Griff got to the meeting place it was a dive bar on the edge of the water. His contact had eyed him as he first appeared. Griff knew this man. He was definitely from the Dragon.
Griff eyed the man as he sat down in the back booth. The rest of the denizens of this watering hole took not even one glance in their direction.
"Griff I have something for you." The man said sliding an envelope across the table.
Griff accepted the envelope and opened it. The first thing he saw was a picture of Hiram Yung. He read the attached note.
He looked at the man.
"So what about the money?" Griff asked.
The man chuckled then placed another envelope filled with cash.
"Do the job you get the rest." The man said rising.
Griff stuffed the envelope in his pocket. 50 grand is not bad for up front fee. Griff stuffed the picture into the envelope then left the place.
Getting back to the temporary headquarters he spoke to his 6 man crew.
"Ok this is the target" Griff said holding up the picture of Hiram Yung.
The rest of the group looked at the picture.
"We can not kill him yet. We have to take him alive and get some information out of him." Griff said.
The rest of the group chuckled at those words. Getting targets to talk was not hard.
"Griff you need to listen to this." Sam said.
Sam Wright was their comms guy and right now he was listening on the police scanner.
"Ok we have a location we have to go in slow and avoid the police at all cost! We can not afford another Morocco." Griff said.
All the men nodded in assent.
"Ok you have your positions move out." Griff said as everyone piled into the Van which would take them to the corner of the building from there they would sneak in then set up awaiting the hapless Hiram to appear. Only one would stay back that was their Comms guy Sam. He always stayed behind in the van.
\\\\
Rick was at the command post 5 blocks away. Their favorite CSU was manning the mics and cameras.
Sgt Wu was also wired for sight and sound.
"Comm check" Wu said.
Adam gave the thumbs up.
"Ok Sgt I'm sure the procedure in Portland is the same. Just get in get them to talk and get out. Let NYPD do the rest" Rick said.
"OK guys I got it!" Wu said.
Again Adam placed his thumbs up.
"Ok Sgt Wu this is it. Run down this street here then duck through these bushes and enter the building here ok?" Rick showed him on the portable map.
"Right well it is show time." Wu said.
"Good luck Sgt." Rick said.
/
Agent Borm had selected 4 men to accompany him. Hiram was not expendable but they had to get him away from the police. They had entered the other exit and waited for him to appear.
Adam at the controls announced.
"Unfriendlies 6 entering from Southeast entrance." Adam said then he listened as they dispersed.
"Well someone rose to take the bait." Rick said.
"I have facial on the leader the rest never faced any camera." Adam said.
"That is great Adam it will tell us at least who he is." Rick said.
"I've got another group of 5 unfriendlies coming in the West entrance." Adam said.
"Put it on Screen" The Captain said.
"Right away Captain." Adam said.
The new group came up on the screen.
"Bingo!" Rick said.
"What Mr. Castle?" The captain asked.
"I would know that crouch anywhere! That is Agent Borm!" Rick said.
"Agent Borm are you sure Mr. Castle?" Gate asked again.
"I am not 100% certain but I am at least 85%" Rick said.
"Have Sgt Wu hold up." The Captain ordered.
"Hello can anyone hear me?" the Sgt said.
"Wu hold up Captain's orders." Adam said to him.
"Why Captain?" Rick asked.
"Mr. Castle there are only so many choke points right?" Gates asked.
"Adam please place the map of the building and place a red dot where you can hear an unfriendly on the screen." Rick said. Ok now place a green dot for the new group.
They watched in amazement as the two groups almost overlapped each other.
"Bring up the volume at that location Adam" Rick said "Where the two dots were facing each other."
They listened as they heard the cocking of weapons.
"Agent Borm what are you doing here! This is not going to be a repeat of Morocco!" Griff said.
"It is not huh? Griff! So tell me why is the junkyard dog of the Dragon doing here?" Merri taunted.
"Piss Off Borm! I am warning you." Griff said.
"Oh I see you are after the same target?" Borm said.
"You were always the Smart one. Tell me how is Mr. Smith? Tell him the Dragon is still waiting on his reply!" Griff sneered.
\\\\\
"What do you want Sgt Wu to do Captain?" Adam asked being tired of Wu's constant inquiries.
"Have him hold Adam" Rick said.
"Yes have him hold." The Captain agreed.
"Shots fired!" Adam said.
"All units move in" the Captain ordered.
"Captain one group is retreating we do not have the manpower to chase them." Rick said seeing the green dots retreating.
"Let them go they are not the primary target Mr. Castle." The Captain said.
"Shooters are secure" Adam repeated from the Head of Tactical.
"Good bring them to the 12th and remove all those bugs this proves the conspiracy was true!" The Captain ordered.
\\\\\
The aide to the Senator had bad news. He entered the Senator's study.
"What do you want?" the Senator asked.
"At 11 AM the bugs at the 12th went dark and other sources had confirmed Griffin's forces were captured." He said.
The Senator's face went grim. There was no way for Griff to ever turn on him. So this setback in the war was not unexpected.
"Thank you for this news Alfred." The Senator said.
/
Agent Borm reported.
"So NYPD just let you go?" Mr. Smith asked.
"Yeah after two of our team were wounded by Griff's I decided a tactical retreat was in order." Agent Borm said. "We met no resistance."
"What sort of player lets one side go? This is an interesting development. See to your men Merrick." Mr. Smith said.
/
At the Old Haunt later Sgt Wu was there with the Boys, the Captain and Kate along with Rick being a good host.
The victory celebration was beginning.
"Here is to the conquering heroes." Rick toasted.
"But we did not do anything." Ryan complained.
"Bro I know we got benched by the coach." Espo said.
"What are you all complaining? I got all dressed up and the ball was cancelled!" Wu said.
"What about me? All I did was made a phone call!" Kate said as Rick kissed her.
"My love it was a very important phone call." Rick said. "Look I know you do not think you did anything. It had convinced the Dragon it was real. He sent someone to investigate. This proved the conspiracy was real. It is enough to recall Hiram. There will not be anyone gunning for him now."
"Mr. Castle just leave him be." The Captain said.
"What Captain?" Rick asked being very surprised.
"He can stay where he is we do not need him until the trial." The Captain said.
"The Captain is right. As far as anyone knows he is long gone. A fugitive the Dragon will go nuts looking for him." Espo said.
"I could see how that is to our advantage." Rick said. "But Captain what about the other team?"
"What other Team Mr. Castle?" Gates asked.
"Oh I guess I got it wrong!" Rick said "My Bad!"
"In that case I suggest we have another round Castle!" Espo said.
"Hear Hear" they all said as the rest of the group clinked their glasses together.