The Lure of the Pack (8 page)

“I can’t Lana, you know that! I have to go, the flight
leaves soon.”

“And Helga is still…going with you?”

“Of course, you know she is,” the look in Lana’s eyes made
Von Kurst feel slightly apprehensive, “why do you ask?”

“Oh…it’s nothing,” she said, sheepishly.

“I will keep in close contact my love, I promise.”

“I know you will Otto, I know.” Lana Franke kissed Otto Von
Kurst once again on the lips then turned and sat on her bed, “you’d better
leave…”

Quickly, Von Kurst strode back to the bedroom door, “I will
see you on Thursday, take care Lana.” Then he was gone, the door closing softly
behind him.

“How I hate you,” whispered Lana, her loathing thoughts
concentrating once again on Helga Zeist, now sitting comfortably in Von Kurst’s
rented BMW. “I hate you!” With her body beginning to tremble, Lana wrapped her
arms tightly around herself. “YOU STINKING BITCH,” she screamed, her body now
rocking back and forth, “I FUCKING HATE YOU, DO YOU HEAR ME? I FUCKING WELL
HATE YOU!”

“So when do we attach the Followers, Colonel?”

“Several agents are on standby Ash. The first will link up
with, and follow Von Kurst and Oratz upon their separate arrivals at Dusseldorf
Airport.”

“Good, and they won’t lose track of them?”

Colonel Mann seemed irritated by Piper’s question, “no
Sergeant, they will not lose track of them. As you are well aware, the
Followers are a unique concept in covert operations. Men and women, all between
thirty to fifty years of age and all with military or law enforcement
backgrounds. These people are extremely well trained Class Two field agents.
Believe me Sergeant, CEATA Followers blend into their surroundings
exceptionally well. Erik and Monika Carlson, attached to the Safehouse in
Amsterdam were Followers, and damned good ones!”

“Until the grenadiers caught up with them,” Piper clenched
his fists, his thoughts drifting back to the firefight and chaos in Amsterdam.

“Wherever Von Kurst and Oratz go, our people will follow, of
that you can rest assured.” 

Piper nodded his head, “we’ll also need to keep a track on
the Learjet’s movements Colonel.”

“Yes Sergeant, I know!”

“Commander, are you alright?” Jeanette Descard sounded
concerned, “you look like you’re in another world.”

Maurice Hertschell wore a troubled look on his face, “sorry
Jeanette, yes, I’m fine.”

“You don’t look it Maurice, what’s on your mind?” Colonel
Mann had sensed Jeanette’s feeling of unease as Commander Hertschell sat back
in his chair.

“There is something that disturbs me about this farmhouse
business…in the Versailles area.” At last thought Jeanette! Go on Commander;
tell me what I’m already thinking!

“Jeanette!”

“Yes sir.”

“When was the last time you worked with Claude Bescann.”

“Just over five years ago, when I assisted the Gendarmes and
GIGN with the terrorist problems in Marseilles.”

“Mmm…” The Commander hesitated, his mind studiously drifting
back to events from his past. “I’ve had dealings with Claude Bescann myself on
several occasions. Although he does not know of CEATA, he is a very
intelligent, resourceful and quick witted man.”

“Bescann played an important role in the GIGN sir. He was
very successful in reshaping and re-equipping the organisation.”

“Yes, and he retired, when was it…?”

“If my memory serves me correctly, two years last February.”
Jeanette Descard smiled inwardly. Her initial thoughts regarding the farmhouse
situation were about to be confirmed.

The Commander sat bolt upright, “and he retired to a
farmhouse, in the Versailles area, didn’t he?”

“WHAT!” Piper was startled.

“Yes sir, he did!”

“Yes, and if my memory serves me correct, his farmhouse had
a great deal of land attached to it. It was very, how can I say…private!” The
hairs on the back of Ash Piper’s neck were slowly becoming rigid. “It’s all
starting to make sense,” whispered the Commander, “I hate to say this, but I
think we need to have a few words with Claude Bescann.”

At last thought Jeanette! “My thoughts exactly sir,” she
said.

“SIR!” There was a distinct sense of urgency in Ash Piper’s
voice as he faced Colonel Mann.

“Yes Sergeant.”

“How long do you estimate a Chinook with a compliment of
fully armed combatants would take to get to that farmhouse?”

“From here, probably two hours at the most,” the Colonel was
already rising from his seat, so too was the Commander.

“I need a fully armed detachment from Team Echo on the
Helipad in ten minutes. We have to get to that farmhouse, AND DAMNED QUICKLY!”

