. 02

Starting Over IX, Part 2

This is the ninth section of the continuing saga "Starting Over".

In Part I, LTC (Retired) John Jackson had moved to Seattle after being widowed. He ran into some trouble and some decent people (okay, and a few strippers), while working towards getting his private investigator license. That took place between Sep and Dec 2012.

In Part II, he got involved in a ring trafficking in young women. The main perpetrators were captured, but the hired gun/enforcer slipped away. That took place in Apr and May 2013.

In Part III, which took place in 2013 and 2014, John managed to find the enforcer in Key West and was planning to kill him, but changed his mind. He really didn't know if he could kill someone in cold blood, but the man was living with a woman and had decided that he was retiring. John let him go with a promise to do intelligence work for him and returned to Seattle, where Maggie gave indications that she wanted a serious relationship. Then he used that enforcer from Key West to assist in capturing an assassin. The assassin had been hired to kill him and the detective who helped him break up a leg of a human trafficking chain.

In Part IV, it's 2019. John and Maggie couldn't work things out and now John was working on a case that, at first, involved someone who had assaulted Luke's wife Maria. John then had two men try to break into his apartment to attack him. The authorities caught the two men by tracking them to a strip club, but John got beat up by them before the police got there. When he woke, he found that Vanessa, his waitress at the strip club, was an undercover officer. There were several events that were taking place and it was being done by an anarchist group. However, funding for these events was tracked to someone in human trafficking in Singapore by a hacker that John found through Bob in Key West. He returned to Seattle with the information on a thumb drive, and the FBI and others started tracking him. Finally, the master of the human trafficking ring had his son try to soft sell John's daughter into visiting Asia with him, primarily to kidnap her. John found out, he and his buddies stopped it, and then John, feeling the rage, flew to Singapore and, with the backdoor assistance of a government person, was armed and killed both the leader and his son of this trafficking ring.

In Part V, Yvonne, the young hacker came to live with John. She had nowhere else to go and felt so alone during the pandemic that she was craving human interaction. She also admitted that she was attracted to John, even though there was 19 years difference in their ages. A bad guy was hired to hit him due to his involvement in some operations being run by a rogue CIA manager and some disenfranchised CIA members. John and company got them in the end and Yvonne got shot in the leg. She decided to stay with John.

Part VI involved a woman, going by the name Julie, who had been "hidden" by a woman called a "guide". She had been given a new identity and moved to Seattle to get away from a potentially fatal relationship. That was back in Tennessee. This led to the woman's guide, Dani, discovering that the brothers of the husband that Julie had killed, were running meth labs out of the woods of the land that Julie and her husband had owned. They were worried about losing the land and the labs. This ended up with the labs being pointed out to the FBI, and then one of the brothers and one of their dealers coming to Seattle to get revenge on John and the FBI agent in charge of the case back in Tennessee.

Part VII involved John and the others getting involved with a Romanian gang out of Chicago. It turned out to be more than that, including Maggie and others getting shot. A party at the Bradford's was interrupted by gunmen shooting randomly into the gathering. Finally, in the end, law enforcement got the bad guys and the good guys got someone who turned evidence. Maggie was recovering quickly, and as summer arrived, John was hoping for good weather and a calmer life.

In Part VIII, John got involved in a kidnapping that turned into an international trafficking ring, and included a place where people could abuse young women. It was led by a billionaire, Lucas Berenson. John lost his wife, Maggie, when Lucas sent people to kill John, Maggie, and all the members of the detective agency John worked for. They tracked down Berenson in Canada and he was captured. Yvonne went to work legally and is living with John.

Recurring Characters

LTC (Retired) John Jackson, 5'11", 180, 56 years old.

Marie Jackson, John's dead wife, 5'8", 140, 44 years old, died 15 Jan 2012

Angelica Jackson (Angel), John and Marie's daughter, 5'5", 125, 29 years old.

Mary Bradford, bartender, 5'5", 120, 44 years old.

Margaret (Maggie) Bradford, Mary's sister, 5'6", 115, 45 years old.

Madeleine (Maddie) Bradford, Maggie's daughter, 16 years old.

Samantha (Sam) Walker, 5'6", 130 pounds, 49 years old, John's former neighbor.

