Thank you very much for reading. Very appreciated. Again, if you see any grammatical mistakes or misspellings, please do not hesitate to PM me.
TJ12398: Thank you very much for reading and for your comment. I hope this is well written as well. It is 1:08 in the morning, but I wanted to post as I promised I would.
Anatolie: Thank you! I do hope it becomes a favorite of yours.
Guest: Thank you. No worries. It's a finished fic. I take longer editing it and making sure I covered any holes I might have missed in the first reading.
To those who have followed the story. A big thank you!
On with Chapter 2…hope you still like it.
Inspiration Playlist:
Lorde: Everybody Wants To Rule the World
Frou: Hear Me Out
Queens of the Stone Age: Go With the Flow
Jennifer Lawrence: Hanging Tree
Chapter 2
Moscow, Russia 5:30pm
The Metropol, one of the finest and most historic hotels in Moscow, was known for its renowned list of celebrity guests and important political figures that frequented throughout the year. With five star accommodations and amenities, DR128 was surprised that the agency placed him in one of the most expensive suites in the establishment. Usually his accommodations fell nothing short of simple secluded places with minimal amounts of people that could identify him during assignments. But the Metropol was a historical landmark minutes away from Moscow's Red Square, where the hit would take place later that night.
DR128, as identified by the agency, was also given orders to make himself visible. Throughout the day, he toured the hotel, swam in the pool and shopped at nearby stores. He even had breakfast and lunch at a popular bistro inside the hotel. Everything on this particular assignment was opposite from the usual routine performed on other jobs. He didn't understand why, but accustomed to never asking the why's of things, he followed orders.
The flat screen television in the suite's living room was on. An American movie about two cops in Miami played on the screen, dubbed in Russian. He wasn't watching. Usually, he'd order in or purchase something to bring to his room, but tonight he had reservations at one of the restaurants inside the hotel. Visibility, they kept telling him. He still didn't get it. This was very out of the normal routine.
Sitting down on a chair by a small table in the bedroom, he looked over the tools he'd need for his assignment when he heard the ringtone of the disposable phone he carried. Walking over to the nightstand next to his bed, he picked it up and answered, "I'm listening."
"The assignment has been moved up to eleven tonight," he heard a deep male voice tell him.
Don't question, never question, "I'll need to prepare and set up earlier than expected," he answered indifferently.
"Start preparing as soon as we hang up. We will proceed as planned for the most part. You will attend dinner at 1900 hours. At 1945, M351 will arrive. She'll have dessert with you and the two of you will leave fifteen minutes later. Follow her lead. She will give you further instructions. Am I clear?"
"Yes," he nodded.
"I expect you to be successful."
"I will."
"Return to the hotel after the mission and await further instructions."
He knew he should have asked the reason for the sudden change, but if the caller had not mentioned anything it meant he should not expect an explanation. He only did as told, "As you wish."
"Make sure you don't fail," he heard the voice state before the line went dead.
XXXXXXXXXX
When Race Bannon watched his daughter walk out of the coffee shop, he beamed. Jessie was a vision of happiness for him. The last time he had seen his daughter was at Christmas, a few months before, when she and Claire visited the compound. During their stay, Benton offered them positions at Quest Industries. It had only been a few months, but looking at her now, the former I1 agent thought she had not only matured, but grown even more beautiful.
"Dad!" she shouted and ran to him, pulling the older man into a hug, "God, it's so good to see you!"
"I've missed you, my girl," he closed his eyes enjoying having his daughter in his arms.
Letting go of her father, she turned and watched as the rest of her family exited the car, "Hadji, Doctor Quest!" Jessie went to them happily and pulled each of them into a hug, "Thank you for coming."
"We wouldn't have missed your day for anything, Jessie," Benton replied with a smile. "Congratulations. I'm extremely proud of you."
"Yes, Jessie. We are very proud of you. I am sure IRIS and QuestWorld are anxious for you to start your maintenance of them," Hadji joked.