“Very well Sergeant, get ready.” There was no time for
further conversation thought the Colonel, if Piper sensed something important,
that was good enough for him. Practically running to the office door, Piper
pulled it open, “I’m going to the armoury Commander, we need the local
Gendarmes and a GIGN team around the perimeter of that farmhouse as quickly as
possible. I’ll keep in touch!”

“Very well, and Red Haze…”

“Sir…”

“Good luck!”

4

WHITE SWAN

“Good morning Mister Von Kurst,” the fresh faced young woman
standing in the executive aircraft’s doorway wore a radiant, heart warming
smile.

“Good morning Sonia, how are you?” Otto Von Kurst strode
powerfully up the portable stairway towards the door of the VKE Learjet, his
thick mane of silver grey hair stirred by the morning breeze.

“I am fine thank you, good morning Ms Zeist; it’s lovely to
see you again.”

“Good morning Sonia, it’s very nice to see you too.” Through
the doorway they went, towards the luxurious seating in the main cabin, the
jet’s turbines slowly rotating, their gentle whining telling all inside it was
nearly time to take to the air.

Nimbly, Sonia took her much respected passengers’ coats and
hand luggage, bidding them both to take a seat. “Captain Bauer says we should
be underway in approximately twenty minutes Mister Von Kurst, so…” again,
Sonia’s warm smile became infectious as both passengers returned the gesture.
They couldn’t help it, “…would you like coffee, tea, or how about a glass of
Buck’s Fizz?”

“Not for me thank you Sonia,” said Helga, “I will be happy
with a large glass of water please.”

Sonia looked puzzled, then smiled as she noticed her
employer’s secretary’s eyes, they were slightly bloodshot. Ah, she thought, too
much to drink last night, “no problem Ms Zeist. Mister Von Kurst, what would
you like?”

“Black coffee for me please Sonia, with no sugar as usual.”

Sonia’s smile continued, “of course Mister Von Kurst, and
how was your stay at Feldtberg Castle, pleasant I trust?”

“Very pleasant indeed Sonia, thank you.” Von Kurst sat back
in his seat and turned to face Helga as the attractive stewardess made her way
to the aircraft’s galley. “How are you feeling my love?” Gently, his hand took
hold of Helga’s as he looked deeply into her eyes.

“To be honest Otto, I feel very sick.”

“Try to relax, once we are under way, you can sleep.”
Soothingly, the Chairman and Managing Director of Von Kurst Electronics leaned
over and kissed Helga’s forehead, which he noticed was warm and clammy. He
smiled again at the woman whose life was changing rapidly, right in front of
his very eyes.

Their bodies shook with the thunderous power of the CH47
Chinook’s twin engines, its two massive sets of rotors revolving at breakneck
speed. The Central European Anti Terrorism Agency’s Rapid Reaction Team, more
commonly known in CEATA as Team Echo were the best of the best from Europe’s
elite anti terrorist teams.  France’s GIGN, Germany’s GSG9, Belgium’s ESI,
Holland’s BBE, Italy’s NOCS, Spain’s GEOS and Great Britain’s SAS all played
their part in Europe’s most formidable, highly covert anti terrorist team.

Ash Piper’s detachment from Team Echo sat stern faced on
hard benches to the sides of the Chinook’s cavernous interior, fully equipped
with the latest Kevlar Body Armour, visor mounted helmets and Heckler and Koch
MP5 Submachine Guns. Twenty-four men and women, a major contingent from the
forty members of Team Echo who were always on standby, ready to move at a
moment’s notice to counter any major terrorist threat across Europe. 

As the large troop transport helicopter flew low over
treetops, highways and towns, its well-armed passengers listened intently to a
message arriving in from Commander Maurice Hertschell. “Team Echo, this is
CEATA Control. The photograph you are about to view is of Claude Bescann…”
Piper flicked a switch and adjusted the brightness control as a photograph
appeared on a drop down screen for all to view and study…carefully. “Some of
you from the GIGN will know this man and quite possibly, greatly respect him…”
the Commander’s words echoed in everyone’s headsets as his voice and the
photograph, transmitted by satellite, relayed important information. “However,
it is currently of vital importance to bring Bescann in for questioning with
possible reference to the current terrorist activities affecting mainland
Europe.” There was a pause as the thunderous vibrating of the helicopter’s
rotors continued, “hopefully we will not have to use force, however, our
current intelligence suggests there may be a threat involving firearms around
this farmhouse!” The photograph changed, this time to an overhead satellite
view of Piper’s team’s destination, a farmhouse and its outlying grounds in the
Versailles region of France. “At present a contingent of GIGN officers, along
with local Gendarmes have arrived at the vicinity of the target area. They have
instructions not to move in until your arrival. This is important Team Echo, as
our satellite recon suggests eleven suspects moving in and around the vicinity
of the farmhouse. These may well cause the threat which you, will have to
counter.”

