CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
(Undisclosed location, Germany)
"Since we're almost finished with our deal, would you mind if I bring in my laptop so that we can finalise the arrangements?" He asked as pushed his chair backwards.
Ignatius Radetskii shook his head, "No, of course not." He scrutinized the young man in front of him and asked, "And when will I meet with your hacker friends?"
"They're a bit elusive, Mr. Radetskii. I hope your employer doesn't mind if the job takes longer than expected." The young man answered as he took his cell phone to call his bodyguards.
Radetskii watched him. He had lied about having an employer. After all, he is his own boss. He needs Mikhail Premenov to assist him into accessing Omnifam's old database. He needs it badly.
"Mr. Radetskii, it seems that my men are having problems. Do you mind if I step out and get the laptop myself?"
He shook his head again, "Go ahead."
Mikhail Premenov walked towards the door and was reaching for the knob when it suddenly burst open and slammed on his face. The force pushed him to the floor, enabling the intruder to get inside. He tried to stand up but the intruder immediately reached out for his neck and tasered him.
Radetskii stood up from his seat, "Mr. Premenov, are you-" he abruptly stopped when he saw the person who stepped inside the room.
"But… you're dead… they said you were dead."
Irina Derevko straightened up and stared. She then sauntered towards him and gave him an ominous smile.
"I was blessed with nine lives, Ignatius. I still have seven more before I truly die."
(72 HOURS EARLIER)
(LA, California)
Nathan has never felt this kind of awkwardness before. He couldn't look at his mother in the eye when he saw the marks on her arms and neck. He didn't want to react to it as he didn't know how she would respond to him.
He glanced at Sydney and found her face buried under the newspapers, reading. He then looked at Jack and the expression on his father's face told him that they will allow the pink elephant in the room to trample them to death.
"Uh," Nathan started and cleared his throat. Everyone looked at him as they haven't spoken a word ever since they've started eating, "Is this the… housing arrangement from now on?"
"Until the other mole is caught, yes." Jack answered.
This time, he found the courage to look at his mother. He wanted to know if she agreed with this settlement. She looked back at him and gave him a reassuring smile.
Silence reigned in the dining room once again. Sydney didn't dare to speak, as if afraid that she might say something very out of place.
A noise in the living room suddenly disturbed their reverie.
"Please excuse me," Nathan said and stood up, "The computer has… never mind." He then hurriedly went out of the room, leaving his sister once again to face the uneasy topic that they are purposefully trying to ignore.
A few minutes later, Nathan popped his head in the room, "Uh, I need his help." He had never referred Jack by father (or any of its sort) or by his name. He might call him that someday, but right now, something generic is better—like 'hey'.
Jack looked at Sydney and Irina before standing up and following Nathan to the living room.
Irina finished the scrambled eggs and took the part of the newspaper Jack was reading. She could feel her daughter's eyes following her every move but she paid no attention to it. She's not going to open up the issue if she's just going to mortify her.
"Mom?" her mother looked up and she continued, "I just want to ask if you and Dad…" she trailed off, not wanting to continue.
"Sweetie, I'm not going to answer that question if it's just going to embarrass you."
"I am embarrassed, but I want to know. I mean…" her face started to go beet red.
Irina stared at her and after a few seconds, sighed. "Yes, we did. It was… therapeutic."
"Oh." Her face turned even redder as she took a piece of bread on one of the plates.
Her mother took the mug of coffee and observed her behind the rim of the cup. Her unfathomable brown eyes seemed to stare at her very soul.
"Uh, do you always have those bite marks on your neck after you do it?"
An amused smile appeared on Irina's face. She angled her head and raised a brow, "Why are you so interested in it, Sydney?" Her daughter shrugged to which she added, "Your face couldn't get any redder than that."
"I'm sorry." She mumbled.
"Its okay, sweetheart. No one has asked me those kinds of questions before."
Sydney mustered a smile to which her mother responded generously. It was one of those surreal moments that you don't want to end, even if you just went through the most discomforting event of your life.
A few minutes later, Jack and Nathan came back, with an identical expression of triumph in their faces.
"Radetskii contacted Premenov and he wants a meeting." Nathan said and sat beside Sydney, "My protocols permit me to wait for another day before I reply."
"We could use that time frame to plan our next step." Jack added, "I've already phoned Vaughn and the others. A meeting will be held in APO in an hour or so."
