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James Patterson's Private Jet
Enroute to New York City, New York
10:00 A.M."
"Staring is creepy dad," Rick Castle says working on a laptop, "I guess Kate was right."
He and his father hadn't said a word since Rick booted up the machine, plugged in the jump drive, and began looking over the documents on it.
"Are you sure that thing is secure?" Jackson Hunt replies.
"Mozzie does great work," Rick explains, "Even if he'd freak if he knew my dad is CIA, he's very paranoid about Big Brother.
"It has no network hardware, and the firmware will shut down if anyone tries to install and use any. The hard drive is encrypted and will not work with any other machine.
"Anyway, the laptop isn't what's on your mind. [grins mischievously]. You want to know how I knew you were trying to play me so you might as well ask."
"Fine," Jackson admits, "How did you know?"
"It seemed too fatherly for you, Rick replies, "As I told you dad, I trust people to be themselves, and all my life, you've chosen Agency and Country over me."
"I know you're angry," Jackson counters, "But what if Volkov or the like found out about you when you were kid. I couldn't undo choices I made before you were even born."
"Do I sound angry?" Rick asks.
"No, and that does worry me a bit," Jackson replies warily.
"Don't worry, the anger's there," Rick responds, "But considering today, I can hardly hold the secrets you felt you had to keep.
"And Alexis' kidnapping drove home why you stayed away, and you did show up when she was in danger despite the risk. So, I owe you for that, thank you."
"You're welcome," Jackson says softly.
"Still," Rick continues, "Showing up again out of over concern for my love life and offering to help take down Bracken just didn't fit. There had to be an agenda."
"You're right," Jackson admits, "But I was being honest when I said that helping you with Bracken is breaking all sorts of Agency regs and policies."
"And if this goes South," Rick turns serious, "You'll be disavowed."
"If I'm lucky," Jackson replies, "Contrary to what people like your friend Mozzie think, we don't go around taking down U.S. politicians. We like to let them do it themselves.
"Anyway, out of curiosity, was it before or after you figured out why I came to you see you that you guessed Bracken's partner was an asset?"
"Got to love those irregular verbs," Rick shakes his head, chuckling.
"Irregular verbs," Jacks responds, "Is it me or do most people have a hard time understanding what the hell you're talking about sometimes."
"It's not you," Rick chuckles, "I was referring to an emotional conjugation of Russell's conjugation. It mimics the conjugation of an irregular verb to mock human hypocrisy.
"I'm an independent thinker, you're eccentric, he's psycho. Or I'm an asset, you're a spy, he's an underhanded weasel fighting dirty."
"Okay, I get," Jackson rolls his eyes, "But how did you know?"
"Contrary to what I let people believe," Rick smirks, "CIA is not at the top of my list of usual suspects, but I have to admit this time was different.
"Like any startup, each partner brings unique resources that the other one lacks. Bracken brought in political clout. Coonan acted as the front man.
"But neither had the contacts to source the stuff. I made list of possibilities, and CIA have some experience in drug running."
"I think I'm offended," Jackson quips, but knows he's not getting off easy.
"Really dad," Rick smirks, "1947, CIA and SDECE, protected Unione Corse's French Connection heroin smuggling, if they kept Communists out of the Old Port of Marseille."
"I never liked that movie," Jackson deflects, "And the car chase from Bullitt was better."
"1950," Rick goes on, "CIA helped defeated KMT troops from Yunan into Burma and the heroin trade. CIA coined the term The Golden Triangle."
"Then from 1961 to 1975, CIA used the Golden Triangle to fund their secret war in Laos and other places, even using Air America, their front airline, for transport."
"Alright point made," Jackson concedes, "Presidents wanted to win Cold War and didn't care how, specially if they didn't have to ask Congress for money to avoid oversight."
"Is that why you think the guy is retired, based on ancient history. There are a lot of guys from back then who are still active, including me."
"I admit," Rick replies, "The retired bit is still a hypothesis based on some research and observations."
"Such as?"
"The U.S. won the Cold War," Rick explains, "But really screwed the pooch on the peace. [sees something in a file]. Ah, here we go.,"
"Find something?"
"Hal Lockwood," Rick replies, "Not long after we first caught him two years ago, somebody did a deep dive into his life before and after CIA.
