Chapter 6 Take Two
Raindrops splattered as they hit the gray concrete of the embassy driveway.
Efraim and Francine watched the two hearses flanked by the embassy escort cars leave the compound on their way to the International Otopeni Airport.
Francine gave a slight shudder, "Now, that is an odd feeling, watching your own casket being shipped home."
Efraim put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to him. "They're just empty boxes."
She sighed and wrapped her arms around herself, "I know, it's what they represent."
Efraim took her in his arms, gently turning her towards him and away from the windows. He tucked a loose lock of Francine's hair behind her ear. "What it represents is Act Two of our plan, not Quigley's. We have the upper hand. You ready?"
Francine nodded, "Yeah, I'm ready. After you!"
He grinned and took her hand in his and they went to find Kent.
The tunnels were dark, damp and cold. Shadows skittered just out of the circle of the light thrown by the flashlights the three darkly clad figures carried.
Francine tried to ignore the scurrying of feet as they hurried out of the embassy. She reminded herself over and over that her boots would keep anything from biting her ankles; but fear of rats and spiders was warring with reason at the moment. Efraim was bringing up the rear, his light steadily overlapping hers, giving her the additional few inches of light that enabled her to keep her fear from slipping into panic.
Kent stopped, moving his light from left to right, showing a split in the tunnel. He reached into his pocket and snapped open a map. "Ah. . . it's that way, to the right." He tried to shove the map back into his pocket, dropping it. "Go on ahead, I'll catch up. The door out is about 300 yards."
Francine made the turn, taking point, Efraim was behind her. His light was receding, not keeping up with hers. She stopped, waiting for Efraim to catch up. Efraim's light dropped, hitting the wall and casting a small circle of light against the crumbling rock of the catacombs, throwing the tunnel into darkness outside of the pool of light of her own flashlight.
"Efraim?" She heard the click of a magazine slide home in a gun. She quickly turned off her flashlight, pulling her own gun. Setting her flashlight down, she quietly moved away from it. Her heart pounded in her chest so loudly she was afraid it could be heard. Slowly she inched along the wall toward the intersection of the tunnel. She stopped as she heard steps sloshing in the shallow puddle ahead of her. There was the flash of a gun firing, and the answering retort of another gun. A groan echoed throughout the cavern, along with the unmistakable sound of someone falling.
Francine flattened herself up against the wall and tried to quiet her breathing along with the rapid drumming of her heart. Efraim's light was several feet ahead to her right. Francine quietly squatted down, resting along the ancient passageway, her eyes closed as she tried to visualize the scene and focus on any sounds before her. Hot tears streamed down her face, and she wiped them away with the sleeve of her jacket.
The tapping clearly became a message. Francine started to stand, the retort of a gun sending her back down. She knew it hadn't been Efraim tapping out the Morse Code; it wasn't his signature she heard. Standing up slowly, she carefully stepped toward the area of the gun flash. Stopping, she turned to her left, sidestepping across the tunnel. She kicked the flashlight Efraim had dropped, the light illuminating the tunnel ahead.
Kent lay in the tunnel twenty feet ahead of her, his body eerily shadowed by the thin stream of light. She didn't see Efraim. Francine turned the light, catching Efraim's boots in the light. She picked up the light, turning it toward him. He was leaning up against the wall of the tunnel, his gun held in both hands and pointed at the ground. He nodded his head at Francine, holding out his hand to her.
Heedful of Kent's unmoving body, she quickly ran across the tunnel to Efraim's waiting arms. He pulled her close, kissing her cheek, rubbing his face against hers. "Stay here," he whispered. "I want to check him out, keep an eye on things, will ya?" She nodded, hugging him quickly before letting him step past her.
His gun trained on the body in front of him, Francine watched as Efraim quickly approached Kent. Kent was face down and motionless in the tunnel, his gun was several feet away from his body. Efraim kicked it back towards Francine. Francine watched as he knelt and checked for a pulse. He looked back at her, shaking his head.
"Efraim, we have to conclude that our entire operation has been compromised."
"We have to get word to Lee and Geiger; they don't know what they could be walking into. You okay hon?" He stood, taking the flashlight from her and scanning the tunnel in either direction. "I think we had better get out of here. We're going back to the embassy; I don't want to deal with whoever may be waiting for us at the end of the tunnel."
Francine nodded her agreement. "B? Amanda is alone at the embassy." Efraim took Francine's hand, and they ran a fast as the space allowed them back towards the embassy. They hit the steps leading to the basement of the embassy, the door was unlocked.
"I locked this door as we entered. They must be waiting for Kent to return. Be careful as we go in."
"Amanda is probably in the ambassador's office, we should be able to get there without being seen if we can skirt the kitchen."
"The basement enters through the kitchen. It's gonna be tough to blend in with the pots and pans."
Francine ignored the sarcasm in Efraim's voice, shaking her head in disagreement. "There is an outside entrance, short steps that lead up into the side gardens. It's out of the line of view of the front and kitchen windows. And it's close to the ambassador's office."
"I'm glad you paid attention to the layout of this place. Let's get going, try to stay low and keep your gun out of sight, I don't want the Marines to fire if they see us out there."
The basement was empty. Efraim and Francine quickly made their way to the double doors that opened onto the grounds of the embassy. Carefully pushing the one side open, Efraim looked outside, motioning to Francine to move. She climbed out of the basement and orientated herself before moving toward the French doors that led to the ambassador's office. Efraim carefully closed the basement door, and followed Francine.
