Sacrifice Love: Saints Protection & Investigations

by Maryann Jordan

  Turning, she walked out of his office, fuming as she made her way back to hers. Halfway down the hall, she stopped. No, I’m going to tell him straight up that I’m uncomfortable with what he’s proposing. That compound is too volatile.

  Approaching his door, she noticed it was almost closed this time. Lifting her hand to knock, she heard him on the phone.

  “I think I pushed too hard. I’m sure she suspects something. Yes, yes…I’m being careful, but will still keep an eye on her.”

  Backing away soundlessly, she tiptoed back to her office. Heart pounding, she sat heavily in her chair, her hand protectively on her stomach. Checking her watch, she decided to leave. It’s only fifteen minutes until the end of my day, anyway. Heading out, she entered the elevator, seeing Ethan.

  “Hey, are you all right?” he asked. “You seem rather pale.”

  “Yes, I’m fine. Just not feeling well, so I thought I’d go ahead and leave.” She hesitated, chewing on her lip in indecision. Do I say anything about my concerns?

  “Dani, I can tell you’ve got something bothering you.”

  Looking up into his concerned face, she said, “What do you know about triacetone triperoxide?”

  A surprised expression crossed his face. “TATP? Peroxide-based chemicals are highly unstable and are extensively used by terrorists to make bombs; they’re too volatile to handle safely. Why?”

  “It’s just that Jahfar is asking me about it, so I wondered since you’re now Head of Production Security, if it was something we were moving into. If we were working on either TATP or HMTD, I was just surprised that I hadn’t heard of it yet.”

  “Or…you’re also wondering if Jahfar has something going on the side?” Ethan asked pointedly.

  Hanging her head, Dani stared at her toes for a silent moment, her thoughts rushing. Lifting her head, facing Ethan squarely, she said, “Something’s going on, and I’m trying to figure it out. I’m not saying Jahfar is doing anything wrong, but you confirming that MES is not actively working with TATP, has me now convinced more than ever that he’s up to something. What, I don’t know.”

  “Do you think I need to talk to him?”

  “I’ve got no proof that anything is happening and to throw around false accusations would be professionally, as well as morally, wrong.”

  As they reached their cars, Ethan placed his hand on her arm. “Take care of yourself, Dani. If things are happening, make sure you stay safe.” He glanced back toward the building they just left. “I think I’ll keep a closer eye on Jahfar as well. I won’t say anything to Cybil or Todd yet. But if he’s working on TATP, we need to be aware of that.”

  Smiling, she added her own warning. “Ethan, I know what they’re capable of. You make sure you’re safe as well.”

  Parting, the two walked to their cars. Eyes watched from a window above, before making a phone call.

  *

  Mohammad walked into the small neighborhood house with Abdul and Habib, finding Fazan overseeing the two men and woman in the kitchen with supplies all around.

  “How are they working out?” Mohammad asked.

  “Good,” Fazan answered. “The material is difficult, but I’ve been training them on how to handle everything carefully. They have zeal…not always patience.”

  Mohammad glared at the trio of recruits. “If you cannot do the job properly, we will find someone else who can…and you will not live to see the morning sun.”

  Their eyes widened in fright as they nodded emphatically, babbling quickly. Mohammad silenced them with a raised hand, then turned and moved from the room. Abdul, Habib, and Fazan followed him into the living room, silently waiting to hear what their leader wanted to discuss.

  “I’ve heard from our friend at MES. We hope to get more detonators soon, but they have to be extremely careful. We don’t want any problems there or our special materials pipeline will dry up. Our computer recruits have started working on the codes for long range detonation with what we have so far.”

  “What about the Turner woman?” Habib asked.

  “She’s becoming a problem and may have to be eliminated. It appears she is now getting curious. I’d rather not have anything happen…the time is not right for our publicity, but I won’t have the infidel bitch create a problem. I have given our contact the go-ahead to take care of her, if needed. And if necessary, we’ll take care of her by making a big statement.”

