Dual Assassins Read Online Free PDF Page B

and were motioned to sit down by one of three gentlemen sitting at the conference table. After a few generic pleasantries were exchanged, Bruce Hemphill, the assistant director and retired Navy admiral walked in and sat at the head of the table.
    “Let’s begin our briefing,” said Mac as he opened a folder on the table in front of him. “First of all—”
    “No…first of all,” Jim interrupted as he bolted upright in his chair. MacDonald’s face tightened and shot Jim a quick icy look. Three other gentlemen at the table exchanged glances and grinned. Jim continued, “I need to be introduced to the gentlemen at the table. I wasn’t introduced to them at our last meeting, and I want to know everyone’s name.”
    Everyone fell silent and the three gentlemen turned and looked at Hemphill waiting for his reaction.
    Mac glowered at Jim and said, “It’s not necessary—”
    “It is necessary for this mission to get off the ground and succeed,” said Jim. “I need to know who is supporting me behind the scenes…period.”
    The room fell silent. The three men across the table were suppressing slight grins and were apparently enjoying Jim’s dialogue in the presence of the assistant director.
    Hemphill looked at Mac and waved dismissively then fixated on Jim and said with a smile, “It’s not customary to reveal the names of the researchers and analysts in cases like this. However, we’ll make an exception. Mac, handle the introductions.”
    Mac looked at Hemphill, opened his mouth to criticize, then stopped short and with clenched jaw, turned to Jim with a forced smile. Mac swung his arm toward the first gentleman and said, “This is Darrell Richling, manager of research.”
    A man with close cropped curly hair grinned and nodded his head. Mac pointed to the next man and continued, “This is Leonard Bergeron, head analyst.”
    Bergeron, a younger man with a blond crew cut, responded with a simple “Hi,” and a short wave.
    Mac continued, “This is Louis Cormier, manager of operations and planning,” then turned to Jim, “He was highly involved in your last mission.”
    Cormier, a short man with black hair produced a broad smile, got up and walked around the large table with quick, short steps and stopped when he reached Jim. He extended his hand and said, “Glad to officially meet you, Jim.”
    Jim smiled, “Thanks. What do I call you?”
    “My friends call me Frenchy.”
    “Glad to meet you, Frenchy,” and pumped Frenchy’s hand a few more times.
    While the squat man moseyed around the table to his chair, Jim felt more satisfied. Now at least he knew their names. One of the five at this table may be the mole. They had complete control and yet one could also be his executioner.
    Bruce Hemphill glanced at Jim and said, “Your contact at the Seoul Embassy will be a Richard Palmer. I understand you two know each other.”
    “Yes, we went to school together a few years back.”
    MacDonald looked surprised, and then added, “He’ll be able to furnish you with anything that you need.”
    Hemphill slid a folder across the table to Jim, “Here’s some data you’ll need. Please memorize its contents. The file will remain here as usual.”
    The short silence was broken when Hemphill continued, “Frank Henderson, the under secretary of state will be attending a secret meeting in Seoul in five days. We have been informed there is a plot to assassinate him by a Russian assassin.”
    “Who is he?” asked Jim as he leaned forward and began twisting his wedding ring.
    “We don’t know.”
    Jim tilted his head and frowned. “What do you expect me to do?”
    Hemphill pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed his eyes tight, then shot Jim a look, leaning forward with clenched fists. “Jim, your assignment is to find the assassin and eliminate the threat. It’s that simple.”
    Hemphill then rose to his feet, grinned at Jim and said, “After this meeting, you’ll have plenty of time to familiarize