CHAPTER 18
West Jakarta Police Detention Center
Jakarta, Indonesia
Chief Kusnadi was about to reach for the interrogation room door when a man blocked his path. He was an American, or maybe European, definitely a soldier of some sort — he had the build… and the eyes.
“Who are you?” Kusnadi asked the man.
“That’s not important. I’m here to pick up Dr. Katherine Warner.”
“The hell you are. Tell me who you are before I throw you in a cell.”
The man handed him a manila envelope and said, “Take a look, it’s nothing you haven’t seen before.”
The Police Chief opened the envelope and looked at the first few pictures. He couldn’t believe his eyes. How? How could they have—
“If you don’t release her right now, you won’t be the last to see those.”
Kusnadi shoved the pictures down into the envelope. “I want the originals.”
“Does this sound like a negotiation to you? Release her or my organization will release the contents of that envelope.”
Kusnadi’s eyes looked down, then darted side to side, like a cornered animal deciding which way to run.
“And just in case you’re considering throwing me in a cell, if my people don’t get my call within 3 minutes, they’ll release this file anyway. You work for me now. You want to be Chief of Police or not?”
Kusnadi had to think. He looked around at the department. Who could do this?
“Times up.” The man turned to leave.
“Wait.” The police chief opened the door to the interrogation room and motioned for the woman to come out. “This man will escort you out.”
She paused at the door and looked at Kusnadi before looking the soldier up and down.
“It’s okay, this man will take you now.”
The man put his arm around her back and said, “Follow me Dr. Warner. We’re getting out of here.”
Kusnadi watched them walk out of the station.
Outside the police station, Kate stopped and turned to the man who had rescued her. He was dressed in black body armor — eerily similar to the man who had taken her children. And so were his men — she saw them now — five of them, standing in front of a large black truck, like an over-sized UPS delivery truck and a black SUV with dark tinted windows.
“Who are you? I want to know—”
“Hang on just a second,” he said.
The man walked over to the short interrogator who had accused Kate of buying the children. The soldier handed the little man a folder and said, “I hear you’re in line for a promotion.”
The little man shrugged. “I just do what I’m told,” he said sheepishly.
“Your case officer says you’ve been a good source. If you’re smart enough to know what to do with this, maybe you’ll be a better police chief.”
The interrogator nodded. “Anything you want, boss.”
The solider walked back to Kate and motioned toward the large black delivery truck. “I need you to get in the truck.”
“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me who you are and what’s going on.”
“I’ll explain, but right now we have to get you to a safe location.”
“No, you—”
“Here’s a tip. The good guys ask you to get in the truck. The bad guys put a black bag over your head and throw you in the truck. I’m asking. Look you can stay here or go with me, it’s up to you.”
He walked toward the truck and opened the double doors at the rear.
“Hold on. I’m coming.”