by T C Miller
“Thank you, sir.” The idea was yours. “To continue with my report, there is another matter, so I am pleased you called me in….”
“I did no such thing. I agreed to have you here at your request.” The Commissioner huffed. “I try to avoid interfering with the day-to-day operations of my trusted managers.”
He is losing it…need to tell my CIA contacts. “As I was saying, sir, our contact in the executive offices of
the NSA, is becoming somewhat paranoid.”
“What is the source of Todd’s uneasiness?”
“He fears Bart Winfield has a hidden agenda targeting him.”
“I remember Tupelo from the East Berlin era. Does Justin have specific reasons for this belief?”
“No tangible proof. The Winfields were transferred to Washington unexpectedly for reasons we cannot ascertain. We thought it might concern the search for Rick Eichner and the nuclear weapons since Winfield headed the BlackStar Ops Group until the move.”
The Commissioner stared out the window again, but this time for only a few seconds. “Winfield and his wife ceased being a thorn in our side when he rejoined the American Air Force. However, in light of what you are saying, they may have resumed international espionage activity. We should consider the use of extreme sanctions.”
“Killing them might not be the best action, Commissioner. Our general policy is to avoid undue attention from intelligence agencies of the major powers.”
“It is I who sets policy, or did you forget? Do you question my judgment?”
“No, sir, of course not.”
The Commissioner spoke through clenched teeth, “I grow weary of subordinates who wish to dictate how I run the Consortium.” His face took on a distant look in the next instant, and he stared out the window.
Gunter waited quietly for the episode to pass.
The Commissioner relaxed after a few minutes and smiled. “I like you, Wilhelm. You are intelligent and loyal.”
Gunter flinched. “Loyalty is vital, sir. How shall I proceed, vis-à-vis our mole in the NSA?”
The Commissioner retrieved two Cuban cigars from a humidor on his desk and handed one to Gunter. “Justin Todd is one of our most productive assets. We sell information gleaned by him to our best clients for large sums. I do not wish to jeopardize the income. Therefore, you must calm him.”
Gunter drew on the Cohiba for a long time and exhaled slowly. “I have used a variety of approaches, including generous bonuses. He does not respond.”
“Again, Gunter, I prefer to continue using him. We will revisit the situation in a week or two to see if
Todd adapts to the Winfields.”
“As you wish, Commissioner. I have ordered closer supervision to bolster his confidence.”
“Good, we will discuss the results later. Moving on to other matters, my bookkeepers say the facility inventory for Deer Trail is tardy.”
“I directed Tcharnovsky to conduct a thorough examination of the complex from top to bottom and report discrepancies by the end of this week. The move distracted me.”
“Very well, I will expect a report on my desk by the end of next week.”
“Of course, Commissioner.”
“Leave now. I must return to my schedule.”
Neighborhood, Two Miles From NSA Headquarters
Justin chose his words carefully as he spoke into the satellite phone, “I am frustrated and near my wit's end. I require guidance.”
The contact responded in clipped tones, “Okay, Einstein, here’s your guidance. I don’t care how you do it, but come up with more than the bits and pieces of meaningless garbage you’ve been feeding me.”
“I do not see how I can accomplish it under the conditions Banner has imposed. The eavesdropping device I planted in his office is not working, and he has a device to alert him when I am on an extension.”
“What about staff meetings?”
“He conducts them in a secure briefing room, and I am not invited.”
“Correspondence?”
“I still complete his non-classified letters and notes, but he is using an e-mail system for classified missives to which I have no access. I fear he must have become aware of at least a modicum of my surreptitious activities.”
“Speak English, you pompous ass,” the contact roared into the phone. “Are you trying to tell me your cover is blown?”
Justin was startled by the rebuke. “I suppose, in the vernacular, I articulated such.”
“Then spit it out in plain English.”
“As you wish. The Director may be aware of my activities, or may simply be practicing a higher level of security. A friend informed me Internal Investigations has a list of people whose security status is under review.”
“Are you on the list?”
“I have no way to ascertain such information, but it is possible.”
“We have been worried for quite a while now you might be getting a little sloppy.”
“Pardon me, but I meticulously observe security protocols.”
“How about the one that directs you to check for vehicle’s tailing you?”
“Of course.” Justin’s throat turned dry, and he swallowed hard. A glance in the rearview mirror showed a dark sedan about a block away with two figures in the front seat.
“And yet, you didn’t catch two guys in the vehicle behind you.”
“No, I mean yes, but they recently arrived….”
“Actually, they’ve been with you since you left the office, which means they’re probably investigators, but don’t worry, I’m taking care of it.”
Justin rechecked the mirror and saw a big brown delivery vehicle pull up next to the dark sedan.
The driver of the stepvan slid the door open and motioned for the passenger in the sedan to roll down his window.
A figure slipped out the back of the delivery vehicle and walked undetected along the driver’s side of the government issue sedan.
“Excuse me,” the delivery van driver asked the passenger in the car. “I’m new on this route. Can you tell me how to get to Franklin Street?”
