Villa Scorpio Command & Control
Edgar was stationed behind the monitoring station. Alys and Vincent sat in cubicle terminals monitoring local communications in Turkey.
"Cupid in position," came Raine's whisper over the speakers.
"Infrared marks four on the cliffs overlooking the arches," added Genji. "No Kevlar kits."
"Poor mercenaries then," said Raine.
"Anyone have any elbow pads?" asked Shane. They could hear the sounds of metal against metal.
"Will a towel do?" asked Raine.
"Thank you, darling," replied Shane. This was followed by the rustling of clothing and lastly by the sound of a bolt sliding into place. "All set here."
"Any traffic on police bands?" asked Andre.
"Negative," replied Vincent. "The op is not on anyone's radar. Radio scans show only normal local issues."
"What about the village?" asked Edgar. "Can we expect trouble there?"
"No. The locals know Anna. She says they'll keep quiet," said Andre.
"The reception we got at the village was amazing," said Genji. "What did Anna do for them?"
"I wouldn't ask if I were you," said Alys.
"They offered their best boats and dinner. That goes beyond basic hospitality," said Shane.
"Sean told Anna about this place, remember? He could have done something for them," said Raine.
Andre chuckled. "If he did, he got something worth it in return."
"Where is Charlotte's backup?" asked Vincent. "She must have them."
"On a side road outside town close to the river. The locals are keeping them in sight," said Raine.
"Let's make this interesting. One shot only. Anyone who misses has to buy dinner for the entire team," said Shane. "Any takers?"
"From this distance? You're on," said Genji.
"Make it the Versaille Room and I'm in," said Raine.
"Heads up. Party coming down the river," said Andre. "Assume firing positions. One target each."
Goksu Bridge
Helena looked with distaste at her wet footwear. She leaned on a guard's proferred arm as she made her way up the embankment in soggy heels behind Charlotte. Helena was secretly glad that even Charlotte had not had the foresight to wear boots. Her no-nonsense leather pumps were soaking wet. Two minions dragged a hooded Peter off the other boat.
Head held high, a confident Charlotte approached the high arch. Helena was not so confident. She trailed Charlotte at a distance. Their two guards placed three lit lanterns on the ground at the mouth of the archway on their side.
"Let's get this done," called out Anna. "Take the hood off!"
"So suspicious. Not a good quality I've heard." Charlotte pulled off Peter's hood revealing the doctor underneath. "As you can see we do have Peter. Do you have the terms I asked for?"
Anna took out a large brown envelope from her jacket. "All here."
Anna made to step forward but Robert stopped her. He took the envelope from her. "Robert, what are you doing?"
"Keep your head in the plan. Let me do this part," said Robert. He began to walk into the archway but stopped at a word from Charlotte.
"Wait," said Charlotte.
"Stop stalling!" said Anna.
"I'm changing the terms," said Charlotte.
Everyone tensed. No one moved.
"You can't do that. We had a deal," said Alex. "For once in your life do the right thing, Mother."
"You changed the place and time didn't you? Tit for tat." Charlotte loosened the collar of her coat. Perspiration beaded on her forehead. She was warm despite the rapidly chilling night air.
"You got what you wanted - three new identities not on any agency database, two million dollars in untraceable bearer bonds and the Guardian source code," said Anna.
"I only want to see the actual items before Peter changes hands," replied Charlotte. "Any good buyer examines the goods before purchase."
Robert pulled out three documents, walked to the middle of the archway, left them there and walked back. "There's the paperwork for your new identies. You get the rest AFTER we get Peter."
Charlotte nodded at a guard to get the documents. She examined them carefully before giving them to Helena. "All is in order. Thank you very much. It's time to close this deal."
CLICK. CLICK. CLICK. CLICK.
On the cliff top overlooking the arch, four black clad figures revealed themselves. They were pointing assault rifles at the Scorpio team.
Anna whispered, "Go Cupid."
Four shots rang out. The four guards flinched then toppled over the edge of the cliff. They fell to the sands below. Blood oozed from four incapacitating wounds on their torsos. They'd live if they got medical attention. Lars and Nestor went among their writhing bodies collecting weapons and other arms. The weapons would be given to the town mayor who would get a good price on the black market. The village would have new computers for the school next year.
Anna's voice was icy. "It's my turn to change the deal. Peter for your lives and NOTHING more."
"You just had to try to be clever," said Alex. "You'll never change."
Charlotte smiled, "But you have, Sasha. Such fire I see in you. It must be Anna's influence."
