◆◆◆
Mills hoped to slip out unseen. She knew this might be her only opportunity to pay her respects to James and Elizabeth, JR’s parents. Mills knew she was being watched by the Cabal. She had not risked going to the cemetery before.
But things are different now, Mills thought.
It took a minute into her drive to realize she had a shadow. JR Lewis was following her. Mills considered losing him and making her way to Rose Hill alone.
No, she thought, it will be easier this way. Besides, if the Cabal tries something now. Mills let that thought die.
Course of action decided, Mills made for Rose Hill without a diversion, with only the one tail, JR. She drove South on Indiana 45, seeing JR try to keep a distance that was not an obvious tail. He’s failing miserably, she thought.
Of course, his Jeep Gladiator was not the most discrete vehicle on the road.
Her intended destination took her past Squire’s.
And Mother Bear’s, where this current mess started. No, that was at JR’s, Mills thought.
It was continued at the pizzeria. It also got Katie abducted. These thoughts further darkened Zoe’s mood
JR was following close enough that Mills could make out his look of confusion in her rearview mirror as she passed the turn for Squire’s. He backed off as Mills made her way West on East Third.
When she reached her turn, South Waldron Street, Mills hit her right turn signal early. She wanted JR to know she was turning.
She was slightly disappointed when JR drove passed West Fourth Street. Must be going around the block, Mills thought.
It gave Mills a few moments alone at the gravesite of her friends. Her thoughts, which were a jumbled mess, needed the time in which to organize them into a coherent mess.
Hopefully.
Time’s up, thought Mills. She heard JR approach, when he was close enough, and without turning to face him, she said, “you didn’t have to drive around the block.”
THIRTY
"What made you come here?" JR asked. Zoe heard the confusion in his voice.
Good question, she thought. A glance to the tombstone to the left of the Lewis's shared marker gave Mills the idea where to take the conversation. The one she needed to have with JR, anyway.
The grave was marked as belonging to her.
Or rather, Daphne Meyers, who she used to be.
Without turning, Zoe asked, "what do you know about the last story your father worked on before he retired?"
"It was never published, and it's the reason he retired. But really, it's why he was retired. Leaving wasn't his choice." JR stood on Zoe's left side now.
Mills turned to face JR. She had to play this carefully. But, Zoe also knew the truth was the path to take.
The epitaph on Meyers grave marker read, 'loyal friend.' "And his editor just happened to have the next plot?" Zoe may have given away too much there.
Mills chanced a look at JR's face. He had an inscrutable expression that was clouded with cautious suspicion. "My dad and Daphne were close. She didn't have anyone else. She disappeared the day my dad retired. But, what I want to know is, how did you know that?"
Mills needed to know exactly how much JR knew about his father's work, regardless of what happened next. She also needed for JR to believe her. Mills had an idea.
"JR, your father, Jimmy, was on to something big. He was close to the truth. That's why he was retired. The nondisclosure agreement he signed also meant he couldn't take the story anywhere else. And it's also why that grave for Daphne Meyers is empty."
Brow furrowed, JR's stare hardened. He said, "only two people ever called my dad, Jimmy. My mom and Daphne. Who are you?" Zoe could hear anger creeping into JR's voice.
"Zoe, you seem to know my dad and Daphne. Or, at least, what or how it happened. Tell me."
She knew his request was not a question. It was a demand. And if anyone has the right to know, that person was JR Lewis.
Mills realized this would spiral out of control as JR did not remain calm. She reached for his hand. He flinched, but did not pull away. "I'll tell you everything. I have one condition, I need to know this first, though, JR, so you know what your father was investigating?"
The look on his face was resigned when he said, "he told me the story dealt with some big tech companies. I found his notes and the draft story. They are hidden better. Now, tell me how you know about this."
Moment of truth, Zoe thought. "I can tell you what happened to Daphne." It's happening to Katie right now, she thought. "When I found out about Jimmy, though, I swore to protect you. The people behind all this have a long reach and friends in government." I'm messing this up, she thought.
JR looked her in the eye, and said, "I told you, only two people ever called my dad that. It was not anger Zoe heard this time. It was a directness, she knew then, that was her path too.
"And I told you, there's no one in that grave with Daphne's name on it. You didn't deny it." JR was about to counter, but Zoe said, "think about it, JR. What type of big tech companies were included in the story? How could I know what happened to Daphne? Why would I call your father Jimmy?"
Zoe emphasized each question, giving JR time to consider, but not answer. It will be better if he connects the dots himself, she thought. Zoe paused longer this time. JR needed a chance to process the questions. And what she was implying with them.
The silence was uncomfortable, but Zoe could see the look on JR's face.
Confused.
He sounded uncertain as he asked, "is your name even Zoe Mills?"
Zoe could feel the start of a small smile on her face. "It hasn't always been that. That started shortly after your father showed Daphne Meyers a certain unpublished story. Let's just say that Daphne's disappearance and my existence are connected." She gave JR another dot to connect with that. Zoe hoped he could see the links for himself.
