Tour of Intrigue

By K. A. Williams

 

A covert government agency intends to stop their former accountant, Richardson, from testifying against them, but they don't know his location. They do know that an artist, Chris, is going to paint Richardson's portrait before the trial. Chris is supposed to be contacted during a singles tour of the mountain region where Richardson is hiding out, and the meeting will be arranged.

 

Double agent CJ, codenamed Chameleon, is given the assignment to impersonate Chris in order to get to Richardson. Then he is to impersonate Richardson at the trial and give false testimony that will exonerate the covert agency.

 

Iceman, Chameleon's evil partner, wants to kill everyone who interferes with the plan. Sandman, Chameleon's other partner, is supposed to guard Chris while CJ is impersonating him. 

 

Chris, ignorant of the plot against him, meets Millicent and falls in love with her. He enjoys the mountain tour, and has a lot of fun at the western town where costumed actors have shoot-outs, bank robberies, and rob stagecoaches.  

 

Martin, the tour guide for the Back-To-Basics Singles Tour, is responsible for the safety of his 7 tourists, some of which are not on the tour just for fun. He overhears Chameleon and Iceman talking about their plans at the waterfall, and learns that Chris has been kidnapped. 

 

Can Martin rescue Chris? Which side is CJ really on? Will Richardson get to testify or do the bad guys win?

 

Read the 35,000 word novella and find out.

 

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: K. A. Williams
• Release date: Sep 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215497920

K. A. Williams

North Carolinian K. A. Williams has had over 300 stories and poems published in many different magazines including SavagePlanets, The Creativity Webzine, Yellow Mama, The Blotter, Corner Bar, 5-7-5 Haiku Journal, View From Atlantis, The Sirens Call, Tigershark, and The Yard: Crime Blog. ​​ Apart from writing, K. A. enjoys music (especially classic rock), CYOA, and science fiction movies. 

Book preview

Prologue

CJ drove to the office building which looked deceptively like any other office building except this one was a covert government agency. He felt the spring sun on his face when he climbed out of the blue Chevrolet rental car and peered up at the window of his boss's office. Smith was probably watching him from his window at this very moment.

His boss swiveled away from the window and back toward his mahogany desk when his top operative walked in and sat down in the chair. Smith handed him the case file. We finally get our chance to find the traitor, Harlan Richardson. An artist has impressed a friend of his who knew that he wanted a portrait done of himself. The friend spoke to the artist at their local art gallery which had displayed some of his work. According to our information, Richardson suggested that the artist take a particular mountain tour and he would be contacted during it. Obviously our former accountant is somewhere in the mountains, but his friend didn't know exactly where. Iceman asked him. Unfortunately the man had heart trouble, so we have no further details of his conversation with the artist. That's the reason you can't just take his place now.

CJ repressed a shudder.

His boss didn't notice. You are to familiarize yourself with the artist and find out what was said during his conversation with Richardson's friend. You might need that information to assume the artist's identity for their meeting. You will take Richardson's place for the trial, and say that you were mistaken in your accounting. That the government funds were definitely not misappropriated by the BDGYS to pay the salaries of assassins.

CJ gazed at the photo in his left hand, his expression blank. Codenamed Chameleon, no one knew his real name or his real appearance -  not even his boss. I'll get right on it, sir. He replaced the photo back into the brown envelope with the rest of the information.

When he stood up, he smoothed down his skirt, and adjusted the hat on top of his blonde wig.

One moment, Chameleon, I've chosen you a partner for this one.

CJ stopped at the door and turned. This was unusual. He was used to picking his own partner or working alone. Have I worked with him or her before? Who is it?

The boss told him.

CJ had never met the man, but he knew the ruthless killer by reputation.

Once at home and out of his disguise, CJ looked at his copy of the tour schedule and tried to decide the best place to make the switch. Not knowing when Richardson would actually contact the artist was a drawback, so the sooner he could kidnap and impersonate him the better. Most of the stops on the tour seemed ideal for a switch - the museum, bird sanctuary, western town, waterfall, the nice dark caverns, or perhaps the carnival. He would pick the best location and time when he was ready, his partner was in place, and the artist was alone.

But it wouldn't be the Wrightman Inn. That was the tour's first stop and CJ needed time to observe the artist before he could impersonate him. Now he had to change his appearance for the part he would be playing at the inn. Latex masks were uncomfortable, the less time he had to wear one the better. So he just used the liquid latex to shape his nose differently before he applied lighter makeup, a red wig, red mustache and a short red beard. He inserted green colored contacts and his disguise was complete.

CJ arrived at the Wrightman Inn in a red Honda rental car and opened the trunk. The laptop was in a case with a strap and he slung it over his shoulder. He picked up the disguise kit and suitcase.

When he entered the inn, he looked around at the small lobby. The only furniture was a sofa and desk. Upon the desk was a bell. He rang it. About a minute passed before an older gentleman with gray hair came out of a room behind the desk. 

