Missy Makes Mayhem (Missy the Werecat Book 5) (20 page)

Tracy could only agree and, knowing what Alice had lived through, she really appreciated the way Alice was helping others now.  She realized exactly how lucky she herself and Missy were, both for never having been victims and, more importantly, for now having found their soulmates.  Nothing helped your self-esteem like having a man be completely devoted to you … even if, like John, he could sometimes be a real pain-in-the-ass!

Nov 6, 2019

Sami Massallah was back in Kabul, once again meeting with some of the Team Twenty-Two guys, their location hidden to keep his identity as an American operative a secret.  Running a huge network of spies for the CIA and now also acting as liaison for these unique soldiers were indeed a challenge.  He’d gotten word the general’s niece would still be visiting, as planned, in spite of the reports he’d sent back.

Major Grimes, recently promoted, had explained the general’s plan to have one of “P” Branch’s aircraft standing by in Boston, ready to bring Missy McCrea over if needed.  While that would take about eighteen hours, General Blake was confident she could help handle anything paranormal or supernatural that might arise.  After all, until now, they’d never knowingly dealt with any such threats.

As for all the normal threats, his team would be integrated with the Army’s elements at each location, throughout the tour.  While the enemy might be willing to send suicide attackers, those still could be defended against with all the security measures already in place at each of these embassies along with that at the routes to and from, plus at the airfields and at the compounds where Candace and Oliver would be staying.

Master Sergeant Hernandez, the team sergeant and highest ranking enlisted member of the unit, had extended his tour and signed on for at least two more years.  Like Major Grimes and most of the other members who also were staying on, he was very invested in what this reconstituted team was doing.  He looked at Sami and asked, “Will your informants inside WIJO be able to report any last minute attempts in time for us to do anything?”  He viewed WIJO as the greatest worry since they were even more radical than the Taliban and al Qaeda terrorists likely to be near these embassies.

Sami knew Team Twenty-Two had already reviewed all the available Intel, including his reports.  “Yes, I’ve alerted each of them how I want a signal in the event anything new or interesting might happen, starting now and going until six days after Thanksgiving.  None of them knows about this tour, or course, but they know the significance of Thanksgiving being a big holiday back in the U.S., even though it’s business as usual over here.  My being concerned about this time period is fully understood.”

Grimes said, “We think Islamabad will be a manageable risk, even though you’re worried about all those former TTP extremists.  Since that’s the first stop, they probably can’t react in time and the tour will have left, coming here to Kabul, before they have a chance to do much.  But, they’ll definitely be putting the word out once they learn Candace Axtell is over here, so your informants should then be sending you lots of info about that.”

Sami nodded his head to acknowledge his agreement with all this and then brought up a new subject.  “Look, I’m satisfied with all the tour arrangements and I’ve actually asked for this meeting today to brief you about something else.  Winword tells me Homeland Security has recently identified one of their own as a traitor.  You won’t be hearing about this from your usual Army Intel sources.  And, fortunately, this traitor isn’t able to compromise any of the CIA agents or any of our operations, since he never had the clearance and had no need to know.”

Hernandez said, “Okay, that’s the good news.  What’s the bad news?”

“Well, according to Winword, WIJO might now be getting all sorts of information concerning where the U.S. is most vulnerable, details on what Homeland Security procedures are, stuff like that.  This traitor had been selling information to some big drug cartel in Colombia for years as well as helping protect them from exposure.  Then, some top secret agency back there stirred things up, specifically questioning why that cartel had managed staying below the radar without various government agencies knowing it was controlling most of the drugs coming into the U.S. from South America.”

Grimes laughed and said, “Let me guess … that top secret agency was “P” Branch and the cartel was responsible for selling Candace Axtell to WIJO.  That’s probably why this traitor is now selling his information to WIJO, right?  He had to go on the run when his cartel buddies suddenly were no longer in power and their leader Manuel Rodriguez mysteriously disappeared.”

“Winword told me you’d know something about that since it was Missy who went down there to Colombia, along with General Blake, and somehow convinced Rodriguez to disappear.  But, he said you wouldn’t know anything about this traitor who has now also gone missing.”

