Dual deception, p.3
DUAL DECEPTION, page 3
“Wait,” Laili said. “You made me rush through that vet tech training course, and I’m not even going to get the chance to use those skills? What a waste.”
“Nothing I ask you to do is wasteful,” Azzur said. “To maintain a legend, you must be able to speak on it competently should anyone ask. Hence your training.”
“Well, try not to speak on it too much,” Molka said. “It takes at least two years to become a truly competent vet tech.”
Laili sneered. “Whatever, bitch.”
Molka shifted around on the couch and cast a scowl on Laili. “I’ve asked you, and I’ve told you, to stop calling me that, brat. Now I’m insisting.”
Laili shifted around on the couch and viewed Molka without fear. “Whatever…bitch.”
Azzur hit Laili with a formidable gaze. “Laili.”
Laili smiled. “Yes, daddy?” She hopped up again and helped herself to one of Azzur’s cigarettes.
“Do not forget this is your first task,” Azzur said. “Molka has been given credit for completing three, and before that, she served our country with honor. She has earned her right for basic respect.”
Laili mocked shame. “Yes, daddy.” She looked back to Molka. “Sorry I called you a bitch…ugly.”
Azzur let her sarcasm slide. “Oh, I almost forgot to mention, at the prime minister’s recommendation, the Counsel has approved each of you—upon completion of this task—for eight vacation days in the US Virgin Islands and a bonus of 15,000 US dollars.”
Laili rocked back and kicked feet at the air. “Yeh!”
“Ok.” Molka smiled. “That makes up for all the range ammo they never reimbursed me for. But dangling that type of incentive reward shows how huge this is for the prime minister.”
“That is correct.” Azzur carried the tablet to a leather recliner across the room and sat. “In a moment, I will brief each of you separately, but the overall objective of your joint task is twofold and is as follows: After Mr. Davidov leaves the island for home, one of you will secure the Outcast so the fentanyl and gold can be offloaded by us, and do so in such a manner as to be without his knowledge. An asset will assist in this operation.”
“Who is the asset?” Molka said.
“The asset was recommended by our American Corporation friends.”
Molka addressed Laili. “The Corporation is the nickname for the American’s main foreign intelligence service.”
Laili scoffed. “I know that.”
Azzur continued. “But before Mr. Davidov even leaves for home, and prior to their wedding, the other one of you will break up Mr. Davidov and Miss Thorsen’s nationally embarrassing relationship. And do so in such a manner as to make Mr. Davidov believe it was his idea. You will have exactly 10 days to accomplish this task.”
Molka sighed. “Another honeypot operation. Alright. I suppose I can enchant Paz, make him fall in love with me, and get him to dump Caryn Thorsen. But I’m not going to bed with him. That’s not negotiable.”
“You will not be the one enchanting Mr. Davidov,” Azzur said. “Laili will.”
Molka’s face recoiled. “What? No. Her? That’s a job for a grown woman. Don’t you think she’s too young?”
“It is not that she is too young.” Azzur blew smoke. “It is that you are too old.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Azzur sent Laili—who was doubled over in loud uncontrolled laughter—out of the room.
Molka waited until the laughter cut behind Laili’s bedroom door closing and addressed Azzur. “Just how old do you think I am?”
“Mr. Davidov prefers his women to be more girl than woman,” Azzur said. “In any case, securing the fentanyl and the gold bullion from the Outcast is the more crucial element of the task and should go to the senior project.”
Molka sat back and folded her arms. “I’m not yet 30. I’m not too old.”
“How did your yacht pilot training progress?”
“I can get one underway and on course, no problem. But docking is…very tough. They use thrusters and…well…it takes a lot more practice than I’ve had.”
“Docking won’t be an issue for you. The key to your phase of the task is working with the asset, this man.” Azzur swiped the tablet. “Captain LJ Savanna.” On the big screen, a white man—dressed in all black—leaned on the railing of a black boat. His wavy, shoulder-length dark-brown hair was parted on the side and featured a perfect bang flip. Hazel eyes twinkled at the camera, and beard stubble covered his angular face, which was split by a large, gleaming, slightly crooked, grin. A gold hoop earring shined from his left ear.
