NOIR

Associations

By Steve Edward

Chapter Eight

Leaving the message with the Langley Duty Officer, Randy hung up the phone to wait for the return call. The adage of Hurry Up then Wait went through his thoughts.

Randy turned to Mireille, "Go upstairs and get some rest, on the way stop by and check with Darla to see how Kirika is doing. If things are looking well have Darla come down to the study. I believe Kirika will be fine for now."

Mireille looked at Randy, his expression unreadable. He obviously had cracked the jokes about her bra as a way to break the tension and to focus her troubles elsewhere. She had been prepared to explain her actions but Randy likely had no interest in her excuses now, the burdens he now had to shoulder exceeded even those of Noir.

Leaving the study, Mireille headed to Kirika's bedroom and when entering found that besides Darla, the cat named Crabby had taken a position over Kirika's feet, "Mrs. Francis, is Kirika doing well?" Darla Francis smiled and then nodded, "Yes Dear she is doing just fine, with a little bed rest Kirika will be good as new."

Mireille placing her hand on Darla's shoulder, "I want to thank you again for your help and assistance, Randy has asked that you come to his study. Kirika will be fine by herself for now. If I hear anything out of the ordinary I will come and check on her."

Darla stood and then embraced Mireille, "You are very welcome the both of you. Do try to take care of yourself, ok Mireille?"

Mireille checked Kirika one last time then headed for her own bedroom, the intercom turned on so she could hear anything coming from Kirika's own room.

Darla entered the study and sat next to her husband of nearly 70 years, Harold his attention still drawn to the display screen took little notice. Darla focused on Randy, "Mr. Baldwin you wanted to see me?"

Nodding Randy stood, "Darla, you and Harold have done enough and given more than could have been asked since this first started. In about two hours or less I expect to be to my ears in Federal Officers. I need for both of you to leave. It would be best for all of us at this point."

Harold slowly came to his feet, "Randy your sentiments are welcomed, but we would still like to see this through. I and Darla will head home to get some sleep, but we will return is that understood?" Randy came from out behind his desk, and clasped Harold's hand, "Doc, I kind of figured you would say that, thank you."

After walking the Francis's to their car, Randy returned to the study; it was just past 4:15 AM when the phone rang, "Baldwin."

Tabitha Alexander on the other end of the line spoke quietly, "Randy. We have a rapid response team enroute; they should be at your farm by 5 AM. Can you upload the stills and the video at your earliest convenience?" Randy acknowledged and received the e-mail address he was to use.

Sitting at the desk Randy, put the phone on speaker mode, "Tabitha, the upload has started. Out of curiosity how were you able to mobilize so quickly?"

The slight chuckle over the speaker surprised Randy, "Thanks to the "Nibbler". The copy of the disk you provided was an exact mirror copy of the original data source. He and his team found some files that at first looked like operating system files, but in reality were not."

Opening the drawer for his copy, Randy inserted the disk into the other desktop, "Randy doesn't even bother trying to open the files themselves. They are heavily encrypted, and protected. Nibbler had to develop an algorithm to bust the encryption, which he did about 12:30 AM this morning."

Randy tapped his note pad, "So he found something that scared a lot of people?" Tabitha replied, "Hell yes he did. In summery, a certain group of extremists were going to use Martinez as a distributor. You have heard all the different scenarios that could possibly be utilized to disperse bio-agents, the usual threats would be to use aircraft to over fly a population center; to dispersal by the water supply that sort of thing."

Randy frowned, "Illicit drugs, taint the drugs themselves then the virus would be transmitted by America's own drug users. They fall ill, start seeking medical attention usually at large community hospitals like Grady Memorial in Atlanta and we have the beginnings of a pan-epidemic."

Tabitha replied, "Exactly. Rather scary in scope too. Drug use though in decline is still prevalent through all levels of our society, from the rich to the poor to the hard core users to the recreational users. If the tainted drugs hit the streets, it would likely be a matter of only a few days to a week before we started seeing the effects, and the doctors would at first assume that the user was suffering from drug overdose or other malady and would not be looking for the virus."

Randy watched the upload complete, "The upload is complete Tabitha. Tabby, it would have to be virulent and rather contagious, transmission conducted by body fluids, skin to skin contact etc., were there any details on whether they may have developed such a nasty biological with this kind of capability?"

Tabitha sighed, "No, nothing of that nature but there has been intelligence of work in a third world country, no identification of which one. Hang on a second."

