Deadly Resonse (The Jake Stryker Series Book 1)

by Warren Conrad

  Food arrived and Rachel and Katie talked about shopping in Zurich. Both women had become friends during the trip. Stryker was pleased that at least some things had been pleasant. After the events at the farm and the prospects of Ali somewhere planning an attack, Stryker suddenly lost his appetite.

  We need intelligence and need it fast, he thought.

  After dinner, Stryker and Rachel went home, both tired from their previous travels and activities. They secured the car and made sure the house was safe then settled in for the evening, both contemplating the coming week.

  “Do you still want me to go to Minneapolis and watch the mosque? My team is there already,” she said.

  “Let’s sleep on it and decide what to do tomorrow,” he responded.

  _____

  “What time is it? All I see is your hair,” said Stryker.

  “Ok, ok, I’m moving and the clock says 10:00 a.m. Boy, was I tired. I need to check in with my team. I hope you have coffee made,” stated Rachel.

  “I’m headed to the kitchen now,” he replied.

  Rachel came down from upstairs arriving in time to see a steaming cup of coffee already waiting for her. Stryker was on the phone with Sparks asking about the analyst and computer geek, which Alpha needed to hire.

  “Has Sparks found Alpha a computer geek?” asked Rachel.

  “He says his niece Riley might be interested since she has become disillusioned with the FBI. She says morale is low and they are burdened by politics. I plan to discuss her with Herb but she has a law degree and I doubt fits what we need,” said Stryker.

  “Can you ask Daniel if he has a geek for us? I mean a computer geek not, you know, a regular geek,” he laughed, spilling his coffee.

  “That’s the first time I’ve heard you laugh in a long time. It’s good. We will find Ali and turn the corner on this thing, I promise,” said Rachel.

  “I believe you, but we sure need a break,” he replied.

  “We might be able to shake things loose by attacking the various players. We know Igor lied to us about his involvement with Petloki. I think we could start with those two and see what happens. Petloki is not married but did have a girlfriend while in Davos. We could leverage her against Igor which I promise will get results,” she suggested. “How do you like my plan so far?” she asked.

  “I like it. But who deals with Petloki?”

  “I was thinking Sara and me but we will need Herb’s support and resources. The job should be easy since he does not appear to be security conscious.”

  “And Igor?” asked Stryker.

  “Let’s see what we get from Petloki then decide on Igor,” replied Rachel.

  “Let me run all this by Herb and Sparks and if they approve, we go forward.”

  “Do you need to clear any of this with Daniel?”

  “I plan to visit with him and bring him up-to-date but no approval is required,” she said.

  “Good deal, have Sara call Sparks.”

  “Or better yet, let’s get dressed and go meet with Herb, Sparks, Morgan and Sara if possible.”

  “I think Sara is at our embassy,” replied Rachel.

  “Tell her we will pick her up.”

  Stryker called Herb and Sparks while Rachel spoke with Sara. They agreed to meet in the planning room at Alpha Security.

  “I hear things went well in Arkansas. I assume the threat is eliminated?” stated Herb.

  “We don’t know if the threat is eliminated and are waiting for more information from our people. The facial recognition did not pan out so we wait on prints. In any event, Stryker is safe for the moment,” said Sparks.

  “Let’s talk about Ali. I understand the FBI has squat. They are overworked and understaffed and we are the only active pursuers at this time. Of course, that will change when something bad happens so what are we doing to find him?” asked Herb.

  “Nothing so far, but Rachel has a partial plan.”

  “First, I think what Herb said is true. No one else currently is looking for him. This may be good, in a sense; we won’t be running over other agencies, at least in the beginning. After Davos, I think Ali may have funding from several aligned sources. Personally, I would like Sara to help me learn more about Petloki, while profiles are made on Alex Antras and Prince Assiri. I can have Mossad work up Assiri, and maybe Ryan can have his people do the same on Antras. We can reach out to our MI6 friends as well. My boss, Daniel, still believes the Russians, Vadim Propov and his son Igor are behind the bombing that killed his granddaughter. Boiling it down, I think working Petloki, Antras and Assiri and a wild shot at the mosque is our best bet,” said Rachel.