Amanda sat at the conference desk, working on her laptop. Thankfully, she was alive, and alone. Francine gently rapped on the pane of glass in the door. Amanda swung her head, her eyes growing large upon seeing Francine at the door. Pushing back the chair, Amanda hurried to the French doors, unlocking them and letting Francine and Efraim in. Efraim locked the doors, pulling both women away from them. Francine held her hand up to her mouth, motioning for Amanda to be quiet. Francine gave the signal for the compromise code. Amanda paled, and ran to the telephone to send a message to Lee's pager. Efraim had crossed and locked the doors leading into the office. Francine watched over Amanda's shoulder as Efraim came over and rested his hands on the desk, both watching the code that Amanda entered on the telephone keypad.
Efraim nodded his head. "I'm glad we made these contingency plans; Lee knows to meet us in the market early this evening, an hour before the shops closed. That gives us several hours to get out of the embassy and get into town." Francine sat down at the computer Amanda had been using, sending a message to Billy. Efraim went to the door, keeping an ear out for anyone approaching.
"I hear staff moving about, but no one's coming to the door. Kent probably planned to come back and take care of Amanda himself. We still don't have a way out of the embassy." He turned and leaned against the door, trying to think of a way out of the embassy without being seen. They needed help and he didn't know who to trust. His eyes found Francine's and she frowned at the look on his face. She turned to Amanda.
"Is there anyway we can get out of here without being seen, Amanda?"
Amanda shook her head. "No. We would be on video. And then there are the Marines to think about. Although, there was one Marine, he's young and this is his first assignment overseas. He's very sweet actually, and so homesick. He missed his Mom's birthday, and with the time and date difference, he didn't get a chance to talk to her until two days after her birthday, and. . . ." She stopped at the look on Francine's face, and got back on subject. "We talked, he was very nice. I bet if we could find him, I'm sure, well, pretty sure, he would help us."
Efraim nodded, took the computer keyboard from Francine and sat down and started hitting the keys. "I can take care of the video and access the duty roster for the Marine's stationed here. Let's see if we can't find your young man."
Efraim accessed the patrol roster while Francine and Amanda watched over his shoulder.
"That's him!" Amanda said as she spotted the name of the young Marine she had spoken with.
Francine sighed. "It seems luck is on our side for a change."
The young Marine was patrolling the grounds. Amanda ran to the French doors, watching for him. When she saw him, she signaled Efraim, who sent a signal through the video system to recycle itself; effectively shutting the video surveillance cameras off. Amanda opened the French doors, calling the young Marine into the office. As he came through the doors, he saw Francine and Efraim, and started to raise his gun. Amanda placed her hand on his, stopping him.
"Private Rodriguez, I know you think my associates were killed, but I need you to listen to me and help me. My name is Amanda Stetson, I am a United States Federal Intelligence Agent. This is Francine Desmond and her partner, Commander John Beaman; they are also Federal Agents."
"You're the son of the Assistant Director of the Navy, aren't you, Sir?" The young Marine was trying to process the information being given to him, falling on protocol for a stable starting point.
"Yes I am, Private. Our presence here has been compromised. Agent Kent just tried to kill Ms. Desmond and myself in the tunnels below the compound. Mrs. Stetson thought you could help get out of here without being seen. I am asking you not to report our presence to your Sergeant, and to obtain transport out of here for us.
It could be dangerous for you." Efraim quickly checked the computer, the system was still recycling, but they were running out of time.
The Private made a decision. "Sir, I have a free night tonight. I rate a car to leave the compound. If you can get to the garages by 4:30, I'll drive you out myself in the back of the car. The basement has access to the garages, sir."
"Thank you, Private. I suggest you resume your rounds." The Private saluted, and Efraim returned the salute. Rodriguez left through the garden doors while Efraim checked the computer. He watched as the system finished recycling; they had just made it time wise.
Amanda looked down at her clothes. "I have to change, I can't leave with you dressed like this, I couldn't keep up, and it gets cold out there at night. Plus, I have cash in my room. Lee wanted me to keep some on hand in case something happened; it's our insurance policy."
Francine sighed. "I don't think the embassy staff is involved, they would be looking for us by now. I think you could get to your room and change and get back here without any problem. Efraim?"
"Amanda, you have to hurry. Layer up, bring your coat, but leave your purse, just your identifications, passport and the cash. I want you back here in less then ten minutes. Got that?"
Amanda saluted and walked to the door. She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and walked out, gently pulling the door closed behind her. Francine sat in the high backed chair, her back to the windows effectively hiding her from view. Efraim worked the computer, getting a message to Leatherneck. Leatherneck responded immediately, asking which side of heaven Efraim was writing email from.
"That bastard! Francine, you won't believe this; Porter is involved in this mess. He just told the Agency he had confirmation of our death at the exit site."
"Porter? I don't understand -- how is Porter involved?" She rubbed her temples, trying to ease the tension. "Efraim, my head hurts. I've died twice in the past twenty-four hours and I'm not there to arrest Porter myself. Life can be so unfair!"
"I know honey, hang in there. I told Leatherneck to let Billy know what was happening and to take care of that problem with Porter. I guess Porter was trying to flush us out, our miss with death was supposed to be need to know only."