“The difference is Rodriguez is incarcerated, with “P” Branch holding him somewhere safe, while this traitor must have escaped.  Do you have anything else which suggests he went to WIJO for help?”  Grimes knew there were several organizations a traitor might go to and wondered why Winword was saying WIJO was chosen, aside from his guess it had something to do with Candace.”

“Actually, yes.  It was only after Winword saw one of the reports I’d sent back that he called me about this.  Apparently, it contained some things which could only have come from this Homeland Security guy.  It hadn’t meant anything to me when I’d sent it in but Winword already had his team back there searching through all field reports for certain key things which this traitor might have leaked and this had been a clear red flag.”

Hernandez asked, “Was the report from one of your informants with WIJO here in Afghanistan?”  He knew Sami had several people he’d managed to place inside WIJO, scattered throughout the Mid-East.

“No, and that’s another reason I hadn’t been concerned about the report I’d sent back.  It was from my guy over in Ankara.”

“Ankara?” exclaimed Grimes.  “That’s the third stop for Candace’s tour!  And, here we were thinking Turkey would be the safest of her three stops.”

-----

Felipe Benedict watched as Lily sashayed down the hallway, headed for the elevator.  She really had a great ass and he enjoyed watching her.  Then he closed his door and walked over to stare out the huge window at the Eiffel Tower and the city far below, all lit up.  As advertised, his suite in the Le Meurice Hotel provided one of the more spectacular views Paris had to offer.

He had really enjoyed Lily and would ask for her again.  He smiled to himself, thinking how Lily wasn’t her real name any more than Felipe Benedict was his.  But, he’d created his new identity long ago and had used it before.  He’d prepared well for this and, now forced to abandon everything and everyone back in the U.S., he was very glad he’d done so.  It hadn’t been easy.  And, he certainly hadn’t ever intended to become a traitor.

But, one thing had led to another and along the way, he’d had to make choices.  At the time, some of those choices hadn’t seemed all that significant.  They’d merely been little decisions which might have led him down a very different path had he not chosen one thing rather than another.  Of course, there then had been those bigger decisions.  Had he not decided to seek satisfaction from girls other than his wife, had he not been caught doing so and forced to work for that bastard Manuel Rodriguez, then perhaps he wouldn’t have fled, assumed this new identity and decided to betray his country.

Ironically, he’d never even met Manuel or even spoken to him.  He’d always dealt instead with Manuel’s right hand man, Pablo Estaban.  But, that hadn’t mattered.  What had mattered was how well he had provided information and how well he had helped cover up all the various activities which the Rodriguez criminal organization had been responsible for.  And, at least in the first few years, he’d not even considered himself a traitor.  What did it matter if he was helping a Colombian drug lord?  His role at Homeland Security was to stop terrorists rather than be concerned about the U.S. war on drugs.  Right?

Initially, he’d established his new identity along with all his overseas bank accounts in order to hide all the payments he was getting.  His wife had lots of money, which was why he’d stayed married to her all these years.  He hadn’t wanted her knowing about any of his extra income from Rodriguez.  Nor had he wanted the U.S. government knowing.  Aside from the taxes he wasn’t paying, his job required that he always appear squeaky clean.

Maintaining that squeaky clean appearance was what had led to his agreeing to work for Rodriguez in the beginning.  He’d held a high security clearance which of course would have been revoked, ending his career, had there been any scandal about those girls he’d gone to.  Avoiding exposure had been necessary.  Likewise, any hint he was taking money from anyone was necessary since that would have had the same result.

Gradually, as time had passed, he’d realized the day would eventually come when he’d need to disappear.  He’d taken extra care to assure his new identity, along with all the funds he’d managed to put away, could never be connected in any way to his “old life”.  And, knowing he’d need even more funds, once that day finally came, he’d prepared.  He’d managed to copy more than thirty thousand files which he now had stored in the cloud on servers outside of the U.S.  And, he’d determined who all the buyers were whom he could contact when the time came for selling this information.

