Chapter 10
Jack leaves his room after checking in with base. They got the pictures and thanked him. He's to return home. Jack tells Swanson of the party this evening that, and he assures him the Rey brothers will be in attendance.
Swanson's sending a special extraction team to get the Rey brothers but will not be ready and down there until tomorrow. Jack is to keep a close eye on them and they but will wait until they are out in the open. Swanson takes a call while Jack waits staring at him through the computer's camera link.
Ward we have just received some chatter that one of the brothers is dead, the eldest. They are attempting to recruit from within the family. We have it here that the Madame may have a child by him. They are under a different name but the names have recently been flagged by the British. Carlos and Diego Diez, but again poor pictures on our part only passports but they could be fakes. Stay in Mexico City and go back to the brothel to get photos of the sons. Watch them and send the evidence in directly.
"Will do."
Jack, I thought you would be chomping at the bit to get back home? You seem relieved you get to stay. Enjoying the Madame's club a little too much?
"Well the company there is very fine but no. I will be very glad to get home but it is nice to be out in the field again."
You can fly home tomorrow or the day after but I do not want to see too many charges on your expense account for extracurriculars Ward. Swanson smiles and the screen goes dark.
Jack cannot imagine spending that much on a roll in the hay with a young thing when Evelyn is around. It does irk him some that she did disappear last evening. With someone she had to pay for, but who is he to judge.
It's so strange that Jack feels drawn to a woman who he only just met. Evelyn is something special, he could see that the moment he laid eyes on her.
Perhaps it's the result of his impending retirement. He's blazed a singular career during his youth and now he is reflecting on his life, past loves and the work that always helped or hindered his relationships with women.
Evelyn's a lady he would like to remain in contact with. They are both single and retirement will free up his time for travel. He makes his way to her suite. He fiddles with his button camera. He will take a shot or two of her to keep for himself once he leaves.
M hears the knock knowing it is Jack. She places the blue sister into the hidden pocket of her linen jacket. She changed into a floral blouse and linen capris for walking around. She considers a hat but does not want to destroy her hair.
It is strange to suddenly care about such a thing on vacation, but she wants to look her best for Jack. After all, he doesn't know who she is but sometime in the future he may just figure it out somehow. It wouldn't do for her to appear less than she normally is.
"Hello Jack."
"You look lovely. I didn't think you could look any better than you did last night in that purple dress, but you look good in all lighting."
"You can stop with the flattery Jack. I am not that insecure."
"No you don't seem it, but I feel the need to keep telling you anyway."
They leave the hotel and chat as they walk along into markets selling things to tourists. Eventually they make their way to an outdoor cafe for lunch.
Usually, M would have a guard and normally Jack would be on high alert during a mission. Both of them are under the spell of amusing conversation. So much so that the two of them get lost in a normalcy that usually eludes them.
Bond makes it out his window and back to the hotel in time to see Jack and M leave the lobby and go down the street. As he leaves the hotel he catches the approach of one of Carlos Diaz entering. Bond ducks behind a stand selling hats and sunglasses.
Damn it! He was hoping to talk to M before she continued on another date with Jack. He follows M at a distance and watches for any other unwanted attention.
Hopefully, M has her little gem with her as he suspects that Carlos is up to no good in their suite. He wonders which sister sent him to spy on M or attempt to seduce her? His gut tells him Esmeralda does not fully trust him, nor the two boys.
Jack and M are on their second round of margaritas after lunch and M is animated and giggling at Jack's imitation of some of the people at Madame Ruby's last night. Jack stops suddenly as he sees something over her shoulder.
M notices Jack's posture change. His body is stiff and his eyes dart around.
"What is it Jack? Catch sight of your wife or something?"
Jack answers her absent mindedly. "I'm not married."
M is really concerned now, because he has just broken his back story."
Jack tosses some bills on the table and grabs her elbow pulling her to her feet.
"Jack?"
Jack pulls her along quickly. "We need to get out of here now!"
M does as he says but to keep her cover she feels the need to say something. "What's the hurry Jack? What are we running from?"
Jack whirls around at her and looks down on her very seriously. "I'm not sure darling, but do exactly what I say should anything bad happen."