"Who do we trust?"
"Just us, Amanda, Lee and Geiger."
"Why do you trust Geiger?"
"Because I know Geiger."
"Pretty thin reasoning there."
"Yeah, well, I still know what I know, hon."
They both were quiet, lost in their thoughts when Amanda came back to the office. She gave each of them another gun and the local cash, Lei, which she had in addition to U.S. Dollars. "I think Lee told me there was close to 5,000.00 between the Romanian and U.S. currency. We should be able to buy what we need with this."
Both Efraim and Francine gave each other raised eyebrows at the cash that Amanda continued to hand to them as they stuffed the money in their pockets and put the additional handguns in their boots. Amanda threw on her jacket and walked to the bookcase. "There's an entrance to the basement through the side here, easier than us going outside and risking discovery." At Francine's roll of her eyes, Amanda hurried to explain. "I was looking at this vase and I accidently hit the stand and when I move it; this happened." She tilted the stand and the bookcase swung open. Amanda shrugged while Francine shook her head and Efraim grinned. They hurried through the tunnels, Efraim keeping a good watch on their backs.
Reaching the garage, they waited for Rodriguez to show. Francine and Amanda were pacing, while Efraim leaning against the door that they had come through. Rodriguez came in through the side door, closing it quietly behind him. By unspoken agreement, Amanda dealt with him. "Private Rodriguez, thank you for coming. We want to thank you again for helping us."
"Mrs. Stetson, I don't know if this helps, but I over heard Sergeant Tucker trying to get Agent Kent on a radio. Does that tell you anything?" Francine sighed and Amanda nodded her head.
"Yes, it tells us he is working with the agent who tried to kill Ms. Desmond and the Commander. Will you still help us?"
"Yes ma'am. I know it must be important or you wouldn't ask."
"You're right, I wouldn't. Which car are you taking?" The Private pointed to a white GMC Suburban with tinted windows. Beaman climbed in the back seat, Rodriguez got behind the wheel, Francine and Amanda climbed in the back hatch, and Rodriguez pressed the control that opened the garage doors.
Beaman called instructions up to Rodriguez. "Private, if they stop you, just get out of the car, don't hesitate or question, just smoothly slide out of the seat, I'll take care of the rest. Don't worry; no one is going to get hurt."
"Yes sir."
Luck stayed with them as the marine on duty waved the Suburban through the gates. They drove the streets of Bucharest heading to the market where heavy traffic clogged the narrow roads as last minute shoppers picked up items for their evening meals. Rodriguez maneuvered the Suburban to a relatively quiet side street and parked. Efraim sat up on the seat as Francine and Amanda cautiously climbed over the back seat to join him.
"Private, we owe you our lives. I suggest you do whatever you were going to do this evening and forget you ever saw us. Thank you." Efraim put out his hand to the young marine, grateful that Rodriguez had come through for them. The young man shook his hand. Amanda hugged him as did Francine. They waited until Rodriguez had disappeared into the crowd before they headed to the location they had chosen to meet Lee.
As soon as they entered the marketplace, Francine stopped and pulled Amanda and Efraim to the side. "Amanda and I are going to stand out. Look at us."
"It's our hair, isn't it? Your hair is like a beacon Francine, and mine isn't styled like the others. She's right, Efraim, we need to do something to cover our heads."
Efraim nodded and looked around the marketplace, finally seeing what he was looking for. He told the two women to wait for him and he ran through the crowds gathering around the stalls. Several minutes later, he was back, handing a large rectangular black scarf to Amanda and another one to Francine. They were able to put them over their heads, tossing the ends over their shoulders as the other women in the marketplace wore their own scarves.
The three agents walked to the location that Lee and Geiger were to meet them. Amanda and Francine stayed out of sight, allowing the crowd to cover them, while Efraim stayed close to the fountain in the center of the market.
He spotted Lee and made his way towards him, seeing Tucker and Miller in the crowd searching for them. Lee pointed out Geiger, who was coming up along side of Lee and Efraim. The three men disappeared into the crowd, watching as Tucker and Miller reached the fountain, obviously not spotting them.
As Efraim lead them back to Francine and Amanda, he filled Lee and Geiger in on what had happened in the tunnels, and how Amanda had engineered their escape. Lee was relieved to hear that Amanda was with Francine, pointing out that it looked like the only Agency agents left at the embassy weren't working for the United States.
Lee hugged his wife when they reached them. Efraim tucked Francine's hair back under the scarf, winking at her. She smiled her relief that they were back together.
"I hate to be the practical one here," Geiger pointed out, "but, we need to find a secure location for the night and figure out what is going on here. I nearly had my...backside shot off in one hell, er, heck of a gun fight and I'd like to find a place to rest my six and think about all of this."
"Any ideas?" Lee asked the group.
"I take it the U.S. Embassy is out of the question for the night," Francine quipped,
Amanda gave a nervous laugh, shaking her head. "I would need my computer and some time. But we don't have time and with Efraim here, he's much better suited to hit the computer than I am."
"Let's find someplace where I can plug in the laptop and make some discreet inquiries. I think we should go to one of the large hotels and use their Internet connections. Tucker and Miller aren't going to look for us in a public place like that. I might also be able to finesse us a few rooms for the night." Efraim watched the small group as they weighed his words.
