PART-II. THE PLOT

Mauritius 2011. Anthony Dezel was very happy her 20-year-old daughter Liza had graduated with A-grade in Economics from London. She was coming home in a week’s time and the family had arranged a big party to celebrate Liza’s success. Anthony had received a handsome amount arranging for the Indian tourists Firdaus and Nisith, back in December 2009, that was a good outing for everybody !!

But not for Anthony Dezel.

It was a memorable evening for Liza. Mom and Dad were so happy. After all the guests had gone Liza kissed everybody goodnight and went to bed.

Early morning she woke up with a shriek, her heart pounding. Mom was screaming – “please call the ambulance Liza, fast,” Liza ran down the stairs and rushed to Dad’s room.

She froze!! Dad was on the bed motionless; Mom was crying hysterical. The ambulance took him to nearby Wellkin Hospital.

“I’m Mrs Dezel, Good Morning Doctor.”

“Good morning, Mrs Dezel, please be patient, we are there with Mr. Dezel, don’t worry, everything will be fine.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

After thirty minutes the Doctor came and announced “Mr. Dezel had died due to strychnine poisoning in his food. The body will be sent for post mortem. Please wait for my call. We are very sorry for your loss Mrs. Dezel.”

Who killed Anthony Dezel?

It had been nearly sixty days Azim had parked himself in London, he was close to finishing his last assignment from Rafiq before Tracy could meet up.

Britain Finance Secretary’s two children were at the Harrow School on Wednesday when Azim and Shaukat had planned to ram the truck with explosives  into the school.

There was a tip off, from an unknown source, to the office of Home Secretary, Lorraine Elizabeth, describing the exact timing and place of explosion! Richie Drubb was in his office and he was not told by Lorraine about the crisis his children could get into; instructions went quick and sharp to the    Head-Security – the explosion was thirty minutes off and Grizlane Strauf picked up the most efficient officer, Gary Drewmore, into the pack and ordered immediate execution of shoot-at-sight of the terrorists !!

The quick wit of Gary and his men efficiently followed the truck positioning backed up from Lorraine’s office, it was travelling on the opposite direction to the traffic flow and Gary took a U-turn to be behind the truck.

Gary had only fifteen minutes to finish the operation !!  He quickly sent additional help on the opposite direction, the truck had sensed trouble and started mangling cars on its way to school. Gary’s car tried to intercept but failed, the driver was not able to cross and come in front of the truck.

In no time, armed personnel surrounded the truck and incessant firing continued at the front for ten minutes. The horns of the truck kept blaring sending the traffic into a tizzy.

Gary shouted to stop firing, “Move forward two of you, one target is definitely dead, start firing at the slightest movement.”

There was no movement. Shaukat had died from bullet injuries; Azim fled the place and the police ran to nearby high-rises to fish him out.

Tracy landed at Heathrow airport in wee hours of Sunday, Rafiq briefed her on Azim’s brush with death and advised her to lay low for a week and wait for further instructions.

                        She had no choice but to hold back shopping at the Harrods for a week!

Gary Drewmore had worked for US Navy Seals for ten years; he was in London away from the humdrum of the NSWC (Naval Special Warfare Command).  Gary was always fond of London and worked with different counter intelligence agencies on a free agent basis. Burt Foker at Langley (CIA Headquarters, Virginia, USA) spoke recently with Gary but he was not eager to come to US. Commander Sheila Ancellotii, Head of NSWC, had spoken very highly of Gary at MI5 and the UK Defence and Home Ministries were eager to draft him as a regular – Gary had refused that agreement to the astonishment of many.

Lorraine Elizabeth had particularly asked for Gary; she had been following closely the events that led to the killing of the driver at the Harrow school site!

Lorraine was very impressed with Gary’s work and a confidential note from 10 Downing Street had indicated the high-profile Indian journalist, who had been holidaying with her husband in Mauritius, had escaped death. She was awash with excitement – could she wait for further notes from PM(?).

A meeting was arranged at the Home Secretary’s office and Gary Drewmore was drafted in to work with the Home Secretary as there was a risk to her life, MI5 had been talking to Lorraine for quite some time now.

Firdaus Kenny was alive !!

It was a beautiful evening in Mauritius on December 23, 2009, the sun just trying to set, when Alex Shepherd ventured into the sea with his tiny boat. The last few days were uneventful for Alex, his daughter Jerry was ill and Alex wanted some fresh air out along the waters.

