A Dubious Terrain (A Colton Banyon Mystery Book 4)

by Gerald J Kubicki

  “Thanks, I think,” he replied with a little nervous edge in his voice.

  Banyon quickly cut in. “Let’s get started. We have a lot to cover. First I will tell you about each artifact. Then we need to do some research and then break into teams to go after and recover the items. I think that the plot will thicken around seven o’clock tonight. So we only have about three hours to get ready.”

  “Why teams?” asked Gamble.

  “That is because we are not sure that all the items will be in the same place later tonight. We need to be ready.”

  “Well I want Maya on my team, Gamble quickly noted.

  “Okay, if you want,” Banyon easily replied. “The first…..”

  Gamble suddenly interrupted, “Colt, I don’t know how much time I have. As you know, we have uncovered an assassination plot. I’m also working on that as we speak. If I get a phone call, I may have to takeoff. By the way, did you find out anything about Eric Grey?”

  “Not yet,” Banyon replied.” Also, Greg, I think the assassination attempt and our artifacts are tied together. I think there are actually three plots that will unfold tonight.”

  “Well, that could change my plans,” he admitted as he scratched his head.

  “As I was saying,” Banyon continued. “The three items are, first, the Black Diamond, second a formula to make people invisible and the third item is actually a magic chant that can open any door. The formula and the chant are just pieces of paper. These are the items that we are after.”

  “How do the artifacts tie together?” Pramilla asked.

  “If you wanted to commit a very large robbery, wouldn’t it be good to be invisible, be able to open a vault and be strong enough to carry the loot.” Banyon said.

  “Your right,” added Loni. “But, what is the target?”

  “We also know the robbers, although we don’t know how many there are, have the blueprint for a million square foot building in Las Vegas. I can only think of one building with that many square feet. I think the target is the convention center.” He then turned and said, “Loni, can you find out what shows are in town?”

  “On it,” she responded.

  “I think all three artifacts will be there,” Banyon added. “But I’m not sure.”

  Almost immediately Loni shouted. “It is the Jewelry Show. It says here there are over four hundred million dollars in diamonds available at the show.”

  “Makes sense to me,” Gamble noted.

  “Yeah, but I think diamonds are not necessarily what they are after. Diamonds can be tracked. The real money would be gold. The Jewelry Show is also where people, Asians especially, trade gold. Gold is the real currency in most of Asia,” offered Previne.

  “What time does the show close?” Banyon wondered out loud.

  “It says here that everyone must be off the floor by seven o’clock tonight. But, don’t they have a large security force watching the vault?” Loni asked.

  “Well, if some robbers snuck into the center before it closed and were invisible, they could disable the control center and cut communications for about an hour before alarms would sound,” Gamble offered. “It could be done if they were trained military. I think they would need three to five men.”

  “How will we stop them?” Maya asked.

  “Well there are some serious drawbacks for anyone using the invisible formula.” Banyon referred to his notes. “I think we can use them to our advantage.”

  “Now that sounds interesting,” Gamble said. “What are the drawbacks?”

  “Well, first, it only works for about three hours. Then the person will start to become visible. Second, water will wash off the formula. And third, the formula only works on open skin.”

  All four women looked at each other in surprise then started laughing. Banyon cut them off. “They may not have clothes or even weapons, but I’m pretty sure these guys will be able to kill you with just a finger.”

  “I agree with Colt,” Gamble said. “We need to take their threat very seriously. I will arrange for a team of agents to be available at the convention center.” He opened up his cellphone, but Banyon stopped him with a wave of the hand.

  “Wait, we have much more to cover.”

  “Well, now we know why the government didn’t mass produce the formula,” Loni said while still laughing.

  “There would be too much hanging in the wind,” Pramilla added as she giggled. They all laughed at that one.

  “To be properly prepared, we should each carry a bottle of water,” Previne interjected. Everyone nodded.