"It's a good idea." Geiger confirmed. "The Hilton and Marriot aren't far from here."
Lee agreed, "Not the Marriot, that's where we were the first night in town. The Hilton won't remember Beaman and Francine. Let's see what we can do."
They headed towards the Hilton, away from the marketplace. Geiger and Lee kept a close watch on the retreating group, spotting Tucker and Miller still working their way through the crowd. Arriving without trouble, Amanda and Francine entered the Hilton first, asking for a seat in the restaurant. They were seated and Efraim came in, using the business area to plug in the laptop. Lastly, Lee and Geiger arrived, asking to be seated by the door.
Lee watched for a signal from Efraim, and when he saw it, he got up, signaled Amanda, who followed him, and they went to the main desk to check in. Efraim continued to work the computer, as soon as a room number came up, he signaled the room number to Francine. Francine and Geiger left, Efraim gave them five minutes and he unplugged the computer and headed up to the suite he had booked for them for the night.
Efraim entered the double doors leading into the suite, locking the door behind him. He went to the desk and plugged the computer into the hotel system. Francine came over, leaning over his shoulder watching him. Efraim was accessing the hotel system to crash the closed circuit surveillance system. He glanced over his shoulder at Francine and grinned. "I don't see any reason to take chances at this stage of the game, do you?"
Francine gave a wry shake of her head. "No, not after being written off as dead twice in twenty four hours. By the way Efraim, quite a nice room you booked for us. It's the Presidential Suite, isn't it?" They looked around the large, semi-circular suite.
Efraim grinned at Francine's question, nodding his head in answer. "Lee's paying; he always has liked the best! Oh, and I ordered dinner from room service, I thought we all might be hungry."
"Good idea, Efraim." Francine kissed his cheek and wandered off to look at the rooms.
Lee came back into the main room, heading straight to Efraim. "Beaman, do you think you could have found something with just a little higher profile for us? I mean, the Royal Palace is right outside that window," he pointed out. "Why not put us up there?"
At Lee's raised voice, Amanda and Francine both hurried back into the main room. Geiger sauntered in from the kitchen, dropping into a chair, resting his feet on a coffee table.
"We don't have to worry about them looking for us in the Presidential Suite. If we're gonna hide, we might as well hide big." At Lee's snort of derision, Efraim continued. "Look. This isn't about the room, Lee. We've been compromised here and in Washington. I think it's time we stop doing what's expected and start doing what we need to do to get Quigley."
Lee raked his hand through his hair, a sure sign of his frustration. "What do we know?"
Efraim laughed. "Actually, quite a bit if you think about it. First, let's outline the players."
Francine raised her hand, anxious to add her two cents. "Let me in on this conversation." She hopped on the desk next to Efraim. "We have Porter in Washington. . ."
"Porter? Michael Porter?" Both Lee and Geiger were stunned at the mention of Porter.
"Yes, Porter the jerk. Porter passed a message about Efraim's and my demise at the pick-up site. A bit premature, I might add. You know, I wonder if that's a problem that's plagued him his entire life. Oh, you know what Efraim? This means that Quigley knows we're alive."
"Yeah, I've been thinking that myself."
"Stop!" Lee was shouting now, obviously at the end of his patience. "Start at the top. What happened after we left for the airport?"
Francine continued. "Kent, Efraim and I took the tunnels under the embassy. It seems that Kent was supposed to take us out of the picture down in the catacombs. But, he hadn't counted on Efraim." She put her hand on his shoulder. "We decided to go back to the embassy to Amanda rather than deal with what might be waiting at the other end of the tunnel. Amanda had an idea to enlist the help of one of the young marines she had befriended, and here we are."
Geiger laughed, Lee just shook his head in wonder. "How did you find out about Porter?" Lee asked.
"I e-mailed Leatherneck." Efraim said. "I didn't want to go straight through to Billy, in case his computer was tapped. I know Leatherneck is consistent with his computer security. He was, needless to say, surprised to receive an email from me, considering we had just been confirmed as dead. What happened at the airport?"
Geiger laughed. Lee sat on the couch and rubbed his hands over his face. "Everything went as planned. Dave and I switched places with Williams and Ballard and we're heading back to Bucharest when all hell breaks loose."
"Yeah, Lee here spun that big Cadillac Fleetwood like a top, took out the little car the shooters had used. We came to rest up the span of that bridge you cross before the airport; you know the one with that huge drop? So here we are, at what Lee -- a 45 degree angle? Nose down, tail of the Caddy up, we're just about on our faces in the windshield and these guys are firing Kalishnakov's at us! One must have pinged underneath the chassis, because we're hanging there and the next thing we know, those new air bags things blow. It must have been enough movement though, the tail slips off the girder, still in gear, and away we go! We hit the shooter's car, again, I manage to get my hands on my knife and take out the air bags. Lee stops and no bad guys! They've headed for the hills in fear for their lives against this devil car!"
Everyone was laughing, with the exception of Lee and Amanda. "Amanda, let me explain. It sounds worse than it was, really. Dave, tell her it wasn't as bad as it sounds." Amanda picked up a pillow from the couch and hit Lee across the head and laughed.
Lee ran his fingers through his hair, trying to fix it. "Watch the hair, Amanda! So we know that Miller and Kent here are up to their necks in this."
"And Gunnery Sergeant Tucker as well. We probably shouldn't rule out Williams and Ballard either." Francine said.