"Never pegged you for a joker," Jessie responded smiling at her friend and confidant. The two had grown closer since Jonny's disappearance. Jessie felt truly blessed that she could call and talk to Hadji on those days when sadness crept in.
Hadji shrugged, "Every now and again, when the moment is right."
"Was mom able to make it?" she turned to her father with a hopeful look in her eyes. Estella Velazquez had been working on a major archeological project in Argentina and was currently in negotiations to renew a grant that would fund her project for another year. Jessie hoped that her mother would be able to spend a day with her. As of the day before, the outlook was bleak.
"I called her earlier. Estella's flight lands in about twenty five minutes, but she promises to make it before the ceremony begins." He smiled when he saw his daughter's eyes brighten. Turning to the blond girl who stood enjoying the exchanges, Race smiled, "Claire, it is also very nice to see you too," he said giving the girl another hug. "Congratulations as well. Your parents would have been very proud."
"It's good to see you too Mr. Bannon," the girl answered as she blushed a bit. Then, turning to the other two men, she said, "Dr. Quest, it's also good to see you too."
"Congratulations, Claire," Benton answered also giving the young girl a hug. "I do hope that you'll be joining us tonight for dinner?"
"Oh yes," she nodded. Then she turned to the young Indian man, next to Benton, "Hello Hadj—."
He smiled a little nervously and spoke before she finished, "Hello Claire…Congratulations."
"Thanks," she nodded. "It's good to see you again."
"It is good to see you as well," Hadji answered before he awkwardly gave the girl a quick hug.
The girl hugged him awkwardly. Jessie watched the exchange between Hadji and Claire and made a mental note to speak to her friend in private. Something was definitely going on between the two.
XXXXXXXXXX
The square was full of tourists walking, sightseeing, shopping, and blissfully unaware of DR128 around them surveying the surroundings. Posing as a musician, he walked around carrying a guitar case over his back making his way to an area of the square and to one specific building, a church. A plump old man wearing a dark tweed coat and hat played his guitar a few feet away from the steps of the main entry. DR128 headed towards the steps as tourists stood around the old man, listening to the music he played. As he went up the steps, he casually looked around convincing those in the area that he too was sightseeing and taking in the unique architecture of the building. When he saw the opportunity, he walked in to the building and found three people sitting on the front pews by the altar, bowing in prayer. Being as quiet as he could, DR128 walked toward a back hallway to a stairwell. He knew the building well. The agency provided him specs of the interior prior to leaving. He memorized every part of it.
Knowing that the building was currently closed for tours and from the masses, he surveyed the area. Empty. Still, he wouldn't take too many chances staying longer than he needed.
Walking up the stairwell, he found a small closet. He found nothing in there except old paint cans and cleaning supplies. He could tell that the closet wasn't opened often, it was messy and lacked organization. Perfect. Quickly, he hid the case he carried inside the far end of the closet behind a stack of long painting poles before closing the door.
Making his way down the stairs, he suddenly watched an old man walk casually from one end of the first floor to the other end, oblivious to the fact that he was in the stairwell. The man hummed quietly a little jolly Russian tune as he walked, never bothering to look up.
Once the old man disappeared, DR128 cautiously walked down and left the building. Camouflaging within the tourists that walked the square. He made it back to the hotel without a single complication.
XXXXXXXXXX
The ceremony started at eleven in the morning, but Jessie and Claire had to be there an hour prior to attend last minute rehearsals and to get their numbers in the procession. As promised, Estella made it a few minutes before the students began walking out of the ceremonial procession. She, Race, Hadji and Benton took their seats in the auditorium and listened to the ceremony, enjoying the guest speakers, the valedictorian speech and the professors that spoke on behalf of the school.
Both parents' eyes lit up when they heard the speaker call out, 'Jessica Estella Bannon.' Their daughter walked up to the stage to get her diploma, shaking hands with the deans, the president of the university and other elite guests. The four cheered and yelled as Jessie took the stage. A while later, they heard, 'Claire Erin Somerville". They all cheered again for their new friend and member of the team.