  “Now, the chant has no weakness and is not really a threat. But it will be in the hands of the person who is running the show. They will be the one that opens the vault.”

  “Who do you think is actually planning this robbery?” asked Pramilla.

  “I think I can answer that,” offered Gamble. “John Gerut is the head of the fast attack force for Homeland Security. He is one of the people we have been watching as a member of the secret organization, the Effort. We know he is in town and staying at the MGM, but we have not been able to find him. Our surveillance team lost him this morning. He is loose somewhere in the city. I’m sure he is our man.”

  “Okay, then he will also have the chant,” Maya said.

  “That is right,” Banyon replied.

  “But what about the Black Diamond? Loni asked. “It seems to me that the Black Diamond is the real dangerous artifact.”

  “It most definitely is,” answered Banyon. “However, it does have one weakness, goat blood. Pramilla, please find someplace where we can get a quantity of goat blood. We need to have it ready at all times.”

  “I’m sure there will be butchers in the city that can supply us,” she noted as she started typing on her laptop. She then said, “I want Previne and me to be on this artifact. We know a lot about these types of items.”

  “You should know that Gerut, if it is him, does not know about the real power of the Black Diamond. He did not take the diary that explained it all. He only has the notes that were included with the item where it was stored. He thinks it will just make him strong. He doesn’t know he is undefeatable and the Black Diamond could also destroy him. But we must be careful. If he is holding the Black Diamond in his left hand and it is not covered with the blood of a goat, he will be very dangerous and will exude hatred. If he holds it longer than three minutes, he will explode. Are there any questions about that?”

  Pramilla now offered her thoughts. “As I see it, Previne and I will go after the Black Diamond, Maya and Greg should handle the invisible robbers and Colt and Loni will go after the chant. Does that make sense?”

  “Makes perfect sense to me,” replied Gamble. “I can have a team of men posted around the convention center to stop any vehicle from leaving. We can also set up a trap inside. We will empty the control center so no one could get hurt. They are clearly going to open the vault. That is when we will strike. It will take me about fifteen minutes to get a team rolling and clear the center. We will catch these goons red handed.”

  “You are so smart Greg. I’m glad that I am on your team,” Maya cooed and flashed him her most brilliant smile.

  “Before I forget,” Gamble said. “I have some goodies for each of you. He reached into his bag and pulled out a plastic bag. “These are ear com devices. You insert them into your ear and we all can communicate. This frequency will allow only us to talk to each other, but we can also monitor any emergency transmissions from our command center.” He tossed an earpiece to each of them. “You just need to touch your ear to speak.”

  “Can you help me insert mine?” Maya asked seductively.

  “It would be my pleasure,” he replied as he swept away her long hair with his hand.

  Gamble then once again reached into his bag and handed each person a small pin like item. “These are tracking devices. If you need them just stick them into the clothing of anyone you think we need to track. We can then tell where they are located at all ti
mes.”

  Pramilla quickly threw out, “well, except if they are the invisible men.” Everyone laughed at that one too.

  “But,” Loni suddenly blurted out. “What is the plan? I mean you said there are three plots. This is only one.”

  Banyon was back on stage. “Good question Loni. The other two plots have to do with the leadership of the secret supremacy organization, it is called the Effort. An attempt will be made on some politicians, but we don’t know who they are yet. There are always several politicians in Las Vegas on a Saturday night.”

  “I’ve got the answer,” exclaimed Loni. All eyes turned to her. She had been working on her laptop while the meeting was progressing.

  “Well, let’s hear it,” drawled Gamble.

  “As you know a new fight club will debut tonight in the Garden Arena. The fighters will be Latinos against anyone, especially white fighters. We already know Danta Lopez is behind the fights and he is also a drug kingpin. Greg, you already told us you plan to take down tonight.”

  “That’s a yes, little lady,” Agent Gamble replied.

