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  “Why, yes, I do believe I am!” exclaimed Elizabeth putting on her British accent to play her part.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  “Hey, SJ, Duarte and our main target have been at the luncheon for hours now. Thought it was going to be a quick little deal?” said Tommy, starting to feel something was possibly off or not going according to the plan.

  “Look, Tommy, everything is under control. Duarte knows what she is doing. She is staying there as she considers it valuable to get that information for what we need to do. Something must be happening which she considers useful.”

  “Ah, I guess you’re right. I just know she has not usually been one to frolic around at social gatherings that she has to cover on the job,” replied Tommy as he turned back to the monitors for the cameras they had on the property.

  Just at that moment, Mr. Madison called SJ: “SJ, how are things going, where is Duarte?”

  “Sir, things are going fine. I guess Duarte didn’t have a chance to send you an update on things this morning.”

  “No, I haven’t heard anything so far.”

  “Okay, well the deal is that she did a good job last night getting this Dmitry to talk. She got the scoop - what the plan is with the Bank of Mexico, where they will work from, etc. But, even better is that we have a plan to get his two accomplices and him all before 8am tomorrow morning. She found out where the accomplices are staying so our plan is to go there in the middle of the night, catch them and once we’ve got them, grab Dmitry since we already know where he is.”

  “I see. That sounds like a good plan. Where is Duarte right now?”

  “She is at the house of this bank director with Dmitry - a luncheon of some type. We thought she would have been out of there sooner but we presume that she must be getting some good data otherwise she would not still be in there. You know Duarte, she gets in, does the job and gets out.”

  “Yes, I know how she operates and that is why she was chosen for this operation. Alright, tell her to contact me when she gets back with you guys.”

  “Yes sir, will do,” replied SJ as he hung up the phone.

  Mr. Madison knew Elizabeth was one of the most efficient and intelligent agents that he had worked with during his time with the CIA. Regardless, he could not help but notice the lingering worry he felt but was not sure why he was concerned. “Ah, it’s ridiculous of me to be worried about Duarte. She is a good agent and this is all going to come out alright,” he thought as he realized it was time for lunch which this week he happened to be at home in Virginia with his wife.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  A few hours had passed and Dmitry and Elizabeth were still at the Luncheon that had now gone well into the afternoon. “Okay, Dmitry, I am really content to leave now,” Elizabeth said in her British accent.

  “Okay, then my dear, let’s leave. We should pass by Mr. Cortez on our way out and give our regards and so forth.” With that they proceeded to find Mr. Cortez, thanked him for his hospitality and Dmitry passed on his desire to be in touch with him at a later date concerning business affairs – now that Dmitry was changing his entire life and starting a family with Elizabeth, he was pulling his money out of any bank where he would have the slightest possibility of being traced. For someone lacking a formal education, Dmitry was extremely intelligent when it came to business and financial matters. He was able to think through sequences of events with great detail in order to accomplish anything he wanted to have done.

  “Wow, I am glad to be out of there!” exclaimed Elizabeth as they got in the car.

  “I know, it is a rather dull crowd. See, they would not be so bad and I would actually enjoy such events if these people would be a bit more real. In Russia, if you ever go to a Luncheon or a dinner, the people are alive, they make jokes, they talk about funny things that happened to them lately in the business, at home in their family life, etc. It is not this buttoned-up social conversation where you are trying not to say the wrong thing and offend someone. If someone says something we don’t like in Russia, we say it to his or her face in front of everyone and that is it. There is no real hidden conversation about people – except from some really stupid or evil people but these are not many and you can learn how to watch for them. I’ve had a few that worked for me on my estate and various other areas and each time they caused untold havoc. Anyway, Elizabeth, you will not be bored to death at such affairs in Russia,” Dmitry said as he wrapped his arms around Elizabeth and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  In short order they were pulling up to their hotel. “Dmitry, I am going to my suite for a little while, check up on my guys and do a report to my superior then I will join you for a late dinner, say 8pm?”

  “That sounds agreeable, just remember one thing,” Dmitry said as he pulled Elizabeth close to him, “you are my queen now and you do not have any superiors, not even me.”

  “Well, ‘King Dmitry,’ I shall do my best to remember this but for the next twenty-four hours approximately I do have many superiors and have to do what they say.”

  “I know, but I just want you to start getting accustomed to your new life and the mentality that goes along with it.”

  “Good, I will see you around 8pm – will call you!” said Elizabeth as they went their separate ways.

  When Elizabeth got to her room she grabbed her phone to send a message to SJ and Tommy: “Okay guys, I am back. Meeting up in my suite in 15?” As was a usual gesture of Elizabeth’s, she ordered coffee and a platter of fresh fruit for all of the guys.

  “Okay, now I better get a report on things to Mr. Madison or he is going to be concerned and wondering what is happening,” Elizabeth thought as she sat down at her laptop to start writing up the events of the night before and what occurred in the morning.