Unconsciously, Benton turned to his older son and watched as his smile widened when Claire's name was called. Benton couldn't help but smile himself. Something was definitely going on between Claire and Hadji. He was curious to know how it would develop once the young woman began working for them.
Looking around at parents cheering on for their kids, the graduation song playing, and faculty shaking hands with students, nostalgia entered Benton's heart. His son would have been graduating too. If Jonny were only here. He still hadn't given up hope that he'd find his son, but with each year that passed, the hope of finding him lessened. Life had to go on, but guilt struck him every now and again. He should have been looking for him instead of enjoying moments like these. Race had told him that he had to stop thinking such things. Jonny would have never wanted him to think that way. But, Benton couldn't help it. Jonny's disappearance had been strange and Benton had done everything short of a miracle to find a clue, any clue. Unfortunately, he had found nothing. Some days, he believed with all his heart that his son was alive in Peru, taken by one of his enemies. Other times, he thought he lay buried underground, in a dark hollow tomb. It was the latter thought that made him sick.
"Hey, are you okay?" Race broke his train of thought as he tapped the doctor gently on the shoulder.
"Yeah," he nodded suddenly. "I'm fine, just wondered off there for a while," Benton answered with a melancholy smile.
Race knew what his friend was thinking. During the ceremony he had thought the same thing. Today was a joyous occasion, yet it wasn't enough to dismiss the fact that they missed an important member of the family. Where was Jonny? And, would he ever return home?
By noon, the ceremony ended. Jessie and Claire found the group by the entrance of the convention center after they took pictures and congratulated other friends. Jessie also had the opportunity to greet her mother.
"Well, how about lunch, I'm starved!" Estella Velazquez said excitedly.
"I made reservations at Fogo de Chao" Benton responded. "After, we can get the girls checked in at the Watergate."
Claire's eyes widened, "The Watergate? But, I thought we'd be spending one more night at the dorm?"
"We thought we surprise you. How about we grab lunch and then you two go back to your dorm to pack up your things?" Race asked. "The movers will be there later this afternoon to get the things you'll be taking to Maine. We'll pick you up later and all of us will spend the night at the hotel before leaving for Portland tomorrow morning."
"Sounds good to me!" Claire answered excitedly. "I've never stayed at such a fancy place! Dr. Quest this is very cool of you. Thank you!"
"Call it part of your graduation gifts," the man replied, happy to see such excitement in the girls' faces.
"Thanks Dr. Quest. That would be great!" Jessie answered looking just as excited as Claire, except for another reason. She was dying to get home. The sooner, the better.
XXXXXXXXXX
Maine, USA, Noon
Phil Corvin waited outside one of the terminals of Bangor International Airport awaiting the arrival of UN Diplomat, Hakin Nur Daud who was visiting the former President of the United States' summer home.
The present Commander and Chief had asked Corvin personally if he could escort Mr. Daud to the former president's home where the UN diplomat would spend the weekend with his family. Apparently, the two were personal friends and due to the high level position Mr. Daud currently held, I-1 was given security detail.
Phil sighed. When did his job include escorting services? He didn't know. The agent held the position of Lead Field Agent for the past seven years. "Escorting duties" were not part of his job description. But, he guessed that having the President personally call him for the favor meant he was regarded highly. Walking over to the main windows he watched the plane land. Moments later, passengers began to disembark.
"Hold positions," he spoke from the small headset inserted in his ear, "Daud should walk out in a few minutes."
People walked around the terminal minding their own business, unaware of the three I-1 agents keeping their eyes out for anything suspicious. Phil heard the overhead page announcing incoming and outgoing flights. Some people rushed, others walked casually past him as they rolled their travelling suitcases and luggage behind them.
As expected, minutes later, an older man with salt and pepper hair and a dark Armani suit exited the doors. Behind him, two other younger looking men with dark suits exited as well. "He's arrived. I'm approaching," Phil whispered and began walking toward the man.
