Covert Crossings

by Frank Lazorishak

  * * *

  In five minutes, my G iPhone rings. James again. “This is going to be easy. Are you ready?”

  “Let me put you on speaker so I have both hands free.”

  “Okay. First power down the flip phone.”

  “How do I do that?”

  “Hold down the red button above the 3 until the display says ‘Turning Off.’”

  “Done.”

  “Now close the phone and set it on your desk with the back facing you and the hinge up.”

  “Done.”

  “Now insert a very small screw driver or knife point into the slot opposite the hinge, and pop off the back.”

  “Give me a minute... Done.”

  “Remove the battery. It should lift right out.”

  “It did.”

  “You can now see the SIM card. There is a small hole just above it. Insert the tip of the paper clip in the hole, push gently, and use your fingernail to slide the SIM card down and out.”

  “Wait... It’s out.”

  “And your flip phone is now officially ‘destroyed.’ Well done.”

  “Great. Now what?”

  “I’m going to give you back to Emma. ‘Now what’ is her department. Nice working with you. Stay safe.”

  I wonder how much James knows. “Hi again, Captain. You did the hard part.”

  “And the easy part?”

  “In a few minutes, a UPS driver will drop off a padded envelope.”

  “Really?”

  “Really. Inside will be a smaller padded envelope. Wrap the phone pieces in tissue or something like that, and put them in the smaller envelope. Another driver will come by in an hour and pick it up. And you’re done. And thank you for your help. We’ll update Mike on this. Give Kate a big hug, and take care. You guys are coping great.”

  “Easy for you to say.”

  “Yes, I guess it is. We appreciate what you’re doing. More than you know.”

  * * *

  I go hug Kate.

  And we wait.

  CHAPTER 48

  And we wait.

  * * *

  Tuesday night, we’re downstairs watching TV. I’ve got my phones lined up beside me: regular real-world Verizon iPhone, my good guys G iPhone, and my bad guys B iPhone. I’ve even set up different ringtones. I’ve always used Apple’s “By the Seaside” for my regular iPhone ringtone. Except for Kate’s number; she has her own special ringtone: Apple’s “Twinkle.” I’ve added “Motorcycle” for the good guys G iPhone, and “Old Phone” for the bad guys B iPhone. Don’t ask me why…

  We’re re-watching Victoria, a BBC series. Halfway through, I hear the “Old Phone” ring. It’s the B iPhone. I’ve waited for this. I’ve dreaded this. “Hello?”

  “Hello Captain, I trust that you are well.”

  “Just tell me the plan.”

  “We’ve worked together for quite a while. There is no need to be short.”

  “The plan.”

  “Very well. We need to move a large number of people next weekend. You will have to enlist a second boat.”

  “But that’s absurd. I can’t get another boat. I can’t drive two boats. You guys are delusional. You…”

  “Calm down, Captain.”

  “I won’t calm down. I won’t…”

  “Stop talking, and look at the photos on this new iPhone. We’ve added some new photos for your enjoyment.”

  “What do…”

  “Look! I’ll call you back.” He hangs up.

  This stops me. I go to the main screen and hit the camera icon. I hit the film reel icon. I see a picture of Mike. I scroll: Mike’s wife, Lauri.

  I scroll again. There are kids: Mike’s daughter Veronica; Mike’s sons, Mick and Justin; Darlene’s kids Sandy and Todd; Devin’s children Else and Rod; my dead son Gabe’s daughters, Ellie and Katy. My grandchildren. All nine of them. They’ve upped the stakes.

  I take several deep breaths. I won’t tell Kate about this.

  They have upped the stakes. But they have upped my resolve. I will put an end to this. I will beat them. I will see them in jail. Or in hell.

  * * *

  The B iPhone rings again. “I get the message.”

  “Good. Let’s start over.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “We have decided that your dock mate, Barron’s, Azimut, is perfectly suited to accompany you on your next trip.”

  “You’ve decided?”

  “Yes. Bella Fortuna is big enough to hold our passengers, and well matched to your boat in speed. We believe that Barron will cooperate with us.”

