Chapter 6

Steven and Hannah had been sifting through the mountains of information regarding Svetlana Michaels for the last 4 days. For a woman of 35, she had a relatively small circle of people she called friends. There wasn’t a whole lot about her being out with them very much. When she was home, she stayed with her husband and spent all her time with him. She was into the healthy lifestyle and was always showing what she was cooking that night if she was home. The even went so far as to put the recipes on her social media sites for others to share. Steven noticed that any place her husband went, she went with him.

“Take a look at this.” Steven said handing a secret service report print to Hannah.

She read over it a bit and then chuckled. “BDSM club huh? Who’d have thought?” She said.

“Wonder who gave and who took?” Steven said.

She held up a picture of Greg Michaels. “He does have that ‘beta boi’ type of look in this picture.” She said. They both started laughing.

“Did they ever go back to the club?” She asked.

“It doesn’t say, but either they went without the secret service or they didn’t report it.” He told her. “Still, if they like sex enough to go to a club, let’s count it as a possibility.”

They’d discovered that she was big into adventure racing and usually placed in the top ten overall in the women’s group. She’d been racing since before her and Gregory Michaels had gotten married. Apparently, that’s where her and Gregory had met. The race they had ran together ended up with him carrying her out on his back after she had badly twisted her ankle.

Hannah had been sifting through her social media pages and started listening to a post she made a few years ago. It went on to explain how her love of running had helped her in her early adult years. She’d been asthmatic as a child and had spent a lot of time in the hospital trying to get it under control.

“Hey, listen to this...” She said as she unplugged her earphones from the speaker jack on her laptop.

“I had issues even playing outside when I was a girl. I would cough so hard that my chest would my chest would feel like something was coming out of it. But I never let my asthma define me as a child. I never quit and I overcame the obstacles that were placed in my path. Now I’m a nationally ranked Adventure and Spartan racer and I love it. The feeling of being outside and at peace with all around you is wonderful.” Svetlana said.

Hannah stopped the playback and looked at Steven. “What do you think?”

“I think that she’s one of those people that believe in mystical Zen Buddhist crap that has nothing to do with your body out growing asthma.” He said as he stood up and walked over to a dry erase board. “However, adventure racing is something we can use, especially if she’s a national racer.”

“The thing that really got my attention was that she had asthma growing up. I would think that it would be possible to ‘make’ a medical emergency if needed.” Hannah told him writing that information down.

“It’s a possibility...” Steven told her.

“Here’s something else about her racing. She’s got entire ‘how to’ videos about the mechanics and physics of adventure racing.” She told him. “Here’s a video she made on breathing while doing obstacles...

Steven got online and started to look at the race sites that Svetlana had put up on her social media. “There must be hundreds of pictures of her racing here.” He told Hannah. “Here’s a metric buttload from a race in St Augustine GA.” He said. “More from a race in Syracuse ... Maine, Colorado, Texas...” He pulled up a picture of a group of people. “I wonder if this is the team she races with?” He asked.

“One way to find out.” Hannah said as she started typing in names that she saw on the picture. After a few minutes, she had a hit. She put it up on the TV for them both to see. “Running4Life, that’s the team name.” She told Steven.

“Let’s work with this and see what we can come up with. I’ll get the names of the racers and have Denise get Langley on this.” he said to Hannah.

Venice, 2 days prior to Carnival

Petra and Robert were out walking the Grand Canal to find all the checkpoints for the Carabinieri. They’d been walking since 0800 that morning and had stopped for a snack at Harry’s Bar.

“This place has been here since 1931 in one form or another.” Robert told Petra. “I’ve wanted to visit here the last time I was in Europe in my previous life, but the fates conspired against me.”

“I know what you mean. I need to get over to Murano and get some of their glass to send home. My aunt has been wanting some new wine glasses for a few years now.” She replied.

“We’ll hit there tomorrow since we’re about done till they get here anyway.” He told her.

“I’d love to come back here in the late spring or early summer.” She told Robert.

“You’d hate it. It smells so badly in the heat.” They heard.

Both of them turned around and saw Denise and Laura walking in. They came over and sat at their table. Both had bags like they’d been shopping.

“So instead of doing what we’re supposed to be doing, you were shopping?” Petra asked.

“Far from it. We were looking for costumes for opening night. We had forgotten that small fact back home.” Laura replied.

“You forgot it. I already ordered a mask for myself ... And this guy if he wants it.” Petra said pointing at Robert. “It’ll completely go with my own. We just have to go and find clothing to go with them.”

“I bow to your machinations since I have the fashion sense of an aardvark.” Robert said looking at Petra.

Denise and Laura started showing Petra the different outfits they had for the time they were there. About that time, Dominic and Talitha walked in with packages in hand as well.