I'm CJ Arnell and I have a reservation. You must be Mr. Wrightman.

Yes, I'm the one that made your reservation. He pulled the ledger out from a drawer in the desk and sat it on top. If you'll please sign in.

The ledger was empty at the moment because the tour group would take the rest of the rooms. CJ picked up the pen that was in the middle of the book and signed the name he was currently using.

After he'd signed the register with his left hand, Mr. Wrightman handed him the key. I'll show you the room. I'm sorry we don't employ any bellboys.

That's okay, Mr. Wrightman, I can manage. CJ picked up his luggage that he'd set down to sign in, and followed the man who led the way through the lobby and up the stairs to the room at the end of the hallway.

Here it is, Mr. Arnell. Do you want dinner brought to your room, or do you mind dining with the tour group that's arriving later today?

CJ most certainly did want to join the tour group for dinner. It would give him the perfect opportunity to observe the artist at close range without seeming obvious or suspicious, but he didn't want to seem overly enthusiastic in his reply. He hesitated a moment as if he was considering the question. Well, I guess I don't mind dining with the tour group. Are you sure there's room for all of us at the same table?

Mr. Wrightman smiled. There's plenty of room at that table. I'll let you know when supper is ready.

Thank you, he said.

After Mr. Wrightman went downstairs, CJ opened the door. The room was adequately furnished - a mirror sat atop a dresser, a nightstand with a lamp stood next to a full bed. There was a single wooden chair and a clothes closet.

He knew the other rooms had adjoining bathrooms with showers. This room contained a private bathroom with a tub which was perfect. He could bathe in the tub and not get his makeup wet. CJ automatically locked the outside door. When he stepped inside the bathroom, he locked that door as well.

He tried to relax in the hot tub. CJ couldn't believe his bad luck in getting the partner Smith had chosen for him. It was unusual for his boss to pick out his partner for an assignment, usually he got to select his own partner or work alone. Didn't Smith trust him anymore?

The bath failed to relax him. He got out and checked his makeup, it still looked perfect. He dressed for dinner and read the western book he'd brought with him.

Chapter 1

Martin donned a pair of sunglasses to protect his eyes against the afternoon sun. He surveyed the group assembled before him in the parking lot of the Basic Tours Travel Agency. Welcome to the Back-To-Basics Singles Tour. My name is Martin Surdo and I'll be your tour guide. If you're here, it means you're ready to give up the technological marvels for a while, at least. The blue-eyed blonde on the cell phone ignored him completely. That means no TV, radio, laptops, or cell phones. He moved directly in front of her as he said the last words.

I have to go, she said into her cell phone before hanging up the call. Well, what do you expect me to do with it?

Any electronic items will be stored in our office safe until the end of the tour. Who else brought something they shouldn't have? Martin asked.

Soon he had a pile of electronics at his feet. I'll go store these items in the office safe. You can pick them up when we return. I'll give you a receipt, all right? No one said anything. I'll be back. He gathered up what he could carry, but there were several items left.

One of the men, Martin didn't know their names yet, bent down and gathered up the remaining items. He led the way into the office and inside to the safe. The man turned around while Martin opened the safe with the combination. When he heard the safe open, the man turned back around and handed Martin the items he was holding. Martin put them all inside, then shut and relocked the safe. Thanks,

You're welcome, said the man with dark hair and dark eyes.

Martin grabbed a bunch of standard receipts from his desk on his way out. This always happened on the Basics Tour. The man followed him outside where he shut and locked the office door, thankful that his boss hadn't seen the amount of items he'd had to store.

When I call your name, please board the bus. Martin said.

He handed each tourist a receipt as they boarded the remodeled school bus which was now painted white with the Back-To-Basics Tour logo in blue on the sides.

Maggie Bosenheim was the name he called first. She wore a sleeveless shirt, shorts, and sandals. Martin wondered if she knew how cold springs were in the mountains, especially at night, and hoped she'd packed warmer clothes and shoes.

Christopher Davenport wore blue jeans, a long sleeved blue knit shirt, a brown jacket, and athletic shoes. He was the man who had helped Martin.

George Feldon was a no-show.

Millicent Hargrave was the blonde with the cell phone. She wore black pants, a long sleeved white shirt, and a black jacket.

Sheila Hennessee smiled at Martin when she boarded. She had on blue jeans, a long sleeved red shirt and a tan jacket.

Spencer Marsh had curly black hair and light blue eyes. He was dressed in casual brown pants and a blue shirt that matched his eyes.

Stephanie Mills wore blue jeans and a white shirt with a blue jacket. She carried a camera but that was okay with him. A camera was hardly the sort of technological gizmo that he discouraged on these tours. Mostly he was trying to keep away the cell phones that constantly rang and the laptops that begged for attention.

Franklin Murdoch was the last name on his list and looked like the oldest member of the group. He wore a suit and tie and looked extremely out of place next to the rest of the casually dressed tourists. Martin almost shook his head.

He checked a