Chapter 32: A Change of Perspective

July, 1986

Rex POV: (Cont.)

[I laughed, perhaps too hard, “Chen doesn’t scare me! Jonah’s MY friend!”]

When we finished, Rodgers and Monte were nowhere to be found. Since they’d disappeared, Sloan took us out to find some lunch. It’s too bad they didn’t have any Portillo’s in this God-forsaken part of the world.

Sloan took us, instead, to his favorite mom and pop diner. At first it looked like just another greasy spoon place, but the food was really good and the staff was friendly and efficient. We found a corner table where we could talk.

Jeremy wanted to get some background on Chen, since it appeared he wasn’t very well liked by other Agencies. He asked, “Director Sloan, how much do you know about Executive Director Lin Su Chen?”

He scoffed, “Not a holy hell of a lot, actually. Neither does anyone else. According to records, he’s only been with the CIA for 2 years. He was recruited in Taiwan when he left the Marines. He went to the Philippines for training, then worked in the field for about 14 months. Somehow he got a promotion to Assistant Supervisor of ‘Clandestine Operations’, or Black-Ops. Before anyone could question how somebody with that little service could get that position, his boss died in a car crash. His boss was the one who had given him the promotion. He seemed to be perfect for the position and led a few very successful operations that he actually took part in. Because of that, the questions stopped.”

I heard Pops in my head, “What your friend doesn’t know is that, the Lin Su Chen that was recruited ISN’T the same one we captured! The ‘Evil’ Chen somehow discovered the name and then killed the original and took his place. He used his Mind Control to get a replacement ID card made that had his real picture on it. That happened just before the promotion Sloan just told you about ... just thought you should know.”

“Interesting. So ‘our’ Chen has only been with the CIA for 6 or 7 months. Thanks Pops.”

As much as I was tempted to reveal that tidbit to Sloan, now wasn’t the time. I didn’t want to get Pops accidentally shot!

Sloan continued, “His second promotion to Black Ops Supervisor was also suspect, in that his Supervisor just suddenly retired. Not, however, before assuring the Director that Chen was perfect for the job. The Executive Director, upon talking to several men Chen had led on Ops, felt the advice was sound and before anyone knew it, Chen was promoted. Less than a month later the Executive Director had a massive heart attack and died! The Director then moved Chen into the Executive Director’s position. That was the most suspicious, because CIA Section Chief Rodgers has been with the CIA for 15 years and was thought to be the next in line. Rodgers has been a bit testy ever since and he’s definitely no friend of Chen’s. That’s just it. Nobody is, and everyone is scared to death of the guy.

Jeremy flashed, “It sounds like the CIA Director may need to be ‘cured’!”

‘Yeah, quite possibly. We should leave things alone for right now, though.”

Pops flashed, “You guys just gave me my exit strategy! I’ll fill you in later.”

I looked at Sloan, “Director Sloan, as soon as things cool down a little, I’ll see if Jonah can check this Chen guy out.”

“Please guys, when we’re not in the office, just call me Art. I hope you don’t feel like I’m not fully supporting you guys. I was really under the gun to get you here. Rodgers was afraid Chen might fire him if we didn’t get some answers quickly.”

Jeremy grinned, “Not to worry, Director Sloan, I mean, Art. Rex and I fully intend to cooperate and help you get things figured out. We should find our cohorts before they think we ran out on them.”

“Good idea! Let’s get back.”

Back at CIA HQ, we ran into Rodgers and Monte. Just before they started saying something Art held up his hands, palms out, “Relax gentlemen. I got the scoop and it’s not what you thought. Chen may not like it, but, it seems that Mexican Cartel is who took out our boy Raphael! Those suckers just saved all of us a lot of grief!”

Monte wasn’t completely convinced, “That’s possible, but that means now they probably have all of Raphael’s product and money!”

I chuckled, “Except that they accidentally blew everything up!”

“How do you know that!?“ Rodgers huffed.

I winked at Monte, “A little birdie named Jonah told us.”

His eyebrows rose remarkably, “You’re kidding us, right?”

I shook my head, “Nope. They sent 4 teams of mercs and apparently they were less than up to speed on the explosives they we using. We feel they meant to kill all of Raphael’s men, then swipe any product and money. Unfortunately, the explosives they put in one of the warehouses detonated prematurely and what I figure to be about 500 pounds of C-4 went up!”

“Oooops!” Monte chuckled.

Yeah, and then the other mercs freaked out. Knowing there would be no money or drugs, they just went berserk and blew up all those boats and airplanes. They were sitting just off shore in small attack boats. I’m thinking they used RPG’s or some other type of rockets.”

Rodgers just moaned, “Since we haven’t even told you guys how it happened, you must be telling the truth. You just described virtually exactly what happened. So Jonah didn’t have anything to do with it?”

Jeremy chuckled, “Wellll, he m a y have slightly re-adjusted the timer on the explosives that set off the C-4...”

Monte was rolling on the floor, “I think I love this Jonah character. He’s MY kind of guy ... I wish I could meet him someday, just to shake his hand. He DOES have a hand doesn’t he? He’s not like a ghost?”

