NOIR
Chapter Four
Deception
By Steve Edward
Saturday, October 27th 1300 hours, Pan Pacific Hotel
Gorman Blackwell stood with Alfred Stolzberg as Randy Baldwin approached the table and offered his hand in greeting which Randy accepted. The handshake was more firm than Gorman would have liked, but the intensity with Baldwin's steel-grey eyes boring into him made him feel like he was slowly being peeled.
Having taken his measure, Randy Baldwin sat between the two men then addressed Gorman, "Mr. Blackwell, my negotiator advised that your clients have some sticking points. What pray tell are they having problems with?"
Gorman viewed Randy Baldwin's body language, while dressed casually unlike Alfred Stolzberg dressed in a suite; Baldwin's loose windbreaker did little to hide the massive Colt Combat Commander in the shoulder holster but his manner was intense but unrushed, "I believe Mr. Baldwin, it relates to the aid packages offered. They find the solutions generous, but not generous enough."
Randy seemed about ready to spring forward but sat back, "I see. Your client has to understand the position of the governments involved. They want assurances that all activities will stop forthwith, and there is the matter of resettlement. Reestablishing the unfortunates to a new location is up to the respective governments of this region; which could take offence at outside influence on their peoples."
Gorman seemed to nod, "That is understandable; however the request to cease their activities would seem to be a part of violating the aspect of forcing their wills upon peoples trying to survive." Randy replied, "Mr. Blackwell, there numerous nations that utilize the oceans. It would behoove your client to reconsider what has already been offered. I can see a situation where a piracy attack takes place, and certain nations would be willing to mobilize their naval forces to end the practices with deadly force, and they would care little who would be in the firing zone. Does your client want that to happen?"
Gorman had pressed too hard; he realized that now "I perhaps can sway their thinking. But the ransom demands still stand, otherwise if not paid in the prescribed period of time it is likely my client may loose patience and how shall we say it, return them in body bags."
Randy Baldwin remembered the e-mail, "I remember as well. Perhaps you should convey to your client the ransom will be paid as requested. We will continue to work towards finding a solution for the aid packages. Please have them provide a drop point and the cash will be delivered. Please advise Mr. Stolzberg on the particulars. Oh, Mr. Blackwell?" as Gorman began to stand he looked back to Randy, "Yes, Mr. Baldwin?"
"If any of the hostages are as so much roughed up during transport to the exchange point, please advise your client that my gloves are off from this point forward. I will not hesitate to use violence. Is that understood?" Gorman Blackwell a.k.a. Gnu Gorman smiled, "I shall convey that to them. I will leave a message for Mr. Stolzberg this evening on where my client would be willing to accept the ransom and for the exchange point. Good day sir."
Randy followed Gorman with his eyes until he disappeared from view then turned to Alfred, "Ok. Let's hope that keeps him on the straight and narrow. After all he is calling the shots himself. I should hope that Kirika and Mireille have been successful."
Saturday, October 27th 1400 hours, Singapore Docks
Boarding the fishing vessel had not been difficult for Kirika Yumura. Finding a well used chart within the wheelhouse, she had written down the longitude and latitude of a small island within the Riau Island Chain. Departing as she had come undetected, Kirika rejoined Mireille and both women then proceeded to their next objective, the motor yacht belonging to Gorman Blackwell.
Boarding the yacht, Kirika found the vessel well protected by a security system; which she easily by-passed then entered the cabin. Satisfied that the information she had was correct from the fishing vessel after finding an electronic navigation system with the same position pre-programmed for the auto-pilot, before Kirika reset the alarm system and departed the yacht, she placed a hidden tracking device. Leaving the marina, both women strolled along, until the Hummer belonging to Randy Baldwin came to a stop next to them. Both entered the vehicle, and then it drove off, heading for Singapore International Airport.
Randy Baldwin driving glanced at his passengers, "How did it go?" Mireille replied, "As you expected. Mr. Blackwell has the coordinates to the island pre-programmed into an auto-navigation system that in Kirika's words rivals that of your Hercules. A chart within the wheelhouse of the fishing boat also has the same coordinates."
