Short Stories

A series of short stories by Richard Canhan

 Number One                                    Chameleon Encounter

by

Richard Canhan

Onlookers at the resort were amazed to see a man surface fully dressed from among the crowd of bathers in the swimming pool, although the man appeared just as amazed as them for he soon discovered the pool wasn’t even the same one he fell into at his home in San Francisco and it seemed it wasn’t even in the same country. With a screwdriver still in hand he stood coughing and spluttering and dripping water from his coveralls. He coughed. ‘What the hell happened?’ After he surveyed the area he added. ‘And where am I?’

      Jack Dawson was the typically good-looking Australian alpha male with brooding, but sharp brown eyes and close-cropped dark brown hair with a dark suntan. He demonstrated impeccable taste in fine clothing; however he likes to relax in casual clothes. He stands 178cm tall and is a fitness fanatic and his strong sturdy frame holds his body weight of 75 kilos with ease. At 49 he finds it harder to maintain his fitness despite a rigorous training program.

Austin was raised by his influential parents, Sir Henry Dawson Snr and Lady Ann Dawson, who reside in the exclusive inner Sydney suburb of Double Bay. He was educated at the exclusive Sydney all boys school Wentworth at Middle Head. He attended military college and studied economics and he also became fluent in the Indonesian and Arabic languages.

A freak storm had struck the San Francisco Bay area. Jack had been up a ladder in an attempt to adjust the television antenna on the rooftop of his two-storey apartment building when a bolt of lightning struck the ladder he was on. The force of the strike sent the ladder and Jack flying backwards away from the building. The ladder struck the neighbouring fence with a crash that catapulted Jack another ten metres through the air to land in a neighbour’s swimming pool with a resounding splash.

To Jack’s amazement he found himself in a pool in a resort complex in the Santo Domingo region on the Baja Californian coast, Mexico. Resort staff accosted Jack as he exited the pool. His clothes torn and burnt and he certainly didn’t appear to be a hotel guest.

‘Sir, are you all right?’ A resort staff member asked as he assisted Jack from the pool. Jack nodded he was alright.

‘Are you a hotel guest sir?’ another asked.

 ‘No I’m not! But this looks like a nice place to visit,’ Jack replied as he took a seat to catch his breath.

‘Sir, if you are not a house guest I must ask you leave immediately,’ Jack’s futile attempts to explain his situation fell on deaf ears and he was evicted from the grounds. After two days he managed to make his way to the Mexican border crossing at Tijuana, where he was immediately detained because he had no passport or any other form of identification on him. He was led to an interview room full of stale cigar smoke, off the main corridor where he was photographed and told to take a seat.

‘Senor, who are you? What is your business in Mexico?’ A Mexican official named Renko asked, with his cigar jammed between his teeth.

‘My name is Jack…Jack Dawson. I’m an Australian living in San Francisco, and I don’t know how I got to Mexico,’ replied Jack. He cringed at how ridiculous it sounded.

Renko removed the cigar from his mouth and exhaled smoke in Jack’s direction.

‘Senor, please, I think maybe you had better come up with another story,’

‘It’s the truth,’ Jack shouted. ‘Here, ring this number, my wife’s in San Francisco, she’ll vouch for me,’ he said as he hastily scribbled down the phone number and slid it across the table.

‘I will make the call Mr Dawson, but that will only confirm that you have orchestrated this for some unknown reason,’ replied Renko as he left the room.

‘I haven’t orchestrated anything,’ shouted Jack, as the door slammed behind Renko.

Twenty minutes later the door reopened and Renko stepped accompanied by an American diplomat, a well dressed man in his late fifties with greying short hair and tired looking deep set eyes, but he spoke in a manner that inspired confidence in the listener, his hand already extended towards Jack. ‘Thank god,’ said Jack. ‘About time I saw a friendly face,’ he added as he stood to accept the handshake. ‘Frank Peterson,’ said the man.

Frank explained he was from the American Embassy and his position was to merely establish Jack’s identity and the purpose for entry into the United States of America.

‘It seems people are looking for you Mr Dawson,’ Frank confided. ‘The San Francisco Police Department and the Australian Embassy are also looking for you, the phone number you gave Renko confirmed the name Jack Dawson, apparently missing for the last forty-eight hours,’

‘The communications between here and San Francisco are not the best due to the recent storms up that way,’ said Renko with a Mexican drawl, trying to assert his authority again.

‘It could take awhile, but until we get confirmation of a positive identification via a fax or something, I’m afraid you’ll have to remain here, I’m sure you understand Jack,’ Frank added.

‘No worries,’ replied Jack, ‘Just give me somewhere to put my head down for awhile, I haven’t slept for ages,’

‘We can find somewhere for you to rest Mr Dawson,’ said Renko as they stood to leave. Frank gave Jack his card and said. ‘Any problems, call me, any time,’

‘Thanks Frank, thanks for everything,’ replied Jack as they all shook hands and then Frank Peterson left.

Renko’s idea of providing ‘somewhere to rest’ was a bed was in a prison cell and for Jack’s own safety he recommended he’d lock him in. ‘Thanks for the hospitality,’ shouted Jack sarcastically.

Jack fell asleep almost immediately his head hit the pillow.

The Dawson’s came from a strong Australian military background. Every male descendant to date bearing the Dawson name had seen military service. His grandfather saw service in the First World War, his father in the Second World War and Korea, both of his older brothers saw service in Vietnam. Henry Dawson Jnr, Jack’s eldest brother was killed in that campaign and the middle son, Shane, who was a bit of a happy-go-lucky type of bloke, came back a very different and solemn man. Jack saw service in the military for twenty-five years where he served in the Royal Australian Regiment in at least three Infantry Battalions and attained the rank of Major. Jack was born in 1957, which made him too young for the Vietnam campaign, and he retired from the military before Australia committed combat troops to Iraq.

However, he saw service in Rwanda, Cambodia and East Timor in either peace-making or peacekeeping roles and like most he witnessed things no man should. So although Jack was not a battle ripened Dawson of his father’s calibre, he was certainly hardened to the effects of battle. He maintained a great sense of humour but suffered fools lightly.

It seemed to Jack he had just closed his eyes as he was roughly shaken awake. ‘About time… Hey steady on there,’ said Jack as two men dragged him to his feet.

‘We found another stowaway, Captain Jorgensen; we'll lock him up with the rest of em,’ said a bearded sailor into a hand held radio as he frogmarched Jack away.

‘Well done lads, we’ll hand them over to the authorities when we reach South Africa,’ said the Captain.

