Missions of the Retrieval Team - A Spin of the Kilt

[Colonel MacNeal]

Love the names!

Yes, reminds me of a Hall & Oates song!

[Arlen]

Dave, I am loving this already. I can't wait to read more!

[davedove]

Scene 5

Media Room, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot

“So you’re implying that there are four more Ivana duplicates out there?” asked Jamie.

“That’s the most likely conclusion,” answered Ms. Starling.

“So how will we know which is the real Ivana?” Bradley asked.

“We can’t tell from just appearance,” said Ms. Starling. “However, each of these women is still an individual. Each person’s appearance has been changed, but not their true identity. There are biological markers that can identify the truth.”

“I want to add,” said Ms. Partridge from the screen, “that the change goes beyond the physical. The woman under our watch fully believed she was Ivana Rulital until we administered the rehabilitation treatment. In her case, the treatment did not correct the sociopathic tendencies, but instead caused her to revert to her true identity and personality.”

“So she was brainwashed?” I asked.

“Basically,” answered Ms. Starling, “but we already know that Globo-Fashion has access to behaviour modifying drugs and techniques.”

“Can we just give these women the Hypnotin antidote we developed?” asked Jaime.

“Perhaps, if that is what caused the change. We don’t really know.”

“If Rainbow had not already been subjected to our rehabilitation technique,” Ms. Partidge responded, “we would be able to test that hypothesis. But it’s too late for that now.”

“So,” said Jamie, “what everyone is saying is that not only is Ivana Rulital not in custody, there are also four other women out there who look, act, and actually believe they are Ivana Rulital.”

“Exactly,” answered Ms. Starling.

“But how will we ever track them all down?” Jamie asked. “It was next to impossible to find just one of them.”

“For one thing,” Ms. Starling answered, “we know where to find Dr. Newface.”

[davedove]

Scene 6

Media Room, Great Hall of X Marks the Scot

“You think Newface can lead us to Ivana and her duplicates?” Jamie asked.

“It’s uncertain,” answered Ms. Starling, “but it’s the best lead we have right now.”

“Okay,” I asked, “where can we find the Doctor?”

“Ms. Swan?” said Ms. Starling.

Ms. Swan picked up the briefing. “I have researched the Doctor’s financial records. It seems he often takes trips to Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Monte Carlo, and the like.”

“Then he’s a gambler?” I asked.

“Exactly, and I have also found multiple charges to his credit at different casinos, but very few bank deposits afterwards. It seems that although the man likes to gamble, he’s not very lucky.”

“Also,” she continued, “I have discovered that after he received large payments from Globo-Fashion, he soon thereafter took one of his trips and lost all the money he was paid. This pattern repeats itself every time he receives a large chunk of money.”

“So, even though he has no luck,” I said, “he continues to gamble. The man is an addict.”

“So how does that help us?” asked Bradley.

“Just last week,” said Ms. Swan, “Dr. Newface received a large deposit from Globo-Fashion. I checked his credit cards and found that he has planned a trip to Monte Carlo.”

“He’s going to gamble,” said Jamie.

“Yes,” continued Ms. Swan, “but not just run of the mill gambling. Dr. Newface has secured a place in a high stakes game at The Monte Carlo Casino.”

“Can you get us a place?” I asked.

“I already did,” she smiled. “Mr. Alexander Dove, real estate financier, has paid the buy-in and has a place at the table.”

I smiled back at her. “Very good,” I said. “Ladies, pack your clothes; we’re going to Monaco.”

[davedove]

Scene 7

A private jet en route to Europe

“You want how much!” Jamie practically yelled from the video screen.

We had set up a videoconference from our jet while we were flying to Monaco. Jamie was still back at the Great Hall.

“Two hundred thousand euros,” I answered. “Or approximately two hundred seventy-five, or two hundred eighty thousand dollars, depending on the exact exchange rate.”

“And you want it for what?”

“I need the funds to play in the game with Newface. This is not your regular game for mom and pop tourists. The players in this game will be throwing around thousands of dollars. I have to be able to operate in the same environment.”

“And why should the League provide this for you?”

“Because I don’t have that amount of liquid assets on hand. You know that my fees all go to keeping my operations running. Anything extra goes straight to the Foundation and I can’t access that. On the other hand, the League can produce the funds, although it is a large piece of your operating budget.”