  The other three men nodded, knowing Mohammad was deadly serious. Deadly.

  *

  Early the next morning, Luke stared at his computer screen, blinking, uncertain for a moment at the information. Running emails through several decoding programs finally produced a hit. Picking up the phone, he called Jack. “We’ve got to meet. Now. Yeah, everyone. Including Mitch.”

  An hour later, the Saints sat at their conference table as Monty pulled Mitch up on the screen. As soon as the FBI agent was patched in, Jack turned to Luke and said, “Okay man, it’s your show.”

  “There was nothing about Jahfar’s computer records that turned up anything concrete, other than the two emails to Fazan, and they did not mention anything that would seem out of the ordinary. I kept running them through various decoding programs because I was certain there had to be something. I finally got a hit. But you’re not going to like it.”

  Chad, on pins and needles knowing Dani worked with Jahfar and was in his presence every day, growled impatiently, “Just tell us.”

  “One email when decoded mentioned Adam’s name. And that was from his home computer…before he started working at MES.”

  Fucks were heard around the table as the Saints reacted to that.

  “He knew about Adam?” Chad bit out. “Dani said he acted like he didn’t know anything about her life before they were employed at MES.”

  “I’ve got to get hold of Roscoe at ATF again,” Mitch said. “He needs to be apprised that one of his men was compromised for certain.”

  “Wait on that, man,” Luke said quickly. “There’s one more thing you need to know first.” Seeing the rapt, and impatient, attention of everyone, he added, “I discovered another email from about a month ago from his home computer, and when decoded it mentioned Roscoe’s name.”

  The silence was deafening for a moment until the sudden uproar began. Fuckin’ hells, combined with growls of Holy shit, what the hell, you’ve got to be shittin’ me, and goddamn terrorists rang out from all of the men around the table.

  “You’re telling us that a man, who I might add, works with Dani…knew about Adam before he went to work at MES, and has had some contact with a known terrorist…and has had contact with a lead ATF agent?” His voice rose with each word until he yelled the end. “Mitch? What the fuck do you know about this?”

  Shaking his head in shock, Mitch admitted, “Speechless. Absolutely fuckin’ speechless. I’m not going to contact Roscoe directly. I’ve got to go up my chain and find out what the fuck to do.”

  Jack, rubbing his hand over his face, looked around the table before setting his sights on Mitch. “So, there’s the possibility you’ve got a major problem with the ATF?”

  “Not saying anything, Jack,” Mitch admitted. “Until I find out what the fuck is going on, I’d advise everyone to stand down.”

  “What about Dani?” Chad asked. “I don’t even want her to be at MES until we have more information.”

  “Is she at work today?”

  “Yeah, but I could call and ask her to take the afternoon off. Since it’s Friday, she could be out of there until Monday.”

  “Might not be a bad idea,” Marc agreed.

  Chad pulled out his phone and dialed Dani. It went straight to voicemail. Fuckin’ hell…can this day get any worse?

  Chapter 28

  Once more, Dani’s thought as she walked out of her final meeting for the week was TGIF. Looking forward to the weekend she stood up straight, stretching her back as her fists kneaded the kinks out.

  Jahfar walked up behind her. “I hope
you are well.”

  Jumping, she grimaced before forcing a smile. “Yes, thank you.”

  “I’ve been meaning to ask if you were able to find any of your materials on TATP?”

  “I’m sorry. I did look, but must have gotten rid of my research when I left the ATF,” she lied smoothly, holding his gaze.

  “Yes, yes, of course. I realize you left at a time of great tragedy. Well, I wanted to check, just in case.”

  Stepping to the side to let the rest of the meeting occupants move by down the hall with Have a good weekend ringing in the space, she turned back to Jahfar. “I’d like to know what information you have about the explosive and why you think it would be good for the military if MES produces it?”

  “I don’t have any pre-conceived ideas about how the military would use it right now, that is why I’m looking into it.”

  “I just know that the material has been used by terrorists overseas, but not necessarily to their benefit. It’s very unstable. I’d hate to see it get into the wrong hands.”