‘I’m not a stowaway, oh no! Not again,’ winced Jack.

Jack had mysteriously materialized in a lifeboat on a Dutch merchant ship headed for South Africa and one day in the brig of that merchant ship with the other stowaways was enough for Jack. Too scared to sleep, he curled up in a ball in the corner and eventually his eyes closed briefly. His eyes flew open immediately and he found he was in a corner of a busy shopping mall in London, still curled up in a ball. How is this happening he thought?

Jack was to learn over the next week that he’d wake in another location almost every time he opened his eyes, sometimes to where he had been thinking or dreaming about, although it didn’t always go to plan and on more than one occasion he’d reappear in the middle of a desert or on an ice field. He discovered that with a bit of concentration he could open and close his eyes and be transported to a location he’d was thinking about. It was nerve racking to think that whenever he went to sleep or relaxed completely, he’d wake up in a different place. Although a week later and Jack found he could pass through a door or go behind a curtain and again be in another location although he was clueless as to how he did it, if only he could master the destination side of things he thought. Hell, I used to write books about stuff like that, he thought. He wanted to go home to his family but was worried what they’d do if he kept disappearing, he wanted to work everything out first.

 Jack’s passion for writing began when he was a Lifesaver on busy Manly Beach in the mid 1970’s he’d dream up stories putting himself in as the hero. Him dreams disappeared when someone did actually need saving out in the surf. Normally a quiet reserved man he also got the opportunity to assist in some rescues on military operations towards the latter stage of his military career and he became a freelance writer and wrote of his adventures long before his retirement from the services.

He wrote articles about military operations that involved the rescue of civilians from war-ravaged countries, he authored ‘To Hell and Back’ and ‘Back to Hell’ in 2001 and 2002 which included accounts of atrocities inflicted on civilians caught in the cross fire. ‘Cross Fire’ is also the name of his latest non-fiction book.

Jack’s still does freelance work for the Australian Defence Department but he concentrates mainly on domestic matters in Australia and America. Now a passionate and dedicated family man living in the San Francisco Bay area with his American wife Helen, who he met during an exchange posting with the Australian Defence Force. They have adorable twin daughters, Amber and Jade age five.

Jack’s freelance work supplements his military pension nicely and they are able to live quite comfortably residing in a three-bedroom apartment on the top floor of a two-storey building in Jackson Square.

Jack would visit his parents in Sydney when he’s on commission work for an Australian publication. Passionate about writing. Jack has an autobiography in draft detailing his life experiences called ‘Write for Life’ and at present was in the process of signing a contract for a series of fiction novels relating to his recent experiences with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) although it was now going to take more than Jack Dawson’s good looks, his excellent common sense and his military background to get out of trouble. 

Jack had now been a freelance writer for an American magazine for the six years and lived in San Francisco with Helen, his American born wife of eight years, an editor for a major American newspaper.

When he wrote it was easy to make up plots and make the incredible happen, but what was happening now was real and he had no idea how to control it. What Jack could not control completely at this stage was his destination, which nearly got him killed several times. He was arrested more than a dozen times in different countries, warrants for his escape from custody were posted around the globe. But each time he simply disappeared. His antics soon earned him the nickname Chameleon and government agencies around the world were desperate to learn his secrets and it appeared they would stop at nothing to control him.

The nickname “Chameleon” came from his apparent disappearing acts, like a chameleon he could blend into the background and disappear, he could no longer be caught. He would hide behind anything or race around a corner, and each time he vanished. He became a bit brazen and began to taunt his pursuers and would allow himself to be taken into custody only to frustrate his captures by disappearing yet again. One such time nearly cost him his life as it was gunfire and not words that he was confronted with, and they weren’t aiming to miss. Luckily for Jack, they did.

Jack managed to get hold of a mobile phone and punched the number Frank had given him into it.

‘Frank Peterson, please,’ he told the receptionist that answered the phone. ‘Tell him it’s Jack Dawson,’

‘Jack! Jack Dawson, is that really you?’ Frank said urgently. ‘Where are you? People are looking for you Jack!’

‘I know, but I think they’ve had enough and now they’ve tried to kill me Frank!’ Jack said urgently. ‘I just want it to be over, I want to see my family again Frank,’

‘Jack, listen to me! We have your family in protective custody, it appears there’s a few contracts out on you Jack, seems if you can’t be caught, you must be eliminated,’

Jack went silent for a while ‘What’s the answer Frank?’ He asked with an almost defeated voice.

‘Come in Jack… come in to us; work with us and we’ll sort it out,’

Jack found early in life not to be too trusting and his philosophy was to keep his friend’s close and his enemies even closer.

Jack entered Frank Peterson’s office, in the middle of CIA Headquarters, with the phone still to his ear.

 ‘What guarantees do I have you won’t have me killed too Frank?

‘Absolutely none Jack,’ said Frank, suddenly aware Jack was now in the room. A little startled Frank placed his phone in the receiver. ‘With your talents Jack, why would I do that? I see you’ve perfected the destination side of things then Jack,’

‘Well not quite, but I’m working on it,’ said Jack. ‘I might need to apologize to the ladies in the washroom through there,’ he said with a laugh.

Over the weekend Jack and his family were reunited in a safe house. They’d almost forgotten the whole incident till Sunday night when Jack told Helen he was to report to Frank the next day. ‘Why Jack? Why?’ Helen asked. ‘I don’t understand why you’d want to place us all in danger like this Jack,’ she continued. Jack could see no alternative, but none of his explanations satisfied Helen’s fears for her family.

Monday morning a bleary eyed Jack reported to Frank’s office. ‘Come on in Jack, take a seat, do you want a coffee?’ He asked, pointing at a coffee machine by the wall.

‘Thanks Frank! But I’ll give it a miss for now,’ he replied as he took a seat opposite Frank’s huge mahogany desk. Frank came around and sat in a seat nearer to Jack, once the pleasantries were over Frank got straight to the point.

‘How about you work for us Jack?’

‘You don’t muck around, do you?’

‘Jack, in our business we can’t afford to muck around,’

‘And just what is that business Frank?’

‘National Security Jack, What else?’

‘I’ll have to think about it Frank, I mean it’s all happening a little too fast for me at the moment,’

‘Jack! You take all the time you need,’ said Frank ‘but please let my medical team give you a check over,’

Jack had a full medical examination and as he expected without any indication as to how he becomes a chameleon and disappears, although the examination did reveal something interesting. To the medical teams and Jack’s surprise it was discovered that if Jack was in contact with another person then that person could be also be transported to Jack’s destination.

