Chapter 4: New Threat

Back at the bullpen Wednesday morning

Tara: Jack, I think I got something on Balitran. I’ve been following the money trail and it looks like Balitran is at the end of the rope. He has made it nearly impossible for anyone checking into his background to find him though. But with Stanley’s help I believe we may have just cracked one part of the encryption code he used.

Jack: That is certainly good news. Follow the money trail and tell me where it leads. What else do we know that we didn’t know 2 hrs ago?

Bobby: Eduardo Sanchez, arms dealer & drug kingpin is an associate of Sean Balitran. He has a wife and 8 year old son who disappeared from Baltimore 10 years ago. It seems Linda and Alex was never heard from again. The only reason I could find out any information on Linda is because I remember seeing her picture on countless magazines. She was the “it” supermodel back in the day. I thought she looked Hot!

Myles: Can we bypass the adolescent crush now?

Bobby: Very funny. As I was saying, she was a supermodel. Her name is Linda Cortez. No mention of her having a son. I am still checking on that information.

Myles: Maybe that’s why she quite modeling because having a baby ruined her high fashion career.

Bobby: Maybe, Myles. I’ll just have to dig deeper to find out why she really quit modeling.

Wes: I just got a call from Patrick O’Reilly. He is on his way up here and wants an update. He is anxious to find Balitran, and has more Intel to share.

Patrick O’Reilly: Hello all, I assume everyone is up to speed on the case. Here is Balitran’s dossier. Lucy passes the dossier around to everyone. President Harrington called me on the plane and told me Balitran wants a list of names, to be more precise U.S. operatives working in foreign countries, in Europe and Asia and anywhere else we have people in clandestine operations.  If that list gets out, there will be hundreds if not thousands of U.S. operatives who will be assassinated at will by Balitran and his men or anyone who wants money in return for killing U.S. government operatives. It is imperative that we find Balitran before the deadline to hand over the list in 48 hours.  

Tara: Guys, here’s an interesting tidbit. I got a hit on the money trail. Someone used it at Victoria Palace Hotel in Paris.

Jack: Good work. Everyone pack your bags we’re going to Paris. Don’t forget to pack your passports.

Sue: I’ve always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower.

Jack: We can do some sightseeing after we wrapped up the case. I’ll take you around and show you the pretty sights of Paris.

Sue: You have been to Paris before?

Jack: Yes, the Hudson clan went on vacation when I was 10 years old. It was a great adventure. Paris is one of my favorite places.

Sue: You can tell me more on the airplane.

Patrick O’Reilly: We need to leave pronto. Grab your gear and whatever you need right now and let’s head out. I’ve got a Lear Jet waiting to take us to Paris. When you are head of CTA, you need to leave in a hurry and get where you need to go. The Lear Jet is used specifically for this purpose.

Jack: Whoa! That is some perks you get working for CTA.

Patrick O’Reilly: Yeah, but chasing bad guys all day long all the time is kind of getting old. Or maybe I’m just getting older.

Patrick and Jack laughed. They both love and live for their jobs. To be able to save the world from terrorists and their sleeper cells after 9-11-01 is what keeps them going day in, day out.

Jack: Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s rock and roll.  

Back in Paris- Hannah and Danny are staying at Victoria Palace Hotel. They have moved around in Europe, lived in London for a few years before Sanchez’s men followed her to that location. Hannah knows why Eduardo Sanchez is looking for her. He wants the tape that proves he killed Senator Harry Mitchell 10 years ago in October. He also wants 50 million dollars that Amber stole from him the night she fled with me. Poor Amber is dead. She died because she wouldn’t listen to me. At least I have Danny with me, and I promise her I will always keep him safe. He has always come first in my life and always will. Sometimes at night, I think about the love of my life, Brendan where is he now and if he misses me too. I have to move on, think about what’s best for Danny. And stay one step ahead of Eduardo Sanchez and his hired guns.

Jessica had another bad dream. This time, she saw the woman Hannah; she is wearing a pretty sundress standing by the French doors overlooking the Seine River. Now someone is behind her and pulls her against him. Then he puts a knife to her throat. She screams out loud.

Jessica gets out of bed; she can’t stop thinking about the woman. She needs to tell someone before that woman dies tonight. Who should I call and tell without sounding like I am a crazy woman? The only person I trust is Meg Hudson. But I haven’t talk to her in years. I better call her and tell her otherwise I’ll go nuts staring at the walls all night.  Jessica calls Meg, tells her about the dreams she had the past few days. Meg tells her to call Jack Hudson.

Jessica: You want me to call Jack Hudson, your brother?

Meg: Yes, it sounds serious. And Jack is with the FBI, he can help you find the woman in your dreams.  If you want I could call him now. And get him to meet you somewhere. You can tell him what you dreamed and he will listen. I promise you he will listen.

Jessica: I know you are right. Your brother Jack is a good guy. But what if he doesn’t believe me? What if he thinks I’m crazy?

Meg: He won’t. Jack is not like that. He is smart, sweet, funny, warm, caring, & the best at his job.

Jessica: Okay, you don’t have to sell me on Jack.  You call your brother and tell him to meet me at The Bistro Café for lunch, my treat.

Meg: Sure thing. I’ll call Jack and tell him. I bet he can’t wait to see you again.

Jessica: Right. Thanks, Meg. I’ll talk to you soon. Bye.

Meg calls Jack on his cell phone.

Jack: This is Jack.  Hi sis, what’s going on with you? How are the kids? I’m on my way home to pack for Paris. 

Meg: I’m fine. You would know if you came to visit more often. The kids are great. Matt is great too. Thanks for asking.

Jack: That’s great. I’ll try to go to Wisconsin in a month or two. Right now, I’ve got a pile of workload to take care of. What do you need to talk to me about?

Meg: I got a call from Jessica. She sounds really upset. She had some of her visions again. She needs someone to talk to. I told her that I would call you and have you meet her at The Bistro Café for lunch.

Jack: Meg, I would really like to help Jessica. But I have to go to Paris on the double. We are working on a critical case that needs my full attention. I can’t discuss it with you.

Meg: Is there some kind of threat you aren’t telling me about?

Jack: No, please don’t worry. And tell Jessica I will call her as soon as I can. Love you, sis. But I have to go now.  I promise to come and visit soon. Bye.

Jessica has another dream that could be connected to Jack’s pressing case. In the dream, she sees crates filled with ammunitions, guns, cocaine, timers, and Russian shoulder arms missiles.  Four men are talking about what to do with the boy. Oh no, Jessica cries out, the boy is kidnapped. I have to do something. I can’t let an innocent child die because of my inaction.

 

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