Unlike some storytellers, I have no agenda. I simply chase the alphabet around the keyboard. That being said, I eventually end up one step ahead or behind for most folks. A different approach for this one. Thanks for stopping by.
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Jimmy Buffett: "I hope you're enjoying the scenery. I know that it's pretty up there. We can go hiking on Tuesday. With you I'd walk anywhere."
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It was another beautiful Sunday morning in Nassau, The Bahamas. Sergeant Lester took the package from his inbox. It had been opened, which was standard practice. When someone drops off a package, at the police station, it gets scanned for explosives, and chemical warfare ingredients.
Withdrawing the contents, Frank Lester, just two weeks into this position, found pictures and a memory stick.
The pictures showed a meeting between a stylishly dressed young couple and two scruffy looking men. The couple held hands. It had been taken outside of Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau. If the date time stamp could be believed, they were taken Friday afternoon. Scanning all of the pictures into his computer, Frank then ran each image past the program which matches people to the Interpol database. The Bahamas government had chosen to align with Interpol. Frank couldn't tell you why if his life depended on it.
The scruffy looking pair were persons of interest and would be picked up for questioning, if they could be found. They were flagged as terrorists. The stylish man and woman eluded identity discovery. In one series of pictures, it appeared that a small envelope and a larger package went from the terrorists to the couple.
Frank turned to the memory stick. It had a green tag attached, meaning it had passed scanning for virus executables. Plugging it into his notebook computer he found that it only contained an audio of poor quality. It certainly sounded like a demand that a package be delivered to New York, in exchange for the contents of the envelope.
The couple left in a taxi. Investigating the taxi's plates, Frank found that Rico Dominguez was the medallion holder. After a few calls, Rico was located. Frank asked about the passengers on his 4 Pm trip on Friday. Rico, who kept a log, said he dropped them off at British Colonial Hilton in Nassau. Frank perked up. Philippe, his brother in law, worked in the back office there.
After a brief conversation with Philippe, Frank faxed over two of the best face shots of the couple. An hour later, Frank had pictures of their passports giving him the information he needed. According to Philippe, they had reservations and would be leaving for the airport on the 5 Pm shuttle.
The lump in Frank's stomach warned him that he now only had two hours to work with. His immediate supervisor, Anwar Picard, was in London at a seminar. Checking his job description, Frank found that he had the responsibility to report his findings. Marking the information as urgent, a terrorist alert electronically winged its way to Interpol.
An hour later, the stylish couple were individually entered into the No Fly List. That is the register created and maintained by the United States federal government's Terrorist Screening Center. It is the people who are prohibited from commercial aircraft travel within, into, or out of the United States. They work closely with Interpol and Scotland Yard.
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Russell Norman has been married to Jodi for seven years. They each celebrated their thirtieth birthdays earlier this year. Their family consists of a five year old son and a three year old daughter. Russell works for a brake shop as a mechanic, and is never going to get rich. Jodi works as an accountant. She performs audits for several of her employer's larger clients, and has become one of their lead auditors due to her acumen. They live in Sandy Springs, a suburb of Atlanta.
Amongst her list of clients, is Richard 'Rocco' Romano. He owns a chain of laundromats in New York City. Mr. Romano is currently on trial for money laundering. The first trial ended with a hung jury. His retrial has begun at the US District Court - Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn New York.
Jodi Norman is scheduled to testify on Monday. At the first trial, she was on the stand for three days, neutralizing the government's assertions. Mr. Romano gave her a ten thousand dollar necklace as a token of his appreciation. He rewards loyalty and there are rumors that those out of favor live short lives. His interviews show him surrounded by his wife and children. The Romano family attend mass together every Sunday in the Little Italy section of Manhattan.
Mr. Romano is being represented by the law firm of Muggiano, Valente, and Cristo. They are based in Miami. Anthony Cristo is the eldest son of Leonardo Cristo, whose name adorns the stationary. Anthony is also one of the attorneys who spent hours in the courtroom carefully crafting the defense of Mr. Romano. His ability to charm began at an early age. He has a wife who is pregnant with their first.
Before the first trial, Jodi flew into Miami on the Wednesday prior to the Monday start of the trial in New York. They play acted how they felt the trial would go. On Sunday night, before the trial, the legal team flew together to New York City. For the retrial, Jodi is flying into Miami on the Friday before. She has a ticket from Miami to New York City for Sunday night.
