The helicopter would be flown from Alpha’s hangar unarmed to the yacht. Once on board, the helicopter would be armed and mission ready. Sara and Dirk were making sure the boat was loaded with supplies and fuel for an extended cruise. Once they knew Ali had boarded the cargo ship they would make their way into the Gulf of Mexico. Dirk had spoken with Pedro Cruz, who planted a man on board the ship with a GPS radio. Herb had two Alpha ex-SEALS standing by to attach timed explosives to the propellers. The ship would travel into the Gulf some two hundred miles before the propellers would be blown and the ship stopped. If all went according to plan, Ali would soon be in custody of Sara and Dirk.
While Herb, Sara and Dirk worked on their operation, Stryker, Sparks and Rachel loaded supplies, weapons and clothes for transport to Stryker’s plane. The plan was to get in place three or four days before Igor’s party arrived. Sparks arranged all the travel and aircraft needed to get in and out quickly and quietly to the camp. They might be back before the Ali operation began and be able to be there when he was captured. Rachel prayed the timing would allow her to see him finally headed to Israel.
47
Jacksonville, Florida
2016
Riley Clark and her partner Mike Kelly arrived at the Omni Hotel murder scene after catching a late night flight from Washington, DC. They were both tired and decided to stay at the Omni. After getting rooms, both changed into crime scene clothes and proceeded to visit with ATF and the bomb squad personnel. A list of wounded was given to them and their hospital locations. The dead had been removed to the North Florida medical examiner’s office. Several of the FBI Jacksonville field office agents offered to take Riley and Mike to the examiner’s office when they were ready.
There were numerous witness statements to go over along with the ATF and bomb tech reports. Clearly, the bomb was intended for Charles Short and timed for maximum collateral damage. All of the bomb evidence was sent to the FBI crime lab to establish any link to Ali. It would be several days before she and Mike would have answers. At least on the surface, Ali was a good possibility because the target was a syndicated columnist.
The media were caustic, wanting answers and getting in the way of the investigators. Every national news organization fought for stories, reminding Riley of a feeding frenzy of sharks. Obviously, stories about the presidential primaries were lost as the media caught all of the attention. Several fights had taken place and at least three reporters were taken to jail. The whole situation was out of control. Mike and Riley decided to go with the other agents to the medical examiner’s office just to get away from the melee.
The North Jacksonville medical examiner’s office was much quieter and Mike and Riley were able to make notes and find out information specifically about Charles Short. The examiner working on Short was a tall blond woman in her late thirties. Her name was Shirley White and she was very helpful.
“Shirley. Is it all right to call you Shirley?”
“Sure,” she said.
“Ok, great you can call us Riley and Mike. We are FBI representing a task force in Washington. We are interested in the bomb used against Mr. Short,” said Riley.
“We know you can’t answer our questions in total but at least some parts of the puzzle we think you might be of help,” said Mike.
“First, were you able to find parts of the bomb inside our victim and can we see them?” asked Mike.
“Yes and yes. Let me get the pieces we think are from the bomb, which are here in this tray. You can see the bomb appears to have been made up of nails wrapped around some type of explosive. The amount of charring suggests a highly concentrated explosive, probably military grade. I am getting ready to send these samples and pictures to your crime lab. My guess is C-4, based on my background. Before coming here, I was an explosive examiner pathologist for the Army. I have seen C-4 many times,” she said.
Riley and Mike thanked Shirley and drove back to the hotel with the Jacksonville agents. When they arrived, the media was still present in large numbers, but were being told to move away in order for the hotel to make repairs to its property. Riley and Mike went inside the lobby and relaxed, making phone calls and checking messages. Riley texted her Uncle Ryan with news that she believed the attack on Charles Short was probably the work of Ali but would not know for several days. Riley got a reply text back from her uncle asking her to call him as soon as possible.
Riley excused herself from Mike to go to the bathroom. On the way, she called Ryan.
“What’s up? You must be truly desperate to be calling me,” she said.
