Wicked Target [Chapter 5]
A Sam Wick Thriller
Thank you for reading the earlier chapters. Here is the next chapter of Wicked Target.
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9:57 a.m.
Helms expected a call from Mother after the meeting with the President had ended, and he was right. Jake and Alisha were already back in the conference room where they were stationed. Helms was alone in his office when the call came.
"Bill." It was Mother on the big screen.
"The team. Who do you have in mind?"
"The margin of error is almost zero for us. Wick would be the perfect guy for this mission. Rest of the names I'll discuss with him. I need you to keep close track of the diplomatic negotiations. You have a better handle on things than anyone else. Influence the decisions in our favor. I'll handle the teams this time."
"Noted," Helms said. "Anything else where you need my help."
"Coordination with the US military for transportation."
"Got it."
"Thanks, Bill." And the call was disconnected.
10:27 a.m.
Johnson was in the Oval office going through the talking point with William Helms on video conferencing when Alex Fischer informed him that the Chinese Ambassador was in the White House.
"Bill, let's connect in fifteen minutes," Johnson said while putting on his jacket.
"Yes, Mr. President." William Helms nodded.
"Mr. President." The Chinese Ambassador spoke with respect laced in authority as soon as Johnson entered the room.
"Don't bother sitting down," Johnson responded in the same tone. "You won't be here long."
The Ambassador looked confused.
"Wang Jun. Ring a bell?"
"He is a respected businessman of our country."
"Actually ours. He is not a Chinese citizen anymore. And he is taken."
"Taken? You mean abducted. How could that happen?"
"Mr. Ambassador, I don't have time for your games."
"Mr. President, I'm not sure if Wang Jun is abducted, but if he is, then this seems like a terrorist act…."
"… that is executed by China."
"I seriously object to your insinuations. As a policy, China never engages with any terrorists."
"Especially the ones you are paying."
"Mr. President, I fear you are seriously mis…."
"No, sir," Johnson yelled. "You are the one who is trying to misinform me. And I don't think I need to explain to you the ramifications of Americans being killed on your country's soil by terrorists sponsored by China."
"Mr. President, you are upset. Wang Jun might have left China for the American dream, but we are also fearful of his safety if he truly is abducted. We should all proceed with caution. There is a Chinese proverb - words once said cannot be taken back. So, we should not be doing or saying anything in haste."
"I prefer. Action speaks louder than words."
"Mr. President, I think you need to understand one thing - China does not respond to threats very well. But I'll share your concerns with my President."
"Our intel says that Jun will be landing in Hong Kong in a few hours, and you, Mr. Ambassador have to make sure that he won't be hurt, and he won't leave Hong Kong until his destination is the USA. And if anything happens to him, understand one thing. Your country will face severe repercussions, and when they will call to know why, I will only have one name for them – Yours. That will be all."
As the Ambassador walked out. Johnson shot a fiery stare at Fischer. His ire was directed at the Ambassador.
Fischer was in agreement. Even he hadn't liked the Ambassador's tone just like the President.
"Keep an eye on what China is going to do next. Pressure them to keep Jun at Hong Kong for some time till our team takes a shot at it."
"Yes, sir."
"Tell Bill we don't have enough time at hand… at max twenty-four hours once Jun lands in Hong Kong."
"Yes, sir."
"And get me, Turner. China is not going to get away with this one at any cost." Johnson was furious.
"Yes, sir." Fischer was prompt.
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but we are also fearful of his safety (for his safety)