  Loni continued. “Many supremacist organizations will certainly be at the Garden Arena. I’m also sure there will be many illegal aliens, especially Latinos attending the fight. In fact, I did a little checking with the permits department in Las Vegas and found out a permit was also issued for a protest outside the MGM for tonight. The protest agenda says they promoting stronger laws to prosecute illegals found in this country. I’ve also noticed that all of a sudden, in the last hour, this information is on many media websites. The speakers are listed as the Mayor, Randolph Sanders, a Congressman from New Mexico, and the ex-governor from California. I think that is three politicians. It starts at eight-fifteen tonight.”

  “So, you’re saying Lopez is behind this plot? We know he smuggled in the three assassins,” Previne said.

  “No, that is not the cartels style. They would send people to a home or ambush them, but nothing like this,” Gamble noted. “Someone else is controlling this. But, why would Lopez be involved?”

  “Follow the money,” Banyon suddenly offered. “Someone is paying him.”

  “When we hit his operation later tonight, we are going to rid the world of Danta Lopez,” Gamble promised.

  “He is not dumb,” Banyon remarked. “My guess is he has an exit plan.”

  “You’re right,” Gamble noted and pointed his finger at Banyon. “I will have some men shadow him all night.”

  “So, who is controlling this plot?” a confused Pramilla asked.

  “It’s the Effort, Banyon announced. “Sanders, his wife and Gerut are all part of the secret supremacy organization. This is their plot.”

  “I’m just guessing,” Loni added. “But, I think there will be an attempt on Sanders life, but it won’t succeed. That way, Sanders will become a hero and very popular. The white house will be open next year. This could propel him into power, especially if the other politicians died.”

  “I believe that you are right,” Banyon said as he scratched his chin. “However, Wolf told me that there are three plots and also there will be a betrayal. I think John Gerut would be behind any betrayal. He is the one that has arranged everything for the Effort. But he intends to stab everyone in the back. I’m also pretty sure he is the one that holds the artifacts.”

  “My guess is he is actually going to kill Sanders and maybe the other politicians. Then he will try to take control of the Effort for himself,” Gamble reasoned. “We already know he is unhappy with the leadership. His father even wrote him out of his will, his sister got control of the arms empire.”

  “That’s it,” exclaimed Banyon. “He needs the money from the heist to gain control of the Effort. The real plot is the assassination.”

  “But there is a third plot,” Previne noted “What is that?”

  “I’m not sure,” Gamble said. “But I do know Sanders wife, Sarah, has political ambitions of her own. Maybe Gerut will kill her too. A widow of a political hero makes for a good candidate, you know.”

  “I think he’s right,” Maya said, shaking her head in support of Gamble.

  “Okay, then here is the plan. Greg we will need men at the convention center and men at the arena. Previne you and Pramilla will be at the convention center. Greg and Maya needs to be at the MGM to stop the assassination plot. Loni and I will be with Pramilla and Previne. We all need to be set up by eight o’clock.”

  “Colt, I think you and I should go to the fights. They start at seven o’clock and some of the players will be there,” Loni reasoned.

  “Makes sense to me,” added Gamble.

  “Okay, then we will be at the MGM. It is now five thirty-five. Set your watches and be on station as soon as possible, Banyon said.

  “If you don’t mind, I will just hang out here and make a few phone calls to set everything up,” Agent Gamble said.

  “Oh, then I will change my clothes and be right back, Greg. Just in case you need me to look up something thing on my computer,” Maya quickly added. “After you finish maybe you will buy me dinner?”

  Loni nudged Banyon and said, “We should get changed too. Then I want to have dinner in our room.”

  “But I just finished showering before our meeting,” Banyon whined.

  Loni leaned close to Banyon and whispered into his ear. “Yeah, but, I had a massage down by the pool and Sam, the masseuse didn’t finish, you get to do that.”