“Is it just me,” Molka said, “or is he trying a bit too hard to look like a charming rogue?”
“Captain Savanna’s name is likely an alias and little is known about his background. He is believed to be in his early 40s and purportedly a retired naval officer from an undisclosed country. He lives on a small private island he owns, and named Katelyn Island, located in the waters between the US and British Virgin Islands.”
“What’s his profession?”
“Several things: entrepreneur, raconteur, and pirate.”
Molka’s eyebrows rose. “Pirate? Really?”
“For the past seven years, Captain Savanna has operated a very lucrative extortion racket. He pays informers to provide him with the travel schedules, navigational routes, and destinations of privately owned luxury mega yachts cruising the Caribbean. Using these logistical tips, he and his crew of well-trained specialists intercept and seize these vessels while at sea—in a spot of his choosing—along with their exceptionally wealthy owners and passengers, who are then brought to Captain Savanna’s island and ransomed.”
“However, they are not held as terrified hostages, rather as honored guests. Captain Savanna entertains them for several days while the guests’ family members or representatives arrange payment of a negotiated tribute to Captain Savanna for their loved one’s or employers safe release. The payments are made through varied and changing untraceable accounts in various countries and appear to be completely legal.”
“Why haven’t I heard about his?” Molka said. “He’s like a…modern-day pirate of the Caribbean.”
“The story has not been widely told because none of his victims have filed a criminal report. To the contrary, they have all expressed how much they enjoyed the experience. And among the elite yachting set, it is now considered a badge of honor to be chosen for ransoming by the captain. It is even said in their circles that you have not really arrived until you have been a guest of Captain Savanna, the ‘Gentleman Pirate.’”
Molka shook her head. “Rich people are crazy. So how is this ‘gentleman pirate’ going to help me secure and offload the Outcast without Paz’s knowledge?”
“Captain Savanna has not been informed about the Outcast’s secreted cargo, nor the plot which put it there. And he is never to learn of it. He only knows he is being offered an irresistible tip, that being a flash drive containing the complete planned route and navigational coordinates for the Outcast’s return voyage home, obtained by us from her captain’s personal computer. A tip that will give Captain Savanna the opportunity to seize and ransom his biggest prize to date: the billionaire playboy Mr. Davidov, who also carries the added prestige of being the nephew of a sovereign state’s prime minister.”
“And why would we offer him such a prestigious opportunity?”
“Captain Savanna has been told that the prime minister wishes to bring their wayward nephew under control by putting him at the mercy of a pirate. However, for legal reasons, Mr. Davidov cannot ask the manager of his trust fund to make the very large tribute payment that will be demanded by Captain Savanna to secure his release. Therefore, Mr. Davidov will be forced to appeal to—if not beg—the prime minister for assistance.”
Molka nodded. “And the prime minster will use that cry for help as leverage to muzzle Paz before the election.”
“That is the plan as far as Captain Savanna will know. However, before any ransom is paid, a hostage rescue team from our navy’s special operations unit, Flotilla 15, will conduct a rescue operation on Captain Savanna’s island and free Mr. Davidov.”
Molka nodded impressed. “Flotilla 15. They’re really really good. So the prime minister is hedging their bet. If Paz isn’t persuaded to stop openly campaigning against the prime minister’s party by having his ransom paid, he will be persuaded when he finds himself worthy of the prime minister sending one of our best special ops units to free him. Which, I have to say, is quite sleezy politics.”
“Mr. Davidov’s rescue by Flotilla 15 also serves another purpose,” Azzur said.
“I hope so.”
“Flotilla 15’s neutralizing of Captain Savanna and his crew during Mr. Davidov’s rescue will give you the opportunity to take control of the Outcast. You will preposition yourself nearby Katelyn Island in a small boat, observe the operation’s start, move in, seize Outcast, and bring her to a nearby assigned coordinate, where a contractor team will offload the fentanyl and gold for us onto another vessel. The Outcast will then be set adrift as if to seem she broke lose during the chaos of the operation. Mr. Davidov will later be returned his vessel none the wiser.”
