Black Ops Brotherhood: Tightrope Part 37

"Thank you."

Meeting his partner inside the aircraft, they took their seats and waited for their departure. Within a few hours, they'd arrived in Paris and went through French Customs in time to catch their Continental Airlines flight back to Houston, Texas. Not being a young man any more, this busy trip was beginning to take its toll on him. Once the doors to the aircraft bound for the United States were closed, he breathed a little easier and looked at his partner.

"Can I get either one of you gentleman a drink?" the attendant asked as the flight got underway.

"Scotch on the rocks, please, sugar," his partner said.

"Vodka and tonic water, please," he said.

The flight attendant left and his partner said, "That vodka s.h.i.t will kill you one day."

"That malted, fermented govno you drink should have killed you by now."

"How about a game of chess?"

Sighing he put down his book. "Don't you get tired of getting your a.s.s kicked?"

"I won the last two."

"I was drunk."

"So was I."

The two men burst out laughing.

Thanks to their joint efforts, there would be one less monster in the world before they arrived home. Minister Bakri would be dead from the very same pathogen with which he had intended to infect the world. Maybe with him gone, the world would be a little safer. But Sergei knew that for every monster they destroyed, three more would take its place. He and JJ had devised the trick b.u.t.ton that they'd installed in the minister's private elevator. It had been a nostalgic nod to their Cold War days, and they removed the b.u.t.ton in the elevator as soon as he exited. Their cover to get inside the building was an elevator maintenance work order.

Thankfully, Minister Bakri was like a Swiss watch. He kept the same routine every day at the same time. At exactly nine twenty, they stopped the elevator and replaced the b.u.t.ton with one that had a stick-needle coated with the pathogen. When he pressed the b.u.t.ton the tiny needle pierced through the thin plastic and delivered the deadly virus. Just that pinp.r.i.c.k would be more than enough to deliver microscopic death within a few hours. At exactly 9:25, right on schedule, Bakri entered the elevator and pressed the b.u.t.ton to his floor.

The pair was such an unlikely team that they never aroused suspicion. Two businessmen, two laborers, or two doctors-it didn't matter what roles were required for the missions they undertook-they played them to perfection. And it worked because over the short couple of years of their a.s.sociation, they had developed almost a symbiotic understanding and worked extremely well together.

JJ removed the portable chessboard from his briefcase, and as their drinks arrived they started a game.

"Dlya uspeshnogo missii," Sergei said, holding up his gla.s.s in a toast to a successful mission.

"Da, eto bylo," JJ said, returning the acclamation.

Since Sergei had lost the last game, he moved first. As they went through the game he considered the first time he'd met Minster Bakri and how he'd enlisted his aid as a Russian biological weapons specialist. He recalled how his country had betrayed him and his family. He'd defected, and the man sitting next to him had arranged for his family to come with him. Since then, they had become like brothers so unlike the bitter enemies they'd been during the Cold War.

"What do you suspect happened?" the president asked.

"We don't know. He just collapsed in his office. We're doing an autopsy to find out," the doctor said.

The president took a drink of his tea and looked at the Russian representative sitting across from him. The French energy company that Minister Bakri worked with had nothing to go on other than the minster had collapsed and died a few hours later. It was an odd coincidence that the very man who made no secret of wanting Mr. Bakri dead was now denying that he had anything to do with the man's sudden demise. It was also disappointing that they might never be able to regain the weapons that were in Mexico.

"After you discover the cause of death, have his body destroyed," the president said.

"May I extend the a.s.sistance of some Russian doctors to aid you in your efforts?"

The president weighed his options. Perhaps Minister Bakri had become an unnecessary middleman, and it was now time to make alliances with someone who had more resources at their disposal. There could be much gained from making amends with Russia. Azad had been very successful until the minister had soured the relationship.

"We would be grateful for any a.s.sistance you could lend, Mr. Secretary."

"If you can hold off on any sort of investigation until tomorrow morning, we will have people at the hospital to a.s.sist."

"Wait until tomorrow, and report back here with your findings."

"What about the body, Mr. President?"

"It can wait for a few days. It won't hurt anything."

The president nodded. "You may go." When the door closed, he looked at his Russian guest and said, "Mr. Secretary, I think we have a common interest."

