by Ken W. Smith
“I see a single light-red signature. It’s not moving and on the floor of one of the buildings.
“Look for a way to get inside.”
The drones flew low around the building. Bars covered the windows and secured the doors.
“No entry points visible,” Kyle said. “There is a ventilation shaft I can try to squeeze the main bot through.”
“We don’t have a choice,” Jay said.” If somebody’s injured, we need to know.”
“I’ll return this set of bots to Gia. Then send a single bot to go down the vent pipe. It’s going to be tricky.”
“Do you have another alternative?”
“I have one. There’s a new feature, but It’s not tested yet.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a sonic wave blaster. It emits an ultra-high frequency sound wave to break the glass. It’s not subtle, but we’ll be able to get in the building.”
“Try it. We don’t have time to mess around.”
“Okay. Remove your headset, or you’ll lose your hearing.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, sir.”
Kyle flew his microbots up against a pane-glass window on the front of the main building. He maneuvered them within inches of the window.
“Okay, here goes,” Kyle said. “Main bot, screech.”
At first, Jay didn’t hear anything, then a piercing, high-pitched noise came out from the main bot. The sound was maddening even without the headsets on. The windows fractured, but they didn’t break.
“Screech stop,” Kyle commanded. “Sorry, Jay, it didn’t work. The glass appears to be too thick.”
“That’s okay. The RCMP team is coming up the road. Pull the bots out.”
“Roger.”
* * *
Four armored tactical trucks drove through the tiny village at breakneck speeds. They didn’t slow down for intersections or use sirens. Instead, the lead track blasted through the gate, stopping in front of the main building. Tactical officers streamed out of the back of each truck. They split off into teams of two and lined up outside the doors of each building.
“We’re in place,” Mack said. “Commander, Fry, we’re ready when you are.”
The RCMP special operations commander surveyed his team, “Okay, go, go, go.”
Agents smashed the doors with battering rams. Then the teams streamed through the doors. Jay saw the flashlights shining through the windows. He watched for movement outside the buildings but didn’t see anything.
“Chief, I have movement on one of the fishing boats, CJ said. “A single person. It looks like he has a shotgun. He’s leaving the boat.”
“Commander Fry, we have a lone gunman approaching your location with a shotgun.”
“I will send one of my men out to investigate.”
“CJ, do you have a shot?”
“Yes. It’s a long one. About twelve hundred yards, but I have one.”
“Prepare to fire on my command.”
“Roger.”
Jay watched the RCMP agent leave the house closest to the dock. Finally, he ducked out of the door. He stopped, surveyed the yard then ran to take up a position behind a parked car.
The gunman saw him running and opened fire with both barrels. The first shot blasted the windshield out of the car. The second one knocked the agent to the ground as he dove for cover.
“Officer down,” Jay said. “Repeat. Gun fired, officer down. Jay saw four officers rush out the front door right into the shooter’s fire zone.
“CJ Fire! I repeat. Fire!” Jay said into the microphone.
CJ focused on the gunman’s head. Then, when the shooter stopped reloading, CJ squeezed the trigger.
The bullet smashed through the gunman’s skull.
“Target down,” Madman said. “Nice shot.”
“Thanks,” CJ said as he reloaded.
“Target neutralized, Commander Fry. But your man is down.”
“All clear inside the houses,” Mack said through the radio. “We have a situation.”
“What’s that,” Jay said.
“We found the employees. But, unfortunately, they’re all dead.”
“Not from gunshots,” Kyle said. “We would have heard them.”
“No. The victim’s throats were slit. Fresh wounds. McFarland must have killed them within the last few hours.”
“Damn, he escaped. Keep searching the compound in case he’s hiding. I’ll call the Canadian and U.S. Coast Guards and tell them to be on the lookout for that fishing boat.”
“Roger that one,” Mack said. “Gia, where are you?”
“I’m in the big storage buildings with an FBI team. The building is empty. But something isn’t right. It’s too clean.”
