Capture Tomorrow

by Ann Heathman

  Arianna reached for her phone, but Kathryn put her hand on it and stopped her. “Let it go Arianna, and finish your breakfast. You’ve been checking for emails every five minutes. It’s like you’re obsessed.”

  She moved her hand away and sat back in the chair. “I am obsessed. This whole thing is making me crazy. I can’t stand the thought of Zach being with another woman.” She got up and clunked her plate into the sink.

  “I wish I could say or do something that would make it all better, but I don’t know what that would be. Are you sure you don’t want to call him?”

  “He won’t answer when he’s gone.” Arianna stared out the window. “I used to think it was because he was in an intense situation where he didn’t have the opportunity to answer. Now, I see that doesn’t seem to be the case. By the looks of those pictures, it’s obvious he has time to fool around but no time to answer my calls. Besides, if I called him, it would make me look desperate. If he has hooked up with someone, I don’t want to lower myself by calling him and letting him know how much he’s hurt me.”

  “Well, I know it looks bad, but I’m an optimist. I choose to believe there’s a good explanation for all of this. The young man I met last month would never do that to you.”

  “Hmm! I’d like to think you’re right, but there’s so much about his life that’s a mystery, I really don’t know what to believe anymore.” Arianna continued to stare off into space, lost in thought.

  “Well, we’ve been down this path before with another cheating boyfriend. You can’t sit around and dwell on this.”

  “I agree, so here’s what I’m thinking. Kevin’s injuries have healed, and Harold, my boss, is back working part time. He emailed me the other day and said he wanted to talk about a new job opportunity. I’ll call him back and set something up.”

  “Oh? I thought you and Kevin were thinking about doing a story about the children crossing the border from Mexico. Is that off the table now?”

  “Not sure. I have to hear about the new job opportunity Harold mentioned before I can make any decision about my future.”

  “I hope it’s not something to do with the Taliban again. That’s too dangerous.” Kathryn filled the dishwasher and added some soap. “But I like your thinking. The best cure for depression is to get moving.”

  Arianna rinsed out her coffee cup and put it in the dishwasher. “Do you still have the key to Aunt Susan’s cottage?”

  “What? Yes, but…”

  “Good. Go pack your bag for the week. We’re going to the lake.”

  “Now?” Kathryn stood there with a puzzled look on her face.

  “Memorial Day is next weekend. Let’s go to the lake cottage for the holiday. It will give me time to get myself organized before I go back to work. Besides, I’d like to drop out of sight for a few days.”

  “Drop out of sight? You sound like you’re trying to hide.”

  “Kind of. Probably. I’ll explain on the way.”

  She didn’t want to go into it now, but she was sure Zach’s guard dogs would be looking for her and figured she’d come to her mother’s house. Maybe, just maybe, if they moved fast enough, she could slip out of town before anyone showed up. The next time she talked to Zach, she wanted it to be at a time and place of her choosing.

  Kathryn quickly packed a bag and joined Arianna in the kitchen.

  Arianna looked up from checking her messages. “That was fast. Are you all set?”

  “I’m as ready as I can be. Never packed so fast in my life. I can only imagine what I’m forgetting.”

  “That’s why they have Walmarts everywhere. I’m sure anything you forgot can be purchased when we arrive.”

  Kathryn flipped open her address book, copied an address down, and handed it to her daughter. “Here is the address to the cottage.”

  They walked into the garage and put their suitcases in the trunk. Arianna got into the driver’s seat and keyed the address into the GPS. “Okay, let’s do this.” She opened the garage door and started to back out, then suddenly stopped.

  “What’s wrong?” Kathryn asked. “Did you forget something?”

  “My phone.” She pulled her cellphone out of her purse and exited the car. “I just remembered. Zach can track my every move with this phone.” She opened a trash can and dropped the phone inside along with the crumpled up address for the cottage.