"What about the mole?" Sydney inquired.
"He'll be dealt with later. For now, we'd have to keep our circle tight. Only the people we trust we'll be in it until we find Nadia and Sofya."
-x-x-x-
"He had followed everything in the protocol that I've set up for Germany. Well, except for the Swiss bank account that he had opened for the transaction, he followed everything to the dot," Nathan said, "And according to some of my associates, Radetskii expects that he be given the same, if not higher, protection I give my other clients."
"What's that suppose to mean?" Weiss asked and looked at the others. Everyone had come in the office earlier than the said time of the meeting. His eyes rested on Irina and Jack, who are seated next to each other. They seemed refreshed, well-rested. Sleep really does good work to people.
"It means that he expects that I will give him protection while I'm under his payroll. And even if I hate him and want to kill him, I cannot hurt him. Not until I give him what he wants. I also cannot allow you to barge in on our meeting."
Dixon shook his head, "You're not going to be in his payroll. You have an agreement with the CIA and you're going to honor that agreement or you'll go to jail."
"I'm not saying that I'm going to back out of this." Nathan replied, "According to contacts, Radetskii is a paranoid man. If he suspects that he's being entrapped, our one and only source of information about my sisters' location will be gone. I will not sacrifice this opportunity by going with your inane idea."
"It's not inane." Dixon replied irritably.
"Its not inane, but it has a high chance of failing." Nathan answered disdainfully.
Jack looked at Dixon before looking at his son, "Do you have any alternate recommendations?"
"I have none at this moment." He answered. He could feel the tension starting to rise— it is partly his fault He admits that, but he wants to get this done and over with. He knows that everyone feels this way too.
Sydney tapped her fingers on the table. For a few minutes, the occupants of the room were quiet. She looked at her mother and then remembered that Radetskii knows her.
"Mom, how well does Radetskii know you?" she asked
Irina shrugged, "He was the last person I saw before I woke up in a cell." Everyone looked at her way. She felt Jack's sharp glance piercing her, but she didn't look at him, "Bribing Ignatius will not get you anywhere. He's enjoying the privileges of being affiliated with these terrorist organizations. He lacks common sense and he's quite superstitious, but that doesn't mean he's stupid."
"And you're suggestion is…?" Jack asked, giving her a hard stare. Why didn't she tell him that last night?
"A little playacting."
(Two days later)
The protocol that he had sent when he answered Ignatius Radetskii's request had included being seen in The Majestic three hours prior to the meeting. They will then meet in a nightclub a few blocks away from the hotel before finally going to the actual place where they will hold the transaction. He had to make sure that Radetskii will be lulled to some sort of false security.
The petite blonde behind the reception desk was busy with the reservations on the computer when a dark shadow befell on her. She plastered a smile on her face and looked up, expecting to see a businessman, or maybe an old couple who is visiting Germany for the first time.
"Good evening…." Her voice trailed away when she saw the person in front of her. A tall, handsome man seriously stared at her with his hazel eyes and is waiting for her to finish what she was saying. The long scar on his face didn't scare her—it made her more interested in him, even if he exudes danger and temper.
"Good evening sir, how may I help you?" she cheerfully asked.
"I reserved a room. Mikhail Premenov."
She smiled even brighter and typed in his name in the computer.
"Ahhh… Mr. Premenov. You're in room 1040." She said and handed him the card key, "Do you need any help with your baggage?"
"No, thank you." He answered and gave her a small nod. He then turned around and started to go to the elevator.
The elevator doors were about to close when he stepped in. No one was inside, and only his reflection in the mirror was his companion.
"Target has just entered the building."
"Copy that."
A swift glance at his watch told him that the meeting will start on time. Dixon and Vaughn should be getting ready by now.
He looked at the security camera in one corner. Marshall had tapped into the security system of the hotel. Technically speaking, they were looking at each other.
"Good luck, Paladin."
"You too, Wizard."
-x-x-x-
The loud beat of the music in the dance floor rocked the walls of the private room he had reserved for his initial meeting with Ignatius Radetskii. Nathan knew that even if he's alter ego has the reputation of offering very good protection to his clients, Radetskii will still have reservations about the security.
He leaned back on the chair and looked at his watch once again. Three more minutes before the meeting starts. He knew that the man he's going to encounter was always prompt. He will never be late for anything.