“Look for hidden rooms.”
“We will.”
* * *
Gia searched each building and house. She came up empty. She was sure the 3-D printers were going to be here. Her prisoner in Boston gave her all the information he knew. She was sure of that since nobody could resist her interrogation techniques. The location was accurate, but somebody knew they were coming. Who tipped them off? It couldn’t be an RCMP officer. The only one who knew the target of the assault was Commander Fry. He was with Mack the whole time. Then it occurred to her, the police officer. Perhaps he was on the payroll of the fishery owner.
“Mack,” Gia said. “Can you have one of the RCMP officers place a visit to the town’s sheriff?”
“We got him,” Mack said. “He was the gunman who came off the boat. The one CJ shot.”
“Damn, he tipped them off after he talked with me. He must have been suspicious.”
The planks on the floor of the storage building were rough two by six planks. Gia walked every inch of the building studying the floor and walls. The floors were free of debris and dust. Then she looked up. Gia saw a chain fall hanging from a beam towards the rear of the building. She pointed her flashlight at the piece of equipment and noticed recent use wore off the paint on the tip. Then Gia saw plywood between the rafters near the ceiling.
“Mack, ask the RCMP agents to bring a ladder into the storage building. A tall one capable of reaching three stories high.”
Gia waited a few minutes until the agents arrived. Mack followed.
“Look up there. I almost missed it.”
The agents placed the ladder against the side of the plywood enclosure. Then one of the officers climbed the ladder. He banged against the plywood, then called down,” It’s loose.”
He banged against the plywood again, and a sheet fell in. He pulled out his flashlight and shined it inside.
“We got it!” the officer said.
Gia climbed the ladder and pulled herself into the makeshift storage room. Inside the room stood five plastic storage barrels. The barrels had red warning stickers with the words DANGER EXPLOSIVES. Behind the barrels sat five desktop 3D printers and several bags of ceramic powder. Three partially made bomb vests were spread out on six-foot-long folding tables. Another table held wires and electronic components.
‘Everybody out,” Mack yelled from the floor. “Send the bomb squad in to inspect the whole complex and remove the explosives before anybody gets blown up.”
Gia and Mack walked outside and went behind one of the assault vehicles. “Great job Gia,” Mack said. “How did you know that compartment was there?”
“I don’t know. Female intuition?”
Chapter 35
Zurich, Switzerland
The narrow, winding streets of Altstadt (Old Town) Zurich were unnerving at night. Residents consider the Renaissance-era district charming. Jay thought the neighborhood was creepy, with many shadowy alleyways and doorways for attackers to hide in. But Antonio promised Jay a night out on the town, and Jay had to go along.
He walked into the Aelpli, a small bar known for its lively music and alcohol-laced alpine milk. A large mural of a Swiss mountainscape adorned the back wall of the cramped room. Cigarette smoke mixed
with loud accordion music created a raucous but friendly atmosphere. Jay spotted Antonio, dressed in an expensive Italian suit sitting with a slim, young, attractive woman. She had short blond hair and wore trendy, oversized Italian eyewear, a semi-sheer black blouse, and tight-fitting jeans. Antonio laughed as she attempted to down a shot of the potent Aelpli milk.
“Would you like a drink?” A waitress dressed as a traditional Swiss maiden asked in English. He wondered how she knew he was American, then realized he was still wearing his Boston Red Sox hat.
“Pellegrino, please,” Jay said, pointing to the corner booth. “Could you deliver it to that table?”
Antonio Borracci was a fascinating intelligence officer. Most spies keep a low profile so they can blend in while practicing their spycraft. Antonio was known as Switzerland’s best downhill skier and snowboarder. He was the first Swiss athlete to win gold in both downhill sports. Antonio had multiple sponsorship deals from Ferrari, O’Reilly Snowboards, and Luxottica Eyewear and even hosted his own sports podcast. Antonio had a habit of both coaching and dating upcoming female skiers and snowboarders. And thanks to three high-profile divorces, he managed to keep himself in the tabloids.