  “I guess you and Sara plan to do the basics on Petloki… .patterns, places, friends, weaknesses, and office? The whole works?” asked Stryker.

  “Yes, we want to be able to exploit and leverage him every way possible. We should be able to finish in several weeks,” commented Sara.

  “You and Sara and everyone on your team will be covered as employees of Alpha. Should you run into problems, say nothing, but call me or Sparks. Alpha presently operates six projects for different agencies of the Federal Government and Sparks is familiar with each one. The only off the books operation with the CIA is this one. Alpha regularly hires foreign nationals for projects so being employed solves a number of potential issues,” said Herb.

  “You should plan to work out of here and take all the equipment you need. I will have our operations group work with you. Also, Alpha has found a man named Orson Shea through Daniel. Orson and two others are forming our technical group, which will maintain various special needs. All three have advanced degrees from MIT. I won’t go into detail, but they will be able to help you in many ways,” grinned Herb.

  “So Daniel found a geek,” laughed Rachel and Sara.

  “No ladies, he found three geeks. Daniel is outstanding,” smiled Herb.

  21

  Wisconsin

  2016

  The drive from his home in Stoughton to his daughter’s house north of River Road was a slow process. The winter had been the worst in decades and roads cleared one day would be closed the next. Tom Nichols understood winters in Wisconsin, having lived there his entire life with the exception of time spent in the military.

  After the Army and a successful law career Tom entered the world of politics, becoming one of the youngest governors in the State’s history. Now at age fifty-eight his name had been mentioned as a potential vice presidential running mate for the leading Democratic Presidential contender, Senator Leyland Hodges.

  With the Democratic and Republican parties in disarray, men like Tom Nichols brought with them a sense of calm to a divided country on the verge of breakup along racial and ideological lines. He made the perfect running mate to help secure 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. for another four years. The problem was his wife hated politics and wanted him to stay as a political news analyst for the International News Association. They had plenty of money and Tom had more clout and recognition than he would being vice president.

  Tom drove along slowly with very few cars on the road. He had plenty of time and not in a hurry his thoughts bouncing around about the death of his friend Paul Jackson. He was never aware of the car following him, its headlights obscured by the falling sleet and snow.

  Two men rode in an older Ford SUV with four-wheel drive and a front mounted winch. The older of the two spoke over a cell phone, indicating their distance to the Fish Hatchery.

  The man in the tree line sat on a small hill three hundred yards away. His Dragunov rifle was positioned over a fallen log and pointed toward the road. The PSO-1 scope provided a clear field of view even in low light.

  Minutes passed slowly, then he saw the headlights, faint through the snow but growing closer. Tom Nichols was speaking to his daughter on his cell phone when it happened. The blast he never heard nor the sounds of his car leaving the road and flipping upside down in the ditch. Tom Nichols left this world his head blown apart with his hand still clutching
the phone.

  The man in the woods went to the road, got into the Ford, and called on his cell phone.

  “It is finished. We are proceeding as agreed.”

  _____

  “911, what is your emergency?” asked the dispatcher.

  “I was speaking with my father on his cell and I think he may have had an accident on River Road close to the Fish Hatchery. He was driving and the phone went dead,” said the woman.

  “We will send a unit to check it out, give me your name so the officers can call you. Also what is your father’s name and type of vehicle?”

  The police found Tom’s car, which quickly became a crime scene. The daughter was contacted and officers sent to her address. Due to the nature of the crime and status of the victim, the FBI was notified and agents sent to the scene. Local news media outlets were kept at a distance.

  _____

  “Jake, call me on your secure line,” said Sparks.

  “What’s up, something bad?” asked Stryker.

