Convergence Page 2

  “Jim Conrad, and you are?”

  “You are a hard man to find. Some believe you are a figment of the CIA’s or MI6’s imagination. But I see that you are real.” The man said as he quickly studied Jacob and the lady across from him.

  Jacob said. “I do like to keep a low profile. So, who are you?”

  “I am an associate of Mr. Martinez. He is looking forward to your personal visit this evening at the Drake Hotel–your usual place to stay while you are in Chicago.”

  The young woman spoke-up, “Mr. Conrad will call Mr. Martinez with his intentions later. Whether he comes or not, let Mr. Martinez know that we appreciate that the invitation was brought by his son. That shows respect.”

  “Very well then.” The man turned and walked away. The table had become a haven of activity that seemed to center around Jacob. He was ready to be done and looked at the lady across the table. “Can I go now?”

  “You need to go with me. We are likely being watched and you leaving in another direction would just cause suspicion. Grab the suitcase and your carryon bag and come with me.” She put twenty dollars on the table to more than cover the bill and then she grabbed his arm and quickly ushered him through the airport. He was not quite sure why he followed her through this seemingly harmless adventure.

  As they stepped out of the secured area, Jacob asked, “What about my luggage?”

  “We will take care of it.” They went directly to the curb side pick-up area where a finely dressed man stood with a sign that read “Mr. Smith”. She directed him to that limo. “I thought I was Mr. Conrad?”

  “Mr. Conrad, you do like to keep a low profile. It is better to travel under an assumed name sometimes.” The driver shut the door.

  The young lady looked at Jacob, “Open the brief case.” She spoke matter–of–factly and without any sense of emotion.

  “Okay, but you know my many names and I don’t know even one of your names.”

  It was almost like a light came across her face. She realized that she had been so routine about the operation that she hadn’t considered what Jacob must be experiencing. “I am Jenny.” She said with a slight grin that could have been construed as friendly or sinister.

  “Is Jenny your real name or just a name for the charade we just played out?” Jacob said as he opened the brief case.

  “It is both, easier to remember that way.” She said with a slight smile on her face.

  The brief case had several passports, credit cards and a considerable amount of cash. As Jacob opened up the first passport, he was surprised to see his picture with the name “James Smith.” As he quickly went through the brief case, he saw several other identities including a “Mr. James Conrad”. Each had corresponding credit cards, driver’s licenses and other pieces of identification.

  “You will need to check into the Drake as ‘Mr. Smith’. I will explain more as we get to the hotel.” Jenny told him.

  “But how long…”

  Jenny anticipated his question before he even finished. “You should be able to stay the night in the hotel and checkout in the morning. You should never have to even leave the hotel room. We made up additional identification just as a precaution for the airport. If Mr. Martinez’ son had asked for identification, he would have expected to see several different identities.”

  “But won’t Mr. Martinez expect to meet with me tonight?”

  “I will explain more when we get to the hotel, but Mr. Conrad never meets with anyone. He will hope that you meet with him, but he will expect to meet with me. I handle nearly all of Mr. Conrad’s business.”

  “So who really is Mr. Conrad?”

  “That you really do not need to know. For tonight, you are Jim. Now change into these clothes before we get there.” She pulled a nice set of slacks and a nice shirt from a hanger in the limo. She also handed him socks and designer shoes.

  “In front of you?” Jacob asked.

  Jenny laughed and said, “I will avert my eyes.”

  It was a bit awkward changing in the limo, but Jacob managed to remove his slacks and shirt and put on a much more expensive set of clothes. As requested, he handed his identification and credit cards to Jenny for safe keeping. Well before they got to the hotel, Jacob had transformed himself into Jim. And for the check-in procedures that night, he would be Mr. Jim Smith.