“If you and Ms Zeist would like to fasten your seat belts
Mister Von Kurst, we are ready to taxi.” Sonia wore her bright smile again, but
this time she looked slightly concerned. “Ms Zeist, are you alright?” she asked
politely.

“Helga is feeling a little under the weather Sonia, it’s
nothing to worry about,” replied Von Kurst. With a satisfactory nod of her head
Sonia walked back to her seat, fastening herself in as Von Kurst turned to
Helga, a look of dire concern quickly emanating across his face. Something is
wrong he thought, terribly wrong. Ever so gently, he squeezed Helga’s hand, the
gesture being a show of warmth and compassion for the woman he was falling
deeply in love with…once again.

“Let me make this quite clear, you do not fire unless fired
upon.” With the CEATA Chinook Helicopter flying at break neck speed, thundering
ever closer to its drop zone, Team Echo continued to listen intently to
Commander Hertschell’s briefing. “Once Victor Nine lands, you will follow
instructions from Sergeant Piper. Our plan is to drop you half a kilometre from
the target zone, with the GIGN team then liasing with Piper. You will quickly
spread out, circle and close in on the farmhouse. This is a very important mission
ladies and gentlemen, Bescann must be taken alive. I wish you good luck. CEATA
Control out!”

The large screen in the Chinook’s transport hold closed out.
“Alright everyone,” said Piper over his Com-link, “twenty five minutes to the
target area.” Piper turned to the Team Echo colleague to his left. It was a
long time since he had been in the company of Sergeant Tim Winters and he was
glad to have him by his side. “It’s good to be working with you again Tim.”

“You too mate, feels like old times, hey?” Tim Winters had
been a close friend in Piper’s days with the British Parachute regiment, with
both having seen active service together in the Kosovan War in 1999 and Sierra
Leone in 2000. In January 2001, Sergeant Winters had been recommended for
Special Air Service duty, with Piper joining just four months later. From then
on, they had never had contact with each other.

“So Tim, when did you get pulled into CEATA?” Although
Piper’s mind, like everyone else aboard the Chinook was firmly set on the job
ahead, he was happy to find out more about his old friend’s recent past.

“Just over four months ago, but I didn’t realise you’d been
pulled in as well!”

“It’s a long story; I’ll tell you all about it when I have a
chance.” Piper paused and looked around at the other body armoured men and
women sat in the Chinook. They were all talking to each other or sitting
silently. He returned his gaze to Winters, “so what have you been involved with
since you joined CEATA?”

Winters eyes suddenly held a look of cold steel. “Operation
White Swan,” he said as Piper fell silent.

“Herr Standartenfuhrer!” Josef’s voice snapped through the
small radio handset on Claude Bescann’s desk.

He picked it up, “yes, Josef!”

“We are nearly finished dismantling the assault course, all
the timber is stored in and around the barn. No one would notice anything out
of the ordinary if they checked around the place.”

“Well done, and the netting over the target range?”

“All cleared up. The target boards are in the back of the
van, along with the four boxes of MP44s. We are just about ready!”

“Excellent Josef. Call in the rest of the grenadiers and
make your way to my office.”

“Of course, Herr Standartenfuhrer.”

Claude Bescann put the handset back on his desk and smiled
to himself. Good he thought; we can leave!

“Operation White Swan?” Ash Piper looked puzzled.

“Of course! You wouldn’t know about it with you only
recently joining CEATA.”

“SERGEANT PIPER, FIFTEEN MINUTES TO THE TARGET AREA!” 

The pilot’s voice resonated clearly through Piper’s Com-link
as he acknowledged the communication. “Quickly Tim,” he said, somewhat
perplexed, “tell me about White Swan.” It was the familiar feeling of warning,
the sixth sense he had gained from the wolf, creeping across the back of his
neck that suddenly made Ash Piper feel very uneasy!

“I’d only just arrived at CEATA, and was immediately briefed
about a situation that had been developing over the last four months or so.
CEATA and the Russian Federal Security Service, you know, the FSB, think it
involves the Mafia and quite possibly the SVR.”

“Yes, go on!”