But Jay knew Antonio had a darker side. They met in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom. Antonio helped rescue a young family kidnapped by Al Qaeda fighters. Then led a mission to track down the roadside bomber who almost killed General Andrews. The police never found the bomber. Antonio was also a master of disguises who loved to mingle with the rich and famous. And he put his skills to good use by trolling the seedy financial world that funded terrorism. Most important, he knew how to have a good time.
Jay squeezed through the crowded bar and slid into the booth next to Antonio without saying a word. Antonio was so engaged in conversation. He didn’t notice Jay sit down. The woman smiled as she listened.
“I was climbing Hillary’s steppe on the south face of Everest when the storm blew in. I held on to my rope for three hours as Sherpas attempted to rescue me.”
“You’re so full of shit,” Jay said. “You’ve never been close to Everest.”
Antonio turned to see Jay sitting next to him. “When did you arrive?”
“Long enough to hear three of your bullshit stories,” Jay said with a smile. “How are you, Antonio?”
Antonio laughed. “It’s great to see you. You look great, considering what you’ve been through.”
The woman stared at Jay. “Are you going to introduce me to your handsome friend?”
“Of course,” Antonio said. “I’m so rude. I’m pleased to introduce Jay Mendes. His friends and most of his enemies call him Chief. Jay, this beautiful and brilliant woman is Silvie Bruehner.”
“Nice to meet you,” Jay said as he extended his hand to Silvie.
“No, the pleasure is mine,” Silvie said as she accepted his handshake.
Jay’s eyes locked with Silvie’s for the first time. Her cobalt blue eyes were stunning. She stared back for several moments, then broke her gaze.
“How was your trip to Zurich?” Antonio said. “I hope your plane didn’t incur a lot of turbulence. I’m surprised you traveled so soon after your surgery?”
“Surgery?” Silvie said. “I hope it wasn’t serious?”
“No,” Jay said. “It was a minor procedure.”
Antonio choked on a glass of Aelpli milk.
“You know,” Silvie said. “Your face does look familiar. I saw you on GNN. Didn’t you shoot a priest in Boston?”
Now it was Jay’s turn to choke on his drink.
“A case of mistaken identity,” Antonio said. “Let’s take a walk. My friend and I need some fresh air.”
“All right,” Silvie said. “I’ll meet you outside. I need to freshen up.”
Jay and Antonio worked their way out of the bar and out the front door onto Ankengasse Strasse. Antonio lit up a cigarette and offered one to Jay.
“Antonio, you know I don’t smoke. When did you start?”
“I only smoke when I’m out drinking with beautiful women.”
“So that’s every day?”
Antonio laughed. “Not anymore. I’m a happily married man. Soon, I’m going to be a father.”
“Congratulations,” Jay said. “That’s great news.”
Jay spotted Silvie step out of the Aelpli and look around. He waved at Silvie, and she joined them. She wore a stylish black leather coat and carried a small Prada purse.
“Come, let’s go down by the river,” Silvie said. “The view of the city at night is spectacular.”
They walked down the narrow street and crossed onto a wide promenade next to the Linmat river. Across the river, the buildings of downtown Zurich reflected off the calm water.
Silvie grabbed Jay’s right arm and Antonio’s left arm and proceeded to walk towards Lake Zurich.
“You never answered my question, Mr. Mendes,” Silvie said. “What brings you to Zurich?”
“I’m looking for information. The sensitive kind.”
“I see. What type of information?”
Jay hesitated. Antonio insisted he could trust Silvie. But asking the question can get him arrested in Zurich.
“I need to know the owner of a Swiss bank account.”
“You know that information is secret,” Silvie said. “We have a national privacy law that protects bank account owners.”
“I understand. But the account owner might be linked to the Papal bombings in New York and Boston.”
“Any chance they were involved with the bombing in St. Peter’s square?”