"Bad? Is someone coming to kidnap us or something?"
"Or something."
Jack pulls her along and they end up at the entrance of an ally. There is a black Mercedes parked in the ally and Garcia Rey gets out with his nephew Carlos.
"Evelyn Connery. Come with us please." Garcia says.
Jack looks to her with confusion and a bit of anger. He pulls her closer to his side as he sees them pull their guns.
"Run!" Jack pulls her past the entrance to the ally and they weave in and out of pedestrians.
M does not protest but runs as fast as she can being dragged by the much longer legged Jack Ward.
If Jack is at all confused by the fact M is not protesting he's keeping it to himself. They hear the squeal of tires suddenly as another car stops and the door flings open.
"GET IN!" James Bond yells at the two of them from behind the driver's seat.
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James Bond sees the watcher first and commanders a very nice audi. He needs to get M out of a bad situation. He knew this would happen and he told her not to leave the hotel!
Damn Jack...he is M's only hope for protection and he doesn't even know it!
Once James spotted Carlos with his uncle Garcia, he realized that the boy had changed sides. The lure of the money and power the drug cartel can provide turned him.
It is not like his mother and aunt's enterprises do not make good money, but the cartel likely offers more.
James took the best car he could find and went back in the direction Jack and M were. He saw Jack pulling her through a crowed. His hands gripped the wheel tightly as he saw the look of fear on M's beautiful face.
Bond's actually glad Jack is with her. He throws open the door and yells, "GET IN!"
Jack's eyes go wide when he see who is behind the wheel of the Audi. "Shit!"
What in hell is MI6 really doing here? He thought he saw James when he first checked in. Damn it! Where that boy is danger is sure to follow. Now he has to worry about keeping Evelyn out of the line of fire.
Wherever James Bond is there is bound to be fire. He likes the boy, and usually has a blast when the Jimmy's around but this time he doesn't need the mayhem nor the competition.
Suddenly a car rear ends Bond's and Jack has to leap back pulling Evelyn out of the way. Men come from many direction pointing guns and grabbing Evelyn out of his grasp. Bond looks unconscious with his head resting in the airbag.
M's in a panic. Bond's just been struck and is hurt. Someone punches Jack and he falls to his knees. Men come and grab her pulling her into the black Mercedes.
The older man holds her in place as the younger sits beside her and the car speeds off. Do they know? Or is this something to do with the brooch?
Jack's ears are ringing as he stumbles towards the car. The rear bumper is clear off and sirens can be heard in the distance. The car is half off the road as he nudges James who groans awake and pulls his gun instinctively.
"Whoa now Bond. Is that any way to treat an old friend?"
Bond groans, "M?"
"Listen they got my lady friend and I have no idea why. I thought they were after me. Can you drive? I know you usually can't do it without scaring the shit out of me but right now I could use that help."
Jack climbs in the passenger side as Bond tears the airbag and guns the engine as Jack points at the direction they fled.
James thumbs his mobile. "Q, Jack and I are in pursuit of a black Mercedes and they have her. It was Garcia and Carlos Rey. I need you to direct me."
Jack looks at him quizzically. "You are after the Rey brothers and now the sons also?"
Bond spares him a glance. "So that is confirmed then."
"What is?"
"That they are part of a drug cartel."
"If you didn't know that, why are MI6 watching them?"
"I was not watching them I was watching her."
"HER? Her as in Evelyn Connery?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Bond smirks at him as he weaves dangerously through traffic. Q's tapped in and highlighted the route. Tanner breaks through on speaker.
Bloody hell Bond! Please tell me you didn't loose M?
"M? What do you mean M? M as in the head of MI6! The woman that usually takes you to task on every mission I have ever been near you on!"
"Yes, that M! Drug cartels do not interest us unless they directly affect us and now, by coincidence they do."
"Evelyn...she's really M?"
"Yes. So I want you to keep your hands and lips to yourself in the future, Ward. Tanner we are in pursuit. Have Q try to keep the police out of the way. Jack, I sense that the CIA is nearby with a team? Now would be the time to call them in."
