Forum

[talien]

Jim-Bean sauntered up to the front gate. He yelled at the guardhouse. “Hello?”

A guard stepped out, dressed in camouflage and carrying an automatic weapon. “This facility is private property.” He tapped the large sign that read: PRIVATE PROPERTY. “You must leave.”

“Oh that’s okay, I don’t plan to stay long,” said Jim-Bean. “I’m looking for Fiona Lin-Wei, have you seen here?”

The guard went into the gatehouse and picked up a phone. After a hushed conversation, Jim-Bean was ushered in.

“Jaeger will see you. Follow me please.”

Jim-Bean was led to Horst Jaeger’s private office. It was furnished with a desk and a large chair, plus two more chairs next to the door. On the desk was a computer.

Jaeger was very overweight, but still muscular. He wore his hair long, his beard thick, and sported camouflaged U.S. military fatigues.

Jaeger stood up. “Who are you?” he asked. “And what do you want?”

“You can call me Jimmy,” he said. “I’m looking for Fiona Lin-Wei.”

“My name is Horst Jaeger,” he said gruffly. Jaeger pulled out a bottle of scotch and two glasses. “Can I offer you a drink?”

“No thanks,” said Jim-Bean.

Jaeger shrugged and poured himself a glass.

“She’s a friend of mine,” continued Jim-Bean. “She went missing a few days ago and I lost track of her until I heard she got into a car accident recently on the news. But when I got the hospital she was missing.”

“I know of Ms. Lin-Wei,” said Jaeger. “She came by here two weeks ago and was asking a lot of questions. We sent her on her way, but when I told my superiors about the incident, they told me about her connection to the Karotechia.”

“Karotechia?” asked Jim-Bean. “Who’s that?”

“German terrorists,” said Jaeger smoothly. He downed his drink in one shot. “I haven’t seen or heard of Ms. Lin-Wei since then. My guess is she went into hiding because her cover was blown.”

Jim-Bean leaned forward. “You know, it’s funny…you never asked me why I came here, specifically, to this place, to ask you about her.”

Jaeger glared at him. “This conversation is over. Get out.” He pressed a button.

Jim-Bean shrugged. “Fine. But I’ll be back.”

Once the guard escorted him off the premises, Jim-Bean spoke into his comm. “I hope that bought you some time, Hammer. Because I’m coming back to teach this smug bastard a lesson.”