Chapter Five

 

A New Beginning

 

January tenth, 2001, winter settled in recent weeks ahead. The moon beamed down upon the stranger walking through the paths. He headed toward Ferry Street then turned left onto Hazelnut Park. Spotting a blazing campfire in the distance, the man headed toward the park’s entrance. He kneeled behind a tree watching two men and a woman. They wore heavy army coats and boots with combat gear.

He overheard them talking seated in folded chairs. A red and white cooler rested a few feet away from the bonfire. They sipped from flasks, opened packages of granola and protein bars.

He lowered himself hurdling against the tree trunk watching them. Checking his timepiece again it shifted 10:20 PM. Static came through the headphone attached to his ears. He paused. The voice over the headphone speakers sounded firm making demands. The man placed his lips to the mouthpiece.

“Do you see them?” the voice asked.

“Yes, I see them they’re here all right.”

“Excellent. Make certain they don’t see you.”

“Sir, I’ve got this covered.”

“That’s great. Do you have all the equipment and instructions I addressed earlier this morning?” the man’s tone mixed with intelligence over the headphone’s speakers.

“Yes, and I have the map. It was easy locating them. Like I said, don’t worry, sir.”

“I got you. Take care of business.”

The woman spoke then lifted from the folded chair. She removed her dark wool cap shaking her wavy, dark hair. Then she glanced around the park. The man darted behind the trunk. He pressed his back against the hard wood inhaling sharp gasps.

The woman stepped in face of the man. He glanced up from the folding chair where he sat. Rubbing his hands together, he placed them over the campfire.

“I have to pee somewhere in the woodlands. I won’t be long.” The woman said. She glanced at her timepiece. “How long do you think they’ll be?”

“They’ll be here shortly, Debbie just settling down.” The man replied.

She sighed, throwing her hands up, then left the campground.

The stranger glanced from around the tree saw Debbie heading his way. He darted out of sight again. She walked pass and continued into an adjacent mountain of bushes. The man peeked at his at his timepiece once further it was near 11:00 PM. He had to hurry completing the task. 

“It’s getting late.” The lean man said to his partner.

The man across from him with the military-style crew cut stood. “Let’s give it another fifteen minutes. They’ll be here with the documents.”

“Why did you choose the park, in the dead of winter, to meet up with members from the National Security Council? Shouldn’t we accomplish this in their office?”

“No one suspects anything in the park at this hour.” The lean man said, removing his wool hat. His bald head reflected off of the moon’s radiance.

The lean man looked through the park surroundings. He glanced in the area where Debbie had gone off.

The man with the crew cut moved closer. “Debbie is taking too long should we search for her?”

“No, Benjamin. She will be okay give her time.”

“Are you sure, Joe?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

Benjamin nodded took another sip from the flask.