I am sure there are typos in the chapters hat follow as I have not got back and edited. Sorry! If you find them just over look them. FEEDBACK IS ALWAYS WELCOME!!!
Chapter 1
Cole tucked the book into his inner coat pocket. He was hoping they would not do a thorough search. If they found it his entire mission could be compromised. He had to protect his true identity and the identity of those that had been helping him. They were risking death if they were even suspected of helping him. Cole knew he also could be killed just for being there. He had to keep his cover and his wits about him. Failure was not an option.
Cole was born in a small East Texas town. His mother was a nurse and his father owned the local feed store. In the 1970’s feed stores were a way of life and so was farming, at least in east Texas. Cole was born the youngest of three children and as the only boy, took responsibility at a young age. As he stood there waiting his turn, Cole thought about the story he had been told growing up.
It was Mother’s Day 1978 and as usual the entire Connor family was sitting on the third pew from the back at the local church. There was six year old Suzy, the oldest, Mary the younger three year old, father Matt and mother Hazel who was just over 8 months pregnant with child number three.
Just as the pastor finished reading the scripture and was starting to pray, Hazel had a terrible pain. She learned over to Matt and whispered, “It’s time.” He didn't hear her. She grabbed his hand and squeezed, trying not to scream out. Again through gritted teeth she said, “It’s time.” Matt still didn't hear her. Just as the pastor said, “Amen,” she felt a contraction and her water broke. The service had ended and Hazel screamed, “It’s time!”
Everyone looked at her for a moment before they realized what was happening. Someone rushed out to get Doc Hicks who had slipped out the door before the commotion. He grabbed his bag out of his car and rushed back in. He examined Hazel and realized she would not make it to the hospital. He joked to Hazel and Matt, “this is going to be a true church baby.”
They quickly and carefully moved Hazel to the back room by the baptistery, where the pastor’s wife had prepared a nice soft pallet of blankets and towels to lie on. As soon as she lay down, Doc hicks told her to push. This being her third child, Hazel knew the routine and the baby was coming quickly.
A couple of good pushes and Cole Matthew Connor entered the world. As soon as the baby was out, Hazel felt strange. She knew something was wrong. “Doctor, something’s wrong,” she yelled. Doctor Hicks handed the baby to Matthew and turned back to Hazel. “What is it Hazel”, He asked. “I have a strange feeling, like more contractions.” As the doctor looked, he could see another baby. “Hazel, there’s another one coming, but I see a foot not a head. It’s breech. This might get rough. Stay with me. Someone go call an ambulance.”
That was a sad day for the entire community and even though Cole didn't remember it, he always cried and felt an emptiness when he thought about it. He doesn't know what made him think about it now. It was not a good time to cry and draw attention to himself, not at a checkpoint. He had to quickly change his thoughts and gain his composer. The only way he could do that was to think about how happy he was not to have lost his mother on that day. Although the baby that was to be Cole’s younger twin did not survive, his mother did. They were very close to losing her too during the breech birth but she pulled through. Cole knew that it was God’s plan that he and his mother survive. He also knew he was now fulfilling, at least part of that plan. This made him smile and he was able to continue through the checkpoint.
He stepped to the gate for his turn as the solider said to him, “Documents, Sir.” Cole handed him several pieces of paper. The solider examined the papers for what seemed like an eternity. He then looked at strangely at Cole, “You've had some journey my friend, Welcome Home.” Cole smiled and nodded as he took his papers back from the solider. He thought it strange that the solider would say that and in almost perfect English. It wasn't the broken English he had become accustomed to.
As he walked through the checkpoint area and back out into the bright sun, Cole looked down at his papers. There was an extra small piece of paper tucked in with his documents. He read it carefully, “Fly 7381 Zurich 7C.” He immediately knew why the solider had perfect English. He was a plant, put there to give Cole this message. He turned and peered back through the area to where the soldier had been standing, only to see a different solider standing in his place. Cole smiled and headed out.
As he approached the ticket counter, a beautiful blonde clerk smiled at him. “And where are we headed today, sir?” Cole smiled back, Zurich on the 2:10 please.” She smiled again, “Certainly, 7381 to Zurich. Window or Aisle?” Cole thought for a moment. “Aisle please.” The clerk punched a few buttons as Cole handed her his papers. “The only aisle I have available is first class row 7.” Cole smiled. “That’s fine, more leg room.” The clerk laughed. “That it is. So seat 7C it is. WE should be boarding in about 10 minutes at gate 5 right through those doors. Would you like to check your bag or carry on?’’ “Carry on please.” The clerk smiled. “Very well. Here you go.” Cole thanks her as he gets his documents and ticket. He smiles at her one last time and walks through the doors to gate 5.
Cole sits down in his seat just as the flight attendants are starting the announcements. He looks around and notices all the people around him, wondering which might be his informant. Everyone seems so preoccupied that he finds it strange that they might be it. He notices a man a few rows up just staring out the window. He is thinking that might be him just as the flight attendant asks if he wants a drink. “Just water please,” Cole tells her. Just as she leaves, Cole sees a somewhat familiar face coming toward him.
She smiles at him. “Well hello there Mr. Aisle Please.” He smiles back. “Hello. What are you doing here? I thought you were a ticket clerk.” As she puts her bag in the overhead, “Well, I was before I became a flight attendant. They were shorthanded at the desk so I was just helping out.” “Oh so now you are working this flight” Cole asked. Laughing she says, “Actually, I am a deadhead this flight. I flew in yesterday and now have to go back to Zurich, so I am just catching a ride. That so happens to be my seat.” She points to the window seat next to him.