The evening had not gone far enough when Alex noticed a patch of red water not very far away from him, something was adrift, was it a huge log(?) he mumbled. Getting closer, what he saw was terrible!

A young woman, in her mid-forties, was floating, the stillness of her reminded him of Broja, his wife – she was drowned in the sea a year back; he quickly took the boat along and pulled her, young Jones was by his side. Alex drove the boat swiftly to the shore; it was dark when they reached the nearby hospital.

Firdaus had multiple injuries; timely interception could save her life. Two bullets had pierced, one into her bottom right leg, the other missing her lungs by a whisker. The dog bite had been dangerous, the poison had spread into her entire body. She had multiple tetanus shots and wound irrigation. The Doctor had put her under heavy doses of penicillin. Alex had, on the boat, used some hydrogen peroxide to her stomach but that was not working, she needed enough of chlorhexidine infusions !!

The Mauritian police hastily got hold of Firdaus and the hospital, the message was immediately wired to the office of the Indian Embassy at Mauritius. The High Commissioner, Anil Mathur,  spoke on the hotline to Kanwaljit Singh Mann.

                                         Kanwaljit was on the next chartered flight to Mauritius !!

Kanwaljit was a decorated officer of Indian Intelligence Wing (IIW) and had served the Department in many covert and overt operations. His ability to see things beyond was exemplary and was on the good books of his Director General, Krishnan Subramanium.

He met the doctor in Mauritius and with his help came to know from Firdaus the details of the horrible attack on her life, she was not allowed to speak much, Kanwaljit thanked the doctor and asked him not to move Firdaus anywhere till he received direct orders from him. Her life was still in danger.

He then spoke to Bhupesh Kumar – his colleague in Delhi, “Go to 13th Floor, take a bath, then we can have dinner together.” The phone call was coded, it meant – go to United Kingdom - it had 13 letters, meet up with Lorraine Elizabeth – bath meant elizabeth. We can discuss during dinner time.

December 2011. It was very cold in London, Azim was walking to a nearby phone booth when a young lad handed a chit, it was written in French – vous etes du material utilise maintenant – you are used material now. Azim ran a quick eye around, there was no one!

                                                                  Azim had very less time to live.

Lorraine was informed Kanwaljit Mann was in London. They met after office.

“Hi, Lorrie, how are you, quite some time! You’ve put on weight, haven’t you(?)”

“Yes Kan, long time. Had to, you’ve to carry a large weight on your shoulders.” Both laughed.

“I’ve been on it for a while, this Mauritius thing, wanted some good lead on it.” Kanwaljit was curious as he poured some hot coffee.

"Kan, you don’t worry a penny, I’ve prepared a file for you, take it. The two guys are here in London, I guess, the Harrow attack was their doing; the main man is in hiding, I’m working with Gary, let’s see, hmn(?),” Lorraine smiled.

“Lorrie, I’ve confirmed inputs one of them is a woman, and she has been tasked to look after you. She is operating with a British passport, Nikita Downing, run a check on her and let me know.”

“I will.”

Next morning, Lorraine had to hasten things up; she was already late. Anti-Immigration Bill  would be on the table at Commons. She had a furious speech in store, something had to be done, she muttered. The PM would be meeting Gary Drewmore during tea and she wanted to tell  many things to Gary!!

He looked very handsome, he sat in front of her and gazed blankly towards the street. What on earth is he looking when I am around! He had to take care of me alright but how do I like a man who’s sitting like a stone(?), she mumbled.

Lorraine’s belly did a fluttering, sickening roll. Why, of all the men on the planet, did it have to be him?

Embarrassment filled her like hot, sticky gunk. She'd first met Gary quite a while ago, probably in Virginia, when he'd provided security for a ball she had attended. He was former military, and worked for a private security firm in London.

The moment she'd first laid eyes on him, her body had malfunctioned. Even now, she remembered the hot ripple  that had passed through her when he had introduced himself.

She pressed her head back against the headrest. It took no effort to dream what he looked like without clothes, probably because she would think of him every day since. He was strong, five feet ten, with broad shoulders and an easy gait  that probably reminded of Daniel Craig !! Oh my God, what I’m saying – she mumbled to herself.

His dark hair was shaved close to his scalp, and his skin was beautiful and sun kissed. Strong brows sat low over eyes that were a startling pale green.

 Lorraine’s dream was smashed amid loud stuttering of bullets !! In a flash Gary Drewmore’s eyes sparked like a panther! The car was getting riddled with gun shots, someone was trying to kill Lorraine – the sniper was spraying 50  caliber rounds on the right side of the car, not

getting hold of the left side where Lorraine was seated – it was a right-hand wheel and the car was fully armoured. One shot shattered the front glass of the car. The driver was shot in the head, the blood sprinkling the left side of the impregnable limousine.

