The Quest

Chapter 31

“These are the complete details of your architectural survey, Lieutenant?”

“Yes, Comrade Colonel,” the ruddy cheeked young man said, still standing at attention beside the open door leading to the back seat of Colonel Korcinski’s staff car.

“Excellent. This storm drain, it appears here.” He showed the page of the plans through the open door. The lieutenant bent over formally, studying them by the beam from the flashlight Korcinski held in his gloved left hand.

“Yes, Comrade Colonel?”

“You will be commander for this portion of the operation. Do not fail. Take a platoon of men to the outlet of this storm drain, approach with caution, apprehend any persons near or inside the outlet of the drain, then proceed up the drain pipe toward the parking square. Any questions?” “All is clear, Comrade Colonel!”

“Excellent. Get moving,” Korcinski snapped, tempering his tone of authority with one he thought of encouragement.

Korcinski turned to the captain, who had been standing beside the young lieutenant. “I understand this man Rourke that we seek is highly experienced. He will no doubt become alarmed that there is no visible presence in the parking square or on the roof tops. I doubt he will proceed along the storm drain past this point.” The captain bent toward the page of the survey Korcinski held under the flashlight. “This is some sort of opening. You will position men at the far boundary of the parking square in case Rourke and these others decide to withdraw. Otherwise, if you make contact, keep them under direct observation, but do nothing. Maintain radio silence in the event they are tuned to our usual frequencies. The jaws of the trap will close when they enter the complex or if they try to escape. Remember, Captain. Take this one Rourke alive. Preserve his weapons. He is not to be harmed.” “Comrade Colonel?” the captain asked.

Anticipating the captain, Korcinski said,” I cannot confide this reasoning to you. It is at the highest levels of security.” As the captain started to go, Korcinski added, “Has the plane arrived yet from Chicago?” “Yes, Comrade Colonel, moments ago.”

“Very good. The young woman aboard is to be brought here and kept safely away from any of the fighting; she is not to be questioned.” “Yes, Comrade Colonel.”

Lazily—a studied movement—Korcinski returned the salute. He could not tell the captain why this man Rourke was to be taken unharmed, his weapons kept. He had not been told himself. He studied his reflection in the glass as his driver closed the open rear passenger door and the light from one of the motorcycles in the escort hit the tinted glass just right.