Wicked Target [Chapter 3]

A Sam Wick Thriller

Thank you for reading the earlier chapters. The response has been overwhelming and I’m glad to share the next chapter of Wicked Target.

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Chapter 3

8:45 a.m.

"Lisbon, get them set up in the meeting room," Helms said to his assistant as soon as he entered the office.

"Yes, sir."

"I'll be there with you in a few minutes. Alisha, you start working on that thing." He was now talking to Jake and Alisha.

"Yes, sir," Alisha replied promptly. Jake just nodded. He had decided not to speak and embarrass himself again.

Helms entered his office and closed the door behind him.

Lisbon showed Jake and Alisha the way to the conference room.

"Coffee machine is there. The restrooms are outside to the left." Lisbon said and left the room without waiting to see if Alisha and Jake had understood her instructions. They were NSA employees, and there was no need for her to do anything fancy.

"Can you believe it?" Jake spoke as soon as the door behind Lisbon was closed.

"No… so much attitude." Alisha was looking at the just now closed door.

"Attitude?"

"Coffee machine is there. The restrooms are there." Alisha mimicked Lisbon in a high-pitched voice.

"What are you talking about?"

"Her."

"Her?" Jake was confused.

"Lisbon or whatever her name is. What are you talking about?"

"William Helms… Never knew the day I'd have to work with the NSA Director. Like Jack Ryan."

"Who?"

"Jack Ryan! Tom Clancy!"

"They work here with the director?" Alisha asked innocently.

"No… they are…." Jake wanted to introduce Alisha to the world of Tom Clancy but realized that it was futile. 

"Leave it. Let's get to work."

"Yes," Alisha said while opening her laptop.

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8:53 a.m.

Helms waited for the call, and it came soon. His Tandberg was on for a secured video connection. On the screen was Mother - a black figure - sitting in a chair behind a stack of folders.

"Good morning, Helms. I suspect you're about to give me some bad news. Sending me a coded message first thing in the morning," Mother remarked.

Helms sighed. "You remember the brief about Wang Jun?"

Mother shifted on her chair. "Yes."

"One of our analysts found out that Wang Jun had been abducted last night."

This was concerning. She raised her head and looked at something on the wall for a few seconds, obviously collecting her thoughts. "This is not good. The President needs to hear this. I'll make arrangements." She said and disconnected the call without saying goodbye.

Helms was not offended by the abrupt conclusion. As the NSA director, Helms could get the President's schedule cleared, but he knew if it went from Mother, the urgency would be far greater. In the meantime, he had to get to the bottom of all this with Alisha and Jake.

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