Windshield wrappers giving a steady sound - back and forth, back and forth as they cleared the driving rain away. Eyal enjoying the down pour, a cleaning of mother earth as if the rain could uncontaminated the world of all the evil and let him retire to a tranquil life of music and his volumes of great novels. He had received a message from Annie that she had found a place in Paris to move and he being a little anxious to see Annie again and view her new living quarters. Maybe the protective part of him wanted the reassurance it would be a safe haven for her, a sanctuary where the all so welcome deep sleep can come to pass without fear of outside malevolence. Seldom could spies truly fall into deep, carefree sleep and as for Annie, she was plagued with nightmares, those bad realistic dreams of her dark shadowy existence.
His phone buzzed, an incoming message from Eliam Chodorow, 'Landric Von Friedric-Kristiansen eliminated' was welcome news but no other details given. Well now, his mission was complete, the only loose end would be Joseph Nielson and he spends most of his time in the states, which... Eyal's mind started turning to possibly extending his assignment a go hunting in America. Of course take Annie and a side trip to California, his promise to her for a visit with Danielle.
Having arrived in the neighborhood of Annie's Orléans flat, Eyal pulled to the side and called Eliam. "Shalom my friend got your message and great news. Can you give me any details?"
"A Kidon operation in Johannesburg. That's all I know and by the way, another player was also spotted in South Africa, Joseph Nielson and we are trying to get movement intel on him now."
"With his associates on this side of the Atlantic dropping like flies he is going underground. His known connections here are out of the picture but that doesn't mean there are not others we don't know about."
"Working on a maybe Tunisia connection now, not much of a lead but all we have. Are you in striking distance?" Eliam hurriedly typing on his keyboard. "Intel is starting to flow in from Johannesburg, need to shift through it all."
"Yes, France. Four hours or maybe less."
"Tov, I'll keep you in the loop but Rivka is making noises about turning the entire mission over to Kidon, the body count is getting high."
"Can't blame me on that, seems others have been doing our dirty work." Eyal chucking at the thought of how each player had met his end. "I would like to see this mission through." Eyal was ready to call Rivka if the mission was going to be pulled, he was now hell-bent and determined to get Nielson and find any other connections. Yes the money line was broken for the time being but Lexington Global was not out of business.
"So would I Eyal. Must return to viewing all the intel pouring in. Shalom." Eliam disconnected.
A deep breath, Eyal was sure Rivka was not going to pull him there was too much at stake for her. The mission would be deemed successful at Mossad and pats on her back for a job well done. It must be Meshek, Eyal's old boss with Kidon wanting the glory. He and Rivka have a rivalry and he blames her for Eyal leaving the ranks of Kidon when in reality it was Eyal that went to Rivka to help with his transfer out. No, in his mind it was Rivka openly chatting, playing the game of maybe, perhaps to keep Meshek at bay.
The rain had stopped, only a silvery mist covered the neighborhood and Eyal was satisfied that Eliam would locate Nielson for him. Getting out of his car, his six sense kicked in big time, something wasn't right. Standing next to his car looking around to find Annie's old beat up car, the one she had obtained from an all ready stolen collection of vehicles for a chop shop parts (who was going to report the theft of a stolen car - no crook in their right mind). Annie not being at her flat could be as normal and anything but not this afternoon - something was not right, he could feel it in his bones. Eyal checking his gun, one strapped to his leg and the other concealed in his belt under a light jacket. In a leisurely way as if he had all day, Eyal made his way to the back of the building, being leery of any surveillance but it was clear.
The door to Annie's flat was unlocked, not good, he pulled his gun and carefully entered.
"What the hell!"
Wallop, Eyal was hard hit from the side and slamming against the side counter. His gun flying into the air.
With an immediate recovery, Eyal landed a punch to his attacker's midsection and another uppercut to his jaw whirling him around. With a swift move of lighting, Eyal had a choke hold on him and ready to crack his neck.
"Who the hell are you?"
The man choking for breath could only mummer, "Friend."
"No f..king friend of mine. Name - what's your name." Eyal pull the man's arm to his back with painful twist upward making sure the man's agony was dreadfully intense. A strange man in Annie's flat could mean a shorten life cycle at the hands of Eyal as surely as the sun will rise in the morning, Eyal had no sympathy for smartasses and this jerk was quickly fitting into that category.
"Scoutnicks..."
"I don't have time for this shit." Eyal once more increase the arm twisting and tighten the choke hold. The man grasped for air and tried to wrench away but the pressure on his arm only increased with each move - close to the breaking point. "One last time - name."
"Calder."
"Calder what?"
"Calder Michaels." The man could only master a choking whisper.
Eyal loosen the hold around the Calder's neck but held tight to his arm, "Where are you from."
"Washington DC. Now let me go and we'll talk."
"Not until you tell me more, I know some people in Washington, one by the name of Auggie."
"Auggie Anderson. Now will you let me go." Calder sounded sure that Eyal wasn't his enemy but a friend.
Eyal letting Calder go and picked up his gun, still keeping watch on him. He had seen a picture of Calder and knew the man in Annie's flat was indeed CIA and Calder Michaels.
Calder turn to face Eyal and half smiled, he too also had seen Eyal's picture and read his dossier. "Mossad's Eyal Lavin in person, Auggie had told me you would be the man Annie would turn to. Pleasure to meet you."
"I'm not sure of that. Do you know where Annie might be?" Eyal want to say so much more to the man, how cruel to turn Annie out but as for now they need to cooperate.
"No I don't."
"Why are you here?" Eyal asked.