“Come on, my dear, you know when I really need help you’re my go-to girl,” he laughed. “I really need your help Friday night. I am hoping you will be back by Thursday,” said Ryan.
“Yeah, Mike and I are actually coming back tomorrow. Can you give me a hint what this is about?”
“DNA. When you return I’ll have details,” he said.
“Sounds exciting,” she replied.
“You have no idea,” commented her uncle.
Riley returned to Mike and they talked about the case and needing to return back to Washington. She agreed they could not do much here until the FBI crime lab report was issued.
She texted her uncle saying she would be back tomorrow and would be available to meet that evening. Having had a long night and day, both Riley and Mike went to their rooms agreeing to meet for breakfast then head to the airport.
48
Washington, DC
2016
Since the attempted assassination of Rachel Cohen, Stryker and team stayed close to Alpha or the aircraft hangar. Rachel never ventured out unless accompanied by Stryker or one of Alpha’s operators. They were taking no chances even though Dirk had eliminated the threat.
Stryker spoke with Rachel about pulling off an operation with Riley and asked if she might go to dinner with him to meet with Herb, Riley and her Uncle Ryan. He told her to dress up since they were returning to the St. Regis.
“Oh boy, do I get to stab you again?” she laughed.
“Yeah, try not to get carried away. If you are on your best behavior, we might stay the night in the hotel. I took the liberty to book us a room,” he laughed.
“Trying to take advantage of a poor defenseless Jewish girl again?” she pouted.
“I’m the one who should be worried, I could have died,” he replied.
“Ha, ha, what a baby,” she responded.
_____
Stryker and Rachel checked in early at the St. Regis and went to their room. They unpacked and Rachel began getting ready while Jake had a beer and watched breaking news. The major networks were reporting the United States Navy destroyed two Iranian gunboats in the Straits of Hormuz. Details at the time were unknown. He knocked on the bathroom door before entering. He found Rachel relaxing in the tub with her eyes closed.
“Hey Rach, I hate to bother you but the news is reporting the sinking of two Iranian gunboats in the Straits of Hormuz. Would you happen to know anything about this?”
She made that mischievous smile he had come to learn was her tell. She knew something and now the question would be could he make her tell him. He could beg, promise something or act hurt. He decided to beg and promise.
“Ok, please tell me and I’ll make it worth your time,” he said. “Take you to Tel Aviv?” he laughed. “Ok, Monte Carlo for a week. Do we have deal?”
“Look Jake, I was going to tell you for free but now you have got me excited about Monte Carlo, so hell yes we have a deal,” she laughed. “This has to stay between us. The only other persons that can know about what happened are Dirk and Sara,” said Rachel. “Dirk found out from the General that the Chief of Staff, Secretary of State, and the president were responsible for the hit on me. They used a contractor known by the General who is Iranian. Israeli intelligence now has him in custody. Dirk made the General write a confession, which we also have. Bottom line is, the president did not come up with the idea but certainly did not stop it
either. Dirk scared the crap out of them, playing on their fears of Kidon and the belief of the feud. Now, I’m not saying after they are out of office bad things won’t happen to them, but I think Dirk made them believers. The General has resigned and disappeared. His house was destroyed. The president was so panicked he called Daniel trying to blame the attempt on Iran. Daniel explained, how do you like to say, ‘that dog won’t hunt’, at which time Daniel gave him some advice. He told him it might soften the issue if during his last four months in office he would make a public acknowledgement of Israel’s right to attack Iran at a time and place of their choosing with the guaranteed backing of the United States. Also, he advised him to back out of the Iranian nuclear deal, which Iran has breached. Lastly, any provocation by Iran in the Straits of Hormuz would be met with force.”
“It looks like Dirk did one hell of a job. I told you he was a badass,” said Stryker.
“Yeah, that is why Daniel really wants to hire him,” she said. “When I’m made Director, Dirk will work for me, you’ll see. Sara will make it happen.”
“You don’t play nice,” Stryker said, closing the door.