"Great. Then there's Porter in the States. Who isn't involved?" Lee looked at the agents sitting in the room with him. Geiger held up his hand, and managed to deflect the pillow Lee hit him with. "Efraim, why can't you just take normal classes like normal people? Why do you have to take a class with a mad man?"
"It's not my fault, Lee! Look, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but, it's safe to say that Quigley knows we're coming for him. And I'm sure he knows what our plans are. We need to rethink what we're going to do."
"Do you think Quigley will change his plans or target because of us?"
He sighed, shaking his head. "I just don't know, Francine."
The agents sat silent, each deep in their own thoughts over their mission. Lee voiced the thought no one else would. "So basically, this operation is a bust." The others nodded their agreement, all except Efraim.
"Not necessarily. There is a way we can salvage this."
Francine tried to massage away the tension she felt in Efraim's shoulders. Quietly she asked, "How? How can this be salvaged?"
"We give Quigley what he wants." Efraim answered.
Her hands stilled, "What he wants is to kill you, along with the President of the United States, Efraim."
"That's exactly what he wants." Geiger added. Francine and Amanda nodded their agreement.
"How?" Lee asked.
"Lee!" Both Amanda and Francine shouted. "Lee, you can't seriously consider this?" Francine was shocked that Lee would even ask.
Lee locked eyes with Efraim. "How can we do this?"
"We have to hit him where it hurts; in his ego. We laugh at him. We make sure he gets my figures on the data he left behind, the satellite path, the whole nine yards. He has to know that I've got his number, just like I did ten years ago. And then we tell him he can take his best shot at me, again, and we arrange to meet at Vidraru Power Plant the morning after next."
"This is crazy!" Francine cried. She fell to her knees at his side and took his hands in hers. "We just waltz up and let him take a shot at you? We won't even make it that far; he'll have Miller and Tucker hunt us down before we even get there. You know yourself there is only one way in and out of that area. Efraim, Efraim, please? You promised me you wouldn't antagonize Quigley, please think about this?"
He lifted her hands and kissed them and leaned over and kissed her lips softly, gently. "I don't plan to let him have a shot at me, and he is going to want to do it himself after we rub his nose in this. We upset him enough that we have the advantage of thinking a step or two ahead of him. It's the only way for us to do this."
"She's right about Miller and Tucker," Lee said. "They'll just find a nice shady spot and wait for you."
Efraim shook his head in disagreement. "Not if we get them first." Lee nodded.
Francine got up and walked to the chair on the opposite side of the room. Efraim, sighed, knowing she was upset, but he continued on. "The Ambassador is not in on this, I checked him out thoroughly before we came. I think we can depend on him for help. Any ideas on how we can neutralize Tucker and Miller? Do we really want to deal with them in the field?"
"Personally? I'd prefer to limit their range, makes it easier for me." Geiger said. "Let's take care of that problem now. You're sure Beaman, that the ambassador can be trusted?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. We need to get him up to speed then. He maneuvers Tucker and Miller for us. You make your phone call and we let them get in contact with Quigley, then we shut them down. Message sent loud and clear, and no Tucker and Miller putting their fingers in things."
"Wait a minute." Lee said. "We can't be sure of where those two will be or what they'll do at any given time. We do know that they're out there looking for us now."
Amanda looked at her husband, her eyes narrowed as she followed his train of thought. "You're going to go out there now to find them?"
"Time to get pro-active, Amanda. We're not going to run from them, and I'd rather hunt them than it be the other way around. Geiger, you're the marksman here, don't let them get us in a line of fire. Beaman, buddy it's you and me on the streets. Amanda? Get secure communications to the ambassador and to Billy. Let's go before we lose the last light."
Geiger pulled his gun out, checked his magazines, nodded and put it back in his shoulder holster. Amanda hugged and kissed Lee, quietly telling him to be careful. Efraim could barely hear the words, but he knew Lee was reassuring Amanda that he would be fine. Efraim felt Francine's eyes watching him; he walked over to where she was sitting and knelt down. He reached for her hand, only to have her get up and walk down the hallway away from him. He sighed and stood up. He checked his own gun and walked to the door. "Let's get this done; I've got a long night ahead of me." Geiger nodded and gave him a slap on the shoulder as he passed him, Lee just rolled his eyes.
"She'll come around, Beaman. Put her out of your mind for now."
"Yeah, great advice, thanks."
Lee laughed at the sarcasm. As they reached the elevator, Lee reached out and pushed the call button.
The elevator doors were just about closed when they heard Francine call out to them. Lee hit the open button and Efraim stepped out of the elevator. Francine ran up to him and threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him with abandon.
"I'm sorry." She said, kissing him again. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry Efraim!"
He held her close, whispering in her ear, "I love you too, Franny."
Geiger put his head out the elevator door. "You plan on doing this tonight, Beaman?"
"He has five seconds to get in this elevator." Lee quipped, watching the couple before him with a small, amused smile on his face.
Efraim gave Francine one last quick kiss and stepped into the elevator. Francine followed him inside, the men noticing for the first time that she was wearing her coat and had the scarf wrapped around her shoulders. "Francine? Where do you think you're going?"
"I'm going with you. You're my partner."
Lee hit the door open button again to keep the elevator open. "Out, Francine."
