The train ride had been a blissful pleasure, filled with the most sublime and stunning scenery the Northeastern US had to offer. From Niagara Falls, through breathtaking country sides, then along to the banks of the Hudson, the twelve-hour train trip from Toronto, left Peter Trent energized.
Even after eight years, he still couldn't get use to beauties and limitless freedoms, not to mention what he could do with those freedoms. Free of any overseers, rulers, rules or laws, he was able to exploit everything the West had to offer and finally put his unique skills to use for his own benefit.
His business had done well these past six years, flourishing on the problems that counted on a discreet finality. Assassination had always been his forte, it was just poetic to get paid for it.
Walking through the train station, Trent was carefully reading each person he passed, assessing and committing everyone to memory. He made a note of every vehicle on the taxi ride to his hotel, making the driver take an out-of-the-way route and three random detours through surface streets. An old habit, but one he couldn't give up.
As Peter settled into his hotel room, he felt ill at ease and guarded. While not on a job, this trade show was far from legal and it's products.. even less so. This would be his forth, and each year just seemed to get better than the last.
With so many ingenious new products, killing people was getting easier and easier.
"No kidding. It's about time.., been wondering when the hell your vacation'd be over. Been over two weeks of doin' your job and mine, ya know." Fusco was feeling less than warm and fussy toward the ex-Op at the moment. Between his regular work, dodging HR's mess and having to deal with Mr. Happy's work load, he was a little on the stressed out side.
"Hello, Lionel. I'm touched you missed me." He taunted the burly cop.
"Yeah - like a heart attack. So you gonna tell me the real reason for this social call?"
"Grab your partner and meet me at the diner in one hour. And Fusco... you need to take a deep breath and relax a bit."
Fusco could only stare at the'Call Ended' icon on his phone. "What the!?" No 'good bye, please, or thank you for all your work while I was MIA, Lionel. Just do as you're told, Lionel... Risk your butt with HR, Lionel... Get screwed, Lionel. "Ass..." He grumbled, rounding his desk for Carter's. He'd long since given up guessing what the 'Dynamic Duo' were up to; there was just no predicting some of the insane shit these guys dealt with."
"Huh? You say something?" Carter looked up from her files.
"Na, nothin'. Guess Wonder-boy's back. He just called, wants us to meet in an hour. Any idea why? Or you think it's simple follow and report case?"
She seriously doubted it, and hoped this meeting wasn't to let them know they'd be taking over things again while John flew off across the Atlantic. "I have a feeling this ones gonna be different."
The white van pulled into the street, quickly assuming a camouflaged spot amongst the growing New York traffic. No one could see inside the dark windows, but not giving anyone cause to look was key.
"Sir, all targets have arrived in New York without complication."
"Excellent. Is everything else ready?"
"Ready Sir. The site is set up and secure, awaiting 'GO' for 22:00 hundred, Friday."
"Good. Make sure your men remain undetected by our targets."
"Yes, Sir."
Carter felt anxious. She would feel better after she had something concrete to wrap her head around, instead of the wild speculation that had been plaguing her thoughts all morning.
Four cups of coffee and Fusco's impatient babbling, had her nerves wound so tight, she nearly jumped when Reese placed his hand on her shoulder. "Don't you ever use the front door?" She snapped out of surprise.
"Not if I can help it." He wore just a hint of his usual devilish smirk, but his eyes met hers with welcoming warmth. He sat across from them, sipping the coffee he'd brought with him.
"So spill, Carter and I've been here for a while now."
"Easy Fusco. But, since you asked so nicely..."
Reese began, filling them both in on the complexity and honest uncertainty of the situation. He would have Fusco follow Martin Boyd and Carter would infiltrate the Wayneright consulting firm.
He had his reservations about using Finch, Carter and Fusco at all. They were dealing with subjects that were highly skilled and more dangerous than their usual suspects. These numbers were trained to recognized a tail and could potentially react with extreme prejudice. But Reese didn't have a choice; five numbers was just too much for him to handle alone.
"Lionel, I need you to keep an eye on Boyd. Pair with his phone, then keep your distance. We suspect Boyd may be here for an arms deal. He was in New York this time last year too, so maybe a reoccurring meet."
John slowly looked to Carter as he slid an envelope across to her. "Besides jacking his phone, try to get this flash drive into Sinclair's computer. Finch has already taken care of your cover story. You'll be a prospective client and have an afternoon meeting today. Remember... these guys are trained to know all the tricks." He looked at Carter a bit longer than he meant to.
"If these guys are all involved in illegal crimes, why not just arrest them?" Carter didn't see the point in wasting time on criminals.
Reese inwardly smiled... his sentiments exactly. "We need to identify the threat or their target first. Good or bad, until we know what the deal is, we won't know if we're making the right move. Wouldn't want to miss another bad guy for you're collection, Carter." John raised an eyebrow to go along with a crooked smiled as he stood. "And when you can, we need you to gather reports of incidents centering around this date last year. There has to be a connection. I'll be in touch."
They watched him leave. "Damn, ya know... I think that's the most concerned I've ever heard Mr. Tall, Dark and Brooding... Kinda scary." Fusco admitted.
"Yeah, well... if he's worried, take it as a sign that this just got very real."