The Gray Man Ch. 37 - Kasis

Kasis Baudisz sat rigidly in the sterile, dimly lit debriefing room at The Headquarters of The Bundesnachrichtendienst - The German Foreign Intelligence Agency in Pullach, just outside of Munich.

This was not a meeting at Kasis request, she had been summoned. Kasis sat patiently, her piercing blue eyes fixed on the polished table in front of her. Her dark hair, pulled back into a tight bun, hinted at the controlled intensity that simmered beneath her stoic exterior. At 38, Kasis carried herself with an air of authority that demanded respect from her colleagues, but today, frustration brewed beneath the surface, threatening to spill over.

The debriefing room, with its clinical ambiance and practicality of a room designed by German engineers was intentionally designed to stifle any hint of emotion. Kasis mused that they could take the emotion out of the room, but not out of the woman. She couldn't contain the tumult of thoughts raging within her. She had just returned from a mission that had left her grappling with an unsettling mix of satisfaction and irritation. The operation had been a success, but success was a double-edged sword when one's methods were questioned.

Gerwulf Franke, Kasis's boss's boss, loomed across the table, a stern expression etched on his weathered face. His steely gaze bore into her, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Franke, a veteran in the intelligence game, was known for his unyielding adherence to protocol. Kasis, on the other hand, was guided by an unwavering determination to uncover the truth, even if it meant bending the rules.

"Kasis," Franke began, his deep voice cutting through the tension, "We appreciate the results that you brought us, but your methods are unacceptable and this is not the first time you have crossed the line. We can't afford to jeopardize the integrity of our operations."

Kasis leaned back in her chair, her jaw clenched. She knew she had pushed the boundaries, but her personal vendetta fueled her actions. Her mother had been killed when she was younger, and just recently her uncle had been kidnapped in broad daylight. The path she was on would be followed to the end.

"I get results," Kasis retorted, her voice carrying the unapologetic confidence that had earned her both admiration and envy within the intelligence community. "The rules are just guidelines, Franke. Sometimes, they need to be bent to achieve the greater good."

Franke's stern expression deepened. "The greater good, Agent Baudisz, is not determined by individual interpretation. You're playing a dangerous game, and if you continue down this path, the consequences will be severe."

A sly smirk played on Kasis's lips. She was no stranger to consequences; they were the currency of her chosen profession. The mission's success had yielded valuable information, information she believed could finally lead her to the individuals responsible for tearing her family apart. Franke's reprimand, though irksome, was a small price to pay for progress.

As the debriefing continued, Kasis's mind drifted back to her childhood in Warsaw, where her mother had instilled in her a relentless pursuit of justice. She vividly remembered the day her world unraveled--the day her mother fell victim to an unknown assailant. The memory fueled Kasis's every move, propelling her through the ranks of the intelligence service with a singular purpose.

The debriefing room's harsh lighting cast shadows across Kasis's features, accentuating the steely resolve in her eyes. Franke's admonishments only fueled her determination. She would not be deterred, not when she was so close to the truth.

As the meeting neared it's conclusion Kasis rose from her chair with a controlled grace that belied the turbulent emotions swirling within her. She smoothed her clothes over her rounded hips which just accentuated her 36 C tits in the light sweater she was wearing. Franke's eyes darted for just an instant to the very apparent nipples that poked through her bra. Kasis smirked, "My eyes are up here," she teased as she pointed to her face, "However, I do have one question. Are you really offended by my methods or are you just upset that I didn't need to fuck you to get the information I needed?"

The stoic Gerwulf Franke was at a complete loss of words as Kasis' blue eyes never waivered. Finally, he regained his composure, "That will be all Agent Baudisz."

Kasis walked from the room. She could feel the old man's eyes watching her shapely ass as she exited. A small smirk crossed her face even as Agent Franke's warnings echoed in her mind.

Outside the debriefing room, Kasis took a deep breath and whispered to herself, "That could have been worse." She refused to allow anyone to see the turmoil that boiled just below the surface. With her head up, her shoulders back, and a slight exaggeration to her normal ass wiggle she made her way to the ground floor. She knew she needed to act fast before her boss sent her someplace across the globe.

With a determined stride, Kasis exited the headquarters into the warm May sunshine even as her mind calculated the next move. The blurred line between duty and personal vendetta had been her constant companion ever since she joined the agency. As she delved deeper into the shadows, she knew she was dancing on the edge.