“But you’re taking the money to gamble!”

“Jamie, as I said earlier, you will get the money back, I guarantee it.”

“How? How can you guarantee it? You’re gambling.”

“Let me just say, I have my ways,” was all I told him.

Jamie just stared at me from the screen as he thought about my request. Finally, I saw him turn to his computer keyboard and type.

He finished and turned back to us. “Very well,” he said. “Although I don’t like it, I have made the transfer. Just remember, you have guaranteed its return. I am holding you personally responsible for the League’s funds.”

“Understood, Jamie.” I turned to Ms. Swan. “Is it ready?”

Ms. Swan typed on her laptop and examined the screen. “Yes,” she said, “two hundred thousand euros has been placed in the Swiss account of Alexander Dove.”

I turned back to the screen. “Thank you, Jamie, without this I couldn’t pull off the mission.”

“Yeah, well, be careful.”

The video screen went black and I turned back to my team. “Ms. Thrush,” I said, “as soon as we land and clear customs, you will separate from us and make your own way to the casino’s hotel. You understand your assignment?”

“Wait for Newface to make his appearance and befriend him; in other words, make him interested in me so that he doesn’t notice he’s losing all his money,” she replied with a smile. “You know, it’s not really a job unless there’s effort involved.”

“Right,” I said, chuckling a little. “Just do your part.”

I turned to Ms. Starling. “Starling, you will again assume the role of Alexander Dove’s personal assistant and traveling companion. Falcon will again serve as our driver.”

“Swan, Raven,” I continued, “Your job is to maintain surveillance on Dr. Newface. Monitor his location and communications.”

“Hawk, Stork,” I concluded, “You are our reserves. Work the casino as if you were tourists, but stay ready in case we need you.”

Everyone nodded, acknowledging the assignments.

“And finally,” I said with a smile, “you’ll be in Monte Carlo. Act like you’re enjoying yourselves.”

[davedove]

Scene 8

Hotel Lobby, Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo

My team had separated upon clearing customs. Ms. Thrush took her own taxi to maintain her cover as a socialite enjoying Monaco.

Ms. Hawk and Ms. Stork took advantage of the hotel transfer bus in keeping with their cover as two friends on holiday.

The others would travel with me as Alexander Dove’s personal staff. Ms. Starling was my personal assistant; Ms. Falcon was my driver; Ms. Swan and Ms. Raven were other assistants who monitored my daily business.

As our private car pulled up to the Hotel de Paris, the staff greeted us. As one of their staff opened my door, another man greeted me.

“Monsieur Dove,” he said offering his hand to me. “I am the hotel manager, Philippe Fiable. Let me welcome you to Monaco and to the Hotel de Paris.”

“Thank you, Philippe, it’s been a long flight from the States and we would like to relax for a bit if we could.”

“Of course, your suite is ready. If you would please follow me to the desk, all we need is your signature and we will show you to your suite.”

Philippe gestured to the bellboys, who quickly loaded our luggage onto their carts. He led us to the desk in the lobby.

“Margarite,” he said to the clerk there. “This is Monsieur Dove and his staff. You have his paperwork.”

“Yes, of course,” she answered. “Welcome to Monaco, Monsieur Dove, ladies.” She placed a form on the desk and handed me a pen. “Monsieur Dove, if you would please sign here and here,” she said pointing to the lines on the form.

I signed in as Alexander Dove and handed her back the pen. “Merci, and would you like to keep the reservation on the same credit card?” she asked.

“Yes, that will be fine, Margarite,” I answered, being sure to pronounce her name correctly and giving her my best charming smile.

She blushed slightly and handed the forms back to me. “Thank you, Monsieur, that is all I need. If there is anything you need, please let me know.”

I took the papers from her and handed them to Ms. Starling, who quickly placed them in her briefcase.

I turned back to Margarite. “Margarite,” I said pleasantly, “This is Ms. Starling, my personal assistant. If you need me for anything, you may contact her.”

Margarite nodded to Ms. Starling. “Ms. Starling,” she said professionally.

“Please,” said Ms. Starling, extending her hand to Margarite, “It’s Priscilla.”