  “Tired of being watched and tracked wherever I go,” she said when she returned to the car. “Time for him to wonder where I am and what I’m doing for a change instead of me being the only one sitting around fretting over his whereabouts. Let him fret and stew about where I am and see how he likes it.”

  Kathryn grimaced. “I understand your point, but for some reason, I think this is a mistake.”

  Arianna shook her head, pulled out, and headed for the cottage, never noticing the blue Highlander following several car lengths behind her.

  LIBYA’S MILITIAS grew out of the rebel brigades who battled Gadhafi’s military. After his fall and death, the government used these militias more and more to keep the peace. But these armed groups, some of which included Islamic militants, acted on their own, carrying out kidnappings, torture, and targeted killings. Libya currently resembled the wild, wild West. It was hard to tell the good guys from the bad. This was the environment Zach and Tony found themselves in once again.

  “I was hoping to never come back here again,” Tony said as he and Zach sat anxiously waiting for one last transmission to come in.

  “Copy that,” Zach said. “Sometimes I think the big paycheck isn’t worth the danger we put ourselves in.”

  Their mission was to get Noreen safely out of the country and shut this operation down. It was important that America’s allies not discover they’d been fed false information as the result of operation Red Herring, orchestrated by the CIA.

  “Lot of pressure from the State to not mess this up.” Tony kept watch out the window.

  Zach stood and stretched. “Lot of pressure to get out of here safely. Got some real bad operators over here.”

  “That’s it,” Noreen said, laying down her headphones just after midnight. “That’s the last transmission. We can leave whenever you’re ready.”

  “We’re ready,” Zach said looking at his watch. “Cutting it kind of close on time, so let’s move out.”

  “The white Toyota Corolla.” Tony pointed to the last car in the row in the parking lot. “It’s been in and out all day, so I know it’s functional. That’s going to be our ride out of here.”

  Zach nodded. “Okay, then go on down and jack the car. We’ll meet you around the corner and down a couple blocks south of the apartment. I’ll watch to make sure no one intercepts you in the middle of hot wiring the car.”

  “Roger that.” Tony gave a quick two finger salute and left the apartment.

  “Noreen, program the transmitter to blow via this cell phone.” He tossed a phone to her. “When that’s done, gather some trash and put it in that trash can over there… any and all paper you can find. On our way out, we’ll set it on fire and pull the fire alarm.”

  Noreen paused and gave him a quizzical look. “Fire? Why a fire when the whole top of this building is coming off?”

  “Our mission requires us to blow this transmitter, but there are lots of people in the building… women and children. The fire will get them out and also provide a diversion for our escape. As soon as the building clears, we’ll blow it.”

  She nodded and smiled at Zach. “That’s nice. A counter-terrorist with a heart. I like that.” Noreen rigged the transmitter to blow and stuffed the trash can full of paper. “All set. Ready when you are.”

  Zach looked down and saw Tony pulling the Corolla out of the parking lot. He checked his weapon once more and put it back inside his tunic. He patted his chest and felt the grenades, ammo, and another weapon hidden beneath his baggy shirt, all things he hoped he wouldn’t need to use. “Do you have a weapon?” he asked Noreen.

  She pulled
a revolver from under the folds of her dress. “I’m a good shot, too. I can hold my own if need be.”

  Zach moved toward the door. “Good to know. Stay close to me, and keep moving no matter what happens.”

  He opened the door and checked the hallway. No one in sight. He picked up the trash can, and they exited the apartment. At the end of the hall, he opened the door of a small supply closet, put the can down, and threw a match into the trash. Sparks ignited cleaning chemicals setting nearby causing an immediate inferno. Out in the hall, he hit the fire alarm, then took Noreen by the arm and rushed down the staircase as the fire spread quickly, filling the building with smoke.

  People began streaming out of their apartments in a panic. Zach and Noreen kept their heads down and tried to blend in. The scene was sheer pandemonium. The two skirted past the crowd and headed around the corner and down the street to the waiting Toyota. Noreen climbed into the backseat, and Zach pressed a button on his cell phone, detonating the bomb attached to the transmitter. The whole top of the building blew off.

