Harm's POV
Camp New Jersey
Afghanistan
1500 Hrs Local
The trip to Afghanistan was definitely a waste time for Tracy and
I. All bin Dassan did was repeat what he had told Webb. The CIA
station chief, Alan Clark, met our plane and informed us that he had
bin Dassan in custody at the airport ready for us to question.
Clark told us what they had gotten out of him so far. After our
interview we had no other information. We decided to arrange to fly
onto Jakarta as soon as possible. A call to Bud had everything
arranged. Because of some strange alignment of flight schedules we
were back in the air an hour after landing. I was still wired, but
Tracy looked exhausted. Military hops were uncomfortable at best,
and now here we were back on another. Luckily once we reached
Ankara, Turkey we would be on a commercial flight, with only two
short layovers before our final destination. I no idea what time it
was going to be when we arrived. Mac would know.
It was very different being in the field without her. Tracy did her
best to be a good working/traveling partner. She voiced no
complaints and seemed to know when I wanted to talk and when I
wanted to think. The only problem was she wasn't Mac. Mac and I
were like the dynamic duo, we didn't think alike and hardly ever
agreed with each other about anything, but what we had worked. Our
success proved that. Now the dynamics had changed. After our
discussion, yesterday I felt relieved that we had `the' talk. We
had a chance at love but we both blew it. My problem with committal
hurt her. And she had so much hurt in the past she couldn't wait
for me to get my head out of my ass. I'm a miserable bastard in
relationships. I don't know if I'm going to find someone who will
put up with my problems. I do think our friendship will last. I
want her happy, and will support her when she finds that someone.
Tracy and I were both rested at the end of the third leg of the flight
to Jakarta. Thankfully JAL flight amenities were some of the best in
the industry. We were able to sleep for five straight hours with no
disturbances. When we woke we were served a decent meal.
After we both took turns cleaning up and changing clothes we began
to discuss what was going to happen when we arrived.
"Harm, who are the people with Mac?"
"Jim and Ramon?" At her nod I began to tell her about the two NCIS
agents. "Ramon Gutierrez is 40, and has been a lead agent with NCIS
for over ten years. James Morrison is 35 and he and Ramon have been
partners for eight years. They are the best that NCIS has to
offer. Mac, Bud and I met them two years ago on a case. Without
their help we wouldn't have been able to crack a violent string of
military arms thefts.
They're married to two of the greatest women I've met. Tessa
Morrison is a lawyer with an environmental firm and has brought
several big firms to their knees. Marita is a marine biologist who
specializes in shark research. I've done some diving with her and
she is absolutely fearless in the water. She dives with great whites
without shark cages! It drives Ramon absolutely out of his mind.
She just looks at him, smiles, kisses him and continues. We took a brief
vacation with them and have been friends since."
"They seem to be nice guys," Tracy commented.
"I'm glad that they are my friends. They are great investigators and
in a firefight they are absolutely ruthless. Off duty they are
completely different. You can usually find Jim at the beach on his
surfboard teaching his daughter how to `hang ten'. Ramon should be
a comedian. You wouldn't know that when you first meet him, he
seems reticent until he knows you for a while. His oldest boy will
be attending Annapolis this year and the younger one has changed his
mind four times about a career choice, but at 10 he has time to make
up his mind."
"What about the other man, Clayton Webb? From what I could see you
have quite a past with him. Mac seemed to be extremely upset about
his injury. Do you think that there is something going on there?"
I had to stop and analyze that question. I knew Mac was upset by
Webb's injuries, we all were. But extremely upset? Then I
remembered the comment about bringing 'our spy' home. Since when
has Clayton Webb been our spy? I must have been pondering this for
a while because Tracy broke into my thoughts.
"Harm, I'm sorry I didn't mean to speak out of turn. She went white
when the Admiral told us that he was seriously injured. And some of
her other comments were more of a personal nature. It seemed
obvious to me."