True enough, three minutes later, he heard Weiss' voice in his com link.
"Target is coming. Three bodyguards."
Nathan stood up from the chair as the door opened. Weiss entered, escorting a large man inside.
"Mr. Radetskii." He greeted when the door closed and Weiss left.
"Good evening Mr. Premenov."
His built was more on the stocky side, with wide shoulders and a big chest. His dark hair was cropped closely to his head and he looked like he could crush a person to his death. But he was soft spoken, a total contradiction to his appearance. Ignatius Radetskii looked like he could tear off a one-hundred year old tree from the ground, but he sounded like he couldn't hurt a fly to save his life.
But of course he knew that the latter was very untrue.
"You picked quite a spot for our meeting." He started when they settled down in their seats.
Nathan smiled, "It's a public place, Mr. Radetskii. Add to the fact that there are a lot of beautiful women who come here every night."
His comment elicited a laugh from the older man, "Ah, yes, the beautiful ladies. I take that you are popular among them?" he asked.
"I think so." Nathan stared at him, careful not to show the running hate he's feeling, "Would you like to have drinks first or go straight to our business?"
"I'm going to have that drink first."
Meanwhile in APO
"Well, he's clean of any electronic devices. He has a knife in his jacket and two guns, one in his pocket and the other by his ankle. Like a cop." Marshall said as he changed the mode of the cameras from infrared to normal. He then glanced at Jack, who was standing beside him, "He's a pretty smooth talker."
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but could you give me some sort of overview of our meeting?"
"I'd rather that we wait until everything is quiet and settled until we talk business."
"Okay, Mr. Radetskii. Whatever you say."
Jack could hear the slight irritation in Nathan's voice but the man he was talking to didn't seem to mind.
"How could he be so calm?" Marshall asked in amazement, "If I were in his position, I'd probably puke." He waited for a beat before he asked Jack "Is it in your genes?"
"I'd like to think of it as a product of the environment." he dryly replied. He then focused his attention on the monitors, waiting for the pleasantries to end.
A few minutes later, he saw Radetskii stand up.
"I had my fill. Now, let's talk."
Let's go back to Germany
Nathan let Weiss take the lead as they walked down the crowded stairs. There were lots of gyrating bodies, lots of laughing and teasing. He didn't take notice of it and just followed Weiss. He looked behind him and found Radetskii and his men pushing everyone out of their way.
"Mr. Premenov, you know this place very well." Radetskii said when he caught up with them.
"I am friends with the owner of this place." He replied, "I come here often." Actually, his mother owns the nightclub and he hasn't set foot in this place until now. He uses a different meeting place when doing business in the country.
"Well, tell your friend that his selection of vodka is very rich in taste."
Nathan looked at him and smiled, "I'll make sure to tell her."
Weiss led them towards the kitchen. A few steps later, he opened the door to the basement and escorted them inside.
"I hope you don't mind if you leave your bodyguards with my bodyguard. I assure you that they will be taken care of." Nathan said.
"I don't mind at all."
It was Weiss' cue to leave. He took one last look at Nathan, mentally wished him good luck and ushered Ignatius Radetskii's men out the room.
The door closed silently.
"Which of my services do you need, Mr. Radetskii?" Nathan asked and motioned him to sit down.
"Have you heard of Omnifam, Mr. Premenov?"
"Of course I've heard of it."
"Well, there is information in their database that none of my men could hack into. My employers heard that you have in your payroll two world-class hackers who could infiltrate even the most secure computer databases."
Nathan smiled at him, "And what sort of information do you want to get in the Omnifam databases?"
"There are several files they'd like to have, particularly a formula for cleaning the water supply…" Radetskii then elaborated the plan, making everyone who heard him raise an eyebrow.
A few minutes later, he was done talking. A slight smile can be seen on his face.
"Since we're almost finished with our deal, would you mind if I bring in my laptop so that we can finalise the arrangements?" Nathan asked as pushed his chair backwards.
"No, of course not." He scrutinized the young man in front of him and asked, "And when will I meet with your hacker friends?"
"They're a bit elusive, Mr. Radetskii. I hope you don't mind if the job takes longer than expected." Nathan answered and 'called' Weiss.
Radetskii watched him. He had lied about having an employer. After all, he is his own boss. He needs Mikhail Premenov to assist him into accessing Omnifam's old database. He needs it badly.