"It's done automatically," Jackson explains, "Whenever a former asset gets arrested stateside to make sure he's not still working for the Agency."
"Hold on," Rick interjects, "CIA doesn't keep track of who's working for them?"
"That's not what I said," Jackson responds, "When the Agency can't use an active asset, like domestically, we bring back someone for a one-off assignment."
"Like Joubert in Three Days of the Condor," Rick notes, "Great flick, but I was never a Faye Dunaway fan. I think Jacqueline Bisset would've been a better choice."
"I agree," Jackson nods, "Anyway, for security and deniability the name is not sent up the chain of command unless some asks and for a good reason.
"In Lockwood's case, I know for a fact that no other action was taken which makes sense considering he was working for LokSat and not the Agency."
"LockState?" Rick makes a confused face, "What the hell is a LockState?"
"LokSat," Jackson corrects, "L-O-K-S-A-T. It's the codename Bracken's Secret partner uses for himself, and I suggest you never utter it.
"It's one thing to suspect Bracken has a theoretical secret partner, but actually knowing what he calls himself could be a death sentence."
"Understood," Rick nods, "But that has got to be the stupidest codename I've ever heard. It's like some something an idiot would name a child's car seat."
"Don't look at me," Jackson shrugs, "I didn't come up with it, and I've been able to figure out where he came up with it. It's likely nonsense to increase anonymity."
"Back to Lockwood," Rick read again, "Says he enlisted at 18 in '87. Serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment's Reconnaissance company when recruited into CIA."
"A Ranger," Jackson scoffs, "Explains how you took him down so easily barehanded."
"You got something against Army Ranger's dad?" Rick throws a curious look.
"They got me from Marine Force Recon," Jackson replies, "It's like college football, some rivalries never die or fade away, but they can cause the occasional bar fight."
"Duly noted," Rick chuckles, "It seems he wasn't at CIA long. He started out working on Operation Cyclone."
"Afghanistan," Jackson responds, "That's what we called the overall op to help the Mujahideen fighters push out the Soviets."
"I know, 9 years and 54 days," Rick grins, "Possibly CIA's longest and most expensive op. As I recall, CIA helped them expand Afghan heroin production to fund it.
"I a bet a lot of former assets from Operations Cyclone built up tons of contacts with local suppliers during that time."
"Yes, I know," Jackson responds, "And there are still a lot of active Cyclone veterans."
"Hmm," Rick returns to the file, "Lockwood wasn't there long until he was assigned to CIA's anti-drug intelligence unit, insert joke here, but resigned in '91. No reason given."
"Around that time," Jackson recounts, "A lot of agents were "persuaded" to resign or retire because of Iran-Contra and Mark McFarlin's little hiccup."
"You call that a hiccup," Rick mocks, "Shipping a ton of Pablo Escobar's cocaine to Los Angles over the space of year."
"Again, with the moralizing," Jackson complains, "Did you memorize all of the Agency's PR disasters."
"Yes," Rick says flatly, "And I'm not moralizing. I'm confused how CIA won the Cold War with ops that kept making the front page.
"Besides, Sun Tzu Chapter VI, do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory. That's why Westmoreland screwed up trying to fight Vietnam like World War II."
"But we did win the Cold War," Jackson reminds him, "What was that screwed the pooch crack about?"
"Sooner or later," Rick gives whimsical look, "the bill always comes due."
"Can't you just say things clearly," Jackson shakes his head.
"This coming from a spy," Rick rolls he eyes, "But I find the message get through and holds better if I make people work for it.
"Besides, I told you I still have some anger issues and messing with you actually helps a bit. It's either that or sparring and the pane's cabin is too small."
"Well," Jackson responds, "Could you speed up the process."
"Okay," Rick pretends to ponder, "Just because we don't have much time left on the flight."
"Especially for me to learn how to speak Rick-anese," Jackson smirks.
"Good one," Rick responds, "Well, the Cold War ended, and Russia was in world of hurt and humiliation like Germany after both World Wars.
"Bush '41 wanted to do some kind of Marshall Plan to support and encourage their fledgling democracy by helping them rebuild."