  “Jesus Christ,” Tony said as the sky lit up from the explosion. “Someone had loaded that sucker with some heavy duty explosives.”

  Zach slid into the passenger seat and hit Tony on the back. “Let’s move while everyone’s attention is diverted. We’ve got a plane to catch.”

  He looked at a map on his phone with the exit route plotted out. Part of the city was modernized and easy to navigate, but other sections of the city were war-torn and in shambles. Navigating the maze of poorly marked streets made reaching their destination difficult. Traveling by foot would take too long and be more dangerous, so they needed this vehicle to get them all the way to their rendezvous point.

  Tony kept his speed low so as not to attract attention. Ambulances and fire trucks passed them going in the opposite direction, lights flashing and sirens wailing. From the side mirror, Zach could see flames shooting high in the air, even though they were now several blocks from the apartment.

  It was now zero one forty-five, and they were due to rendezvous with the Osprey at zero two hundred hours. The bird wouldn’t wait, so it was essential they be on time. If need be, they would ditch the car and hump the rest of the way on foot, but they were still too far out. In the meantime, the clock was ticking.

  “Shit!” Tony said when they turned the corner. A militia checkpoint loomed ahead.

  “It’s too risky to approach them. Turn here,” Zach snapped.

  They turned down another street and thought they’d found an alternate route, when they encountered another group of armed Libyans, congregating a few blocks away.

  “Okay, slow down, Tony, and pull into this side street. Guys, we’re not going to make it to the rendezvous point on time. Plan B. I have directions to a safe house. We need to ditch this car and make our way to this location.”

  His phone lost the signal and the map went dead. “Shit!” He snatched a paper map out of his pocket and opened it up. “Here. We need to make our way to this location. We’ll lay low there and figure out an alternate escape plan.”

  Tony maneuvered the car into a parking spot along the street, and everyone exited the vehicle.

  “According to this map,” Zach said, “we’re only about ten blocks away. Follow me and try to look natural. Nice and easy, guys. Don’t do anything to attract attention to yourself.”

  They made their way through the dimly lit streets until they came upon the address of the safe house. According to the briefing they’d received before deploying, they were supposed to ask whoever answered the door if they knew where to buy some red herring.

  Zach motioned for Tony to be ready. With his hand on his own revolver hidden under his tunic, he knocked on the door and waited.

  After several knocks, a man slipped the door open a crack and looked warily at the three people standing in front of him.

  “Good evening,” Zach said in Arabic. “Do you know where we can buy some red herring?”

  The man opened the door wide, his eyes darting nervously up and down the street.

  “Yes. Come in quickly.” He shut the door after everyone entered and signaled for them to follow him on into the dwelling. “I am Ahmed, and I’ve been expecting you.”

  “You’ve been expecting us?” Zach asked, surveilling his surroundings. “How is that?

  Ahmed rubbed his beard. “I’m afraid it’s been on the news. An explosion at an apartment building and two people seen leaving the area… a man and a woman getting into a white car. I believe militias are looking for you.”

  ”Zach looked around the room. “Are you alone?”

  “Yes, it is just me,” he replied.

  “We missed our connection out of here. We need your help in finding another escape route out of the country.”

  “It may take a few days. This country is very unsettled. We have roving bands of militia everywhere. Some are friendly to the government. Some are Islamic extremist, but I will find a way to get you out of here.”

  Tony shot Zach a look of dismay. They didn’t need this complication.

  “You are safe here for now.” Ahmed beckoned them to be seated. “We have plenty to eat and drink. Cots for sleeping, but no internet or cell service.”

  Zach grimaced. “Nothing? Not even a nearby café with Wi-Fi?”

  “Ah, yes, if you want to risk it, but ah…”

  “No, that’s okay. We’ll sit tight for now.”

  “Very well then. I am leaving to make some arrangements. I will see you in the morning.”

