SAS soldier, as they all shook hands and slapped backs.
“The Colonel told us you’d be here and we’ve come to help,” stated Jacko expecting a non-acceptance from Wade, who was renowned for getting results by working alone.
“Thanks guys, I appreciate that,” he replied. “Come on … time to pay Crystal and her dad a visit.”
The three men climbed into the CIA Suburban as Wade called Crystal and learnt she was at the hospital. Her father had been attacked, beaten and left for dead with the CIA guards shot and killed when unknown assailants had broken into his home early the previous morning.
With her father on life support and knowledge that the family dog had been shot; Wade knew Crystal would be emotionally fragile and he would need to keep her as distanced as possible from the Samantha Cooper affair.
“My god Wade … what happened?” asked a concerned Crystal as he walked into the intensive care room.
“I’m okay,” he replied trying to subject away from himself. “How’s your dad?” he questioned as the three men stood back and looked at the pulverised body lying on the bed.
Trent was nearly unrecognizable with his head bandaged from a blunt instrument strike, his nose, cheek and jawbones shattered. Both eyes were blackened, bruised and swollen closed. Both arms and legs had been broken and his lungs were punctured from multiple broken ribs. The machines that were keeping him alive whirred and ticked as the intensive care nurse continually monitored his progress.
“They are not even sure he’ll live,” replied a scared Crystal as the tears flowed and she buried her head in Wade’s chest.
They spent the next two hours at Trent’s bedside until Wade said, “Crystal we need to do something about this. These people are not going to stop until either we’re all dead or their dead … I’m sorry I’ve involved you and your dad but we must go,” he said pointing at Kiwi and Jacko.
With her eyes red and puffed from all the crying she replied, “I’m coming to. There is nothing I can do here and I know it’s what dad would want me to do.”
Looking across at Kiwi and Jacko he noticed how they both nodded, reluctantly, in agreeance.
“Okay let’s go,” he apprehensively replied.
The drive to the Warehouse gave Wade the opportunity to explain events. On arrival they noticed the massive increase in security details. Wade recognized the distinctive presence of the President’s secret service as an aide ushered them into the secure conference room.
Entering Wade saw seated at the head of the table U.S President Markham, to his left General Razen and Charlotte Bysmith. To the Presidents right was General Forest, Kia, and Joe Plant. Standing behind the President, against the wall, were two Secret Service agents and on the opposite wall two ceremonial dressed, rifle held, military MPs. The far end of the table sat a well-dressed middle aged male Wade didn’t recognise.
Upon seeing Wade President Markham stood and walked toward him. “Hello Wade,” he said holding out his hand.
“Mister President,” replied Wade shaking hands.
“I know you were trying to avoid catching up with us so we decided to find you instead,” remarked Markham smiling and looking across at Bysmith and Razen. “And I assume this lovely lady is Crystal.”
“Yes Mister President, lovely to meet you. Sorry about how I look,” replied Crystal bowing her head as she shook hands.
“Please don’t apologise. You look very beautiful.”
“Mister President. I would like you to meet Kiwi and Jacko. Unfortunately, due to operational reasons I cannot divulge their real names.”
“That’s okay Wade, I understand. Please to meet you gentlemen.”
“Alright if everybody could take a seat we can get this briefing started,” said Forest. “I realise there are a few here who do not know others in the room and I will not delay proceedings by individually introducing but there is one person I do need to introduce.” Looking across at the unknown male Forest continued. “I would like you to meet Barry Olsen. Barry is from the Department of Homeland Security and has specialised in the study of the Cooper family and all its associated interests.”
“Thanks General. The Cooper family is a self-made multi-billion dollar enterprise. The late grandfather, who died of suspicious circumstances about thirty years ago, started it. His son, the current benefactors father, who also died along with his wife suspiciously six years ago, succeeded him. They had three children, two sons and a daughter. One of those sons was Vice President Daniel Cooper who lost his life in an explosion in Darwin, Australia three months ago. His brother Thomas has not been seen or heard of for nearly twenty five years and his sister Samantha is a recluse in Seattle. Samantha lives in a fortress like facility on top of a mountain and the most current photo we have her is this, taken three years ago,” he said pointing to an image on the overhead projector.
“We know Samantha has multiple personalities and we believe, as many as seven. One of those personalities is an extremely dominant and aggressive male, who we believe, could have masterminded the demise of her parents. We have not been able to get remotely close to her home and therefore I can give no advice on the guarding force … Secondly, we believe, she has a large stake-holding in the world’s diamond houses and might also be considering entering nuclear arms supply. The only name or semblance of a name we can help with is BB who might be a banker. Samantha Cooper has many bank accounts, as you would imagine, scattered throughout the world. One particular on the island of Sardinia, off the coast of Italy, has seen a rapid increase in the number and size of transactions over the last few months. We have tried following the money trail, but the web is too intense … Hope that helps Mister President,” remarked Olsen.
“Thank you Barry”, replied Forest escorting him to the door. Returning to his seat the General looked across to Wade, “Okay; can you fill in any of the gaps from Barry’s story?”
Wade stood and as he went to walk behind the President one of the Secret Service agents took a step forward and put his hand inside his jacket. Wade also noticed the two MPs tighten their grip on their rifles.
Looking down at the seated occupants, Wade took another step as the agent reached for his pistol and stepped in front of him. In one swift motion Wade grabbed the agent’s pistol held hand, swung him one hundred degrees and fired a single shot into the forehead of the other agent. At the same time, he wrapped his other arm around the first agent’s head and snapped his neck.
Kiwi and Jacko reacted instinctively. Their Heckler & Koch 9mm pistols aimed at the two MPs before they had a chance to unsling their rifles from their respective shoulders.
Forest, Razen and Plant were half out of their seats when Wade said, “It’s alright … everybody just calm down. Kiwi, Jacko put down your pistols. You two keep those rifles on your shoulders. Everybody sit down.” As the sound of the pistol shot reverberated throughout the room.
“Wade, what the hell happened then?” asked Markham and Razen in unison, both looking down at the two dead agents.
Calmly sitting Wade replied, “I think you might find they’re not the protection detail you expected, Mister President.”
With that four men burst into the room, standard issue Secret Service weapons drawn, all dressed in black