While waiting, Randy reviewed the financial files looking at bank routing numbers, one caught his eye. Pakistan. What the hell?

When Tabitha came back on the line Randy interrupted, "Tabitha. I just looked through the financial bank routings that have been utilized, Martinez or someone else has been utilizing a banking facility in Pakistan. The research team should see it buried near page eight."

Tabitha paused and brought up the file and looked at it herself, "Damn, Randy. How do you remember all those codes?" Chuckling Randy replied, "One of my operations involved tracking the flow of wire transfers and I remember the bank routing prefix by heart. The others are on our side of the water, so it kind of jumped out at me."

Tabitha sighed, "Well that is a start point for our team. What can you advise about the security at the Martinez estate?"

Tapping the pen on the desk, "Heavy electronic security throughout, the lab was penetrated by Kirika so I do not know the extent of the security surrounding it, but Kirika was in there for at least 25 minutes that I know of based on the length of the video. The estate security, at least the ones I encountered was armed with conventional side arms. For all I know they could be packing heavy automatic weapons by now."

Tabitha replied, "Ok. I will relay that to the strike team. How are Mireille and Kirika?"

Randy who did not look forward to that question replied, "Kirika has been injured and is sedated, Mireille is not at full potential. Kirika suffered a minor knife wound but lost a lot of blood on extraction."

Tabitha sounding slightly angry, "Randy, just what the hell were you doing while they were out there?"

Mireille walking into the study interrupted, "Mr. Baldwin had no say in the matter, Ms. Alexander. I and Kirika alone made the decision to go back to the estate."

Mireille walked to the edge of the desk, "Ms. Alexander, you are fully aware that I and Kirika were sent here to dispose of Martinez, this we will do."

Tabitha paused then spoke, "Very well Mireille, as you wish. Randy, Ned Sherman is in charge of the strike team, coordinate all further activities through him. Good luck and be careful the both of you."

The vehicle which appeared to be a motor home eased up the gravel drive and stopped in the farm yard, within the vehicle Ned Sherman; gave a reassuring pat to the drivers shoulder then disembarked.

The African-American stood outside the door viewing the house and the surroundings. Not too bad Ned thought for a retired guy, as he strolled towards the front door the door itself opened and framed within the entry stood an old friend of his Randy Baldwin.

Ned cracking a smile waved, "Damn Randy one hell of a place you got. Can I come in? I got some others with me as well."

Randy with a grin stepped out to greet Ned and his party, shook hands with Ned, "Well Ned how long had it been? Six or seven years" as they both shook hands. Ned replying, "More like eight years Randy. Tabitha said this was likely to get ugly, is she correct?"

Randy ushering the group in and down the hall to the study, "Unfortunately, Tabitha is likely correct. I have a video to show you of the lab and still photos of the equipment. I do not have any of mansions exterior or interior itself."

Mireille standing eyed Ned Sherman, who held out is hand and greeted her, "Hello, Ma'm pleasure to meet you. Tabitha advised me of your presence here."

Ned chuckled and turned to Randy, "Ye ask and you shall receive, we got the original construction plan of the mansion; let's have a look at that lab video. We got less than 25 minutes before all hell breaks loose."

Ned sat for five minutes, having Randy speed the video past the less interesting parts, satisfied he let out a low whistle, "Son-of-a-Bitch, looks like Level Four containment."

Ned gave Randy a CD ROM, which Randy inserted into the computer; which he then displayed on the main display screen.

Ned stood the walked to the display, "Suffice to say the mansion is going to be a bear, but we will be ready for just about everything. Lead elements of the raid team are airborne as we speak. I have six Blackhawk helicopters in all with four Apache gun ships and four Cobra gun ships for close in ground support."

Randy mused a moment, "Ned, are there any friendlies on the ground? If so where are they supposed to link up?" Ned nodded, "Yeah we got one on the ground inside in deep cover according to my briefing that I got on the way here. Exactly who is unknown, but they will have a chess piece on them which is the black knight and they are to show it at us when they make contact with strike team members."

The chime from the elevator interrupted the conversation. Mireille stepped out into the hallway and found Kirika leaning against the wall, "Kirika!"

Kirika grimaced but stood straight and then walked towards her, "Mireille, I am coming too." Ned turned to see who it was, had taken in the condition of Kirika as she entered the study "Young lady, I don't think so. You are in no shape for this."

Randy spoke up, "Ned please prepare the extra hardware, as we are all going together."

