“I’m sorry.” Ali’s voice dropped. “What’s going on? Why the crazy story about my sister?”
Lynn gently grasped her shoulders and whispered, “I had to come up with something because I need you here. There are bigger fish to fry, and it’s a dangerous situation. Control yourself. You’re better than they are, but if you continue mouthing off, you’ll only dig a hole for them to bury you.”
“Dangerous? Bigger fish? What’s happening?”
“I can’t explain now but soon.” Lynn released her, picked up the badge and pressed it into Ali’s chest. “Put it on. We need to go back, file the classified weekly, and make sure your station is secured.”
“It is.”
“Humor me.” Lynn motioned Ali to go first. “And be careful of your words. They’re looking for any excuse to get rid of you.”
As they walked into the Operations Center, Lieutenant Hernandez’s subtle smirk spread into a full grin, and he kicked back in his chair. After a few minutes of gloating, he strolled over.
Lynn quickly said, “We’ve got one more report, then I’ll put her on admin leave.”
“I want my soldiers to be able to use her station when she is gone,” Hernandez said in an authoritative voice.
Ali stood, and Lynn stepped in between, with her back toward Hernandez, and mouthed the words, “Stay calm.”
Stepping around Lynn, Ali said, “I’m sorry, Lieutenant. As I’ve explained a thousand times, my NGA computer is not connected to your network and is not the property of the Army.”
Lynn breathed a sigh of relief that Ali had answered calmly. She turned towards Hernandez, but before she could chime in, Ali said, “Furthermore, it would be a violation of security for me to let you use this equipment since you are not part of my agency.”
Lynn gently grabbed Ali’s arm and pulled her back. “I’m afraid Ms. Clairmont is correct, Lieutenant. Now if you’ll excuse us, we need to finish this report.”
Ali sat and booted up the computer, but Hernandez didn’t budge. God, he was ticking Lynn off. She pulled up a chair next to Ali and watched the screen. Without acknowledging his continued presence, she said, “Lieutenant, we’re under a deadline and need to get this done without any distractions. We should be done within ten minutes.”
Hernandez backed down and walked away. Once he was out of earshot, Lynn pointed to the screen and quietly said, “We need an excuse to go to the other side of the base. You don’t happen to have one, do you?”
Ali continued to type and said, “Not a church night, Major?” The corners of her mouth slightly curled into a smile as she turned to Lynn. “By the way, what denomination is going to rescue me from homosexuality?”
“Please don’t be difficult.”
Ali attached the files, hit send, and switched to the unclassified computer. She whispered, “Fortunately for us, our excuse has finished downloading.” She stood and detached a hard drive from the unclassified system. In a voice loud enough to be heard, Ali said, “The weekly summary is out, and I’m sure the UAV unit on the other side of base would appreciate getting their data brick a day early. Can you drive me?”
“Let’s go.”
Mid-way through the trip, Lynn pulled over and shut off the vehicle. She rested her arm on the seat back. “I know you’re hurt and angry. I totally get that. Ali, I have no idea what the colonel put into the report he sent up the chain.” Lynn leaned closer. “I did defend Miller and Cramer’s spotless service records even though it was a hopeless situation.”
Ali sat with her arms crossed. When Lynn reached out and touched her shoulder, she didn’t flinch or brush Lynn aside.
“Ali, the work of the entire team has saved lives. You and Miller have made a difference. And while I don’t know Cramer, I’ve heard good things about her. Don’t forget that. Don’t let the bullies around here beat you down to their level.”
Ali faced her with moist eyes. “They were the only friends I had around here where I didn’t have to play good little girl and the pronoun game. I am too afraid to be myself around others.” Ali took out a tissue and blew her nose. “When are you going to tell me about the reason for the made-up story?”
“Soon.”
“I’m surprised those guys bought that ridiculous crap.” Ali laughed. “Especially about church, but I found it most entertaining.”
“I had to think of something.”
“Your reputation of not cursing—which is rare for a soldier—probably helped.”
After the hard drive was delivered, Lynn swung by the Special Forces camp. “Please come inside.”
