Critical Incidents: The ROK - Land of HAN (A Jack Gunn Mystery Thriller Book 1) (16 page)

Ted said, “I thought he disappeared.” He looked at Keiko. “What’s the story, Keiko?”

Keiko peered directly at me. “Nakanishi is still around and he threatened to kill father, me, and Ted because we became married. So, father finally had to ban Nakanishi from Inazawa territory. He and Yonazawa now have a small gang.”  

“Damn, I knew there was a catch to this,” I said, as I glanced at Ted.

“Keiko, you never told me that,” Ted said.

Keiko didn’t reply to Ted’s comment.

Glaring at Ted, I said, “I see what happen. Kamata-san got to know Ted. Then Ted told him all about me. Right, Ted?”

Ted hung his head down. “That’s exactly right, Jack. I was played like a fiddle. I told him everything about you. He was going to be my future father-in-law so I wanted to seem interesting and let him know about my friends. But, he did specifically ask about you.”

I didn’t reply to Ted, because I was a little pissed off.

Keiko said, “Jack-san, look at it this way. Ted helped you land a job paying big money. You’ll be living in one of the best apartment buildings in the Tokyo area. All expenses paid, to say the least, and you’ll have Midori as a girlfriend.”

I glanced at Midori sitting there in her work out clothes. She smiled at me. Her legs and arms seemed to be very muscular. I didn’t remember her being in that good of shape. Her hair was up in a bun, looking a lot younger than she really was. Come to think of it, I really didn’t know her age. I didn’t know anything about her. We only had a brief encounter in Tokyo. We’ve never even had sex, but this woman was madly in love with me. I wondered why.

“Yeah, that all sounds really good, assuming I live long enough to enjoy it. This Nakanishi sure sounds like a nutcase. Ted, do you have a gun here?”

“No. I don’t need one here. You said this building was secure.”

“Yes, it is, but you never know what could happen. This nutcase could come to Korea after both of you. I want you to have two guns here in the apartment, one M4, and a Glock. I also want Keiko to learn how to shoot.”

“Do you think that’s necessary?”

“Yes, because you and Keiko are not always here in the apartment. Take her to the gun range at the embassy and have Tim Noda teach her. You both need to practice once a week for an hour.”

“Ok, we’ll do that,” Ted said, as Keiko nodded her head.

“Here’s another thing. Appoint Tim Noda as Keiko’s full-time bodyguard and driver. He’s a good agent and has the most experience. Keiko shouldn’t go anywhere by herself until Nakanishi is dead.”

Both girls started giggling.

“What’s so funny? This isn’t a joke.”

They stopped laughing and put on a serious face. Midori said, “It’s just that you are so serious. Keiko won’t go anywhere by herself. I will be with her.”

“Well, that’s great, then you’ll both be killed. Getting killed is serious shit.”

“Jack-san, you don’t understand. I will be Keiko’s bodyguard.”

“Yeah right, and I’m the Emperor of Japan.”

Midori replied, “I am very skilled in the martial arts of Kensyobudo and Aikido.”

“I’m sure you are Midori, and I am impressed. But do you know Glockdo?”

Midori looked at me like I was crazy. “What is Glockdo?”

“Use of the Glock handgun.” We all had a good laugh.

“Yes, I know how to shoot and use a gun, but I don’t like them.”

“You’re going to learn to like them. You can practice with Keiko and Ted.”

Midori didn’t reply, but just nodded.    

Out of the blue, Keiko asked, “So, when are you going to kill Nakanishi?”

“I wasn’t hired to kill him, but I will if he comes after you guys. You need to think about staying alive. It’s no joke when someone like Nakanishi threatens to kill you.”

Ted said, “Jack is right. We’ll do what he suggests.”

Keiko asked, “Jack, do you think Midori will be safe in Japan?”

I didn’t reply right away, as I thought about that. “Midori is not safe in Japan. Nakanishi could use her somehow to find out where you and Ted live. I suggest that Midori stay here in Korea with you as long as possible. At least until I move to Japan.”

Holding Midori’s hand, Keiko told her, “Midori, you can stay here as long as you like.”

Ted commented, “Ok, we got that solved. Jack, when are you going to submit your resignation?”

“That’s a good question. Based on my experience in these matters, once I submit it, the State Department will want me to come in for a debriefing. Then they will remove my security clearances, take my credit cards, ID’s, phone, and a bunch of other crap. Usually after a debriefing they let you go on the same day. Once they know you are leaving, they cut the ties real quick.”

“How quick?”

“If I send my resignation in on this Friday, I’d be probably be gone by next Friday for sure.”