I smiled, “Yes, when he impersonates the Terminator, he does.”

As we started heading in towards Chen’s office, I pulled Monte back.

He looked at me warily.

I whispered, “Jonah really would like to talk to you. When we leave today, just hang back with Jeremy and me.”

“Really!? Thanks, I’ll be looking forward to it. Now ... be very careful when you talk to Chen. I DON’T trust that mother fucker. The son-of-a-bitch has a way of putting words in your mouth.”

I snickered, “Jeremy will have him eating out of our hands!”

He just raised his eyebrows and frowned.

When we all stepped into Chen’s office, he walked over and locked the door. Then all of the windows went dark as metal shields came down and latched. We all heard the whirring of a white noise generator.

Chen (Pops) sat down and looked at us defiantly, “Between the five of you, you’d BETTER have some information about this Jonah guy or spook or whatever he is ... I WANT TO KNOW, NOW.”

Pop’s was very convincing. I wasn’t even sure he wasn’t really Chen!

The five of us were all looking at our shoes, not wanting to speak first. I decided to stand my ground, “Sir, you don’t WANT to know!”

“COSGROVE, that is your name isn’t it? Agent Cosgrove? What the hell do you mean ‘I don’t wanna know?’”

I grinned, “What I mean is, with that attitude and tone of voice, he’d see that you’re evil and squash you like a bug!”

Monte was coughing having choked back a laugh, while my boss, Director Sloan was looking at me like I’d just lost my mind and yelled at the Pope. Assistant Chief Rodgers had an evil smirk, that I didn’t understand.

Pops flashed, “Rodgers is nearly as corrupt as Chen. Keep an eye on him.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Just what you’re heading towards. Be Jonah for a second and scare me!”

I was nearly laughing, but fought it hard.

Pops yelled, “Are you trying to threaten me, Mister Grissom?”

I picked Chen up off his chair, held him in the air, then, flew him around the room. I then roughly set him down right next to Rodgers and Pops grabbed him to keep from falling down. Rodgers thought Chen was just trying to do that. Pops was actually getting a full reading. DAMN, he’s good!

Chen started yelling, “No Jonah, NO! I’m not going with you ... NOOOO.” He then disappeared.

Everyone except Jeremy and I were stunned. Monte was shaking. Rodgers was huffing, but again had an evil-looking smirk on his face. Right up till ‘The Terminator’ suddenly appeared. Rodgers tried to take charge, “Where is Chen? You have no right killing him!”

In perfect Terminator speak, “I DIDN’T keel him! He is facing his fate from MY Boss! Evil people will not be allowed to continue.” He was staring a hole in Rodgers. Rodgers shuddered and started stammering, “You, you, you have no right making that judgement!”

Pops chuckled, “You are correct, I do not judge, I capture and deliver. If Chen is found to be innocent, I will return him here. Do you have something to say on his behalf?”

Rodgers was now blushing up a storm, “No ... but he needs to answer some questions.”

Pops snickered, “I know everything he has ever done ... that is why I took him away. No one can hide ANY secrets from me ... Do YOU have secrets?”

Rodgers was glaring at Jeremy, knowing he could do much the same thing. Jeremy chuckled and whispered to Rodgers, “Something tells me, he’s WAY better than me!” Pops was now walking toward Rodgers and Rodgers was backing away into the corner.

Monte and Sloan had amused looks on their faces.

Pops reached out and grabbed Rodgers by his shirt and picked him up. His feet were 4 inches off the floor, “I know that you are almost as corrupt as Chen. You’d better change your ways and run this department the way it’s supposed to be run ... and tell your friends in the Coop that there’s a new sheriff in town. I’ll be watching you. If you screw up, I WEEL be baaack!”

And with that, Pops disappeared and Rodgers unceremoniously fell to the ground.

The collective sigh in the room darn near blew the windows out. Rodgers had a huge wet spot running down his leg. He sat down just before he panted and passed out. Monte started laughing, “Holy shit! NOW WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO?”

I chuckled, staring at the unconscious Rodgers, “First, we need to figure out how to open up the doors and windows. Monte, do you have any ideas?”

“Hell no! I’ve only been in here a couple times. I’ve avoided Chen like the plague.”

Pops flashed, “There’s 3 switches under the middle drawer on the left side. They’re for the windows, door and sound generator.”

I asked, “Are you still here?”

“Yeah, I’m going to hang around for a bit just in case Rodgers gets feisty and forgets what I told him!”

I looked under the desk and saw them, “Ahhh, here we go!” I said, then suddenly the windows opened, door latch clicked and the noise generator stopped whirring.

Sloan looked at me, “How did you figure that out?”

I chuckled, “That’s why I get paid the medium bucks! I’m an investigator, remember?”

Jeremy poked me in the ribs, “He saw Chen reach under there when everything happened.”

About that time, Rodgers came too. He was disoriented, “What the hell just happened?”

Jeremy huffed, “Um, you had a yellow river flowing down your leg and passed out.”