"I know," Jackson continues, "Instead allies and their people, especially his own GOP, blew off the idea and decided to take a twenty-year victory lap like after World War One.
"And Putin used harnessed the anger and humiliation like Hitler did and now Russia's almost a big a threat as the Soviets. I was there and I warned them."
"Don't forget," Rick adds, "There's the bill from was thirty years of tag between CIA, KGB, and their associated freedom fighters in African and Latin America.
"Entire societies were driven to collapse, especially when we just pulled out and left those freedom fighters to run amok and finish them off.
"Now, the people are running for their lives in mass to the U.S. and Europe. People don't just grab what they can carry and leave their homes for fun."
"You forgot my favorite," Jackson responds, "We forgot about Afghanistan and the Taliban took over giving Osama a safe place to plan and launch 9/11."
"All that," Rick says somberly, "Because we were more obsessed with murdering running backs and Presidential blow jobs than cleaning up our own mess."
"Okay, I got your point," Jackson says, "But I don't see how this leads you to do think LokSat's retired Agency?"
"That's because the Agency has some of those bills due as well," Rick replies.
"Translation?" Jackson huffs, a little frustrated.
"Okay," Rick nods, "I think you've been your search has been failing because you've been too focused on greed as the primary motivation."
"This is no ordinary drug kingpin. The money is important, but there's some more personal motivation, resentment. Remember, how I described him."
"Yeah, you said we were looking for the Devil," Jackson replies flippantly.
"I actually said Lucifer," Rick corrects, "Regardless, he was the first angel, loved once above all others, but rebled because he felt jilted, supplanted.
"In the Bible and the Koran, his goal is to prove God wrong for holding humans higher than angels…to make him bow down before creatures he considered inferior."
"That still a bit of a leap, son," Jackson says, still doubting.
"Tell me dad," Rick counters, "When the USSR suddenly collapsed and the Cold War was over, what happened to your career."
"Me," Jackson responds surprised, "That was right after Desert Storm, I'd already been reassigned to deal with Saddam Hussein's activities."
"Priorities shifted," Rick expounds, "What happened to senior experts on areas that lost priority like Eastern Europe, Latin America, Afghanistan, and the rest of Central Asia."
"There were cutbacks," Jackson replies, "A good number ended up marking time in crap assignments until retirement or were shown the early retirement door."
"I knew this cop when I was kid," Rick smiles, "Helped me perfect my slapshot. He was on the fast track to a chief's post, maybe even Chief of Department."
"He was running the car theft unit and brilliantly until 9/11 happened. Priorities changed and there was a shake-up in the department."
"He was forced into early retirement. He had all sorts of job offers in other cities and even private companies, but he couldn't shake the resentment."
"So, what did he do?" Jackson asks.
"Started his own business," Rick answers, "The best car chop shop ring in the tri-state area. NYPD and Feds knew who he was, and he still ran circles around them.
"After he heard I was working with the 12th, he decided to relocate to Miami in case Frank Reagan asked me to consult on the matter."
"He was that afraid of you?" Jackson says a little surprised.
"Maybe," Rick replies, "But I like to think he didn't want to risk our friendship. I wouldn't have done it anyway."
"So, like this cop," Jackson suggests, "You think LokSat is driven by a need to prove the Agency was wrong for forcing him out?"
"It fits," Rick nods," Our fallen angel is likely someone who was on the fast track to the director's office when suddenly it all was taken away, and he was pissed."
"You know it's funny," Jackson says thoughtfully, "I never heard anyone describe one of us as angles, fallen or otherwise."
"That's the fault of sentimental books, TV shows and movies," Rick smirks, "Too much artistic license with the source material."
"Really?"
"Take the Bible," Rick recounts, "Whenever God wanted to punish, make an example, or even kill someone, He'd send an Angel. They're His soldiers.
"Imagine a being that spends eternity praising their loving, merciful, and compassionate God, but like that [snaps fingers], they get their wings bloody."
"Put that way," Jackson replies, "I'd never want to meet one."
"Compare that," Rick adds, "To all nasty stuff you've likely done so our citizens can believe the American Dream is kept alive by the pretty poetry of the founders."
"It does fit," Jackson concedes, "I really do keep underestimating you."
"Not your fault," Rick shrugs, "I've spent a lifetime cultivating a reputation that would lead to people to do that."