With a smile, he began to extend his hand to greet him when behind the two men, he heard shouts from inside the walk way.
"Yeah, well, screw you!"
Daud's security team turned around like watchdogs after listening to a young man, probably in his early to mid-twenties exit the doors. He was tall, not heavily built with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Wearing grey jeans and a black long sleeved polo shirt, he was not paying attention to the men in front of him, but rather his attention was geared toward the conversation he had on the phone.
"Excuse me," one of Daud's security men stopped the kid.
"What the hell do you want?" the kid angrily asked. "Get out of my way!"
"Excuse me young man," Phil now intervened, "I suggest that you behave yourself if you don't want any trouble," he finished as he pulled out his badge.
The kid backed off, "Whoa man! You're the dudes blocking me." Letting their guards down, Daud's security men retreated and allowed the kid to pass. Rolling his eyes, he answered, "Whatever," before walking past them and Daud.
He put his phone back in his ear and began speaking right in front of them, "You have no idea what just happened!" he continued paying no attention to the people around him.
Just as he walked down the hallway, disappearing into the crowd, Phil was startled by the sudden screaming coming from one Daud's security men. Turning around, the ambassador went down shaking violently, white foam poured out of his mouth.
"Get a med team now! Damn it now!" Phil called from his ear piece as he went down next to the fallen man.
Quickly standing up, he began running toward the hallway where the kid, seconds earlier, walked away. The kid! Large crowds prevented him from finding him, "I need a visual Phillips. Kid early twenties, tall brown hair. Wearing a pair of jeans and black long sleeved shirt," he called out to one of his men.
From the headpiece he heard, "I'm looking over security footage Corbin. Seems like everywhere the kid walks, he scrambles the cameras. I can't get a clear picture of him. All we are getting here is snow."
"Damn it! Where was he last seen?"
A pause, "Last scrambled signal came from terminal twenty-eight."
Corvin ran as if he was in a marathon straight ahead. The crowd thickened as he tried passing them through the hallways. He kept bumping into people, pushing them out of the way, trying to catch the kid. Where is he? He thought as he continued running, looking for the assassin.
Seconds later, Corvin spotted him just as the kid locked his eyes on him. Recognition entered their faces and the kid ran even faster until he found the doors of a stairwell. Quickly, he pressed the keypad on the wall entering the code to open the door and bolted right in. Corvin ran toward the same doors and just as he was about to open them, he couldn't. They were locked. "He had access to them!" he shouted. "Phillips, see if you can open the damn exit doors by twenty-eight!"
"We can't override the security code, Phil! Airport Security is on it…"
"The hell I'm waiting!" Corvin shouted before he pulled out the gun and fired at the door. People shouted and fell to the floor as he ran inside and took the stairs. He heard the kid below him run down the stairs, but he wasn't sure what floor he was on, "Stop!" he demanded but his order wasn't met. "He's descended all the way to the first floor. I want every damn cop outside those doors." He suddenly heard the footsteps below him stop. Corvin stopped immediately and listened.
After a pause, he finally spoke, "Kid, I have you surrounded. It will be a lot easier if we come back in together." He slowly took some steps down, hoping the kid wouldn't bolt again. "Son, make this easy on all of us. You have nowhere to go, turn yourself in." Corvin knew every cop was right outside the exit doors. The kid had two choices‒ either meet his end outside with the cops aiming every available gun on him, or with Corvin a few steps up. Corvin sighed; he hoped this kid had the brains to give up easily.
Suddenly, he heard a massive amount of gun shots and a lot of screaming hit him in waves. Corvin stopped and pushed himself against the wall to avoid any shots, unwilling to breathe. What the—?
Then, silence.
Cautiously, he continued down the steps and noticed light filtering in the stairwell. Sunlight. The kid had opened the door. Phil pulled out his gun and scoped the area. Something was wrong. I can't hear the cops. He quickly exited the door and saw in horror as five cops lay on the ground dead. The kid, nowhere in sight.
"What happened?" Corvin whispered to himself just as more police cars pulled up.