"I can understand what you are talking about now that I've thought
about it. As you now know he works for the CIA. Don't let the
assignment to Suriname fool you. He is the best operative the CIA
has for Middle Eastern Affairs. He got assigned there because he did a
favor for me. In doing so he embarrassed the DCI. I guess we all
should have known that burying him wouldn't stop him from being who
he is."
"Sounds like a very intriguing man, I think I may enjoy meeting
him," Tracy said with a small smile on her face.
"Tracy I left out the fact that he is very arrogant, always thinks
he's right, and is single minded. He is totally focused and
relentless in getting what he needs to complete a mission. He tends
to see the forest, ignoring the trees. But on the other hand he
will help you even if it backfires on him."
"Sounds like someone I'm sitting next to? Except for the forest and
trees analogy. You see the trees and don't focus on the forest
sometimes, don't you?"
I had to grin at that. "I guess we are more alike than I thought.
I don't know if that is such a great thing though."
"Yes, two of you running around the world could tempt the fates!"
"It has many times. Ask the Admiral about Webb's broken nose.
That's a good to story to hear."
The flight attendant announced that our destination was a few
minutes away. With that the conversation about Webb was over. I
thought more about Mac's reaction to his injuries. She had told me
she had been in frequent contact with Webb since his exile to
Suriname. Since we hadn't been on the best of terms recently I
hadn't paid much attention to it.
I remembered a conversation that we had around Christmas. A silly
stuffed parrot had showed up on top of her computer monitor after
the holiday. Bud and I were discussing a case with her when I
questioned her about it.
"Where did the parrot come from?"
"Clay sent it to me, isn't it cute?"
"I don't know about cute, silly yes."
"M'am is Mr. Webb a `Parrothead' by any chance?"
She actually giggled. "Yes he is. I sent him boxed set of Jimmy
Buffet CDs. I thought it would be a good Christmas joke. He in
turn sent me the parrot and Beltway Burger certificates for my own
version of `Cheeseburger in Paradise'. He explained that the music
was particularly appropriate down there."
"That's a hoot. I would never have thought it, but he is a
international man of mystery isn't he?"
At their laughter I could only raise my eyebrows in question. Mac
seemed to take pity on me and explained the tropical nature of most
of Buffet's music.
Bud asked me, "You've heard some of his music haven't you? `Changes
in Latitudes', `Margaritaville', `Cheeseburger in Paradise', and the
all time greatest drinking song `Let's..."
Mac piped in then and completed Bud's statement "Get Drunk and
Screw." The laughter started up again.
I had to admit that I had heard the songs, but didn't realize that
the entertainer had such a large following. The two of them proceed
to tell me the history of parrotheads. This went on for twenty minutes
before I called a halt to it and requested that we go back to the case.
They stopped the diatribe but seemed disappointed that I was acting
like an adult discipling two teenagers.
I continued to think about the possibility of Mac and Webb
together. The more I thought about it the less I disliked the idea.
He was a good man and I think that he will treat her right. I want
her to be happy. I'll have to play nice and feel the
situation out. The problem with that is we push each other's
buttons very easily. Well, if the Marine wants the Spy, I'm going
to do my best to make sure she gets him.
After landing we made our way from the airport to the hotel and met
with up Ramon and Jim. We were there only a few minutes when Mac
and a terribly bruised Webb walked in.
I heard Tracy gasp and turned and saw Clay's face. I knew he would
be bruised but the swelling over his left eye was extensive. I
winced and the tongue engaged before the brain, "Man, didn't they
tell you not to lead with your face? You look like hell."
"Why thank you Harm. Hello, to you to. And yes I feel fine." Clay
replied in his usual snarky manner.
I wasn't surprised when Sarah spoke up. "Don't start you two. I
have more than enough to do, and refereeing isn't one of them." When
they entered she had her arm around his waist. I don't know if was
for physical support or closeness. I was betting on the latter.