Kirika spoke, "The navigation system of the yacht would allow Mr. Blackwell to activate the system at the sea buoy, where the automated control systems would follow a specific course and at a set speed. He is well equipped, Mr. Baldwin." Randy smiled, "I have no problem believing that Kirika. Let's see if he will play out the rest of his part of the game or fold and run."
Mireille spoke, "And if he runs Randy?" Randy without looking at Mireille or Kirika replied, "Then you and Kirika will hunt him down and kill him. End of discussion."
Saturday, October 27th 1530 hours, BF II, Singapore International Airport
The doors to the hanger opened wide enough to admit the Hummer then closed quickly after its entry. Lisa Mead, walking from the control panel, greeted Randy Baldwin as he and Mireille and Kirika exited the Hummer, "Your guest is waiting inside and he brought someone with him. Those credentials of his sure do speak loudly."
Randy smiled, "Thanks Lisa. Where are Kay and Else?" Lisa pointed a thumb over her shoulder, "Inside as well." Thanking Lisa again; Randy followed by Noir boarded BFII from the rear and headed for the communications module.
Kay turned to the sounds of footsteps and welcomed Randy back onboard then pointed to the module, "The spook and the geek are inside. Did we get lucky on the over flight area or what?" Randy had to laugh, "More than you know, Kay."
Randy opened the door, and took in the figure sitting at the console. Ned Smith. Former Co-Worker, current friend and an old ally, "Well Ned, welcome to our old happy stomping grounds; thanks for coming."
Entering the module, Randy took Ned's beefy hand into his and shook it then he turned to Mireille and Kirika, "Ned, I guess I do not need to give introductions?" Ned stood from the chair, his six foot five inch height nearly touching the overhead replied "With them two? Hell no. Good to see both of you again ladies."
Randy turned to the man sitting at the largest computer screen, "Hello, I am Randy Baldwin." Sherman Wong, intently staring at screen momentarily ignored him. Ned Smith sighed, "Randy that is Sherman Wong, a photo analyst with the Agency. Your flight crew did a hell of job. A few miles to the east or west and they might have missed the targeted island all together."
Sherman Wong moving back from the screen turned to Randy Baldwin, "My apologies. I must state that your equipment is more than I expected. I can emphatically state that any sort of rescue attempt on the island would meet with failure. Though well disguised, they have weapons pits throughout and accessing the huts would be difficult. Based on the brief observations from the hostages themselves, the groups of huts are scattered so that would preclude locating any hostages quickly."
Randy leaned against the wall, "Ok. So the rescue is out, not that I had intentions of doing so. How did Sammy take the news of what has transpired, Ned?"
Ned replied, "With the usual concern of course. She is rather worried about an international incident taking place. Your wife Gina sure can be a button pusher. Sammy called me up to her office yesterday and said for me to get my ass here and bring Sherman with me. Hell I've only been on the ground since 12:30 hours."
The knock on the door interrupted the conversation and the door opened revealing Kelly Summers, "Randy? That bastard is moving and moving fast!" as Kelly completed the sentence she took in Ned Smith and smiled, "Well hello again."
Randy nodded, "Ok. So he is onboard that yacht of his. If he makes a bee-line for the island we will know it. What about that fishing boat?" Kelly replied, "Still moored, no sign of movement. You don't suppose he would be willing to carry the hostages on his own yacht?"
Mireille spoke, "The need is for speed. It is deep-sea capable and I noted it has three high speed turbo diesels. He wants a quick turn-a-round. Randy he likely will radio in the drop point and the exchange point the moment he gets the hostages from the island. Alfred will get a hand delivered message, likely from a marine radio center. While we presumably go through the motions of gathering the funds, Blackwell will already be on his way to the exchange point playing innocent. If authorities should happen to find him, he can use attorney client privilege and state he was simply ensuring the safety of the hostages. He will not be anywhere near that money drop."
Randy mused over that statement, "Kelly, can you remember where the last hostages were exchanged?" Kelly Summers smiling, "Sure do. Excluding the Japanese children, the last hostage exchanges took place at the docks that are to the rear of the World Trade Center in Singapore. That was for the last five exchanges."