She folded her arms across her chest and gave him a nasty glare. "No."
"Fran-cineā¦." The two agents stared at each other, neither giving an inch. Geiger and Efraim watched, both deciding it was safer to stay out of this discussion.
"I'm going Lee. If you make me get off of this elevator, I will crate you and send you to Tiananmen Square. And you know I will do it."
Lee gave Francine one last look of disgust and hit the close button and pressed lobby. The group was silent, everyone watching the floor indicator change.
"Thank you, Lee," Francine broke the silence as the elevator slowed.
Lee barely nodded. "You're welcome," he grumbled. "I still remember the last time I crossed you. It took me three weeks of vacation time to get off that island in the South Seas and back to D.C."
"And to think they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks!" Francine exited the elevator. Beaman and Geiger looked at Lee, trying to school their features into some semblance of seriousness. Lee gave them each a disgusted look and followed Francine; Geiger and Efraim right behind him.
They stepped into the night, walking away from the hotel. Spying a small park near the front of the Royal Palace, they walked quickly to the partially hidden square.
"Where do we start?" Lee asked.
Efraim looked at Francine and nodded. "We go to the embassy. We might catch them on their way back." Lee and Geiger agreed; Lee waving his hand for them to begin their trek.
They were quickly able to find a taxi to take them to the embassy neighborhood. The streets were quiet; workers from the several neighboring embassies were heading home for the evening.
"We're pretty vulnerable out here like this." Geiger pointed out, as they climbed from the taxi. "We need a vehicle, like a van." The group stopped and looked around them, hoping to see what they needed before they raised suspicions. Geiger sprinted off down the street, the others following. Geiger quickly outpaced them, rounding a corner ahead and disappearing. A van soon pulled to a stop beside them and Geiger slide the side door open, and the agents jumped in.
"Nice vehicle, Dave." Lee was grinning ear to ear.
"Thanks! Made me feel like I was home in Trenton. Need a car; you go shopping on the street, easy as that! Everybody comfy? Let's go cruising!"
Geiger started searching the streets in a grid pattern, hoping to find Tucker and Miller on their way back to the embassy. Francine pulled her cell phone out and called Amanda at the hotel, checking for any information she may have gotten from Billy and the ambassador. Efraim watched the streets, keeping on ear on what Francine was saying.
"Thanks, Amanda. I will. Okay, bye." She took a deep breath as she dropped her cell phone into her pocket. "Alright, here's what Amanda's got for us. Billy has Porter in detention; they're going over him now. Wish I was there, I'd go over him. Billy is having Williams and Ballard picked up in Vienna, although he vouches for both of them. Billy and Amanda have spoken with the ambassador here, he's in a major snit by the way, but will cooperate with us."
"What's he got to be in a snit about? Nobody has been trying to kill him all damn week!" Efraim asked, his voice showing his irritation.
"It seems we upset his sense of protocol by not confiding our concerns to him immediately."
Efraim snorted, "Give me a break."
Lee cut into their quibbling. "Look at what we've got coming up ahead of us people! That looks like an embassy vehicle to me. And the skunks in it are Miller and Tucker. Must be our lucky day! Dave? Cut them off and I want that entire passenger side taken out. Francine, you go around the back; Beaman, you and I have the front. Dave, you keep your eagle eyes on the situation. Ready?"
Francine and Efraim braced in the back for the contact with the big Suburban. Dave picked up speed and turned into the oncoming vehicle, hitting it just in front of the driver's door and pushing it up against the cement block wall, blocking the entire passenger side.
Lee jumped out the front, Efraim and Francine exited through the rear of the van. Dave had his gun on Tucker in the drivers' seat. Efraim ran around the front to cover Lee.
"Tucker, Miller, United States Federal agents. You are both under arrest. Get your hands up where I can see them." Lee barked out orders, keeping his eye on Tucker while Efraim had his sights on Miller in the passenger seat. Lee opened the driver door, knowing there was no room for Tucker to get past him. Tucker slowly slid out of the Suburban, warily watching Lee and Geiger. Miller thought he could make it out the back; he fell to the floor and scrambled toward the back gate of the vehicle.
Efraim yelled as he headed around the van to help Francine. "Francine! He's coming back!" He could see the back of the Suburban open as he rounded the corner of their van and watched as Francine had Miller cold on the ground by the time he stopped.
"You got him!" Efraim put an arm around Francine and gave her a quick hug.
"You don't mess with a woman three weeks before her wedding. It's unwise." They shared a laugh, Efraim made sure Miller's hands were cuffed and they dragged him to the van. Lee had Tucker cuffed and over the hood of the Suburban and was reading him his rights.
"Francine? What do you think we have on this bad boy?" Lee gave her a wink, knowing she would make it sound good.
"Well, Geiger's the lawyer here, but I'd say we have him on treason, conspiracy to commit treason, conspiracy to murder the President of the United States, attempted murder, attempted murder of federal officers, attempted murder of a military officer in the commission of his duties, espionage, and an entire slew of military conduct charges. That about cover it, Geiger?"
"Yep, Francine, that's close enough. What it all boils down to, is say goodbye to the sunshine, Tucker. Let's get them back to the embassy."
They put Tucker in the van with Miller. As Efraim began to climb in, Lee stopped him with a hand to his shoulder. "You're on. Work them."