Joyce Walker, Sam's daughter, 5'4", 120 pounds, 29 years old, and now an exotic dancer using the name Lily

Marion Walker, Sam's daughter, 5'4", 115 pounds, 27 years old.

SFC (Retired) Craig Smithson, 6', 190, 56 years old, NCO from John's Army unit.

Captain Jeff Smithson, 5'11', 185, 54 years old, SFC Smithson's brother and a captain in the Seattle Police Department.

Luke Cole, 5'10", 180, detective in the Seattle Police Department.

Maria Cole, 5'6", 135, Luke's wife.

Jeanne (aka Jasmine) Welch, 5'5", 110, 31 years old, exotic dancer.

Olivia, 5'4", 120 pounds, 31 years old, called Livy, exotic dancer.

Max Meridian (real name Harold Johnson), Mark's lead kidnapper and enforcer. Now changed his name to Bob Thomas and is married to Susan. They own and operate a bar in Key West.

Susan Thomas, Bob's new wife.

George Watson, a new member of the detective agency.

Vanessa Williams, 5'6", 130, detective in the Seattle Police Department.

Yvonne, 5'2", 105, illegal hacker who helped find the human trafficker who had funded the anarchists in Seattle.

Danielle (Dani) Parker, 5'8", 120, known as a "guide". She takes cases where an individual is in mortal danger and "hides" them by giving them new identities and teaching them how to lay low.

Benjamin Smothers, Deputy Director of the FBI.

Allison June, 5'7", FBI agent in Seattle.

---------------- Friday, March 10, 2023, Seattle, WA -----------

John was grilling some burgers on his little portable grill just because it tasted better than the stovetop. It was a small one that he kept on the balcony. The guys were arriving. Craig, Marty, Carl, and George were already there. Craig's wife didn't come due to child sports conflicts. Carl's wife had come along, the kids being tended to by one of their friends. Marty had come with Alison, the FBI agent, his current significant other. John wondered whether these two might be getting close to something permanent. George was also single and by himself.

John was finishing the cooking while Yvonne entertained everyone and kept the drinks flowing.

Once everyone had gotten something to eat and found a place to sit, John started discussing Lucas Berenson. "We don't know exactly what resources Smothers is prepared to provide, but, as I see it, we have several problems that we had to discuss with him. First, infiltration and exfiltration. We have to get on and off the island with our gear and weapons. Second, are we bringing Berenson back with us? Are we going to execute him?" That got a few raised eyebrows and a nasty look from Alison. "Third, how long will we need to collect intel, to be able to make the snatch or hit? Fourth, how large is our team?"

Craig spoke up. "I think the largest question is on and off the island. I don't see Smothers trying to get any weapons on the island officially. That would raise too many flags. I think we are going to have to be inserted and picked up. This, I believe, means using the sea. Even if we parachuted in, we still need to get out, with the package and all our gear. That has to be by sea. Can Smothers set up something like that?"

"I don't know, but if that's what it takes, then we don't go without that level of support. Okay, let's discuss the gear we would need to surveil Berenson, conduct the attack and snatch, and then get him back. We need to start a preparatory list. Also, who would go with me. I'm going no matter what. So, we need to discuss the size of the team and who would go."

There was a lot of discussion after that. Craig and Carl immediately said they wouldn't be going. The families had too much going on and both had graduations coming up. That left Marty and George. Both said they would go, although Marty got push back from Alison.

The rest of the day was devoted to that most common of things at a party of former military: war stories.

---------------- Friday, March 17, 2023, Seattle, WA -----------

A week later, John got a call from Deputy Director Smothers.

"Hello?" John didn't recognize the number.

"John, Smothers here."

"New phone number."

"Burner. Need to keep it short. I am sending someone to Seattle to discuss something with you and what you need. You available on Monday?"

"I am."

"He'll be there sometime around 5pm after flying from the East Coast."

"Roger."

Smothers hung up and John stared at the phone. That was the most cryptic Smothers had ever been. He is definitely worried about them putting this mission together. It also means that they are probably on their own.

John called Marty and George and told them to be at his place on Monday at 5pm.