This was discovered as the doctor was taking Jack’s pulse and asking him how he transports himself to other locations, Jack was trying to explain it and the next thing they both knew was they were on the rooftop of CIA Headquarters, ten floors up.

Within a matter of twenty seconds, twenty-five special service agents surrounded them with automatic weapons pointed in their direction.

Frank Peterson stepped from the roof doorway. ‘Don’t shoot!’ He shouted. ‘Stand down… they are with us,’ he added. The agents stood down and returned to their posts. Frank approached Jack and the doctor.

The doctor still had one hand in the air and the other taking Jack’s pulse, but with the look of absolute shook on his face.

‘Please don’t do that again Mr Dawson,’ pleaded the doctor.

‘Well at least you’ve got first hand experience now doc!’ ‘We might take this back to the third floor, too many motion detectors up here, and who knows who’s watching us,’ injected Frank.

Back on the third floor the doctor took control again to finish Jack’s examination, only this time he was more aware of not maintaining physical contact with Jack.

Jack was still having trouble determining exact destinations as he only intended going up half a dozen floors or so, although he was getting the general area down pat.

‘I hear you’re doing well Jack,’ said Frank as he entered the medical facility.

‘How much longer is this going to take? We’ve been at this for hours now!’ demanded Jack, starting to get sick of all the tests.

‘Nearly finished Mr Dawson,’ Answered the doctor.

‘See Jack it’s nearly all over, then I’d be interested in your answer to our offer,’ said Frank.

‘I don’t see I have a choice really, not at this stage anyway Frank! But I’m still considering your offer,’

Back in Frank’s office Frank outlined the organization and its role in National Security. Jack was impressed but he knew Frank was out to impress, he became more and more aware that Frank was attempting to recruit him into the dark world of espionage.

 ‘Do you want me to be some sort of secret agent Frank? He asked at the end of Frank’s presentation.

‘Not really…well sort of Jack’ answered Frank, a little annoyed that Jack saw through his ploy at getting Jack on side. ‘We just want you to maintain your outside life and work with us when we call,’ Frank added.

‘So you do want me to be a secret agent?’

‘If that’s what you want to call it Jack, then yes we do! But no-one must know we have recruited you Jack, for you and your families safety, no-one must know, not even Helen,’ Frank added with a serious tone.

‘Seriously who would believe me anyway, me a secret agent for the CIA!’ laughed Jack.

An internal call came through to Frank’s office. Frank took the call, thanked the caller and hung up the phone.

                 'It appears your wife is downstairs demanding to know why we are holding you Jack, you best go see her and put her mind at rest,’ said Frank. ‘Here take this mobile phone, my number is programmed in, it will be our only link and don’t let anyone see you enter or leave this building again after today,’ Frank added. ‘I will join you shortly,’ he added.

It had been decided on by Frank that Jack’s ability and position was to be kept under wraps, so as to not worry the family. But Jack had a feeling there was more to it than that, he just couldn’t put his finger on it.

Jack had an uneasy feeling he was being played the fool and that he was expendable. He would have to watch himself in the future, both ways.

‘Jack! What’s happening?’ cried Helen as he entered the room. ‘I’ve been worried sick about you, what’s going on?

‘Where are the girls?’ Jack asked. But he tried not to sound too worried.

‘They’re at moms,’

‘Good,’

‘Now sit down and let me tell you what has happened,’ Said Jack as he tried to think fast. ‘It seems I’ve blacked out a bit lately and they had to check me out here,’ Said Jack but not very convincingly.

‘What! Here at CIA Headquarters? Helen asked. ‘There must be more to it than that,’ she added.

‘Well! It seems while I was here recently doing that article on National Security, Well I may have seen something that could represent a risk to National Security and that’s why I’m here,’ Jack explained. ‘They just wanted to check me out’ he added.

At this point Helen accepted Jack’s explanation; she was not completely satisfied but as long as Jack was alright. They’d talked alone for over an hour when Frank came in, he introduced himself to Helen and apologized for the delay with Jack. ‘We’d like to put you up in a hotel for a week or so, as a thank you for your assistance,’ said Frank, in an attempt to sound genuinely grateful.

Jack knew it was a safe house; Helen looked at Jack again with that worried look.

‘No Frank,’ Said Jack. ‘I’m going to pick up the girls and go home with my family,’

Jack could see that Frank wasn’t overly happy with the idea but knew that Frank wouldn’t push it.

‘I’ll call you later Jack,’ Frank whispered as they shook hands.

On the way home Helen suggested that as it was close to midnight they might as well leave the girls where they were.

‘I’ll give mom a ring and let her know I’ll be over in the morning,’ said Helen

Jack and Helen arrived home at a quarter past midnight and they noticed the black sedan parked across the moonlight street and Jack recognized the agents from the rooftop incident. It reminded Jack of a B grade gangster movie from the 1960’s.

‘Bloody Frank,’ Jack said. ‘He’s gone and posted agents out the front,’

‘Why? Do we need protection?’ Helen asked.

‘I’m sure it’s just a precautionary measure.,’ Jack answered.

It had been a long day and they both were very tired they went inside and got ready for bed, Jack as usual could not sleep for fear of waking up somewhere else.

After tossing and turning for an hour or so Jack got up to make a hot chocolate, in fact he made three of them, taking two out to the black car out the front.

‘Here you are boys, get these into you!’ Jack called out as he approached the car. Jack leaned into the passenger side window and his blood froze and as he saw the lifeless eyes staring back at him, both agents had had their throats slit. He recoiled in horror hitting his head on the top of the car door and dropping the drinks as he did. 

Jack heard a loud bang and screams followed closely by barrage of automatic gunfire and instinctively knew Helen was in trouble. He dashed back up the three flights of steps of the apartment leaping over the door that had been ripped from its hinges. By the time he arrived the shooting had stopped and Helen was no longer screaming and Jack hoped she was still alive. The room was a mess and the smell of cordite hung heavy in the air. He found Helen on the floor, her now unseeing eyes staring at the ceiling Jack knew there was nothing anyone could do to save her now.

The neighbours were all coming out of their apartments and sirens could be heard in the distance. Helicopters were overhead and shortly after, two Blackhawks dropped from the night sky and disgorged Frank Peterson and a dozen or so armed agents. Frank found Jack and Helen in a bloodied mess on the far side of the bedroom.

‘Jack! Jack!’ called Frank seeing blood all over the room.

‘Thank god! Are you all right?’ He asked after he saw Jack move slightly.

‘Yes!’ murmured Jack in obvious shock.

‘We’ve got to get you to safety right now Jack!’ Frank ordered ‘and no arguments this time, got it?’

