Gilded Cage
Brandon felt curious. “I know you’re retired, but any chance you’re still on the Army’s payroll, Sal?”
“Nope. CIA’s.”
Brandon whistled. “Graduated to a spook job, huh?”
“Actually, my job is strictly watching what the Yak is up to these days. Nothing political. And since Stanford is a poster boy for the Nomezuka family, anything related to him falls in my field of interest.”
“No shit.”
“Yes shit.”
“Is that why you were able to give me the blueprint of Marubi Tower?”
Donahue beamed, looking proud. “The escape plan was brilliant, wasn’t it?” He hit enter and a video-conference-call window opened. “It took me two months to hatch that plan, even before I knew you’d need it. I took it as my personal challenge to devise a plan if Central Command ever needed to send someone to sneak into Stanford’s fortress.”
A soft whirring sound seeped from the speaker. Two seconds later, Brandon saw his former commanding officer on the other end.
“Sir.” Donahue nodded to the screen. “I have Shea with me.”
Brandon and Donahue traded seats.
General MacCunnen looked as fierce as ever. “I take it you have Miss Blackwell with you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ve been instructed to facilitate getting you out of Japan.”
“May I ask—”
General MacCunnen held up a hand. “I know you have a lot of questions, Shea. Our priority is to get you out of that country as soon as possible. I’d be glad to answer your questions once you and Miss Blackwell are safe.”
“Understood, sir. But since I’m no longer on active duty, I feel I’m entitled to a few questions. My best interest is to pro
tect Miss Blackwell at all cost. I need to know you’re not affiliated in any way with William Blackwell or Maxwell Stanford.”
General MacCunnen twitched a smile. “Fair enough, Shea. I understand your concerns. I’m acting on behalf of the United States government.”
“Why would the US be interested in Lillian Blackwell?”
“We have our reasons.”
Brandon narrowed his eyes.
“Trust me, Shea. We only are interested in her wellbeing. We have no interest in reuniting her with her father or her fiancé. That—I can vouch for you.”
“Understood.”
“We would like to avoid an international scandal since Miss Blackwell is a high profile person of interest. We are prepared to grant her asylum once she reaches US soil.”
Brandon weighed all the options. The offer sounded fishy, but it was his best shot of getting out of Japan in one piece. Stanford with his Yakuza connection practically controlled all ports in this country. Yakuza influences ran deep in the Japanese government. Smuggling her out would be a difficult task.
Besides, MacCunnen was trustworthy. Brandon had served under him for a long time and he knew what kind of man General MacCunnen was. He wouldn’t betray him. Brandon made his decision. He nodded. “I’ll take up on your offer, sir. What should we do?”
“We have authorised a transport to take you home from the USS Kitty Hawk III. Your job is to escort Ms. Blackwell to our naval base in Yokosuka. Considering how sensitive this matter is, we regret we cannot send you any reinforcements. We would like…to keep our hands clean in case something goes wrong.”
Like most of his assignments. “Understood, sir.”
“How soon can you get Miss Blackwell to Yokosuka?”