"I think so. We need to recover a case of weapons and so do you."

"There is a common enemy that is about to threaten both our interests in the Persian Gulf, and they plan to employ a weapons system that will be far more sophisticated than anything before."

"Perhaps we need to encourage a more unstable environment to keep them occupied. It would give Russia and Iran a bigger share of the energy markets."

"The weapons that the Americans plan to-"

"Think about what's happening in America. Wouldn't it be better to gain a stronger foothold closer to Israel? Libya and Egypt have become liabilities and can no longer be relied on for keeping the United States at bay. Move into Syria so you can take over Iraq and then gain a clear path to the Saudis and Kuwaitis. Once your brand of Islam takes hold there, the United States military will have to leave Qatar and Bahrain. It will leave a vulnerable Afghanistan to fend for itself. Think about the long-term ramifications," Secretary Ivanov said.

"I have plans in place."

"Creating chaos in Egypt and Iraq will have longer-term gains. Get the fledging group, the Islamic State of Iraq, and the Levant involved. They will be easier for us to help you support since they're right over the border. In the meantime, we have contacts with the Muslim Brotherhood factions in both Libya and Egypt. They are ready to rally the populace to take over those nations. They seem to have the most legitimacy and are closely aligned with your ideals. Keep Egypt, Syria, and Israel busy and in chaos. If Israel is busy defending itself it cannot supply intelligence. If Egypt is no longer an ally, Jordan will be closed off to the United States, and one by one the doors will shut. Leave the carrier alone. It's a minor element, and the traction from its destruction won't be what you think; in truth, it will backfire on you."

The United States needed to be brought to heel, a lesson in the reach that Iran had into their dependence on technology. In his estimation, they relied too much on it, and he wanted to make a statement with the carrier and its advanced weapons systems. But he saw the long-term value of this man's proposal of making inroads into nations where Iran's influence wasn't as powerful as it could be. The president considered the options and made up his mind to do both. There was something else he needed to do. The drug lord Montenegro had asked to meet with Iran, secretly. Montenegro knew what he had, and from all accounts from the sleeper cells, he had decided to see if he could replicate it.

"Let me think about your proposal, it's most intriguing. Meanwhile, I need to get back what rightfully belongs to Iran."

"Those weapons don't belong to Iran. But as a token of our new partnership, if you can recover them, keep them. I will caution against one thing. Montenegro needs to be taken care of."

"What a criminal does in his country is none of my affair."

"It needs to be your affair. Why do you think I turned down the Amba.s.sador of Pakistan when he wanted to dispose of Bakri? I don't need Bakri; I needed Montenegro. The moles inside the American military aren't Muslim fanatics. Bakri has been working with Montenegro since the beginning and convinced that criminal to give him a team from his organization that has specialized military training."

"What do you have planned?"

"I understand Montenegro's empire is crumbling. Soon he'll be a liability to the Mexican government. He's starting to grasp at straws. When the Mexican government decides they've washed their hands of him, we'll take it from there. I'm working on discovering who runs Montenegro's army."

The president nodded and said nothing because he knew what was happening with Bakri. The man took detailed notes and kept journals of his activities. Iran's special service dedicated to stopping American technology had breached Bakri's electronic devices long ago and had all of the minister's notes. Colonel Caesar Valdez had a group of men entrenched in a special warfare group in the United States.

The group's leader had vanished, but Bakri had maintained contact with a secondary leader of the group. Valdez had selected his team to travel with the carrier deploying the new weapons system. The mole and Valdez were awaiting orders from Bakri. Montenegro had to have been intimately familiar with the planning that was problematic for Iran. As soon as Bakri had taken asylum in Iran, Montenegro had wanted to discuss a plan to move forward with the operation. The president had already made the decision that he'd meet with Montenegro.

"Do you have this information?" Secretary Ivanov asked.

"Iran? No, we have no information regarding Montenegro or his men. What you're telling me now is...interesting."

"Perhaps now that Minister Bakri is gone, you will consider turning over all of the information in his possession?"

Iran would turn over what they wanted Russia to know, and some of the information would be about Montenegro and his cartel. But the president wasn't foolish enough to turn everything over. They needed a slight edge in case Russia decided to betray Iran, too.

"I will check with the Ayatollah and the council, but I don't see any reason why we can't work together."