I saw him smile and nod at her as if in acceptance of the called
truce. I smiled at both of them and felt Tracy's hand on my arm. I
looked at her hand and then her face. I seemed that she wanted me
to calm down. I didn't need to calm down, I just needed to think
before talking.
Ramon spoke up and asked the new arrivals, "We were just about to
order from room service. You two hungry?"
"Have you ever known me not to be hungry? Order enough for the two
guards that are glued to Clay's tail for the duration."
Ramon couldn't seem to resist quipping, "Room service is going to
have a fit if they have to feed us AND three Marines. It will take
a while for the order. Do you want to discuss this afternoons
information with the class?"
We all found seats to hear what Jim and Mac found discovered. Webb
and Mac sat noticeably close on the love seat. The change in their
relationship was further evidenced by their tightly clasped hands
and other subtle hints of body language. I don't think they are
going to need any encouragement from me.
Clay's POV
I hoped that when we arrived back in the room the discussions would
be short. I needed to rest. My headache had never totally subsided
and the bruising everywhere hurt. I didn't want to take any strong
painkillers. I had a feeling that Sarah would force them down my
throat at the first sign of discomfort.
When we got to the room I told the two guards to stand watch outside
the door. I really didn't need them. I wasn't a particular
target. Westerners were in general, Americans specifically.
Sarah opened the door and we walked inside. Our arms had been around
each other since we left the cab. I was enjoying the fussing as it
kept her next to me, where I wanted her. I looked up as I heard a
small feminine gasp. Rabb, and who I assume to be Cmdr. Manetti
were facing the door on the other side of the living area. Ramon
was seated at a keyboard and Jim was cleaning weapons at the dining
table.
Harm made a sniping comment about my appearance set that Sarah off.
I smiled at her and nodded to let her know she wouldn't have to play
referee.
We moved to the loveseat. Sarah helped me sit but wasn't obvious
about it. I picked up her hand and placed it on my thigh. I had to
grin when she immediately agreed to room service.
There were only two predictable things about Sarah, her appetite and
her devotion to her friends. Every thing else about her was hard to
read if she didn't want you to know.
Ramon asked Jim and Sarah to tell us what they found out in Jarot's
office while we waited for dinner. Between the two of them we were
told the events of the visit. The fact that two individuals from
the Middle East were possibly were involved was interesting. The
source in Afghanistan was either lying or didn't know the entire
story. He had always be a good source in the past and my gut told
me that he told us all he knew.
Ramon spoke up. "Clay, Bud and I made some progress in the money
trail. From Suriname it bounced to Jakarta, as you know. But it
appeared to stop there. Bud was able to hack into the records of
the Bank of Jakarta. It seems your chemical engineer removed the
entire amount in cash. Banking laws aren't as stringent here as in
Western nations so no one informed of such a large withdrawal. I
looked at immigration records. Your man arrived just under two
months ago, but listed hip profession on the emigration records as a
college professor. I don't have a clue why he changed professions,
but Bud suggested that he was trying to get in under the radar. A
professor may not set off as many alarms as chemical engineer. The
trail went cold for a few days, but Bud noticed that deposits into a
Sulawesi hotel's account totaled the same amount a week later. The
owner of the Hotel Manado is Josef Balik. He's an Indonesian
national of Javanese/Dutch decent. We haven't found any ties to
Suriname but we are still looking. He isn't on any international
terrorist watch list. So we are trying to tie the engineer together
with Mohammed. The engineer has dropped out of sight, but we are
still looking."
After thinking things through I came up with a plan. "This is what
I think we have to do. One, interview the suspects in custody. We
may have to let the Indonesians get rough with them. And before
anyone gets his or her sense of justice in an uproar, I DO NOT like it
either. But it may be the only way." After this statement I looked
around the room. Rabb surprised me by not making a comment; he
actually seemed all right with that. Will wonders never cease?