“Sure, you go up about….” Barnes’ answer ended when a 9mm round entered his right eye from a suppressed pistol the driver held under a clipboard.
Glass froze for a second, then fumbled for the service weapon on his belt. It never left the holster before the assassin standing next to the rear door fired two rounds into the back of his head. He slumped forward, restrained only by the seat belt. His last memory was blood dripping from his dead partner onto the crossword puzzle.
Consortium Facility, Deer Trail, Colorado
Gunter sat back in a plush, ergonomic office chair the next day and replayed the conversation word for word. Why was the Commissioner so concerned about routine paperwork? He used the intercom to summon the facility manager.
Tcharnovsky shuffled into Gunter’s office twenty minutes later, yawning and scratching his belly. “What is it you want now?”
“I want to see an inventory on my desk.”
Tcharnovsky rolled his eyes. “You must be aware how hard we work on….”
“Enough. I want the report, and so does the Commissioner.”
Mention of the Commissioner caused the other man to rethink the dismissive answer he had formulated. “Yes, of course, but mistakes we encounter make work difficult.”
Gunter stared at Tcharnovsky until beads of sweat formed on the other man’s forehead. “I imagine the discrepancies point to missing material.”
Tcharnovsky plopped down in an oversized chair facing Gunter’s desk. “What you say is true. Petty thievery of foodstuffs and alcohol is common in facility such as this. This time is opposite. Two large crates in warehouse mysteriously appear.”
“How do you explain that?”
“Men are bored working in remote place like this. Paperwork gets sloppy, labels wrong. Some crates are also screwed shut, which is not supposed to be. Time is required to open for inspection.”
“
I will leave it to you to uncover the source of the problem. In the meantime, I have a meeting in Kansas City to attend. Maybe you’ll discover the answers while I am there.”
“Is possible.”
Gunter grabbed his valise, retrieved a Walther PPK from his desk, and left the office.
A helicopter waited on a pad near the secure entrance. Gunter did not know why his attendance at the meeting was so vital, but the encoded missive he received an hour before ordered him there. Gunter always followed orders.
Marston Ranch
“Star is slowing us down a lot,” Joanna said under a cloud of frosty breath.
“Can’t be helped,” Doc replied in a low voice. He stomped the snowy ground and rubbed his hands together. “She’s too heavy to carry, and this terrain is too rough to rush her. Might end up with one of us getting hurt.”
“I agree that slow and steady is the way to go, but
I’m worried about Jake.”
“He seems quite capable of taking care of himself.”
“I’ve never met a more capable man in my life.”
“Did I detect more than professional respect?”
Joanna blushed. “I’m not sure what you mean….”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you, but you are an attractive couple. I naturally assumed it was more than a work relationship, but I shouldn’t stick my nose into your personal life.”
“No problem. In fact, I like being able to talk about it. Can’t tell the people I work with, for obvious reasons. Back to business, though, we need to get the girls to safety. Then one of us can go looking for Jake. How much further?”
“Over the crest of this hill and about three hundred yards.”
They paused for a short break ten minutes later. Joanna would have preferred to keep moving, but the girls were growing fatigued in the frigid conditions.
Doc went ahead to confirm the trail wasn’t covered in ice. Snow was approaching whiteout conditions, and the ravine would soon be impassable. He returned to find Joanna nowhere in sight. “Where did she go?”
Star gave him a sullen look and let her head droop without speaking.
Licia spoke up, “Said she was going back down the trail to look for Jake and would catch up.”
“Can’t say I like her leaving you two alone. Anyway, I went far enough to see the entry building.
There’s a strange SUV parked in front.”
“Neighbors with a new car?”
“Could be. But dropping by in this weather?”
“Might need help. What do you want to do?”
Doc stood in thought for a while. “There is a cave hidden up the hill with a tunnel leading down to a secret entrance into the house.”
“So, you want us to wait in the cave while you check things out?” Licia asked.
“You’ll be out of sight while I see what’s happening in the house.”
“You can also use us as bargaining chips if mercenaries are in the house.”
“You have a good sense of strategy, but no. I won’t give up two innocent young women. We’ll have to avoid the outdoor cameras, although the snow may block them. Hopefully, the bad guys, if there are any, won’t be able to see us.”
Licia walked over to where Star was huddled on a flat rock. “Come on, bestie, let’s get out of this weather before we freeze our butts off.”
“Can’t I just sit here and wait? I’m tired, and my ankle is killing me. You could come back for me.”
“No way. This is a one-trip deal, so get off your backside and move, now.”
“Okay, no need to get hostile….”
“You don’t seem to understand, Star. The weather is getting worse by the minute, and blizzards out here can settle in for days, or even weeks. We don’t want to get caught outside.”
“You’re right. My brain’s a little scrambled right now. My mom’s people usually take care of everything.”
“Well, they’re not here, and I’m doing my best to make sure nobody finds your frozen corpse in the spring stuck to a rock. Although, wolves would probably drag you back to their den.”
“Wolves?” Star looked around her at the deepening gray and white landscape.
“Yes, and wolves need food, too, even if it is a skinny rich kid.”