Zoe glanced at JR. She could see the confusion, but there was a shrewdness as well. "Based on what you just said, you are insane, working for someone that possibly arranged my father's death, or we've met before."
She didn't like where this could go, but let JR continue. He was saying as much for himself as he was for her. "I don't think you're insane. You said you're sworn to protect me. That leaves out option two."
JR paused for a moment, looking at the gravestone for Daphne Meyers. He said, "the last option seems equally impossible. You're a good five inches taller and twenty years younger than Daphne."
JR paused again. Zoe took the chance to answer his last statement. "Six inches taller. It hurt like Hell growing that much in five months."
"There are other differences, too. Your hair. Daphne's was brown. And your eyes. But you know things only Daphne would know. How?"
"Genetic manipulation. A DNA test would show me as related to Daphne. Closely related, a sister with one different parent, or a daughter," said Mills.
"That's how you know the grave is empty." He wasn't looking at Zoe now. JR was looking at Daphne's grave marker. "Isn't it dangerous, Daphne, telling me this?"
"Yes. And JR, I'm Zoe Mills now. The Cabal took my old life. Just like it took you father's. Daphne Meyers is dead."
"Why tell me, though?"
"You deserve the truth, especially after you called me your girlfriend." Zoe hoped JR would still want this relationship. "I told you the day we met we had to get to know each other. I didn't think I'd ever have to tell you this. But then, Katie disappeared." Zoe stopped, unsure how to continue.
"What does Katie have to do with this?"
"I know what happened to her and where she is. I've been tasked to get her out."
"This group you mentioned, the Cabal, are they involved?"
"Probably, but it may be the CIA. Though it might even be both."
"And just why would some secret organization kidnap Katie?"
"Our run-in at Mother Bear's. There were two operatives watching us. Well, me."
Zoe had more to say, but JR stopp
ed her. "Why does it have to be you?"
"It won't be me alone. Three others are helping." Zoe changed the direction of the conversation by asking, "JR, what do you know about dissociative identities?"
"Used to be called multiple personality, why?"
"When you dated Katie, was there ever a time she seemed different?"
"Are you saying?" asked JR, the question dying.
"Yes. And part of the procedure involves mental conditioning that is affecting Katie negatively."
"Wait. Someone is putting Katie through the same thing you went through? To what end?" asked JR.
"To create an assassin."
"Any chance you know who the target is?"
"Best guess, us," said Zoe.
"That settles it. Count me in."
"No. JR, it's dangerous."
"And how will you protect me otherwise? Besides, I like the idea of having a girlfriend who could kick my ass."
JR's declaration shocked Zoe. "What about the fact I'm old enough to be your mother?"
"You said that you're Zoe now, and Daphne is gone." JR emphasized this by looking at the grave marker again. He closed the distance between them, leaning down to kiss Zoe on the lips.
When they broke apart she said, "now I have to figure out how to get us across country without being seen."
JR smirked. "I think I can help with that."
THIRTY-ONE
Agent Hector Ramirez knew a bogus assignment when he saw one. He also knew when things were being withheld.
These lessons were not taught at Quantico. Ramirez spent eight years in the army as an MP, military police. He had been smart about his tours, taking as many college courses as possible.
When he left the army, Ramirez had needed one year of classes to obtain his degree. After that, he applied for his dream job, the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Now, he was investigating the disappearance of Robert Fritz. Three days into the investigation and he had no leads. Ramirez could find no trace of Fritz other than he had told his assistant he was stepping out of the office. Forensics had returned nothing on his computer. Fritz left his cell phone behind. The man had not used his credit cards in the last three days.
Ramirez was left with two possibilities. Fritz was off-grid, running scared. Or the man had been abducted shortly after walking out of his office.
There was a third option Ramirez entertained. A cover-up.
In his search, Ramirez turned up no flight information. Fritz’s car had been left in the parking garage. There was no trace of the man on camera surveillance for a block radius. Therefore Ramirez had the idea for a cover-up.
Every camera in the cordon had lost footage for an hour after Fritz’s last known sighting. Ramirez found this troubling. Rolling power outages or brownouts had become common in California. There were no power outages on that day.
Ramirez checked.
He expanded the search zone. Camera coverage became sparse, but Ramirez persisted. He thought he may have found something.
Ramirez saw footage of a man matching Fritz’s description walking south from his office. It was a grainy, partial image taken off an ATM. A black Ford Transit van partially blocked the view.
Ramirez watched Fritz walk past the front of the van. But the van filled the back half of the image. Footage from further along the suspected path showed no other sightings.
Convinced Fritz ended up in the van, Ramirez approached Agent Christopher with an update. “All I can find is him starting to pass this van.”
The footage had been loaded onto a tablet, which Ramirez showed Christopher. “There are no other sightings after this. But here’s what I don’t get. There is nothing from any camera for an hour after Fritz’s disappearance within a block of his office. This is almost two blocks away, and a good forty minutes after he left. He had at least one stop in between.”
“Excellent work. Anything on the van?”
“No, and can’t find it anywhere else. Not even a partial plate. I’m going to re-canvas some businesses closest to Fritz’s office. See if anyone might remember more.”