“They’ll want to know why you’re resigning. What will you tell them?” Ted asked.

“I’ll tell them I’m burned out and can’t do the job anymore.”

“Will you tell them that you’re going to work for Kamata?”

“Hell no! I don’t want you telling them anything either.”   

“Don’t worry, I won’t say anything. So when are you planning to resign?” Ted asked.

Keiko said, “My father wants you to start right away.”

“Yeah, I can see why. But I can’t leave here until I’m sure you guys are ok. So, let’s see what happens in a week or two,” I said.

Ted changed the subject and asked, “Jack, are you hungry?”

I checked the time. I hadn’t had anything to eat all day. “Yeah, I could eat a horse.”

“Keiko, could you please get us something to eat?” Ted asked.

“Jack-san, we don’t have horse meat,” Keiko said. The girls giggled. Everything was funny to them.

Ted asked them, “Please make something simple but good, like a ham sandwich and soup.”

The girls got up and left the room. I couldn’t help but look at Midori in her workout short-shorts, which hugged her nice firm small butt. I was becoming attracted to her for some reason.

“Jack, so what do you think about this situation?” Ted asked.

“Uh … Oh, I think you have to carry a weapon any time you leave the embassy or home. If I was Nakanishi, I would be gunning for you first.”

“I see your point. If he kills me, then he could make a move on Keiko. So do you have a plan?”

“Yes. I didn’t want to mention this in front of the girls, but this Wednesday is the NIS raid. Depending on what happens, I might submit my resignation on Friday. Then they’ll want me to fly back to the U.S. for debriefing in a few days. I could possibly be in Japan working for Kamata by the following Friday.”

As Ted poured us both another drink, he said, “That sounds good. I am worried about Kamata.”

“I’m worried about all of you. Kamata is my meal ticket, without him I’ll be stuck working for the government until I get a gold watch. So I have to get to Japan ASAP.”

“I agree, Jack.”

“Ted, I don’t want Midori to go back to Japan until this situation is taken care of.”

“Don’t worry, Jack. She’ll stay here with us until it’s safe.”

Keiko yelled, “Lunch is ready!”

As we sat down to eat. I told Keiko, “Call your father, and tell him I should be arriving in Tokyo by August 14
th
. I’ll call him in a few days to confirm it, and give him my arrival information.”

Keiko said, “I will call him tonight with the good news.”

We finished eating and I told Ted that I’d see him tomorrow. I thanked Keiko and Midori for the snack, and explained I needed to get some rest.

Midori asked, “Jack-san, would you like some company tonight?”

I wanted her company. I wanted to get to know Midori better, but there was a chance that Mi-young could return to my room. That wouldn’t work out too well, if they ran into each other.

I put my hands on her shoulders and gently kissed her pink lips. “Midori, I’ve been up all night and only got a few hours of sleep. We have plenty of time to get to know each other better. Tonight I need my rest. I hope you understand and aren’t upset with me. Maybe tomorrow would be better.”

I kissed her again and there was a spark, as she returned my kiss. She said, “I understand, Samurai Warriors need their rest. Tomorrow you must be ready to do battle with me.” I laughed and so did she.

I bid them a goodnight and left feeling a little regretful that I didn’t bring Midori with me. Arriving back at the hotel, I was actually relieved that Mi-young was not there. I wasn’t in the mood for any arguments. I really needed to get drunk and have a sound sleep. I poured myself a big double and sat down to think about my future.        

I thought, there is no getting out of this now. I’m taking a very dangerous job and my first order of business will be to take out this Nakanishi guy. Kamata had a hidden motive when he hired me. It was his plan all along to kill Nakanishi. That’s why he hired a gaijin. Kamata knew that Nakanishi had a score to settle with me for making him lose face, killing his best friend, and the fact he lost his job. When Nakanishi finds out that I replaced him, he’ll go nuts for sure. Another problem is, when Yonazawa finds out that Midori is in love with me, he’ll also be gunning for me.

It was a very smart move on the part of Kamata. This was a typical Japanese way of doing business indirectly, by not letting the real agenda or motive be known. Kamata wanted an outsider to kill Nakanishi to keep the peace within the Inagawa Clan. Of course, he didn’t bother to tell me that.

I could kick myself for not thinking this job offer through more completely. I only looked at the money side of it. My only thought was that after a year of this, I could retire if I wanted to. Oh well, that’s why I’m getting paid the big bucks. The real question is, will I live to receive my two million dollar bonus at the end of the year? I must be crazy to get involved in another critical incident, and this one could turn out to be very dangerous.                 