---------------- Monday, March 13, 2023, Seattle, WA -----------

The three guys, with Yvonne in the next room working, were sitting around discussing how they might arrange all this when John's ring camera went off and they heard steps on the stairs.

John waited for the knock and then opened the door. Standing there was a broad man of about 45. He only stood 5'10", but he was broad and strong. He was sandy-haired and sun-bronzed, with a full, but trimmed beard, gray showing through it.

The man stuck out his hand. "John Jackson? I'm Bill Hyatt, also known as Hotel, for obvious reasons."

John shook his hand. "Come in."

The guy walked in and looked around. He looked at Marty and George. They stood up and advanced to shake his hand and introduce themselves.

"Beer?" John asked.

"Sure. Something dark if you have it."

John grinned. "Guinness?"

"Perfect. I like you already."

John fetched the beer. "Okay, so why did Smothers send you and what are we discussing."

The guy smiled. "Well, I retired from the Navy and went to work for another agency, but he said you guys were good and needed to get in and out of an island. That's my specialty, getting people in and out under the radar."

John looked at him. "Seal?"

Hotel nodded. "Yep. I've got the ability to get just about whatever you need through where I work and contacts. Smothers said you guys were special ops, too. Rangers?" They all nodded. "Good. We'll all understand certain things without having to explain. Now, I have the ability to get a large, private yacht that has a small boat launching capability. From there I can launch an RHIB or a dinghy and deliver anything you need to shore wherever we deem it safe. If you guys fly in, I'll deliver the gear. Then I can pick you up from wherever we deem it necessary. I've also been told to procure weapons and other gear for this mission. We can go over a list of what you need and how I can deliver it. I'll draw up a draft plan with everything except the location on the island and finalize that when we can see it. I can come up with some recommendations based on imagery, but will have to wait until you guys are on the ground and can put eyes on. The thing I don't know is which and what the package is. Smothers said it had to be by the first week of May. So, where we going and for what?"

John took another swig of his beer. "We are going to the French side of St. Martin and snatching a certain individual, who we believe is being hidden there by some other wealthy friends. He is wanted in the U.S. and has already been indicted in Canada. His name is Lucas Berenson. We got involved following some human trafficking and he is the top of the pyramid. The plan is a snatch, but if things get rough, we'll put him down."

Hotel listened carefully then looked at the three of them. "Got it. So, your extreme scumbag. I hate traffickers. All three of you going?"

"No, two going ashore, the third was going to stay with you for assistance and be our comms."

"Good, the fewer there are, the easier the extraction. The third guy can hang with me on the yacht. It will be tough duty, but I'm sure it will be acceptable. I'm picking up the yacht just before the mission. Recommend that you pick a close place for me to pick up your third." He grinned at that. "And, "he reached into the bag he was carrying and pulled out a small package, "I brought this from Smothers."

Hotel took another swig, and then looked around. "Okay, I'll head back to the East Coast. Here's my email." He handed them a card with nothing on it but a very strange email address. John raised his eyebrows and Hotel grinned. "New address for every mission."

After he left, John opened the package. There were neatly wrapped and used €100 bills. He guesstimated about €20,000 worth. This would definitely come in handy. John had been afraid they would be provided a debit card and have to withdraw money once on the ground. Smothers was taking care of them on this trip.

---------------- Monday, March 20, 2023, Seattle, WA -----------

By the start of the next week, John, Marty, and George had outlined a basic plan with Hotel on the best method of getting in and out. They were able to communicate pretty quickly. They made decisions on the weapons, some drugs and items for control of Lucas and anyone else they had to worry about.

John and Marty would fly to St. Martin on vacation. It had been decided that they would enter and leave from there so that they were officially on the island, in case they were stopped. They would leave so that both their entry and departure would be documented. They would stay on the east side of the Island overlooking Orient Bay. The current intel was that Lucas was in a smaller place overlooking Orient Bay. The specific location was still unknown. He had owned a place on the west side in Les Terres Basses, where there were many wealthy multimillion-dollar homes. But he was staying at something a little smaller and less accessible overlooking Orient Bay. It was thought that he considered this "hiding out".

George would fly to St. Thomas, where Hotel would pick him up. By flying into a U.S. territory, any records of his arrival and departure could be deleted/modified/hidden by the FBI, if necessary.