Jack pulls out his phone and makes the call. They will mobilize and meet them wherever the chase ends.
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"What do you want from me? Money?"
The older man smiles at her. "No my dear. I have plenty of that. I hear you have a brooch of extreme value to my wife. A sapphire one that my soon to be ex wife Sapphire and her two sisters want."
"It's in the hotel safe."
"No it isn't." The young man exclaims. "I broke in and it's a fake. I have been trained to have a good eye for the real and the fake." He tosses the fake into M's lap.
Then the car lurches forward as it is hit by the same black Audi they hit the driver swerves and accelerates as they try to loose them.
Bond gently rams them with the car.
"What the hell James! Your boss is in there!"
"I know that! That's why I never asked you to start shooting at the bloody car! Oh and I noticed that now she's my boss, and not Evelyn or M."
"Yes and what the hell is the head of MI6 doing out in the field anyhow? Why would they let a woman that important on a mission?"
"M's not officially M on this one. This is personal and she's officially on vacation. I am the backup and only she really knows what is going on here."
"What is going on here? I am here for the drug kingpins and they frequent that brothel. Where were you any way Jimmy boy?"
"I am one of the escorts."
"She was with you last night!"
"Yes, I never thought you would be excited by that considering it got her out of your grasp."
Bond bumps the car as the man in the passenger seat hangs out the window to shoot at them.
Bond and Jack barely notice as they weave away from the shots while discussing M.
"I wondered where she went and she was not all that happy with the service rendered. Now that makes sense since it was you."
"Not happy? I offered her the entire package it was you that was getting in my way!"
"Me? What on God's green earth are you talk'n about boy?"
"I told her how I felt for her, again I might add, but she would have none of it. I am not age appropriate enough for M. For once I actually want to trade places with you old man."
"Old my ass! You want to fool around with your boss?"
"What, is she not attractive enough for you Jack?"
"Shit no! It's not that! She's in her sixties boy and I haven't seen you with anyone much over 30 in the 10 years I've known you. I think you should leave her be. It is not right for you to be trying to have relations with your boss."
Shots continue being fired at the car as they make their way gradually out of the massive Mexican capital city.
"If you have a gun, when we clear the city shoot at the tires. For your information, I have fancied her for years but she was a married woman until recently. It's been enough time for her to begin dating again and I wanted her to know my feelings."
"You with feelings is as much as a shock as the age of your intended victim."
"Victim? What do you mean by that old man?"
"Not many of your women survive let alone stay with you longer than a couple of weeks boy. I doubt that has changed much in the last year since I saw you last."
"Jack, just shoot or I will shoot you. By the way, you were moving very fast with her. I thought Cassy would be more your taste. She loves halter tops and cowboy boots. That's the honky tonk level you usually operate at isn't it Jack?"
Bond thinks back to old conversations they have had in honky tonks and saloons throughout the US when Bond meets up with him. A refined Englishwoman has never been on the radar of Jack Ward, until now.
"Why you! If you weren't driving I would hit you upside the head! I was drawn to her immediately and her to me, I think."
"We will have to let the lady decide and besides I will be her escort tonight at the ball. Ruby even got us matching costumes."
"Funny that! Considering that I am the one who will be escorting her to the ball and she picked out my costume for me to compliment her own. I've seen her dress and it is stunning. We will look the perfect pair."
"Jack shut up and call in your team and get them here faster. I need to get M away from the evil drug cartel so she can use herself as bait for the mission she's on at Ruby's."
Jack makes a second call and gives them the direction and coordinates they are travelling. The team will take at least 30 minutes.
The cars continue to speed out of the city to a destination, that will likely be a fortress for Bond and Jack to drive to their fiery demise.
"Tanner are you still there?"
Yes, Q and I are drastically trying to find you and find help. We do not have any tactical teams in Mexico. Just the men at the safe house.
"The CIA is 30 minutes out at least. Do we have anyone in the area?
Q comes over the comms. No we don't. I hope the CIA can make it to you on time.
Jack leans out the window and shoots at the moving car's tires.
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M's thrashed back and forth in between the two men as Bond does his usual safe driving. What the hell? Is Jack shooting at them? Bond must have told him who she is. Maybe all their flirting was for naught.
