Monster

by Bernard L. DeLeo

  “McDaniels here.”

  “The mouse is on his way to the trap,” Rasheed said simply. “I am on the throwaway phone you gave me, my friend.”

  “Good.” McDaniels immediately perked up, his mind racing ahead. “Anyone going to be watching the trap?”

  “No one is to tip the mouse off by getting too close.”

  “They’ll be checking it out with audio and video only,” McDaniels mused. “You busy tonight?”

  “I am at your service.”

  “Walk around the block in…” McDaniels glanced at his watch, “about an hour and a half from now. I have to get the ride I have stashed and call Pete.”

  “I have 10:15.”

  “Check.” McDaniels set his watch as Rasheed ended the call.

  McDaniels quickly took out another cell-phone from his jacket pocket. Donaldson answered on the second ring.

  “Pete, you have the item we talked about?”

  “Yes.”

  “Take a walk with it in one hour, same direction as your girlfriend went before. I have 10:18. Make sure you’re not followed.”

  “Will do,” Donaldson replied. “Can I come?”

  “No can do. Too many eyes and ears on your place.”

  “I understand. See you in a few.”

  McDaniels ran Dino back to Reskova’s apartment. He dressed in the all black outfit he had stashed in the closet section Reskova allotted him. McDaniels stuffed a black ski mask into a dark gray trench coat he pulled on over his clothes. After petting Dino who lay watching him intently, McDaniels hastily left the apartment building. He walked around the block to where a beat up blue Chevrolet sedan was parked in a line of other cars.

  McDaniels quickly unlocked the car. He reached under the seat with gloved hand to retrieve a long handled scraper. After scraping accumulated snow and ice from the windows of the Chevrolet, McDaniels started the engine. When he was sure it would not stall, McDaniels drove away toward his meeting with Donaldson. Nearly half an hour later he idled the car alongside Donaldson. Pete opened the backdoor of the sedan and set a large bag on the backseat of the Chevrolet. Donaldson looked forward at McDaniels in the driver’s seat.

  “Remember, Colonel, use it sparingly. What about the audio and video in the apartment? If you use the weapon on our stuff, they’ll know.”

  “Kay gave me a diagram of where they have the cameras hidden and the visual parameters of what they cover. We both know what happens when the surveillance team monitors a place like this and the lights go out. What did you do with Nancy?”

  “I handcuffed her to the bed. I told her it’s a game and I’m pretending to be a serial rapist keeping her locked up while I prowl the area.”

  “And she bought that?

  “Hey, you told me in no uncertain terms to make sure she could not get near a phone during my absence. It will be up to me to make my ploy convincing when I get back up there.”

  “What about the people watching you?”

  “They’ll be watching a looped vid of us sleeping.”

  “Thanks, Pete.”

  “Call me if you need me. Please don’t let anything happen to my little light baby there. They’ll execute me tomorrow if it’s not in perfect shape when I return it.”

  “I will be here at four-thirty,” McDaniels promised.

  Donaldson saluted and closed the door.

  McDaniels slowed near a trudging Rasheed at precisely 11:45. Rasheed went around to the driver’s side as McDaniels quickly stepped out of the car. As Rasheed slipped behind the steering wheel, McDaniels went around to the passenger side. A few seconds later Rasheed sped away toward Marisol’s townhouse in Georgetown.

  “This car will be like a beacon, drawing the distrust of everyone who sees it in an area like Georgetown, Shaun of the Dead.”

  “It’s always something with you, Kay.”

  “You are lucky Mero’s girlfriend does not live in one of those gated apartment buildings with omnipresent guards.”

  “She doesn’t need it with the security system she has. Unfortunately for her, it relies a little too much on power.”

  “Will they not immediately connect this with you when her security system is disabled using Pete’s high-tech gun?”

  “Not with the way I plan for our buddy Mero to achieve room temperature,” McDaniels replied. “It will appear to even the most trained eye that Mero died of natural causes. Without reason to believe otherwise, I will be home free.”

  “Except with every person in Homeland Security who knows you, Shaun.”