  Jahfar held her gaze for a long moment without looking away, before speaking. “And who determines the wrong hands? Do you not realize some of the explosives we make and sell to the military end up stolen…or even sold…to terrorists worldwide?”

  Eyes wide, she retorted, “Yes, I do. Is that what—”

  “Hey guys,” Ethan’s voice rang out, directly behind her. He and Cybil were the last to leave the conference room.

  Jumping once more, she willed her heartbeat to slow. Turning, she smiled up at him and, with a nod toward Jahfar, she moved down the hall to her office. As the rest of the employees left the building, most eager for their weekend plans, Dani decided to stay. She closed her door so that it appeared she was already gone. The next thirty minutes crawled by, and then she slipped out, noting the silent hallway.

  Moving stealthily, she walked straight to Jahfar’s office and slipped inside, shutting the door behind her with a soft click. Orderly. Neat. As always. She padded around to his desk, sitting in his chair. Pulling open a file drawer, she rifled through its contents. So easy, she thought, as her fingers landed on the file labeled peroxide-based explosives. Pulling it out, she flipped through article after article on the volatile explosives. He’s certainly doing his research, but for what? Not finding anything of interest, she moved through the next drawers. After almost twenty minutes, she had discovered nothing untoward. Frustrated, she checked the room making sure to leave the contents the way she found them and slipped back to her office.

  Leaving the building, she noticed Cybil and Ethan over by Cybil’s car. Throwing her hand up in greeting, she halted calling out to them when she noticed they were arguing. Cybil jumped in her car, slamming the door, and pealed out of the parking lot.

  Ethan, his face a mask of frustration, looked up at Dani. He walked over to her but his eyes were on Cybil’s taillights.

  “I would ask if you’re all right, but I can see that you’re not,” she said.

  “I’ve got something to do tonight and she doesn’t understand that the world doesn’t revolve around her. I want it to. I’m trying to keep her happy, but there are other demands.”

  Dani nodded, although she loved how Chad always made her feel first in his life. Ethan reminds me a little of Adam…caring, but not as into the relationship as I was.

  “So, why are you working late?” he asked.

  She pondered her answer for a moment, then took a chance knowing Ethan never seemed to trust Jahfar. “I’m going to tell you something, but I need it to stay between us.”

  Ethan eyed her carefully, curiosity in his expression. “Okay,” he agreed. “Just between us.”

  “I was actually snooping. I was in Jahfar’s office, seeing what I could find out.”

  Ethan reared back, his face morphing between surprise and anger. “Dani, you need to stay out of the situation,” he barked. “If you find things you don’t need to, then you’re in the crosshairs.”

  “Crosshairs? What are you talking about?”

  “You just don’t want the attention of someone who doesn’t want you to discover anything,” he groused. “You didn’t find anything did you?”

  “Not in his office, but I did obtain a sample of his handwriting. You see, I came across an order for some acetone peroxide, but when I looked, it did not appear to be his handwriting on the bottom of the order. I’m going to keep snooping.”

  “Jesus, you’re crazy,” Ethan said.

  “I worked on this when I was with the ATF,” she replied. “I’m not some amateur sleuth.”

  “I know, I know.” He ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “Listen, I’m in a bit of a pickle. Cybil and I rode together this morning and now I have no ride. I think she forgot that when she high-tailed it out of here. I need a lift to the city.”

  “Charlestown? Sure, hop in.”

  *

  Chad, ready to leave Jack’s, looked at his phone as a text came in. Leaving wrk late. Checking something.

  Jesus, Dani, stop investigating. Frustration poured off him as he felt the effects of the brick wall they kept running into.

  Marc yelled out of the door of the compound. “Hey, Chad. Come back in here. Mitch is back and says he’s got important info.”

  The Saints quickly settled in, noting Monty and Jack’s hard expressions. Mitch came on the video-conference, his face red with anger. “Guys, I’m fuckin’ sorry, but I had no idea. I just found out that the ATF had a sting operation going, in league with the FBI. I wasn’t in the know since it wasn’t my division, but Roscoe has been leading the task force.”

