The Guardsman

by Peter Shillen

[Night before Ann Cross Murder]

Jim was studying the dossier again. He knew everything that was in it already, but he read it again anyway. Photographs, daily routine... he knew it all better than she did. She had a pretty face, in fact, she was very attractive. He had never thought about it before. Still, it wouldn't do any good to dwell on it. Pretty soon, this person would be dead.

He booted up his PC, logging in and checking his e-mail. He began to access the bulletin board system (BBS). With his fingers flicking expertly over the keyboard, he soon accessed the room he was looking for. There was a message from 'Caesar'. It read,

>>>>

... Acquire the necessary resources as soon as possible from the usual outlet. Your next target figure must be reached this week ....

<<<<

So, this was it. All that training was going to start being put to good use. Was it good? They seemed to think so. He knew one thing, though. Lying to Jordan and the other guys was tearing at him. He was a professional, he could suppress the feelings, but they always came back. He was lying to his friends. He had managed to do it only because he knew it was for their own protection but now, he was interfering in one of their own cases. That hadn't been the plan. A test of loyalty, perhaps?

Despite feeling an urge to drink himself into oblivion, he didn't. Instead he started up his Voice over IP (VoIP) program. He had made several modifications on The Guard's behalf, providing them with a secure (and free) international call network.

"7000304"

"Special Edition body charge."

"Standard 6, plus one."

"No. Undercover climbing gear. Standard issue."

"Yes"

The call was terminated. He shut down the PC. There would be a while before the 'dead letter-box' contained his package so he went back to the dossier. The part at the end was the most puzzling of all. Paper-clipped to the last sheet was a business card. He was instructed to leave it where it could be found. Why?! What the hell were they revealing themselves for? Jim couldn't help but think it was arrogant pride.

The body charge was truly amazing. Untraceable. It did, however, need a bit a stage management. It wouldn't kill. It just lent a helping hand. Jordan's 'phone call had set up a chance. A meeting at the station was just what he needed. He could pick her off quite easily. Keeping hidden wouldn't have been a problem. Unfortunately he had to be seen without being identified. Ah well, who said life was easy! All she had to do was move to the platform edge...

Soon afterwards, his Ducati was screaming along the freeway, all doubts gone. He was on his mission. Feelings would come back afterwards. For now, he was a killer. Of that there could be no doubt.

[Station Meeting]

He made sure he reached the station before the others. It was easy to pick her out. Even easier, in the jostling crowd, to move her to the platform edge. With a deftness which would have surprised himself a few weeks ago, he planted the body charge under the strap of her bag, just over the right shoulder. All he had to do was wait.

*** 8< SNIP >8 ***

She must have seen him at about the same time because she stepped forward slightly as he approached. Once again, he had to fight the urge to look around for Jim and Martin.

"Ann," he said casually as he fell in next to her, "it's good to see you again."

She managed a strained smile, "I'm glad you could make it. There's something that I need to show you."

"Here?" Jordan asked.

The lights at the edge of the platform began to flash and signal the approach of a train. In their odd glow Ann shook her head, "Not here. First we need to go someplace a little more private."

"Your place or mine?" Jordan asked above the growing rumble of the approaching train.

Ann gave him a vaguely amused smile, and said "Very funny."

Jordan was about to reply when Ann lurched forward. She stumbled off the platform and into the path of the decelerating train. Jordan looked on in shock as she impacted the windshield of the train with a sickening sound.

Martin dashed over to Jordan's side with his gun drawn as people began to scream in panic. Jordan drew his own gun and looked around franticly. He saw someone moving quickly across the platform toward the exit.

"There!" Jordan cried pointing, "Go!."

Martin nodded and moved to follow.

*** 8< SNIP >8 ***

He set off the charge. Sure enough, Ann Cross flew forwards just as the train entered the station. With bone-crunching certainty, she was dead. As people began to scatter, Jim made his move. Dashing for the exit from his cover point, he heard Jordan's shout and Martin's shoes hammering along behind. As he dashed across the street, he was getting out the climbing gear, no bigger than a large calibre gun. As soon as he was out of sight, he fired the gun, it's ram impacting just below the roof line. The line retracted quickly and noiselessly but Martin had been a little quicker than Jim had thought. Stopping the line, he had to dangle there, above the alley, while Martin sniffed around. Slowly, he drew his gun, taking careful aim at his friend. He saw Martin check the dumpster and then found the card. Martin looked up but saw the police arrive just before his head began to cast upwards. He left the alley, crossing back over to the station.

Jim continued up the side of the building, his arm beginning to tire a little. As he climbed over the top, he squated down on his haunches, taking a few deep breaths. His first mission was over and he had almost killed one of his friends. Drawing the gun had been instinctive - the need to survive and protect the secret rising above other considerations. He found it hard to believe that he had done it. As he crept to the edge of the roof, facing the station, he watched and waited. Soon, he saw Martin and then Jordan leave and head along to Eve's.

As he reached the Cafe door, the two agents were leaving.

"Jim," said Jordan, "where did you get to?"

"I saw Martin track the shooter into the alley, ready to back him up. I was across the street, but I couldn't get a clear shot. The guy disappeared into the alley and Martin followed. Where did he go, Martin?"

"I don't know. The guy just disappeared."

"Ever heard of The Praetorian Guard?" Jordan asked.

"Not since my last History lesson. Julius Caesar's Secret Service?" he smiled.

"I found this in the alley," said Martin, handing Jim the card.

"Then someone wanted you to find it?" Jim said.

"Obviously. So, are we dealing with a new lot of bastards?"

Jim didn't reply as the three agents began to make their way back to JEH. It was for their own good. Maybe one day, he'd be able to explain exactly what was going on and who he was working for. Right now, she was dead and the was enough.

NRPG:

Well, Jim didn't exactly push her, but he pushed the button. Great spin on the story Martin! I love it...