Ali scrunched her eyes. “I don’t have the clearances.”
“You do now.”
Goosebumps formed on Ali’s skin when Lynn and Colonel Peterson led her into a soundproof room. This is anything but normal. What is Lynn involved in? Does this have something to do with Dan?
Following his instructions, she inserted her ID card into the reader and logged into the computer. An entirely different system popped up, prompting her to change her password. Wow. I’ve never seen an organization set up access that fast.
“Now please go to your email. You’ll find new security forms.”
The official paperwork was temporarily assigning her to a multi-agency operation where she would be reporting to NSA. She moved to the next email with a video attachment. This one was from Admiral David W. Kent, the director of NSA. Her breath hitched as she pressed the play button.
The admiral came on the screen. “Ms. Clairmont. You have been given an assignment of vital importance to our nation. Your leadership on the base will be Colonel Peterson and Major Stewart. They will provide you with the paperwork and all the details. I thank you for your dedication and service to the country.”
She read the security paperwork, and Peterson verbally stressed certain parts. After signing, she stared at the multiple agency and organization seals below the signature block. Curiosity and disbelief coursed through her body. Peterson casually strolled to a mini-fridge and brought them each a bottle of water.
“May I call you Ali?” He said.
“Yes.” Ali thought he was too calm for everything going down.
“Thanks to Dan’s, Cramer’s, and your work, we have Captain Dalton, and Major Ratcliffe under closer scrutiny. I hope you can tell us that someone else besides Sergeant Cramer was tracking their activity? She’s not much use since she’s moving.”
“No one else. Cramer gave me what she could, and I reported every incident that I witnessed.” Ali leaned on the table. She turned to Lynn. “Tell me, Major Stewart. What was in your report about the job at the combat outpost?”
Lynn slumped back. Ali almost regretted the words, but she was still upset. Dan wasn’t the only one holding back. Lynn was involved. Why didn’t she tell me? Was her affection an act all along?
Peterson said, “I’ll leave you two alone while I catch up with headquarters. You can tell her about Dan.”
After the door sealed, Ali snapped, “What about Dan? And what’s your role in all of this?”
Lynn sat motionless staring at the floor.
“You’ve brought me this far. Answer my questions.” The muscles of Ali’s stomach tightened. “Lynn?”
Slowly Lynn scooted the chair to her side and embraced her. Ali could feel the tension in her body. In her ear, Lynn whispered, “I’m sorry. Dan’s dead.”
Chapter 28
Peterson returned with Evans, and another soldier ushered Ali away.
“I can tell she cried, but she seems to be in control now. Do you think she’s stable?” Evans said.
“Sometimes you lack compassion.” Lynn took some deep breaths.
“All right folks. Let’s not bicker. We need to focus.”
Lynn stiffened at Colonel Peterson’s voice. “Yes, sir.”
Minutes later, the door opened, and Thomas Blair walked in. Her eyes went wide. A senior executive in a war zone spoke volumes for his rank, and the trust Admiral Kent had in him.
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“Mr. Blair, good to see you again.” Peterson reached out his hand with a broad smile.
Blair clapped him affectionately on the shoulder while shaking his hand. “How’s your father doing?”
A flash of sadness shone on Peterson’s face. “Thank you for asking, sir. He’s in the final stages. Doesn’t know anyone, but he’s being cared for. I want to thank you for the video of the ceremony honoring the work of the NPIC team. It was a joy for my family to see what role our father played in the Corona Program.”
“My pleasure.” Blair tipped his head toward them. “Major Stewart. Master Sergeant Evans. Let’s get to work.”
Blair’s face was now back to neutral and all business. She made a mental note to look up the terms NPIC and Corona.
Peterson said, “As ordered, Ms. Clairmont has been brought on board. We have her finishing paperwork now.”
Blair smile disappeared. Lynn had felt the room was hot and stuffy before, but now a surge of heat rushed through her body. Is something wrong?