Two, the money trail and Mohammed. We definitely have to continue
working that angle. Three, we are going to have to go to Sulawesi.
All the trails are leading there. We've exposed ourselves too much
here so we'll need a cover. Since the island is a dive vacation
paradise we should go as American tourists on a dive trip. I
suggest we rent a dive boat so we can decide where we go. We can
spend the morning diving, and afternoons and evening developing
leads. Moving the boat to different locations will help us move
around without drawing too much notice."
"Ah, Clay you are not exactly up to diving," Sarah said.
"I thought of that. I fell getting off the plane. So I can be the
ugly American bitching about everything. Don't give me that look
Rabb. I know I fit the part too easily. The boat operators will
hopefully ignore the fact that I spend a lot of time on the laptop.
I'll be in communication with Bud. Unfortunately with this face I
will be too obvious moving around the island. I'll leave it up to
the rest of you. This will also give me time to heal in case things
get out of hand. Any suggestions?"
Everyone chipped in a bit here and there refining the plan a
fleshing out the cover story. Tracy shyly held her hand up.
"Tracy, we aren't in school so just speak up, if you can get a word
in," Rabb teased.
"OK, but guys, I don't know how to dive."
"No problem, you can snorkel. It's common for a diver to have a non-
diving partner along," I reassured her.
Dinner arrived just after we concluded the planning. Good-natured
ribbing accompanied the meal. I don't think Tracy knew how to take
the rampant sarcasm going back and forth. Sarah tried to rein us in
but was totally unsuccessful. She gave up and joined in. Tracy
finally realized she was sitting with a group of friends that worked
well together and were trying to include her.
After forty-five minutes I decided that I had to get some rest. It
was only 8:30 but it might as well have been 3 a.m. I squeezed
Sarah's hand and murmured to her that I was retiring for the
evening. She surprised me by making excuses for both of us. A time
was set to meet in the morning at 10 a.m. Everyone was extremely
tired. It wasn't going to do us any good to start out tired. We
said good night to all and, as before, arms around each other went
to what I surmised was our room. As tired as I was I don't think
that I would be able to take advantage of this.
We entered the suite and walked to the bedroom I had been using. I
immediately noticed the bed had been slept in and that one of my
dress shirts was lying across the foot of the bed. I turned to
Sarah, "Have you been playing Goldilocks, sleeping in the spy's bed?"
She surprised me with her comment, "You bet your sweet ass, I slept
in your bed. I think we may be doing more than that, in the future
but not tonight or the next few days. The doctor spoke with me when
I was checking you out. His discharge instructions specifically
outlined what you could and could not do. He excluded any strenuous
physical activity, and boldly said that included sex. It seems that
elevated blood pressure will not be good for your eye injury."
"So you think my ass is sweet?" I said while grabbing her around the
waist.
"Did you just hear anything I just said?" She was a bit exasperated.
"Yes, I did, but I couldn't resist teasing you. I need a shower and
then bed. And if it isn't considered too strenuous I'd like you to be
in my arms while I go to sleep. I want to talk more about us, but
in the morning. Hopefully we won't be disturbed this time.
"I'd like to do both, ah, sleep in your arms and talk. Need any
help in the shower??"
"Now who is teasing whom? I think I can manage, but listen for me.
I don't need to crack my head again." I turned and went to the
bathroom. I walked into the shower and let the hot water beat
against my battered body. By the time I was finished I was feeling
a little weak in the knees. I opened the shower door and before I
could call for Sarah, she was there wrapping an arm around me to
hold me steady. When I could stand by myself she dried me and
helped me on with my pajama bottoms. She moved with me to the
bedroom and got me into bed. I was almost asleep before my head hit
the pillow.
A little while later I felt her move into bed next to me. Her lips
kissed mine and she settled in at my side with her hand on my chest.
I entwined my hand with hers and fell into a deep dreamless sleep.
