Dual Assassins by Edward Vogler Read Free Book Online Page A

car.
    Jim sat in the driver’s seat while Denny climbed into the passenger seat. When they pulled out of the compound, Jim handed a piece of paper to Denny. “Can you get me to this location?”
    Denny looked at the paper and smiled. He looked at Jim and said, “That’s the location of the meeting for Henderson.”
    With widening eyes, Jim took a double take at Denny, then returned his focus back to the road. “You know about Henderson’s meeting?”
    “Yes.”
    “How did you find out about that?”
    “Umm…Jim…many people know about that. It’s not much of a secret. Are you going to meeting too?”
    “I don’t know… probably,” responded Jim as he continued to drive, following Denny’s directions. They arrived at an isolated single story building with red tiled roof which was located at the edge of the city. Jim drove into the side parking lot. The building sat within a 25-foot clearing before it became surrounded by trees. The building had many windows at eye level around its perimeter. They got out of the car and strolled across the weed-infested gravel parking lot to the building, each step emitting a crunch on the gravel.
    “Looks like this place hasn’t been used for a long time,” remarked Jim. “There isn’t any sign of activity anywhere around here.” Continuing to explore, they peered through the dusty and smeared panes of glass and observed an empty hall.
    Denny looked up at the sign containing Korean Hangŭl characters over the front door and said, “It says Entertainment Center.”
    “Well, it doesn’t look like any entertainment is going to take place here anytime soon or even a meeting.”
    “This is where many big meetings and parties have been held,” said Denny, “and only a select few come here.”
    They returned to the car, got in and drove off. “I want to see how the city is laid out,” said Jim. “I also want to interact with some locals. Can you help me with that?”
    “Sure,” Denny gazed out the window. “We could go to bar that has reputation where secret people meet, but it’s too dangerous for you. Men from all over always gather there to meet, some good but mostly bad. Besides Koreans, there are Russians from the KWP (Central Committee and Political Bureau), KGB and the Chinese are all known to congregate there.”
    “Not a problem,” responded Jim with a grin. “That’s my kind of place.”
    “Okay, we learn city on way.”
    Denny shared stories about many of the buildings and people. Jim was developing a bond with Denny. He was the right choice as a partner in Seoul. Jim parked the car in the small parking lot next to the ‘The Friendly Fountain,’ a neighborhood bar and club. Jim and Denny entered the bar. The place reeked of beer and cigarette smoke and they climbed up on bar stools near the middle of the 12-foot smooth high-gloss bar. Two men sat at the far end, the rest of the bar was empty. There were several rows of tables but only three tables were occupied with men of different nationalities.
    Denny ordered two glasses of yakju [distilled liquor] from the lone balding bartender. Soon the bartender returned and placed the glasses on the bar. Although Jim and Denny appeared to be involved in a private conversation, Denny listened to the conversation at a nearby table and whispered the translation to Jim.
    “Look, Westerner.”
    “Yes, man from embassy, I think.”
    “Who is he?”
    “I think Wilson…we need him.”
    Jim said in a relatively strong voice, “This is a nice place and it’s good to get out of the embassy for a while.”
    Denny cringed and gazed at Jim with surprise “You want them know?” he whispered.
    “Yes, definitely,” Jim responded with a smile. He picked up his glass and brought it to his mouth, took a sip then puckered his lips and squinted his eyes. This was what jet fuel must taste like. However, he managed a forced smile when he returned the glass to the bar.
    A man from a table got to his feet holding his