Spinning the dials on his briefcase, Blair removed a double-wrapped package. “We’re running out of time. Admiral Kent informed me that the info passed to the Afghan military is making its way into Russian hands.” He tore open the package, and a pile of stapled packets came sliding at them down the table. They each grabbed one from the scattering onslaught. “These are the profiles of the Afghans who may be involved. Evans, cross-check the after-action reports on all trips with this list. I want to know anyone in the Brigade who had an opportunity to meet with these men,” his index finger shot up, “and three women. Cramer has been interviewed twice. Her info is helpful, but most of it was in previous reports. Major, work with Ms. Clairmont.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And one more important thing. My work here is also as a liaison with key Afghan officials who are assisting us. There is no need for Ms. Clairmont to know about my role in this operation. She is only to work with you three. Is that clear?”
They all mumbled their concurrence.
“Now, Major. We need to send Ms. Clairmont on a humanitarian trip. One that includes Captain Dalton.”
“Sir, that’s highly dangerous.” Lynn didn’t mean the words to sound as harsh as they did, especially to a superior. Surprisingly, Blair didn’t immediately respond. He wet his lips and took a deep breath. A wave of concern washed over his features that Lynn found unsettling and baffling.
“Are you questioning Admiral Kent’s judgment?”
“No, sir.”
“I’m aware of the risks, but there appears to be no other way.” He clenched his jaw and brushed his pant leg several times. “At the very least, we need to explore the opportunity. Ms. Clairmont is dedicated. I’m sure she will agree once a reasonable plan is laid out. The best place to start is with that list of bios. Show her. In the meantime, work with Peterson to come up with a simple plan that is as safe as possible while achieving the objective.”
“Yes, sir.”
“A security team of undercover guards has already been assembled. They will fly into the base as soon as Peterson gives the ready signal. You have two weeks to come up with a plan.” Blair was looking straight at her as if Peterson and Evans weren’t in the room.
“Why two weeks?” Lynn adjusted the collar of her uniform. That’s too fast for such a complex mission.
“We’re running out of time.” Blair’s mouth twitched a touch, and his lips pursed. “The Secretary of State visits Kabul in two weeks and is scheduled to fly onto Moscow. It’s more than politics that I’m worried about. A soldier suspected of being associated with Dalton committed suicide at Bagram.” He wet his lips. “The CIA took possession of his belongings, including a journal that had information and a picture of you. It’s only a matter of time before they come for the entire team.”
Lynn sat too stunned for words. For a few seconds, she only heard the sound of the fan from the air handling unit. Blair rested his elbow on the table and rubbed his forehead with his hand. “Believe me. I want no harm to come to anyone. This is the best chance we have. I don’t think Dalton suspects her. The security team is tops. We can’t force her to do it, but I know enough about Ali to know that she will want to help.”
He never calls anyone by their first name. And he called her Ali, not Alaina! What the frak. There’s something more in his eyes. What?
Blair stood and closed his briefcase. “I need to make a quick trip to Jalalabad. They appear to have someone there who is connected and talking. After that, I’ll be in Kabul for a couple of days. I want sound options when I return. Everyone in and out quickly and brought home safely. Notify me immediately if there are any urgent developments.”
Evans and Peterson followed him out the door. Focus. Lynn opened the computer, toggled the switch for the unclassified side, and googled Blair’s name. One official bio popped up but no other news-related articles. She scanned the page, and her eyes stopped at the words “The National Photographic Interpretation Center” followed by the acronym NPIC.
According to the article, Blair had worked there before joining the NSA. She surfed on the acronym NPIC and Corona. The CIA public website contained some interesting documents on the declassified satellite program Corona and the role of the photo interpreters who worked at NPIC. She almost choked on her water. NPIC was a CIA office that became part of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Her hand covered her gaping mouth. That’s Ali’s agency.
Hearing the whoosh of the door, Lynn closed the screen and jumped up. “Hey, Ali.”
Unfortunately, Evans was on her heels. “The guest,” his eyebrows quickly hitched, “has departed.”
“Lynn, I hope you have more interesting information to tell me about this mission because I spent the last hour reading boring papers.” Ali plopped in the opposite chair. “So, what’s going on, and who’s the guest? I want to catch whoever’s responsible for killing Dan.”