  “Riley called and gave me the heads up on a murder they are investigating outside Madison, Wisconsin. The victim is a former governor and proposed vice president on the ticket with Leyland Hodges. Looks like he was shot in his car while driving to visit his daughter. The police recovered a Dragunov rifle in the woods. Riley thinks the killing may be linked to the murder of reporter Paul Jackson since Nichols was to meet Jackson in the restaurant the night he was murdered in Washington. It gets worse. When the FBI made notification to Nichol’s wife in Stoughton they found her beaten to death along with her six-month old puppy.”

  “You thinking Ali?”

  “Don’t know. Doesn’t fit his program, which is explosives. We don’t know for sure if he is even in the country,” replied Sparks.

  “Yeah, maybe he wants it that way. Lead us away from him. We need a break badly.”

  “That’s all I’ve got. Will call you if Riley gets more,” Sparks clicked off.

  Russians, Petloki, Ali, what the hell, he thought.

  22

  Washington, DC

  2016

  Rachel and Sara were working on Petloki. The Israeli team was set up watching the mosque in Minneapolis and Stryker was waiting on calls from Herb and Sparks. He had just turned on the TV when his secure phone rang.

  “Jake, you watching the news?” asked Herb.

  “Just turning it on, which channel?”

  “Go to channel four, they are just starting the Nichol’s murder breaking news segment. Someone leaked information about the tie between the murders of reporter Paul Jackson and Tom Nichols. Since then our phones have blown up with calls. Panic has overtaken Capitol Hill, everyone wanting security.”

  “What can we do to help the situation, take on more clients?” asked Stryker.

  “Maybe a few more but we are basically at full capacity. The Secret Service is stretched thin covering political candidates. They will limit manpower per assignment and spread their resources but that still won’t be enough,” said Herb. “Is Sparks still with you?”

  “No, he and Morgan flew out last night back to Arizona. Morgan was meeting with contacts for information about the Arkansas farm attack. The fingerprints were a dead end, and we still don’t have any details except we think Pedro Cruz hired the killers,” replied Stryker.

  “How difficult would it be to pay Cruz a visit at his compound in Monterrey? I mean could it be done with three of us or does he have an army protecting him?” asked Stryker.

  “I don’t know, but I imagine Morgan can find out,” said Herb.

  “Ok, I’ll speak with him and let you know what he says. We either hit Cruz, Igor or Petloki for answers. It’s the only way unless we catch a break,” said Stryker.

  “I agree. We are at a split in the road. Let me know what you want to do after speaking with them. On the other matter, I think we can assign some of our other assets for protection details until the crisis blows over. Also, before I let you go, Rachel and Sara had Orson obtain a small burst transmitter to place in Petloki’s car,” said Herb.

  “Thanks, that is golden. We should now get information,” said Stryker.

  Stryker clicked off his phone and called Sparks in Sedona.

  “Hey Ryan, is Dirk with you?”

  “He’s here, what do you need?”

  “I talked to Herb about making a call on Pedro Cruz in Monterrey and he suggested you and Dirk might come up with something. I think Pedro can be persuaded to help us or we scorch the earth with his business. It might be worth the effort to go see him,” said Stryker.

  “I’ll get with Dirk and get back to you. He has significant contacts in Mexico so there might be a way,” replied Sparks.

  _____

  Pedro Luis Cruz paced the floor nervously as he waited for Petloki to answer the phone. “My men and the assassin have not reported in and I think something bad has happened to them. If Stryker is still alive, we cannot make our shipments next month. You need to confirm what has happened,” shouted Cruz.

  “Calm down, Pedro.”

  “No pendejo, we need answers and I want a new fee split,” said Cruz.

  Ok, man calm down, I’ll get back to you,” replied Petloki.

  Petloki immediately dialed Branch’s personal number and left a message that they needed to discuss business. He then drove back to the office to make arrangements.

  Blocks away, Rachel and Sara listened ready to report to Stryker. She then called Stryker.

  “Jake, I think we might have caught a break, call me,” said Rachel.

  “Hey, sorry I missed your call. I’m here with Herb and putting you on the speaker.”