Stryker got ready, dressed in a gray Armani suit with a blue tie that matched his eyes. He was just shutting off the TV when Rachel appeared wearing a gorgeous green cocktail dress, obviously very expensive given her unlimited Stryker budget she used exclusively at Chanel’s. She always looked striking and tonight certainly didn’t disappoint. She was 5’ 6” of explosive energy. He just hoped he could make it through the night.
They left the room and went down the elevator to the dining room. Upon arrival, they found Herb dressed as always wearing an Armani suit and wearing his favorite Lang I watch. Riley and Sparks had not yet arrived.
The three ordered drinks, Herb his Glenfiddich on the rocks and a red wine for Rachel. Stryker decided to try a Hillrock Solera bourbon ‘neat’. Several minutes later Ryan and Riley arrived. Sparks looked totally different dressed in a suit. Riley was a knockout wearing a black low-cut and backless dress from Chanel. Stryker forgot she had a substantial inheritance herself. I bet she and Rachel will become shopping buddies, he thought.
After greeting everyone, Riley immediately started talking to Rachel. It became obvious they would be friends. It also became clear that the operation to obtain DNA from Jason Branch would be no challenge, not even close for these two.
The waiter brought Riley a glass of red wine and Sparks joined Stryker with a glass of Hillrock Solera bourbon on the rocks.
Herb ordered a charcuterie appetizer plate as the menus were passed out. Herb asked the Maitre d’ to bring Cheval Blanc Bordeaux to be served with the meal.
They snacked on the appetizer plate while Stryker explained what Orson had found out about the former vice president and candidate for the presidency.
“It seems Orson has found evidence suggesting Jason Branch is a Russian imposter. We believe he took a young child’s name and has stolen his identity. The only way we can be sure is to obtain Branch’s DNA. We know he is regular at the Capitol Grill on Friday nights. He has two security men with him but not Secret Service. He won’t have Secret Service until he becomes the nominee. What we would like to do is have Rachel and Riley double team him. One of you drop a small pill in his glass while the other distracts him and his security. When he falls over call out for help and during the excitement attempt CPR and obtain a cheek swab or hair. That’s the idea for you ladies to work the out details. If we get a sample, Rachel, your people should probably run the test. We need to keep this super secret. Riley, with a wig and your looks I think you can cause most of the excitement. Nurse Rachel has experience in the rest,” he smiled.
“You’re going to need a nurse if you keep up those comments,” Rachel punched him.
It was decided Riley and Rachel would work out the details and pull off the deception on Friday night. They finished talking just as the waiter arrived to take dinner orders.
The men ordered the beef tenderloin with mushroom sauce and roasted asparagus. The ladies decided to try the boneless lamb loin with couscous and grilled vegetables. The waiter left with their orders and the Maitre d’ arrived with the Cheval Blanc Bordeaux. The wine was poured and a toast was made to Riley as a new member of the team. The evening went by quickly, everyone enjoying a great time. Riley departed with her Uncle Ryan, caught up in deep thought.
Riley was at a turning point in her life. Every day she saw Ann hanging in the garage, helpless. If only she could have gotten to her and saved her. The thought was driving her mad. She joined the FBI feeling they would find the killers, only to find a politicized agency that had lost the confidence of the American people. Even Mike Kelly had had enough and was retiring. The final straw for him was the failure of the task force to look into Ali. The Washington elite stuck to the ‘lone wolf’ narrative sent down from their leader in the White House. The investigation into Ann’s death was going nowhere. She had seen in Rachael Cohen a deep hurt and a burning resolve. She wanted to be part of her aura and power.
She would resign after Friday night and join with Rachel and the team. Then she would kill the Russians who at least were partially responsible for Ann’s death.
_____
“Let me up, you big ox,” squealed Rachel.
“I’m trying but your hair is tangled in my watch. If you didn’t jump around so much these things wouldn’t happen,” he said.
“I didn’t hear you complaining last night. Did I?”
“No, but that was last night, what have you done for me this morning,” he smirked.
“Ok, but make this fast,” as she pulled free from his watch and rolled on top of him.
“Rachel, let me remind you nothing happens fast with you.”