‘Got it Frank,’ answered Jack, knowing he should have listened to Frank in the first place, now two of Frank’s men and Helen were dead and it was his fault.

‘I was outside when it happened, poor Helen! ’ Stammered Jack.

‘Later Jack, we’ll talk later’ injected Frank ‘let’s get you out of here first’

Frank gave Jack a flak jacket and helmet for what Jack thought was just for protection but he discovered later it was also to disguise him as he left the building and boarded one of the Blackhawks helicopters. Jack saw Frank talking to the local law enforcement offices before he boarded Jacks chopper.

‘How did you get here so quickly Frank? How did you know to come?’ Jack questioned Frank over the intercom of the helicopter.

‘As soon as my men failed to check in we knew you were in danger’ Frank stated.

‘I’m sorry Frank, I really am,’ pleaded Jack.

 So am I Jack, so am I,’ Frank repeated. 

They arrived back at CIA Headquarters and the debrief went on for hours. Frank informed him it was a professional hit but was unsure who was behind it and until they found that out he would have to remain in protective custody.

‘Why is someone still trying to kill me?’ asked Jack.

‘Probably because if they can’t have you, then they don’t want you to work for anyone else!’ answered Frank ‘and Helen just happened to be there, thank God the kids weren’t there’.

 Jack winced at the very thought of the twins being home that night. 

Jack took a seat in the lounge area of the spacious office as Frank flicked on a huge plasma television with a remote control. The room was immediately bathed in eerie flashing lights from emergency vehicles and a news reporter filled the screen with a report of a double murder in Jackson Square with two of San-Francisco’s prominent citizens being murdered in an apparent bungled robbery.

                   Jack froze as he heard Helen’s and his name mentioned and saw two bagged bodies being removed on stretchers from their apartment building, as the camera panned around to a reporter who interviewing the officer Jack had seen as they boarded the chopper. He stated that the crime appeared to be a robbery gone wrong and the couple were murdered in their bed as they slept.

Jack sat stunned at the news report on the television, not wanting to believe what he had just heard. The room is suddenly plunged into silence and darkness as Frank switched it off. The office lighting is restored and Frank got Jack’s attention and explained.

‘Jack I’m sorry but we had to do it! We have to make those responsible believe you were also killed tonight or they will attempt it again and we can’t afford that to happen’.

The thought of everyone they knew believing they were dead was too much for Jack. ‘What about Amber and Jade? He blurted out in frustration. Frank looked at Jack ‘I’m sorry but for now it will be safer for them and everyone else if they believe you are dead’.

Jack was sitting there not saying a word, he could hardly believe what had happened tonight and the loss of Helen was devastating. 

It had happened all so very quickly and the morning newspapers soon spread the news of the atrocity of a prominent American Editor and her Australian husband being murdered overnight in an apparent bungled robbery.

‘Where do we go from here?’ asked Jack finally.

‘We need to keep you out of sight for a while; until all this dies down a bit anyway’ stated Frank ‘we also have the matter of your funerals to organise’

‘Damm it!’ blurted Jack ‘Do we have to go that far Frank?’

‘I’m afraid we do Jack! As of today Jack and Helen Dawson are no longer with us, they were killed last night and to make this work everyone must believe that story’.

Jack believed Frank was right of course and agreed to stay in the apartment upstairs, at least for now anyway.

‘Please don’t do any disappearing acts for now Jack, it’s very important’ pleaded frank.

‘Important not to make contact with anyone, I know’ Jack finished for him.

‘We will discuss your new identity at a later stage’ added Frank.

‘Thank you Frank, I look forward to that!’ replied Jack as he got up to leave.

In his new accommodation Jack agonized over the fact that everyone he knew would have to go through the grieving process of Helen’s death and his apparent death too, especially the twins, how could they understand all of this? Jack thought.

The following weeks were frustrating to say the least. Sir Harold Dawson, Jacks father, arrived within days of the news and demanded to see his son’s body and made plans to return the body to Australia for a family funeral. There was also talk of him trying to take the twins back to Australia. The fact they were American citizens living with family delayed that idea, but Jack knew his father and his influential power would soon overcome that obstacle.

Jack found out later his father was fed the story that due to the nature of his sons’ injuries a viewing could not be possible and apparently Jack had requested in his Will for a cremation on American soil.

Jack’s father flew back to Australia minus the twins and carrying an urn containing ashes of God only knows what. Jack felt bad for deceiving his father this way but knew it had to be.

Jack was horrified at Frank’s next request. ‘Are you serious? Do you really expect me to watch my own funeral?’ shouted Jack ‘Haven’t I gone through enough’

‘I just want you to watch the close circuit television and identify anyone you either don’t know or you wouldn’t expect to see at your funeral service’ Frank explained to Jack.

The tears welled in his eyes as Jack watched the whole service from the start, right up to the time when the curtains closed on the two caskets each adored with flowers.

He saw his beautiful twin daughters, Amber and Jade who were crying and clinging to Helen's parents, he wept when he saw them placing items on each of their caskets. He also saw his brother, Shane and other family members who were equally upset. The camera then panned around the room during the various hymns and speeches and Jack searched the faces of everyone was able to see and to his surprise there were at least two he did not recognize, at first he thought they may have been from Helen’s work, but just in case he took down the tape counter number to report to Frank.

Hours later the two unidentified people from the tape were identified as having possible Chinese and Russian connection. Frank was happy to think he finally knew who the other players were in this conspiracy, although he knew too well that this could also be a ruse.

Jack felt gutted after watching the funeral of his beloved wife that was also his own funeral. Frank was pleased that Jack helped identify possible suspects, but equally understood when Jack retired to his apartment to mourn his loss. ‘I’m sorry about Helen,’ Frank stated sincerely. ‘Take your time and relax for awhile Jack,’ 

                  ‘Thanks Frank! I will,’ replied Jack as he left the room.

After two weeks Frank began to worry about Jack and was about to go and find him when Jack walked into franks office.

‘Right! Frank where to from here?’ he asked looking rather refreshed.

‘Welcome back Jack,’ replied Frank jumping up from his desk to extend a warm handshake. ‘How are feeling?’

‘About as bored as I’ve ever been and keen to do some work,’ he replied.

Frank had arranged an alias for Jack. ‘Please study this and ensure the dossier is destroyed when you are familiar with the contents,’ explained Frank. The dossier was of his new identity. ‘And welcome to the program Jack!’

Jack Dawson alias Chameleon was printed across the first page in large bold print. ‘Chameleon,’ said Jack as he read the first page. ‘Do you think I’m some sort of reptile?’