Kelly Summers stepping to the side of Ned Smith typed a command into the computer which then brought up the overhead view of the area, "Either way, if he runs after the exchange he could be in the Singapore Straights in a matter of minutes." Sherman Wong turned back to his own screen, and keyed in a search sequence. A still aerial shot appeared on the monitor, the flight path of BFII had taken it near the Singapore Trade Center, "Interesting, they are dredging to the east of the Trade Center. Not an easy navigational feat at night. But west is free and clear. Mr. Blackwell as you are calling him will likely be facing west when he moors. Expect that to be his escape route."
Randy turned to see the still shot of the Trade Center dock area, "Say Sherman, can a vehicle be driven down there without too much trouble? Like a Hummer?" Sherman returned to the screen and issuing several commands to the computer enhanced the view, "Yes. Mr. Baldwin. A Hummer should have no difficulty. There are several access points from Keppel Road that affronts the Center itself."
Ned Smith seeing the look on Randy Baldwin's face rolled his eyes, "Oh heaven help us," as Randy Baldwin turned to Mireille and Kirika, "Time to get heavy." Kelly Summers turned to Randy, "I suppose I am to cover the money drop alone?"
Ned Smith interrupted, "Ok. I'll go with Ms. Summers. Sherman, you go to the Embassy and stay there till I get done with this. Analyze the photo's of that damn island as much as you can so the local authorities can know what to fully expect when they go in for the cleanup."
Stepping out of the communications module, Randy called out to Lisa Mead, "Lisa! Unpack the first pallet, and send the cases down the ramp. We are going to need them now."
Saturday, October 27th 1830 hours, Pan Pacific Hotel
Alfred Stolzberg sat in Baldwin's suite eyeing his employer. Gone were the standard street clothes, replaced by a Gor-Tex body suite, "Ms. Bouquet's theory of how the drop off and exchange points would be delivered were true Randy. Singapore Marine Radio sent a messenger here with the information."
The soft knock from the adjoining suite interrupted the conversation and as Alfred turned to see who it was, in walked Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura. Alfred blinked twice, "Um, Ms. Bouquet, and Ms. Yumura, greetings." Randy remounting the shoulder holster turned to see both Mireille and Kirika, similarly dressed in Gor-Tex body suites, "As Alfred was saying Mireille, you hit it on the nail head. The hostages will be received at the Singapore Trade Center Dock and the money drop occurs elsewhere."
Mireille replied, "Where is the location for the money drop?" Alfred looked up over his glasses, "At "Underwater World" a tourist attraction on Sentosa Island across from the World Trade Center itself." Ned Smith entered the room followed by Kelly Summers, "Ok, Randy we are ready to go with the money. It is going to be a bitch carrying four cases but it is doable."
Saturday, October 27th 1235 hours, Baldwin Foundation Offices, Paris, France
Lucio Magnus dialed the number and waited; when the phone was picked up he asked for Randy Baldwin, "Randy arraignments have been made. The Singapore authorities will hold off. The Superintendent and his second in command are the only ones that are aware of what is going on. They will move in on either your or Alfred's request."
Randy turned to Alfred Stolzberg and nodded then spoke into the phone, "Good. Are they pulling back their patrols in that area?" Lucio replied, "Yes they are as we speak. I have since learned that the Singapore authorities have been discreetly investigating the activities of Mr. Blackwell; it seems he has been on their radar for sometime, but with little to connect him with the incidents they have had their hands tied."
Randy thanked Lucio for his concern and his assistance then hung up the phone. Alfred? You and I are up next, time to discuss what we plan to do with the relatives." Both men departed the suite and headed for the hotel conference room.
Saturday, October 27th 1845 hours, Straight of Singapore
Gorman Blackwell turned his attention back to the radar ensuring that the heavy commercial shipping traffic would not enter his path. His hostages had been treated carefully after demonstrating to the others what would happen if they failed to follow orders. Another hour and 15 minutes and it would be over. He had duped them all, now it was time to receive the payment he so justly deserved. As for the islanders, they would get their punishment and be holding an empty basket to boot.
Saturday, October 27th, 1915 hours, Pan Pacific Hotel, Singapore
Out of the group sitting at the conference table, only Willie Nattier seemed to accept what was about to happen as Naomi Sesser and her husband both vetoed the action that Baldwin was taking, "Mr. Baldwin! I will go to the authorities right now! This is preposterous," as Naomi Sesser stood to leave, Willie Nattier reached out and touched her arm and shook his head, "Mrs. Sesser, what's done is done. There are only two within the law enforcement establishment that can be trusted as Mr. Baldwin has stated. If word is leaked to the person transporting our loved ones that he has been found out, he could easily dispose of them at sea without a trace."