Three days after Jack’s meeting with Colonel Han, the Army raided the NIS Headquarters on August 3
rd
, arrested Kwon, Suk, and twenty other men, some of whom were in the Army. All those involved were found guilty of an attempted coup and treason. All were tortured and executed during the next six months. The raid on the NIS was in all the newspapers. This Critical Incident could not be completely covered up. However, information about the EMP bombs were kept secret.

The evidence uncovered from Watanabe provided proof that Kwon and Suk were the ring leaders of the coup. The briefcase also contained the location of a laboratory, on the outskirts of Seoul, where the EMP bombs were being manufactured. Five people, three men and two women, were arrested at that location and it was burned to the ground.      

Nothing was ever published about the deaths of Kim and Watanabe on the streets of Itaewon. Their deaths were most likely covered up by the AIG under Colonel Han’s direction. Wright and Ellington got away and no one knows where they are now, but they are on the official hit list.

It was determined that President Roh was duped by Suk and Kwon into believing they were stopping a coup, when in fact they were going to commit the coup. Roh trusted Suk and Kwon because they attended the same University and became good friends. But there are those that believe Roh was well aware of what was going on, but the fact is, Roh didn’t know they had planned to kill him. And there are those who support the claim that he is totally innocent of any wrong doing. 

The Army Intelligence concluded that Roh was actually duped and was the victim in this plot. Therefore he was permitted to continue as President, since elections were less than a year away. With the approval of President Roh, martial law was put into effect for one month, after which life returned to normal in Korea.   

The coup was complex, but doable for Suk to become President after assassinating Roh, along with the U.S. and Korean Military leaders at the Blue House. Kwon’s minions would blow the e-bombs one hour before the assassinations on August 15
th
, Korean Liberation Day. This would cut off all communications within the Korean and U.S. military. A charge of C4 would be set-off in the Blue House, while the dinner party was taking place, killing all in attendance.

During the hectic confusion, Suk and Kwon would have the NIS security forces take control of the Blue House and declare Suk the acting President, until new elections could be held.

The assassinations and EMP bombs would be blamed on the North Korea. Suk would complain that the Army was not controlling the border well enough and claim that the North could attack any day. Since he is now the acting President, he has control of the Army. With all the previous Military Commanders dead, there was no one who could stop him. There would be a call for war which would plunge South Korea into further chaos, allowing Suk to gain even more power and slowly convert the country to a dictatorship. The other part of their plan was to unite North and South Korea in some distorted way. It was crazy thinking, but men like Suk and Kwon are crazy, just like Hitler was. They are power hungry little freaks who want to control everyone. To them it was a good plan.

Since the plan failed, Roh remained President. Lee was promoted to Director of the NIS. Colonel Han was promoted to a Brigadier General for stopping the coup.

What really happened to Roh, after his term as President, remains a mystery to this day. It is a fact that Roh was in favor of negotiating with North Korea. He was openly critical of the United States policy in dealing with the North. This created anti-American sentiment. Roh was not a good friend of the United States.

After he was originally elected, Roh faced a financial scandal over illegal campaign donations. Because of allegations that he broke election laws and due to Korea economic problems, Roh was impeached by parliament and forced to temporality step down. Two months later, the Supreme Constitutional Court overturned the impeachment and he returned to office.

His office was plagued by scandals and continued economic problems. He was seen as being too soft on the North Korean. He spent five years as President, which is the limit under Korean law and no one can run for a second term.

Three months after leaving office, Roh was again investigated over allegations of bribery, which had already put some of his relatives and aides in jail. Less than a month later, he committed suicide by jumping off a cliff near his home. The question remains, was he pushed, or did he jump?

This was classified as a Critical Incident by the U.S. and Korean Governments. Not all the facts of this Incident have been released for reasons of national security. 

*****

Lady Lim, owner of the Tiger House, after a long battle with cirrhosis of the liver, passed away. She left the Tiger House to Mi-young for taking care of her during her last terrible days on this earth.

*****

Ambassador Stevens advised the President and Secretary of State, exactly what the Korean news media had reported, along with additional information supplied by President Roh. Keiko and Ted seem to be safe from Nakanishi for the time being.

*****

Jack Gunn has not seen Mi-young since she walked out of his room at the Chosun Hotel. Jack moved to Japan ten days after this Incident to work as Director of Security and bodyguard for Kamata-san. Midori returned to Japan and is now living with Jack in Kamata’s compound. Nakanishi and Yonazawa are rumored to be plotting to kill Jack, Kamata, and Ted. Jack is activity seeking to terminate both of them before they can kill anyone.

But that’s another Jack Gunn Asian Adventure.