  “What does this mean for us?” Chad bit out, wishing he could get hold of Dani.

  “Jahfar isn’t working with terrorists. He’s been recruited by the ATF to work in their sting. He’s an undercover agent. And the terrorist that he’s been in contact with, Fazan Darzi—he’s also an undercover agent.”

  “So what about Dani’s suspicions?” Chad asked.

  Mitch’s face, still red with anger at not knowing about the operation, said, “It’s got to be someone else at MES. Not Jahfar.”

  *

  “So, what do you think is going on?” Ethan asked as Dani drove toward Charlestown.

  “I think Jahfar’s in league with someone who’s wanting to obtain detonators that will work with TATP. He’s got the ability to get his hands on it, and I now think he may be in league with someone else at MES. Someone who he had sign his name. My fiancé is an investigator who used to work for ATF. I’m turning everything I’ve been thinking over to him since he’s working on this case anyway.”

  “Turn left here,” Ethan directed.

  She glanced around at the modest neighborhood of small, neat houses. Somehow the area did not fit the picture in her mind of where he lived. She knew Cybil lived in a large condo and wondered about their differences.

  “It’s this one here,” he said, pointing to a house at the end of a cul-de-sac. The one-story, white house sat back just a little from the road. Several cars were in front of the house and one car was in the driveway.

  “Um…do you have company?” she asked, as she navigated to where he indicated by pulling into the driveway.

  “You need to come with me,” he said.

  Looking out the front windshield at the house, she said, “Oh, thanks, but I need to get home.”

  “No, you will come with me,” he said again, this time, his voice carrying authority.

  “What are you—” Her voice halted as she glanced his way and saw a gun pointing at her. “Ethan? What…what are you doing?”

  His handsome face contorted with fear. “I’m going to open my door and will keep my gun on you as you crawl over and come out on my side also. If you attempt to escape, Dani, I will shoot you. I’ve got no choice.”

  Heart beating erratically in her chest, she watched as he opened the door and exited the Jeep, then jerked the gun at her to indicate she should follow. With no choice, she crawled over
the console, made more awkward with her pregnancy, and joined him on the passenger side.

  “Walk,” he ordered.

  “Ethan, talk to me. What’s going on?” she begged, forcing her voice to remain calm.

  “Just go. Go to the front door,” his voice shook.

  Given no choice, she moved ahead of him, eyes alert and darting back and forth. Nothing. Not one damn way out.

  The door swung open and Dani stepped across the threshold, the cold gun barrel pressed between her shoulder blades.

  Entering, she moved into the first room, seeing four men all staring at her. Middle eastern. Cardboard boxes opened on the floor. A woman stepping into the room from the kitchen.

  One man walked directly to her, his eyes darting between her face and Ethan’s. “What is going on?”

  “Mohammad, she knows too much.”

  “You weren’t given orders to bring her here.”

  “What else was I going to do?” Ethan whined. “I never wanted to get this deep, now I can’t get out.”

  “No, no you can’t,” Mohammad agreed.

  Dani refused to look down, moving her gaze around the room, memorizing the faces of those there. The woman appeared frightened and stepped back slightly out of the room. The two men standing over the boxes glared at her with unadulterated hatred. The last man peered at her speculatively.

  “You have compromised where we are now…but, perhaps we can make a statement from here. Fazan and Habib, move these boxes into the van in the garage. Sabah, pack your things and be ready to leave with the others. Abdul, you know what to do.”

  “What about me?” Ethan asked, his voice shaky.

  “Leave. Just leave. Say nothing. Do nothing. Take her car and move it somewhere out of sight. I’ll contact you as soon as you are needed again,” Mohammad said.

  Dani turned to look at Ethan’s pale face, his eyes full of regret. “I trusted you,” she said. “You’ve betrayed us all.”

  Pain slashed across his face at her words. “I’m sorry, Dani. I…I never meant for anything like this to happen.”