Randy Baldwin walked around the conference table to Naomi Sesser, "Mrs. Sesser? I have to do it this way. Blackwell has been weaving a world of deception to whomever he comes into contact with. I want him to believe that his deception is still working. It will not work if he sees a sea of blue lights on that dock."
Naomi's husband, Walden Sesser stood "Naomi, keep the faith. Put your trust in the men and women putting their necks out for us. Mr. Baldwin? You have my blessing as well. God Speed Sir."
Saturday, October 27th 2015 hours, Singapore World Trade Center, Singapore
In a rarity for such a weekend, there were no shows or events taking place at the World Trade Center, which suited Randy just fine. The fewer the better in the area, the safer it would be for all concerned. The Hummer parked on the Trade Center Dock, with its emergency flashers activated was the only immediate sign of life. Alfred would be receiving the hostages himself. If things did get nasty one of the safest places would be the Hummer itself. The vehicle fitted with the most advanced ballistic armored glass and vehicle armor and hardened to absorb impacts from rocket propelled grenades would make it the only safe haven for the hostages.
The near silent chirp from the concealed ear piece alerted him to an incoming voice message, "Randy this is Kelly. The fishing boat has shown up here at Underwater World. I and Ned are preparing to deliver the cash. Kelly out."
Randy had chosen a vantage point that allowed a clear view of the dock landing, while Noir had chosen their own. Randy trusted their instincts and their experiences enough to let them choose their own areas of cover. Though it was late October, he had to contend with the weather, and to the west of Singapore, they had the beginnings of a storm that would make most Georgia thunderstorms pale in comparison. He was not looking forward to this.
Saturday, October 27th, 2031 hours, Underwater World, Sentosa Island, Singapore
Kelly Summers and Ned Smith approached the landing; the fishing vessel the same one that had been used to drop off the children was now going to carry the ransom. Ned counted five in all onboard. Two in the wheel house, one on what passed for the bridge wing and two crewmen on the main deck. The man, standing on the bridge wing called out, "You there. Bring the cases to the docks edge."
Randy Baldwin, watched the yacht as it glided in towards the Trade Center Landing, except for the navigational lights the vessel was dark. On the open bridge he could see an individual reaching for the throttles, a brief flash of lightning giving recognition to the human features, Gorman Blackwell.
Gorman surveyed the scene, then leaving the bridge he slid down the ladder, and hurried to the stern. Quickly sending a mooring line to a cleat on the landing, his yacht came to a halt. The off shore wind helping to hold it against the landing, Gorman scurried back up the ladder and made adjustments to the controls, in effect putting the bow onto the landing, the engines in gear and the screws turning.
Ned Smith about to pickup one of the case's heard the warning followed by an all too familiar sound of the mechanical action of an AK-47 being operated to chamber a round, "Stand your ground. The women will bring the cases one at a time and only her. Do you understand?" Ned replied, "Yeah I do."
Kelly Summers, without complaint picked up the first case and carried it to the edge of the landing. The crewman looking up at her and with a rather twisted and yellow stained smile, "Push it over, you dumb bitch."
Gorman Blackwell stepped from his yacht to the landing and greeted Alfred Stolzberg, "Mr. Stolzberg? I am surprised that you are here. I half expected Mr. Baldwin." Alfred replied, "He is otherwise preoccupied with the relatives. I would like to see the hostages now please sir."
Kelly Summers pushing the last case over into the fishing vessel began to back away but was stopped when she felt the hand clamp around her ankle, "Look whoever you are, let my leg go. You have the money as well, so tell who ever are holding the hostages to let them go."
Ned Smith began to advance, but stopped when the warning was issued, "You were told to stay still lap dog. Make another step and you die and the woman becomes our prize."
Alfred, Randy, Mireille and Kirika heard what was transpiring at Underwater World, but they had to concentrate on their primary concern. Kelly Summers and Ned Smith could take care of themselves. Randy mused, if the asshole who had latched onto her wondered just how much he just screwed up. Get Kelly Summers riled, and you would regret it.