Jodi handles all of the Norman household financial details. Russell fancies himself a travel agent and made all of the airline and hotel reservations for Jodi.
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Jodi guzzled the first glass of champagne. She was nervous and needed another full glass for those nerves to calm. It also helped that a very talented tongue was licking the very sensitive folds of her vagina.
Her first of many orgasms was spectacular. Normally not one to allow her mouth to taste cum, tonight didn't turn out that way. Between orgasms, Jodi drifted off to sleep. The alcohol, sex, and travel had drained her body.
On Saturday evening, Jodi used her phone to get boarding passes. After leaving the shuttle, late Sunday afternoon, she was unable to check her bag at the curb. The skycap said she needed to see an agent at the counter. After enduring a thirty minute shuffle, she reached the counter.
After checking her passport the employee declared "I'm sorry miss, but I need you to step aside and wait."
"Is there a problem?"
"Just wait right over there" as the agent pointed a few feet away.
'Now what?' rattled around in Jodi's head. Her heart leapt when she saw Anthony being escorted across the airport lobby by two security guards. She started to hyperventilate when she saw another pair of security guards bearing down on her.
Five minutes later Jodi found herself in a windowless room. Nobody would tell her what the problem was. She needed to check her bag and board her flight. Not doing so meant she might miss her connecting flight. Being in New York in the morning was crucial. The drab cream pastel walls did little to calm her. The desk was nothing more than a card table. She sat in a folding chair.
An older gentleman, wearing a fedora, entered the room. He had a Dutch accent, which unsettled Jodi for some reason.
"Mrs. Norman, my name is James. What brings you to Nassau?"
"It was a quick get-away to relax. I'm headed to Miami and then onto New York. How long is this going to take?"
"Were you travelling with anyone?"
"No, just myself."
"Did you meet someone here?"
Jodi hesitated before answering "I ran into an old friend."
"What a coincidence! How fortunate for you. What is your friend's name?"
"Anthony."
"Would you happen to know Anthony's last name?"
"Cristo."
"Did you and Mr. Cristo meet with anyone else?"
"No, we kept to ourselves."
"Was this an arraigned meeting, with Mr. Cristo?"
Jodi hesitated slightly "Yes. Can we wrap this up? I have a flight to catch. I really need to be in New York City this evening."
James didn't even bother to look at her. He left the room quietly. Jodi was sweating, and the room wasn't all that warm. 'What's going on?' bounced back and forth in her mind.
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Anthony had taken his jacket off as he was uncomfortably warm. A middle aged lady entered the room. She was dressed professionally, wearing slacks and a sleeveless blouse. It buttoned up to her neck. Anthony smiled at her, eliciting no reaction from the lady.
"Mr. Cristo, my name is Elsa. How was your visit?" was spoken with a French accent.
"Until fifteen minutes ago, it was lovely. Why am I being detained?"
"I'll let you know when you're allowed to ask questions. Were you travelling alone?"
"Not really, I was with a young woman, not as beautiful as you."
Anthony was unfazed by her unchanging facial expression.
"Does this woman have a name?"
"Jodi. Jodi Norman I believe. Your accent is delightful."
"Did you and Ms. Norman meet anyone else?"
"No, we spent most of our time inside the hotel. I bet you get a lot of compliments on your eyes."
"Did you check any luggage?"
"No, I'm travelling with just my garment bag and briefcase, which are carry-ons."
Elsa left the room quietly. Anthony pondered what this was all about.
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It was twenty minutes before Elsa entered Jodi's room, introducing herself.
"Please, I need to leave. I can't afford to miss my flight."
"Mrs. Norman, I don't think you'll be catching any flights. We've talked with a Mr. Anthony Cristo. His story differs from yours. Are you trying to hide something Mrs. Norman?"
"I told the truth."
"Very well. I'll let you think about it for an hour."
"NO! I have a flight to catch!"
Elsa got up to leave and a panicked Jodi did the same. The speed at which Elsa produced her firearm was impressive.
"Have a seat Mrs. Norman. You and I are going to be spending the evening together, until we get stories that match."
A shocked and stunned Jodi slumped back into her chair. She'd never felt so terrified. She HAD to be in court tomorrow. Her testimony was crucial.
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James entered Anthony's room, introducing himself.
"Can you tell me why I'm being detained? I have a flight to catch."