"We don't have all night for chit chat," said Anna. "Get on with it before my snipers get impatient."
With a minion holding a gun to his head, Peter shuffled towards Robert. Robert ambled towards Peter. As soon as he was close enough, Robert clamped a hand on Peter's arm. Anna stepped forward to stand by Robert's side.
"Deal's done," said Anna. "We have Peter and-"
They all turned at a sound from the river. It was a powered dinghy rapidly approaching.
"Stand down," ordered Anna. She looked at Helena and Charlotte. "Our business is done. You can leave now."
Helena looked at her watch and said, "But it would be rude to leave a party early."
The dinghy hit the beach hard close to Helena and Charlotte's boats. The occupants were only two. The driver stayed in the dinghy. Cesar Faison stepped off and waded to shore. He wore boots.
"What is he doing here?" asked Anna once she realized who it was. "Robert, you spoke to him. Why is he here? Robert?"
Robert whispered to her, "It's for the best, luv."
"Best of what?" hissed Anna.
"Give the out signal. Right now." Robert's grip on Peter's arm tightened making Peter wince. "Trust me."
Anna gave the order. She trusted Robert but not Faison.
Behind her, Lars and Nestor looked surprised but did as they were told putting their own guns away. They retreated to the boats where the cache of heavy weapons lay ready to use.
Charlotte's eyes narrowed. "He made quick time. Too quick."
"He does prize loyalty highly," murmured Helena.
Charlotte wiped a sleeve across her perspiring forehead. "What do you mean?"
"For such a smart woman, you can be remarkably obtuse," said Helena. She gave a nod to the lead guard.
The guards pulled out their guns and aimed it at Charlotte. One guard removed Charlotte's sidearm.
"And gullible," added Helena. "You don't look well. Do you feel hot? Faint?"
Eyes blazing, Charlotte said haltingly, "You ... the tea ..." She swayed. Her hands reached out for support that wasn't there.
Helena waved the guards away as Charlotte's knees gave way. Her hands were grabbing at her throat and chest.
"The bisquit is to blame for your symptoms," said Helena. "You're more of value to me dead. It's not personal."
Gun in his right hand, Faison loomed above a kneeling Charlotte. "Hello, Charlotte, we meet again."
Charlotte was speaking but no words came forth. Her eyes pleaded for mercy.
Sensing what was to happen, Dimitri put two hands around his wife's waist keeping her in front of him.
Anna touched Robert's forearm. "Is he ..."
BANG!
Charlotte's body fell backwards.
Alex struggled against Dimitri's strength. He held her fast. "NO! Mother! Let me go! Mother!"
Faison looked at Helena. "All your debts to me are cancelled."
"Thank you, Cesar," said Helena. "I have always thought you a most discerning man."
"I understand survival but not betrayal. Are we clear?"
"Yes."
"Then go." Faison began to walk towards where Peter and Robert stood.
Helena dropped the identity documents to the ground. She and her guards moved towards their boats. Their part in the drama was done.
"Anna, always lovely to see you," said Faison calmly.
Anna looked at Faison then Robert then back to Faison. The hairs at the back of her neck were standing on end but damned if she could figure out what was going on.
"Cousin ... Cesar?" said Peter. "I'm ... I'm sorry ... for everything."
"Scorpio, you are reaching Donely's level of deviousness," said Faison. "So good to find yet another worthy opponent. How's your chess?"
"What's going on between you two? Robert?" asked Anna leveling her gun at Faison. "Stay where you are."
"The next move is not mine to make, Anna," said Faison. He glanced at Robert.
"You gave me mine. Now I give you yours." Robert pushed Peter towards Faison.
"What?! He's ours!" exclaimed Anna so surprised she lowered her gun.
Faison smirked. "I thought you wouldn't tell her. Again very Donely of you. As the song says, Anna, you can't always get what you want."
"Shut up and get out of here before I change my mind," snarled Robert. He blocked Anna's gun hand.
"What are you doing?" said Anna.
"Making things better in the long run," said Robert.
"Good deals usually have that effect. My cousin will NEVER bother you or yours again, Anna. I shall see him amply repaid for what he did to you and to dearest Robin. You have my word." Faison took hold of Peter's arm. "We have much to discuss."
Peter walked but began to whine and snivel. "I beg of you, Cesar ..."
"Begging is unbecoming of a Krieg. Be quiet," said Faison. "Come along."
The Kriegs walked off towards Faison's boat. Dimitri released Alex and she ran to her mother's body tears coursing down her cheeks.