XXXXXXXXXX
Lunch was at Fogo de Chao, a contemporary establishment at the heart of downtown D.C. Jessie had a thing for Brazilian food and Claire, like a bonafide Texan, adored meat. The blond ate anything that came from a cow. Hadji…not so much. But, he did enjoy the Frango without the bacon.
"So girls, are you sure you want to live with two old geezers like us at the compound? The offer still stands. Do not feel pressured to live there because of us. You can look for your own place," Benton told them as the group enjoyed their food and drinks.
"Please Doctor Quest. I have always loved living there. Besides, it will be nice to have Dad and you around," Jessie answered, "And, I'll be close to work, so the commute will be awesome."
"Yeah," Claire responded, "I've been on my own for such a long time, that I really don't mind having more roommates," she finished as she looked at Hadji who she could have sworn blushed. "Besides, are you sure we are not cramping you both? I mean, it is a pretty good looking bachelor pad."
They all laughed at Claire's joke. Even Race had to step in, "Well, my love life is pretty dead in the water for the moment. Benton's is—"
"Race," Benton warned in a friendly tone.
"Come on Doc, I think we all know you are pretty smitten with Vanessa."
"Vanessa?" Estella asked, looking at Race. "Who is Vanessa?"
"Vanessa Hart. A really pretty lady that Dr. Quest has been pictured in the latest social magazines around the state," Jessie added with a smile as she watched the doctor chuckled.
"It's really not that serious at all," the doctor said shaking his head. "She's a very nice woman and we are just friends. Now, let's change the subject before the paparazzi overhear this conversation," he joked.
"That is right," Hadji now smiled. "No one, needs to know how much father 'digs' Ms. Hart."
Now everyone laughed a lot harder this time and Benton rolled his eyes faking annoyance, "Hadji."
"Well, I for one, am glad you girls will be with Race and Benton," Estella answered, changing the subject as she looked at Benton with sympathy. The doctor appreciated the gesture. "That means that you'll be able to save money to visit me more often." The girls laughed agreeing with Estella.
"Yeah, I guess there are no excuses this time, Mom," Jessie replied looking her mother sitting across from her.
Estella looked like an older version of Jessie. Except for the shorter layered look she sported now days, she had the big green eyes and almost the same shapely body her daughter's. She and Race were married for a short time. After Jessie was born, both worked very hard to maintain a healthy relationship for the sake of their daughter. Jessie was truly grateful for that.
After Jonny's disappearance it was logical to think the next targets would be Jessie or Hadji. The kids always served as leverage against Quest Industries. Estella still held those worries, even though she kept them at bay when Jessie left for college. As things settled, she preferred to visit her daughter rather than having Jessie fly to Colombia. She felt the states were safer for the moment.
"I'm glad that most of the family is back," Benton replied. The group grew quiet, but he tried to bring back the cheer, "So is Bandit."
They laughed, but the small wound held. They all missed Jonny.
"So, what's our first assignment?" Claire asked in order to change the subject.
"Well, I'm currently working on a project for the Peruvian government," Benton replied with a bit of unease. "It's in mid stages, at the moment. I'd rather have you work on an upcoming irrigation project for India that I'd like to begin in the next month or so."
Jessie put her fork down and looked up, "What project?"
"Well, the Indian government‒"
"No," Jessie shook her head. "The one in Peru."
"It's not what you think, Jessie," Race immediately told her.
"He's right Jessie," Benton replied stifling a nervous sigh, "It's a small study on the sudden change in weather patterns happening around some of the cities."
"Oh," she nodded. "Will we be travelling there?" she asked curiously.
Benton shook his head, "There will be no need for field work. It's just a study Jessie, nothing more," he gently told her as the group continued to eat their lunch.
Estella casually changed the subject, bringing the group back to the original light mood they had before. Jessie, however, grew pensive. By the looks of the conversation, Benton Quest would not take her plans lightly if he found out what she wanted to do. She'd be on her own.
From across the table, Race studied his daughter.