Ned nodded to one of his assistants and he departed the study. Ned stood and walked to the desk, "Randy, are you sure about this?" Randy replied, "Yes, Ned I am sure. What is the ETA for the Blackhawk?" as he glanced at his watch.

Ned replied, "Five minutes then it will be a six minute flight to the estate." Randy stepped around the desk, "Ok Ned. Advise them three passengers for pickup, we will be going after Martinez directly, and try to find out about the biological material from other sources. Martinez belongs to the three of us."

Ned replied, "Damn Randy I was afraid you were going to say that, but Tabitha said Martinez was to be your primary target; so be it then."

The assistant returned and issued communications gear to all three along with light wind breakers marked "Strike Force". Satisfied all was in order Randy turned to Kirika and Mireille, "Martinez is primary, I'll cover you backs while you hunt him down. Kirika are you damn sure you can do this?"

Kirika cracked a slight smile, a first that Randy had ever seen from her "Yes Mr. Baldwin I can and I will." Ned observing the exchange felt chills going down his back.

"Randy good luck and be careful." Randy nodded, "I intend to."

Randy led Mireille and Kirika to the pasture where the Blackhawk would land, the quiet of the dark country side soon to be shattered, "Kirika, I know you were not there when Ned told us of an undercover agent being inside the estate. He or she will have a chess piece, the black knight on them. If someone shows that, please don't harm them. For what it is worth, thanks for that video. It was enlightening to say the least."

The distant sound of a helicopter drew closer, and dropping from the night sky the Blackhawk kissed the ground and rolled to a stop. Crouching to avoid the rotating blades all three board the aircraft and with a thumb up from Randy, the pilot applied power and smoothly lifted from the pasture and pivoted. It was 5:24 AM.

The first indication of anything wrong was the thunder of the Cobra gun ships making a pass at the mansion, which startled Martinez out of his bed. Throwing the curtains aside, he looked out in time to see a Blackhawk landing and men disembarking. Two of his security force were cut down mercilessly by automatic weapons fire when they took potshots at the intruders.

Scrambling down the hall, Santiago Martinez headed down the stairs and stopped at the second floor landing as gunfire erupted from below followed by the thunderous reports of flash bangs going off.

Mireille and Kirika had briefly followed the entry team, and then split apart from them. Sighting the staircase both scurried for it, to their rear Randy who spied a hostile joined in the pitched gun battle taking place, Kirika smiled hearing the distinct report of the Colt Combat Commander firing behind her.

Gregario running down the hallway on the second floor ran into Santiago, the fear on his face clear as he tried to run from what was advancing up the stairwell. Gregario Santana smiling took aim as what appeared to be a woman in the lead stepped on the landing below him.

Kirika, still below Mireille raised her Beretta and fired twice, both rounds hit Gregario the shock frozen on his face as he fell dead to the carpeted floor with a thud. Santiago watching Gregario die, held up his hands in supplication only to see Mireille aim directly at him and fire which was the last thing he saw.

Randy ducking flying debris from a shattered vase, tumbled over someone curled up on the floor, their small figure nearly unseen in the blackness of the dark hallway, "Please don't shoot!"

Rolling to his knees, preparing to fire Randy spotted the top of the chess piece, the black knight clutched in a young woman's hand; the terror evident she began to wave it in front of him. Kirika descending the stairs looked right and aimed down the hallway, "Get Down!" and she fired four times in rapid succession."

Randy scurried to the woman on the floor and covered her body with his own and switching firing hands fired blindly to his rear joining in with Kirika. The sound of the body crashing onto a table then the floor came to his ears.

Glancing to his rear Randy sighed with relief as he viewed the outstretch hand holding a butcher knife; the woman beneath him began hitting him on the shoulder "Get off of me, your crushing me!"

Randy replied, "Stay the hell down on the floor, November-3 to Strike Team Leader. The package is secured. We are on the first floor, hallway to the kitchen." The Team Leader replied in the affirmative.

Mireille scanning the foyer from above on the second floor heard someone moving down the hallway, "Randy we have one on the second floor moving," she radioed. Handing the woman over to a strike team member, he jogged up the staircase with Kirika and joined Mireille who signaled the movement was to the right.

Nodding, Randy took point with Mireille taking a cover position and Kirika following to his rear; Randy advanced slowly checking the doors of each room then clearing them before advancing to the next.

Switching out with Kirika on every other room, it was Kirika who found the locked door and signaled the fact to Randy who nodded.