  Chapter 2 – Entering the Drake Hotel

  Jim (Jacob) had lived in Chicago for years, but had never been to the Drake Hotel before. There was a bellman, but Jim and Jenny had no luggage. They entered through the revolving doors the room opened up to a staircase. Jim scanned the room to familiarize himself with the surroundings realizing that Mr. Conrad had been here before. The ceiling had fine woodwork and crown molding. Making their way up the stairway, Jim noticed the intricate patterns, chandeliers and art work. It was almost a scene out of the roaring 1920’s–perhaps a scene familiar to Al Capone or other notorious fellows. He took a right and went up another short set of stairs that led them to the front desk for check-in.

  Jim stood just behind Jenny near the check-in counter of the hotel holding only a metal briefcase. The check-in clerk said, “Ah, Mrs. Smith, your suite is ready. I have provided you and Mr. Smith with the normal amenities. We are pleased to have you back.”

  Without another word, Jenny turned and headed for the elevator. Jim walked next to her. They had to use the key card in the elevator to access the floor that the room was on. Jim knew that meant it would be nice.

  Two men were in the room as Jim and Jenny walked in. One looked at Jenny and said, “It‘s all clear. You can talk freely in here.” Then they left.

  Jim reminisced about the suite he and Carol stayed in for their anniversary a few years before. It was a nice room but this room was incredible. The bedroom was in another room. In the middle of this room was a table with a chilled bottle of wine and a few appetizers. There was also a fruit bowl. This was not the presidential suite, but it was very close to the best suite in the hotel. It certainly was better than any Jim had ever stayed in before.

  “You did well.” Jenny said as she started to make her way around the room. Jim wasn’t sure if she was checking for something or just familiarizing herself with her environment.

  “There wasn’t really much to do, I just followed you in.” Jim stated simply as he looked out of the large window at the stunning view of Lake Michigan.

  “You kept your mouth shut–that is almost always the right thing to do.” She made her way to the closet and opened the door. Jim could see a few nice men’s suits and a few very sophisticated dresses. Jenny paused for a moment, as if something must be wrong, but then continued and went through the bureau drawers.

  Jim followed her around the room. “So what next?”

  “I will need to run an errand, you can wait here.” Jenny instructed Jim.

  “Is Mr. Martinez a drug dealer?” Jim asked inquisitively.

  She looked at him a little impatient, but decided that he should know at least a little bit about their predicament. “Sit down.” There was a small couch with a coffee table next to it. A couple of other elegant chairs were on either end. Jim sat on the end of the couch and Jenny sat in the chair closest to him.

  She looked at him, clearly pondering what she should tell him. The she began. “Ricardo Martinez deals in ‘exotic goods’.”

  “He steals art and antiques.” Jim concluded.

  “He doesn’t steal very often, but does trade in rare artifacts that he then sells on the black market to rich investors who want a private and unique collection. His father was Cuban and his mother was Mexican, both deceased. They were both connected to drug trafficking in the 1980’s and 1990’s.”

  “But Ricardo, does he traffic drugs?”

  “He goes by Ric, and no he does not traffic drugs. Shortly after his father was killed he stopped that part of the family business. Nobody knows exactly why he stopped. He is a fairly well known criminal but has eluded the law for many years.”

&n
bsp; The hairs on the back of Jim’s neck were starting to tingle. His interest peaked and he was getting a rush of adrenaline as they talked. “So you are pulling a sting operation to finally capture him?”

  “No, the CIA cares very little about his trafficking of stolen goods. We are more concerned with national security.” Jenny corrected.

  “So why him?”

  “Many of his clients sell weapons and information. We need a relationship with him to help find some of them.” Jenny responded.

  “So how are we going to do that?” Jim inquired.

  Jenny stood up. “You have almost completed your part. The rest will be up to me. Now I need to run my errand. Be ready for dinner in about one hour.” She continued to walk to the door as she talked. “Wear the black tux on the right side of the closet.”

  She was then out the door. Jim sat dumfounded wondering what he had gotten into. It was a little exhilarating. He was just glad that this had not happened while Carol and his children were alive. He would never have wanted to be part of an adventure like this with his family to take care of. Of course, he would have traded this entire adventure for just one more afternoon with his wife and children.

