Every Breath You Take (24 page)

Within thirty minutes the blocks surrounding the warehouse were cordoned off and traffic was being shunted to the side streets. Dozens of police cars, ambulances and fire engines were on site. Scores of uniformed police and firefighters along with EMT’s and medical personnel filled the area. It wasn’t long before the satellite trucks arrived and a cadre of policemen was assigned to manage the press. News helicopters fighting for award-winning news shots added to the frenzy of the scene below. Crowds of bystanders streamed to the site eager to see in person what they’d been watching on their television sets.

It was a remarkable scene. According to the breathless press reports, the SFPD Vice Squad had busted the delivery of over fifty young Korean women bound for the District brothels and a life of misery. The public reacted in horror to the sight of dozens of terrified emaciated women being treated by first responders. They watched in frozen shock as the victims were bundled into waiting ambulances and carted off with sirens blazing to the nearest hospitals. Meantime the hospitals were frantically preparing for the onslaught of new patients and the fanatical press. Equally alarming were the stacks of bodies,
Jopok
men presumably killed in the raid.

Surrounded by reporters and cameras, Captain Rourke fielded questions from the rabid press corps. Lexie stood at his side adeptly managing the zealous reporters. Gone was her disguise, in its place she wore sweatpants and a Forty-niners sweatshirt. With her long blonde hair streaming around her shoulders Lexie still managed to look glamorous. Jake, Brady, Peter and Tiffany stood in the background.

Not long after the press arrived, a black town car with sirens screaming worked its way through the crowd. Along with their bodyguards, Police Commissioner Roberts and Commissioner Craig Spellman spilled from the recesses of the official car. Jake and Peter met them at the side of the makeshift stage. Jake rattled off the critical elements of the version of events they’d concocted for the press.

When he finished briefing them, Jake motioned the two Commissioners to the stage.