  “Will you knock off that Shaun of the Dead stuff? I can’t be held accountable for the suspicious nature of people I work with. We all know Mero must die. I’ll let the right man know about Mero’s untimely demise.”

  “Do you plan to ask Mero anything important before he… how did you say… ah, achieves room temperature?” I know you plan to have the Marisol woman sleeping a little deeper than normal.”

  “There’s not much time for an interrogation. We don’t have audio and visual in the bedroom. Unless he screams, I don’t see why I couldn’t ask him a pertinent question about the Syrian border guy.”

  “Like how to make contact with him and still remain alive?”

  “Exactly. There must be a couple of other guys who filter people through to al Zoubi. I can’t just stroll in there and ask where he is. Mero must know the guard routine at least.”

  “Speaking of which, that assignment is a suicide mission.”

  “Gee, Kay, thanks for the vote of confidence.”

  “You may be Shaun of the Dead but you are not Superman,” Rasheed said, frustration in his voice. “Tell me you have some plan in mind for how you will accomplish this impossible task.”

  “I’m working on every angle. The Syrian border mission will be a work of art.”

  “Another lie.”

  Chapter 39

  Deadly Visit

  “Hello, Mr. Mero,” McDaniels whispered in Mero’s ear.

  Mero looked up into McDaniels’ unmasked face in the darkness with complete shock. He could not move his arms which were trapped under the sheet and blanket. The bulk of McDaniels’ body completely engulfed Mero. When Mero tried to twist under McDaniels he felt a sudden sharp pain just under his breastbone. Within seconds, Mero was gasping for breath. Mero immediately stopped moving. McDaniels eased the thumb pressure he had at Mero’s solar plexus.

  “I have a few questions for you,” McDaniels whispered in Arabic.

  Nearly an hour later, McDaniels fixed the sheet and blanket loosely around Mero’s body. McDaniels tilted the man’s head up slightly and placed Mero’s hands in a clutching manner over his left breast. Stepping back slightly, McDaniels shone a light over Mero’s face and body disposition, noting with satisfaction the wide-eyed, gasping look on Mero’s face. Walking around the bed to where Marisol snored rather noisily, McDaniels took a baby-wipe from the small travel package he had. Gently, McDaniels wiped the woman’s face, concentrating in particular on her nose and mouth area where he had administered the ether.

  “Damn, Erica.” McDaniels grinned down at the bed scene he had arranged approvingly, “You snore louder than Red.”

  Ten minutes later, McDaniels opened the passenger side door as Rasheed brought the Chevrolet to a halt momentarily next to him two streets over from Marisol’s townhouse. Rasheed drove for a few moments in silence, waiting for McDaniels to say something. Finally, Rasheed glanced over at McDaniels with some exasperation.

  “Well?”

  “Well what? Mero’s dead, Marisol snores nearly as loud as Reskova, and I have a guard schedule for al Zoubi’s encampment.”

  “You are truly the luckiest man who has ever lived.” Rasheed chuckled. “I will not forget the snoring remark.”

  “I make my own luck. Mention the snoring and you’ll be in the same shape Mero’s in,” McDaniels warned.

  “Do not think to threaten me into silence. Truly, the woman makes more noise than the Boss did on the
plane ride we all took together?”

  “I said nearly as loud. Let’s get going. You’ll need some sleep so you look bright eyed and alert as if you did actually sleep through the night rather than assist on this superlative black-ops mission. No need for anyone to know about my information gathering until I tell them.”

  “You are far too complacent, Shaun. At least wait until we read how Mero’s sudden demise is accepted before you do this arrogant end-zone victory dance of yours. It is very unprofessional.”

  “Arro… hey… you watch football too? What does Ansa think of you camping out in front of the TV to watch football?”

  “She screams so loudly when the Redskins do something I look outside to see if the neighbors notice. My Ansa curses them in Arabic when one of them makes any mistake with Suraya trying to calm her and the little Cold laughing. It is very entertaining,” Rasheed confided, taking pleasure in seeing McDaniels choked with laughter as Rasheed described his family’s football watching habits.