Lynn handed Ali the bios of the Afghans. “Do you recognize any of these faces or names? Maybe someone in the Brigade has spoken about them.”
Ali flipped through the pages. Her body stilled, then she jumped up and leaned across the table, holding out the paper and jabbing her finger at the photo. “I know her.”
“From where?” Lynn’s heart raced.
“Before you arrived, I visited a government school, not one connected with a mosque. The female teacher was the wife of the ruler of the local governing council. At least that’s what the interpreter said. We handed out candy and toys.”
Lynn grabbed the page. “Rafia Shirzai, a teacher and administrator, and her husband, Arman, government worker, assignment unlisted. Ali, do you remember the location of the school?”
“Baraki Barak,” Ali said without hesitation.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. It was a joint project with the Engineers in Logar Province.”
Evans smacked Lynn on the arm. “Baraki Barak is halfway to Kabul. Log in, Major. Call up the spreadsheet.”
Lynn switched to the classified side. “Dalton’s been there three times.” Her fingers flew across the keyboard. “The woman and her husband are also connected to a clinic in Ahmed Khel, and Dalton’s been there six times. What the frak? And Dalton and Ratcliffe are scheduled for another trip.”
“Perfecto. That’s our chance.” Evans clapped her on the back.
In a low voice, Lynn said, “No. It’s too dangerous. I won’t allow it.”
“We can’t miss our opportunity.” Evans scolded. “She can do it.”
“Do what, Lynn? Evans is dancing around like a teenager invited to the prom, and the look on your face went from serious to scared shitless in an instant.”
Evans didn’t waste time. “We must send you in covertly to monitor the situation. This could be our chance to get them both.”
“It’s in three days. Bl—” Lynn stopped herself, “won’t be back. Resources are spread thin. The security around the Engineers isn’t enough. Things can go bad in a
heartbeat if someone else is in on this.”
Evans interjected. “Yes, but—”
Ali jumped out of her seat. “Hey, guys! I’m in the room. Talk to me like an adult, please.” She crossed her arms. “What undercover mission? Who wants me to go?” With each syllable, Ali’s voice raised. “Look. Don’t keep me in the dark any longer. I’m pissed at you two enough. We have to catch Dan’s killer!”
“Quiet.” Lynn put up her hand.
Ali rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. “Is your mind gone? We’re in a soundproof room. Now, tell me what the fuck is going on, or I walk!”
Lynn couldn’t hold back the details any longer. “Headquarters says the Russians are getting reports. They want us to set up a sting op with you as the monitor.”
“Ah, you mean the bait.” Ali crossed her arms.
“Well, it’s a perfect opportunity to distract them.” Evans leered. “They will be busy ogling your sexy figure. You are rather appealing.”
“Evans!” Lynn’s voice shrieked. “Sit!”
“Yes. Like a good boy.” Ali snapped her fingers twice and pointed to the chair. “Both of you listen to me. Dalton and Ratcliffe are probably suspicious of you taking over JETT at the last minute. I’ve been dealing with these arrogant guys a lot longer, and they’re dismissive of me. Since Cramer was forced to leave, they probably think they can do what they want.”
Evans pointed his finger. “Precisely. We need to get the security team here to protect you and grab Dalton and Ratcliffe.”
“Okay, Evans.” Ali’s arms were crossed, and her mouth was in a deep scowl. “What extra security? CIA? Dish or I don’t go.”
He shrugged. “Trust me. They know their shit.”
“No!” Lynn smacked her hand on the table and rushed up to Ali, grabbing her by the shoulders. “It’s too soon to plan an op, and it’s too isolated on the Chamkani-Gardez Highway.”
“Don’t get soft just because it’s me. That pisses me off.” Ali pushed her hands away.
Lynn rubbed her eyes. “Ali, please. It’s sixty klicks from Gardez and only thirty minutes from the Pakistan border. Ambushes happen all the time. It’s way too dangerous for an untrained person. Let’s check the list for another date and location. There has to be another way.”
Beyond the Checkpoint Page 17