With an ironic grin, he murmured in a low voice, “Go for it, Gentlemen. Take all the credit you are due.”

~~~

His voice was unusually calm, which made it more chilling.

“You have failed me. Completely. Absolutely.”

“I… I know it seems like that, Sir. But—”

“Silence! You are an incompetent idiot! Can you deny that they know your identity?”

“No… no. I… mean… my moniker, the White Dragon, is known, I admit. But no one but you, and my partner, know my true identity.

“Surely you are not so naive you don’t know how easily they will discover who you are.”

“I acknowledge that their sources—her sources—may figure out my identity.”

“Which means one thing. She must go. Immediately. They both must die. She and Gardner. Now.”

“Yes… yes. I understand. We… my partner and I have put a plan in action. It can’t fail. The enforcers will be to blame for their deaths, which will protect you.”

“Foolish person. I am always protected. I am invincible.”

“Yes, yes, Sir. I understand that you are. But… given the size of the event there are likely to be additional ‘casualties’.”

“Just make sure that the enforcers do not kill the political elite. We will need them in the future.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“One more thing. If she and Gardner are not dead by morning, you will be.”

“Um, ah… yes, Sir. I assure you, they will be dead.”

The buzzing sound indicated he’d hung up—without bothering to repeat his threat.

Chapter 23

Craig Spellman rose to his feet and rapped on his glass to get the attention of the audience. “Ladies and gentlemen, I invited you here tonight to celebrate an important milestone. For months, in truth for years, our city has been plagued by a hideous cancer. Part of a worldwide epidemic, the international human trafficking industry has been invading our beautiful city. They are bringing young women from around the world to our city against their will and selling them to the brothels as prostitutes. Two days ago, we achieved a hard-earned victory in this war against the exploitation of women. I declare that tonight represents only the first of many victories until we have eliminated this hideous scourge.”

A round of applause greeted his proclamation.

Multicolored lights sparkled over the spacious stone patio on Spellman’s extraordinary mansion. Fresh flowers and candles decorated the dinner tables and a string quartet was an elegant addition to the celebratory affair. As if the beautiful spring evening wanted in on the festivities, a full moon and hundreds of bright stars lit the night.

Both Craig Spellman and Tom Roberts had insisted that they have this party. Looking at the assembled group, Jake conceded it was the right thing to do. Along with the Mayor and other dignitaries Spellman invited key players in his department. Likewise, Tom Roberts ensured that Dan Rourke and Mark Peterson were honored guests, along with as many members of the Vice Squad who could afford public scrutiny.

As Spellman said, their victories were few and far between, the least they could do was celebrate when something went right. Jake had to agree. His team was thrilled that they had stopped the delivery of what turned out to be sixty young Korean women, none older than twenty. In the process they’d killed nearly fifty Kkangpae fighters. By any standard, it was a victory.

As Spellman raised his glass first to Lexie and by extension their team, and then to Dan Rourke and the members of the Vice Squad, Jake knew the others shared his conflicting feelings. Yes, they’d made a dent. And yes, lives had been saved. But in the eyes of his team, the victory was bittersweet. They’d missed their prime target, the White Dragon. Worse, they had telegraphed to key people, including their prime suspect, that they knew he was out there.

While waiting for dessert and post-dinner libations to be served, Spellman encouraged the guests to mingle. Jake joined Brady and Peter at the side of the pool. He turned to Brady.

“What do you hear from the guys?”

Brady nodded pleasantly as though Jake had asked him if he was enjoying the weather. “Not much. Everything is quiet inside the perimeter but Denny agreed to call in Mike and his squad. Both of them share our concerns. These grounds are huge. And the fences and gates are primarily decorative.”

Jake nodded. The last two days had been filled with reaction to the operation. The press attention alone had been fierce. Given Lexie’s role in the takedown, the Center was bombarded with reporters. Jake had managed to get the stations to set up a shared satellite feed so at least there was only one truck outside the gate. But each of the outlets was demanding personal access to the Blonde Barracuda. Every lead reporter wanted a personal interview. Jake asked Tiffany to take over scheduling the interviews and to stand in for Lexie when she could.

Although Jake was as much in demand as Lexie, he preferred to be in the background. He, Brady and Peter had enough to do figuring out how to capitalize on the takedown. They all agreed that Young-soo must be going ballistic. It didn’t take much to know that Young-soo would be eager for revenge. It also was clear that the demon’s primary target was Lexie. The rest of Jake’s team was a close second.

Their biggest concern was how to keep the White Dragon from going underground or disappearing altogether. Like any other despot, Young-soo would insist that heads roll in response to the ignominious defeat of his men. They hoped that the White Dragon would get one more chance to prove his worth before Young-soo took him down himself.

At first they viewed Spellman’s event as a distraction. After thinking it through, Jake began to see ways they could capitalize on it. All of the key players in Roberts’s, Spellman’s and even the Mayor’s office would be in attendance. It was a virtual certainty that unless Young-soo had already eliminated him, the White Dragon would be among them. Much as Jake hated to admit it, in any counter action they could devise, Lexie was the obvious bait. Building on that premise, Jake agreed to attend and ensured that any and all potential suspects were on the confirmed attendee list.