  * * *

  Reskova’s exhaustion showed clearly on her face as McDaniels walked into Aginson’s office. Aginson gestured angrily for McDaniels to sit down. When McDaniels was seated next to Reskova in front of Aginson’s desk Aginson stood up. He turned his back to the couple, his hands locked tightly together behind his back.

  “Colonel, what part of do not sanction Mero did you not understand?” Aginson’s voice was a monotone mask of rage.

  “I understood the order completely, Sir.” McDaniels saw Reskova glancing at him worriedly. “I’m going overseas in a few days. I needed a little more information than I had for the mission in Iraq. Mero gave me information about the guard routine I believe will be valuable. Mero visited the camp not more than two months ago. His information is up to date. I have to make the approach through the encampment some way. I don’t need any more surprises than I have under consideration already.”

  “And what of our ongoing investigation into his cell here, Colonel?” Aginson continued without turning.

  “I killed it,” McDaniels answered simply. “I read the papers this morning. Marisol woke up next to her dead lover. Speculation has it Mero died of heart failure. You have the names and addresses of every member in his cell already. Anyone contacting any of them will instantly be suspect. If you have something logical to climb on my ass about spit it out, Sir. Otherwise, I need to get a few things in order before my deployment.”

  Aginson spun around, slamming his hands on the desk. “You arrogant bastard! What the hell makes you think I won’t have you imprisoned for the rest of your pathetic life?”

  McDaniels stood up. “I met with Senator Hokanson this morning before I came in. He doesn’t share your view of Mero’s unfortunate demise. He said he’d be glad to talk this over with you after we get through here. If I get back from Iraq and you and the Senator feel my part in Homeland Security is at an end I’ll resign. Remember, Sir, you and Hokanson didn’t recruit me to investigate Terrorists. Mero was an unpredictable danger.”

  “I thought this idea of having a man who went beyond the usual parameters under our command would give us a valuable option.” Aginson sat down finally in his chair. “I see now, like all methods of…”

  In the blink of an eye, McDaniels grasped the right side of Aginson’s desk. With one brutal heave he flung the desk and all its contents against the wall. The sheer ferocity of what McDaniels did caused Aginson to spill his chair over and back warily against the wall behind his desk. Reskova left her seat, retreating to a spot next to the entrance. She waited tensely, but made no move to interfere.

  “Don’t finish that thought out loud, Sir. I make allowances for people in command, with very few options. You, Sir, have reached the limit of those allowances.”

  “You… you cannot be allowed to carry out personal vendettas you feel necessary, Colonel.” Aginson tried unsuccessfully to hide the tremor in his voice. “You’re out of control.”

  “If I were out of control you wouldn’t be standing there telling me I’m out of control. Talk to the Senator, take a deep breath, and remember our job is to kill the enemy. Mero was the enemy. I’d like to take Diane down and brief the rest of the team so I can get more input on al Zoubi’s encampment. We’ll also monitor the newspaper accounts of Mero’s journey into hell.”

  Aginson waved a trembling hand in assent, still huddled against the wall. McDaniels led Reskova out of the office. Reskova glanced back at Aginson just before closing the door. He was already picking up the phone from the floor.

  * * *

  Senator Hokanson walked into Aginson’s office. He saw the desk lying in a pile of papers against the wall and closed the door behind him.

  “Inner building Tornado?” Hokanson asked jokingly, returning Aginson’s glare.

  “I left it where it was so you could get a taste of how my meeting with that rogue…”

  “Did the Colonel tell you he had already talked to me?” Hokanson interrupted.

  “You don’t run this place, Fred. I ordered McDaniels not to touch Mero.”

  “After talking to whom?”

  “I don’t need to be second guessed about logistical operations. We were in active pursuit of Mero’s cell. Now…”

  “Now, you watch who fills the vacuum.” Hokanson interrupted again. “You did exactly right following McDaniels’ assessment of the false threat on the hospitals to draw us out. He made you look very good.”

  “Okay, I’ll grant you the psycho has skills.”