‘No Jack,’ replied Frank. ‘But you do have a habit of blending into the background and disappearing,’

The next few days were spent going over the dossier and Jack familiarized him self to what might be expected from him as a special agent. Jack found that agents are often referred to by their surname only, not out of disrespect but more out of an ease of understanding in an operational situation as many people had the same first name. Jack remembered that the Australian Police Service also adopted this method.

Over the months that followed Jack was scheduled for a barrage of tests to ascertain his ability in tele-porting. Soon it was discovered that he could take or retrieve all sorts of equipment anywhere around the world.

With the aid of a global positioning system (GPS) Jack could transport himself to an exact destination every time, but soon he didn’t need a GPS.

On the morning of another series of tests Frank arrived and presented Jack Dawson with a shopping list from around the world. It contained five items each item was to come from a different country.

The first item was a morning edition of the London Times, secondly was a photo of Dawson himself in New York Square, third was a souvenir from the Great Wall of China, forth was to retrieve a Prisoner of War (POW) from Iraq and lastly was to transport an agent to Germany to collect a package.

‘Wow,’ Exclaimed Jack. ‘Any particular order you want me to do these in?’

‘Any order you like and Agent Gillard will accompany you,’

‘Well Gilly lets go,’ called Dawson.

‘By the way, you have a time limit of sixty minutes, which starts now,’ exclaimed frank.

With Gilly in tow the pair disappeared. At the forty-five minute point Frank thought he had asked too much, at fifty-five minutes the door to Frank’s office burst open to reveal Dawson and Gillard covered in dust with a wounded American soldier between them. Frank immediately summoned medical assistance for the unconscious soldier that arrived promptly and took him to the medical facility. 

‘Well done boys! Great job,’ Said Frank. ‘Good to see you back safe and sound,’

‘One out of five is not bad for your first assignment and you did bring back an important item on the list,’ Added frank looking pleased with the result.

‘What do you mean one out of five?’ Dawson replied with a laugh. ‘Your paper is on your desk, as is the digital camera full of photos of Gilly and I in New York and I have a pebble in my pocket from the Great Wall of China,’ He said with a grin. ‘And I believe Gilly has something for you too’

Gillard handed over a package to Frank who still had his mouth wide open in disbelief.

‘Actually you’ve failed on item four,’ Interrupted Frank. ‘Item four was for a POW, even though I’m prepared to let that one slide under the circumstances,’

‘Well! I’m sorry Frank but there are not too many American POW’s in Iraq, but there are plenty of wounded soldiers and this one was cut off from his squad and therefore would probably have become a POW if they hadn’t killed him first. After that statement Frank conceded defeat.

Frank thanked Gillard for his part in the operation and on completion of the debrief he dismissed him.

‘Thanks for the trip Dawson maybe we can do it again sometime,’ Declared Gilly as he left the room.

‘Sure!’ Jack shouted. ‘I look forward to our next adventure,’ He added.

‘He’s a good man that one Frank,’

‘He’s one of the best men on the team,’ Replied Frank. ‘Well! What can I say Jack? You’ve more than proven you can do it, well done again!’

Frank was more than pleased with the results of the activity and was now awaiting instructions for the final implementation phase of his plan.

Jack was not totally happy with the living arrangements, he was sure Frank had his apartment bugged and had cameras that watched his every move, he felt trapped in this building and was considering going to Frank about it.

Jack was half way to Frank’s office when he thought about it and had to laugh to himself, how can I be trapped here? When I can go anywhere in the world whenever I want to. He thought.

‘Frank I need a break! I need to get away for a while,’ Jack knocked as he entered Frank’s office. ‘It’s been a year since I lost my wife and I haven’t seen the twins since the funeral,’

‘Take a seat Jack I’ve got something to tell you,’ Stated Frank. ‘It seems your father has secured custody of the twins and has taken them to Australia,’ He added.

Jack knew this would happen but there was little he could do to stop it anyway ‘Thanks for letting me know Frank,’

Frank Knew Jack could disappear anytime he wanted to so he jumped in early. ‘Yes you do need a break and I want you to take one! But you must remain incognito, you do understand why?’ Frank asked with a worried tone.

‘Yes of course I do,’ Jack replied.

‘Please keep in contact and keep your phone handy,’

‘No worries mate I’ll see you in two weeks,’

With that Jack Dawson alias Chameleon vanished. Frank knew the top brass would not be happy but what could he do Jack was going to go one-way or another.

Two weeks to the day Jack Dawson returned and it was obvious to him that Frank was more than a little relieved.

‘Had you worried did I Frank?

‘No of course not, but I was about to ring you, we have a situation,’ Frank sounded more serious than usual. ‘Jack, I’m hoping you can help us with a matter that involves National Security,’

                   ‘Of course, if I can! You know you can count on me,’ Jack stated. ‘What’s the situation?

‘A terrorist organization has hi-jacked an American Jumbo Jet en-route to London, They apparently stormed the cockpit soon after take off from Paris after a refuelling stop,’ Explained Frank in a worried tone.

‘I thought you appeared jumpy when I came in,’ Said Jack. ‘Any demands made yet,’

‘No not yet,’ replied Frank.

‘How many people are on board and how long before they reach London?’ Jack asked.

‘Four hundred and fifty people including the crew and about three hours flying time remaining to destination,’ answered Frank. ‘Jack, do you think you could get onto an aircraft in mid-flight? Frank asked.

‘Well I have gotten onto a ship in the middle of the ocean, so I guess I can give it a try,’ he answered.

‘Thanks, good enough for me, let’s meet up in the Operations Room (OPS Room) at 1430 hrs.’ Said Frank.

The OPS Room took up nearly the whole tenth floor and was the nerve centre for any operation and today was no different, at any time there could be fifty or more people on duty manning a bank of computers that lined the south end of the floor. Jack Dawson entered the OPS Room and immediately he felt part of the team. He was not only part of the team he was an integral part of it. He saw Frank raise his eyebrows at him across the room and made his way over.

‘Thanks for coming Jack’ Frank sounded a little more confident.

‘Wouldn’t miss it Frank,’

Frank Peterson initiated the briefing after he introduced Jack Dawson alias Chameleon as a specialist in the field of escape and evasion. Frank continued on with a full brief on what they knew, which was very little really other than the fact that a fully laden American Jumbo Jet, bound for London was hi-jacked after refuelling in Paris. Apparently an air marshal was on board but has been shot by the hi-jackers believed to be a splinter group from the radical movement “Free Gehad” and at this stage no demands have been made.