  “And just how do you get him to cooperate?”

  “We don’t; you do. You will telephone him tomorrow and tell him that you must meet with him immediately.”

  “And if he can’t? Or won’t?”

  “Convince him. When you meet, tell him everything. Tell him about us. Tell him about our crossings. Tell him that he is going to join you on a trip to Leamington and back on Labor Day weekend. I’m not certain yet where your US destination will be, but that is not important at this time.”

  “And if he balks? If he refuses?”

  “Show him the pictures on this phone. Tell him that the threat is real. Very real. He has no choice. We will start sending pictures of his children and grandchildren. And of Katya’s.”

  The line goes dead. I go silent.

  CHAPTER 49

  It’s after ten p.m. our time, but early evening in Denver. If Mike is “at home,” he’ll be at home. I use my G iPhone to call. Mike answers on the second ring. “Hi, Mike.”

  “Hey, Dad. What’s up?”

  “A lot. This whole thing has gotten a lot crazier. It has escalated way out of hand. I don’t know what to do. I…”

  “Easy, Dad.” I think he can hear the near panic in my voice. “You can handle this. You’ve dealt with these crazies before. On their home turf. Yeah, it was a long time ago, but they’re the same now as they were then. You dealt with it then – and in my opinion, you’re stronger now.”

  “But now they want me to involve others. They…”

  “Take a deep breath and start at the beginning. I assume that Saif called.”

  “Yes. He…”

  “Sorry to interrupt, Dad. I want to record this so I don’t miss anything later. Are you okay with that?”

  “Yes. I am.”

  A slight pause. “Okay. Go.”

  “Saif said that they need to move a large number of people next weekend. He wants me to enlist the help of a friend and his boat.”

  “This is escalating. Any friend? Any boat?”

  “No, he was very specific. He wants Bella Fortuna, the boat on the other side of my finger dock. It’s a new Azimut, owned by Barron Collins, a long-time friend.”

  “Tell me about Barron.”

  “He’s in Commercial Real Estate. Very successfully, I think. Lives in Canton. Like me, he is a long-time sailor, recently turned power boater. Kate and I have known him and his wife, Katya, for probably fifteen years.”

  “Any military background?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “What did Saif tell you to do? Concerning Barron, I mean.”

  “He said to meet with him as soon as possible; to tell him everything; about them; about the two crossings we’ve done; about them threatening my kids and grandkids. I’m to tell him that he is to take Bella Fortuna to Leamington on Friday.”

  “Will he do it?”

  “I think so. I hope so. I don’t know. Should I ask him?”

  “I think you have to. I’ll contact Frank and get back to you.”

  “I hate to say this, but I’m almost hoping that they contact Barron directly.”

  “That would convince him.”

  “Why would they do this?”

  “It doesn’t fit the pattern. Frank may have some insight. How late can I call you back, Dad?”

  “Call anytime. I won’t be able to sleep until I hear from you.”

  *
* *

  We’re downstairs watching a Last Man Standing rerun for the twelfth time. Actually, I’m watching – sort of. Kate is sleeping in her chair. It’s been just at an hour since I talked to Mike.

  I have all of my iPhones lined up beside me. That, in itself, is weird. Sitting here like this is weird. This whole thing is weird.

  The “Motorcycle” ringtone snaps me out of my semitrance. I pick up my G iPhone. “It says “Marshal.” “Hi Mike.”

  The “Motorcycle” has stirred Kate, but I think she going back to sleep. I move out to the patio above the beach.

  “Hey Dad. I’ve got Frank Simmons on the line with me.”

  “Hello. Captain. Mike has filled me in on his earlier conversation with you.”

  “Why is this happening? What is going on?”

  “First of all, this does not fit their normal pattern. Normally, they are well prepared before they make contact with a victim. They know his background; they know his family; they have phone and email monitoring in place. They have photographed loved ones. They prepare for their first contact carefully. Then they move.”

  “Now they want me to do their work for them.”