The hunt for her mother's killers had become a solitary quest, a journey that demanded sacrifice and tested the limits of her allegiance to the agency. Kasis smiled as she put her sunglasses on, she would finish her mission, a mission she had sworn on her mother's grave.

Meanwhile an ocean away TJ Gray had just stepped into his new car. While the Suburban had blended in well with the DC Intelligence Network he knew that with Pelican Intel he would be working with government as well as private companies. Wealthy private companies. Allen Babin had made sure that Gray got the same price he paid when he had purchased the Suburban before he handed him the keys to his new company car.

"No CEO should be seen driving themselves around in The Titanic. I know you won't let me give you a driver, but you will drive something that doesn't make you look like a federal agent."

Gray acquiesced after considerable pressure from Gretchen and Valerie. He agreed with one caveat, "I get to pick out the car."

Allen smirked as he looked up at his friend, "Too late. It will be here tomorrow."

True to his word as Gray sat at his breakfast bar and listened to one of the ESPN talking heads talk about the Stanley Cup playoffs there was a knock at his door. When he opened a young, petite brunette stood in his shadow and smiled, "Your keys, Sir," she said proudly. "If you will come with me I will walk you through the features."

That was how his day began and now he was enjoying the drive of his new 2024 Lexus LS AWD sedan when his secure phone beeped. He pushed the button on the steering wheel and spoke one word, "Ghost."

On the other end was a familiar voice, "TJ, Harrison Montgomery. I have another favor to ask."

Gray took a deep breath, "Harrison, my face is plastered all over Russia after Natalia, I'm not sure I'm the guy you are looking for."

Harrison spoke quietly, "I didn't say the favor was for me directly, did I?"

TJ smiled as he found an open piece of highway and pressed on the accelerator, "Then talk to me. What's going on?"

Harrison took a deep breath, "We have an asset. His name is Anton Volkov, the son of Nikolai Volkov. The Volkov family has very close ties to Putin. Oligarchs with vast interests in various industries, including energy, real estate, and technology. Their legitimate businesses have been hit hard by the embargos, but their real power is in the black market."

Gray pulled up to a stoplight, "I'm not tracking Harrison. If you already have the asset, what's the problem?"

Harrison went on, "The Volkov's worked very closely with the KGB and now the SvB and SvR. They are the black bag guys when the Kremlin doesn't want to leave a fingerprint."

That comment took a moment for Gray to process, "Since when does Russian Intelligence give a damn about the dirty work of the game?"

Gray heard a chuckle from the other end of the line, "That tells you the kind of people Volkov has hired."

TJ's frustration was rising, "Still not seeing where I fit into any of this other than we have an asset that's responsible for the work that Russian Intelligence deems too disgusting."

Harrison Montgomery finally got to the point. "Nikolai Volkov was responsible for the death of the mother of a German Intelligence Agency years ago. His daughter Ekatrina is the money girl of the family. A couple of weeks ago she had a German National kidnapped for a failure to repay a sizable loan. The loan was 'for business' while in truth it was a gambling debt to one of Volkov's Lieutenants. The man she kidnapped is the German agent's uncle."

TJ paused, "Montgomery, where do I fit into any of this?"

Montgomery apologized, "Sorry, just wanted to fill you in. The German agent wants revenge. The old man is dying, I mean days away from dying from cancer. He's passing the reins to his son Anton. Kasis wants revenge and her boss thinks she will go after him. We can't afford to lose an asset that close to Putin."

TJ nodded, "Go on, that got my attention."

Montgomery went on, "Anton is a recluse, refuses to allow his picture to be taken, never shows his full face in public, it's always hidden behind a hat, sunglasses, a scarf, a coat with the collar up. What I propose is this. We send word through our sources that Anton is going to The States for meetings to smooth the leadership change. She's never seen Anton so it will be easy enough for you to become Volkov. You are fluent in Russian, you aren't an agent she will recognize."

Gray laughed, "Let me get this straight, you want me to become Anton Volkov and you want to tell his would be assassin exactly where to find me?"

Montgomery didn't laugh, "Yes, that's what we want."

TJ sighed, "What aren't you telling me Harrison? There is more to this than meets the eye."

