Dual Assassins

Dual Assassins by Edward Vogler Read Free Book Online Page B

Book: Dual Assassins by Edward Vogler Read Free Book Online
Authors: Edward Vogler
Tags: Fiction - Espionage
glass and sauntered over to the bar next to Jim. Denny focused on him with wide eyes and bit his lip. The short Asian man wore a Western suit. He smiled when he approached Jim and said, “You American?”
    “Yes.”
    “I’m Kim Woong-Nanyg,” he said with a fake smile. “It’s always a pleasure to meet American.”
    Jim swiveled in his chair toward Kim, smiled, and hooked his left arm over the edge of the bar. “I’m Jim Wilson.” He shook Kim’s hand.
    “How long you been here?”
    “I just arrived yesterday and I’m trying to learn my way around your fine city.”
    Kim continued smiling. “I’d be glad to show you around Seoul…I know the city quite well. You want to do that?”
    “Sure, that sounds great.” Jim then raised his left arm and looked at his wristwatch. “I’d love to now but I have an appointment soon. I’ve got to go or I’ll be late.” He slid off his bar stool.
    “Well, how about tomorrow…say around six P.M.,” Kim said boldly. “Would that be better? We’ll have nice dinner too. Please, I insist,” He reached out and shook Jim’s hand.
    “That sounds good. Why don’t you pick me up at the Bando Hotel at six?”
    Kim smiled, “Good, tomorrow at six, Bando Hotel,” and returned to his table.
    Jim looked at Denny and said, “Denny, stay here a while longer. The men might feel more open to talk without me here. Find out what you can. I’ll be at that market we passed on the way here. Also, check the neighborhood and see what you can find out about these guys. Meet me at the market.”
    “Okay Jim, see you in thirty minutes.”
    As Jim began to walk toward the door, he looked at the still-smiling Kim, smiled and with a slight wave said, “Tomorrow at six,” then exited the bar.
    Jim left the bar and returned to his car. He drove slowly through the store-lined street until he arrived at the market. He traded the smell of beer and cigarette smoke for dead fish and rice when he entered the market. Jim’s posture perked up when he saw the intense stares by several Koreans in the store. He felt out of place while they followed his every move. Most of the produce bins were empty, or with only a few items remaining. Jim approached the proprietor, a short stocky man wearing a white apron.
    “Hi,” said Jim with a smile as the man bowed slightly. “Where’s all the food?” stretching out his arms and making a sweeping motion pointing to the bins.
    “Go South,” the smiling man replied through a few missing teeth.
    “Why go south?”
    The proprietor pointed north, smiled then said, “Because of you.”
    “Me, what do you mean me?” Jim shot back with raised eyebrows as a sudden surge of coldness struck his core.
    “Because you’re here. You need to go home.”
    Jim’s mouth dropped open and he didn’t know what to say at first. He looked at the Korean who stood his ground and returned an intense fevered stare. “We helped liberate your country,” said Jim. “We saved you from the Japanese.”
    The Asian gritted his teeth while his face and neck turned red. “The Japanese have been here since they invaded our country in 1910. Now you’re here, no difference. You are now the conqueror. Go home, Yankee.” The Korean turned and scurried to the back room and disappeared.
    Jim waited a few moments but the man never returned. Jim was baffled as he left the market, continuing to feel the stares of others in the store. Jim sat in the car and waited for Denny. He received many strange looks from the pedestrians walking by.
    Denny approached the car and climbed into the passenger seat.
    “Okay, Jim, let’s go.” Jim started the engine and pulled out into the street.
    Jim discussed his market episode with Denny, “Do all the people here feel that way?”
    “Many do.” Denny remained quiet and gazed out the windows.
    Jim pulled over and stopped the car, looked at Denny and said, “I need you to go back to the Henderson meeting place and look for any activity. Then

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