  Chapter 3 – Dinner

  The closet had precisely six men’s outfits. They were all neatly pressed and hung in the closet at equal distance from each other. There were also three pairs of men’s shoes on a nearby shoe rack. Two of the outfits appeared somewhat of a classy casual look. Each had a jacket, similar to the one he had put on in the limo. These outfits would look fine with or without the jackets.

  The next two outfits were a little more formal. The final two outfits were black tuxes, very formal. Jenny had asked him to dress in the very formal outfit. He figured he better try it on just to make sure it fit well so there would be time to adjust it if needed.

  The tuxedo seemed a perfect fit. He was pleased. Then he began to wonder if the other clothes would fit as well. Jim carefully tried on each outfit in the closet and then those in the drawers. Each fit as though it had been custom made for him. This made him a little uneasy. Just as he was putting on the tuxedo once more, Jenny walked in. Without a beat she stepped up to him and finished tying his tie. “There, that looks sharp. You look fitting for a rich man with large assets in Swiss Bank accounts and a desire to remain under the radar. Shall we go to dinner?”

  Jim started, “Are you going to change?” But before he could finish his sentence she had pulled her dress off and started to get another out of the closet. “She has no inhibitions,” Jim thought to himself as he picked up a magazine and sat in a chair so as not to face her directly.

  She was ready in a matter of moments. They headed to the elevator to go to the restaurant. The métier d’ did not recognize Jim and Jenny, but once he had their name they were seated at a private table that was away from any other table in the restaurant. It was the ideal table placement, privacy and a view to most of the restaurant.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Smith, we are pleased that you have come down to dine with us. Can we start you with your usual bottle with the jumbo shrimp cocktail on the side?” The waiter had no pen or pencil, but seemed to know their preferences. He handed each of them one of the menu’s.

  Jenny started to speak, but Jim stepped in. “I believe the jumbo shrimp cocktail would be fabulous, but we would like a bottle of water please.” Jim wasn’t sure if the waiter’s look was surprise or displeasure. He was sure that Jenny was not pleased.

  Once the waiter had walked away, Jenny quietly whispered, “We have been coming here quite a while and always have the same room service order on the first night. It is tradition.” Her voice was calm and her tone persistent.

  “Well, Jenny dear.” Jim continued in as polite a voice but just as persistent. “You may remember that I no longer drink alcohol”

  “Not even for national security purposes?” She said very quietly.

  “Not even if my beautiful wife insists.” Jim said with a satisfying smile. “And please pass one of those rolls.”

  Jim did not alter the rest of the dinner, except for the after dinner cocktail. He ordered a non-alcoholic version of that drink. Jenny did the same.

  Jenny said, “Do you know who that is across the room?”

  “Yes, he is the mayor of Chicago sitting with one of our fine senators.” Jim could recognize the senator even with his back to him.

  “And the table over there?” She indicated a table a few down from the mayor’s table with a gesture of her eyes.

  “No, who are they?” Jim asked.

  “That is a table filled with three CEO’s of fortune 500 companies. And the table in front of them is a known crime boss from Chicago’s north side.”

  “And I see our friend from the airport behind you.” Jim responded.

  “Yes, with his father.” Jenny noticed them before they sat down.

  Jenny observed as Ricardo Martinez stopped to visit with the reputed crime boss and then also spoke to the mayor and the senator. All seemed friendly and content with the interaction. As Ricardo left the dining room, the métier d’ brought a note to Jim.

  Jim set it on the table so that they could both read it.

  “Anonymity is a price to be cherished. I expect both of you this evening or do not bother coming at all. Regards, Ric.”

  Jenny concluded, “This is not good.”

  Chapter 4 – Planning the Encounter

  Jenny didn’t say a word all the way back to the room. There was a brief nod to a gentleman in the hall that would have gone unnoticed by a less observant person. Jim noticed it and figured it was some type of communications.

