Chapter 10: A Sliver of A Connection
It was the second hour that the wall clock pinged. Agents Douglas and Greene had their small talk an hour ago in which Douglas disclosed a family loss to him. It was painful Greene thought. But as he sat and listened to his friend, he also noted changes coming from Sam. There was frustration, hurt then a small flickering hope given by the knowledge he recently acquired that the girl named Julie Davenport could be Janine Douglas, his missing daughter. Sam Douglas prayed that it would be true although he tried not to get his hopes up. Until he can speak to Gus and personally see the files, Janine was still missing. When their conversation wrapped, Greene spoke and it was the same question that was bothering Sam a while ago.
"Are you going to tell Jessica?" asked Agent Greene.
Sam heavily sighed as he thought of it. He doesn't know if it would be the right move to make.
" I don't know, Ben." Sam quietly said and looked lost in the conference room. He stood from sitting on the edge of the table and moved this time to gaze at one of their long floor-to-ceiling window of the federal building. A haze blurred the lights of passing cars on the highway below.
"She has the right know." Ben remarked.
"I agree, Ben. But until I can ascertain the veracity of those files I won't tell her just now." Sam decided.
"Okay." Ben pausing. "Are you ready to start the operation?" his friend asked. He was worried that Sam might not be up to it and be distracted during their assignment.
"Yes and we'd better brief the team." Sam told him while glancing down at his wristwatch to take note of the time. It was already seven o'clock in the evening. Both men strode to the briefing room that was next door. As they came in, all the other agents have assembled and waited for them to take positions on front. Sam kept his mind focused on the job at hand. For the next half-hour, the latest reports and information were disseminated and the FBI agents left the building. A succession of cars rolled out of from the underground parking lot and joined the regular stream of the rush hour traffic on the highway. Along the way, Sam's mobile phone rang.
"Sam, this is Brooke," a male voice reported in. "We spotted our first visitor, its waiting at the south side entrance of the warehouse.
"Okay, thanks. Keep me posted." Sam said.
Henry Thornton parked two blocks away from the police station as he saw his partner being herded into the police station. He got out from his vehicle and went to a payphone where he dialed Davenport's number.
Inside a very plush limousine, Davenport's mobile phone rang.
"Davenport," he said.
"Sir, Its Henry. Ellis got himself arrested after assaulting a female store owner".
Davenport expelled an angry breath. "That moron!" He exclaimed and quickly lowered his voice when he saw the puzzled looks of his buyers. "He'll have to stay there overnight until our business deals are over."
"Yes, sir." Thornton answered.
"Thornton, meet the others at the south side of Delago Warehouse. Carter's already there and I want both of you to make sure Katsumi doesn't bother us. Sawyer and Yuri are on the way too."
"Okay, sir." Henry said and replaced the receiver of the car phone to its base. He slowed down while passing the police station by and soon drove of.
Somewhere in another part of the town, Davenport made another call this time for Riley who was already in Delago Warehouse.
"Riley, here." The man answered.
"How are the merchandises?" asked Davenport.
"The merchandises are prep, sir." Looking at the covered priceless paintings on the stage. Ten chairs arranged side by side stood opposite the stage.
"Good. We'll be there in 15 minutes. Carter is already there while Sawyer and Yuri are on the way." Davenport told him.
"Yes, sir. Carter just called me a while go." Answered Riley and with that Davenport curtly ended their phone conversation.
A minute hasn't elapsed when Bruce called Davenport. "Yes?" the man acknowledged.
"Mr. Davenport, we have the files taken from your study room and we're en route to the warehouse." Sawyer reported.
"Good. I'll deal with that loop hole when our prime agenda is finished." Davenport said as he still lowered his voice since he didn't want the buyers to hear the conversation, in case they get fidgety and bail out of the arrangements. He had just close the flap of his mobile phone when it beeped again.
Shrugging and looking bushed, he pressed the received call button and spoke to the person on the other line.
"Sir, Eastman here. We are now leaving China town and on our way to the warehouse." Eastman informed his boss while he glanced at the Chinese buyers. Eastman was riding at one of the Chinese businessman's limousine.
"Good, proceed as we planned." Davenport remarked and closed his phone. He leaned back feeling a little relax. He was thinking that since Cameron didn't call, the FEDS didn't know that they were stalking the wrong warehouse. The last laugh was on him after all.
As Eastman's conversation ended, he began relaying the instructions to the Chinese buyers. They soon gave their approval.