"I could ask you the same question." Calder was being his difficult self and that pissed off Eyal.
"I have a very short fuse and want answers. The body count is adding up on your off book covert mission and one more wouldn't make any headlines."
"They said you were one hell of a person to deal with." Calder snapped at Eyal.
"Whoever they are were right. Now tell me what you know since I'm the man with the gun." Eyal pushing Calder into the lumpy chair. "Make yourself comfortable and start talking."
Eyal noticed the figurine and pitcher of flowers but the water was about gone, meaning Annie hadn't been there in a few days. There were two bananas turning brown and a half bottle of wine on the counter and one unwashed glass. At least two days since Annie was in her flat, maybe three.
Calder seeing Eyal scan the room also looked around, "She must have gone to meet our British contact."
"Estelle Bruce Hathaway." Eyal was quick with the name of Annie's CIA asset.
"Yes. Hathaway had gotten in touch with me about a lead she had and wanted to speak with Annie. I passed the message on to Annie."
"You know who Hathaway is?"
"A British author of romantic novels and somehow connect with Lexington Global."
"Not very good CIA intel if that is all you have." Eyal pull up a straight chair and sitting in front of Calder with his hand and gun resting on the chair back, facing the man. "You not working the Lexington piece more closely in the states?"
"CIA can't operate on American soil."
"Bullshit Michaels. I know better." Eyal pulling out his phone and dialing a number.
Auggie voice was chipper and reading the coded name he and Eyal used to get Annie out of the Russian prison. "Auggie Anderson and this is a surprise."
"And greetings to you. Your boss is sitting across from me and has given permission for you to aid me in any way I need."
"You are joking. You got the upper hand of Calder Michaels. Who by the way is no longer my boss."
"Yes good news, you want to speak with him?" Eyal with a light-hearted tone.
"Not really. You know my hands are tied with helping Mossad." Auggie dialing the scramble code so his conversation with Eyal could not be intercepted by probing ears of the CIA.
"It's about Annie." Eyal tone now very serious.
"Have you seen her?" Auggie sounded concerned, the tone in his voice he couldn't hide. Annie still very much held a piece of his heart and he didn't deny it.
"Yes and I'm sure you have guess that by now."
"Yeah and you wouldn't be calling if there weren't some trouble. What can't I do for you."
"She maybe in harms-way and I need to know what you have on Estelle Bruce Hathaway."
"Shit Eyal, if she is with Hathaway she is in deep trouble." Auggie suddenly became the spy he had been, his own six sense taking over and quickly put together a scenario he didn't like.
"Oh yeah. Now it has become urgent - we need to find her. Tell me what you have." A chill ran down Eyal back hearing Auggie's reaction.
Auggie was very forth coming with all the intel and was just about the same as Mossad had given Eyal with one additional piece. Joseph Nielson and Hathaway had a meeting in London four days ago.
"Thanks Auggie and did Calder Michaels know about this meeting?"
"Of course. Why?"
"Think he is the one that sent Annie to meet with Hathaway." There was a deafening silence between the two men, both coming to the same conclusion without saying a word.
It was Eyal that first spoke again, "And one more thing, keep close check on Nicole Cohen and any use of that passport."
"Hold on a minute." Auggie quickly at work check intel on his side.
Eyal looking at Calder and shaking his head. "You are one real lying bastard."
"Can say the same about you." was Calder insufferable remark.
Auggie's voice back on the line, "Eyal more bad news, Nicole Cohen and Estelle Bruce Hathaway flew out of London to Johannesburg, South Africa."
"They were going to a funeral I bet. Thanks Auggie and keep your ears open. I have a hunch Annie was being used bait for some reason. Also check out Joseph Nielson and a Tunisia connection. If he is off CIA radar try there."
"I'm always amazed at how much you know. He has dropped off our radar. Thanks Eyal and by the way, tell Calder his collaboration in locating Annie will be greatly appreciated by Arthur Campbell, our reinstated boss and the newly promoted Joan Campbell. I'm sure he will like that small piece of news." Auggie disconnected and thankful for Eyal's call. Yes, he would bend or break all CIA protocol to help Eyal locate Annie.
"You knew about the meeting Nielson and Hathaway had the other day and sent Annie there...into a trap of some sort. Your intel being very complete on Marie Davy Marwick and her connection to Landric Von Friedric-Kristiansen. Using Annie as your personal puppet is lowest of ... you are nothing but a self promoting bastard. I'm going to let you go but don't ever cross my path again and if anything happens to Annie or me, start watching your back. Oh yes, you have been demoted, Arthur Campbell is back."
"Is that a threat?"
"A warning. Now get out of my sight." Eyal with a strong hold on his arm again ushered him out the door.
"Waiting a few minutes to make sure Calder Michaels was well gone, Eyal placed another call, this time to Rivka Singer."
"Don't tell me you are stirring up more trouble." Her voice was playful when answering.
"Hello Rivka and nice to hear your sweet voice too. Yes you might say I've creating some trouble. Just had a run it with Calder Michaels with the CIA. One cocky jerk and I don't think I made a very good impression."
"Being yourself again. I heard the name and some not to great reports about him but he can get the job done. Seems he has his own special way, he's known for using people."
"Well I'm not on his preferred list so if you will keep any extra eye on my back. Don't know how much power he can wheel within Langley. Another tad-bit of news, Arthur Campbell is back."
"So I heard. As always Eyal we have you covered. Now, you need to call Caleb Eaglesten with news from South Africa and it is just now breaking."
"Thanks Rivka."