Gary, with a sharp jerk, took the wheel and stationed near the road, Lorraine was hysterical and could not control herself – her white jacket was smeared in blood. Gary, in a flash, got out of the car and tried to locate the high-rise the sniper was positioned in. Lorraine was asked to dip her whole body down beneath and she did exactly what was told to her.

Who wanted to get rid of Lorraine Elizabeth(?).

Gary drove the car keeping the sniper’s gun on the right and pushed the Mercedes into a narrow street between two buildings. The sniper had lost the angles to blow the car.

Kanwaljit wanted to see Lorraine but decided against it. Sipping his wine from the balcony of his rented flat overlooking the Thames was a sight to behold! He picked up the phone – there was a call from Delhi. He ran down to his car and frantically dialled a number, took the details and rushed towards Heathrow. He had to catch the first tube to Central London !!

Azim bought an Oyster card from Heathrow and boarded a train. It was crowded and Azim took a window seat, it was past ten in the evening and he managed to get a pack of hamburgers with coke. Central London would be an hour and Rafiq would be waiting at Boyds Grill and Wine Bar. His accommodation had been changed and coming Sunday he would be flying back to Pakistan with Rafiq. They would speak to Tracy, who was in hiding after the Home Secretary mishap – she should not have missed it she thought, it was denting her power to bargain!

Kanwaljit got into the train in time. When the train was halfway to London there was a warning instruction from the guard to all the travellers,“Dear passengers, your attention please. This is Sandrina Dust, the Guard of the train. You are requested to report any suspicious movement in the train immediately to the guard, the number is displayed on the screen. We have come to know that some terror activity would be taking place in the train.”

Nice job by Sandrina, Kanwaljit thought. He quickly made a stroll on all the coaches and his expert eyes could spot three gentlemen winking strangely, one of them might be Azim. As the train approached central London a dozen police force encircled the train. Azim jumped the train from the opposite side and ran towards the elevator. Coming out of the station Kanwaljit saw Azim boarding a station wagon, with another person, the jeep was speeding away. Bhupesh was waiting in his car, Kanwaljit sprang on to it and sped towards the black jeep.  The streets of central London were thinning, time was close to 11.30 in the night. The station

wagon raced south down a backcountry road through the hills of Stratford towards the Cambridge border, he saw the driver, a long-framed man, his sharp-featured face intense, the muscles of his jaw pulsating, his clear black eyes furious. Beside him sat Azim, the reddish glow of his auburn hair heightened by the dashboard lights.

Bhupesh approached Azim from a parallel lane and as Azim saw him, he doubled the speed of the wagon. Suddenly, a red Hummer came galloping and tried to cross the intersection, Azim’s driver crashed the car into the Hummer. There was a loud, screeching sound, Azim’s car rolled several times before coming to a stop.

Kanwaljit got out of his car, Bhupesh behind him. He saw the driver was dead and Azim was trying to say something in a grumpy voice, he was grievously injured.

Kanwaljit shot him in his head twice, lit a cigarette, waited for a while and strolled towards his car. It was 1.30 am in the morning and he was ravenously hungry !!

Lorraine Elizabeth was hugely indebted to Gary for saving her life. The press conference was intense and Lorraine proudly stated the quick mind and chivalry of Gary – the one who saved her life. She confessed there aren’t many like him in the Home Ministry.

Lorraine secretly longed for Gary and upon a note to the Head-Security it had been decided Gary would be housed in the same building as Lorraine to avert any further embarrassment !!

                                                          She invited Gary in her room for tea!

Lorraine saw Gary was behind her and she touched Gary’s hand softly. Gary was still for a few seconds enjoying the moment. Lorraine twisted herself towards Gary and kissed him. He kissed her back.

Gary lifted his head and those gorgeous, pale-green eyes focused on her. She already knew that he was a man who missed nothing, not the smallest detail. He would know who the people were in the plot and the quickest way to get the culprit.

                                           Gary had nothing in mind, he was struck by the kiss.

Boy(!), she was slender, but she had a shapely booty. She wasn't tall, but she wasn't short, either, and a lot of her height was all leg.

He saw the blood stain on her left shoulder, like an ugly flower. "Let me see."

"Um…"

He pressed a finger to her chin and tilted her face up. "Let me take care of you."