Julie pressed harder on the gas pedal of the motor scooter that it shot forward for several more feet. She knew, that soon the two cars in front of her would veer of to their respective exits and she would be left alone tailing the car occupied by the two men who left the mansion. The moment she had thought of it, the second car turned right and left with one car ahead of her. She glanced at her rearview mirror and saw no vehicles coming up the lane. She knew she'd better think of something fast. Just then an alarm came. It was a warning that she needed to refill her gas tank before her motorbike completely stalls. Looking apprehensive on the highway for she didn't want to be stranded in the area, she was forced to stop by the road sign and began looking for a gas station on her map. To her relief, there was one. The gas station was just around the bend. She gunned the engine and sped off. Julie reached the gas station as the engine sputtered then died completely. The gas attendant came and serviced the motor scooter. After the tank was full, Julie paid the attendant and hastily drove off. She was worried that she might have lost them.
Her mind wandered back to the conversation she overheard from the two men. She knew she was adopted and never thought her foster father was a creep. Suddenly she felt all alone. She had heard about baby marketing at school last year as one her classmate's essay unfortunately she didn't pay much attention to it then. She kicked herself for not being attentive. One of her bad traits that usually gets her in trouble in school most especially on lectures. But other things bothered as well. The aftermath of the divorce was still tough on her and she doesn't get along with her foster sisters very well even if she tried. They would always make her feel an outcast. This disappointed her a lot since she wanted just to be a part of the family. Her maternal grandparents were nice though but they live in Maine and rarely came over except on Yuletide Holidays. Although she liked going abroad, she would miss California, miss something. Now, more than ever, she wanted to see those files and get the bottom of this mystery.
Several moments passed and up ahead, some two hundred meters away from her was the car she hoped was the same vehicle she followed out from the estate.
Involuntarily she thought of her imaginary 'Mom' when she received a gut feeling that it was the same car.
At the Douglas residence, Jessica, the boys' mother was putting away the utensils when the coffee mug she was holding slipped for her hand. Suddenly, she felt disoriented as if something was taken away from her. Then it was gone as fast as it came. She looked down at the splayed pieces of porcelain lying on the bottom of the sink.
Rocky sat a little straighter by the steps of his grandfather's cottage. He looked around his surroundings. Did he just hear something? He intently listened this time and only heard the nocturnal sounds of the nearby forest. After a while he gave up.
Somewhere in town, a brown pick-up truck pulled over by the pay phone as Gus alighted from it and quickly dialed a number.
"Douglas." Responded a voice on the line.
"Its Gus. Sam, I went back to the house and I can't find Julie. Nobody knows where she is." The man reported.
Sam's throat went dry as he listened to the news. "What about the files?" he queried. "Most of them were kept inside the three safes but all of which have been emptied of its contents. I copied files in his hard drive but haven't got a chance yet to go through the data." Gus replied.
"Okay," Sam breathed. " Why don't you go to our office and study those files. In the meantime, we'll try to catch Davenport auctioning hot paintings to his clients."
"Uh-huh and by the way, Sam," Gus continued. "There's something weird going on at the main house."
"Weird?" Sam voice echoed.
"One of my friends, Katsumi has been missing since this morning. She has never been gone for so long and after I was caught, my room was ransacked. Everyone at the estate is getting suspicious." Gus said.
"Did you go back to your room?" Douglas asked.
"No." Gus answered. "I wanted to avoid getting questioned and I was in a hurry to call you."
"Thanks." Sam said as he appreciated the man's sincerity. "We'll deal that one later. But from the sound of it, this looks like someone was searching your room from something significant." He mused. "Do you know what it would be?"
Gus brow wrinkled as he re-traced his actions that day. "They must be looking for the files I took out from last night's 'visit', Sam and they could be searching for my other credentials." He supplied after recalling the activities.
Douglas nodded to no one in particular as he digested his friend's explanations. "Do you still have your clearance ID with you?" Sam asked, verifying.
"Yeah." Gus answered as he looked down at his boot heel.
"We'll meet you at the office when we're finished here." Sam told him.
"See you later then and I'll get you a report on the files when you get back." Gus said and replaced the receiver. He hurriedly went to his vehicle and drove away.
Sam Douglas scanned the area, where the Delago warehouse was located. With his night binoculars, he easily saw his men ready and in position all through out the area. They had surrounded the warehouse and the lone car parked on the south entrance of the building.
