Chapter 42
When Ian awoke, the room was completely dark. When he attempted to lift his hands to rub his eyes, he found that he was unable to raise his arms. Hearing the clanking of the chains, he realized that he was in manacles. For a moment he struggled against the chains. Soon he realized it was futile to struggle and he slumped into the chair defeated. This was a familiar feeling and he didn’t like it, not one bit. His mind flashed back to when he was taken by the Russians. They situation was remarkably similar. A feeling of absolute dread overtook him and he began to weep.
Suddenly, the lights came on illuminating the breakfast room. Since his back was to the door, he could not see who was there. But his sensed that it was a group of people. Forcing himself to regain his composure, he stopped crying. He only wished he could wipe the tears from his eyes before being confronted by his captors.
The group stood in silence behind Gegger for what seemed to be a very long time. He knew what they were doing. They were purposefully building his level of anxiety. Of course, it was working. There is no way some one could be in Ian’s position and not become more and more nervous. Were they going to stand there? Would he feel the cold steel of a glock pressed against his temple? Would he feel a bullet rip through his skin? A thousand other possibilities ran through his head.
“Just do it.” He screamed out in a very harsh tone. “Whatever it is, just do it and get it over with.”
The group did not move. Nothing happened. Ian could hear the ticking of a clock. It was torturous. Finally, he heard some movement. There were so many footsteps that he couldn’t determine how many people were behind him. He guessed that there were about fifteen of them. Actually, there were eleven, Big Ron, Anita, Elena and the eight agents. One by one, they walked to the other side of the room where Ian could see them and silently took seats. The last two to enter were the two agents he thought he had dispensed in the clearing earlier today.
When he saw them, every muscle in his body tensed up. He knew he killed them. What disturbed him the most was the man he had shot in the face at close range. How can he not be dead? Where was the wound? The questions multiplied in a geometric fashion and soon his head was swimming with possible scenarios. He was completely befuddled and he knew it. Worse yet, he knew they knew it.
Agent Carter stood up and picked up his chair. He walked slowly towards Ian and placed it four feet in front on him. He sat down directly facing Ian.
“So, Gegger.” Carter said. “Finally, we meet.”
“Who the hell are you?” Ian asked.
“I am Agent Carter.” He replied. “You are quite elusive, Gegger. But very predictable.”
“My ass.” Gegger spat.
“Really?” Carter asked. “How do you explain your current situation?”
Ian looked around the room and saw all the faces looking at him. Locking in on the man he shot in the face, Ian stared hard. It was as if he thought that if he stared at the man long enough, he would be able to figure out what happened.
“I see you have a particular interest in Agent Ryder.” Carter said to Ian.
Turning to Ryder, he could see the smile forming on his agent’s face. At that moment, Carter decided he was going to allow his man to tell Gegger they had tricked him. Carter had been with the agency for seventeen years. During that time, he had had a variety of assignments. Although he was professional satisfied with the results of most of the missions, he had never felt such a personal degree of satisfaction than he did right now. He wasn’t just satisfied, he was elated. This man, Gegger, was one of the worst human beings he had ever seen. It was hard not to gloat, so Carter decided not to fight the urge.
“Ryder.” He said. “Would you like to let this scumbag in on our little secret?”
Carter smiled at Ian as he saw him bristle at the insult. The smile enraged Ian. His face flushed as he felt the hair on the back of his neck stood on edge.
“You’re lucky I have these manacles on.” Ian said viciously as he engaged in a stare down with Carter. But it was Ian that blinked first.
“Not lucky.” Ryder interjected. “Just good, old man.”
It was the second time this youngster had called him an old man, the first time Ian had killed him. But somehow the kid was back from the dead to taunt him. Ian began to wonder if he was hallucinating.
“And no you are not hallucinating.” The younger man continued. “You see, since you have been out of circulation the agency has changed quite a bit. We borrowed from Hollywood special effects to trick people into seeing exactly what the want to see. The weapons my partner and I were carrying had bullets that appear to be real. However, they shoot clay projectiles that form in the shape of entry wounds.”