Treating the event as the next major step in the war against Young-soo, Jake and the team planned a full-scale initiative. They called in operatives from around the globe to augment their stateside squads. They included some of Tiffany’s Korean-based consorts, many of them spoke fluent Korean and had been after Young-soo for years. This time around they brought Dan Rourke and Mark Peterson into the planning process. Both of the premier police officers and their undercover unit had proven themselves worthy confidants.

Brady returned from taking a call from Denny. At that moment Tiffany and Lexie joined them.

Jake put his arm around Lexie and gave her a quick kiss. Brady slipped his arm around Tiffany and said, “How’s the world’s sexiest public relations maven? The Blonde Barracuda keeping you busy, wildcat?”

Tiffany laughed. “You joke, Brady. After ‘handling’ Lexie’s access to the press these last couple of days, I’ll bet I could get hired to head up any rock star’s PR detail. I’m expecting to hear from Eminem’s manager any day now, inviting me take over the bad boy rapper’s next world wide tour. Damn, he couldn’t be any more popular with the press than Lexie is!”

Lexie blushed but shared in the laughter with the others.

“I’m glad Craig barred news people from this party. Let me tell you it’s a relief. I never realized how tiring being in the public eye can be. Thank goodness for Tiffany. I’d be dead on my feet without her.”

Jake glanced around to make sure none of the other guests could hear him and said in a conspiratorial voice, “Just think of the bombshell there would’ve been if anyone besides us saw Lexie in her outrageous disguise.”

Brady guffawed. “Jesus, Jake, that picture would be front page news from the New York Post to the Examiner. I don’t know about you guys, but I’ll never forget hotshot jumping out from behind that eighteen-wheeler, looking nine months pregnant and brandishing two Hk416 rifles. Damn, what a photo opportunity!”

Jake chuckled, “Don’t forget, she went on to mow down twenty armed fighters. Hell, Brady, if the press had seen that, no question but that Lexie would be TIME Magazine’s woman of the year, and on the cover of every magazine from The Economist to People.”

Peter added with a wink, “Don’t forget Victoria Secret and—”

Brady broke in, “And Playboy and Hustler and—”

“All right, you guys! That’s
my woman
you’re talking about!” Jake barked.

Craig Spellman strolled over and joined the group, interrupting their laughter.

“I’m glad to see that all of you are enjoying my party. I know you questioned the wisdom of the event, Jake, but I felt it was important to honor all of you who were involved. It was a remarkable feat. I’ve told you before, but let me tell you again, all of you are genuine heroes.”

Jake accepted for the group. “Thanks, Craig. We appreciate your comments
and
this terrific party. I’ve changed my mind. After tasting that toro tuna, I’ll never again question the wisdom of a party at the Spellman’s.”

After additional pleasantries and good-natured ribbing, Spellman went off to chat with Dan Rourke and the Mayor.

Peter waited until Commissioner Spellman was out of earshot then spoke quietly.

“I think you and I agree, Jake. Spellman is not likely to be the White Dragon. Everything he has done since the warehouse attack, at least in my mind, confirms that he is not our target.”

Jake grimaced. “Yeah, I concede, Peter. Hell, my neck doesn’t even quiver, much less itch, when he comes near. Worst of all, I think I’m beginning to like the guy. Imagine that.”

He nodded surreptitiously to Tom Roberts who was standing across the room talking to his wife, Cynthia.

“Now, on the other hand, except for his initial excitement at the warehouse, our police commissioner has been anything but cheery since we met with him. At the scene, he was a pro. Like a true leader he didn’t take credit. Rather he credited Dan and his men and was positively effusive about Lexie. Hell, he even praised us. Watching him handle the press and answer question after question about an op that I’d briefed him on for the first time a couple of minutes earlier, I could see why he’s considered a political up and comer. He’s got presence, and he’s charming.”

Lexie glanced over at the couple.

“He sure doesn’t look charming now. He looks like he’d smack Cynthia across the face if there weren’t people around.” She hesitated. “I can’t get the scene out of my mind when he came and picked up Sammie this morning. He didn’t call ahead, he just showed up. I don’t think he’s ever been at the Center except for exhibitions. Ji-Hun always brings the children and picks them up. I met Tom at the door expecting that he’d come to talk to me about Sammie. Instead, he glared at me and said ‘I came to get my daughter. Where is she?’ Before I could tell him anything he marched straight past me and charged into the dojo. The next thing I knew they were both walking out the door.”

“Did Sammie look frightened?”

“No, Tiff, she didn’t. Clearly she was surprised. But again, in a strange way she looked excited, glad to see him.”

Peter asked, “Is that common for an abused child, Lexie?”

Lexie sighed. “No. But then none of her behavior is. She is sending a mixture of signals. The clearest one is that she hates Koreans or more specifically, a Korean man; and that she is worried about her father. Seeing them together today just made it more confusing. She barely looks at her mother when Cynthia comes to the studio. But with Tom? If I had to describe her expression, I would say it was ‘adoring.’ I honestly don’t understand. Everything about this is confusing.”

Brady murmured, “I’ll tell you what isn’t confusing.” He nodded at Cynthia and Tom Roberts who were facing each other head on. “If that isn’t the beginning of an out-and-out brawl, I don’t know what is.”