“That’d be a good assessment, Mr. Montoya. Going further into the description will require SCI codeword clearances. Matt now has those and will learn more of the mission later today.”
He poured himself another cup and pulled out a bank’s checkbook ledger from his case. His pen was soon upon a blank check; his hand writing a number with many zeroes.
Ignoring the number but noticing the embossed Poseidon Corporation letters on the check’s header I was taken back again into unwelcome thoughts.
Caught in the path of a downhill rolling boulder with my curiosity and ego urging it along I knew I was going to do this and enjoy it too. Lindy was right: I was hopelessly engrossed in my work always leaving her second in line but neither of us had foreseen the urgency of this new mission and my orders for immediate deployment. Sharing my ‘thrill of the chase’ as she called it, she had often displayed the same fervor in her television reporting assignments but we had never left each other without saying goodbye and kissing for good luck. This would be the first time. Could I survive the guilt much less the danger of the mission? I had to try.
Then my guilt crept deeper. Just last month, I had promised her that we would be vacationing in Big Bear with the Briscoes in June but that plan was now on hold. Maybe a Fourth of July holiday trip I thought, appeasing my derelict conscience but still seeking a concrete justification. It came seconds later.
“Here’s the binder, Carlos, four million dollars,” Greenfield said holding out a check. “The balance will be paid on your successful completion of the contract.”
With a noticeably trembling hand, Carlos took the check and called out the door.
“Suzie, come in here please.”
I suspected from his reaction it was the largest lump-sum payment he had ever received. He tried to act nonchalant at the amount but failed miserably: I could see his excitement from the sweat forming on his forehead and his jittery hands.
She appeared within seconds.
“What is it, Mr. Montoya?”
“Please place this in my safe. Top shelf.”
“Yes sir.”
She took the check, glanced at it, and mouthed “Wow!” on the way out. Seconds later, I overheard a commotion coming from her desk: quiet cheers with muted whoops.
Abruptly the Admiral called Harper on his cell phone dropped it into his briefcase and closed it taking it from the table.
Standing he said, “I assume that completes our transaction today, Mr. Montoya. With your consent I’ll be leaving now and taking Mr. Cross with me.”
It was time. Precursors leading up to this point had just been talk. Now I found myself a kidnapping victim for an eight-million-dollar ransom. Against my will, I forced myself to rise and join the Admiral in the conference room doorway.
“Let me see you out. Need to hit the head before you leave?” Carlos asked looking at both of us.
“Yes think I will,” Greenfield replied. “Those fighter maneuvers combat or not are hell on my bladder. Mr. Cross, your trip on the Osprey will be much shorter. Come if you’d like.”
I stayed behind to thank my boss for his confidence in my work. He wished me well and stood silently waiting for the Admiral to return. I couldn’t help but notice the twinkle in his eyes and broad smile that had fallen over his face since the contract was signed. For the first time in my six-year career at MBORC, I felt important and needed. I knew I would prove him right for promoting me to VP.
“Ready, Mr. Cross?”
“Yes, Admiral, but you can call me Matt.”
“Fine, Matt, and you can still call me Admiral.”
I laughed at his wit as we descended the steps from the entrance leaving Carlos waving alone in the doorway.
Chapter 5. Trip to Nowhere
Our emergence from the building triggered the Osprey’s engines into action. Looking over at the whining turbines, I saw Harper gazing out of his cockpit window give us a thumbs-up and return to the controls. Seconds later the twin upright rotors began to spin accompanied by a low rumble from the Osprey’s turbines. Then the eucalyptus trees began a frenzied cyclonic swaying surrounded by swirling dust.
Moving double-time we crossed the grassy field to the waiting aircraft in no time. There at the top of the stairway Harper motioned us in, helped us up the steps, and then slammed the door behind us with a solid kerchunk. Bending over to catch my breath I realized I needed more exercise.
“Welcome back aboard, Matt. Long time no fly huh?” he said laughing at my condition.
“Not long enough,” I panted watching the Admiral buckle himself into the front jump seat of the otherwise empty cabin.
“Where are you taking me today, Bill? Back to the Trident Tine?”
“I’m still based out of there, Matt, but that’s not where you’re headed. You’ll have to ask the Admiral for that information. I’ll talk with you after we land.”
“May I sit by you, sir?”
“Yes, young man, and please give me your cell phone,” he answered holding out his hand.
I glared at him.
“What? You want my cell phone? Nobody takes that. It’s my lifeline.”
“Sorry, Matt. Tracking apps can give your position away. I need to seal it off in a Faraday cage until your mission is completed and you’re back home. Then you’ll have it back.”
I looked at his hand insisting waiting for my phone.
“I won’t lose any contacts in it will I?”
“No, Matt, it’ll just go off the grid so to speak while you’re away. No harm will come to it. Besides it won’t work at a thousand meters down will it?”
He was right but turning over my phone was like cutting off an arm. Reluctantly, I reached into my pocket, turned it off, and gave it to him.
“Take care of it please,” I said.
Chuckling, he took it and looked up at me.
“You kids are really obsessed with your phones aren’t you?”
“No offense meant, sir, but I noticed the first thing you did when you landed was check the messages on your phone. Seems like we’re all addicted to the real-time communications they afford us with the world.”
Smiling he replied, “I suppose you’re right, Matt. But since I keep mine locked away in a Faraday shield in my briefcase it only comes online when it’s removed. And then it gives away my location so I still have to be careful when and where I use it.”
I nodded agreement and realized my world was changing to one of spies, espionage, and mystery. That made me feel a little queasy but a job was a job no matter the surroundings.
Interrupting our conversation Harper’s voice boomed over the intercom.
“Welcome aboard my ship, gentlemen. Your flight today will be smooth as we’ll be traveling at ten-thousand feet through calm air with a light breeze off the ocean. Our first stop is scheduled in fifty-seven minutes. Please fasten your seat belts and acquaint yourself with our emergency procedures in your seat.”
After his message ended, the Admiral smiled and nodded forward.
“You know him pretty well, Mr. Cross?”
“Yes, sir, we worked together for a few weeks months ago. Why do you ask?”
Smiling he replied, “Just wondering if he’s a wannabe commercial airline pilot. Sounds like it. I think he missed his calling.”
His comment sparked anger in me as I remembered Harper’s heroic actions: hauling two ready-to-explode nuclear warheads to the edge of international waters then dropping the last one, only minutes before it would explode.
“No sir. I think he’s one of the Navy’s bravest and finest fliers. If I remember right he just received the Presidential Medal of Honor for his bravery. Quite a guy.”