  “Did you really think he’d pull out for Iraq and leave the guy threatening Reskova’s life alive?”

  “We had her covered.”

  “You mean like when those three goons tried to kill her? If Cold hadn’t been there, you’d have been looking for a new AD. We can’t afford to lose Reskova. Her actions in that warehouse fiasco and the threads that sprouted out of it have been exemplary. Let’s put this behind us. I’ll get you a new desk.”

  “That McDaniels is one scary son of a bitch.” Aginson stared ruefully at his ruined desk. “I don’t like to think about how much that desk weighs and how easily he tossed it into my wall.”

  “I’ll bet not. C’mon, I’ll buy you lunch.”

  “As long as I can get a couple single malt appetizers.”

  “My pleasure,” Hokanson agreed.

  * * *

  Rasheed and Donaldson were reviewing data on their respective computer screens when they heard the office door open. Reskova led McDaniels into the room.

  “Kay, is Tom in his office?”

  “Yes, Boss, he is pretending to be issuing edicts to Agent Rutledge. Only Allah knows what is truly happening in there.”

  Reskova smiled for the first time since leaving Aginson’s office. “What are you two working on?”

  “We’re trying to trace a few of the names Colonel McDaniels found out about,” Donaldson answered.

  “Yes, we are querying the names on every database in the world,” Rasheed confirmed. “We will know more about them soon, I hope. Is everything okay?”

  Reskova glanced up at McDaniels’ face. “You want to take that one, Cold?”

  “We’ll live. The Director was less enthused than I anticipated about Mero’s death.”

  “Let’s get with Tom and Jen.” Reskova walked over to her old office door. “No use having to repeat all this.”

  McDaniels paused near Donaldson. “Pete, we didn’t see Nancy. Where…”

  “In detention for now, Colonel,” Donaldson anticipated the question. “Agent Barrington knew your time was short on these guards Mero named. He wanted me to help Kay while he and Agent Rutledge continued work on al Zoubi. I knew you wouldn’t want Nancy around any mention of the names.”

  “Good thinking. Any trouble returning your toy?”

  “No, Sir, Senator Hokanson’s call smoothed everything.”

  “The Senator knows which side he’s on,” McDaniels acknowledged, following Rasheed into Barrington’s office.

  When ever
yone was seated inside Barrington’s office, Reskova quickly came to the point.

  “Anyone here not know Mero’s sudden descent into hell was not an accident?” Reskova asked quickly. When no one spoke, she went on. “Alright then, is there any fallout yet or suspicions?”

  “We have an ongoing Web Nexus search for any item mentioning Mero’s death,” Barrington answered. “So far, no one thinks he died of anything other than natural causes. The fact Marisol woke up next to him cooled off any police involvement.”

  “What about the way her security system was disabled? Any chatter during the investigation about signs of forced entry?”

  “I monitored the audio from Marisol’s house during the entire police phase after discovery,” Rutledge volunteered. “If she doesn’t realize her security system’s down until later, she may think something the police did messed it up. No mention of forced entry was made. If the coroner…”

  “The Syrians already took the body,” Reskova interrupted. “We need to keep track of what they say now.”

  “What will it mean if we can’t find any background information on those guards Mero named, Cold?” Rutledge asked.

  “Not a lot. It will just tell me outside of al Zoubi, I won’t be dealing with hardcore world renown Terrorists on guard duty. The important stuff he gave me was the time schedules. Al Zoubi doesn’t anticipate any kind of attack. He only has one guy watching the area at night.”

  “Should we get our stuff out of Marisol’s place,” Donaldson asked.

  “No,” Reskova answered sharply. “I want that bitch monitored from now on. If she adopts another Terrorist, we’ll assume she’s acting as a half-way house for the enemy.”

  “Speaking of fallout,” Barrington spoke up. “How bad was it in Aginson’s office?”

  “The meeting ended with Aginson’s desk flying into the wall,” Reskova answered directly. “We’ll have to wait and see how much influence Senator Hokanson asserts over the Director. It’s up to us to make sure Shaun of the Dead comes out smelling like a rose so stay on the guard roster connection.”