Gorman giving a welcoming wave of his hand helped Alfred Stolzberg onboard and led him to the cabin. Outside the first clap of thunder rattled windows and reverberated among the buildings of Singapore.
Mireille Bouquet called out, "Kirika? Be ready they are coming out. Kirika? Randy? Can you hear me?" Randy replied, "Yes I can. Where did you see Kirika last?" as Mireille turned in the direction of the yacht, "She was underneath the landing." Randy pondered that a moment then realized what Kirika Yumura had in mind, "Oh shit!"
Blackwell's cell phone, chirping an electronic melody briefly interrupted the inspection of the hostages, "Yes. I understand. Unconditional release. Their representative is here now."
Candice Nattier felt the blind fold being removed, and then as she regained her vision the man dressed in a suite in front of her began removing her gag. Opening her mouth to speak, the man held a finger to his lips asking her to be silent, "It will be over in a moment please. None of you need to say a word or ask any questions. I will be taking you to your relatives. Anything questions you have will be answered shortly."
Kelly Summers had enough, and though wearing low heeled shoes she knew where to inflict the most pain and at that very moment did so. The man on the bridge wing reacted with anger and about to call out to the deck crewman, he never had the chance.
Randy heard the commotion over the ear piece, and then the transmission died "Alfred get them the hell out of there now!" Alfred Stolzberg, had helped all the male hostages off the yacht and had turned to retrieve Candice, he could see the look in Blackwell's eyes that he now knew, "You stupid American! What the hell you take me for?" Gorman holding up his cell phone with an unreadable text message.
The three round silenced burst took at took out the rear deck crewman, while the forward deck crewman crashed against the bulkhead of the deckhouse his face bloody and missing more teeth he too then fell to the deck.
The man on the bridge wing raising a semi-automatic handgun never fired his weapon as two separate three round silenced burst drove him backward into the pilot house, then the windows shattered as more rounds rained into the pilothouse itself killing the remaining men.
Kelly Summers deliberately falling backwards then rolling came up with her .40 caliber Glock looking for a target, but found none, "Ok? Just what the hell happened? Ned are you ok?" Ned Smith, carefully holding his hands away from his body turned slowly around and saw six black apparitions coming out of the darkness towards him, the green glow of their night sights faintly reflecting back into their faces replied "Yeah Kelly. I am. Be nice and show a friendly face, we got six in black coming from behind."
Alfred Stolzberg saw the flash from the muzzle, but not the sound. The thunderclap deafened him to the firing. Gorman missing Alfred turned his aim toward the woman as Candice scampered to the other side of the Hummer, and firing the round Gorman instead smacked the rear side of the Hummer, then Gorman had to duck as rounds began hitting his yacht.
Randy punched out repeated three round bursts, into the yacht forcing Gorman into cover. Then with the engines suddenly racing, the yacht scraping down the landing, it suddenly veered out towards the harbor itself and began heading west. Randy last view of the yacht was with Kirika hanging on the side her legs bent at the knees hold her legs clear of the racing propellers mere feet below, "Kirika! Let go of the damn yacht!" Kirika's radio was malfunctioning, she did not hear his plea.
Mireille having peppered the forward cabin with gun fire viewed the yacht as it disappeared into the darkness, "Damn it Kirika!"
Kirika Yumura, found the grip she needed and pulled her self aboard just as a wave crashed against the side of the yacht where she had been moments before. She could see movement in the cabin, and hear Gorman cursing. He was trying to call someone on a radio, but apparently it was no longer working.
Gorman throwing the microphone down in disgust exited the cabin and climbed to the bridge, and then briefly looking back at the Trade Center Gorman mused, "So the bastard was there after all. But who was the other? There were two women. Where the hell was the third one?" Gorman got his answer a few moments later.
The Superintendent of the Singapore Police followed by dozens of police cars arrived, and exited his official vehicle. Warren Savage surveying the scene approached Randy Baldwin, "Mr. Baldwin I presume?"
The yacht had a 12 to 15 minute head start on Randy and Mireille and added to the matter of the pursuit problem was the weather; the already stiff breeze had strengthened into a 30 knot gale.
