Satisfied with Jason’s answer, Pankov continued. “What we will ask you to do this morning will make you a rich man, Jason.”
Jason’s heart slid up into his throat.
“However, make no mistake,” Pankov added, “you will earn every penny.”
That sent Jason’s mind swimming. He hadn’t the slightest idea what was coming next, but he already knew his answer would be yes.
“If you choose to join us in this endeavor,” Pankov said, “several things will be set into motion immediately.” He sat up in his chair and picked up a menu. “But first we must eat. Commander Fagan tells me the food here is excellent.”
Chapter 19
The four officers dined on a tempting variety of prepared-to-order omelets, benedicts, and other breakfast classics, supported by gourmet cheeses, charcuterie, sushi, king crab, lobster bisque, and hand-carved prime rib. Dessert choices included a chocolate fountain, a truffle tower, tiramisu, caramel flan, cobblers, tarts, cakes, and more.
Brunch included freshly squeezed mimosas and screwdrivers, and Pankov reminisced about the daily ration of white wine served to the crew aboard b-39 — a ration they commonly refused as not being the much preferred and officially banned vodka.
Fagan pointed out that the exquisitely detailed chandeliers there in the Crown Room were designed by none other than the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum. Jason mentioned that Charles Lindbergh celebrated his famous transatlantic flight there, as well.
Pankov and Uri Ruden had heard of Lindbergh, of course, and both had seen the film adaptation of Baum’s book, so they were duly impressed.
Over coffee, Jason felt comfortable enough to broach the subject of his hiring. “Captain Pankov,” he said. “You were saying that if I take the job, several things would be set into motion immediately.”
“That is correct,” Pankov said, wiping his chin with a cloth napkin. “First and foremost, an account, in a sympathetic Grand Cayman bank, will be set up in your name with a balance of $5 million. Half held in trust, half available to you immediately.” He paused for effect.
Jason sucked in a quick breath and gripped his knees under the table.
“The job will take place in roughly one month, here in San Diego,” Pankov said. “I thought perhaps if you and your girlfriend wanted to cruise up here on your yacht, you should have enough time to do so, and in order to help facilitate that, and as a second incentive, I will see to it that your beloved Cayman Jewel is properly registered, here in the U.S., in your name, with all historical paperwork and necessary licenses.”
Jason shot a sheepish glance Fagan’s way: Why he’d thought he could fool someone with his high level of intelligence, he didn’t know.
“Finally,” Pankov said, “as a third incentive, we will have your dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Navy expunged from your record, and in its place, the honorable military discharge you deserve.” He took a sip of his coffee, allowing his words to sink in.
Jason’s eyes moistened and he wanted to cry out with joy. Fagan had obviously played a big role in the selection of incentives.
Stay calm, he thought. You still don’t know what you must do in exchange. He took a sip of coffee and kept his mouth shut.
“We’re looking for someone capable of handling any and all submarine operations,” Commander Fagan said, “because that is what will be demanded of each of us. To say we’ll be running a skeleton crew would be a gross understatement, and I thought of you because I know you can handle it.”
“How many crewmen are we talking about?” Jason asked.
“Including you, we’ll have four,” Fagan said.
“Four?” Jason said. “Are you serious?” He looked at the others and considered for a moment. “The four at this table, I presume?”
“That’s right,” Fagan said.
Jason paused for a moment. “Who outside this group knows about your plan?”
“Only one other,” Fagan said. “A man whom you’ll meet at a later date.”
Pankov cleared his throat and looked squarely into Jason’s eyes. “Our mission is classified as top-secret, Jason, and must be treated as such, or there will be deadly consequences. Do you understand this?”
“Y-yes, of course, Captain,” Jason said.
“What Commander Fagan hasn’t told you,” Pankov went on, “and what I’m prepared to tell you now, is that we are planning an assassination… a political assassination.”
Jason concealed a look of shock. This really was serious. “May I ask who it is that we’ll be assassinating?” he ventured.
Captain Pankov glanced at his colleagues, then closed Jason’s dossier and looked at him. “Suffice it to say, the target is a high-ranking official in the United States government.”
“But why the sub?”
“We’re going to take this guy out the old fashion way,” Pankov said. “With a torpedo.”
Chapter 20
It was dark when Brandy spotted Jason walking through the marina security gate. She had had time to think about things, and although he had only been gone for the day, she had missed him. She hopped up and skipped down the gangway to greet him.
“Welcome home, sweetie!” she cried, giving him a flying hug that nearly put both of them in the water.
“Whoa, there,” Jason said, regaining his balance. “I take it you’re glad to see me.” He dropped his bag on the deck and gave her a big kiss. “I was gone less than a day, you know.”
“I know, but it felt like years,” she said. “I want to hear all about your trip.”
The two boarded the Cayman Jewel and Brandy made drinks while Jason got settled.
It was a warm evening, and the air smelled sweet. Brandy snuggled up with Jason on a lounge chair.
“So… how did it go?” she asked.
“It went well,” Jason replied, taking a sip of his drink. The full scope of the meeting hadn’t really sunk in yet and he had trouble coming up with a way to explain it. “Brunch was fantastic. Just as I remembered it.”
“What was the meeting about? What did they say?”
He wanted to tell her about the money, but after promising her diamonds, he figured he’d better wait until he’d been to the bank. “Not much really,” he said. “They want me to pilot a submarine for them.”
“What? Really? That’s crazy.”
“I know.”
“But where? Why?”
“In San Diego. I have to report there in a few weeks.”
“For how long?”
“For a while, I guess, but don’t worry, you’re coming too. In fact we’ll both be moving there.”
Brandy’s mind whirled with a mix of emotions. She was relieved that Jason wasn’t leaving without her, but leaving her home in the Caymans for who knows what in San Diego? “But what about the Cayman Jewel? She is our home.”
“The Jewel will still be our home. We’re going to sail her up there.”
Brandy paused. “Do you think we could do that? Just the two of us? San Diego’s a long way from here.”
“I know that,” Jason said. “I’m thinking about asking Aaron to come along, just to be sure.”
A thrill ran up Brandy’s spine. “Aaron Quinn? Would he do that?”
Jason took another sip. “I’m not sure. But it can’t hurt to ask.”