Randall tried to quiet Dana. As quickly as the chaos erupted, order was restored. However, two very large men dressed in black and wearing helmets and night vision gear stood over them. Four other black-dressed men stood around them encircling the group.
“You will stand up, now!” barked one of the men, “Schnell!” Two others came out of the darkness, reporting to the man that seemed to be the leader.
The Finley group stood, scared for their lives. Randall held Dana tightly to his chest and glanced over to Tula’s lifeless body. The bullet had literally carved a crevasse through Tula’s head, with both sides of his skull peeling back like a flower opening. Tula’s eyes were open and bulging as if he had seen a ghost. Randall quickly looked around and saw the other four bodies lying sprawled where they fell. Thank God none of them knew what hit them.
Two of the men dressed in black began chattering quietly. Randall could not see who they were talking to but did find it strange they were speaking German. One of them stepped closer and Randall could see the small boom microphone near his lips. The leader barked another undistinguishable order and within seconds black hoods were placed over the group’s heads.
“Stay quiet and you will not be hurt,” said one of the black-dressed men sharply.
“We are researchers,” said Randall, finally regaining his voice. “We are not soldiers. Please don’t harm us.”
“QUIET,” came a shout as Randall felt something hit him in the stomach. He doubled over in pain and hit the ground.
“No!” screamed Dana as one of the men grabbed her roughly and whirled her around. A second man quickly clamped handcuffs on her as another man did the same to Manolo.
Another order was barked out in German and two of the men pulled Randall up and cuffed his hands in front of him. Immediately all three were chained together by their handcuffs and pushed toward the trail.
“Walk and keep quiet or I will kill you right here,” threatened the leader. The group of eight men dressed in black dispersed with one man on point, three more men, the Finleys and Manolo and four men bringing up the rear. Randall realized they were in a world of trouble as they were marched away. But he also realized Ben would know their last whereabouts and have help coming soon. At least he hoped help would be coming.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Albert Jackson opened the door of International Investments, LLC and stepped into the lobby area. It was empty as usual. He stepped through the back door into the hall. Dieter Blocher was coming down the hall to greet him.
Blocher had seen Jackson as he approached the door to the business. The very well hidden high definition color security cameras enabled anyone in the building to not only see but hear everything going on in front of the building. Jackson and his cohorts had demanded the utmost security measures although there was normally nothing of real value in the office at any time.
Jackson did not even confirm Blocher’s presence. He just walked into his office and sat down.
“Dieter, have we received confirmation yet?”
Blocher stepped into Jackson’s office and closed the door.
“Yes; we have confirmed the deposit of five million euros in the secondary business account at UBS AG. I have prepared the cross deposits to Credit Suisse and our operating accounts here in Miami.”
“Very good, Dieter. The arrangement with Mr. Nader and his organization is working out very well. Please get me the numbers for the transactions with Nader. I think we are getting close to our limit with them.”
Blocher opened a folder he had brought with him. He flipped through a few papers, finding the one he wanted and pulled it out.
“We will reach the limit with Mr. Nader’s group within a few weeks. At that time we will be increasing our involvement with Mr. Le Sang’s group in Singapore. I have already contacted them and arranged representation here in Miami,” explained Blocher.
“Excellent work, Dieter,” Jackson said, opening his right-hand desk drawer. “Our clearing of the Brazilian deposits are going very well thanks to your detailed guidance.”
“Thank you, sir,” answered Blocher, curtly bowing his head slightly. “It is my pleasure to serve the future Reich.”
“Yes, we have a wonderful future ahead of us, Dieter, a wonderful future indeed. By the way, I was in contact with the Führer last evening. Everything is proceeding as planned.”
Blocher sat in the chair as straight as if he were at attention. Good things were happening to him. His excellent work was being noticed at the highest levels. This bode very well for opportunities in the organization. He felt fortunate to be included in this endeavor. He was proud of his German heritage and proud of the ultimate commitments many in his family had made in order for him to be a part of the rebirth of the Fourth Reich, the rebirth of Germany as a world power.
Jackson and Blocher were only the tiniest tip of the iceberg. They handled operations in the southeastern U.S. out of Miami. In America alone there were six other groups equating to six geographical regions. International groups were headquartered in major cities around the world, Paris, Singapore, Mumbai, and Tokyo to name just a few. All of these groups funneled back to the new German nation being formed — slowly but very meticulously. A nation formed to avoid the eyes of the population until they were ready to unleash the new Reich that would bring the world to their knees. But first there was much work to do both here and abroad.
“Dieter, you have a great future. I think it is time you met the Führer,” said Jackson. Blocher was elated but made no show of it externally. “Very soon I will be moving on to serve at another level. My recommendation that you take over here in Miami has been approved. We are in the process of selecting someone to replace you as you replace me. This all should be put in place within a month. Congratulations, Dieter.”
Blocher was surprised. He had been working with Jackson for nearly ten years, first in Paris and Milan and now Miami.
“Thank you, Mr. Jackson. Thank you very much. I am honored that you have such confidence in me. I shall serve you and the Reich to the best of my abilities!”
“Yes, yes, I am absolutely certain you will, Dieter,” said Jackson. “But first you must take care of an important issue, one that must be taken care of immediately and very discreetly. As always, there is no room for failure.”
“Yes, of course, sir,” answered Dieter.
“Please eliminate Mr. Nader. I have information he has become careless and is talking too much. We cannot afford any leaks of our intentions whatsoever.”
“Consider it done,” answered Blocher without any emotion.
“Also, Dieter, please call and ready the jet. We are leaving for Rio de Janeiro tomorrow morning at seven sharp.”
“Yes, sir,” answered Blocher, suddenly noticing that Jackson used the word we. “Sir, am I to understand I will be accompanying you?”
“Yes, Dieter. Very soon you meet the Führer.”
Dieter swelled with pride. Imagine… he was to meet the Führer of the Fourth Reich!
CHAPTER TWENTY