“What the …” Ian started.
“But if you weren’t so predictable.” Carter interrupted. “None of this would have been possible.”
“How do you know anything about me?” Ian asked.
” I have been tracking you since you left Afghanistan.” Carter informed him.
“You what?” Ian responded completely shocked.
“We’ve been aware of everything you have been doing since then, you sick fuck.” Carter hissed. “Then Mr. Harrison here provided us with an opportunity to take you.”
“What?” Big Ron interjected. “You knew about Schneider and the bombing all along.”
“Well, yes.” Carter responded truthfully.
“And you let it happen?” Ron asked indignantly.
Carter paused for a moment, then decided to proceed.
“As I told you earlier, my partner and I decided that we would let you in on this.” Carter stated. “But you must know that anything we say in this room cannot leave this room. If anything leaks, the three of you will find yourselves in a situation where you wish you had kept your mouths shut.”
“Is that a threat?” Anita asked.
“Absolutely.” Carter answered. “There are certain people that will gain a distinct political advantage now that a terrorist attack by a Chechnyan rebel on American soil. Trust me, they are not to be trifled with.”
“So, you expect me to sit on the most explosive story since 9/11.” Anita asked indignantly.
“I’m not asking.” Carter responded. “Look, I didn’t have to tell you anything. We could have allowed Gegger to come in here and clean house and then taken him. But we didn’t. Now, we are sharing information freely. If you attempt to report this, you will be discredited even more than you are now and Mr. Harrison will spend the rest of his life in jail. Additionally, it won’t be too hard to get a conviction against an accomplice like you Elena.”
“Huh?” Elena gasped.
“Exactly.” Carter said. “You’ll never see it coming, but it will all happen if any of you talk. Get it.”
Carter let his words sink in and they did. It only took a few moments for all of them to come to the same conculsion.
“On the other hand.” Carter continued. “If you all cooperate, then suddenly the you worlds may become a very different place. The networks are always looking for new talent, real estate deals are all about timing, husbands can be convinced to come home. Right?”
Once again, they all understood what he was saying and nodded their heads in agreement.
“What about me?” Ian asked. “I suppose you are just going to kill me.”
“Oh no.” Carter replied. “We have something particular distasteful in store for you Gegger. As a sign of cooperation in the Global War on the United States government is going to be very happy to return you to Russia where you will answer for your war crimes committed against the Russian people in Chechya.”
“No.” Ian whimpered. “You can’t send me back there.”
“We most certainly can and will.” Ian responded. “Major.”
With that statement, the door opened an three men walked into the room.
“You!” Ian said when he saw the man.
“That’s right.” The major responded with a heavy Russian accent. “We meet again. This time you will not receive such gentle treatment in my facility. You have cost me several promotions. I plan on avenging that in gratitude. Men.”
With that the other to men lifted Ian to his feet and dragged him through the door.
“You will be hearing a great deal about Mr. Abdul al Rahim in the coming weeks.” Carter told the group. “But I guarantee, you will never hear of Ian Gegger again.”
Big Ron had heard enough. He had been used by both Ian and the U.S. government and it didn’t sit well with him.
“So, that’s it?” Big Ron asked harshly. “You come into my house, tell me how you used me. Then you have the balls to tell me I can’t say anything. What about all the people that died?”
“Yes, that is unfortunate.” Carter responded. “Life sucks. But it could be much worse. We could decide not to clear your name. Miss Sanchez becomes the next Blair Anthony.” Look, I’m not happy with this either, but I am realistic about it. We are in a war and we will do things to gain an advantage.”
“Including allowing innocent civilians to die?” Anita asked brusquely.
“None of us are really innocent.” Carter countered. “But yes, if it serves a larger purpose.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since Schneider was so pressed for time, he dropped the crew off at the Westin. With the help of the bellman, he unloaded all the personal items very quickly. Within fifteen minutes, he was on his way to the Pepsi Center.