I heard Pops choke back a laugh. Sloan was choking too and Monte was barely containing himself. Rodgers got pissed and tried to smack Jeremy. Unfortunately for the putz, Pops stopped him mid swing with his PK and we heard a deep, “I’m watching you, dirtbag, don’t make me come baaack!”

Rodgers shivered, “Oh SHIT. Okay, okay, I remember ... sorry, it won’t happen again.” He was looking all around trying to see where Jonah might be.

I was smirking, “He can see you 24/7, I wouldn’t piss him off again if I were you. Now, I think Cosgrove and I are going to the Cayman’s to hook up with our girlfriends.”

Chief Sloan was grinning, “Get out of here, you miscreants! Let me know when you get back.”

Jeremy looked at Monte and winked, “Um, Assistant Chief Rodgers, how’s about letting Agent Monte come with us?”

“WHAT!? What the hell for?”

Pops cleared his throat, then bellowed, “Call it an interview. Remember, I’ll be watching you.”

Rodgers freaked, ‘Okay, okay! Get out of here Monte. Just be ready to brief me when you get back.”

Monte chuckled, “If Jonah tells me I can ... maybe.”

Rodgers looked like a man who couldn’t say shit with a mouthful. He just shook his head and pointed out the door.

We headed out with Monte stifling all out laughter. We stopped at an office where a very cute blonde secretary smiled at Monte when we walked in.

Monte chuckled, “Hey gorgeous, who do I have to kill to get the three of us a ride to Dulles?”

She giggled, “Nobody, if you’ll just agree to take me out to dinner when you get back!”

“If you had some vacation time, I’d take you to the Caribbean with us, Maggie, dinner’s for sure.”

She blushed, “Oh you! Who’s your handsome friends?”

Monte chuffed then slapped Jeremy on the back, “This is NSA Special Agent Jeremy Cosgrove and this other character is NSA Special Agent Rex Grissom. They invited me to go sailing with them!”

Maggie’s eyes went wide, “Oh ... are you really going to the Caribbean? Really!?”

Monte nodded, “Yep. It’s too bad you couldn’t come with us. It would have been fun. It sure would be a great first date!”

Maggie looked crestfallen, “Ohhh ... I’d go in a heartbeat if I had a little more time to get ready. Maybe I’d even get lucky and you’d take advantage of me?”

“Monte sighed, “Oh Maggs, why haven’t you ever told me you were interested? I was just teasing about taking you with us, but, now that I know, I would. Let’s plan on getting together when I get back?”

When I looked at Jeremy he was captivated by the conversation. I flashed him, telling him this wasn’t the time to be playing matchmaker. He was ready to try and get her to go with us.

I told him, “Maybe next time.”

Maggie sighed, “Please don’t forget ... you’ve really got my hopes up now.”

Monte took her hand gently and kissed it, “You have my word, Maggs, I promise I won’t forget.” He said, slowly shaking his head.

Maggie took a deep breath, “Okay, do you want our terminal or commercial?”

Monte looked at me with a raised eyebrow. I said, “Commercial. I don’t think the Agency would approve a pleasure trip!”

Monte added, “Oh, and we’ll need a quick stop at my place so I can grab some clothes and things. It’s on the way.”

We made the pit stop at Monte’s place then headed toward Dulles International Airport. Monte kept looking in the passenger side rearview mirror. He huffed, “It appears we have a tail. Driver, did anyone ask you where we were going?”

The driver froze, his face turning red, “The Boss said he wanted to know which flight you’d be taking.”

“Which Boss?” Monte asked almost furiously.

“Special Agent Franklin, the head of Special Investigations.”

“And are YOU supposed to be listening to us, too?”

The driver sighed, “Yes, Franklin feels like he’s out of the loop and doesn’t trust Chen, who you guys have been talking to all day.”

Jeremy and I had no idea who this guy, Franklin was, but Monte seemed concerned. Jeremy decided to be ‘proactive’ and pressed a temporary CS on our driver. Then he asked Monte, “Do you think Franklin is corrupt like Chen?”

Monte, not knowing about the CS freaked out and urged us to be quiet. I whispered that our driver wouldn’t remember anything, so we could talk at ease. I got a furled eyebrow, but grinned, “Trust me.” Then, waggled my eyebrows. He chuckled, then continued pointed at his ears followed by twirling his finger, indicating we were probably being recorded.

That’s a whole different ballgame, so I bit my tongue. I decided a little misdirection was now called for so I asked, “Jeremy, you check TWA and I’ll check United to see who has the earliest flight to Barbados.”

Monte stifled a chuckle, “And I’ll check American, we’ll meet by the main restroom to decide which is best. I think Barbados only has one airport.”

The driver huffed, “Hey, I thought you guys were going to the Cayman’s?”

I laughed, “Misdirection, we didn’t want the Boss to be able to find us! Whatever you do, don’t tell anyone we’re really going to Barbados, okay?”

The driver was frantically looking in the rearview mirror and acting panicked. As soon as he parked to let us out we all headed in three different directions. We pointed discretely to a small restroom where we would ‘reconnoiter’ after losing any tails we might pick up.