Randy motioned for Kirika to stand back, and then he charged to door which broke open on the first kick.

The man crouching behind the bed stood up and clumsily pointed the handgun directly at Randy who raised his on weapon. From behind Kirika rushed in and leapt across the bed slamming into the man sending both into the wall.

Mireille charged in behind Randy who had already jumped across the bed and was struggling with the man's gun when it went off.

Kirika felt the heat of the discharge, yet strangely felt no impact. It was when she heard Randy cruse that she realized he had been hit. Furious she pummeled man beneath her until he let go of the gun.

Randy felt he had been kicked in the chest as he was desperately sucking as much air as he could at the moment. Rolling of the end of the bed, he landed with a thud on the floor. Between breaths he could hear Kirika landing repeated blows on the hapless gunman, "Kirika! Enough! Mireille get Kirika off of that guy," as he wheezed out the order.

Mireille did as Randy asked and pulled Kirika off the man but kicked the man under Kirika as hard as she could and knocked him out. Turning and kneeling next to Randy, the powder burns on his clothing showing; she radioed the strike team leader that they had a man down.

Randy blinking his eyes took in Mireille the concern in her eyes evident, "Jeez nothing like getting hit in the sternum at point blank range!" As he fumbled for his shirt trying to pull it open Mireille took his hand to stop.

Ned Sherman heard the radio traffic and cursed as well, then called for a Medivac Helicopter. The Strike Team Leader scrambling up the staircase directed the remainder of the mansion to be searched and with his Sergeant following he entered the bedroom to find Randy Baldwin lying on the floor.

Major Drew Benson pulled Mireille Bouquet back from Randy and took her place, "Randy, we've got a chopper coming how bad?" as Randy finally was able to tear his shirt open.

Wheezing Randy replied, "Major Benson, help me get this damn vest off!" Mireille and Kirika spoke at the same time, "Vest?"

Major Benson grinned, "You lucky bastard, hang on." The Major, pulled the remainder of the shirt open to reveal the bullet proof vest and then loosened the securing straps.

Easing Randy to the sitting position, Mireille helped remove the vest and lay it on the nearby bed.

Randy peered downward, the tip of the bullet had just penetrated his skin but had been stopped by the vest, his upper chest already turning black and blue from impact the small trickle of blood flowed past it.

Kirika then understood why Randy had grabbed the man's hands. In the struggle the man had nearly put the gun to Kirika's own head and Randy had pulled on the gun which put its muzzle directly into his chest.

Major Benson shook his head in disbelief, the radioed, "Cancel the Medivac, minor flesh wound to the chest. Randy's vest stopped the bullet." Ned Sherman sighed with relief and relayed the information to Tabitha.

The Major standing next to Randy seemed to nod his head at something, "Ok, the Estate is secure. The lab building is in our hands as well. No casualties except minor scraps and bruises." The groan coming from the side of the bed caused Kirika to turn rapidly preparing to fire, "No don't shoot him!"

The woman standing in the doorway next to a strike team member stepped forward, "Major. Take him alive into custody. He is a scientist who was brought here to breed the virus." Mireille pursed her lips, "Who are you? Give us your name."

Major Benson also acknowledged the request as well, "Young lady, do as she has requested." Sighing the young woman replied, "My name is Kelly Summers, I am with the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

Randy, a bit shocked replied "Hello Kelly. Sorry about flattening you into the floor. Are you by chance from Iowa?"

Kelly Summers unsure of where the line of questioning was going replied, "Yes sir, I am from Davenport." Randy gripping the side of the bed and pulling himself up and sitting on the end, "Did you have an older sister named Julia?"

Mireille sensing where it was going stepped in, "Randy this is not the time or the place for it." Randy looked up, "Yes it is." Ms. Summers please answer the question. Did you or did you not have an older sister named Julia?" Kelly Summers nodded yes, "Yes sir I did have an older sister named Julia, but she was killed in an accident several years ago. How do you know her?"

Randy frowned, "Ms. Summers I'll have to tell you later perhaps, but thank you for telling me." Turning slightly to his left, Randy reached over and pulled on the nightshirt of the prostrate man till he brought his head up. Randy pondered a moment, frowned a bit then swung as hard as he could with his right hand striking the scientist directly in the bridge of his nose and let go of him where he fell back to the floor. Kelly Summers, seeing the anger in Randy's eyes did not dare object.

Major Benson held out his hand and helped Randy to his feet, "Are you happy now?" Nodding Randy replied, "Yes I am. Ok ladies; let's get the hell out of here."