Efraim nodded and climbed in the van. Francine was next, Lee finally getting in the passenger seat. Dave put the van in gear and pulled out of the side of the Suburban. Tucker was eager to claim his innocence concerning the conspiracy to murder the President.
"Quigley never said anything about that, he ranted and raved about Beaman, how he had ruined his career and made a laughing stock of him. He never mentioned the President."
Efraim laughed. "Good try, Gunny, but, out of all the charges, that's the one that will stick. You'll never get out. Quigley sure roped you and Miller in tight. Oh, let's not forget Kent, may his soul rest in peace."
"Kent is dead?" Tucker didn't sound like he felt very well.
"You didn't honestly think he was going to come out of those tunnels, did you? He was clumsy, and I am very good at what I do. But, you knew that. You and Miller decided with him out of the way, there would be more of the payoff to divide between the two of you. You figured you could take care of the rest of us with no problems, and you'd be living the high life in some Asian country that forgot to sign its extradition treaties with the United States." Efraim gave him a moment for things to sink in.
"It looks to me that Quigley has spun you like a top. You and Miller will take the fall, and he walks. Doesn't sound fair to me."
"I could help you."
Efraim laughed outright, "You can't help me with anything. I have everything I need. You're the one who needs my help, and the funny thing is, I'm not inclined to lift a finger in your defense."
"I can help you with Quigley. I know where he is. I know where he was going to get ready for you. That's got to be worth something?"
"Good try, but, when you and sleeping beauty there don't make your check in with Quigley, he's going to pack up and leave. We'll get him tomorrow or the next day or sometime next year, but it'll be too late for you."
They pulled up to the embassy gates. The grounds were flooded with light, they could see the marines in fatigues carrying their assault rifles. Geiger gave his identification along with the rest of theirs and the gates opened. Francine watched as the ambassador himself came out to meet the van.
Tucker made one last appeal. "Quigley is in the town of Walachia, in Southern Transylvania. It's close enough to Poenari that he drives a mini back and forth. I can give you the number to his phone, it's +9-4021-555-17-04."
Geiger stopped the van. The doors flew open and a small contingent of marines had their weapons trained on their Gunnery Sergeant and Agent Miller, who was just beginning to regain consciousness. Efraim helped Tucker out, then he and Francine pulled Miller to his feet. They watched as they were lead off.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Efraim asked. "Did you get that number, Francine?" She held up a small recorder and smiled. Efraim smiled back, leaning over to kiss her. "I love you, you know that?"
Francine kissed him back. "Yeah I know you do! Shall we?" She dangled the recorder in front of him.
Efraim grinned at her. "You're a tease, Francine!"
"Only with you, Efraim, only with you!" She linked her arm with his and walked with him to Lee and the ambassador.
Lee managed to smooth the ruffled feathers of the ambassador. The ambassador offered two vehicles and the use of the embassy's secure phones to make their calls. They turned him down when he offered them overnight accommodations, preferring to stay where they were.
Lee called Amanda first so she wouldn't worry. He then put a call into Billy to tell him what they had accomplished. Efraim and Francine, sitting on a couch across the room could hear Billy's booming voice pouring out of the phone.
"Kinda comforting, isn't it? Hearing Billy yell?" Efraim whispered to Francine. She smiled and nodded, closing her eyes and resting her head on Efraim's shoulder.
Lee hung up the phone and sighed. D.C. was in an uproar, and for once Lee was glad that he was out of the country.
"That bad?"
Lee looked up and nodded at Efraim's question. "Yeah, well, bureaucrats don't understand why field operations don't follow a script. She asleep?" Efraim nodded, and carefully stood up as to not wake Francine. Lee indicated he wanted to talk to Beaman outside the office, so he followed him out, quietly closing the door. Lee stopped. "I need your best assessment of this, Efraim. I know I'm asking you to divine the future, but, I gotta get back to Billy with some sort of prediction. What do you think is the best way to go?"
Efraim closed his eyes and rubbed his head. His head felt like it was going to explode. "Lee honestly, I just don't know right now. I don't know."
"I know it's been a rough few days, but I need you to focus on this for me now."
"Quigley could just up and disappear, strike again when it's in his favor. His original plan has crumbled around him. I still think if he could get a shot at both the President and me, he'd take it. His ego wouldn't allow him to pass up the opportunity."
"How do we give him that opportunity?"
"Is the President still coming?"
Lee nodded his head, "Yeah, he's not canceling."
"Great. Well, I hope they've at least changed his approach."
"Billy is seeing to it."
"Just let pre-visit publicity take care of getting the word out about the President."
"And how do we get him to take a hit at you, Beaman?"
"Lee. . . ." Efraim warned.
"Look Efraim, I know you're tired. I know you've had enough of this. This entire operation has hinged on you and you've been on top of everything. But right now I need your best assessment. What do you think we should do next?"
"What if I'm wrong?"
"Then we change tactics and go after him another way. Beaman, I need you to be your usual arrogant self. Don't start doubting yourself now."
Efraim raised an eyebrow at Lee's comment and blew out the air in his lungs. Turning, he looked out into the grand hall of the embassy thinking over the possible avenues to follow. He nodded his head and sighed. "I'll call him myself. Let's see if I can't push a few buttons to goad him into doing what we want him to do."
Lee clapped him on the back. "We're gonna get him. Don't worry about it."