“On that note, let’s go.”
Licia took Star’s hand and helped her up. “Jake and Joanna have gotten me through some pretty rough things. Now it’s time for me to pay them back by protecting you.”
“Why aren’t they here, and why are we with Doc, instead?”
Licia paused before answering. “I’m sure they’re doing other things to protect us. They trust Doc, which means we should trust him, too.”
She took Star’s arm and took a few steps. “How does your ankle feel?”
“Hurts big time. I felt a pop, and you’re right, my butt was freezing to the rock.” Star offered a wan smile. “Besides, wolves wouldn’t want to eat a vegetarian anyway, would they?”
“Glad to see your sense of humor is coming back, even if it is a little weak. Let’s put one foot in front of the other like the old saying, ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.’”
Star chuckled. “I’m not going if it’s anywhere near a thousand miles.”
“Not even close, and your sense of humor is getting stronger.”
Doc stared down the trail. “What’s keeping
Joanna? Should we wait for her to catch up?” Both girls shrugged in reply.
“What if the bad guys come with her?” More shrugs.
“Okay, maybe it is best to get you out of sight in the cave. It could be the key to your survival.”
Wyoming Highway 487, South Of Marston Ranch
J.D. watched as the SUV stopped three car lengths away after striking his patrol car. He could make out silhouettes through tinted windows. The driver sat behind the wheel while two men in long black trench coats stepped out into the blustery wind. They withdrew automatic pistols from shoulder harnesses and held them at waist level.
“Hold it right there,” J.D. shouted. “Highway
Patrol, drop your weapons.”
The men exchanged smiles and directed fully automatic fire at him. Numerous rounds struck the patrol car and the pavement around it. J.D. felt the impact of a round as it blasted into his left shoulder.
He was shot in the leg three years before during an exchange of gunfire with two liquor store holdup men in Laramie. At least he wasn’t hit in the leg this time, although it would limit his ability to respond. The pain in his shoulder brought back memories of months of rehabilitation in a flash. He ducked down behind the patrol car and waited for them to reload.
J.D raised up during a lull in the fire and fired four rounds, two at each man. A firearms instructor at the academy stressed accuracy over volume, and the lesson stayed with him. Each man was twisted sideways by rounds striking them in the torso. One went down while replacing the magazine in his weapon and was still.
The other man reloaded with practiced efficiency and sent a spray of bullets toward the trooper. None found their mark as J.D ducked behind the patrol car. He peeked around the fender to see the assailant strolling toward him.
The assailant fired short bursts often enough to pin the trooper in place. J.D. was about to return fire when a motion in his peripheral vision drew his attention to the rear of the patrol unit.
The driver of the SUV stood behind J.D. pointing a weapon at him. He shrugged his shoulders as if to apologize, and fired three rounds in quick succession. One hit the trooper’s vest, while another blew apart his right knee.
The last thing J.D. saw was the barrel of the weapon a foot away, and a flash as a round entered his forehead above the left eye. He moaned and collapsed to the icy black asphalt.
The driver fired two more rounds into the fallen trooper’s head. He turned to his comrade who had joined him and asked in Russian, “Did Yuri make it?”
“Nyet.”
“Too bad, I
like the kid. Are you hit?”
“Da, but I wear old flak vest under coat. I say to
Yuri he should, but he says is uncomfortable.”
“Bet he wishes he did. Grab patrolman’s radio and handcuffs. They may serve us later.”
“What about weapon?”
“Nobody uses revolver anymore, not even big one. Hurry, we must leave before his comrades arrive. They will not be happy. Of this, I am sure.”
***
Chapter Nine
Surefire Uranium Mine, Shirley Basin, Wyoming
“Trucks are loaded, Bocc.”
“Good,” Gregori replied. “Tell men they must eat lunch and prepare to leave with short notice.”
Aleksandr turned back from the doorway. “Uh, Bocc, men ask where we are to go. Some say we return to California. Others say we travel east to Atlantic Ocean. What do I tell them?”
Gregori’s face flushed and he clenched his fists. “Say to them is not good to question man who pays them. I will tell them when I decide. Say to them do not gossip like old babushkas.”
“Yes, Bocc.” Aleksandr hesitated. “Do we wait for
Ivan to return with attack team?” “Nyet, they can catch up.” Aleksandr turned to leave.
“Stop, I have decided. We leave in thirty minutes.”
“Yes, Bocc.”
Gregori stepped outside and and placed a call on a satellite phone. “Are arrangements made?”
“Of course,” Jack Morgan replied. “Have I ever let you down?”
“No. Is why we still do business. Do you check overseas account?”
“I did, and was happy to see the deposit right where it should be. When do I get the rest?”
“Timing is not certain, but not to worry, tovarich. I have many sources for funds.”
“As long as the money is there within thirty days, we’re good to go. If not, there will be hell to pay.”
Yancy let loose a belly-laugh. “Or what, you give me up to DEA, FBI, or other alphabet agency in your corrupt government?”
The only sound was deep breathing on the other end. Yancy saw a green light, which indicated the satellite link had not been broken.