Gary Ponzo - A Touch of Deceit

President Merrick came to his feet and leaned over his desk, palms flat on the polished wood, every muscle in his face straining to maintain control. His voice was low and powerful. “All right, Sam, I want these guys eradicated. I don’t care how. I’m willing to sacrifice my eternal soul for this. Just make it happen.”

Fisk stood across from the President, his eyes studying Merrick’s face as if to determine his state of mind. Finally, after an uncomfortable moment of consideration, Fisk’s expression appeared to show satisfaction with his inquiry. He gave one nod and said, “Done.”

Julie Bracco tenderly wiped her husband’s forehead with a damp washcloth. He’d bumped his head when he hit the floor in the KSF safe house and it was throbbing. She was doting over him as always, picking away loose strands of hair from his face.

Nick made it home in time for Julie to prepare dinner for him and Matt. Even though he appreciated her reticence, her silence concerned Nick. He didn’t want their conversations to grow so economical that it affected their marriage. Sure he needed to keep most of his work confidential, but at what cost.

They were both sitting on the couch now, while Matt leaned back in the recliner and drank a beer.

“I’ve gotta get me one of these things,” Matt said, playing with the handle that lifted the footrest.

“How can you be so glib after what just happened?” Julie asked. Her anger finally surfaced. Nick realized he’d done the right thing by bringing Matt home with him. Matt was the antidote to fear and trepidation. It was as if he’d become so acquainted with death that he could sit in its lap and ask it to tell him bedtime stories.

“We’re fine,” Matt shrugged. “I’ve had scarier moments on a first date.”

Nick was grateful for Matt’s euphemisms. Something he couldn’t imagine grappling with in his current state of mind.

“You’re not going to give me any details are you?” she asked. “Just that you were involved with a shooting.”

Nick took a moment to touch her face, unabated by Matt’s presence. “It was scary, Jule. It was very scary. But no one fired a shot in my direction. I promise.”

Nick could feel his left eye twitch with the word, promise. He placed his finger across her lips and she took the tip of it into her mouth and kissed it gently.

Matt conspicuously turned his attention to the muted television. He turned up the volume and said, “It looks like the President is finally about to speak.”

President Merrick stood behind a podium fronted with the Presidential seal. He wore a dark blue suit and his makeup was so thick that even the bright television lights couldn’t penetrate its shell. Instead of shadowy eyes, he appeared whitewashed. His expression was somber as he stood hunched over the podium as if he needed the platform to remain upright.

“Good evening.” President Merrick began. “A short while ago, an innocent young woman was killed by a Kurdish terrorist. Any time terrorists murder an American citizen, I mourn their passing. In this case,” he paused for a breath, “I knew the woman personally.”

He stopped and sipped water from a crystal glass. A bead of sweat trickled down the side of his face. It was apparent that he was attempting to compose himself before speaking further. He studied the glass as if it contained plutonium. After what seemed like hours, he replaced the glass and continued. “The Kurds are a very misunderstood and oppressed people. The average Kurd is a peace-loving and considerate citizen. Unfortunately, a minority belong to the KSF, a bunch of thugs who will stop at nothing to get their way. They are willing to kill women and children in cold blood as witnessed earlier today.

“So far the authorities have apprehended over thirty KSF terrorists and the overnight bombings have been thwarted in all but twenty-two states. This does not mean we are satisfied with the results, it simply means that we are gaining control of the situation.”

Merrick took another deep breath, then leaned over the podium, his hands clenching the sides of the wooden structure in a vice-like grip. He stared straight into the camera, “Folks, there has never been a time in U.S history when a terrorist group has forced us to relinquish our freedom as a nation and we will not do so now. The young men and woman of our military were sent to Turkey because of the brutalities acted out by the KSF. They are there to protect the innocent citizens of Turkey and they will remain there until the KSF is dismantled. And be assured, they will be dismantled. Every last one of them will be brought to justice, including their ringleader, Kemel Kharrazi. Never before has a President guaranteed the capture of a criminal. But today I am here to tell you that Kemel Kharrazi will be apprehended, and it will happen very soon.”

Nick and Matt looked at each other. If anyone knew how close Kharrazi was to being apprehended, it was them. The President was writing checks he couldn’t cash. This didn’t prevent Matt from grinning widely.

“I love that guy,” Matt beamed.

Julie examined her husband’s face. “Is that true?” she asked. “Are you close to getting Kharrazi?”

Nick winced. “Well,” he began. Then his eyes met hers and he saw the hope that lingered there.

Julie pointed a finger at him. “You remember your promise?”

“What promise?” Matt asked, watching the president leave the podium.

“Nick is going to quit being a field agent after the KSF is through terrorizing the country,” Julie said.

“Really?”

“Really,” Nick answered firmly.

“You mean I’m going to have to find a new partner?” Matt asked.

“It looks that way,” Nick said.

Matt crushed his empty beer can and frowned. “I’m not so sure I want to stick around without you.”

“What are you talking about?” Nick scoffed. “You love your job. You couldn’t do anything more gratifying.”

“That’s true, but the reason I love it so much is because we work so well together. I don’t want to have to go through that whole breaking in process again. I could find investigative work in the private sector and probably double my salary.”

“See,” Julie said. “Everybody wins.”

Nick decided to change the subject. “How’s Tommy?”

“When I left the hospital this afternoon, the doctors felt like he was out of the woods,” she said.

“Good.” Nick checked his watch. “We’d better get going.”

“Now where?” Julie said.

“We have a meeting downtown.”

“At the office?”

Nick glanced at Matt. “Not exactly.”

Julie tossed the washcloth playfully at her husband. “I swear Nick Bracco, living with you is like living with a-”

“A spy?” Nick finished for her.

“That’s right, a spy. I can’t wait until you get a regular job and come home and tell me every boring detail about your day.”

Matt went over and gave Julie a peck on the forehead. “Thanks for the chow, Jule.”

She smiled at Matt. “All I ask is that you take care of him. He hasn’t far to go.”

“Don’t worry,” Matt said heading for the door, “I can see his pot belly growing already.”

Huseyn Yildiri was surrounded by thirty of the KSF’s most powerful soldiers. They stood around him sharpening their knives and cleaning the barrels of their rifles. A conference table was wedged into the corner of the room where a computer and three small televisions continuously displayed news and information. He was the only one seated at the folding table in the middle of the room. He sipped his cup of water with shaky hands while they all waited for Kemel Kharrazi to speak.

Kharrazi paced opposite the table with his hands behind his back. His face screwed up into a tight, pained expression.