  “So, it seems. They have gotten sloppy. First of all, selecting you was a very bad choice -- because of Mike and his background, and because of your background.”

  “So, it seems…”

  “We believe that Saif is being pushed to move lots of people to the U.S. quickly. We do not believe that there is an eminent threat. Don’t misinterpret that. They are a threat. Just not an eminent one.”

  He pauses to let that sink in. “We think that those in charge have realized that boating and tourism go way down after Labor Day. We think that they know this is their last chance to move people with relative anonymity.”

  “That makes sense. Sort of.”

  “To me, too, Dad.”

  “To continue, we think that Barron is a target of opportunity. They are going to move a bunch of people this weekend, and he’s it. They don’t have time to set him up, so they’re forcing you to do it.”

  “So, what do I do?”

  “In a word, well, in two words – do it.”

  “Do it?”

  “Yes. Call Barron, and set up a one-on-one meeting ASAP. Use your regular phone. Chances are they’re monitoring it.”

  “They can do that?”

  “Easily. Tell Barron everything. About the terrorists; about what has happened so far; about their threats to you and yours; about them demanding that he, and Bella Fortuna, join the ferry fleet.”

  “Should I tell him about you?”

  “Not over an unsecure phone. When you meet, tell him about us. Tell him that we are watching and preparing to move. Tell him that he will receive a secure cell phone from us within hours of your meeting. I will call him and explain our plans for the apprehension of the bad guys and the protection of the good guys.”

  “I guess I can do that.”

  “You need to do it now. Tonight. They will be waiting for you to do it. They will know if you don’t”

  “Dad, I’ll do whatever I can, but Frank is right. If we want to end this, we have to take this next step.”

  I’ve got to wake Kate. But not yet. “I’ll call Barron.”

  “Bye, Captain.”

  “Bye, Dad.”

  “Should I call you back?”

  “We’ll be listening.”

  “Of course…”

  CHAPTER 50

  It’s late, but a call from me this late will help make Barron understand how urgent this is. His number is in my iPhone Contacts. I take a deep breath. I hit his Home number. It rings. Once. Twice. Maybe he’s sleeping. Three times. Maybe he’s out. Four times. He answers – a little sleepily. “Hello?”

  “Hello, Barron. It’s Peter. From VYC. I’m sorry to call you so late. But it’s important.”

  “What’s wrong Peter?”

  “Something is very wrong. You’ve known that, I think.”

  “I have. You and Kate have not been yourselves for weeks. What’s going on?”

  “I can’t discuss it over the phone, but I’m in trouble. We’re in trouble. Serious trouble. You and I need to meet. Like tomorrow.”

  “Peter, you’re scaring me. What is wrong? What is going on?”

  “I can’t discuss it over the phone. I think my phone it tapped. And maybe yours, too.”

  “Now you’re really scaring me.”

  “I’m sorry. I think I need to. Scare you, that is. Can you meet me tomorrow? During the day. I’ll meet you halfway.”

  “If it’s that urgent…”

  “It is. Please?”

  “Okay. How about we meet for lunch at P. J. Marley’s in Medina? At noon.”

  “That works, Barron. Thank you.”

  “Should I bring Katya?”

  “No. Not tomorrow. Just you and me.”

  * * *

  I sit on the patio and watch the lights from the boats going by on the lake. Lake Erie. Our beautiful Lake Erie.

  I have always loved the water. Probably because my dad had boats forever, and I grew up on the water.

  I have lived on the water for many years. Lake Erie, and the Florida Keys.

  I lived in Europe for half a dozen years. And the Middle East, too, but I’d rather forget that part of my life.

  Of all the places I lived in Europe, and there were many, Venice was my favorite. There’s a place on the Grand Canal at Piazza San Marco called al Todaro. I used to love to sit there with my morning Espresso, and watch the boats going by. From gondolas to cruise ships.

  Now I sit here on my patio and watch the boats going by on Lake Erie. And I think of terrorists. And Saif. And Qasim. And the others. Will those thoughts ever go away? Will I ever just enjoy the water again?