“There could be, but we haven’t been able to connect them yet.”
“I may be able to help you. But not tonight. I need to make a few phone calls. Where are you staying?”
“I’m at the Swissôtel on Schulstrasse.”
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning at six. Wear active gear. I’m going to show you how the Swiss workout. My car is parked on the next block.”
They stopped at a dark blue Audi SUV with a government license plate. Silvie gave both Jay and Antonio a quick kiss on the cheek then got in the car.
As she drove away, Jay and Antonio continued walking towards the lake.
“What did you say Silvie does for work?”
“She’s a criminal investigator for the Swiss Federal Police.”
“And I asked her to break Swiss privacy laws?”
“Silvie doesn’t work for the Finance Ministry. She’s in the major crimes division.”
“So why would she break the law to help me?”
“You’ll find out. She has her reasons.”
* * *
Silvie pulled up in front of the hotel at six o’clock sharp. Jay threw his duffle bag into the back seat of the SUV then climbed into the passenger side.
“Good morning,” Silvie said. “I brought some hot coffee and croissants.”
Jay smiled as he sipped from the strong coffee. The croissant was filled with melted Swiss chocolate.
“Man, this is delicious,” Jay said. “It melts in your mouth.”
“My mother bakes them fresh every morning. I stopped by my parent’s house to pick them up.”
“Where do they live?”
“Not far from here. My father’s a surgeon at the University Hospital. I have my own flat a few blocks away.”
“I’m curious,” Jay said. “Why are you helping me?”
“I have my reasons.”
“That’s what Antonio said. Would you like to share?”
Silvie hesitated. Jay thought he noticed tears welling up in her eyes. “I will. Soon enough. Let’s get to our destination before the traffic gets too heavy.”
Silvie sped down the I-14 motorway at close to one hundred miles per hour. They passed by beautiful Lake Lucerne and climbed into the Alps. When they reached Interlaken, they turned up into the mountains. After going through several fear-inducing switchbacks, Silvie pulled into a gravel parking lot. They sat at the base of the famous Swiss mountain k
nown as the Eiger.
Jay cringed as he looked up at the thirteen-thousand-foot-high mountain.
“We aren’t going straight up, are we?”
“No, that’s the north wall. It’s known around here as the Mordwand. In English, you would say the murderous wall. It’s for serious climbers. Over the years, sixty-four climbers died up there.”
“Are you a serious climber?”
“No. I’ve attempted the climb once. I made it halfway up before the weather turned. We had to come back down. Come on. We’re going to a spot where we’ll get a better view.”
She handed Jay a backpack and a pair of walking sticks. “The bags contain snacks and extra clothes. Okay, let’s go.”
They jogged up a winding path through the alpine meadows and up into the mountains. Several times they stopped to let other runners pass.
“Do they always run up this mountain?” Jay asked at one of their breaks.
“They’re training for the Eiger Ultra Trail. It’s a 101-kilometer cross-country race that crosses over the top of the mountain.”
“Do you run that race?”
“No, I don’t have time to train for that. I did compete in the Panorama and Couples trail events. It’s quite fun.”
Jay pressed through the pain and exhaustion to keep up with Silvie. He wasn’t going to let her see him struggle.
Silvie stopped when they reached a large meadow with beautiful alpine ponds. She pulled a blanket from her backpack and placed it on the grass. The view of the surrounding mountains was breathtaking.
“This is a good place for us to talk,” Silvie said as she handed Jay an energy bar.
“What do you mean?”
“There’s no cell phone service in this spot, and I’m sure we weren’t followed.”
“Why all the cloak and dagger stuff?”
“I want to make sure we can speak without fear of my employer monitoring our conversation. The Swiss government is very serious about protecting its secrecy laws. They’ll go to extreme lengths to ensure their client’s identities remain secret.”
“Why are you concerned?”
“It’s why you are here, right? You told me you need the name of the account holder. I want to help you. Let’s say we have a mutual interest.”