"Explain this! Now!" demanded Anna of Robert.
"Charlotte was a problem. Consider her solved. Ditto for Peter. Two ducks down with one reliable bullet," said Robert. He avoided looking at Alex bent over Charlotte's body.
"We were going to take Charlotte and Helena prisoner if we could," said Anna. "That was the plan."
Robert's jaw clenched. "I'm tired of coulds and would have beens. You wanted it ended. It is now. I made sure of it." Robert began to walk towards their boats.
Anna looked at her sister lost in her grief and said softly. "It shouldn't have ended like this." She touched her lapel and said, "Prepare to exit Cupid." She caught up to Robert. She stood in front of him keeping him from moving. "Did you call Faison first? Did you?"
"No. He called me. That's the truth," said Robert. "It was too good an opportunity to pass."
Anna's hand shot out and hit Robert hard across the left cheek as intended.
Robert recovered quickly rubbing at his cheek. "Knew that was coming. I know I should have told you first. I'm sor-"
"We agreed no more deals with Faison for any reason. We're no better than he is now," said Anna. "Peter was vital. We needed him dead."
"It was necessary. Charlotte had to be stopped. She was the most dangerous of all of them. Peter is a gnat by comparison," said Robert. "Faison is only one tool in the arsenal. I used him. There I said it."
"You don't understand. This is how Faison gets you. This!"
"This what?"
"Giving you what you think you want. Letting you think it was your idea. That's how he corrupts people," said Anna. "He ends up in control not you. You become the pawn. I've seen him do it too many times."
"This was a one time only deal, Anna," said Robert. In the distance, he could see Nestor and Lars wrapping Charlotte in a small gray tarpaulin found in the rowboat.
"You better hope it is," said Anna. She began to walk towards their transport then turned around. "Are you really sorry, Robert?"
"For using Faison, no. For how things went down, yes," came his gruff reply.
"Then Faison's won. Again." Anna resumed walking.
"That was Abelard's doing not Faison," said Robert trailing Anna. "How much more havoc could we let her wreak on us, on the world?"
"For the greater good? That's your reason? You ARE turning into Sean," said Anna wading into the water and getting into their boat.
"That's not a bad thing."
"I don't need two Seans in my life. I really don't," said Anna. "Don't you see? Sean's another one. He uses people just like Faison does."
"We use people, too. Lots of people," said Robert.
"The difference is that we don't discard them so easily. We take some responsibility for using them," said Anna. "We still have a conscience. People like Sean and Faison don't. We can't become like them, Robert. Not ever. Not for any reason."
They watched silently as Nestor carried Charlotte's wrapped body on to the other boat. Dimitri consoled his wife who didn't seem able to walk on her own.
Robert whispered to Anna. "I didn't know he would do it like that in front of Alex. You have to believe me on that."
"When Faison's furious, he doesn't bother with the niceties like hiding his crimes," said Anna "He just does it and moves on."
"Do you believe me, Anna?" asked Robert. "Do you understand why I did it?"
Anna turned around and touched her husband's face. "I do, Robert, I do. But please no more deals with Faison. The costs are always too high. No one knows better how high than us. Promise me."
Robert leaned close to her ear. "I promise."
Robert stood up. He looked straight into Alex's eyes as she was getting into the boat. "I'm sorry, Alex."
Alex nodded unable to say anything. She and Dimitri retreated to the last row of seats. Anna put an arm around her sister. Dimitri and Robert took to the oars and followed the other boat already paddling ahead.
Helena and her remaining guards were returned by their guide to the road where they had left their black van. They got inside and drove off.
"What is our destination, madam?" asked the guard.
"The laboratory is compromised. Order removal of critical equipment, product and supplies then burn it to the ground," said Helena. She promptly removed her ruined footwear. "Take what was salvaged to our new base. Increase production by eighty percent. We must move as much product as we can for as long as we can."
"Yes, madam." The guard gently dried her feet with a soft towel. His ministrations were tender but thorough.
"Vladimir, please schedule the plane for immediate take off. I need a vacation. Somewhere civilized. I haven't been to Stockholm in ages."
"Yes, madam. And the guards left behind?"
"Charlotte's grubby mercenaries? Leave them where they are," said Helena. "Ignore all calls and correspondence from Arielle for now. Once we are in Stockholm, I will tell her of Charlotte's tragic heroic death at the hands of the treacherous Anna Devane. Arielle and Dino should prove more than adequate distraction for the Scorpios. There is a fitting verisimilitude. The Scorpios and I will meet again. When we do it will be a time and place of my choosing. Go!"