Randy and Big Ron went to the front desk to get the room assignments and keys. Ronnie and Annie wandered around the lobby. Ass, Ben and Emily played tag on the escalators to many disapproving looks. Pete fell into a comfortable black leather chair. Almost in the same motion, Chelsea sat down and began kissing him softly on the lips.
Just as Randy finished registering, Ronnie and Annie returned. Seeing Randy give Ronnie a room key, Ass called a halt to the game of tag and walked over to get his key. Ben and Emily followed.
“Get a room.” Ronnie called over to Chelsea and Pete.
Initially startled, Pete recovered quickly.
“Okay.” Pete replied. Then he turned to Chelsea and said, “You wanna come up to my room, baby?”
“Ooooh yeah.” Chelsea purred and kiss him suggestively.
“Jesus, you two.” Ronnie complained. “Ever get enough?”
The pair looked at each other and shook their heads.
“Whatever.” Ronnie continued. “Anyone else wanna check out the Lodo?”
“Well, were … uh …” Pete started.
“We all know what you two are going to do.” Emily said snidely. “But we’re up for anything, right boys.”
The spokesman for their group had made a decision, so Ass and Ben just nodded their heads in agreement.
“Dad?” Ronnie asked.
“Think I am going to take a shower and then swing by my office.” Big Ron responded. “Seems like months since I have checked in.”
“Maybe because you haven’t.” Ronnie jested.
“True.” Big Ron responded. “You kids have fun. I’ll see you after the show tonight.”
Big Ron made his way to the elevator as the other’s continued chatting in the lobby.
The rest of the crowd walked across the parking lot towards downtown Denver.
“Feels good to be back home.” Pete said.
“No doubt.” Ass added.
“Wow, this is so cool.” Emily said excitedly. “Look at those mountains.”
“Yeah, I really missed that view.” Ronnie stated sincerely. “I mean the Northwest is really cool with all the water and stuff. But that view and the sunshine.”
“Dude, let’s go to the ESPN Zone.” Ben suggested.
“Right on.” Ass agreed.
Ronnie looked at Annie and received the signal.
“We’ll go in for a bit.” He explained. “But we don’t wanna hang out long. We wanna go get pizza at the Supper Club.”
“Mmmmm.” Emily interjected. “Pizza sounds good.”
Looking a little hurt, Ben acquiesced.
“All right, I’ll go for pizza, but then I am coming back here.”
He pointed at the building as they walked passed. As they walked in silence, Ben felt his irritation slipping away. It was simply too beautiful. The sun was burning up the bright blue sky. Although it was still early, the autumn morning was warming up quickly. The crispness of the air and the sunshine of the Mile High City were having a calming affect. For the first time in months, Ben felt he was home again. He was about to tell his friends, but he decided against it.
“Hey fag.” Emily said to Ben in a jovial voice. “Whatca thinking ‘bout?”
“Nuttin’.” Ben responded solemnly.
“Is that like ‘nothing’”? Emily teased. “Or you thinking bout having a nut sack in your mouth?”
Ass, Ronnie and Annie burst out laughing. As hard as he tried, Ben could not help but to join in with them.
“Damn, bitch.” Ass managed. “Dat’s jus’ col., ya know?”
“Well, it was probably your nutsack he was thinking about.” Emily returned the volley.
Once again, the group burst into raucous laughter.
“That’s cool with me.” Ass countered. “I bet it’s easier for him to fit my nutsack in his mouth than one of you nipples.”
“Can we quit talking about me having a nutsack in my mouth?” Ben said urgently.
“Why, is it making you uncomfortable?’ Ass teased.
“No, it’s making me horny.” Ben barely managed to get out before cracking up himself.
When the laugher subsided, Emily was the first to talk.
“My nipples are that big.” She said very loudly in a defensive tone. “My tits are big and my nipples are perfect.”
“Hey, big tits.” A man in his mid-twenties yelled from across the street. “Why do you let me be the judge of that?”