Hotel would leave earlier with the yacht and pick up George. He would have two boats, the RHIB that seals use and a small dinghy with oars and a quiet trolling motor. He would have already obtained, by the time he picked up George, any gear that they outlined in the list they were to provide by the end of this week.

The three had almost finished the list. They had included several things for surveillance like scopes, some with night vision, weapons of both short (handgun) and long (rifle) range, masks, items for incapacitation of individuals, a couple types of handcuffs, and the communications gear they would need. Hotel had recommended both short range line of sight communications for when they were close or with each other on the island, and satellite gear for reaching the ship when line of sight was not possible.

---------------- Monday, April 27, 2023, Seattle, WA -----------

George left for St. Thomas. He had only his clothes with him and was characteristically uneasy about depending on someone else for all his gear.

---------------- Wednesday, April 29, 2023, Seattle, WA -----------

John and Marty left a couple of days after George. Hotel and George were going to take some time to get from St. Thomas to St. Martin, and then they were going to supplement the surveillance that John and Marty were going to start while cruising a bit off shore with an excellent stabilized telescope. Evidently, it had built-in ability to stabilize the view, but Hotel also said it provided him the ability to hook up a camera to it. He could hook up a 35mm SLR and take video and pictures as needed to verify something later. A very nice rig, indeed.

---------------- Thursday, April 30, 2023, Seattle, WA -----------

John and Marty got to the island then next day. They landed at Aeroport de Grand-Case L'Esperance late in the afternoon after two long flights from Seattle. When they landed, they were surprised at how low over a beach they flew. They could see people just underneath them on the beach and at some businesses.

John got them a taxi over to Orient Bay, and they checked into the Palm Court Residence and Hotel at Orient Beach. They had wanted something else, but it was a pretty busy time of the year, so they were forced into this option.

The room was perfectly acceptable. It was a suite and had plenty of room. All the rooms were airy and had some good windows, but also had the ability to close everything up and have privacy, which they would need at times. The good news is that they were on the ground floor. There were some upper-level rooms, which would have made any night time forays a little difficult to hide from everyone.

---------------- Friday, May 1, 2023, Seattle, WA -----------

They mostly recovered from the two days of flying that first night. The next day, they decided to stroll on the beach and see what sort of visibility they had inland up at some of the houses, and also see what kind of shoreline went along either side of the beach.

John and Marty went straight down to the beach and looked around. It was pretty warm for them since it was still a little cool in Seattle, but there was a good breeze. They could still see some remnants of the damage from Hurricane Irma. Some of the buildings had been repaired, but a few still showed signs of the damage and were not open for business.

They looked back up the hill and saw that checking out houses from here was impossible. They would have to do it from up near the house or villa.

They were surveying the area in swimsuits and t-shirts, carrying a towel, and decided to go south toward a jut of land out into the ocean. It looked unoccupied, and the resort in the distance still looked like it hadn't been fixed up after the hurricane. They just started walking when they came upon the sign for the beach becoming "clothing optional". John looked at Marty.

"Well, now there's something that, in all our planning, we failed to think about or discuss. Shall we continue to stroll as we are? Or shall we dip our toe in the water, so to speak?"

Marty looked ahead. There were a fair number of people out there, and most of them were nude. He shrugged. "I'm game if you are."

John looked down at his right hand where he was carrying a bottle of sunscreen. "Well, we may want to detour into the bathrooms and put some sunscreen on the junk. I think Alison might have a cow if you come home with a sunburned dick."

Marty laughed. "Yeah, that would be something. But hey, when in Rome."

The two of them went into some public toilets and stripped off. They each applied sunscreen on the bits that had been covered by their suits and looked at each other.

"After you, boss." Marty grinned and pointed toward the door. John stepped out.

The two of them walked along the beach to the end to survey that spit of land. They were distracted, at times, by the sight of young ladies rubbing sunscreen on their tits, ass and, in some cases, their shorn pubic mound. They were still not quite as relaxed as they should have been. They limited their looking around and tried to blend in, but it was something neither had experienced for a long time. Unfortunately, they were, as well, the palest folks there. No sunbathing in Seattle in the winter.