So far, so good. He thought as he brought up the mouthpiece up to his face and opened a channel. "Okay, men, the waiting game has began." He remarked and closed the channel. He turned to his left when Greene came inside the car.
"I sent two of our men inside the warehouse to record the meeting." He said as he sat behind the wheel. Sam nodded in affirmation.
Back at Carter's car, Katsumi began to wriggle in frustration, which irritated the hoodlum.
"Hey, hey, hey!" He angrily burst out. "Quit that!"
"I won't stop, okay." Katsumi fiercely shot back. "I've been lying on this side since we left the house. My arm is cramming. I need to sit up." She said and pushed herself to sit up. All the while, her bounds have been loosen enabling her to have freedom of movement to stop Carter from doing the next action.
"Hey," Carter growled as he reached inside his coat for his gun. Katsumi already surmised the action and pushed down hard the arm that was reaching for the weapon. It blocked the motion just enough for Katsumi to deliver a hard punch across Carter's face. The man was unconscious. Quickly, Katsumi bounded his wrists behind him and then strapped him with the safety belt. This would ensure limited movement for Carter and provide a discomfort for him too. She took out his gun and grabbed the sling bag that contained the files and strapped it across her shoulder. Katsumi got out of the car and disposed of the weapon. She waited for a sound of its landing; instead she heard a faint metallic clunk.
"Darn." Agent Montgomery muttered as something fell on their car roof. His partner Liza peered through the binoculars. "It's a woman coming out from the car." The female agent reported while her partner relayed the information through their radio.
"We see her too, Car 541." Confirmed Greene as he and Sam continued to observe. "You were right Sam, two occupants." Commented Greene as he replaced the night binoculars to his eyes.
Katsumi stood for a second when her instincts told her to move into the shadows. She made a couple of back flips and was gone from ordinary prying eyes. Or so she thought. The feeling of being watched didn't disappear which made her even more suspicious. She looked back at the silhouette of car and the warehouse. She knew she could easily drove away from the area and leave the man and report it to the police but by the time she reaches the nearest phone booth, this culprit would be long gone. She frowned as she recalled the bits and pieces of information she managed to hear. They came here for a reason so there was bound to be some underhand dealings going on inside the warehouse. The woman made her decision just as she heard a noise of the tires grounding against the small stones as the pick up truck pulled up the driveway.
It was the second hour that the wall clock pinged. Agents Douglas and Greene had their small talk an hour ago in which Douglas disclosed a family loss to him. It was painful Greene thought. But as he sat and listened to his friend, he also noted changes coming from Sam. There was frustration, hurt then a small flickering hope given by the knowledge he recently acquired that the girl named Julie Davenport could be Janine Douglas, his missing daughter. Sam Douglas prayed that it would be true although he tried not to get his hopes up. Until he can speak to Gus and personally see the files, Janine was still missing. When their conversation wrapped, Greene spoke and it was the same question that was bothering Sam a while ago.
"Are you going to tell Jessica?" asked Agent Greene.
Sam heavily sighed as he thought of it. He doesn't know if it would be the right move to make.
" I don't know, Ben." Sam quietly said and looked lost in the conference room. He stood from sitting on the edge of the table and moved this time to gaze at one of their long floor-to-ceiling window of the federal building. A haze blurred the lights of passing cars on the highway below.
"She has the right know." Ben remarked.
"I agree, Ben. But until I can ascertain the veracity of those files I won't tell her just now." Sam decided.
"Okay." Ben pausing. "Are you ready to start the operation?" his friend asked. He was worried that Sam might not be up to it and be distracted during their assignment.
"Yes and we'd better brief the team." Sam told him while glancing down at his wristwatch to take note of the time. It was already seven o'clock in the evening. Both men strode to the briefing room that was next door. As they came in, all the other agents have assembled and waited for them to take positions on front. Sam kept his mind focused on the job at hand. For the next half-hour, the latest reports and information were disseminated and the FBI agents left the building. A succession of cars rolled out of from the underground parking lot and joined the regular stream of the rush hour traffic on the highway. Along the way, Sam's mobile phone rang.
"Sam, this is Brooke," a male voice reported in. "We spotted our first visitor, its waiting at the south side entrance of the warehouse.
"Okay, thanks. Keep me posted." Sam said.
Henry Thornton parked two blocks away from the police station as he saw his partner being herded into the police station. He got out from his vehicle and went to a payphone where he dialed Davenport's number.
Inside a very plush limousine, Davenport's mobile phone rang.
"Davenport," he said.