XXXXXXXXXX
Moscow, 8pm
He walked in to the restaurant wearing a pair of black jeans, a white long sleeved shirt, a black jacket, and a pair of black boots. The hostess took him to his table and moments later a waitress handed him the menu. A few minutes passed before she came back and asked for his order. He desired a light dinner, Chicken Tabaka and vegetables. He never ate heavy before a job. He also wasn't hungry, but he had to play the part. After all, what good was it to go to a restaurant and not order a semblance of dinner?
He ordered a Hohler, a German Bourbon style whisky to help him relax. The acquired taste for the classic came from an assignment two years prior at Hamburg. With his rich blonde hair and deep ocean blue eyes, "Nicola Gehle" (as was the name of his identity for that cover) had no trouble passing himself off as a German citizen. For six months he worked in the IT department of a worldwide Fortune 100 infrastructure engineering and construction company.
The blueprints for an artificial satellite developed for the Bundeeswehr, the German Federal Defense, were up for grabs, unknowing to them. To many governmenatal agencies around the world like the one DR128 belong to, acquiring it was the Christmas present of a lifetime. Naturally, his leaders wanted to get it before his "competitors" got them.
The project manager, Kerstin Reber, was a woman in her early thirties. She had long blonde hair that reached her upper back, but her eyes were a mere pale blue compared to his. She was a svelte woman, not beautiful as her features were strong and lusty, but attractive with a pretty smile and a nice complexion. At first, he didn't win her affection as easy as he had been able to do with other women. She was a strong woman, who had business acumen and a thirst for power. No one would get in her way, much less a twenty year old systems analyst. He studied her for a month, noticing her patterns and behaviors. He listened to her conversations at work and, from his apartment, the ones she had at home after he had bugged her place.
From that month long study, he found that Kerstin had finalized her divorce from her high school sweetheart just six months prior. Mr. Sweetheart had not only cheated on her, but left her with all the debt from their marriage, a massive $40,000. The divorce took a toll on her and she had become bitter and hard, especially toward the opposite sex. The information helped. He developed a plan to win Ms. Reber's heart.
On a bright Friday morning, as Ms. Reber walked into the building, she watched the quarrel between him and his 'girlfriend' (another agent) just a few feet away from her. The 'girlfriend' was dumping him right in front of Kerstin's eyes. Not only that, he had made sure that the girlfriend told him every atrocity that Kerstin had said her own husband told her the day of her last confrontation with him, before the divorce. The scene was too theatrical, but he scored a bull's eye. Kerstin felt sympathy for him, especially now that she relieved the memory of her own ordeal through the young lovers. Later that day, she called him into her office and spoke to him like a sister would to a brother when they needed consoling.
After that, Kerstin and Nicola became friends. It didn't take long for the friendship to evolve into more. They soon shared longer looks, closer contact and flirtatious smiles and comments. One night (weeks after the public breakup), as they both worked on their individual projects, he asked her out for a drink. At first she said no, but he insisted enough that she picked up her things ten minutes later and headed out to a pub about twenty minutes away from the office. She, of course, didn't want her staff to know that she was going out with a coworker and a man almost twelve years her junior. And he, for obvious reasons, did not want himself linked to her. That was the first night he was introduced to the whisky he now drank at the hotel's restaurant. He sipped it slowly, not wanting it to affect him in any way. He thought about Kerstin at that moment. A nostalgic feeling came to mind, but he tried to dismiss it. Unable to, after a while, his mind drifted to that night at the bar.
Kerstin was having a great time. He made sure of it. She drank a little too much; laughed more than normal at his odd and mostly unfunny jokes. Without thinking, her friendly taps on the shoulder lingered a little longer than usual. He knew it was his time to take action. The once flirtatious game advanced to prolonged kisses, gentle caresses and sassy whispers. It was in one of those lengthy kissing sessions that he told her that he wanted her. He wasn't kidding. He was a man and despite not having feelings for the woman, the drinking and his libido didn't mind the company.