Emily turned to see the man. He was standing across the street with several other men about his age. They were laughing and congratulating their friend for his audacious statement. Emily rolled her eyes, reached down and grabbed the bottom of his sweatshirt and pulled it up over her head exposing her enormous breasts.
“Get a good look fellas.” She yelled.
Instantly, the men stopped laughing as their eyes fixed on Emily’s naked breast.
“Holy shit, dude.” The first man called out. “They are perfect.”
Upon hearing this, Emily lowered her shirt, turned and continued walking as if nothing had happened.
“Told you so.” Emily said triumphantly to her friends.
Although none of the group was really surprised by Emily’s action, they were shocked by what they had just witnessed. Considering how they met her, they all knew she was an exhibitionist. But none of them had ever seen her do something so brazen.
“Damn, sweet tits.” Ass finally said. “That was out of control.”
“How can you just do that?’ Annie asked genuinely curious. “I am still a little uncomfortable when guys look at me when I have a shirt on.”
“Girl.” Emily responded. “Guys have been staring at my tits since I was twelve. Every once and a while, I give ‘em a show, ya know. It cracks me up how they get all stupid and can’t talk. Men are so dopey.”
“Well, I have to admit.” Annie confessed. “I can understand why, if they are looking at yours. I couldn’t take my eyes of them. They are beautiful.
Suddenly, Emily felt very good. Annie’s words gave her a tingling in her crotch. She knew how amazing her breasts were. That kind of reaction always heated her up, especially from another woman.
“Screw the pizza, boys.” She said to Ass and Ben. “Let’s go back to the hotel.”
Ben looked at Ass and shrugged his shoulders.
“Hate to run out on you two, but we have some business.” Ass said.
Just as he turned, Ass saw the four men from the other side of the street standing in front of him.
“Hey, big tits.” The mouthy one said. “Show me some more.”
“Get fucked.” Emily said cheerful.
“Come on.” He insisted. “I’d love to rub my dick all over those beauties.”
Instantly, Ass began to survey the situation. Confident in his martial arts skills, he knew that the mouthy guy didn’t pose much of a threat. But two of the others might pose a bit of a challenge, unless Ronnie stepped up. That left one for Ben. Ass didn’t like the thought of that.
“Uncool, dude.” Ass said authoritatively. “Come on, all right.”
The mouthy measured up Ass. A look of disdain crossed his face. Ass had seen it many times before and it made him smile. He enjoyed the fact that everyone underestimated him.
“What are you going do about it, short-shit?” He asked in a threatening tone.
“Just leave us alone, okay.” Ronnie said in a conciliatory tone trying to diffuse the situation.
“Fuck off, bitch.” The mouthy one said as he turned back to Ass. “I’m gonna get another look at them titties now. Come on, give it up.”
Emily felt the fire burning inside her. Although she enjoyed the positive attention her breast brought, she detested it when men went too far. Ass felt the tension building and he readied himself. Taking a deep breath, he cleared his mind. His whole world became the four men blocking their path.
“Let’s see …” The mouthy one said as he reached for Emily.
Just as Ass was about to strike, Emily shot a flashing punch to the man’s nose. As he wailed in pain, Ass surveyed the other three men. Knowing that he had a few seconds before the mouthy one recovered, he slid to the side to give him a better angle at the man encroaching from the left. Ass saw the look in his eyes and knew he was going after Emily. He had no choice.
Ass heard a loud crack as his fist connected with the man’s sternum. Instantly, he knew this man was no longer a threat. Quickly, he spun to take the next man only to see that both Ronnie and Ben were already taking care of the other two. Turning to help Emily, he was amused to see that she didn’t need any. She was sitting on the mouthy one’s chest delivering blow after blow.
“See my tits?” She yelled over and over. “See my tits, you little bitch? I own you.”
Without hesitation, he grabbed Emily and dragged her down the street. He felt a smile of pride form over his face. Even in this situation, they acted as a team. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Ben, Ronnie and Annie following directly behind them.
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