Chapter 55
"Returning to Frankfurt"
Having just witnessed the hangings of the Team Rocket agents who hijacked Pan Am Flight 73 two years earlier, it was a long, long drive back to Frankfurt Airport and there wasn't a word to be spoken of during that entire drive. All Tim could do was think about getting back to New York and most importantly, getting back to Pikachu.
When Christmas morning came around, it certainly didn't feel like Christmas to us. For us, it was just another workday.
"You know, the Germans really take Christmas seriously," said Minnie May as we were down at breakfast on Christmas morning. "I mean, you'd be surprised at how many gingerbread houses they build here."
I could tell that Minnie was trying to brighten the mood, but our investigation made that easier said than done.
"I can imagine, Ms. Hopkins," chuckled Looker as he drank his cup of coffee. "I can also imagine how hard today is for the families of the dead."
Taking a bite out of a bagel with cream cheese on it, Rally shared in Looker's pity.
"I interrogated Shayna Loring and Peter Cronin some more last night," she said. "Both of them don't want to talk and I still can't process the things some people will do for love. I mean, it kind of reminds me of that crazed goon who tried to kill Reagan."
"Hinckley?" asked Looker.
"Bingo."
"In any case, both of them will want defenders," said TIm. "In a way, I don't think they deserve public defenders, especially if they were Team Rocket agents."
Now, of course, everyone was entitled to a lawyer, even if they were Team Rocket agents. Like all accused, all Team Rocket agents were deemed innocent until proven guilty.
"There is a judicial process, Tim," I advised my son. "I want these guys to pay as much as you do, but we need to be patient."
"After what they tried to do to Pikachu back in New York?" Tim snapped, slamming his hand on the table. "I have no patience for those who brainwash Pokemon to be cold blooded killers. I mean, Rally, you said that Shayna Loring attempted to turn Eevee into a monster using all three evolution stones. That alone equals a death sentence, doesn't it?"
"Not if there isn't enough evidence, Tim," reminded Looker with a firm look on his face. "And I have to warn you that I have no tolerance for officers and detectives who go Rambo or rogue."
This made Tim settle down, but it also made him get up and leave in disgust, much to my annoyance and slight embarrassment for my son's behavior.
"He's your son, Goodman."
"I know, I know," I remarked. "But, Tim's been through a lot in his life…me losing a wife and him losing a mother at a young age, being raised by his grandmother, you name it."
"Still, that's no excuse, Harry," remarked Looker right back, quickly deciding to change the subject. "Anyways, I was briefed early this morning by my superiors in Washington. We've been tasked with preparing to launch an assault on Team Rocket's Tehran headquarters."
Putting my coffee down on the table, I became curious as to how such a plan would be carried out.
"How are we going to do that?" I wondered.
"As we speak, we have officers disguised as Team Rocket agents who are gathering intelligence on the compound," explained Looker. "Being that it's the former United States Embassy, I can say that the compound will be easier to navigate. In fact, Agent Swinton is still being interrogated in Moscow for more information."
Getting up from the table, I could only imagine how said interrogation was going. But, my one big concern was for Tim and his mental wellbeing. Returning to Tim's hotel room, I saw him sitting in front of the television watching news reports on our prime target…Madam Boss.
"Reports are coming in now that Dr. Maria Sakami, also known as Madam Boss of Team Rocket, was rushed to a Viridian City Hospital after collapsing yesterday at the Viridian City Pokemon gym," said a BBC newscaster. "Madam Boss, as you know, is wanted for a series of crimes including the downings of Air India Flight 182 off the coast of Ireland that killed 329 and the downing of Pan Am Flight 103 four days ago that killed over 250 people over Lockerbie."
Turning off the television, Tim felt a sense of satisfaction that Team Rocket's leader was incapacitated in a way.
"It's too bad she didn't die," he sighed. "Would have saved us all the trouble of a trial."
Taking a deep breath, I came over to Tim and sat down next to him.
"You know, I've been thinking," I said. "Maybe it would be for the best if we head back to New York and spend time with Pikachu. Maybe spending time as a family will do us both some good and it will help you take your mind off the investigation."
But Tim found this easier said than done. All he wanted was justice for all the victims Team Rocket had terrorized as did I.
"Not when we are so close, dad," he sighed. "From the look of it, we are getting close to getting our targets. I want to be there when we do."
"When the time comes," I said. "The International Police will conduct the operation in Tehran. With Madam Boss in the hospital, there's a good chance we'll be sent back to Viridian City to make the arrest."
To Tim, although he was disappointed he wasn't likely going to be in Tehran, getting Madam Boss herself was a big deal.
Sure enough, the phone rang and I went to answer it.
"Hello?" I asked as the concierge gave me the call. "I see…"
I motioned for Tim to come over to me as I listened in to what was being said.
"If he's waiting then put him on."
Hearing the phone ringing again on the other line, I heard the sounds of the one who made the phone call in the first place.
"Loo, Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Harry," he replied on the other line. "I've got good news: a judge in Viridian City is issuing a warrant for Madam Boss' arrest. How soon can you be back in Ryme City?"
"48 hours," I said. "I want to stop in New York and check on Pikachu for my sake as well as Tim's. Will you give me that time?"
"48 hours, Harry," replied Lieutenant Hoshida. "Consider that my Christmas Present from me to you and Tim."
After saying our goodbyes, I hung up the phone and looked back at Tim, grateful that we were now going to get our prime target at last.
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