Vladimir left to carry out the orders.
Helena turned on a light in the back seat and looked at her watch. "Any time now." She leaned back into the seat. "I lost everything at Conclave but now I have regained enough to begin a new ascent. Once in Stockholm, I will transfer all of the company's funds into one of mine. I no longer have to worry about Faison looking for me. I shall stay far away from his interests. Without Peter and Charlotte about me, I may hide safe in some anonymity." She stretched like a satisfied cat curling her long legs along the long seat. "I must ponder Emma Scorpio Drake. Her future must be carefully considered."
Peter sat shivering in the front of the rowboat. Their guide had the throttle on full. They fairly bounced on the water.
"Scorpio surprised me. I did not think he would have the audacity," said Faison lighting a cigar. "I have his measure now. I certainly do. Poor Charlotte. She never realized that Helena cultivates allies never friends."
"What will happen to me, Cesar?" asked Peter. His nose wrinkled at the acrid cigar scent. "Do it quick. Please. No pain."
"Kill you? I'm not going to kill you," said Faison. "You could prove useful."
Peter's face brightened. "Oh, thank you. Whatever you want me to do just tell me."
"I will be bringing you to a place where your scientific expertise will find endless exercise," said Faison.
"A new laboratory?" asked Peter rubbing at his left shoulder. "Ooh, I must have hit something."
"Something like that but better, bigger. It will consume several lifetimes."
"Lifetimes?"
"You do owe me for saving you, yes?"
"Of course I do." Feeling hot, Sinclair threw off the small blanket that he'd put on after getting on the boat.
"I have decided that your payment for my generosity will be servitude to me for however long you live," said Faison. "In return, I promise to involve you in the most remarkable discoveries of our time."
"For ... for life?" asked Peter. He gasped at a sudden pain in his chest. "Ow!"
"Is something wrong with the arrangement? It will utilize your considerable- Peter?"
Peter grabbed at his chest as his head rolled back. Faison watched in fascination as his cousin convulsed three times before collapsing limp on the deck. Faison checked for a pulse. There was no pulse. Faison pushed Peter's corpse off the deck without stopping the boat.
He sat back and blew out a smoke circle. "Well played, Helena, well played. Sadly Peter never learned the lesson to not drink anything you offer or prepare. A fool to the end."
Before leaving the boat, Faison handed currency in the amount of a year's pay to the boatman. His silence was guaranteed.
Faison sidled off to his waiting car singing softly, "You can't always get what you want but if you try sometimes you might find you get what you need. She was practiced in the art of deception ... well I could tell by her bloodstained hands ..."
Turkish Airport
Lars, Genji and Shane loitered outside the open aircraft doors on guard. Each man had their own rituals after a mission. The nonsmoker Genji smoked. Shane played a surprisingly good version of Summertime on a harmonica. Lars solved a Rubik's cube several times.
Dimitri's pilot arrived and they all went inside. Genji took the co-pilot's seat.
Alex and Dimitri secluded themselves in the rear bedroom. Charlotte's body was stored in the cargo hold. She would be buried at Vadsel.
Anna surveyed her team. It was mental and spiritual exhaustion she saw. They were human beings not machines. Their jobs always took a toll no matter how long they had been in the service.
Raine reclined with a cold compress on her forehead and a warm blanket over the rest of her. In the next seat, Shane dozed headphones on. Lars watched anime movies on his phone. Nestor sketched the Goksu Bridge from memory. She knew what each of them was doing. They sought out some distraction to avoid thinking of their own mothers being executed in front of them.
Robert was huddled in a corner with Heloise and Andre discussing the operation. Anna stayed away from them. She could feel their worried glances aimed at her but she ignored them.
"Off, brain, off," muttered Anna heading for the middle of the plane and her empty seat. She couldn't handle any more tonight. "Tomorrow is another day."
"Why do I feel like the bad guy here?" wondered Robert out loud watching Anna out of the corner of his eye.
"You did what was necessary," said Heloise.
"I agree but Anna shouldn't have been blindsided," said Andre.
"I didn't have anything to tell her," protested Robert. "All Faison said was that he would take care of Charlotte if I handed Sinclair over. I agreed. That was it. No tactics. No nothing."
"Taking care of someone is pretty descriptive in our business," chided Andre.
"I thought he'd handle it ... privately. Get her away and then do the deed," said Robert.