Efraim nodded and turned to go back into the office where they had left Francine. She was still sleeping. He stood there watching her, 'God, how I love her'. He carefully sat down next to her and carefully put his arm over her shoulders. He leaned back on the couch, and closed his eyes. He tried to clear his mind of worries and tension, but he knew they had to go after Quigley and the sooner they took him down and got the laser, the sooner they would go home.
Francine's whisper caught him off guard. "You're going to be the target." She stated it as fact, she wasn't questioning him.
He pulled her closer, hugging her to him. "Yeah."
"When will you make the call?"
He sighed. "First thing tomorrow; I want him to stew tonight."
She chuckled against him. "Nothing like turning up the heat."
"What if I'm wrong?"
"You won't be. You haven't been so far."
"I didn't see the complications with Kent, Tucker and Miller. And because of that, I killed Kent. It could have just as easily been one of us dead in that tunnel, or Lee and Amanda, or Dave. And Porter! I knew Porter was a jerk, but I didn't see him as a traitor. . ."
Francine put her fingers on his mouth. "Shhhh," she told him. "Efraim, why are you the only one responsible for this? You aren't, so stop already, okay?" She leaned up and kissed him. "I wish we were back at the hotel." She could feel the laughter rumble in his chest.
"Francine, you are definitely the right woman for me!"
"Maybe we should head back to the hotel."
"I'm right behind you, my love."
She winked and moved out his arms and stood up. She offered him her hand, which he took with a grin. He stood up, pulling her into his arms, hugging her closely to him. The door to the office opened, Lee came in, shaking his head.
"You know, when I used to do that with Amanda, we had to make up some excuse."
Francine laughed. "Some pretty lame excuses are what I seem to remember."
Lee turned red, causing both Efraim and Francine to laugh. "Yeah, they were pretty bad. "Lee admitted, running a hand through his hair. "When do you want to make that call, Beaman?"
"She knows, Lee. Let Quigley simmer overnight. Plus, we might be able to get more out of Tucker and Miller. We should get a good night's sleep; it might help us to see something more clearly in the morning."
"Sounds good to me, besides we should get out of here as the two of you are beginning to steam up the ambassador's windows."
The ride back to the Hilton went quickly. Lee and Geiger drove one Suburban, Efraim and Francine the other. The foursome went directly to the suite where Amanda and several trays of food were waiting for them. Geiger grabbed a plate and filled it up, plopped on the couch and turned on the television, flipping through the channels at light speed.
Francine poured herself a glass of water from the tray and looked at Geiger. "Bachelor?"
Dave nodded, answering as he stuffed a piece of chicken into his mouth. "Yep, I live a life of luxury."
"I can see that."
"You know what, Francine? Women don't understand the fine art of being a man. A man likes to sit with his feet up, his backside on a comfortable chair and watch cable television. You find me a woman who appreciates that, and I'll marry her in a second."
Francine raised an eyebrow. "You certainly have narrowed down the female population to a select few."
"A man has to know what his priorities are and stick to them."
"Spend a lot of time alone, Geiger?"
"Every damn night, and I'm lonely as hell Francine." They both laughed.
Francine turned, looking for Efraim. Amanda pointed to the bedrooms. Francine nodded, said good night to everyone and went down the hallway to the bedroom she had chosen for Efraim and herself.
She quietly entered the room, locking the door behind her. Efraim was sitting at the desk, hands behind his head, his feet up, kicked back in the chair that was balancing on two legs. She smiled and shook her head. Crossing the room, she kicked off her shoes and climbed on the bed, tucking her legs underneath her as she opened the bottle of water. "Not hungry, B?"
He shook his head no.
"You thinking?"
He nodded.
Francine understood his need to pull in and think. It was a habit he followed whenever he was confronted with a problem that bothered him. She knew if she left him alone to think, he would get it clear in his mind, and would come up with an answer. And he'd be right as well.
She sipped her water, watching Efraim. She thought back to a conversation she had with Amanda months ago when she had first began to seriously see Efraim. Amanda had told her that she had always liked Efraim, and that their little games over the years had been a way for the two of them to test one another. Francine admitted to herself that there was some truth to Amanda's theory. No matter how nasty she had been to Efraim, he had always been there if she had ever needed him for anything.
And now it was her turn to be there for him. She climbed off the bed, placed her water on the desk for Efraim, and started to get ready for bed. She went to wash her face, trailing her night gown behind her. When she came out, Efraim was drinking her water, still kicked back in the chair, still staring out the window. Francine folded her clothes, laying them on a chair. She walked over to Efraim, gently wrapping her arms around his shoulders and kissed him on his cheek. He rubbed her bare arm, turning his head to kiss her shoulder.
"Don't sit up too long, okay B?"
"I won't."
"Efraim?"
He turned to look at her, his eyebrows raised in question.
"I love you. I love you with my whole heart. I just want you to know that. Goodnight, sweetheart."
He smiled at her, watching the dim light cast shadows on the satin of her gown, the length of her arms, the peaks of her breasts. She pulled the blankets back, and climbed in bed, choosing to lay dead center in the bed. He grinned, knowing that was her way of telling him she expected him to take her in his arms when he finally came to bed. He watched as her breathing slowed and evened out, sleep beginning to claim her.
"I love you too, Francine, with my whole heart." He whispered to her. Her sleepy smile was all the answer he needed.