  Fifteen minutes later, all her guys showed up with SJ and Tommy in the lead. “Jesus Duarte! You were starting to freak me out with how long you stayed up in that joint!” exclaimed SJ.

  “We even had Mr. Madison calling in to see what was goin’ on because he had not heard anything from you,” added Tommy. “But don’t worry, we added good words for you Duarte and the boss wasn’t concerned,” SJ said with a smile.

  “Well, thanks guys. You know me, I hate doing jobs that require me to socialize with people that are basically anti-social but are forced to be there as they will look bad if they don’t show up or whatever their actual agenda is for being there!”

  “Yep, we know Duarte. Anyway, so, what’s the scoop?” said SJ, being eager to find out what was going that required her to stay there longer.

  “Well, I didn’t really find out anything that we did not already have from the data I got last night. I could definitely tell that Mr. Cortez is very relaxed in his relationship with Dmitry but he also does a lot of ass kissing in an attempt to keep his business. I do not think that he would ever suspect Dmitry to be the criminal type. Dmitry really has this guy wrapped around his finger and he did say something as we were leaving about wanting to get with Mr. Cortez again in the near future or possibly have him go somewhere with him to go over his account. You know how these men with gold-lined pockets wine and dine their bankers with trips to the Riviera and other resorts. It is probable that Dmitry is going to try to take his money out fast after the transaction so that he is not traceable.”

  “Yeah, that makes sense. I guess if I were going to steal millions of dollars from the US and Mexico, I would not just keep banking with the Bank of Mexico, unless I was trying to get caught!” exclaimed Tommy.

  “Right. So are you guys all set up to move in on the other two guys tonight?”

  “Duarte, we got it all covered. We got the floor plans of the hotel, we have their room numbers laid out and this is how we are going to enter and approach without drawing public attention,” said SJ as he laid the floor plans out on the table.

  “See, we don’t want to draw attention to ourselves and this is the only route Tommy and I could come up with. Then we have the truck in the back to get t
hese guys and the chartered plane waiting at the airport. We go in, get them, you and Tommy will be at your hotel to get Dmitry with another truck there. We all meet at the airport, board the plane and away we go to the wonderful United States of America!!” exclaimed SJ.

  “Well, boys, looks like you’ve got our plan all taped out. We just need to execute it. I have to get off a report to Mr. Madison as I am sure he is going to be wondering what is happening since he has not gotten any report from me – you know how he gets. You guys just go over the plan, all of you – James, Elijah, - everyone. You guys have to know it cold. We cannot afford any mistakes on this one. I am going to have dinner with Dmitry at about 8pm, will get any last minute details/changes and so forth. I hope these guys don’t change their plans last minute as they’ve been noted to do which is why no one has caught them. Anyway, okay guys, I will see you later. I need to do my report to Mr. Madison now!” At that all the guys left her room and Elizabeth settled herself back at her desk to complete her report.

  Half an hour later, Elizabeth had finished her report and was typing a memo to Mr. Madison as a cover sheet to the report: “Dear Mr. Madison; Here is my report. Sorry this is delayed – I am sure you’ve been anxious to have all the details of everything that has transpired in the last 24 hours. I tried to do as comprehensive of a report as possible. If there is anything you have questions on, you know how to reach me. As covered in my report, I will be having dinner with the prime target in about an hour. Sincerely, Duarte,” with that Elizabeth hit “send” and her report and memo arrived at Mr. Madison’s computer.

  Mr. Madison having just finished dinner, immersed into his world of intelligence with his Cuban cigar smuggled in from Havana. One can imagine a man with the connections he had, being able to get just about anything regardless of embargos. Before settling in to resume reading his current book, “Ethics” by Aristotle, he logged onto his email to find Elizabeth’s report. “Ah, there it is. I am sure Duarte has some real goods in here for me! She always does a good job on her reports, not like other schmucks where I have to constantly touch up their reports to pass them on,” Mr. Madison thought.

  While Mr. Madison was intently reading the report, his wife stepped in to bring him his whiskey and an ashtray – he was continually forgetful of bringing one with him and ended up with ash all over their floor. “Dear, you forgot your ashtray again!” exclaimed his wife in such high pitch it startled Mr. Madison from his cloud of cigar smoke and thought surrounding his reading.

  “My god! Martha, how many times have I told you that you need to speak quietly when you come into my study?”

  “I know, I know but how many times have I told you not to forget to bring an ashtray with you?”

  “Hmm! My dear Martha wins the debate again!” replied Mr. Madison reaching out to take the ashtray his wife was extending to him.

  “Dear, are you going to be very long in here tonight? You should come out to the living room and join me in front of the fire.”

  “You know Martha, I will do just that. Give me about twenty minutes and I will be there.” At that Martha left Mr. Madison in his cloud of smoke.