Chapter 31.

Main Post Chapel Fort Huachuca, Arizona December 18, 2010/1845 Zulu Rio closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She'd never been so nervous in all of her life. With all that had happened over the last six weeks, this day had arrived in the blink of an eye. Alone in this room, so many things ran through her head as she reviewed all of the life-changing events that had happened in less than six months. Danny had turned her stable, orderly, lonely life upside down when he came home on leave in June. She never thought she'd ever get married and had almost given up on Danny ever coming around to see her as more than just a friend. The perfect prankster had tricked her out of her self-imposed exile from men and into a pa.s.sionate love affair that made her tremble every time they kissed. With his return, her career had changed, and her small circle of friends had exploded in number.

The door to the bride's room opened, and her mother and brother stepped inside. Her mom cupped her face and kissed her. While they had never been as close as she'd been to her father, her mother at least stepped up and helped her new posse, Anna, Irene, and Amy, with her wedding while she maintained a busy career and helped Danny recover. Most of all, Irene had helped Rio and her mother transition into a less combative relationship. Her mother was happy because, in her eyes, Rio had an office job and was finally settling down, and Rio didn't dare tell her any different.

Davey took her into his arms and as he held her close said, "You're not a tomboy anymore, Lil' bit."

"We'll let Mom think that," she whispered back.

Her brother released her and smiled. It was good to see him happy again and a little more stable.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"I think I've been ready since tenth grade."

Her mom adjusted her veil. "You two were always meant to be, honey." Rio looked at her brother who shook his head. "I'm so happy for you."

Anna and Amy had loosely French braided her long hair along the sides and had twisted the braids around the back of her neck, then put pearl-and-crystal studded pins into the braids and attached them to let her veil run down her back instead of covering her face. Her ivory taffeta dress was covered in lace with small crystal and pearl beads. A small chapel train flowed down her back and lace covered her arms.

"It was too bad we couldn't invite all of our friends," her mother said as the music started.

Rio and Davey exchanged glances because they didn't want their mother going crazy with the guest list. The base wasn't easily accessible to just anyone. Most of the people she and Danny knew and wanted at the wedding could get on the base. She'd discussed the problem with Irene and Davey, and both of them had suggested the base chapel and a reception at the Officers' Club.

"Time to go," Davey said, tucking her arm into his.

Mrs. Jensen had been seated, and they walked out of the small room and started down the aisle. Rio caught her first glimpse of Danny in over twenty-four hours, and he was breathtaking in his service dress uniform. Whenever she saw him in uniform, he'd always been in camouflage utilities, but now he looked every inch a commanding Naval officer. She stole a glance at her brother who was no less striking in his Marine dress blues. Danny smiled when they caught each other's eye, and she couldn't help but smile too because she was sure he'd have a smarta.s.s comment when her brother finally handed her off.

When they arrived at the altar, Davey kissed her, and as he placed her right hand in Danny's, he murmured, "Take care of her, man. She's all I've got left."

"Always." Danny took both of her hands, bent forward, and kissed her cheek. "You look beautiful, babe," he whispered.

The familiar tremor of being so close to him went through her, and everyone around them disappeared. This moment was theirs, and the people here were intimate observers of their love and devotion to each other. She didn't hear the awes when she cupped his face and smiled. While Davey took his seat with their mom, she glanced at Shaq who was Danny's best man, and he winked with a mischievous smile that reminded her of Danny. Throughout the ceremony, she couldn't help but steal glances at Danny who was always looking when she did.

They finally got to look at each other when they repeated their simple vows. When he put her ring on her finger, he lifted her hand and kissed it, and her breath caught. At the end of the ceremony, when Danny could finally kiss her, he firmly cupped her face and took her breath away with his kiss. She lost track of where she was until the entire church erupted in cheers.

Letting her come up for air, he rubbed his nose against hers and said, "Can't get away now, can you?" His comment had been intended to sound mischievous, and as nervous as she was she burst out laughing, and he kissed her again. "Relax, babe. You're breathtaking."

They walked out of the church and into the cool December day. He opened the door to the car, taking them to the Officers' Club. After they climbed inside and the door closed, he lifted her dress above her knee and picked up her leg.

"Danny! What are you doing?"