Molka raised her hand. “I have a few tough questions.”
Azzur lit another cigarette. “As I expected.”
“You said Laili’s going to break up Paz and Caryn Thorsen’s engagement. After that, are her and her father still going to let Paz leave the drugs and gold?”
“Yes. That deal has already been finalized. They will just come to the realization it is to be a one-time endeavor.”
“Ok. And Flotilla 15’s neutralization of the captain and his crew during a hostage rescue op could mean permanent neutralization. Is that really necessary?”
“Captain Savanna is too valuable an asset to be permanently neutralized at this time. Flotilla 15 will be ordered only to detain Captain Savanna and his crew while Paz is freed.”
“Unless they try to resist, of course.”
“Next question,” Azzur said.
“What’s the Counsel going to do with all that fentanyl and gold?”
“The fentanyl can perhaps be weaponized for use against our enemies.”
Molka frowned. “Weaponized narcotics. Bullets and bombs are never enough. They always want something else. Why not just destroy that horrible stuff and feel good about it?”
Azzur blew smoke. “I suppose I must come to accept your moral protestations before every task.”
“And the gold?”
“While 100 million is a pittance to the big illegal drug consortiums, it is an easily convertible commodity and a boon to our small cash-strapped organization.” Azzur’s eyes moved from Molka to an imaginary point in the distance beyond her. “Many planned operations I long thought infeasible can now be reconsidered. The possibilities are exciting. Very exciting.”
“I’ll have to take your word on that,” Molka said. “How will I connect with Captain Savanna?”
Azzur refocused on Molka. “Our associate in the US Virgin Islands, Mr. Levy, is acquainted with Captain Savanna. They play chess together. He will make the introduction. Mr. Levy will also pick you up at the Saint Thomas airport and take you to your apartment located above the new animal hospital.”
“Our equipment?”
“Give me a list,” Azzur said. “Mr. Levy will have it waiting in the apartment.”
“Alright. I’ll do my best. When do we meet for debriefing?”
“I will be with the contractor team when you bring Outcast to the rendezvous point. Until then, I will monitor your task from San Juan, Puerto Rico aboard our navy’s newest warship, the INS Geula, which is arriving there on a goodwill tour.”
“And is also conveniently carrying, I assume, Flotilla 15.”
“That is correct. Which will put them, and me, less than one hour’s flying time away from both Saint Thomas and Katelyn Island.” Azzur rose, moved across the room to his brown leather satchel, removed another briefing tablet, and handed it to Molka. “In addition to your own, that also includes Laili’s detailed instructions. Commit them to memory as well.”
“Double the pre-work.” Molka clutched the tablet to her chest. “Oooo…lucky me.”
“I know Laili is immature and disrespectful. She is also very naturally talented with scary ability.”
“I don’t disagree with either of those statements.”
“And I appreciate the patience and restraint you have shown in regard to her.” Azzur flicked ash. “For the most part.”
“And my ‘for the most part’ is wearing thin.”
“Laili’s behavior is the result of an abusive childhood, and so far, a very abusive life.”
“Well, she’s not the only one in the world who can claim that. So it doesn’t give her a free pass to be insufferable.”
“Agreed,” Azzur said. “However, she is the best I have at the moment to help complete this task.”
“But aren’t you concerned that since she had a thing for Paz in the past it might complicate her judgment?”
“I believe your concerns might stem from what occurred with you on your previous task.”
“No.” Molka tugged on the base of her ponytail. “I’ve forgotten all about that.”
“As you have said.” Azzur blew smoke. “However, I am not concerned. Laili is drawn to more mature, authoritative types, into which category Mr. Davidov does not fall.”
Molka grinned. “So she calls you daddy because she really has daddy issues and not just because she’s kissing up?”