The information about the air marshal came from a passenger on the flight using a cell-phone; no further contact has been made. The hi-jack has since been authenticated using a secret code word to the cockpit of the aircraft.

‘Ladies and gentlemen we now have less than three hour to come up with a logical plan, other than shoot it down which it what the British want to do,’ Informed Frank.

‘What else can we do,’ asked a member of the audience,’

‘With the help of Mr Dawson we are going to attempt a mid-air take-over before they cross the English Channel,’ answered Frank.

‘Do we know how many terrorist are aboard the aircraft?’ another member of the crowd asked.

‘Four,’ Answered Jack Dawson.

‘How do you know that?’ Frank asked in a whisper.

‘Because I counted them, and the Air Marshal is alive and well with only a slight wound,’ answered Jack.

Frank detailed his team to maintain contact with the British Home Office and to monitor the aircraft's movements. ‘I want to know if that aircraft deviates from the flight plan at all,’ he shouted. ‘Mr Dawson, a word in private please,’ indicating a side office.

Jack felt like a scolded child as he followed Frank into his office, but he soon realized the seriousness of his actions.

‘You could have jeopardized the whole operation! What were you thinking? Frank shouted. ‘This is not a game Dawson!’

‘I know! I’m sorry but I wanted to see if I could actually get onto an aircraft in mid-flight,’ Jack stated. ‘I didn’t want to endanger the lives of your men until I knew I could do it’

Frank calmed down and realized that Jack was genuine and obviously felt bad for the death of the two agents in the Jackson Square incident.

‘How much time do we have Frank?’

‘No more than two hours until the jet is due to arrive at Heathrow Airport,’ answered Frank.

‘Right! Lets get the team together and go over the details,’ Stated Jack.

The plan required the Chameleon to get a team of six counter terrorist agents onto the aircraft without being detected and let them regain control. Jack said that it would take three trips and each team would be inserted into a different section of the aircraft and contact could be established through headsets.

Until confirmation of weapon types and quantity was known the method for neutralization should be silent and all team members were to fit silencers to their laser sighted weapons. Ammunition for the operation was a standard high impact, low velocity type cartridge, which had projectiles that when used on a human target, hit hard, but disintegrated on impact and rarely exited which minimized collateral damage.

Jack Dawson and the first two agents disappeared from the briefing room, but not before Frank handed Jack a laser sighted Glock semi-automatic 9mm pistol fitted with a silencer ‘I understand you have had training with this type of weapon!’ Frank answered.

‘Thanks Frank, I hope I don’t have to use it,’ He answered.

‘Don’t worry, team leader Jacobson will certainly look after you,’ Added Frank.

Two more trips and the teams were in place in a matter of two minutes. The first team of two which included Gilly from Jack’s last mission was located in the rear on the port side, second team with Team Leader Jorgenson in the Forward Galley area to cover the starboard side to prevent a crossfire situation and the remaining team was positioned in the upper galley. Communication was quickly established and reports of sightings were coming in.

It was unfortunate for the first terrorist, who had decided at that particle moment to make a cup of coffee when the final team materialized right in front of him. His eyes went wide and his jaw dropped with terror and disbelief and before he reacted he was silently neutralized before his coffee cup even hit the floor. The agents swept through the upper deck and forward lounges and found another terrorist near the stairwell and like his comrade he was safely taken out with a well-aimed double tap from an agent. His weapon was the one taken from the Air Marshal and the first was armed with an old rifle bayonet, so it was established that they were not very well armed or organized.

An increasing amount of passengers were becoming aware a rescue was in process and were mindful enough not to alert the remaining terrorists, they did however inform Jack’s team that there was a single terrorist towards the rear of the aircraft that had a grenade of some sort. The information was relayed to the teams of a possible grenade on board and to exercise extreme caution.

The third terrorist was sighted towards the rear moving forward up the port side with his arms folded in front of him, but he did appear to be holding something.

Jack relayed to the team to fall back and removed his Kevlar vest. He was now dressed like any other passenger and he was going to act like a passenger that wanted to use the rest rooms and hopefully get a closer look at what he is holding. Team leader Jorgenson was not overly happy about it but agreed it could work. Jack removed his radio headpiece, handed his weapon to another agent as he thought it was too bulky to hide.

Jack Dawson sat in a spare seat for a few minutes then stood up and acted like a passenger walking down the aisle holding on to himself and saying he was busting to use the rest rooms. ‘I must go for a leak, I’m busting’ he called out as he walked towards the terrorist.

‘You go back’ said the terrorist in very bad English.

‘I must use the rest room’ Jack said again hopping from foot to foot as he walked nearly right up to the terrorist.

‘No, you go back’ threatened the terrorist, this time holding up the grenade to show Jack.

Seeing what he needed to see Jack said ‘Okay’ and retreated to his seat about ten rows away and immediately pulled out his headset and informed the port side team ‘take out Target Three immediately’ called Jack into his radio. Without a second thought Jacobson stepped into the aisle and a red spot appeared on the terrorist’s chest and within seconds he dropped down hard to the floor after a classic double tap from the agents Desert Eagle Pistol.

After clearing the lower deck the six agents and Jack regrouped at the forward lounge and ascertained from the Air Marshal there were defiantly four terrorists on board. The only place the remaining terrorist could be was in the cockpit. If he had a grenade he could still take out the aircraft. They moved upstairs and took up positions in the upper galley area.

‘I don’t suppose my trick will work twice’ whispered Jack into his mouthpiece.

An internal phone rang in the Galley ‘that’s how they are communicating; he’s probably looking for his mates’ came over Jack’s earpiece from Jacobson.

‘Well! Best we see what he wants’ replied Jack as he picked up the receiver.

The caller spoke in perfect Arabic asking if all was going to plan, Jack replied in Arabic to the affirmative and hung up the receiver.

‘You are a man of many talents Dawson’ said the team leader over the headset.

‘Thanks’

‘But did he twig on you weren’t one of them?’ asked Jacobson.

‘He is actually a she and if we don’t blow up within seconds I’ll guess she didn’t twig on,’ answered Jack.

‘It’s confirmed final target is female’ called Jacobson into his mouthpiece with return acknowledgement from each team.

‘If we can’t get in then she will have to come out to us’ stated a team member.

‘Not necessarily, Jack can you do your magic here?’ asked Jacobson.

Jack Dawson had a lot going through his mind at the moment. A cockpit is a small enough area as it is and with possibly three crew members and a terrorist it would not leave much room for error, he would have to go alone and act fast.

He decided he couldn’t take the chance of a gunshot in a confined space so again he handed his weapon over and vanished.

