EXCERPT
The helicopter was waiting. Its engine was running and the aircraft rotors were turning. The force of the rotors threw hot air violently in all directions. The three men walked rapidly to the side of the aircraft and jumped in. Soon they would exchange their camouflage utility garb and rifles for business suits and brief cases. After a short flight they would transfer from the helicopter to a small plane. It would take them to the airport in Johannesburg South Africa. From there, they would fly to Hong Kong. Lost in the maze and bustle of the city, no reporters would bother them. They would appear as three businessmen. The plan was to stay in Hong Kong for two weeks. From there Corcoran would go to London. He planned to visit his sister. La Forest would go to Puyloubier, France where he would visit les anciens, a retired group of French Foreign Legionnaires. Kent was to go to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the place he called his transplanted home. As always the three men would remain in touch. If unable to reach each other, they would always leave a means of contact through a former associate who was now a tavern owner in Paris. Their next assignment would find one of them. It always did!
As the helicopter lifted into the air, Kent got a birds view of what he felt was the most beautiful country on the continent. He looked down at water that sparkled like dancing crystal. It was azure blue, clean and clear. Symmetrical waves cascaded to shore breaking on fine white sand. The sand was textured like powder. The beach melded into hues of lush green vegetation. Kent looked at the mountains and noted the postcard perfect waterfalls. Not long ago he was bathing in those natural showers. Kent reflected on his time in the mountains and the bush. He marveled at the abundance of fish and wildlife that he had witnessed.
The pictures in his eyes gave way to pictures in his mind. He unwillingly imagined a vivid picture of Jannette. He had a vision of her the first time they met. It brought a smile to his face. The smile on Kents face would be fleeting.
Both men and women found Jannette striking. Her dark brown skin and oval face was framed with soft waves of black hair. Jannettes hair fell to her shoulders. Her perfect white teeth glowed against her dark skin. When she smiled she radiated a captivating energy. Jannette was of Belgian and African descent. She was a rare genetic combination. It showed in her eyes. They were blue with a fine black line outlining the iris. For Kent they were the most seductive eyes he had ever seen. The first time they met, she jolted Peter Kents essence with arousal. Beyond her physical attributes she was quite cerebral. Educated in Europe, she was dignified, artistic and intellectual. For Peter Kent, their relationship grew quickly seeded from her beauty. For her it grew gradually out of a love for his intellect and his mysterious persona. Unarguably, Peter Kent was a handsome man, but Jannette gave her heart to his mind and his manner, then to his assemblage.
The picture in Peters head quickly changed from his first meeting with Jannette to their last moments together. He recalled tears floating out of her eyes. The tears were like little rivers on her cheeks. He held her. He kissed her and tasted the tiny rivers of salt. His eyes swelled up when he recalled turning his back to her and walking out of the room.
As the helicopter forged through the sky, Kent talked silently to himself. He justified his decision to leave Jannette over and over in his brain. He had tried love before. It had resulted in heartache. He cursed himself for getting so deeply involved with her. For a decade he had built a wall of emotional armor. Given his occupation, he reasoned that was good. It was necessary. But, Jannette had melted a ten-year fortress of armor with a glance. She had made him vulnerable. He wanted passion, and found much more. He found mutual devotion. Her touch, her smile, their cosmic connection brought much pleasure, but weakened his psychological constitution.
La Forest and Corcoran sensed Peter was troubled beyond the norm. They knew him well. They let him be, and lost themselves in their own thoughts. It was always the same for them in many ways. The reasons may have been different, but the feelings were the same. Energy applied turned to energy denied. Today, their pensiveness was compounded by exhaustion. They were drained by the months of planning, implementation and tension. They had trained, utilized strategy, and deployed an army. Although they were victorious, this time, much heartache was induced as well as received. Guilt needed rationalization to be tucked into remote psychic corners. The process and the events, had once again taken its toll.
The three men stared a thousand miles into the horizon. Peter Kent hid his eyes from La Forest and Corcoran. He sighed. Then, silently, he began to cry.
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