Lorraine bit her lip and nodded. She waved at her side.

Gary pushed her coat open. He saw the slash in her dress on her left side. He probed it gently, even though his damn pulse was pounding hard.

"I can't see well enough."  He eyed her dress. He didn't have a better option. He grabbed the hem and started pushing it up.

She sucked in a breath. "What are you doing? You can't….."

"I need to check how deep it is. I'm not letting you bleed out because you are shy."

Lorraine looked out of the window. "Fine."

He dragged the fabric up, revealing slim, toned legs. Heat ignited in his gut. He struggled to get a lock on it.

Jesus, she is hurt. When he looked at her underskirt that had the same shade as her dress, it made his breath catch in his throat. He moved swiftly and had her hip uncovered.

The cut wasn't bad. Air whistled through his teeth, he carefully touched it and watched the muscles in her belly clench. Such delicious golden skin under her clothes. "Cut isn't bad. Won't need stiches."

"See, I told you."

"Here." He opened the glove box and pulled out a small first aid kit. He took some gauze and pressed it to her side. "Hold that. After sometime we'll need to clean it."

She shuddered and pulled her dress back down. Carefully, he pulled her belt back on.

Lorraine’s eyes met his. "Thanks, Gary."

He carried her straight into her bedroom and set her on the bed. "I'll grab a first aid kit. You strip."

Lorraine jolted. "Strip?"

He strode to the closet and pulled out a fluffy robe. "This will have to do until dinner arrives. I'll be right back."  He strode off the room.

Well. Lorraine straightened and winced. She quickly slipped her coat and dress off. She thumbed the slash in the dress before tossing it over a chair. She'd just wrapped herself in the robe when Gary reappeared.

Lorraine’s pulse did a crazy dance. He took up so much space, and somehow, that made her excruciatingly conscious of the fact that she was only wearing her bra and panties under the robe.

Perched on the edge of the bed, she watched him fish around in the big first aid box. He ripped open some antiseptic wipes and gestured.

Swallowing, she lay back and opened the bottom of the robe. The touch of his hand made her jump.

"Sorry," he rumbled.

"No, I'm sorry. This must be... uncomfortable for you."  Having to see her almost naked in her panties.

She felt his gaze on her but didn't look. He kept wiping and she glanced at the mirror on the wall. Her belly tightened. All she could see was his dark head bent over her body.

"I've seen injuries before," he said. "This doesn't bother me. I'm just pissed you got hurt. I shouldn't have let it happen."

"Gary, it wasn't your fault. It came from nowhere catching everyone unawares!”

He gripped her chin again, forcing her to meet his gaze. A dark, intense look crossed his face, like he was fighting something. "Have you looked in the mirror?"

She made an annoyed sound. "I know what I look like."

She shifted, and her robe gaped. It displayed the secret she kept well hidden - her navel piercing. Gary’s gaze fell on her belly and the purple amethyst in her piercing, and he froze.

“Oh.” Her cheeks caught fire. She fumbled for the robe. What if he thought she was displaying herself on purpose?

He reached out as well, but when she moved, his hand fell on her skin, right above her piercing.

They both froze.

His fingers moved over her skin and she felt the sensation right between her legs. She stifled a moan. His big hand practically spanned her belly. She looked up and she saw heat in his green eyes.

Lorraine had found love in Gary; it was a triumphant moment for her – she would keep the trophy with her forever.

Tracy was furious with herself; she had botched up Rafiq’s plans on Lorraine. She could not find ways of redemption and decided to go back to Germany after meeting Rafiq at lunch.

Rafiq cajoled her and she looked in her elements after speaking to him. The next operation would take place in a week’s time but before that she had to meet some acquaintances. She had to be careful as Azim was dead and MI5 were on a lookout for her. She slept like a log the whole evening, the 10 pm meeting was very important. She was sure Anatoli Maxim would find a way!

Anatoli Maxim was sipping wine at a nondescript restaurant in Clapton. Tracy was expected any moment, she had been told he would be at Clapton for thirty minutes only. He would walk off after 10.30. 

At 10.05 Tracy embarked from a bus, Clapton streets were lonely and she thanked Anatoli for earmarking a suburb location for the meeting. Another gentleman, with Anatoli, Andrey Ivolov, was from Moscow; Anatoli and Andrey were school chums, they had settled in UK for more than a decade. Rafiq had business interests with Anatoli and Andrey, Tracy knew they were fit for the job.

                    The meeting lasted for 25 minutes and Tracy was at her hotel by midnight.