"Those men after you are stubborn." Garcia says.
"I told them I didn't trust that Englishman. He was watching us on our last job. He must be a thief, after the blue sister."
"Enough nonsense about the sisters! I only want one as a bartering chip against those damn women. I will have you and my son and use that business as I see fit. No more catering to the wealthy Europeans and Americans. An ordinary brothel with drugs as a selling feature. You see... it's about moving product."
"This is a lovely conversation but I do not have a blue sister I have a sapphire brooch, that apparently you think is a fake. If it is a fake my father was taken for a fool or it was swapped out when it was cleaned last."
"Could that have happened Carlos?"
"It is a possibility. If she provides me with the information I can go find out."
"What on earth do you need me for after that? You are just planning on killing me aren't you?"
"No my dear. You will take my nephew and son back to London and get the real one back. She will be great for a cover."
"Once we deal with these other two thieves she can return with the fake to your mother's party. Although, I have heard through my connections in the US have told me that the CIA is on to trying to find us. These men are they CIA?"
"CIA! What on earth are you talking about!" M says indignantly.
"Uncle, I think if anything the old man is interested in her and James entertained her last night."
"I am sorry my dear, that I am interfering in your fledgling romances but we require your assistance. So long as you assist my nephew and son find the real blue sister I will let you live out the rest of your life."
"How very generous of you." M says sarcastically.
The two cars accelerate out of the city. Garcia radios ahead and other cars are on the way to intercept and take care of the two men after their captive.
M can feel the weight of the blue sister against her thigh in her jacket. At least there is a chance they will not kill her immediately. Something has happened to create a massive rift between the two halves of this family. Drugs, brothels and jewels, it all comes down to power and money.
M may have to find a way to manipulate the young Carlos to get back to James and Jack.
Two cars pass in the opposite direction as they come towards a large gated compound. Garcia and Carlos are relaxed. "They will take care of them. Their bodies will not be found."
M is guided forcefully into the palatial home and Carlos gives her a laptop to pull up the location of the jewellers. He watches her carefully but M feigns forgetfulness and simply goggles jewellers in London.
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"Jimmy boy!"
"I see them!"
James swerves and hits a dirt road out in the countryside. Dust flies everywhere as the other two cars chase them and shoot at them.
Jack grips the handle above the door with white knuckles. "Christ! James who taught you how to drive?"
James shoots a smirk at him. "In my defence, I'm use to the other side of the road."
"What's the plan Jimmy boy. Drive until we run out of gas or they manage to shoot us? How many clips do you have for this one gun you brought to this Mexican stand off?"
"Two more and why are you not armed?"
"I was taking a beautiful woman out for a walk why on earth would I need a gun?"
"You are CIA, pretending to be a rich businessmen in bloody Mexico! That's why!"
"I realize that now! What in hell are we going to do?"
"We are going to have a chase to evade and hope to hell they do not touch a hair on that woman's head before I can save her."
"YOU! What about me?"
"You don't even have a bloody gun? Some boy scout you would make."
Jack shakes Bond's gun in his face. "What would this be?"
"I lent that to you and I will be taking it back to shoot these morons once we find a good place to jump out and take them on."
James turns back towards the main road and guns it. There is a slight rise ahead with a rocky outcropping. "There! That will have to do."
James gets far enough ahead and pulls behind the outcropping and they get out of the car and take cover.
The other two cars come close as Bond takes the gun from Jack.
Bond waits patiently as they get closer. Bond shoots the driver of the closest car through the window as it cuts drastically to the right and begins rolling in front of the second car. Bond shoots the second driver as they stop the car and get out guns drawn. The passenger follows to Bond's quick shots.
Jack looks shocked at the accuracy James has. "That was just luck."
Bond smirks at him as he moves out and takes care of the other men in each car as they crawl out of the mess of the wreck.
Jack follows and takes a gun and clips from the bad guys as Bond searches the cars.
"Come on Jack. We will take their car back to their lair."
Bond and Jack hit the internal GPS in the car and begin heading back to try to find M before anything worse happens to her.
To be continued...