The cockpit was more cramped than Jack thought it would be and he materialized almost on top of the terrorist who had taken the jump seat and was shocked and surprised when someone had suddenly appeared almost on her lap, pinning her arms down between her legs. What happened next can only be described as mayhem as the terrorist attempted to pull the pin on the grenade she was holding, she screamed in his ear and bit deeply on his neck in an attempt to free her arms.

                 They grappled with each other and the grenade dropped to the floor and clattered under a seat, for an awful few seconds Jack and the crew were unsure if she had managed to actually free the pin. The co-pilot managed to wrestle the terrorist’s head away from Jack’s neck and also release the cabin door lock. The door burst outwards to reveal six sweating and grinning agents. The terrorist was dragged away kicking and screaming obscenities at the two burly agents who held her. Jack dropped to his knees to look for the dropped grenade, which he found hard up under the pilot’s seat with the pin almost all the way out. Jack wiped his brow and gave a sigh as he pushed the pin fully home and bent the splines outwards.

In the aftermath Jorgensen approached Jack patting him on the back for a job well done and inquired about his injured neck. Jack said it was nothing.

‘By the way, how did you know it was safe to take out target three?’ asked Jacobson.

‘When I approached him he held up the grenade to scare me off and I could see the pin was still inserted and the splines were bent to prevent easy extraction,’ answered Jack.

The pilot radioed London to inform them the situation had been averted and they were again in control of the aircraft. To avoid too many questions among the passengers, Jack and the team remained on the aircraft until it landed in London where they disembarked and then inexplicable disappeared.

Debrief of Operation Condor lasted over six hours and every detail of the operation was dissected until Frank Peterson was content with the outcome and the possibility of identification of the team by outsiders was minimal.

It was ascertained that the hijack was poorly organized and funded and it was assumed to be nothing more than an opportunity hijack by a radical splinter group with a still unknown agenda. Regardless the incident still had the potential of being a major disaster and an incident if repeated by an organization with better resources could prove catastrophic.

‘Well done to all of you!’ he said. ‘The British still want to know who we were and how we managed to board the aircraft and where we went on arrival in London,’ laughed Peterson.

‘Perhaps we’ll keep that little secret,’ added Jack.

‘Absolutely,’ chipped in Frank.

Exhausted Jack entered his unit and after a hot shower he collapsed into a soft lazyboy chair where he slept for nearly twelve hours, he was only awakened by the sound of his mobile phone ringing with the tune of “We are the champions” by the band Queen, a tune he had programmed into his phone to sound when frank Peterson rang. He let the phone ring almost out before he snatched it up and simply answered with ‘Dawson,’

‘Jack, It’s Frank Peterson I need to see you right now, can you come straight down?’

‘Sounds serious Frank I’m on my way,’ he answered

After a quick wash to refresh himself Jack stepped into the elevator and without even thinking punched the button of the floor he needed to go to, the elevator silently delivered him to the destination eight floors down and Jack walked straight into the familiar plush office of Frank Peterson.

‘Come straight in Jim and take a seat,’ said Frank as he met him at the door and promptly closed the door behind him.

‘This does sound serious Frank; you’ve got me worried,’

‘It is serious Jack, real serious’ replied Frank.

Frank got straight to the point and told him of an attempt that had been made to kidnap his daughters from his parents in Australia.

‘What?’ he shouted

‘Don’t worry they are perfectly safe, the attempt had been foiled by the excellent security measures the Dawson family employs,’ Added frank. Hearing the news of his daughters after two years brought back a lot of painful memories for Jack, Helen's death, his own apparent death and his beautiful daughters taken away to live with his parents.

‘Before you disappear on us Jack we need to discuss the questions of this kidnap attempt, was it just a random attempt to get money from a rich family? Or was it a more sinister attempt to draw the Chameleon out into the open?’ Frank asked

Either way Jack was concerned an attempt was made to abduct his daughters for whatever reason and he was not about to let them try again.

‘I’ve already lost Helen, I’m not going to sit around and let them harm Jade and Amber,’ Stated Jack. He then realized he hadn’t used their names for so long now.

‘Just think about it Jack,’ But before Frank could finish Jack Dawson was long gone.

Jack found himself on the streets of Sydney Australia. It was a cool evening for July and he shivered to think that he couldn’t even remember when he was last here. Now he was here, he wasn’t even sure what he could actually do. But he knew he wanted to see his girls again. He knew where to go and where to observe the family, but what he didn’t want to do was run the risk of being seen as a potential stalker or kidnapper himself.

So with a disguise that wouldn’t draw attention, he watched the family’s security procedures over three days. After the three-day period Jack found the attempted kidnap could only have been perpetrated by amateurs, as the security measures employed by the family had been just as Frank Peterson had said, second to none. He now also understood what Frank had meant if he was to suddenly reappear back in the family, he certainly would draw unwanted attention and he could possibly place his whole family in danger.

Satisfied his girls were adequately safe for the time being Jack made the decision to discreetly contact his brother; it was a gamble he was sure would pay off. He’d use his ability to the maximum to ensure the family’s security was maintained.

A courier service delivered an envelope addressed to Jack’s Brother, Shane, it passed through the mail scanner and was not considered as a threat and was given directly to Austin’s brother. The note in the envelope simply read, Westminster Abbey, third row from front, left side, tonight 9 pm, tell no one. The thing that intrigued Shane was that the note was signed with the phrase 'Juvenile Delinquent' which was written with an over size J and D at the beginning of each word. Shane remembered the phrase was given to them by a Police Officer when he and Jack were young, after a childish prank got them in trouble. The incident was never recorded and apart from the Police Officer involved; only the two of them ever knew it and as Jack’s initials were JD the phrase stuck.

The Dawson protocol was such as that no member of the family went out in public without an escort and after the recent kidnap attempt on the twins; security was even more vigilant than before.

Jack knew this security measure and he also knew that it would not be considered unusual for his brother to visit the church even at this late hour, and once a clearance of the church and grounds had been conducted, the security team would stay discreetly in the background.

At precisely 20.45 hours the security team arrived and swept through the church and declared the area safe, they then maintained a perimeter patrol around the outside.   Shane arrived promptly at 20.55 and entered the church and slowly made his way down the centre isle. He saw no one, the church appeared to be empty but he made his way to the spot designated in the note and sat down. The absolute silence in the building and the smell of the old church reminded him of happier times when the three young Dawson brothers attended church with their parents.

He was so deep in thought that he failed to notice the arrival of the stranger in the trench coat that suddenly appeared next to him. Initially he was startled at the sudden appearance, but when he spoke, Shane knew immediately he meant no harm.