When that mysterious “P” Branch had suddenly made its appearance six weeks earlier, not only sending lots of information about Rodriguez to a task force in Bogota but also asking why none of the other agencies were all that aware of the Rodriguez organization, he’d known.  He’d gone on vacation with everything he’d needed.  Then, once he’d learned Rodriguez had disappeared, he’d made himself vanish as well.

And, so far, things had gone perfectly.  The files he’d offered for sale to WIJO had been readily purchased and he knew they were very interested in buying lots more.  He’d provided them with just enough to prove his credibility and justify the high prices he was demanding.  He had started with them but of course he had many others he could go to, and they knew that.

Yes, he was safe and secure in his new identity and could afford to keep having girls like Lily come back again and again.  Life was good!

Nov 7, 2019

When their Khan Klass ended, Missy asked Sharon and Sally to join her and Tracy back in their room.  It was time to confront Cadet Melo and she wanted to strategize with them just how they should handle that.  Keeping track of where Melo was and running interference whenever it looked like he might be trying to meet any girls had gotten very old, very quickly.  And, Missy had finally located both of the other women she knew Melo had taken advantage of, in addition to Carol.

Tracy was the only one who understood just
how
she knew about any of these women but both Sharon and Sally were easily able to merely accept the fact Missy knew.  One of the women, like Carol, also worked in the kitchen.  The other was a nurse over in the infirmary.  Missy had only managed to locate her earlier that day.

Missy looked at her friends and said, “Tomorrow afternoon, I want to invite three of the women who have had
dates
with Cadet Melo to meet with us.  We’ll explain we are concerned cadets who want to conduct an informal review of what might be considered as inappropriate attention being given to civilian staff members here at the academy by certain male cadets.”

Tracy added, for Sharon’s and Sally’s benefit, “Keep in mind these women are not aware we know anything about Melo or about their having been molested.  We’ll pretend they were selected at random.”  She went on to explain how she would be inviting Carol.  Then, Sally was to invite the second woman and Sharon the third, all to further reinforce how this was all being done at random.

Sally looked at Missy and asked, “But, they each were actually
raped
by that bastard, right?”

“Yes, but each one believes that’s their own big secret and is not at all willing to have that secret be revealed.”  Missy had discussed things with Alice and thought she understood.  “It’s a very sad fact that many women just aren’t willing to deal with everything which might happen once they claim they’ve been a victim.  That’s why guys like Melo will get away with doing it, again and again.”

“So, what happens at this meeting?  How will it help us get Melo to resign?”  Sally then answered her own questions, saying, “Oh, wait … you’re going to invite Melo to this also?”

Missy said, “Melo will be there but these women won’t see him.  Or know he’s there.  The whole point is for him to see
them
there, talking to us.  Then I plan to make him an offer which he better not refuse.”  She told them where they needed to have this gathering and how, while they were meeting with the three women, she would be meeting with Melo in another room right nearby.

After Sharon and Sally left, Tracy said, “You’re going to just let this guy leave the academy, huh?  No dragging him out onto the parade field and maybe castrating him in front of everyone?”

Missy giggled.  “Well, that might be what happens if he refuses my offer.  I’m mostly concerned about the academy and I really don’t want its reputation to be tarnished.  I do plan to have some folks keeping an eye on him afterward, though.  Wherever he goes.  Having friends in high places does have its benefits.  I’m counting on his being caught and exposed for something before he gets the chance to hurt any more women.”

Tracy stared at her for several seconds.  “Just exactly which
high
places are you talking about, Missy!  Why do I get the feeling those places might not be with law enforcement?”  She was well aware of how the Roseanne Fund girls were being protected by mob enforcers.  She also remembered how Kion Gosselin had been turned over to the FBI by Missy’s mob buddies, after he’d attempted hiring them to kill her.

-----

Nov 8, 2019

Evan Melo was more than willing to go with Mitch Cooper to participate in a special secret meeting which Mitch assured him would have a big impact on his future at West Point.  Since Mitch was one of the academy’s star football players and well-liked by everyone, this could only be good, whatever it was.  Right?  Mitch didn’t share anything further and since Evan didn’t really know Mitch all that well, he didn’t press him for any more information.  They were in different regiments and had only had the same classes twice last year and not at all this year.