  “Now, let’s see, where was I – oh yes, the luncheon. Surprising that Duarte stayed there so long,” Mr. Madison thought. As he read through the report he became very convinced Elizabeth had thought out all the details necessary to carry out the operation and he began to taste victory. “If this is all carried out as she says, it will be another star in my crown.”

  Once Mr. Madison had finished reading the report he sent off a response to Elizabeth: “Duarte, good work so far. I appreciate all the details in your report. If you and your guys carry out the operation exactly as you have outlined, you will be successful in finally taking out ‘El Diablo’. Please keep me informed as things progress and let me know directly if you need anything.” At that, Mr. Madison left his study and joined his wife in their living room.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  As it was nearing 8pm in Mexico City, Dmitry and Elizabeth were preparing themselves for dinner. Meanwhile, Juan and Max were at their hotel going over their plans.

  “Max, look, you need to make sure you are one-hundred percent exact with your computer codes – there is no room for mistakes; you understand that the only way we are able to break through their security systems is by being one-hundred percent exact and that one slight move, only one, can set off their alarms and we will have one shitty day. Most likely end up in prison for a long, long time,” Juan said to Max.

  “Look, Juan, I know what I am doing and there is no reason to be concerned. Are you the computer guy or am I?”

  “Max, I know this – I just want to remind you of the responsibility that is riding on your shoulders.”

  “I understand but really, Juan, we have done this so many times I would expect that you do not find it necessary to continue to give me this sort of speech every time we are doing an operation. You do that, you know, every time we are about to execute an operation you give me the same speech about being one-hundred percent.”

  “Well, I am sorry to hurt your ears but you have been one-hundred percent exact every time so far and so I consider that everything we say and do each time is all part of the successful actions that assist us to complete our operations as planned every time so far.”

  “Alright, whatever suits you!” replied Max rolling his eyes.

  Juan and Max worked very well together despite their personality clashes due largely to the fact that Juan had a dominant Colombian attitude while Max had a rather stubborn German attitude. When Dmitry got them to work for him, he saw their attitudes as different enough to bring sufficient qualities to the table but similar enough for them to be able to get along and most importantly to Dmitry: get the job done no matter what and without a lot of complaining.

  “I say we go out on the town, get some drinks and just have some fun to celebrate the success we are going to have on this operation,” said Max as he stood up from the table which was covered with his computer, various other electronic devices and notepads full of his scribbles of code.

  “I agree! Let’s get out there and enjoy this beautiful city!” At that, Juan and Max left their hotel and caught a taxi to an area of town that Juan knew had good restaurants and bars where they would be sure to have good food, drinks and plenty of fun.

  Back at the Hyatt, Elizabeth had just finished changing into a casual evening dress for her dinner with Dmitry. “Well, here I go, this is going to be an evening or rather twenty-four hours, to remember!” thought Elizabeth as she picked up her phone to call Dmitry. Before she placed the call she looked at the time and saw it was only 7:50pm and that she still had time to think everything through before going over the plan with Dmitry to finalize it. “Okay, at about 3am, my guys are going to put our plan in action to take in Juan and Max. Dmitry will have to already be on the way to the airport by 1am to take into account any surprises my guys or his guys might bring us. Once I know Dmitry has safely departed, I will make my escape.” Elizabeth picked up her phone again, saw the time was now 7:57pm and called Dmitry. “Hey, it’s me. I am ready to meet you for dinner. I have thought some things through and have some things to go over with you. Are you ready?”

  “My dear, I am of course ready to have dinner with you. I will meet you in lobby and from there we will go to the main restaurant.”

  “Fair enough, I will see you in a few!” replied Elizabeth, still feeling as excited to see Dmitry as she was the first moment she started falling in love with him.

  Five minutes later Elizabeth and Dmitry met up with one another. Dmitry found himself amazed at how classy and simply beautiful Elizabeth was; she was wearing a simple black evening dress with low-heeled sandals and very light make-up. “Wow, Sophia, you look ravishing!” he exclaimed – knowing that in public they both still had to play their parts.

  “Why thank you Dmitry, I did not want to dress up too much but thought this would do.”

  “Sophia, really,
you could be wearing jeans and a t-shirt and your class and beauty would shine through,” replied Dmitry as he took Elizabeth by the hand.

  “Good evening sir; table for two?” asked the maître’ de as they arrived at the restaurant.

  “Yes and somewhere rather private if possible,” said Dmitry in somewhat of a quieter voice so as not to attract attention.

  “That is not a problem sir. Right this way.” At that the waiter directed them to a table in the corner of the restaurant by a window so they had a good view in addition to several of the tables near them being vacant. “Most of the tables in this section of the house are reserved, sir, and will not be in use for a few hours more so this is quite private. Is this arrangement satisfactory for you?”

  “Yes, thank you very much,” answered Elizabeth for Dmitry who had already started looking at the menu.

  The waiter proceeded to pour them each a glass of water and said, “very well, I will return to take your orders momentarily.”