  By the time they entered into their room, another man was already seated on one of the chairs next to the coffee table. He was smoking a cigar and had a glass of wine sitting on the table next to him. Before Jenny even said a word, and it was clear she wanted to, he jumped right in and said, “We have to send him in or years of work are down the drain.”

  “But this is too dangerous to put an untrained civilian into.” Jenny fired right back. “Jim, however handsome and charming as he might be, is a novice and just here for looks.” Jim felt a pat on the back and slap on the face all in one sentence. However, it was quite accurate.

  “It’s a conversation and a negotiation. You negotiate and he can just indicate approval. Keeps his position very powerful and doesn’t compromise the grander scheme.” The man countered.

  Jim quietly sat at the edge of the couch near the gentleman and started to read the Chicago Tribune. He didn’t say a word, but listened to them argue for about 10 minutes. Finally, when there was a brief pause in the conversation, Jim looked up at the gentleman in the chair near him and said, “Hello, I am Jim Conrad–and you are?”

  Jenny chuckled slightly. The man looked at him and said, “I am Deputy Director Frank Warner. I am pleased to meet you Jim.”

  Jenny jumped in, “And Jim, do you have an opinion on this.”

  Jim thought for a minute, at least he pretended to think–he had been thinking about this ever since he walked into the room. “I figure that I am here all night anyways–as long as it isn’t too dangerous I do not mind going.”

  “You are a character Jim.” Jenny concluded. It was clear that Frank was pleased. Jenny was just intrigued.

  “But I want to carry a gun. You can’t do that legally in Chicago, but I figure that someone like Jim Conrad would carry one–just for safety.” Jim continued.

  Frank almost jumped out of his chair, but realized that he might just lose the upper hand he had gained on Jenny if he objected. Jenny appreciated this and quickly agreed to give Jim a gun.

  Frank’s objections were short lived and he finally relented so that the evening plans would not be spoiled. The conversation shifted to discuss and plan the evening’s events.

  Chapter 5 – The Castle Vladeeman

  Somewhere near the heart of Romania sits a quaint town on the edge of Transylvania called Brasov. There is a church in the middle of this t
own called the “Black Church” which had been used as refuge during many invasions from the east and the west. It was burned, attacked and revered, but still stands for over five hundred years after being built. The town has been an historical crossroads for invasions.

  Just north of Brasov is the famous Bran Castle, revered castle used in the Dracula legend. It is not as ornate or as splendid as the early Dracula movies would lead one to believe, yet it was still an important part of the history of Romania and particularly that area of Transylvania.

  Almost exactly 70 kilometers west is a less known castle built during approximately the same era and about the same size called the Castle Vladeeman. It is less known than the Castle Bran, even by the locals. A shorter pudgy man, Dragos Sabir, who normally resides in Brasov owns the castle. It has been owned by his family for several generations. Dragos is a low key individual that stayed under the radar even during the communist rule in Romania.

  Dragos’ castle has become, over the years filled with antiquities that he and his family had collected over many generations. Many of these were collected from the Romanian aristocrats shortly before World War II to be kept safe from the Nazi’s and then kept after that to be safe from the Communist. Dragos’ father convinced many of the neighboring countries’ aristocrats to move their wealth into the Sabir families’ remote location as a safe place for their wealth from the “common good” of communism. To the Sabir family’s delight, many of the original proprietors had died and not passed the knowledge of the secret treasures onto their children. The Sabir family now claimed any of this unclaimed hidden treasure as their own.

  Dragos also obtained treasure in many other ways, some legal and some a little more shady. He had come upon the two etched plates of bronze by accident. He didn’t know if they were authentic ancient writings or just a more modern piece of work. He had no way to validate the story he had been told or translate them without bringing in additional experts. He felt this might be too risky since he had pulled the bronze plates from a dead Russian who happened to also be a former KGB agent.