  Part Seven

  The Conflict

  Chapter Forty-Six

  At ten minutes to seven, Banyon and Loni were ushered to their seats inside the Garden Arena at the MGM. Their seats were located in the middle of the arena, three rows off the floor with a perfect view of the ring.

  Pramilla and Previne were located in a rental car three blocks west of the Las Vegas Convention Center and Maya and Agent Gamble were sitting in a FBI suburban right behind them. There were three more vans behind them filled with twelve trusted agents. They all were minorities to make sure they were not part of the Effort. Agent Gamble had cleared the area around the vault, the dock area and the communications center. His men had also put heat sensors above the door for the communications center and the vault. When the robbers entered the door the FBI would know it and would move in for the take down. Everyone was nervous and fully alert.

  Back at the arena Banyon was looking for a vendor to order a beer when Loni suddenly grabbed his arm. “What? “He exclaimed.

  “Look,” she pointed across his chest. “John Gerut is here. He is coming down the aisle right in front of us.”

  Banyon followed her direction and spied the general. He was dressed in blue tight jeans, a black tee shirt under a denim jacket and running shoes. He studied the man for a minute and when Banyon turned back to talk to Loni, she was gone. He quickly turned his head back and watched as she strolled down the aisle and aggressively bumped into Gerut knocking him to the ground. Banyon could see he was very upset and thought for a minute he would have to come to her rescue. But Loni had a firm control of the situation and was in the process of brushing any dust off of Gerut. She bowed Japanese style several times and Banyon realized she was pretending to not speak English. Gerut pushed her away from him and took his seat with a disgusted frown on his face.

  Within a few seconds, Loni was back in her seat next to him and was very excited. “Colt,” she whispered into his ear. “I put one of the trackers on his pants. We will know where he is at all times tonight.”

  “You did good Loni,” he complimented her. “But you should have told me what you were going to do before you did it. You are sometimes too impulsive. I was too far away to help you if you needed it. I always worry about you.”

  She gave him a mischievous look. “Then maybe I won’t tell you what I have in my hand,” she replied with a degree of smugness.

  “Loni, what have you done?” Banyon asked with growing alarm.

  “I lifted the folder that was in his back pocket. Look at what is in it.” S
he pulled out several things from the billfold.

  Banyon didn’t have his glasses with him, but he could see she had in her hand a very old piece of parchment and two pages of a typed document. “You have the chant and the formula,” he said in an excited voice. Loni you are amazing.” He quickly reached over to her and gave her a big hug. “That’s four hundred thousand dollars in our pocket.”

  “I know,” she calmly replied as she studied her fingernails.

  “But, if he discovers they are gone he may abort the mission and we won’t catch him red handed, or retrieve the Black Diamond,” Banyon reluctantly added. “It may change his plans completely.”

  “No, don’t worry Colt. I switched it for my billfold which I emptied before I made the switch. Unless he opens the billfold, he will never know the papers are gone until it is too late,” she grinned.

  “We need to tell Gamble,” Banyon replied. He quickly pressed his earpiece and said, “Gamble, this is Banyon. Loni has put a tracker on Gerut, who is here at the Garden Arena. She also picked his pocket and we now have the chant and the formula in our possession.”

  The reply was quick. “You got them, really. That’s great work. Now we are only after the Black Diamond. This will change plans slightly.”

  Suddenly Previne could be heard with a question. “But what if he discovers the documents are missing?”

  “Loni has that covered too. She switched his billfold for a similar billfold. He probably won’t take it out of his pocket until he is ready to open the vault,” Banyon reasoned.

  “Okay, but follow Gerut when he leaves,” ordered Gamble. “I’ll get someone to take over in a few minutes.

  “What about Lopez?” Banyon asked?

  “We have already put a tracer on him. He won’t get away. We are going to hit his assets at eight fifteen, even the ones in Arizona.”

  “Okay, the fights are about to start, got to run, over and out.”

  “Over and out, really,” Loni said with a grin.

  Chapter Forty-Seven