"Mr. Radetskii, it seems that my men are having problems. Do you mind if I step out and get the laptop myself?"
He shook his head again, "Go ahead."
Nathan walked towards the door and was reaching for the knob when it suddenly burst open and slammed on his face. The force pushed him to the floor, enabling the intruder to get inside. He tried to stand up but the intruder immediately reached out for his neck and tasered him.
Radetskii stood up from his seat, "Mr. Premenov, are you-" he abruptly stopped when he saw the person who stepped inside the room.
"But… you're dead… they said you were dead."
Irina Derevko straightened up and stared. She then sauntered towards him and gave him an ominous smile.
"I was blessed with nine lives, Ignatius. I still have seven more before I truly die."
Nathan didn't expect that his mother would have this kind of grand entrance. He could feel his nerves tingling and his nose bleeding. He groaned in pain. He had never been tasered before.
"They killed you. They told me you were dead." He whipped up a hunter's knife and held it in front of him. What could he have possibly done to make the dead visit him? Or maybe Premenov had slipped something in his drink.
He didn't wait for her to respond and instead lunged towards her with his knife.
She easily sidestepped him. Ignatius was a big man, but he's slow. And the fact that he's scared of her 'presence' would be an asset for her.
Nathan rolled on the floor. His cheeks were twitching uncontrollably and he couldn't make it stop. He then wiped the blood away from his face and pulled himself to sitting position.
"Paladin, are you alright?"
"No."
He could hear his mother talking to their target, taunting him. He, on the other hand, was struggling to stand up.
Radetkskii's eyes were filled with fear and hate. His superstitious beliefs were getting in the way of clear thinking. He made a slicing motion with his knife and lunged at her again. Once again, Irina evaded him, but this time he managed to cut a small part of her sleeve.
Blood began to appear in her right arm. Ignatius stared at her, "You're real."
"Of course I'm real, you idiot." Irina answered as she glanced at the wound. It's starting to bleed profusely, but she couldn't feel any pain.
"I'll kill you!" he said and leaped towards her. But he was suddenly tackled from the side and his knife was knocked out from his hands.
Nathan pinned him to the floor, "You will not hurt her." he said angrily, "She is my client. You do anything to her, the deal will be off." He continued and glared at Radetskii. Nathan could feel adrenaline pumping in his veins. He could tear off Radetskii's head if he wanted to.
"She's a ghost."
"She's real." Nathan said, "Ms. Derevko will leave now. She will leave if she still wants to be in my protection." He said in a hard voice.
After a few seconds, both men heard the shuffling of her feet and the slamming of the door. Nathan stood up and brushed his hands on his pants.
"I'm sorry about that." He said. Radetskii stood up and was going to say something when he suddenly collapsed to the floor. He sighed and rolled his eyes, "Magician, send Athena in again. Target's been disabled."
(A few hours later)
"Are you okay?"
Irina looked up and saw Sydney looking at her with a concerned expression on her face. She smiled comfortingly, "Yes, I am, sweetie."
"Are you sure?" Sydney asked. She had witnessed the Radetskii encounter through a surveillance camera and she hadn't seen her mother move that way.
"I'm sure." She answered as she smoothed the bandage in her right arm, "Where's your brother?"
"Talking to Marshall."
Nathan had injected a slow-acting sedative into Radetskii when he tackled him. It knocked him out for a few minutes and that enabled them to inject the truth serum into the man. Radetskii had given Nadia and Sofya's location without a fight and when he woke up again, Nathan informed him that Irina Derevko knocked him out. Since he couldn't explain why he was unconscious, he believed what Nathan said and they proceeded to finish the deal.
"Is he alright?"
Sydney smiled slightly, "Well, his nose isn't broken and he said that it was the first time he tasted the effects of a taser. He said he's thankful that it was you who tasered him."
"He was sarcastic."
"A little. He didn't expect it." She said. She remembers the time she was tasered by her mother. She didn't expect that too.
Irina sighed and looked at her daughter. She observed her for a while before asking, "When will we go back?"
"The plane will be arriving in half an hour. And Dad said that he'll talk to you before we leave for LA." Sydney answered. Her mother raised a brow, but didn't say anything.
A few minutes later, Vaughn went in the room, holding a cell phone. He looked at Sydney first and then at Irina.
"It's Jack."