“I see four of us are ready for Carnival’s opening day. What’s your excuse?” He said to Robert.

“I’m scouting the opposition and making a plan to counter their awesomeness.” He replied.

“In other words, you are waiting till the last minute?” Tali asked him.

“Yeah, pretty much.” Robert said. “Are we staying for lunch? They have great finger food.”

All of the agreeing, Dominic and Robert walked over to order for the group. “So, when are you and Petra going out?” Dom asked him.

“When this is over for us, whenever she wants. Until then, not gonna happen.” Robert told him. “I could see us for the long haul, but not working like this.”

“I get it. I had a girlfriend that was on a FET and I was more worried about her than I was myself.” Dom told him.

“It sucks... “ Robert replied.

Dom nodded his head in agreement. “Yup...” Was all he said to him.

Svetlana and her husband had arrived in Venice that morning from the US. They had gotten their costumes out and were dressing up for their night in Venice. She had on a gothic version replica of a dress that Marie Antoinette had worn at one time. Gregory was dressed in a period outfit that matched his wife’s clothing.

“I was glad to get rid of the security detail for this trip. The last time we were here, they really put a crimp in our ‘activities’ Gregory.” Svetlana told her husband.

“Well, we have the next 4 days to do whatever we want.” He told her. Greg looked into the mirror in their room at his costume. “Baby, you sure this looks good on me?” Gregory asked Svetlana.

“Lyubovnik, I can barely keep my hands off you.” She told him. “The fuscha in the coat does a lot to bring out your eye color.”

“I feel the same way about your dress moya lyubov. I want to peel that dress off of you and have my way with you for hours.” Gregory Michaels told his wife.

“Keep saying things like that and we might cut the night short and come back here.” She told him with a steamy erotic look on her face. “By the way, are we able to grab a snack before we get lost in the streets of Venice?”

“Of course, you have only to wish it and it will come to pass.” Taking his hat off and bowing low to her.

“You are such a gentleman; I shall reward you later for your kindness to a lady.” She said with a curtsy. Svetlana picked up her mask and put it in place. She handed Gregory his, together they walked out of the hotel room and down to the street below.

“Targets are coming out.” Laura told Robert.

“How the hell do you do anything with this thing on your face?” He asked.

“I offered to tie it the way it was supposed to be, but nooooo ... Big bad frogman had to use some arcane navy butt pirate knot.” Laura quietly told him.

“Hey, the end of line bowline has never let me down ... till now.” Robert replied. Laura fixed his mask about the same time that Svetlana and Gregory Michaels walked to the water taxi. “Their moving to a water taxi, let’s go.”

It was a good thing that Gregory Michaels was 6’4 and Svetlana was 6’0 herself, following them when they were in costumes made it easy. They got closer to the canal where the water taxis where and they stopped and waited.

“Petra just walked back in from hacking their phones. What are they doing?” Talitha asked in their ear wigs.

“They’re waiting on a water taxi to take them wherever they’re going. If I had to guess, I’d say that it was Piazza San Marco for the opening.” Robert told her.

While the others were dealing with Svetlana and Gregory Michaels, Petra was looking at the cell data she got from the cell phones. She had read over the texts that Svetlana had on her phone. Pouring over the emails and text messages, Petra was making notes from certain messages that caught her eye.

“What does that mean?” She quietly asked herself.

“What does what mean?” Talitha asked her as she set a cup of tea next to her.

Petra took a sip and smiled. “You have excellent taste in tea, thank you. As to what I’m wondering about, there’s a text message about something called pocket litter that makes no sense.” She told her.

“Let me see...” Tali told her. She read it and stepped back. “Pocket Litter refers to anything that can be thrown away from a person’s pocket. Things like receipts, ticket stubs, or even spare change. It means you also just gave us something to watch Svetlana for.” She paused for a moment and gave Petra an ear wig. “Go ahead and tell them Petra, it is your find.”

“Guys, I have some information for you regarding Svetlana.” She said.

Robert’s voice came back. “Go ahead...” He replied.

“There’s a text message on her phone to an unknown number talking about ‘pocket litter’ and how much she hates it.” She told them.

Talitha spoke up at that point. “Pocket litter is an old soviet spy craft term. Pocket litter was often used to signal a dead drop or information hand off. If you can get closer to them, I think it would be a good idea.” She told Robert and Laura.

“We’ve got line of sight on them. If we were any closer, I’d be having a beer with them.” He told her. “Dom, are you and Denise here yet?”

“We’re here, but it’s tough to get around with all these people.” He told him. “We heard Petra and Tali’s message. We’re going to stay out here and watch for people watching them.” He told Robert.