“Russian customs officials recently came across two HGVs
crossing into the Ukraine, their final destination was Kiev. The two trucks
were carrying crate loads of some of the vilest DVD footage you have ever seen.
The DVDs were to be distributed on the black market and sold on to various
perverts across Europe, with the profits being used to help fund small
terrorist groups and a white slavery ring.” The hairs on the back of Piper’s
neck became rigid as Winters continued, “have you ever heard of Snuff movies
Ash?” Piper nodded his head, dreading what Tim was going to say next.

“As you know, like you I can speak fluent Russian! Well, I’d
been working under cover with the FSB for a few weeks, when we found out more
about the content of the DVDs and where some of them were being filmed.  I
joined a raid with a team from the Alfa Group. We hit a warehouse on the
outskirts of Moscow,” Winters shook his head, not in sorrow, but in revulsion.
“Shit Ash, you’d never seen anything so fucking disgusting in all your life.
They’d been torturing and raping three girls, all kidnapped, aged between
fourteen and eighteen. The bastards had been filming every damned little bit of
their torment and were about to film their murders!”

“Fucking hell,” muttered Piper, shaking his head in
disbelief, his blue and amber eyes aglow with anger.

“The girls were killed in the raid, used as shields by the
bastards! I tell you Ash, it’s all connected to the Russian Mafia and we think
the SVR are definitely linked in somewhere.”

Piper didn’t speak. The SVR he thought, the fucking SVR, no
wonder Jeanette Descard was so interested in her theories! “Tim,” Piper said
quickly, “the clues you have regarding these DVDs, are there any leading to
contacts in St Petersburg?”

Winters looked somewhat surprised and shook his head, “no,
not as far as I am aware.”

“Shit! Does Jeanette Descard know about this?”

“Yes, and the Commander and the Colonel. I think you’re
going to be involved soon enough, that’s why I don’t give a fuck about telling
you.”

“When are you heading back to Moscow?”

“Tuesday, and I’m going to make sure we nail the shits!”

“SERGEANT PIPER, FIVE MINUTES TO THE TARGET AREA!”

“AFFIRMATIVE!” Piper rose from the bench, “TEAM ECHO, LOCK
AND LOAD! ONCE WE DISEMBARK, SPLIT TEAMS, ECHELONS LEFT AND RIGHT!” As the
CEATA combatants stood up, checking weaponry and adjusting their body armour,
Piper patted Winters on his shoulder. “If I know you Tim, you’ll get the
bastards.” He smiled at his friend as the Chinook began descending. Then,
without warning, Ash Piper began to feel violently sick.

The take off had been smooth, Captain Bauer and his co-pilot
handling the Learjet with graceful precision as Sonia unbuckled her seat belt
and walked over to her passengers. “OH, MS ZEIST!” The VKE stewardess sounded
genuinely shocked as Helga Zeist quickly grabbed one of the cabin’s sick bags
and vomited into it.

“Helga,” Otto Von Kurst looked desperately worried, “what is
the matter, something is wrong, isn’t it?”

“I’ll get another glass of water Mister Von Kurst,” said
Sonia, quickly making her way to the galley.

Helga Zeist shook her head, the look in her bloodshot eyes
one of grave apprehension, “Otto,” she whimpered, “he hunts again!”

“What!” A deep, rumbling growl emitted from Von Kurst’s
throat as he clenched his fists, “Helga, what are you telling me…Helga?”

She vomited again, “oh my head, it aches so much. Otto…I can
see him, in my thoughts,” another heave of vomit left Helga’s mouth as she sat
back, her eyes now virtually blood red.

“Here we go Ms Zeist,” Sonia began walking back from the
galley.

“Turn to the window Helga,” whispered Von Kurst, “don’t let
Sonia see your eyes!” Von Kurst took the glass of water, “don’t worry Sonia! I
think Helga had a little too much champagne last night. She’ll be fine, she
just needs peace and quiet.”

Sonia smiled affectionately at her handsome employer, as
most women did, “of course Mister Von Kurst, just let me know if you require
anything else.”

As Sonia walked back to the galley, Von Kurst felt the hairs
on the back of his neck become rigid. “Helga,” he whispered again, “you must
tell me, what do you see?”

The Chinook landed heavily in a clearing beside a large
cluster of apple trees, the rear cargo door slowly descending as the powerful
helicopter’s occupants prepared to disembark.

“Control to Red Haze, do you copy?” Colonel Mann’s voice
crackled through Piper’s Com-link as CEATA’s Rapid Reaction troops formed two
groups, one at each side of the Chinook.