TBC
Camp New Jersey
Afghanistan
1500 Hrs Local
The trip to Afghanistan was definitely a waste time for Tracy and
I. All bin Dassan did was repeat what he had told Webb. The CIA
station chief, Alan Clark, met our plane and informed us that he had
bin Dassan in custody at the airport ready for us to question.
Clark told us what they had gotten out of him so far. After our
interview we had no other information. We decided to arrange to fly
onto Jakarta as soon as possible. A call to Bud had everything
arranged. Because of some strange alignment of flight schedules we
were back in the air an hour after landing. I was still wired, but
Tracy looked exhausted. Military hops were uncomfortable at best,
and now here we were back on another. Luckily once we reached
Ankara, Turkey we would be on a commercial flight, with only two
short layovers before our final destination. I no idea what time it
was going to be when we arrived. Mac would know.
It was very different being in the field without her. Tracy did her
best to be a good working/traveling partner. She voiced no
complaints and seemed to know when I wanted to talk and when I
wanted to think. The only problem was she wasn't Mac. Mac and I
were like the dynamic duo, we didn't think alike and hardly ever
agreed with each other about anything, but what we had worked. Our
success proved that. Now the dynamics had changed. After our
discussion, yesterday I felt relieved that we had `the' talk. We
had a chance at love but we both blew it. My problem with committal
hurt her. And she had so much hurt in the past she couldn't wait
for me to get my head out of my ass. I'm a miserable bastard in
relationships. I don't know if I'm going to find someone who will
put up with my problems. I do think our friendship will last. I
want her happy, and will support her when she finds that someone.
Tracy and I were both rested at the end of the third leg of the flight
to Jakarta. Thankfully JAL flight amenities were some of the best in
the industry. We were able to sleep for five straight hours with no
disturbances. When we woke we were served a decent meal.
After we both took turns cleaning up and changing clothes we began
to discuss what was going to happen when we arrived.
"Harm, who are the people with Mac?"
"Jim and Ramon?" At her nod I began to tell her about the two NCIS
agents. "Ramon Gutierrez is 40, and has been a lead agent with NCIS
for over ten years. James Morrison is 35 and he and Ramon have been
partners for eight years. They are the best that NCIS has to
offer. Mac, Bud and I met them two years ago on a case. Without
their help we wouldn't have been able to crack a violent string of
military arms thefts.
They're married to two of the greatest women I've met. Tessa
Morrison is a lawyer with an environmental firm and has brought
several big firms to their knees. Marita is a marine biologist who
specializes in shark research. I've done some diving with her and
she is absolutely fearless in the water. She dives with great whites
without shark cages! It drives Ramon absolutely out of his mind.
She just looks at him, smiles, kisses him and continues. We took a brief
vacation with them and have been friends since."
"They seem to be nice guys," Tracy commented.
"I'm glad that they are my friends. They are great investigators and
in a firefight they are absolutely ruthless. Off duty they are
completely different. You can usually find Jim at the beach on his
surfboard teaching his daughter how to `hang ten'. Ramon should be
a comedian. You wouldn't know that when you first meet him, he
seems reticent until he knows you for a while. His oldest boy will
be attending Annapolis this year and the younger one has changed his
mind four times about a career choice, but at 10 he has time to make
up his mind."
"What about the other man, Clayton Webb? From what I could see you
have quite a past with him. Mac seemed to be extremely upset about
his injury. Do you think that there is something going on there?"
I had to stop and analyze that question. I knew Mac was upset by
Webb's injuries, we all were. But extremely upset? Then I
remembered the comment about bringing 'our spy' home. Since when
has Clayton Webb been our spy? I must have been pondering this for
a while because Tracy broke into my thoughts.
"Harm, I'm sorry I didn't mean to speak out of turn. She went white
when the Admiral told us that he was seriously injured. And some of
her other comments were more of a personal nature. It seemed
obvious to me."