There was silence for a full 30 seconds, "Kasis Baudisz is a good agent but her methods make her bosses at The Bundesnachrichtendienst very uncomfortable. Her methods of getting results remind me a great deal of yours. Kasis is about to become rogue if she keeps pulling this thread and as a rogue agent she is dangerous. I need you to bring her into the fold so to speak. Bring her into Pelican where she can still be an asset and her methods won't be so scrutinized."

Gray laughed, "Why didn't you start there? I'm on board. I'm almost to the office, send me what you have and I'll take a peek in the SCIF."

TJ spent the next week preparing to become Anton Volkov. There were a few things that he knew. Volkov was a bit eccentric, loved jazz and ate exquisite food as money had never been an obstacle. He was a stickler for good order and discipline. He also refused to travel with bodyguards, something that drove his father crazy.

Gray had gotten the message that Nikolai had died and Anton had made an announcement to his Lieutenants that he was going to travel to Havana and then to Las Vegas to meet with his people there to assure them that it would be business as usual.

Harrison passed the message to Franke who made sure that the message was accidentally leaked to Kasis along with a very fuzzy picture that was actually a picture of TJ. Two weeks after that Gray found himself sitting in a small jazz bar off the strip in Vegas.

The sultry jazz notes hung in the air like a clandestine melody, enveloping Anton Volkov as he sat alone in the dimly lit Vegas azz club. The flickering candlelight danced on his chiseled features, revealing the allure of a Russian oligarch. He traced the rim of his crystal glass of champagne with his fingertips, appearing to be lost in thought yet aware of every movement around him, as the rhythmic pulse of the music seemed to echo the beating of his own heart.

Meanwhile, Kasis Baudisz, a shadow in the doorway, surveyed the room with a calculated gaze. Her blue eyes, shielded by a cascade of dark hair, betrayed none of the secrets hidden beneath her composed exterior. The German agent, on a mission of vengeance. At one time she wanted answers, but now with the death of Nikolai she just sought revenge.

Volkov sensed her presence even before he ever looked up. The air changed, charged with an energy that spoke of danger and intrigue. As Kasis moved gracefully toward him, her every step caused her hips to shift almost hypnotically. Every male eye in the room followed her walk. Kasis was walking sensuality and she knew the effect that she had on both men and women. The symphony of the jazz quartet seemed to hush, leaving only the pulsating undercurrent of anticipation.

Gray looked up at his guest, "Hello Agent Baudisz, or have you put the badge away Kasis?"

Volkov," Kasis murmured, her voice a velvet whisper that cut through the jazz-infused ambiance. She paused for a moment, "How.."

Volkov looked up at her, his intense green eyes meeting hers with a magnetic intensity. "A successful businessman always knows two things. First, who his friends are. Second, who his enemies are."

A flicker of acknowledgment passed between them, a silent understanding of the delicate dance they were about to perform. Gray enjoyed the dance, knowing this meeting was only the beginning, gestured toward the empty chair opposite him. "Join me, Agent Baudisz. There's no need for us to be strangers."

As Kasis settled into the chair, a delicate tension enveloped them. The scent of intrigue mingled with the jazz, creating an atmosphere of dangerous allure. Volkov signaled the waiter, and a menu appeared between them--a subtle invitation to partake in the art of deception.

"May I suggest the caviar?" Volkov suggested, his gaze never leaving hers. "A delicacy befitting an encounter such as ours."

Kasis, a master of subterfuge, nodded. "Caviar it is, then."

Volkov snapped his fingers, "Caviar for the lady and an extra flute for the champaign please."

The conversation unfolded like a carefully choreographed dance, each word laden with hidden meanings. They spoke of distant places, of power and vulnerability, as the jazz band continued its serenade in the background. Volkov, ever the astute observer, sensed the conflict within Kasis--the weight of duty clashing with the undertow of something deeper.

As the waiter discreetly delivered their chosen delicacies, a moment of shared silence hung between them, heavy with unspoken truths. Volkov, breaking the tension with a half-smile, raised his glass in a silent toast. "To unexpected encounters," he proposed.

Kasis, her facade unyielding, clinked her glass against his. "To the unexpected," she echoed, her eyes betraying nothing.

As they ate Kasis smiled, her blue eyes showed her pain and anger, "You know I am going to kill you for what your family had done to mine."

Gray smiled and lifted his glass, "Interesting that you wish to kill me when it was my father and my sister who have harmed your family. Yet, you must do as you see fit." Kasis couldn't believe that Volkov winked at her, "I'm not that easy to kill."