While they walked along together, making their way across academy grounds, he couldn’t help but think about Mitch’s girlfriend, Kelsey Powers.  While it was well known Kelsey was the top student in their class, that wasn’t what came to mind when his thoughts drifted from big Mitch to the little blond everyone knew belonged to him.  No, it was her incredible body which always gave him a big hard-on, just thinking about it … such a tiny waist, but those curvy hips and those huge boobs?  Amazing!

Yeah, he’d sure like to add her panties to his collection!  Of course, there was no way that was ever going to happen; not with Mitch to contend with.  They went inside while he continued day dreaming about how fantastic Kelsey looked, when viewed from the rear, and they now entered one of the many classrooms.  Very abruptly, his attention returned to his surroundings as he noticed who was standing in there, waiting for them.  Missy McCrea!  And, she was the only one there.  Oh, shit!  This couldn’t be good.  Of all the cadets at West Point, she was the one he most wanted to avoid.

True, she was very sexy and stunning to look at and had that killer body, but she was big trouble.  She had somehow been responsible for exposing all those Caesar Club guys last semester, forcing all those resignations … and he’d heard some of those guys were even doing time at Fort Leavenworth!  Wow, he wanted no part of her!

Missy said, “Thanks, Mitch!  I’ll take it from here but please hang around for a bit, okay?  I doubt Cadet Melo will want to leave before I’ve finished talking to him about some things but … just in case … you know?”  The implied threat was very clear.  Melo wouldn’t be going anywhere until Missy was done with him.

“Sure, Missy!  I’ll be right outside in case you need anything.”  With that, Mitch gave Melo a parting glance and then strode back out of the room, leaving him alone with Missy.

Melo started to protest right away and said, “What’s this all about, McCrea?  I was told this would be a secret meeting but …”

Missy didn’t wait for him to finish.  “Come take a look at who we have in the next room, Evan.  But, don’t make any noise.  You definitely won’t want them to notice you.  Then we’re going to have a conversation.”  She led the way out into the hallway and down to another classroom.  The door was closed but he could see through the glass easily enough.  Six women, sitting around talking.  He recognized the three cadets, all of whom he knew were close friends with Missy.  And, yeah … he recognized the other three women.  They were writing, filling out some sort of a form.  An icy chill went down his spine.  He looked at Missy and she gestured for him to return to the first classroom.

While he wanted to charge inside the other classroom and demand to know what the hell was going on in there, he paused.  Then, he decided to follow after Missy first and find out from her just what this was all about; she definitely seemed to be up to something and he figured he’d better find out exactly what that was.  Fast.

She closed the door as soon as he returned inside the classroom, so it was just the two of them.  Thanks to the acoustics for these old classrooms, he couldn’t hear anything from outside and he knew whatever he and Missy said would be private.  Unless she was recording it.  “You aren’t taping this conversation you said we’d be having are you?”

Missy said, “No, Evan.  But this is strike two for you.  You do recognize the three women in there who are being interviewed?  They are not actually talking about you and are blissfully unaware you and I are right in here, talking about them.  Talking about how you
raped
them, Evan.  You do want to keep all that quiet, right?”  Missy had a way of putting some real steel into her tone, in spite of keeping her voice at a normal volume.

“Are you out of your mind?  You can’t make accusations like that!”  Evan was outraged and his voice sputtered.  But, he was now very uncomfortable.  How the hell could she possibly know anything?  If those bitches had been talking, he was going to make certain they regretted it.  “No one is going to believe whatever lies those women might be telling.  How dare you …”

“Evan, stop trying to deny this.  Your secrets are safe, at the moment.  But, if you don’t do exactly as I say, I’ll bring you back into that room and I can promise you those secrets … those
rapes
you’ve done … will become very public, very quickly.  While those girls may have been afraid to accuse you up until now?  I can assure you they will each be willing to testify against you once my friends and I show them how much support they will be getting.”