"I can understand what you are talking about now that I've thought
about it. As you now know he works for the CIA. Don't let the
assignment to Suriname fool you. He is the best operative the CIA
has for Middle Eastern Affairs. He got assigned there because he did a
favor for me. In doing so he embarrassed the DCI. I guess we all
should have known that burying him wouldn't stop him from being who
he is."
"Sounds like a very intriguing man, I think I may enjoy meeting
him," Tracy said with a small smile on her face.
"Tracy I left out the fact that he is very arrogant, always thinks
he's right, and is single minded. He is totally focused and
relentless in getting what he needs to complete a mission. He tends
to see the forest, ignoring the trees. But on the other hand he
will help you even if it backfires on him."
"Sounds like someone I'm sitting next to? Except for the forest and
trees analogy. You see the trees and don't focus on the forest
sometimes, don't you?"
I had to grin at that. "I guess we are more alike than I thought.
I don't know if that is such a great thing though."
"Yes, two of you running around the world could tempt the fates!"
"It has many times. Ask the Admiral about Webb's broken nose.
That's a good to story to hear."
The flight attendant announced that our destination was a few
minutes away. With that the conversation about Webb was over. I
thought more about Mac's reaction to his injuries. She had told me
she had been in frequent contact with Webb since his exile to
Suriname. Since we hadn't been on the best of terms recently I
hadn't paid much attention to it.
I remembered a conversation that we had around Christmas. A silly
stuffed parrot had showed up on top of her computer monitor after
the holiday. Bud and I were discussing a case with her when I
questioned her about it.
"Where did the parrot come from?"
"Clay sent it to me, isn't it cute?"
"I don't know about cute, silly yes."
"M'am is Mr. Webb a `Parrothead' by any chance?"
She actually giggled. "Yes he is. I sent him boxed set of Jimmy
Buffet CDs. I thought it would be a good Christmas joke. He in
turn sent me the parrot and Beltway Burger certificates for my own
version of `Cheeseburger in Paradise'. He explained that the music
was particularly appropriate down there."
"That's a hoot. I would never have thought it, but he is a
international man of mystery isn't he?"
At their laughter I could only raise my eyebrows in question. Mac
seemed to take pity on me and explained the tropical nature of most
of Buffet's music.
Bud asked me, "You've heard some of his music haven't you? `Changes
in Latitudes', `Margaritaville', `Cheeseburger in Paradise', and the
all time greatest drinking song `Let's..."
Mac piped in then and completed Bud's statement "Get Drunk and
Screw." The laughter started up again.
I had to admit that I had heard the songs, but didn't realize that
the entertainer had such a large following. The two of them proceed
to tell me the history of parrotheads. This went on for twenty minutes
before I called a halt to it and requested that we go back to the case.
They stopped the diatribe but seemed disappointed that I was acting
like an adult discipling two teenagers.
I continued to think about the possibility of Mac and Webb
together. The more I thought about it the less I disliked the idea.
He was a good man and I think that he will treat her right. I want
her to be happy. I'll have to play nice and feel the
situation out. The problem with that is we push each other's
buttons very easily. Well, if the Marine wants the Spy, I'm going
to do my best to make sure she gets him.
After landing we made our way from the airport to the hotel and met
with up Ramon and Jim. We were there only a few minutes when Mac
and a terribly bruised Webb walked in.
I heard Tracy gasp and turned and saw Clay's face. I knew he would
be bruised but the swelling over his left eye was extensive. I
winced and the tongue engaged before the brain, "Man, didn't they
tell you not to lead with your face? You look like hell."
"Why thank you Harm. Hello, to you to. And yes I feel fine." Clay
replied in his usual snarky manner.
I wasn't surprised when Sarah spoke up. "Don't start you two. I
have more than enough to do, and refereeing isn't one of them." When
they entered she had her arm around his waist. I don't know if was
for physical support or closeness. I was betting on the latter.