"Sir, Its Henry. Ellis got himself arrested after assaulting a female store owner".
Davenport expelled an angry breath. "That moron!" He exclaimed and quickly lowered his voice when he saw the puzzled looks of his buyers. "He'll have to stay there overnight until our business deals are over."
"Yes, sir." Thornton answered.
"Thornton, meet the others at the south side of Delago Warehouse. Carter's already there and I want both of you to make sure Katsumi doesn't bother us. Sawyer and Yuri are on the way too."
"Okay, sir." Henry said and replaced the receiver of the car phone to its base. He slowed down while passing the police station by and soon drove of.
Somewhere in another part of the town, Davenport made another call this time for Riley who was already in Delago Warehouse.
"Riley, here." The man answered.
"How are the merchandises?" asked Davenport.
"The merchandises are prep, sir." Looking at the covered priceless paintings on the stage. Ten chairs arranged side by side stood opposite the stage.
"Good. We'll be there in 15 minutes. Carter is already there while Sawyer and Yuri are on the way." Davenport told him.
"Yes, sir. Carter just called me a while go." Answered Riley and with that Davenport curtly ended their phone conversation.
A minute hasn't elapsed when Bruce called Davenport. "Yes?" the man acknowledged.
"Mr. Davenport, we have the files taken from your study room and we're en route to the warehouse." Sawyer reported.
"Good. I'll deal with that loop hole when our prime agenda is finished." Davenport said as he still lowered his voice since he didn't want the buyers to hear the conversation, in case they get fidgety and bail out of the arrangements. He had just close the flap of his mobile phone when it beeped again.
Shrugging and looking bushed, he pressed the received call button and spoke to the person on the other line.
"Sir, Eastman here. We are now leaving China town and on our way to the warehouse." Eastman informed his boss while he glanced at the Chinese buyers. Eastman was riding at one of the Chinese businessman's limousine.
"Good, proceed as we planned." Davenport remarked and closed his phone. He leaned back feeling a little relax. He was thinking that since Cameron didn't call, the FEDS didn't know that they were stalking the wrong warehouse. The last laugh was on him after all.
As Eastman's conversation ended, he began relaying the instructions to the Chinese buyers. They soon gave their approval.
Julie pressed harder on the gas pedal of the motor scooter that it shot forward for several more feet. She knew, that soon the two cars in front of her would veer of to their respective exits and she would be left alone tailing the car occupied by the two men who left the mansion. The moment she had thought of it, the second car turned right and left with one car ahead of her. She glanced at her rearview mirror and saw no vehicles coming up the lane. She knew she'd better think of something fast. Just then an alarm came. It was a warning that she needed to refill her gas tank before her motorbike completely stalls. Looking apprehensive on the highway for she didn't want to be stranded in the area, she was forced to stop by the road sign and began looking for a gas station on her map. To her relief, there was one. The gas station was just around the bend. She gunned the engine and sped off. Julie reached the gas station as the engine sputtered then died completely. The gas attendant came and serviced the motor scooter. After the tank was full, Julie paid the attendant and hastily drove off. She was worried that she might have lost them.
Her mind wandered back to the conversation she overheard from the two men. She knew she was adopted and never thought her foster father was a creep. Suddenly she felt all alone. She had heard about baby marketing at school last year as one her classmate's essay unfortunately she didn't pay much attention to it then. She kicked herself for not being attentive. One of her bad traits that usually gets her in trouble in school most especially on lectures. But other things bothered as well. The aftermath of the divorce was still tough on her and she doesn't get along with her foster sisters very well even if she tried. They would always make her feel an outcast. This disappointed her a lot since she wanted just to be a part of the family. Her maternal grandparents were nice though but they live in Maine and rarely came over except on Yuletide Holidays. Although she liked going abroad, she would miss California, miss something. Now, more than ever, she wanted to see those files and get the bottom of this mystery.
Several moments passed and up ahead, some two hundred meters away from her was the car she hoped was the same vehicle she followed out from the estate.
Involuntarily she thought of her imaginary 'Mom' when she received a gut feeling that it was the same car.
At the Douglas residence, Jessica, the boys' mother was putting away the utensils when the coffee mug she was holding slipped for her hand. Suddenly, she felt disoriented as if something was taken away from her. Then it was gone as fast as it came. She looked down at the splayed pieces of porcelain lying on the bottom of the sink.
Rocky sat a little straighter by the steps of his grandfather's cottage. He looked around his surroundings. Did he just hear something? He intently listened this time and only heard the nocturnal sounds of the nearby forest. After a while he gave up.