Wearing the sound proof headsets, Randy and Mireille communicated with themselves and the pilot of their wild ride, a Singapore Police Cigarette Pursuit Craft. Sergeant Akin, grinning ear to ear spoke "Ok. Make sure you are belted in the both of you. I'm ramping up the engines now!"
The two thousand five hundred horsepower power plants began screaming, the howl of the passing Cigarette Boat was even heard at Underwater World, as Ned Smith having finished with the introductions, turned his gaze outward to the harbor, the blue strobe lights of the pursuit craft quickly disappearing from view "Thank god I am not on that damn thing!"
The Royal Australian Special Forces Major standing next to him seemed to differ, "You know Mate, it might be a bit fun." Ned shaking his head in disgust turned and walked back to the fishing vessel. There was someone he really wanted to chat with before Kelly got there ahead of him. When the Special Forces Major had introduced himself and his fellows to Ned Smith and Kelly Summers he has simply smiled, "Your Baldwin fellow had asked us for some help…"
Gorman set the auto-pilot then setting the radar system collision avoidance system, but failed to see the warning light that came on as movement behind him distracted him.
Kirika flipping forward landed a kick into Gorman's midriff driving him backward into the console.
Gorman catching himself smiled, "So you want to play little girl?" As Gorman reached for an unsheathed knife and charged her.
Mireille using the night scope finally could see the yacht in the distance, "Randy! I see the yacht. Kirika is onboard and up on the flying bridge. She's fighting Gorman!" Randy bracing himself for the next wave impact replied, "Sergeant? Is this all you have got?"
Sergeant Akin replied, "Nope. Better hang on tighter, here we go sir!"
Kirika feinted then withdrew to the edge of the flying bridge with Gorman just feet away she could see him wiping the blood from his lips, "Mr. Blackwell, you have given me little choice." Gorman eyed the Asian woman, her hair whipping around her face in the wind "Well I have made mine. Now you die, bitch!"
Gorman charged like a street fighter and slashed but the Asian woman seeming to defy physics went over his head and as he turned around, Kirika's right foot slammed into the bridge of his nose breaking it. Gorman half blinded by the wind and the sudden pain tumbled to the deck below. The rain squall wind driven began lashing the flying bridge as Kirika charged after Gorman.
The Bulk Cargo Carrier Fleetwood had slowed to twelve knots. Grossing 45,000 tons at full load the minor gale disturbed the mass of the ship very little. Two years out of a Korea shipyard that had built her, Fleetwood entered the squall line, the ships master who hailed from England stared at his surface search radar in disbelief, "Full ahead starboard, back full to port, left hard rudder! Sound collision alarm! All hands brace for impact!"
Kirika landed to the right of Gorman as he tried to twist away. She launched a kick driving it hard into his already bruised midriff and heard the unmistakable sound of ribs breaking. Gorman crying out in pain and anger tried to strike back but missed again.
Sergeant Akin spoke, "That yacht is on a collision course. There is a ship in that squall line!" as Mireille having seen Kirika leaping to the main deck replied, "How close Sergeant?" Sergeant Akin recovering his breath from the last impact in the rough seas replied "One thousand yards or less!"
The warning horn sounding behind her, Kirika delivered the final blow to the base of Gorman's neck then stood. Gorman could hear the horn as well; feel the driving rain but nothing else. Kirika had broken his neck.
Gorman rolling his eyes looked at his adversary "You were better…"
Sergeant Akin had closed the distance to less than 50 yards, but not close enough for either Randy or Mireille to take a shot, had both breathing a sigh of relief when Kirika reappeared. But Randy remembering the other ship keyed his headset then switched on the loudspeaker, "Kirika! Get the hell off that boat! It is about to hit another ship!"
Gorman watched as the Asian woman, turned to look back towards something or someone nearby then she climbed on the rear rail and disappeared from view. Two minutes later, Gorman Blackwell a.k.a. Gnu Gorman's yacht slammed into the port bow of the Bulk Cargo Carrier Fleetwood. Sergeant Akin, if a deft display of seamanship made one pass next to Kirika Yumura, with Mireille Bouquet hanging off the side with Randy Baldwin gripping her legs, Mireille Bouquet snatched Kirika from the sea by her wrists; while the Singapore Police Cigarette Boat powered away from the bow of the mammoth seagoing vessel still blowing it horn shrilly in the wind driven squall.
