Danger In The Museum

CHAPTER /

A frigid October breeze rattled the branches of the chestnut trees lining street , in the heart of D.C. it was late well past midnight. The window of the brick , federal -style town house halfway down the street was shuttered and dark.
As far as most of the world knew, the elegant town house served as special envoy, only a handful of insiders were aware that is Alpha building , it a secret that they only  operatives  under the direction of the president.
One of those agent had just reported to the high -tech- control center, which was tucked behind impenetrable walls on the third floor of the town house. An urgent call from the Alpha  director  had yanked him out of the arm of the very accommodating model he 'd bumped into on his way back from Bahamas earlier that day.
Ethan James, code name rain, was no stranger to airport, models or flight attendant. A former air force fighter pilot, he left the military after he suffer an injury during a train he ruptured a blood vessel in his right eyes , this meant he can't fly a high performance jet any longer.  Now he owns his own aeronautical consulting services. Rain now jet all over the world to advise developing countries on air safety.
The nomadic lifestyle suited him. As an added benefits. It provided a perfect cover for his covert Alpha missions. He'd performed a good number of them over the years. But this one looked to be a real bitch. The political ramifications alone had rain staring at his boss.
Did I hear right ? You' re telling me we have a American archivist on the loose in Morocco.
Supposed American archivist."
.... Who may be part of a small but fanatic section determined overthrow the current royal family by any means possible?"
You heard right.
Dominic Rodriguez, code name  thunder, shoved a hand through his sun - streaked hair. Usually so urbane in Italian suit and silk ties. He'd pulled on well - worn jeans and warm turtleneck for his hurried trip to the control center. Like rain. He'd been yanked out of bed by a phone call , this one from the president himself.
Rain knew thunder had been thinking about stepping down from Alpha so he can devote more time to his your kids and wife. Thunder didn't look anywhere close to retirement tonight. How ever. His jaw tight.  He focused his formidable energy on the American archivist at the center of what could be a diplomatic nightmare for united state.
A quick click of a mouse brought up her passport photo on control center 's wall - size screen .
Her name's Imka neo vaal , lighting related tersely.  Goes by Imka. Age, thirty marital status , single. Residence  Seattle , Washington state.
Occupation - assistant archivist at the University of Washington museum.
Rain leaned forward, his gaze intent. The woman in the photo hardly looked like a radical subversive out to overthrow a royal family. Her soft brunette hair just brushed her shoulders. Her blue eyes stared straight at the camera. A tentative half smile curved her full lips.
But rain knew all too well that appearance could be very deceptive.
He'd been burned once by  a sweet young thing who promised more than she'd ever intended to give. Which ended up having to face two angry fathers.  Hers and his own. He was only nineteen at the time, but the lesson he'd learned from the whole fiasco had seriously impacted his outlook on relationship with the opposite sex .
As a result, rain now confined his extracurricular activities to female who played the game by the same rules as his . No starry - eyed romantics for him. Just savvy, fun - loving women looking for nothing more than few hours of companionship. Rain couldn't help wonder what category Imka neo vaal fell into.
She arrived in Morocco yesterday morning and joined others from the University of Washington museum employees thunder continued.  "Nine days and nights exploring the history of Morocco past.
How many of those days will the group be in Morocco.
   How many of those days will the group be in Morocco?"
Four more. Including today. That should be enough time for to get close to her and find out what she's up to. I'm  thinking it won't hurt to ask your friend for help. Colonel Kareem.
Rain nodded. He knew from the moment the boss mentioned Morocco why he'd been tagged for this op.
He and Kareem Abdul had gone through undergraduate pilot training together. With little else to do in their off duty hours, the bachelors had cut a wide swath through the adjacent town available for ladies. He and Kareem stayed in touch over the years. Each visit each other whenever happened to be close proximity. Kareem now also a director of his country air force.
So what have we got to indicate Imka is involved in the plot. Rain wanted to know.
Less than   ten hours after she arrived in Morocco her name popped in a cell phone chatter been monitor by FBI and Morocco police."
Thunder paused, and a dry noted entered his narrative. "Seem this is messenger  who helped find an ancient empress items.
Come again?
Evidently there are some hieroglyphics involved to, also a legend handed down the centuries.
You 're kidding , right?"
I wish. We pulled together a dossier. You can read it on the flight to Morocco.  You flight leaves in thirty minutes.
Roger that.
In meantime, we keep digging into vaal background. Thunder promise.  Ace will act as your controller for this op. She is on her way in as we speak.
Rain give a quick nod of approval. Kathy bolt , code name ace. Was relatively new to Alpha but she too was  in  marine corps.
Word was she'd earned her call sign in the Marines.
Rain was more than please to have her working this op with him.
Along with his old friend. Thinking of the wild times he  and Kareem Abdul had shared.
I'd better call Kareem and give him heads up.

Kareem, you ugly bastard. I'm headed your way.