  “Well, it looks like Petloki has a problem with Pedro Cruz. We only heard one side of the conversation but it was tense. Petloki called Branch to set up a meeting to discuss the call. They may be planning to meet Cruz,” said Rachel.

  “Rachel, this is Herb. Petloki Capital owns a Lear that is kept at Dulles. You and Sara might want to snoop around and find out where it’s located. Orson can help you with tail numbers and details so give him a call.”

  “Will do and thanks. I will call you and Jake later after we finish for the day.”

  _____

  “Looks like decision time. I see three options, none of which are without risks,” said Herb.

  “Go ahead and give me the good and bad,” replied Stryker.

  “We grab and turn Petloki on Branch or grab and turn Cruz on Petloki. Either of these options require bringing in the FBI which we will have to do at some point anyway.”

  “And the third option?” asked Stryker.

  “We make them disappear,” said Herb.

  “Let’s say we grab Cruz and give him a pass to help us with Petloki and Igor. Next, we bring in the FBI and help them with their case,” responded Stryker.

  “Sounds good so far but what about Ali, and the others?”

  “We share with the FBI until Ali is found or leaves the country. Igor and Vadim are ours and the Israelis. Alex Antras is completely ours unless something changes,” said Stryker.

  “And Branch?” asked Herb.

  “Hot potato! We will have to decide later,” said Stryker.

  “I vote we start with Cruz in two weeks and see how it goes. I will find Morgan and Sparks,” said Stryker.

  “We can meet here at Alpha and plan this thing out,” said Herb.

  “Works for me, I’ll get everyone ready to meet,” said Stryker.

  23

  Washington, DC

  2016

  The group assembled on short notice given the raid on Pedro Cruz was immediate. Sparks had contacted his cousin at the DEA for details of Pedro Cruz’s compound. The cousin provided much needed information for Orson and his tech team. The compound came up on the screen as everyone took in the marked property and arrows.

  Orson pulled up the satellite imagery of the compound and explained what everyone was seeing.

  “As you can tell, the compound is walled and gated in the
front. The back is walled, but is mostly protected by the steep terrain. Inside the walls, there are three dwellings and two storage buildings. The guards use the building on the left and Pedro lives in the main house. The third dwelling is for guests. My group has hacked Pedro’s computer and the remote gate access. We can shut down his communications with jamming devices and disable his access to the internet,” said Orson.

  “Any questions so far?” asked Herb.

  “Do we have a proposed raid plan?” asked Morgan.

  Herb pulled out a map and gave it to Orson with copies of a mission brief to hand out.

  “Orson has given each of you a map showing the compound location from the coastal area of La Playa Carboneras. Sparks has assets to provide equipment and transport getting you two clicks from the gate. Once at the compound, Orson will blind them until you are finished. We will exfil back the same route,” said Herb.

  “Stryker will take Morgan and three Alpha operators, all former Navy SEALS to attack from the front. I will be responsible for getting the team to the compound and out. Sparks, Rachel and Sara will stand by offshore near Carboneras in the event something goes wrong and we have to exfil everyone by helicopter. Sparks has arranged for an offshore boat with an Agusta 109 helicopter on board. Alpha Security personnel will man the boat. Sparks, Rachel and Sara will leave five days early in order to be in position. When we receive confirmation the equipment is in place the raid will begin with the boat moving into position,” said Herb.

  “We fly our private jet to Monterrey, then go in by tour helicopter thirty miles from Carboneras. The helicopter tour service is owned by one of Spark’s assets. The same service will return us to Monterrey for our flight out. Our equipment will be hidden off the road and picked up on our way to the compound,” said Stryker.

  There was a long pause, and then more comments as everyone took in the information.

  “I understand the plan seems risky but we are lucky to have assets in the area to assist us. The risk is not knowing exactly how many men will be at the compound. Based on Orson’s tech abilities we are planning to walk in the front gate after he disables their systems and cameras. We have CI information that we can expect between fifteen to twenty guards, some on the road and the rest at the compound. If we get inside quietly, and lock the guards in their building, there should only be eight to ten men left to deal with,” said Stryker.