“Okay, Missy, you think you’re so smart?  I’m not admitting anything but if there was any sex involved with those women, it was consensual sex and there’s no way to prove otherwise.  I don’t care what fucking testimony you can get them to give.  My lawyers will …”

“See, Evan?  You’re already talking about your lawyers and treating all this as though it was already happening and legal proceedings were a reality.  You really want to try to defend yourself in court from
criminal
charges?  While you may think those women can’t succeed in convincing a jury, you don’t even know what other evidence there might be against you.”

“What other evidence?”  Melo did get her point about not wanting any of this to actually become public.  His parents would disown him, regardless of how innocent he tried to pretend he was.  They would not be pleased having to deal with all the scandal.

“I would truly enjoy seeing you go to prison for your crimes, Evan, but those women in the other room have each chosen to keep quiet about what you’ve done.  They’ve not told anyone how you’ve callously taken advantage of them, forced them into having sex with you and then threatened them so they didn’t go to the authorities.  No, they didn’t get examined right away by doctors, didn’t allow all the rape kit evidence to be gathered, didn’t choose to take those steps.”  Missy was getting really worked up and the energy force she was putting into her words was more than enough to shut Evan up.  She continued, saying, “Those indeed were steps which might have stopped you from hurting other women but only by them allowing themselves to be dragged out into the limelight as well.  You counted on that, of course.  You choose women who you knew would not have the courage to do that.”

Melo finally managed to interrupt her, saying, “I’m not admitting anything and you’ve just admitted there isn’t any other evidence.  So, are we done here?”

“No, we’re not done and I’m just getting started.  You see, while I don’t want to ask those women to give testimony, what I really don’t want is for you to continue here at West Point.  I don’t want you raping other women and I don’t want you giving the academy a bad name.  So, you’re going to resign, Evan.  Right now.  Today.  And, as I told you earlier, this is strike two for you.”

“Now I know you’re crazy!  What makes you think I’ll resign?  And what the hell does strike two mean?”

“You got strike one when Sally confronted you about your inappropriate behavior with Emily Robinson.  You can take strike two by resigning, leaving West Point and leaving the army.  You can do that and no one will know about these rapes.  But, if there’s ever a strike three, because you do it again, Evan?  Or, because you
try
to do it again?  You see … you’re going to be watched from now on.  So, there better not be any next time.  You really don’t want to mess with me, Evan.”

Melo was getting very uncomfortable but thought he’d call her bluff.  “What makes you think you’re so special, McCrea?  I’ve read all those phony articles about you in the magazines.  You and General Blake?  Maybe you’re fucking him, is that it?  When I heard you’d left the academy this summer, I was glad.  Is that what you were up to, fucking the general?  Or, maybe you’re fucking the Superintendent here also.  Is that why you came back?”

“Rather than asking me any of those ridiculous questions, Evan, you should be asking yourself why Kion Gosselin, Chris Bernhard and those five other Caesar Club assholes are all serving time in Fort Leavenworth.  You should be wondering why they
chose
to plead guilty with no trial, no public outcry, with all now pretty much forgotten.  Why do you suppose that is, anyway?”

Melo had wondered about all that, actually.  And, it was one of the reasons he’d wanted to avoid Missy McCrea.  He didn’t know how she was involved, exactly, or to what extent she was responsible; but … she indeed had some friends in very high places.  At the end of the day, it really didn’t matter if she was fucking generals or not.  Did he want to mess with her?

Missy could see him working it out.  She sensed when he realized he was not going to win this one.  No, he really didn’t have the resources to go against her, regardless of how innocent he thought he could make himself out to be.  If she could get those women to accuse him in public, that wasn’t going to end well.  She thought she’d add just a bit more for him to worry about.  “If you don’t agree to resign, I’ll have my FBI buddies come in here and go through your room before you get a chance to go back there.  What do you think they’ll say about your panty collection, Evan?  While you’re telling everyone it was all consensual, there are three women out there who will be saying it wasn’t.  And, the DNA evidence will prove three of those panties you’ve collected belong to them.  Are you
really
willing to go in that direction, hoping there won’t be enough evidence to put you in Leavenworth along with Kion, Chris and the others?”