  When Ahmed left, Zach turned to Tony and said, “It might be worth the risk to go to the café. It all depends on what arrangements Ahmed can make.”

  Tony walked to a window and looked out. “I gotta say. This situation’s got my nerves on edge. Not liking this feeling of being out of control of my own destiny.”

  “Roger that. I have my own concerns, so everyone stay frosty.”

  Harold. So good to hear from you.” Arianna sat talking on her newly purchased cell phone as she sunbathed on the deck of her Aunt Susan’s cottage. “I’m surprised you’re back to work already. Really glad, but surprised.”

  “Well, it takes more than a few bullet holes to keep an old fart like me down. I’m taking it slow, but I’m here. Now, say, have I got a deal for you. I got a call from a good friend who’s working at CBS. Word has it they’re looking for a new foreign correspondent, and your name’s at the top of the list. How ‘bout that?”

  “Uh… yeah. How ‘bout that. I don’t know what to say. That’s great I guess. What assignments would I be covering?’

  “Don’t know for sure. All they said was they liked your documentary and wanted to hire someone with real life experience. Plus they think you speak well, and you’re easy on the eyes, too. If you’re interested, I’ll set up a meeting with this network executive, and you guys can talk specifics. Whaddya say?”

  Arianna got off the lounge chair and started pacing back and forth. “Oh, my gosh. Well, this is all so sudden. What about Kevin? I like working with Kevin. Will they make a spot for him, too? He’s the only videographer I’ll work with.”

  “All part of the negotiation, kiddo. You can ask. If they say no, then you’ll have to decide if you want to go it alone.”

  “Right, good point. What about you? Don’t you have some assignments for us?”

  “I hate to say this, but I think I need to pare back what I’m doing. These injuries took more out of me than I care to admit. I’m going to do some local stuff but can’t handle anything big anymore. Afraid those days are gone.”

  “Oh, sorry to hear that. That’s a shame.”

  “Nah! The wife’s been wanting me to slow down for a long time. Getting hurt like this kind of made the decision for me. No, I think this job at CBS is a real good deal for you and Kevin. You should go for it unless that boyfriend of yours has got you all tied up and doesn’t want you to work.”

  “No, uh, no… I think he’d be okay with the new job.”


  “You don’t sound so sure. Everything all right?”

  Arianna swallowed hard. “It’s complicated, but uh, yeah. I think I’d like to pursue this job. Go ahead and see if you can arrange an interview for some time the middle of next week. I’ll fly to Jersey, and we can sit down and talk.”

  “Done! I’ll call you when I have the details.”

  “Who was that?” Kathryn asked, joining Arianna on the deck to watch the sun set over the lake.

  “That was Harold Major. He said CBS wants to hire me as a foreign correspondent. They liked my segment on Sixty Minutes and are impressed I have real world experience in the Middle East. They’ll even consider letting Kevin work with me.”

  “Wow! That is exciting, but I wonder—.”

  “Stop. Don’t even say it, Mom. I know what you were going to say. You wonder what Zach will think. Well, I can tell you it doesn’t matter what he thinks. This is my decision.”

  Kathryn threw her hands up in resignation. “Okay. Okay. I won’t say it. You’re right. It’s your decision. Don’t know what I was thinking. Here, pour yourself another drink, and let’s toast your good news.”

  “Potential good news. Haven’t officially been asked yet. Haven’t totally decided I’ll take the job, but cheers. It does sound promising.”

  AT THE sound of a door opening, Zach, Tony and Noreen plastered themselves back against a wall, out of sight, guns drawn.

  “Good morning, everyone. It’s me, Ahmed.”

  “Are you alone?” Zach asked even as he signaled Tony to go back down the hallway and check the entrance for any additional people.

  “I am. Relax. I am your friend. No need for alarm.”

  Zach lowered his weapon and waved Ahmed on into the room. “What news do you have for us?”

  Ahmed laid a package containing some bread, cheese, and fruit on the table. “Here is breakfast. Eat, and I will fill you in.”