Chapter 31
329 Words
Chapter 31
The guard had come up close behind the leader.
Kim spoke in rapid Korean. His bodyguard translated, “With who do we meet? You do not look military.” By the way he eyed the helicopter, Daniel decided it was a good thing he had come along. In the dim glow of the porch light, with her rotors spinning just an arm’s reach overhead, the Black Hawk looked lethal and ready to pounce at the slightest provocation; a mad dog barely chained.
“Daniel Drake Darlington, White House Chief of Staff. At your service.”
Another back and forth.
It might have been his imagination, but both men appeared to relax even before the translation began. How good was the leader’s English? His file said educated in Switzerland. That meant German and probably French.
“And with who do we meet? And where?”
Daniel wanted to glance back at the helicopter for support, but he knew they were the ones waiting for him.
“I come bearing an invitation from President of the United States Peter Matthews to meet with him on a quiet and secure island in British Columbia, Canada. Other than myself and the four aboard the helicopter behind me, there will only be two others. Only two other people on the planet know about this.” Captain Smith was one. And the Vice President had been briefed in the event of foul play.
After waiting for the translation, the two men looked at each other. Daniel could feel his heart beat once, twice, three times. Then, with no signal that Daniel could discern, the one with the machine g*n returned to the house, turned off the porch light plunging them into near-total darkness, and closed the door. When he returned, they indicated that Daniel should lead the way.
In sixty seconds the three of them were helmeted and strapped in side-by-side. In ten seconds more they were airborne. The flight then proceeded in perfect silence, not even any comments about the cow and tree dodging.
Not until twelve minutes away from the house.
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