"Did you grow? 'Cuz I don't remember you being this tall," he said, looking at her raised foot.

"Stop!" she cried, shoving her dress down.

"I want to see these things," he said, lifting her foot into his lap. "d.a.m.n, babe, did you practice walking in these? I've never seen you in anything this high." He studied her five-inch lace platform pumps. Amy had found them, and the only reason she'd consented to buying them was because the lace covered her foot and tied, keeping them secure. "s.e.xy," he said, running his finger over her stockings. She slapped his hand when he reached her knee. "Ow!" He pulled his hand away.

"Behave!" she said, dragging her foot off of his lap and pushing her dress down. "And yes, I had to practice walking in these."

They didn't look at each other for a minute, and when she finally glanced at him, they both started laughing.

"Why didn't you practice when I was around?"

"Because you didn't need that kind of temptation," she said, leaning over and kissing him.

Thankfully, the O'Club was a short drive from the chapel. When they arrived, Rio was amazed at how beautiful the ballroom looked. It was elegant-perfect. She remembered picking out the flowers and the colors but never imagined it would turn out like what she'd just stepped into. She recalled telling Anna and Irene that she wanted the table arranged family style in long intimate rows because she wanted to see everyone. The tables had been arranged in a huge U-shape with the bride's table in the apex center. The white and red flowers had been arranged in topiaries in several places on the tables. The ivory linens, crystal gla.s.ses, and gold plates with cutlery sparkled and shined with the tiny lights that danced above. The dim chandeliers cast a romantic glow in the room. She recalled seeing this ballroom bare and never imagined it could transform the way it had.

"Wow!" Danny said as they entered the room. He swept her up into his arms. "Want to dance, Cinderella?"

"I don't know." She put her arms around his neck. "Are you my prince?"

"Baby, I'll be a barking dog if you want, as long as you take me home with you tonight."

"You're not a prince; you're the court clown," she said with a giggle.

"Maybe, but I'll bet I can make you scream once I get this dress off of you, sweet thing. That's something that stuffy-a.s.sed prince will never do for you," he said, running his hands along her back over the row of small b.u.t.tons. "Jesus, Rio! I didn't bring my diving knife along. How the h.e.l.l am I getting this thing off you? I'll be an old man before I get these undone."

"You two need to get over by the door and greet your guests," her mother said.

"Yes, ma'am," Danny said formally as he tucked Rio's arm into his. "Mrs. Gamez, this way."

Danny had insisted that they personally thank everyone for coming and for being there for them during various times in their lives. She was happy to do it, and seeing everyone who attended made her feel especially grateful. Of the 150 people they'd invited, it looked as if everyone had come to celebrate with them. When Danny had given her his guest list, it surprised her to see some of the names and ranks on it. She knew that not all of these people had time to come. As they stood greeting people, she could've sworn that she'd never seen so many special operations badges and insignias in one place at one time. There were some very important people here, and all of them seemed to be down to earth. She was meeting Davey's commander when Danny grabbed her elbow.

"Babe, this is Admiral and Mrs. Campbell," Danny said.

Turning, she greeted a tall man and a woman who looked as if they'd stepped out of a fashion magazine. She peered a little closer at the woman because she'd seen her somewhere before.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Gamez, and I think it's also Petty Officer Gamez? Do I have that right?" the admiral asked, shaking her hand.

Danny visibly shivered. "That's all kinds of wrong, sir. Petty Officer and Gamez don't go together. It sounds like an Article 15 gone real bad."

Mrs. Campbell laughed at the comment and gave her congratulations. The admiral and Danny joked for a moment before Campbell went inside and joined Captain O'Malley, Gavin, and JJ. The newlyweds went through the rest of the evening walking around and talking with people. Halfway through the reception as a DJ played music, a few of her fellow CBP agents that had comprised her team, Danny, Davey, and some of her new teammates from Special Warfare Group 5 all gathered in the center of the dance floor and sang along to "Rio" by Duran Duran. She guessed that Danny had instigated the whole thing but found out it had actually been Shaq. Now she understood what had been behind that devilish smile at the church. At the end of the night, an exhausted, happy Rio found herself sitting at their table talking and laughing with JJ and Irene when Captain O'Malley and Admiral Campbell appeared.