She laughed out loud because she knew what he said was true. When it came to Stryker she could never get enough.
49
Washington, DC
2016
Stryker drove into the area around The Capitol Grill several hours before Rachel and Riley planned their event. He parked six blocks away and set out on foot. The night was humid with rain clouds streaming across a full moon. The knowledge that Jason Branch was likely a Russian imposter bothered Jake. In his business, you made no assumptions, which is why he moved in the shadows looking for watchers. A man and woman passed him on their way to a drunken good time. He observed three hooded young men moving a block down from him on the other side of the street. He kept moving, keeping them in sight. They reeked of trouble and when Jake was into the next block, sure enough they were there waiting. The leader moved toward Jake with a small chrome handgun held at an angle. The typical gang tats were on his forearm along with the attitude.
“Whatcha got for me dude?” he said.
Stryker kept quiet, letting him come closer as his friends spread out on their leader’s sides. When the loud mouth got within three feet, Stryker moved, taking the gun and bending down the shooter’s wrist, breaking his trigger finger. The move was a blur as the shooter screamed and fell to the ground. His pals backed away as Stryker now had the gun. Stryker kicked the shooter in the ribs, hearing several crack then walked away.
At the next culvert, Stryker tossed the gun and continued moving toward the Grill. He doubled back on his trail and sat at a bus bench for a while, seeing nothing. The shooting at the Tavern on The Green had him spooked. He continued to move, stopping and scanning. Within two blocks from the Grill, he saw them. Two men on both sides of the street appearing to wait near a bus bench. They stood out, their size and shape giving them away. Both dressed in suits, which bulged due to their massive thighs and chests. These were Russians, Stryker was sure and not just security guards. These men were here for the imposter should his regular security need help. Stryker put them away in his memory and moved out of sight past them and into the Grill.
Jake met Sparks, who sat at a table near the rear but with a good view of the dining room. Just in case Branch were to see him, he wore glasses and dresse
d in a business suit. He looked nothing like his military pictures. He and Sparks visited over beer and snacks waiting for Branch to arrive, which he did shortly. As was the custom, Branch sat at his regular table with his security several tables away. Tonight, Branch had a lady friend with him, which was a surprise. Sparks managed a picture of her and uploaded it to Orson who quickly replied the woman was his campaign manager Janet Simms. Janet was well known in Democratic political circles, having helped President Lee Bancock win two terms.
“What do you think Jake, will this mess up our plan? asked Sparks.
“I doubt it, have you ever seen Rachel work? Plus, I think Riley is a younger clone of her. Did you see how Riley took to her? I think we watch and enjoy,” said Stryker.
Jake watched Branch while he told Sparks about the Russian watchers.
“When we decide to depart for Canada we need to do so one person at a time. The same goes for our operation in the Gulf. I’m thinking of moving our airplanes to different airports just prior to leaving. We can deal with this later,” he told Sparks.
“Party time, Riley the hooker and Rachel the nurse have arrived,” said Sparks.
Stryker looked at the front door and could not believe Riley. Rachel, the little minx, must have dressed her. All eyes were on her, even Uncle Ryan gasped.
“Oh my,” said Ryan as Riley moved to the bar.
Stryker watched Branch as he stared while still talking to Janet. He was toast and had no idea what was happening to him.
Janet Simms was meeting someone else and moved to another table where she met either her husband or boyfriend for dinner. After she was gone, Branch gave a note to his waiter to deliver to the beautiful dark haired lady at the bar.
Riley did not respond immediately but waited several minutes and then went to Branch’s table. He held the chair for her and she thanked him for paying her tab. He asked her name and she told him Dianne. He asked where she worked and she told him she was an attorney from Dallas in town for a conference. She confessed she already knew of him in his former position as vice president. They talked while ordering a new round of drinks. Jason Branch was consumed by her and she knew the moment was right. She indicated she needed to go to the ladies’ room and would be right back. She took her small purse with her and left the table.
Deadly Resonse (The Jake Stryker Series Book 1) Page 16