She smiled. She had never had anyone other than Mr. Sweetheart and to feel longed for after such a turmoil time in her life, she was ecstatic. They left the bar and went to her apartment where she climax three times that night. After, they made their relationship a secret to the rest of the office staff. During the day, they worked as colleagues, the nights were spent at her apartment talking, eating, drinking and climaxing. Kerstin did her part too, there were times that she made him feel very good. Soon, their conversations went from the ostensible to the profound and the topics ranged from daily events to projects they worked on. One night, after three months of secret courtship and a very heavy lovemaking sessions, Kerstin began talking about the project she was currently working on. She told him everything from what the satellite was supposed to do and the different security measures that the company had taken to keep the specs secret. Then, without saying a word to coax her, Kerstin volunteered the access codes needed for him to copy the blueprints he needed. Ironically, it was her way of joking with him that if anything happened to her, he'd be able to continue her work.
When she had fallen asleep that night, he called in to report his findings. They told him to eliminate her. He didn't question or repute the orders. He did as told. The next night, he made love to her one last time. He made sure to make her feel like she had never felt before, loved. She told him that she was falling in love with him. He kissed her without reciprocating the sentiment. Instead, he told her that he wanted to take her out and told her to wear something nice. While she showered, he prepared her a glass of Chardonnay and spiked it with lethal substance that would put her out for good. He hated doing it, but he convinced himself that it wouldn't be painful. When she got out of the shower in her robe, he offered her the glass and they toasted to their relationship. It took a few minutes before Kerstin began to feel a bit lightheaded. He gently walked her to the living room couch after asking if she was feeling alright. She nodded, but he could tell that the poison was affecting her rapidly. He told her to rest, that he'd get dinner and bring it back. She nodded, told him she loved him, closed her eyes and died in her sleep.
He, in turn, took the time to clean any evidence of his existence in that apartment. First, he washed the bed sheets and put new ones on the bed. When they were dry, he folded and placed them inside the linen closet. Putting on gloves, he washed both glasses and thoroughly and put them back in the cabinet. Then he took a new one out, filled it with Chardonnay and made sure that she held it in order to put her fingerprints on the glass. After, he cleaned and put the bottle and the wineglass on the table next to the couch she sat slumped in. The scene would play out nicely. Kerstin was relaxing in her living room while watching TV when a sudden heart attack struck her. She died instantly. No one would question or even investigate any foul play; not when she had done nothing out of her normal routine in the last couple of months and no one knew about their affair. As dawn approached, he left her apartment making sure no one would see him.
The next day at work, he acted just as surprised as everyone when they learned about her untimely passing. He stole the blueprints that night and sent them to the agency. Three weeks later, he put in his letter of resignation, telling his superiors that he had landed another job at a smaller competitor in Berlin, but in a managerial level role. During the three weeks there, he attended Kerstin's funeral services. He remembered feeling horribly depressed. He didn't mind killing, not when he knew most of his victims were bastards and power hungry aspersers to the cause. But Kerstin was different…he had grown… fond of her. Not in love, but fond. And she didn't deserve that end. He was taught that at times, he would be faced with ending the life of an innocent. Sacrifice for the cause was sometimes inevitable. Still, he didn't like it and swore he wouldn't allow himself to do something like that again. He'd find another way next time. He had to.
His meal arrived and interrupted his thoughts. Kerstin was placed once again in the back of his mind, only to be brought out to his consciousness when he allowed himself to do so. As he ate his meal, he surveyed the area, hidden cameras surrounded him. People dined calmly, enjoying the atmosphere. Nothing was out of the ordinary. Yet, he felt stifled knowing he was so out into the open. It had never happened before, not this way.
As scheduled, at eight forty-five, Agent M351 walked in. He had never met the woman, but he could tell it was her. Wearing a slick black strapless cocktail dress and silver stilettos, her wavy black hair cascaded down past her shoulders. She also carried a medium sized black bag. She was insanely white with huge dark brown eyes and a beautiful smile.
"Good evening," her Russian accent was flawless.