‘Hello,’ whispered Jack.

‘Jack!’ his brother answered, almost too loudly.

‘Keep your voice down to a whisper, I’ll explain, but not here,’ replied Jack in a whisper.

‘I don’t understand.’

Jack suspected his arrival might not go unnoticed for too long, he saw figures moving about in the outer shadows of the darkened recesses of the church.

‘When I stand up and move, I want you to follow me closely, okay?’ whispered Jack. 

‘Okay.’ Came the reply.

Jack stood and moved towards the shadows of the massive columns that lined the outer sections of the church almost dragging his brother with him. Jack laid a hand on his brother’s arm and they vanished into the darkness. The security services were unaware they’d even gone.

They reappeared in a sunlit wheat field in southern France, stood with his mouth agape and with a look of utter confusion on his face.

‘Shane, we don’t have much time before they notice you’ve gone and we must talk,’ said Jack urgently.

‘What’s happened Jack?’

‘Don’t worry you’re quite safe,’ answered Jack. He hugged his brother with a tear in his eye.

‘I hated keeping all this from you, but it was clear they would not stop until they thought I was dead,’

‘How did we get here?’ asked Shane.

‘It’s a long story, but I’ll have to give you the short version for now,’ continued Jack.

Jack did his best to explain the situation to his brother, with the major emphasis placed on secrecy, for his sake and the sake of his daughters. Shane was amazed at the brief but detailed version of events given by Jack. Once Jack was certain his brother understood his position and his reasons for the deception, he asked about Amber and Jade.

‘They are fine. Obviously it has been very hard on them. They were not even aware of the kidnap attempt,’ he said.

‘You must look after them for me,’ Pleaded Jack.

‘You know I will,’ He replied.

‘I must get you back before they start to look for you,’ Stated Jack.

Jack placed a hand on his brother arm again and moments later he was back in the church with wonderful memories of his brother

At first he thought he’d dozed off and dreamt he’d seen Jack, but the card in his hand proved it hadn’t been a dream, it read, sees you again soon, and signed JD.

A security agent appeared at his side and asked him if everything was alright, to which he told him all was well. Jack observed his brother for a few more moments from the sanctuary of the upper viewing platform and saw him look in his direction, but he was already gone.

He managed to meet twice more with his brother in secrecy and they discussed his position in more detail. It was decided by both parties that the best course of action would be to remain incognito for the safety of all concerned. The last visit to his brother before Jack returned to America, Jack saw his daughters for the first time in years. It was very hard for Jack not to rush over and hug his girls and disappear somewhere, but he knew he’d have wait for now.

Even at the distance at which he did manage to see his girls from, he saw that they were happy right now, the resilience of the youth, he thought. He shed a tear as they left with their nanny, his heart was broken but he swore to protect them with his silence.

After two weeks, Jack returned to CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia. Frank Peterson was pleased to see his friend but he knew the past weeks were not easy for Jack.

‘Welcome back Jack. Good to see you,’ He said.

‘You too Frank,’

‘Ready to go to work now?’ he asked Jack.

‘You could say that, I need to take my mind off a couple of things at the moment,’

Frank Peterson was not a man without feelings and he knew just what those couple of thing were. At that moment Frank had plans to involve Jack in another mission that concerned national security. Although he would need to have his wits about him this time and he wouldn’t want to lose his most valued asset either.

The weeks that followed certainly occupied Jack’s mind to the fullest, he trained with his old buddy, team leader Jacobson, who had conducted his initial training. He also met up with Gilly, the agent that went with him to retrieve the items on Frank’s shopping list. The briefs Jack sat in on were of the utmost sensitive nature. Jack was now fully entrenched into the CIA.

Like a silent witness, Jack only existed within the organization. His life became an endless series of seemingly endless national emergencies, which all apparently required his services. He began to wonder what they’d do without his ability.

Although he wanted for nothing in material aspects in life as the US budget covered all his needs, but what he wanted was unachievable, he wanted to be with his family.

‘Jack. We’ve got another issue that you could help us with,’ Interrupted Frank.

‘Sure Frank, What’s on the agenda?’

Frank explained that this issue was top secret and that very few people, even in the agency were aware of this operation.

‘I’ll come right out Jack and lay it on the line for you,’ Frank stated.

‘You know that’s how I like it Frank, no surprises that way,’ Jack Replied.

‘It’s Korea. We’ve had an agent that’s dropped off the radar,’

‘You mean he hasn’t reported in,’ Jack queried.

‘Yes. She’s eight hours over due,’

‘She?’ Jack quizzed.

‘Yes Jack! A woman, top agent too, unusual for her to not report in’ he continued.

‘What was she doing in Korea Frank?’

‘Just assessing a threat of nuclear intervention against the US,’ he said.

‘Ah, so she was just on a sight seeing tour?’ Jack asked.

‘That’s right Jack,’

Jack spent hours on the profile of the missing agent. He memorized her personal details and her fine feature were embedded in his mind. Her name was Emma Riley and she was strikingly beautiful, her dark eyes matched her shoulder length dark brown hair, which framed her face in such a way that Jack thought he’d never forget her. He stared at her photograph.

‘Where are you Emma? He asked himself aloud. Her last known location was 'The Empire Hotel' in South Korea, Approximately five Kilometres from where she was to report in from. Emma Riley was now twelve hours overdue. It was most unusual for an agent to miss two report lines.

After much negotiation with Frank, it was decided that Jack’s idea of posing as a tourist in search of a travel companion that may have gotten lost after they failed to meet as planned might just work. His story would have to withstand scrutiny and despite the fact he hadn’t actually flown on the same aircraft that Emma had, his travel document reflected the same itinerary as Emma’s and anyone that checked the flight records would find no reason to believe anything different.

After he discreetly slipped into the country, Jack Dawson arrived at the last known location of Emma Riley by cab. The Empire Hotel in the Korean capital was noticeably lavish even by apparent communist standards. With his appearance slightly altered to allay any suspicion towards the Chameleon, Jack casually asked for Emma Riley at the reception counter. He was told that Miss Riley was still a guest of the hotel and although they wouldn’t give out her room number they would however place a call to her room and inform her she had a visitor. Jack causally observed the attendant tap in 512 on the touch phone and he thanked him when there was no answer.

‘Would you like to leave a message sir?’ The clerk on the counter asked.

‘No...No message,’ replied Jack.


'To be continued'

                                                                                   

Alternate Suggested Titles

Catch me if you can

Lightning Jack

Crossing Dawson