"Did you know," Jackson changes topics, "The Agency thought about recruiting you when you were in college."
"Why would they do such a dreadful thing to our country?" Rick chuckles.
"People with your IQ scores don't go on trees," Jackson explains, "But they decided not to since you played the role of the immature jackass so well?
"Honestly, between being passing on and hiring Sophia Turner, I think maybe the Agency should review its HR screening process."
"Schoolboy fantasies aside," Rick responds, "I don't think I would have done well as an asset."
"I agree," Jackson nods, "It was likely for the best."
"Why?"
"I'll put it this way," Jackson explains, "You have a Captain America idealism that wouldn't tolerate the nasty stuff we do to keep the American Dream alive.
"You combine that with a Batman-like ability to do something about such things from the shadows and win either by stopping or punishing the people involved.
"And finally, Doctor Doom's capability to ruthlessly deal with people who cross you. I hate to think what would have happened if anyone tried to Valerie Plame you."
"Comic book reference dad," Rick responds, "It's feels good that you know me so well. Keep it in mind if you ever try to play me again."
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Merry Christmas to all. I hope you and yours have a great holiday season, whatever your faith, even if you don't have one.
Unlike my other chapters, this one isn't broken up into chapters because time was short, and I had my own holiday celebrating to do so limited to this one exchange.
I know this chapter may have had a lot of stream of consciousness and some tangents, and I would have lied to break up explain Rick's thought processes. However, he couldn't do it with Kate or anyone else. Dad was the only character I could use for the exchange.
Happy New Year if I don't get to post again until after I sober up.
Author's Notes:
Yes, the title of this chapter is taken from "Doctor Strange" (2016)
Some of stuff was inspired/paraphrased from the film "The Prophecy" (1995). I think Viggo Mortensen did my favorite portrayal of Lucifer in film, even better than Al PAchino.
SDECE: Service de documentation extérieure et de contre-espionnage (External Documentation and Counter-Espionage Service) was France's external intelligence agency, equivalent to CIA and MI6, from 6 November 1944 to 2 April 1982.
After way too many questionable actions were revealed in the'70s (CIA had the same problem), there was a massive house cleaning and restructuring and renamed Direction Générale de la Sécurité Extérieure (General Directorate of External Security) or DGSE.
Unione Corse: This is the mafia that originated on the Island of Corsica (Napoleon's birthplace) which is a mix of French and Italian culture with a history that produced the same outlaw culture that produced the Sicilian mafia.
French Connection: A narcotics smuggling scheme started by Unione Corse in the 1930's in the French colony of Indochina.
Heroin was smuggled from there through Turkey to France and then to the United States and Canada, sometimes through Cuba.
The movie of the same name revolves on NYPD detectives trying working on a chase that involves smuggling ring.
KMT: Kuomintang also referred to Guomindang (GMD), the Nationalist Party of China (NPC) or the Chinese Nationalist Party (CNP).
This was the political party by Sun Yat-sen and after his death, Chiang Kai-shek. It was the governing party of Mainland China from 1927 to 1949 when it was defeated by Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communist Party.
Afterwards, Chiang and the government fled to Taiwan where the KMT ruled as single party state until 1988 when the transition to multiparty democracy began.
However, not all the defeated troops made it to Taiwan. Those cut off in Southern China marched into Burma until 1961 when diplomatic and military pressures forced them to relocate to Taiwan.
Golden Triangle: This can refer to a number of places in the world. One is the area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers. For the longest time it was the largest opium producing region in the world until Afghanistan leaped ahead after the U.S. invasion.
Valarie Plame: She was a career CIA agent who was married to a career diplomat Joseph C. Wilson who was sent to Niger in 2002 to confirm Saddam Hussein's people were trying to buy purchase yellowcake uranium as part of building the WMD case for the invasion of Iraq. He publicly stated that he found no such evidence which challenged the Bush Administration's line.
Plame's identity as a CIA officer was leaked to and subsequently published by right wing columnist Robert Novak of The Washington Post, ending her CIA career, and endangering many of the sources she'd developed over the years.
It's believed that someone in the Bush administration leaked the information to Novak as retribution for her husband verbally challenging the Administration line.