"I was watching through the viewfinder. I saw Charlotte sway and then fall before she was shot. What happened there?" asked Andre.
"First, Helena and Charlotte were talking. Then Charlotte grabbed at her throat and fell to her knees. That's when Faison approached them and shot Charlotte point blank in the head," said Robert.
"Perhaps Helena did something to Charlotte? Charlotte did not defend herself at all?" asked Heloise.
Robert was thoughtful. "You're right. She didn't or couldn't try to defend herself." He snapped a finger. "She was already fighting for her life before Faison got there. Helena must have poisoned her or incapacitated her." Robert closed his eyes recalling the events in his mind. "I got close to her when I put the documents down. Charlotte was sweating but it was a cold night. She was trying to say something to Helena but I didn't hear a syllable."
"Poisons are Helena's expertise. It's not out of the realm of possibility that she weakened Charlotte in some way intending to kill her in the end with or without Faison's interference," said Andre.
"Helena strikes me as a person who would only strike if she was guaranteed of victory. She would not take the risk otherwise," said Heloise. "Did she know Faison was coming?"
"How could she have known? I didn't give Faison the location of the meeting over the phone. It happened so fast that I assumed he knew where it was. But Anna changed the location at the last minute."
"Someone had to have told Faison about the new location," said Andre. "It could only have been Helena. She played both sides."
Robert's face paled. "To work out the way it did there had to have been some arrangement between them to kill Charlotte b-b-before he called me. He made me an offer he knew I'd find hard to refuse." He slammed a fist on the armrest. "He played me and he used me! I didn't see it at all!"
"He is a master manipulator and strategist, Robert," said Heloise. "He got what he needed. Blood is thicker than water even for him."
"He got what he needed AND what he wanted. Peter in his custody and Charlotte dead in revenge for her kidnapping him and being a threat to Andrew," said Robert. "He got it all. The alliance at my wedding that was just another tactic in his strategy. I'm a hundred times the idiot!"
"Don't be so hard on yourself," said Andre. "We got results didn't we?"
"Faison got results. We just came along for the show." Robert's agitation was increasing. "Sean and Faison. They've both played me. Used me. Just like Anna said."
"What about Sean?" asked Andre.
"Sean and I had an argument. He said I wasn't thinking deeply and seeing the big picture before I took action," said Robert. "I said he was blowing hot air but he was right. So right." He rubbed his chin. "Have I made things worse? Peter could invent something else, right? Something Faison could use. Another bio weapon maybe."
"Two pieces are off the board with no losses to our side. That is victory," said Heloise.
"No, it's not. On the board, this is just a check not checkmate. It's a move designed to provoke a reaction in your opponent - a retreat or a standoff," said Robert. "Anna understands Sean and Faison at a level I never have. She instinctively knows where their buttons are and how to push them. She knows what moves they're likely to make. How does she do it?"
"She has worked with both men. You've only worked with Sean," said Andre.
"But I don't know Sean the way Anna does," said Robert. "Back in the day, she was his special protégé. She showed up in Paris, young and fresh, and he handed her some plum jobs. He was her handler and no one else."
"And she succeeded on those missions?" asked Heloise.
"I assume so. Some are still classified material and others I suspect are only in Sean and Anna's heads," said Robert. "And he trusted her with the drive. Not me. Her. Why wouldn't he trust her over me? Because I make the poorer decisions."
"Drive?" asked Andre.
Robert glanced at Anna. "Excuse me, I need to do some sincere groveling."
Robert took the seat next to Anna. She was trying to look like she sleeping. He wasn't fooled. He lifted the armrest between the two seats so it wasn't in between them.
He took her hand. "Anna, I'm the world's biggest idiot."
"Sometimes, yes," replied Anna.
"I can't face Alex. Faison did use me and I-"
Anna put a finger to his lips. "Shhhh. We've all been there. It's a rotten feeling."
"But you were right and-"
"I'm talked out and brain dead right now."
"I'm sorry for a lot of things tonight."
"I know." She held a blanket out to him. "We need sleep, Robert. We can talk later."
Robert arranged the blanket to cover both of them. He put his right arm around her. He doused the overhead lights. "Whatever milady desires."
Anna moved closer into his embrace. They slept but not well.
Email Server Somewhere In The World
In Charlotte Devane's private account, an email lay ready to be delivered should it not be deactivated within the next seventy-two hours. The message was to the Gem Group's corporate email address. It would be the first breadcrumb in a trail leading to an innocent child.
Even after death, her work continues ...