“Having been to Carnival before, if there is going to be a dead drop, it will happen while the fireworks are going off.” Talitha offered. “My advice is to stay in place and watch for possible contacts.”

Denise came up on the comms channel at that point. “Petra, can you read me the entire message please?”

“Sure, give me a moment to pull it back up... ‘I am not a fan of pocket litter; I should find the closest trash bin and release it as soon as possible’ was what it said.” Petra told her.

She looked over at Dominic and asked, “Dom, can you see the closest trash bin?”

“It’s over by the Medical tent at the end of the square, halfway between the water taxi point and the café where they are. Wait, there’s also toilet near there.” He told her.

“That’s the drop point. We’ll watch that area, Robert, you and Laura keep on the happy couple.” Denise told them.

“Roger...” Robert told her.

Back in Warsaw

“Look at this. I’ve looked at all the races she’s done in the last couple years and she does this one without her teammates. The post reads ‘I like doing this race because there is nothing man made, and it lets me go back to when I was a girl in Ukraine learning this wonderful sport.”

“Where is it?” Steven asked.

“West Virginia. It’s near the New River Gorge in Beckley.” She said. “Here, look at this.” Hannah pulled up pictures of the race area and the course.

“That’s pretty sparsely populated land out that way ... Look at that, ALL the obstacles are natural. They used nothing but nature to build the racecourse.” Steven paused for a moment. “Can you pull up a map of West Virginia?”

“What are you thinking?” She asked as she pulled up the map.

“I’m thinking that I know a MARSOC Captain that retired to Weston WVA which is north of there about 100 miles. He could get us closer pics of the racecourse and the area.” He said looking at the clock on the desk. Steven picked up his phone and dialed a phone number. “Hey shit stain, I need your mom to come clean up her mess on my crotch.” He said. “Ok, when can I expect her?” He Asked with a chuckle. “Can you give me a call back on a secure line?” Steven asked. “OK, no problem, I’m standing by.” He told him as he hung up.

“You must think highly of him if you told him his mother needed to come clean up after herself.” Hannah asked him.

“Actually, the ‘your mom’ thing was letting him know I’m a friend. He consults for Academi from time to time and he’s a bit paranoid about it.” He told her.

“Why?” She asked.

“Apparently there was a feminist group lead by a woman in his old neighborhood in Richmond VA that found out who he worked for and decided that her group of women didn’t want a ‘war monger’ living in the same neighborhood as respectable people do. Needless to say, the judicial system got involved after his car was firebombed and he moved to the middle of nowhere.” Steven explained. “He really is a great guy and an awesome leader, but he’s had some bad luck.”

“Damn, that really sucks. I can’t imagine that happening to me.” Hannah told him. “At least where I live, they only think I play the piano.”

“It happens, but at least it’s not like it was when the service men and women came back from Vietnam. THAT I can’t imagine.” Steven said shaking his head.

“Daddy always told me that the disrespect they were shown was appalling to see. He tried to join, but they wouldn’t let him due to his spinal injury when he was 12. He always said that’s his biggest regret.” Hannah told Steven. Neither of them said anything for a couple of minutes, until Hannah asked, “What kind of car it was.”

“Mint condition 87 Buick GNX” he told her.

“A Grand National Experimental? I hope the people that did it are rotting in hell. My dad used to tell me he lusted after one of those, but mom bought him a Mustang Cobra instead.” Hannah told him.

“What year?” Steven asked.

“87 actually. Daddy pouted about her not getting the Buick for all of about 10 seconds.” Hannah explained. “Mom had the mufflers cut off and replaced with straight pipes and he was happy after that. I used to use his car as an alarm clock for school in the mornings.”

About that time Steven’s phone rang again. “Hey asshole, how’s life?” He asked pausing for a moment. “Sure, I remember her ... You MARRIED her? Seriously?” He said mouthing to Hannah that he’d explain later. “I’m glad it turned out good for you brother, you deserve it after what you went through the last time ... Sure thing, I’ll drop her a line tomorrow morning ... Listen, I know you’re still doing side work, and I’m in a position I need some work done and the pay back would be in spades if you need it ... Yes, I’m back working, same boss, different job...” Steven started laughing. “Yes sir I can do that for you ... Long story short, we need the Beckley Adventure racecourse scouted and pictures of all the obstacles ... No, I don’t need any information from the race officials, just the reconnaissance.” Steven said. He paused and listened to him speak. “Possible snatch operation ... Really?” He asked raising his eyebrows. “The gorge bridge would be a good spot for it? Ok, all the pictures you can get me would be perfect ... Yes sir, I will. You take care of yourself and like I said, repayment in spades should you ever need it ... You got it brother, take care...” Steven hung up the phone and looked at Hannah. “I think we have the start of a plan.” He said smiling.