Lorraine’s stock as Home Secretary went up sharply after the attack and she was determined to bounce back with a vengeance. She informed Gary next morning at 10.30 she had to reach the sprawling office of Save Us Forum, a very important meeting had been arranged by Group of Ministers and Lorraine was to lecture on “Effective Ways To Handle Terrorism: How United Kingdom Can Be Saved From Militants.”

Head of Security had briefed Gary there might be another attempt on Lorraine’s life, Gary had stationed his trusted aides at vantage points; it was a foolproof arrangement. All exit doors were manned by Gary’s men and nobody was allowed inside without proper I-cards. The security team at the Home office was in constant touch with Gary.

Anatoli Maxim was present in the hall as audience !!

Gary, and his colleague Angela Whitmore were strolling the hall as she had a whiff something was amiss.

                                                                         What was that(?).

Suddenly she realised one man with black suit was standing at the far corner of the podium. Angela had not seen him before, how could he get on the podium(?), she was surprised. At 11.30 am Anatoli left the hall hurriedly, Gary and Angela watched the man exit the hall, what was so peculiar about him(?), yes, he was in a hurry.

Something was going to happen; Angela shuddered and ran towards the podium. Gary followed her and before they could speak to that man in black suit, they heard a loud explosion. Oh, my God !!

Someone had detonated a deadly bomb which was hidden beneath the podium. How could the explosive reach the high security hall and who planted the bomb(?).

Angela was burnt and bruised beyond recognition and succumbed to her injuries, Lorraine was immediately put on ICU, she had twenty percent chance of survival, the right side of her was badly burnt !! Three doctors were on her constantly and they assured the PM they would do everything possible to revive the Home Secretary from a seemingly hopeless position.

Gary gained consciousness after a while and the first thought that came to him was - he had lost Lorraine.

AFTER ELEVEN MONTHS.

There was a call from the Hospital, the Prime Minister took the call and rushed to The Royal Brompton Hospital.  Doctor Heinberger was smiling brightly as he received the PM.

“Yes Doctor(?).”

“We have been able to heal all the injuries of the Home Secretary. She is able to speak now.”

“Oh, thank you doctor, you have done wonders”, he rushed to room no 202, she lay there smiling timidly, thanking everybody for her life !!

Gary, on PM’s advice, investigated the officers of Security Department in the Home Office who had possibly put Lorraine’s life in danger. The Commander of Security, Grizlane Strauf, was asked to go, three more officers who were reporting to Grizlane lost their jobs.

A month passed and Lorraine Elizabeth resigned from the services of Home Secretary. She had one son from her earlier marriage, Gary convinced her to leave UK; Lorraine and Gary shifted base to USA with kid’s education confirmed by Commander of Navy Seals, Sheila Ancelloti.

Lorraine did get a teaching assignment at Harvard, working with students of International Politics, Gary was with Navy Seals purely in a mentoring capacity.

Mauritius, September 2011. Firdaus had recovered fully and Kanwaljit shifted her to a nondescript hotel without delay. Next morning, Kanwaljit took Firdaus to Mumbai on a chartered flight, Nisith was pleasantly surprised, even he was not informed about the developments.

India, January 2012. Nisith got a job as Director, Artificial Intelligence Toolwork at Glenwich Consultancy, Hyderabad. Firdaus settled in Hyderabad, she was working as Head, Corporate Communications, Toggle Tech India.

Atul Mohan was arrested from his Mumbai Office by Indian secret service agents for passing on confidential information to Pakistan’s ISI.

Pakistan, February 2012. Rafiq Ahmed was demoted and was sent to Israel for two years working with Mossad. Shahnawaz Khan took over as the new Station Chief. He had an urgent meeting with two secret service colleagues discussing a covert operation in Bangladesh !!

Germany, 2012. Tracy went back to Stuttgart, she decided to work in Stuttgart Hospital. Unfortunately, she was killed in a road accident a month later. It was widely believed she was killed by ISI agents to obliterate any trace related to the assassination plots of Firdaus and Lorraine.

It took almost a month for MI6 to track down Anatoli Maxim. He was shot at and never lived to see another day. Andrey Ivolov was last seen in Moscow’s St. Basil’s Cathedral. Two ex-Navy Seals with a MI6 agent would be travelling to Moscow in a few days!

                      Have you come across a woman assassin as fierce as Tracy(?). I haven’t !!

Disclaimer: All characters in this article are imaginary and have no resemblance to any person(s) dead or alive.