“Give Laili any guidance you can. And keep in mind—as an added incentive perhaps—that at the conclusion of this task there is great chance you will never see her again.”
CHAPTER FIVE
“Hey ugly?” Laili said. “You know what’s worse than being ugly?”
Molka, leaving the family room, faced Laili re-entering.
Laili grinned. “Being ugly AND old!”
Molka answered the barb with a stone stare and departed.
Laili spread her arms and watched Molka walk away. “What, you want to do something?”
“Laili,” Azzur said. “Come in here for your briefing.”
Laili skipped in and plopped back on the couch across from Azzur, who smoked in the recliner again.
“How is your French these days?” Azzur said.
“Pas trop mal, papa.”
“Good. You will be traveling to the US Virgin Islands via Paris with a French passport.” He removed a passport from his satchel and passed it to Laili. “You will be known as Giselle Binoche.”
“Ok, daddy.”
“Your legend’s backstory is you are a native French girl who took the vet tech job in the far-away Caribbean to escape an abusive relationship. Therefore, you will affect a French accent on this task to conceal your Israeli identity. Mr. Davidov has never traveled to France and will not detect any irregularities.”
Laili nodded. “Pas de problème, papa.”
Azzur went back to his briefing tablet and swiped though several more Caryn photos displayed on the big screen; each one more striking than the next. “To get to your target, you will have to get past his fiancée, Miss Caryn Thorsen. And although she just turned 20 years old, do not let her youth mislead you. Her father has groomed her since she was a girl to take over the family business. And she does supervise much of the day-to-day operations at the Yacht Marina Grande complex. Like you, she can be very formidable in her own ways.”
“Don’t worry,” Laili said. “That dirty little whore won’t be a problem.”
“One other thing I want you to be aware of.” Azzur swiped to a photo of a Hispanic man in his late 20s and dressed for clubbing.
“Dude has a lot of gang tats,” Laili said.
“This is Gustavo Ramos. He answers to Gus. The Thorsens hired him several months ago to act as a consultant for their boat charter service.”
“Which means he’s actually running their weed smuggling operation.”
“Precisely,” Azzur said. “We do not have much on his background. We do know he is Cuban born and possibly served as a sicario—a cartel hitman—in the past. Try to recruit him as an asset, if possible, to get informational updates on the cartel-Thorsen fentanyl trafficking scheme, of which he may or may not have knowledge. I am confident you can handle Mr. Ramos should the need arise, but do not underestimate him either. Use caution.”
“Ok, daddy.”
Azzur set the tablet aside. “Before we proceed with your briefing, I want to give you something else to think about. You and Molka will have separate instructions and will largely work independently of one another, but you would be well advised to listen to any guidance she offers. Do you understand?”
“Yes, daddy.”
“Good. Mr. Davidov is highly susceptible to suggestions made by beautiful young women. He can, and has been, manipulated by them. As a teen, he fell victim to several catfishing scams. And this past year, he was nearly duped by a Greek beauty into investing a vast sum into her father’s failing newspaper.”
Laili nodded. “Being rich doesn’t always mean being smart.”
“Precisely. Now I will explain to you exactly how to break Mr. Davidov to your will, and how to break him away from Miss Thorsen.”
CHAPTER SIX
A big white banner with black letters stated:
Gary’s Shooting World
Fall Classic Practical Shooting Match
All Shooters Welcome
A large outdoor shooting range lay beyond the banner, and laid out on the range were several practical shooting courses.
Each course was constructed using a unique combination of plywood walls, large plastic barrels, and old tire stacks. Fixed metal and paper shooting targets, of various sizes had been placed among the obstacles.
The Practical Shooting Match involved handgun armed competitors—wearing ear and eye protection—moving as fast they could through the course on a designated path and firing on the targets. At least one reload would be required to complete the course, and a range officer—holding an electronic shot timer device—followed behind them. The shooters were scored on a combination of speed and accuracy for each course—officially called a stage—and the overall best combined score from all the stages would win the match.