I saw him smile and nod at her as if in acceptance of the called
truce. I smiled at both of them and felt Tracy's hand on my arm. I
looked at her hand and then her face. I seemed that she wanted me
to calm down. I didn't need to calm down, I just needed to think
before talking.
Ramon spoke up and asked the new arrivals, "We were just about to
order from room service. You two hungry?"
"Have you ever known me not to be hungry? Order enough for the two
guards that are glued to Clay's tail for the duration."
Ramon couldn't seem to resist quipping, "Room service is going to
have a fit if they have to feed us AND three Marines. It will take
a while for the order. Do you want to discuss this afternoons
information with the class?"
We all found seats to hear what Jim and Mac found discovered. Webb
and Mac sat noticeably close on the love seat. The change in their
relationship was further evidenced by their tightly clasped hands
and other subtle hints of body language. I don't think they are
going to need any encouragement from me.
Clay's POV
I hoped that when we arrived back in the room the discussions would
be short. I needed to rest. My headache had never totally subsided
and the bruising everywhere hurt. I didn't want to take any strong
painkillers. I had a feeling that Sarah would force them down my
throat at the first sign of discomfort.
When we got to the room I told the two guards to stand watch outside
the door. I really didn't need them. I wasn't a particular
target. Westerners were in general, Americans specifically.
Sarah opened the door and we walked inside. Our arms had been around
each other since we left the cab. I was enjoying the fussing as it
kept her next to me, where I wanted her. I looked up as I heard a
small feminine gasp. Rabb, and who I assume to be Cmdr. Manetti
were facing the door on the other side of the living area. Ramon
was seated at a keyboard and Jim was cleaning weapons at the dining
table.
Harm made a sniping comment about my appearance set that Sarah off.
I smiled at her and nodded to let her know she wouldn't have to play
referee.
We moved to the loveseat. Sarah helped me sit but wasn't obvious
about it. I picked up her hand and placed it on my thigh. I had to
grin when she immediately agreed to room service.
There were only two predictable things about Sarah, her appetite and
her devotion to her friends. Every thing else about her was hard to
read if she didn't want you to know.
Ramon asked Jim and Sarah to tell us what they found out in Jarot's
office while we waited for dinner. Between the two of them we were
told the events of the visit. The fact that two individuals from
the Middle East were possibly were involved was interesting. The
source in Afghanistan was either lying or didn't know the entire
story. He had always be a good source in the past and my gut told
me that he told us all he knew.
Ramon spoke up. "Clay, Bud and I made some progress in the money
trail. From Suriname it bounced to Jakarta, as you know. But it
appeared to stop there. Bud was able to hack into the records of
the Bank of Jakarta. It seems your chemical engineer removed the
entire amount in cash. Banking laws aren't as stringent here as in
Western nations so no one informed of such a large withdrawal. I
looked at immigration records. Your man arrived just under two
months ago, but listed hip profession on the emigration records as a
college professor. I don't have a clue why he changed professions,
but Bud suggested that he was trying to get in under the radar. A
professor may not set off as many alarms as chemical engineer. The
trail went cold for a few days, but Bud noticed that deposits into a
Sulawesi hotel's account totaled the same amount a week later. The
owner of the Hotel Manado is Josef Balik. He's an Indonesian
national of Javanese/Dutch decent. We haven't found any ties to
Suriname but we are still looking. He isn't on any international
terrorist watch list. So we are trying to tie the engineer together
with Mohammed. The engineer has dropped out of sight, but we are
still looking."
After thinking things through I came up with a plan. "This is what
I think we have to do. One, interview the suspects in custody. We
may have to let the Indonesians get rough with them. And before
anyone gets his or her sense of justice in an uproar, I DO NOT like it
either. But it may be the only way." After this statement I looked
around the room. Rabb surprised me by not making a comment; he
actually seemed all right with that. Will wonders never cease?