Ramirez could tell Christopher was holding something back, but chose not to broach the subject. “Keep me in the loop if you get anything,” she said.
◆◆◆
Charlie Smith worked hard to ensure the FBI would get at least one image of Fritz before he vanished. In the end, Fritz would be found and the cover-up the CIA attempted was too thorough, Smith thought.
Better to leave some crumbs.
Once Fritz was at the Ranch, Smith would place an anonymous call to the tip hotline setup for Robert Fritz’s disappearance. The Transit van had never left San Jose. It was left at a storage facility across town. They transferred Fritz out of that to the trunk of a Chevy Malibu. The Transit van was wiped clean, except for Fritz’s prints.
When Fritz was exposed, two extraction plans had existed. An easy one where Fritz flew to Las Vegas and met up with Thompson, his supposed girlfriend. Instead of getting on a plane with him, Thompson would bring Fritz to the Ranch.
The second was put together after learning Fritz’s CIA background. It was more complicated.
Multiple assets were required. The plus side was while Thompson’s legend was most likely burned, she would have an easier time disappearing into a new one. And helping Zoe, thought Smith.
Extracting Katie Sikora had not been a consideration. She was someone who did not get home from work. A missing person. A civilian non-entity in the fight against the Cabal. Then the reason for her disappearance became clear.
As did her underlying mental condition. Dr. Stein felt responsible, thought Smith. Charlie knew this because he felt it too. Something he had a hand in was harming another person. Charlie risked hacking the mental conditioning the Cabal forced on Katie. It was a crude copy of what Zoe had gone through. Charlie was appalled at the depravity employed.
He was able to craft a message aimed at Katie. It was simply, help is coming. Smith could risk no more, though. A push too hard into the conditioning regimen risked discovery.
Stein needed to speak to Katie before a treatment option could fix the damage. Charlie hoped they were not too late.
◆◆◆
The cleaning team Monitor sent to expunge Fritz’s computer systems before the FBI forensics team could analyze them did not know what to do. They could find nothing wrong with the data. Yet, something was amiss. All the hallmarks of a hack were present, except for the trail back to the hacker.
The cleaners were impressed.
The work was almost perfect.
By design, it was perfect. Charlie Smith designed this hack to be untraceable. It was also crafted to embed itself into the cleaner’s portable devices. Once connected to the servers in Langley, Smith could pull all relevant data to the Minerva Program, which had created the Cabal through the Patriot Act and dark funding.
This hack would connect every dot that James Lewis had sought. It would show the depths of complicity of the United States government had in this criminal enterprise.
But the cleaning team did not know this. They isolated the malicious code in Fritz’s systems, intent on studying it to trace its origin. The genius behind Smith’s code, it was designed to find mention of the Minerva Program, and it could transmit via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Simply put, it infected all the electronic devices the cleaning team possessed. It would remain passive but looking for its target. When references to the Minerva Program were found, it would copy, compress, and then send it via data burst to a secure, encrypted server.
While the clean team was to sanitize the systems in Fritz’s office, it was also to ensure the FBI could find traces of Fritz outside the building.
That was their second point of contention with this assignment. Here, they found an active entity deleting camera footage for the area. They thought they scored a win with the ATM that showed Fritz entering a black Ford Transit van. They did not know this too was part of Charlie Smith’s p
lan to leave a bread crumb for the FBI.
◆◆◆
Agent Ramirez worked his way back from the last place Robert Fritz was seen. The area was mixed retail and offices. Commercial surroundings would make it harder to trace a single person, but Ramirez would do his best. The training from both the army and later at Quantico would help guide him.
He knew how long it should take a person to walk two blocks. Ramirez also knew Fritz had to stop along his path because the time elapsed was three times as long. None of the businesses had seen Robert Fritz. At least, none of the people Ramirez interviewed could remember.
Just one option left, Ramirez thought. The Verizon store at street level in Fritz’s office building. Ramirez entered the store, making like a customer interested in a phone. He surveyed the time it would take for a person to purchase and activate a burner phone. Ramirez knew Fritz left his phone on his desk. Most people could not function without a cell phone.
When a Verizon sales associate approached Ramirez, he identified himself and stated he had some questions pertaining to a missing person. The associate was helpful in remembering setting up a phone for a man who matched Fritz’s description.
“You helped Robert Fritz?” asked Ramirez.
The young associate looked confused, and said, “I don’t think that was his name.”
“Could you look up the name this man gave?” Ramirez gestured to the photo of Fritz.
“I think I’d have to talk to my manager for that.”
Several minutes and a polite conversation later, Agent Hector Ramirez had a phone number.
And a name.
Roger Green.
He called in to have a trace placed on the number and a check for calls made and received.
THIRTY-TWO
When Zoe and JR returned home, they received an unexpected visitor in the form of Britney Timmons. And while Zoe was expecting Britney, she was not aware of the legend her friend would be using. As a precaution, Zoe introduced JR to Britney using only her first name.
Project Aurora (Hope Novak Thrillers) Page 9