"Won't you join me for dessert?" DR128 asked with a smile.
"Don't mind if I do," her thick accent oozed from her tongue with chic finesse as she took a seat next to him, "What did you order?"
"I haven't. Thought I'd give you the choice," he answered before the waitress came by. The young woman ordered some concoction that included nougat cream, toasted almonds and what she said was edible gold.
Moments later when the waitress came back with dessert, she immediately took her spoon dipped it on the large cup it came in. Then, naturally, she lifted the spoon containing a portion of the dessert up to his mouth. He accepted and took the spoon into his mouth as she smiled. To her, DR128 seemed to enjoy the taste of the dessert. In reality, he hated almonds.
Then, M351 took the spoon and dipped it on the dessert and took a helping for herself, "It's delicious,"' she told him.
He smiled, "I'm glad you like it." He took her chair and pulled it closer to him as they polished off the dessert. Every now and again, guests would look at them and smile. A couple in love, at least which is what they thought.
Fifteen minutes later, as scheduled, the bill was paid in cash and the couple exited the restaurant together holding hands. "Follow my lead," she whispered to him as they headed to the lobby where the elevators were. Once they got there, she surprised him by slamming him to the wall next to the elevator and kissing him passionately. Paying attention to the cameras around him, DR128 kissed her back with equal passion. They want us to be seen together, but why? He thought as he continued running his hand down her back and stopping at her perfectly shaped rear. He was told not to carry his scrambler. We are being recorded. The elevator doors opened and she detached herself from him playfully, "Come on, let's have some fun."
The two entered the elevator where she proceeded to start the make out session again. In between the kissing and groping, M351 pushed the button to the top floor where his room was located. He had noticed the small cameras on the elevator roof, and paid careful attention that their faces wouldn't be seen too much. Once the elevator doors opened, they walked out. Knowing where he was, DR128 led her to his room as they took a quick sprint down the hallway. When they arrived to the room, he gently pushed her to the door where he proceeded once again to kiss her as he took out the key card from his pocket, slipped it in the door lock and turned the handle, allowing the door to open. The two went inside kissing passionately as the door closed.
Once inside the two abruptly detached from each other, "We will leave through the roof," M351 told him as she walked to the window, "Do you have the tools we need to detach the window?" Opening her bag, she pulled out a pair of tights, a long sleeved blue tee and a pair of flat shoes. Quickly, she undressed in front of him without a care in the world.
"In the closet," he answered as he walked to it and retrieved the device from his travel bag, bringing it back to where she was. DR128 handed her a small container as she opened the curtains to a small window that faced the main street. Then, he placed the suctioning section of the device in the middle of the window. Quickly, he switched it on as M351 opened the container and dipped her fingers inside, retrieving a white paste that she rubbed around the frame of the glass.
"Stand back," he said before she did as told and within seconds the glass had popped out of the frame. With careful precision, the two managed to bring in the glass plate and carefully set it on the floor.
"Let me go out first," he told her, "I'll pull you up."
"What about your…supplies?" the woman asked in a serious Russian tone that was different from the one she had used at the restaurant.
"I went to the square and found a place to hide them," DR128 answered her with an equal serious, but firm approach, "Once we get there, I can retrieve them from where I hid them."
"Alright," she told him, "Let's go, we don't have much time."
Carefully stepping on the ledge of the twenty story building, the man didn't bother to look down. He was lucky that the ledge was wide enough for him to stand on and that it was so close to the roof that he could lift himself up get access to it. From his pocket, DR128 took out a square device that had a button in the middle and pressed it. If there were cameras on the roof, they'd be now disabled. Once secured, he looked down; the woman was already standing by the ledge waiting for him to help her up. He did so immediately, and she was surprised that he lifted her up with ease.
"Good arms," M351 stated as she looked around the roof of the hotel. "The stairwell is over there," she pointed out, "Ready to complete your mission DR128?"
He nodded, "Let's go."
The two headed out and took the stairs that led them to the ground floor and into the main streets.