Stepping aside, Kelly Summers watched the man walk past with the two women at his side, she wondered just how he knew her sister Julia, "Sir, I did not get you name. Can I ask how you knew Julia?"

Pausing at the door with his head down, Randy replied "My name is Randy Baldwin; I was Julia's training officer when she died. I am sorry Kelly; I did not know you were involved here as well. Good day." With that Kelly watched them walk down the hallway to the staircase and disappear.

Major Benson radioed to have a helicopter ready for transport then turned to Kelly Summers, "Ms. Summers what exactly can you tell us about that man on the floor?" as his Sergeant pulled the man upright.

The Blackhawk lifted cleanly and turned in a southeasterly direction. Below the aircraft a string of blue flashing lights marked the convoy of law enforcement vehicles snaking into the former Martinez Estate. Receding to the rear in an open field a group of men sat with their hands on top of their heads, their eyes cast downward in fear as the strike teams stood guard over them waiting for relief.

The blue Hummer idled next to Ned Sherman as the Blackhawk touched down in the pasture. Getting in and driving close to the helicopter, Ned exited then jogged over to the Blackhawk and helped Randy disembark.

Randy winced as he climbed into the Hummer's passenger seat and leaned back. Kirika stopped Ned from getting into the driver's seat having him instead sit in the back seat and took the wheel herself with Mireille sitting behind Randy; she wheeled the vehicle across the pasture to the rear of the farm house where Doctor Francis stood waiting.

Mireille and Ned supported Randy to the study where he sat in a chair next to his desk. Kirika looking at the clock on the mantel noted it was 7:35 AM. Doctor Francis taking a chair and sitting next to Randy examined his injury, "Well it is not as bad as the time Toby kicked you but I am going to wrap it nevertheless."

Mireille seemed to smile, "Randy was kicked by Toby?" Doctor Francis seemed to be lost in thought as he cleaned the puncture wound nodded, "Yes, about eight months ago right after Randy got Toby. The horse was very skittish and was frankly scared out of its wits. Randy got too close and spooked Toby and got kicked for his trouble. Roberto saw it happen and dragged Randy clear then called me. Probably the only thing that saved Randy from getting hurt worse was that bullet proof vest he was wearing. It spread the impact from the hoof."

Randy chuckled, "No Doc, it was more of a love tap than a defensive kick." Doctor Francis frowned, "Well if that was a love tap, I would hate to see what a full power kick would be like."

The heavy footsteps coming down the hall interrupted the conversation. Mireille turned to see Sheriff Phil Nagel standing in the doorway.

Phil took in Randy sitting in the chair, with Doctor Francis dabbing away the last of the blood, "Randy what the hell happened to you?" Kirika non-pulsed, "He was shot Mr. Nagel." Turning to Kirika, "I can see that, but how?"

Randy leaning forward as Doctor Francis began to wrap his chest, "By some nut case of a scientist who had no business with a gun." Ned Sherman reading a message on his laptop screen, "Randy, the Pakistan bank routing was still good as they have been able to identify some known militants who have conducted transactions there utilizing the account." Ned smiled, "The individuals locations are known to the Agency, the military is sending Special Forces after them."

Randy smiled then looked at Phil, "Well what brought you up here Phil?" Sheriff Nagel frowning, "World War Three in Habersham County, that's what. I've got deputies enroute up there to transport prisoners to my jail. Sheriff Ferrell can't handle all of them."

Phil looking in the direction of Ned Sherman, "Ok Randy who is that fellow?"

Ned Sherman straightened up from the laptop and held out his hand, "I am Ned Sherman, Sheriff Nagel. It is good to finally meet you." Sheriff Nagel taking the proffered hand shook it, "So you're another one of Randy's associates?" Chuckling Ned Sherman replied, "You might say that."

Phil shaking his head, "Well I wonder how many more are going to show up from his past? Look Randy, I am headed to Habersham County to met with Sheriff Ferrell and it will be a few hours before I can stop back by. Is there anything you need?"

Randy shook his head no, "Thanks for the offer Phil but I will be fine. Oh by the way, advise the Skinners that Martinez has been taken care of."

Sheriff Phil Nagel nodded and then walked out of the study. Mireille and Kirika turned to leave.

Randy shakily stood, "Mireille, Kirika will you both please stay awhile? At least rest up."

Mireille turned, "Very well Mr. Baldwin we have some time."

To be Continued...