We have Athens to enjoy and a wonderful meal at Pil poul et Jerome Serres. It is near the Temple of Hephaestus the God of metal working and craftsmanship. Another fantastic site to see. We have reservation and I'm sure you will be pleased."
# # # # # #
"Annie was oh so right about being pleased. The temple and sounding area is absolutely beautiful and the meal. Well I can't say enough about the quality of the dinner and wine. Annie Zacharias being the perfect hostess in showing me Athens. Have you notice how easy it was to return to the Greek cover, I must be fitting into this spy thing pretty good. Anyway, for the next five days I was being educated in many areas and the lessons were hard and demanding. Self-defense, how to use a gun and now that wasn't to my liking at all but Annie insisted. Surveillance techniques, control of emotions and that is where I gain an A plus from Eyal. My first sign of any type of approval from the master spy. Last was my cover and the documentation was flawless. Megan Kavanagh from New York and I'm a librarian with the New York Public Library in the research department. Annie and I have been friends since childhood growing up in Philadelphia and me with an Irish father and American mother. It was a little frighten throughout the entire training and I am not sure if I feel more secure or just downright terrified. Well there is no turning back, I'm in this up to my eye-balls and here is where I'm going to stay and finish my assignment. Got to run now and do some more studying, Annie and I are working hard on my cover so there won't be any slip-ups."