Two, the money trail and Mohammed. We definitely have to continue
working that angle. Three, we are going to have to go to Sulawesi.
All the trails are leading there. We've exposed ourselves too much
here so we'll need a cover. Since the island is a dive vacation
paradise we should go as American tourists on a dive trip. I
suggest we rent a dive boat so we can decide where we go. We can
spend the morning diving, and afternoons and evening developing
leads. Moving the boat to different locations will help us move
around without drawing too much notice."
"Ah, Clay you are not exactly up to diving," Sarah said.
"I thought of that. I fell getting off the plane. So I can be the
ugly American bitching about everything. Don't give me that look
Rabb. I know I fit the part too easily. The boat operators will
hopefully ignore the fact that I spend a lot of time on the laptop.
I'll be in communication with Bud. Unfortunately with this face I
will be too obvious moving around the island. I'll leave it up to
the rest of you. This will also give me time to heal in case things
get out of hand. Any suggestions?"
Everyone chipped in a bit here and there refining the plan a
fleshing out the cover story. Tracy shyly held her hand up.
"Tracy, we aren't in school so just speak up, if you can get a word
in," Rabb teased.
"OK, but guys, I don't know how to dive."
"No problem, you can snorkel. It's common for a diver to have a non-
diving partner along," I reassured her.
Dinner arrived just after we concluded the planning. Good-natured
ribbing accompanied the meal. I don't think Tracy knew how to take
the rampant sarcasm going back and forth. Sarah tried to rein us in
but was totally unsuccessful. She gave up and joined in. Tracy
finally realized she was sitting with a group of friends that worked
well together and were trying to include her.
After forty-five minutes I decided that I had to get some rest. It
was only 8:30 but it might as well have been 3 a.m. I squeezed
Sarah's hand and murmured to her that I was retiring for the
evening. She surprised me by making excuses for both of us. A time
was set to meet in the morning at 10 a.m. Everyone was extremely
tired. It wasn't going to do us any good to start out tired. We
said good night to all and, as before, arms around each other went
to what I surmised was our room. As tired as I was I don't think
that I would be able to take advantage of this.
We entered the suite and walked to the bedroom I had been using. I
immediately noticed the bed had been slept in and that one of my
dress shirts was lying across the foot of the bed. I turned to
Sarah, "Have you been playing Goldilocks, sleeping in the spy's bed?"
She surprised me with her comment, "You bet your sweet ass, I slept
in your bed. I think we may be doing more than that, in the future
but not tonight or the next few days. The doctor spoke with me when
I was checking you out. His discharge instructions specifically
outlined what you could and could not do. He excluded any strenuous
physical activity, and boldly said that included sex. It seems that
elevated blood pressure will not be good for your eye injury."
"So you think my ass is sweet?" I said while grabbing her around the
waist.
"Did you just hear anything I just said?" She was a bit exasperated.
"Yes, I did, but I couldn't resist teasing you. I need a shower and
then bed. And if it isn't considered too strenuous I'd like you to be
in my arms while I go to sleep. I want to talk more about us, but
in the morning. Hopefully we won't be disturbed this time.
"I'd like to do both, ah, sleep in your arms and talk. Need any
help in the shower??"
"Now who is teasing whom? I think I can manage, but listen for me.
I don't need to crack my head again." I turned and went to the
bathroom. I walked into the shower and let the hot water beat
against my battered body. By the time I was finished I was feeling
a little weak in the knees. I opened the shower door and before I
could call for Sarah, she was there wrapping an arm around me to
hold me steady. When I could stand by myself she dried me and
helped me on with my pajama bottoms. She moved with me to the
bedroom and got me into bed. I was almost asleep before my head hit
the pillow.
A little while later I felt her move into bed next to me. Her lips
kissed mine and she settled in at my side with her hand on my chest.
I entwined my hand with hers and fell into a deep dreamless sleep.
TBC