“Thank you, Margarite,” said Philippe. “Monsieur Dove, if you would follow me, I will personally escort you to your suite.”

[Ancienne Alliance]

Hum... Your getting closer !


Best,

Robert

[Arlen]

Oooh, more exciting by the moment. And it makes me want to have another poker night.

[davedove]

Scene 15

Private Gaming Room, Le Casino de Monte-Carlo

I stood talking with Big John during the break.

“That was a great job you did there, Alex,” he said to me. “I really wondered whether or not you would beat him.”

I smiled at his remark. “To be honest, John, I wasn’t sure I would either. If I hadn’t, I probably would have been out of the game in short order.”

“But you did win; that’s what’s important. It’s good having you in the game.”

“I would have to agree with that,” said a soft voice behind me.

I turned around and saw Maggie Sweetface there. “And it’s definitely a pleasure sitting beside you,” I said to her.

“And I have to agree with that,” Big John said enthusiastically.

Maggie smiled at the compliments. “John, would you mind terribly if I spoke with Alex alone?” she asked.

John winked knowingly at me. “Miss Sweetface, I certainly will,” he said. As he walked away I noticed him heading straight for Ms. Starling, but I wasn’t worried. She could certainly take care of herself.

“What can I do for you Maggie?” I asked.

She smiled suggestively at me. “I thought maybe you could join me for a drink after the game tonight.”

“Of course,” I said. “The hotel bar?”

She shook her head and leaned up to put her face against mine. “I was thinking of champagne in my suite,” she whispered into my ear. As she said this, she pressed a slip of paper into my hand.

She pulled back and looked at me playfully. “Well?” she asked.

“I think I could manage that,” I said with a smile of my own.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Jacques said so that all could hear. “Please return to your seats so we may resume the game.”

[davedove]

Scene 16

Private Gaming Room, Le Casino de Monte-Carlo

The game had gone long into the evening and it was nearly midnight. As we played, I often felt Maggie’s leg rubbing against mine. I was finding it more than a little distracting.

I threw in my cards to fold. After the flop I hadn’t even managed to form a pair and I knew I wouldn’t win the hand. Showing on the flop were the four of hearts, the six of diamonds, and the seven of hearts.

Big John looked at his hole cards and thought for a while. He leaned back and puffed on his cigar. “All in!” he declared.

John had the smallest pile of chips on the table. If he lost, he would be out of the game.

The Countess pushed her cards in to fold. Dr. Newface had folded before the flop, so that left only Maggie.

She didn’t bother to look at her hole cards. “I’m in,” she said. She held more chips than John, so she would remain in the game if she lost the hand.

Since Big John had bet all of his chips, no more bets would be allowed and the two remaining players were committed to the cards they already held and whatever was turned over for the community cards.

Big John revealed his cards for the showdown. He held a pair of sevens, clubs and spades, so he currently had three sevens with the community cards.

Maggie flipped over her cards, a three and five of hearts. So she held a straight, currently holding the winning hand.

Big John watched intently as the turn was dealt. The seven of diamonds appeared.

John leaned back in his chair and puffed heartily on his cigar. He now had four of a kind, the winning hand. Only one card would let Maggie win the hand.

She and John both watched closely as the river was dealt. John’s cigar nearly fell from his mouth as he saw what the card was.

The dealer had dealt the six of hearts, the one card that would let Maggie hold the winning hand. With that card, Maggie now held a straight flush and beat John’s four of a kind.

“Mr. Houston holds four sevens,” Jacques announced. “Ms. Sweetface holds a straight flush. Ms. Sweetface wins the hand and Mr. Houston is out of the game. It is now late, so we shall call the game for the night, with play resuming tomorrow morning at ten o’clock. Mr. Houston, you are welcome to return tomorrow to watch the conclusion of the game.”

Maggie went around the table to John. She embraced him in a hug and kissed his cheek.

“Well now,” John said with a laugh, “If this is what I get when I lose, I reckon I ought to lose a little more.”

I said goodnight to all the players. “I’ll see you in a bit,” Maggie whispered to me just before she left the room.

I gathered up my things and handed them to Ms. Starling, telling her I would return to my room later.

I pulled the slip of paper from my pocket and looked at the room number written on it. I put it back in my pocket and left the room.