Somewhere in town, a brown pick-up truck pulled over by the pay phone as Gus alighted from it and quickly dialed a number.
"Douglas." Responded a voice on the line.
"Its Gus. Sam, I went back to the house and I can't find Julie. Nobody knows where she is." The man reported.
Sam's throat went dry as he listened to the news. "What about the files?" he queried. "Most of them were kept inside the three safes but all of which have been emptied of its contents. I copied files in his hard drive but haven't got a chance yet to go through the data." Gus replied.
"Okay," Sam breathed. " Why don't you go to our office and study those files. In the meantime, we'll try to catch Davenport auctioning hot paintings to his clients."
"Uh-huh and by the way, Sam," Gus continued. "There's something weird going on at the main house."
"Weird?" Sam voice echoed.
"One of my friends, Katsumi has been missing since this morning. She has never been gone for so long and after I was caught, my room was ransacked. Everyone at the estate is getting suspicious." Gus said.
"Did you go back to your room?" Douglas asked.
"No." Gus answered. "I wanted to avoid getting questioned and I was in a hurry to call you."
"Thanks." Sam said as he appreciated the man's sincerity. "We'll deal that one later. But from the sound of it, this looks like someone was searching your room from something significant." He mused. "Do you know what it would be?"
Gus brow wrinkled as he re-traced his actions that day. "They must be looking for the files I took out from last night's 'visit', Sam and they could be searching for my other credentials." He supplied after recalling the activities.
Douglas nodded to no one in particular as he digested his friend's explanations. "Do you still have your clearance ID with you?" Sam asked, verifying.
"Yeah." Gus answered as he looked down at his boot heel.
"We'll meet you at the office when we're finished here." Sam told him.
"See you later then and I'll get you a report on the files when you get back." Gus said and replaced the receiver. He hurriedly went to his vehicle and drove away.
Sam Douglas scanned the area, where the Delago warehouse was located. With his night binoculars, he easily saw his men ready and in position all through out the area. They had surrounded the warehouse and the lone car parked on the south entrance of the building.
So far, so good. He thought as he brought up the mouthpiece up to his face and opened a channel. "Okay, men, the waiting game has began." He remarked and closed the channel. He turned to his left when Greene came inside the car.
"I sent two of our men inside the warehouse to record the meeting." He said as he sat behind the wheel. Sam nodded in affirmation.
Back at Carter's car, Katsumi began to wriggle in frustration, which irritated the hoodlum.
"Hey, hey, hey!" He angrily burst out. "Quit that!"
"I won't stop, okay." Katsumi fiercely shot back. "I've been lying on this side since we left the house. My arm is cramming. I need to sit up." She said and pushed herself to sit up. All the while, her bounds have been loosen enabling her to have freedom of movement to stop Carter from doing the next action.
"Hey," Carter growled as he reached inside his coat for his gun. Katsumi already surmised the action and pushed down hard the arm that was reaching for the weapon. It blocked the motion just enough for Katsumi to deliver a hard punch across Carter's face. The man was unconscious. Quickly, Katsumi bounded his wrists behind him and then strapped him with the safety belt. This would ensure limited movement for Carter and provide a discomfort for him too. She took out his gun and grabbed the sling bag that contained the files and strapped it across her shoulder. Katsumi got out of the car and disposed of the weapon. She waited for a sound of its landing; instead she heard a faint metallic clunk.
"Darn." Agent Montgomery muttered as something fell on their car roof. His partner Liza peered through the binoculars. "It's a woman coming out from the car." The female agent reported while her partner relayed the information through their radio.
"We see her too, Car 541." Confirmed Greene as he and Sam continued to observe. "You were right Sam, two occupants." Commented Greene as he replaced the night binoculars to his eyes.
Katsumi stood for a second when her instincts told her to move into the shadows. She made a couple of back flips and was gone from ordinary prying eyes. Or so she thought. The feeling of being watched didn't disappear which made her even more suspicious. She looked back at the silhouette of car and the warehouse. She knew she could easily drove away from the area and leave the man and report it to the police but by the time she reaches the nearest phone booth, this culprit would be long gone. She frowned as she recalled the bits and pieces of information she managed to hear. They came here for a reason so there was bound to be some underhand dealings going on inside the warehouse. The woman made her decision just as she heard a noise of the tires grounding against the small stones as the pick up truck pulled up the driveway.