Kasis was about to speak when a carefully pre planned argument broke out between two undercover FBI agents started. The woman threw wine all over her date. As people rushed around their table Gray smiled, "Kasis, Baudisz, it seems our dance must come to an end," he said, his tone tinged with flirtatious taunting.

She nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Not so fast..."

She never got to finish as with one swift movement Volkov spun from his chair, slipped through the chaos of the jazz club, disappearing into the shadowed corridors that led to the kitchen.

Kasis looked down and saw that he had left enough cash to pay for the meal twice and a handwritten folded piece of paper. The paper had the names and numbers of two hotel rooms, one was hers. Her mind raced at how her prey seemed to be a step ahead of her.

The game was on and both the cat and the mouse knew it. The following night the lights of The Wynn Casino bathed the sprawling floor in a kaleidoscope of colors, and the rhythmic hum of activity buzzed through the air. Kasis Baudisz moved gracefully across the casino floor, her curvaceous silhouette navigating the labyrinth of slot machines and card tables with practiced ease. The atmosphere crackled with the thrill of chance, but Kasis remained an oasis of cool composure amid the chaos.

As she approached the roulette tables, a sudden touch on the back of her neck sent a shiver down her spine. Startled, Kasis spun around, her hand instinctively reaching for a concealed weapon. To her surprise, it was Volkov, the enigmatic Russian oligarch, standing behind her with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Mr. Volkov, you have a talent for making an entrance," she remarked, her tone a blend of amusement and wariness.

He offered a charming smile, his touch lingering for a moment longer than necessary. "My apologies, Agent Baudisz. I couldn't resist the opportunity to catch you off guard."

Kasis raised an eyebrow, a subtle challenge in her gaze. "Is that a habit of yours?"

Volkov chuckled, a low, throaty sound that resonated through the casino's ambient noise. "Only when the situation calls for it."

Deciding to play along, Kasis gestured toward the lavish surroundings. "Care to join me for a round of chance, Mr. Volkov? Or is risk-taking reserved for more clandestine encounters?"

Volkov's eyes sparkled with amusement as he fell into step beside her. "Perhaps a bit of both, Agent Baudisz. After all, life is a game of calculated risks, is it not?"

They walked together through the opulent casino, a duo that seemed to defy the laws of attraction and danger. The roulette wheel spun in the background, its hypnotic dance mirroring the unspoken dynamics between them.

As they strolled through the labyrinthine corridors of The Wynn, Volkov's magnetic presence seemed to draw the attention of onlookers. He led Kasis through the bustling energy of the casino, their words a dance of intrigue, each step echoing the rhythm of their unpredictable connection.

Eventually, Volkov guided Kasis toward the grand entrance, where the glittering lights of the Vegas Strip awaited. The chaotic energy of the city outside stood in stark contrast to the controlled opulence within the casino walls. Volkov, stepping into the luminous glow of the bustling Strip, turned to face Kasis.

"Agent Baudisz," he said, his voice a low murmur, "our paths may cross again in the future. Until then, may fortune favor you."

With a nod, Volkov disappeared into the pulsating crowd, leaving Kasis once again standing alone on the precipice between the controlled chaos of the casino and the unbridled energy of the Vegas night.

The dance continued on night three. The Herbs and Rye Restaurant that looked like it was still in the 1920's with barely-there lighting, red and black damask wallpaper, and a bar stocked with a veritable century's worth of cocktail mixers provided the backdrop for the next act in the clandestine drama between Kasis Baudisz and Anton Volkov. Kasis, hidden in the shadows, observed as Volkov dined in a corner booth, a king in the heart of his own kingdom.

Steel determination etched across her features, Kasis approached the table, her footsteps echoing like a harbinger of fate. Volkov looked up, the faintest trace of a smile playing on his lips as if he had anticipated her arrival.

"Mr. Volkov," Kasis greeted him, her voice a cold breeze cutting through the warmth of the restaurant.

Volkov gestured to the empty seat across from him. "Agent Baudisz, you're always welcome. Join me for dinner?"

She shook her head, her eyes unwavering. "I'm done playing the games. I am not here for pleasantries, Volkov."Kasis revealed a silenced pistol from beneath her coat, holding it with a steely grip. The restaurant's symphony of clinking cutlery and soft chatter seemed to fade into a distant murmur.