  * * *

  I go inside and gently wake Kate. She’s a little logy. It’s a little late for her. Actually, anything after nine is a little late for her. Kate’s a morning person, not a night person. I’m just the opposite.

  “Cutie, do you want to know about my talks with Frank and with Barron?”

  “Just the major points, Cap’n. I won’t remember details.”

  “Frank said talk to Barron. I did. I’m meeting Barron in Medina at noon tomorrow. That’s it. Go back to sleep, Cutie. I love you.”

  “Love you, too, Cap’n.”

  And I switch from the re-rerun of Last Man Standing to a re-rerun of Twilight Zone. It’ll be a while before I can sleep.

  CHAPTER 51

  Wednesday morning. I’m showered and shaved. What do you wear when inviting a friend to join you in becoming a terrorist? No. That’s not fair. I’m not asking him to become a terrorist. I’m just asking us to become a ferry boat driver for terrorists.

  It’s not snowing yet, so my usual shorts and a tee shirt will do. No. P. J. Marley’s is a little upscale. Change the tee shirt to a sport shirt.

  As I’m changing shirts, I hear the “Motorcycle” ringtone. I scurry to find the phone and answer. It’s Mike. “Hey, Dad.”

  “Hi Mike. I’m getting dressed to go see Barron. What’s up?”

  “Two things. One, I just wanted to wish you well. What you’re about to do is tough.”

  “Okay. Thanks. And two?”

  “I have a message from Frank. He says feel free to tell Barron everything. About our involvement and the Canadian involvement. And he said to tell Barron that when he gets home, there will be a FedEx package waiting for him. It will contain a secure cell phone. Speed dial to Frank is set up. Ask Barron to call him.”

  “You guys work fast. What if Barron says no? That’s why the cell phone, I think. A little extra push.”

  “Barron really can’t say no, can he?”

  “Not really.”

  “Gotta go, kid. Wish me luck”

  “Good luck, Dad. You’re in my prayers.”

  “Thanks, son.”

  “Bye.”

  * * *

  Turns out there is no good
way to get from Lorain to Medina. You either have to go too far east to take I-80 and I-75, or take two-lane roads through Elyria. Either way is about an hour. I opt for the interstates. I’m on the road a little before eleven. And I’m apprehensive, to say the least. I practice my sales pitch as I drive.

  * * *

  P. J. Marley’s is in the center of Medina. And Medina is not that big. I park right in front. I’m seven minutes early. I go in. Barron is sitting at a table along the wall. He’s been watching the door. He waves. I walk to the table.

  “Hi, Barron.”

  “Hi, Pete. Sit.”

  CHAPTER 52

  “This meeting was your idea, Pete. What’s going on?”

  I have rehearsed this over and over, but my speech isn’t right. I just blurt it out. “I’m being forced to ferry terrorists into the United States.”

  Barron turns white. Can people actually turn white? I didn’t think so. Now I do. We look at each other for a full minute.

  I start again. “Let me start at the start. Kate and I went to Leamington in June. When we came back to the boat that Sunday night, there was a guy down below with an assault rifle.”

  Barron just looks at me. I continue. “He said his name was Saif, and he demanded that I wait for his compatriots to arrive. Eventually five more arrived. Saif demanded that I take them to VYC. I refused. He showed me pictures of my kids and grandkids on his phone. He told me do what I was told, or they would suffer.”

  “Jesus.”

  “Yeah. That sums it up. Anyway, we waited until Monday afternoon and left for VYC.”

  “And you got there just before dark, and we helped you in.”

  “Yes.”

  “And you acted weird and wouldn’t go to dinner with us.”

  “Yes.”

  “Jesus.”

  Our waitress comes over. “Hi guys, I’m Mandy. Are we eating lunch?”

  Barron answers. “In a while, Mandy. I need a drink first. Scotch, rocks, please. Pete?”

  “Do you have any sparkling water?”

  “Perrier.”

  “That works. With lime, please.”