Cole smiles and stands up to let her in, “what a coincidence” he says. She laughs as she sits down, “yeah the only seat left on the entire flight. It is really busy today.” As he sits back down, the flight attendant brings Cole his water. The young lady next to him asks for some as well, then introduces herself to Cole. “My name is Seraphina, but my friends call my Phiny.” Cole smiles, “Seraphina that is a beautiful name. Nice to meet you. My name is Donovan.” Cole had to tell her is cover name since she had seen it on his documents. She smiles, “Yes I know. I checked you in. You know, Donavan is a very noble name. It was my great grandfather’s.”
They chatted calmly as the plane took off. Cole was very careful to use his cover story and not his real life. He found it very hard to do with Seraphina. He felt relaxed around her. He has to think about each thing before he said to make sure he wasn't getting the two confused.
Into the flight, Seraphina pulls out a newspaper that catches Cole’s eye. It was an American newspaper and it surprised him that it was not in German. “What are you doing with USA Today,” he asked. “Well I love reading it. Keeps me somewhat up to date on things going on at home.” Surprised, Cole says, “I thought you said you were from Zurich.”
Seraphina smiles, “No, I said my home base was in Zurich. I actually grew up in Texas.” Cole almost jumps out of his skin. It is all he can do not to tell Seraphina that he too is form Texas, but then remembers his cover and that Donavan is from New York. He thinks fast of some way to talk about Texas. “Cool, I have relatives in Texas. What part are you from?”
“Well, it’s a little town about 30 miles southwest of Texarkana,” Phiny answers. Cole almost didn't contain himself. That was close to the same area he was from. He just simply told Seraphina that his family was somewhere in eastern Texas as well but that he wasn't familiar with the area. As they talked, she handed Cole a section of the paper. He as reading an article about the current war and noticed several words were underlined. This was one of the methods used by his agency to pass along information. He pulled out his pocket computer, shifted in his seat so no one could see and began typing in the words.
When he finished, he closed the paper, slipped the computer into his pocket and excused himself to the lavatory. Cole locked the door and pulled the computer out. He punched in his secret code of the day. Within a few seconds the words were unscrambled and revealed his message. He read it several times to ensure he had it memorized word for word, deleted it and put the computer back in his pocket.
When he returned to his seat, Seraphina handed him a bar of genuine Swiss chocolate. “They served these while you were gone and I didn’t think you‘d want to miss out. Cole takes the chocolate, smiles, and says, “Thank you. I never miss free Swiss chocolate. This must mean we just crossed over into Switzerland, so about 15 more minutes till we land. I thought I felt a decrease in altitude.”
Seraphina looks at him. "Wow, you must have traveled this route a few times.” Eating his chocolate, “yes many times. I do a lot of work in Zurich. My company has one of its international hubs there.” “What is it you said you did again,” Seraphina asks. I am a computer systems analysis and program engineer to a big computer, software, and global internet company,” Cole answers making sure to say it just as he was taught. Seraphina answers.
“Oh you mean DMC International?” Cole smiles, “Yes that’s the one. You know it?” “Sure,” she answers. “My uncle use to work there until he retired about 6 years ago. It is a great company.” Cole replies, “Yes I love it but it keeps me busy. Lots of travel.” Seraphina smiles, “That must mean you are one of their top guys. Those are the ones that travel. You must be very good.” Cole almost blushes, “well I don’t know about that but they do keep me busy.”
Just as the Captain announces they have been cleared to land, Cole asks Seraphina if she would like to get a bite to eat when they land. Seraphina looks at her watch. “Well, it is almost dinner time. Sure but could I go back to my apartment and freshen up first? I hate wearing my uniform out to dinner.”
Cole smiles, “sure, I’ll go back to my hotel and freshen up myself. We can meet at that little café next to DMC at 6. That ok?” Seraphina smiles, “that’s perfect. I love that place and eat there often when I am in town long enough.
They continue talking as they walk down the jet bridge into the airport. They say goodbye as Cole catches a taxi and Seraphina gets the shuttle to airline employee parking. Cole gets to his hotel across the street from DMC just past 5:15. He quickly checks in and goes to his room. He sets up his equipment before going to freshen up. Just as he is putting on a clean shirt, his secure phone rings. He answers in his usual way, “Donavan 37639.” After a short pause he hears a familiar voice, “Cole its Michael. Are you alone?” Cole answers, “Yes sir. I am in my hotel room in Zurich.” “Great,” Michael continues. “Listen, I have some instructions for you. Don’t write them down unless I say. You met Seraphina correct?”
Cole seems a bit stunned and worry that she is somehow involved. “Yes sir and I followed the directions from the coded message in the paper.”
Michael speaks, “Great then everything is set. I hope you two get along ok because you are going to be a team for this next long mission and maybe others as well. She is very good and you will need her. Listen to her, she knows her stuff and was picked especially for this mission and for you. That’s all I can tell you right now. She will have more information for you at dinner. Again just follow her lead on that. Any questions?” Cole answers, “No sir, Donavan 37639.” The Call ends.
As Cole finishes getting ready for dinner, he can’t help but be happy. He gets to spend lots more time with Seraphina. He thinks they will make a great team.
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