“I have the Naval Satellites ready for 8:45 tonight, all cell towers and land lines in a fifty mile radius are on tap order. All radio frequencies, including government are to be monitored and recorded. That wasn’t easy, by the way. I have a no fly zone for non-military, and we have Coast Guard, National Guard and Navy personnel at ready for nine o’clock tonight. We are in the process of adding the triggers you provided to the communication filter. We have over a thousand communication and computer staff, between four agencies, ready to go online at 8:45. What am I forgetting?”
The Director chuckled, “What’s left?”
It looked to us like Thornton had pretty tight security. We called Ellen to see if she had found some way for us to communicate with Mambo. Ellen told us to go to Mambo’s. Ellen had invited a Saint she knew to meet us there to try to help us. Ellen said, “In this Saint’s mortal life she had been a teacher. Maybe that will help. Take your sticky notes with you. They may help too.”
Mary said, “I was a teacher in mortal life too. That doesn’t mean I can teach someone how to talk to ghosts!”
Linda said, “You aren’t a Saint either. Maybe Saints have an easier time talking to the Mambos of the world.”
I started giggling. I couldn’t stop. Mary looked at Teresa, “Don’t even ask her what she’s laughing at. We probably don’t want to know.” Hey.
I couldn’t help it, “Can you imagine any circumstance in mortal life, where Linda would have made the statement that maybe Saints have an easier time talking to the Mambos of the world than we do? Don’t you see how bizarre that sounds?”
Teresa pointed out, “Name something that has happened since we died, including dying, that hasn’t been bizarre.” Hmmmm. Good Point.
We flew to Mambos and entered through the wall. I knocked. It looked like the Statue of Liberty standing in the middle of the room. It was Ellen’s Saint friend. I was worried her dress was going to catch fire she was standing so close to the open pit. Mambo rolled her eyes. I wonder if anyone told her she was getting company tonight? She didn’t look real excited to see us again. She doesn’t have a TV or anything. What does she do? Mary elbowed me. I think to stop me from thinking. Nice try.
The Saint said something, but it was all mumbled and sounded like she was in a tunnel. Was that even English? I looked at Linda who put her finger over her lips to signal me to be quiet. I didn’t say anything!
The Spirit walked over to Teresa and held her hand. She mumbled something. Teresa tried to imitate what the Spirit had mumbled. I couldn’t stop giggling. This was going to take a while. Mary frowned at me and told me to do something with my mouth. What? I started humming Linda’s song, Hall of the Mountain King. I figured it would give my mouth something to do besides giggle. The Saint turned and smiled at me. She started humming it too. I couldn’t believe she knew that song!
Pretty soon even Mambo was humming it, and at the end Linda yelled “Yeah!” The Spirit yelled “Yeah.” We all yelled, “Yeah.” What just happened? The Spirit looked at Mary, “I think we have made a spiritual connection through music. Can you understand me now?”
Mary answered, “Perfectly!”
Wow, that was like the space ship in Close Encounters!
Mambo asked, “What is happening to mortals in this swamp?” We all started talking at once to answer her question. I looked around. The Spirit was gone. Huh. Mambo had us all sit around the fire pit with her and tell her about Devon and Patterson, the pedophile club, the weapons bust, the computer mess, and how I finally learned to fly right. Then she let us ask her questions about her life. How she lived in the swamp, what she could do to help people, how she dealt with black magic voodoo.
Suddenly there was a quiet knock on the door, and Spicey walked in with Sasha hanging onto the back of her skirt and following. Mambo gestured for them to sit, and she started chanting. Spicey told Mambo about Spirits visiting with her the night before and how they had her send an email to some government email address. Spicey wanted to know what was going on and wanted Mambo to confirm in front of Sasha that it was true.
Mambo looked at us and Teresa said, “It’s true. We needed her to send information she obtained for Tourey to Agent Roger Dance.”
Mambo looked at Spicey and said, “The Spirits needed you to get information to an FBI agent named Roger Dance in order to help some children. The man you spied on is a murderer and intends to harm more people. Your friend Tourey is helping too.” Sasha went pale. Mambo continued, “Tourey needs to be very careful. Some very powerful men will want to stop him from finding out too much.” Mambo lifted an amulet from around her neck and handed it to Spicey. “Give this to Tourey and warn him that Lucy is alive.” Mambo gave Sasha and Spicey each a small sack of potions. Mambo looked at Spicey, “These did not begin as gum drops.”
Sasha started to slide over in a faint. Spicey grabbed her shirt and held her up. I looked at Linda, “What gumdrops?” Mambo looked at me and winked. Huh?
Mambo pinched some powder and threw it into the flames. It briefly ignited and a sweet smell filled the air. Mambo began chanting and then stopped, “You may leave.” She resumed chanting. Spicey and Sasha backed out of the hut, bowing and waving to Mambo.
We decided to follow the boat back to the mainland to make sure the snakes or alligators didn’t bother anyone. Spicey had her gun out ready to shoot anything that moved, and Sasha had her head in her hands moaning. Mary was laughing at Sasha, “She cracks me up! Can you imagine if she had been on one of the boats before the storm? Oh brother!”
Roger, Paul, and John arrived at the Star Ship. Roger was glad to see Thor managed to get the whole team there in time. Thor updated everyone on what had happened in the surveillance of Mathew Core. He left out the part where he kissed Dusty. Simon and Ray brought the team up to speed on the computer crisis that was still in progress.
Ellen had provided a video disc that was ready to view. Ray handed Paul the control knowing Roger was challenged with technology. Roger had obtained permission from the Director to show his team everything Ellen had provided, including the video of the Director being poisoned. Roger wanted the team to have all of the information available. He wanted them to feel invested in his plan.
“In Indy this team discussed a problem in the New Orleans field office. Also, a larger, unknown danger responsible for the bombing of Core’s computer lab, and the subsequent deaths of four federal agents. The first two films I am going to show you are courtesy of OSI and took place this morning, shortly before lunch.” Roger nodded to Paul to begin the video. Paul stopped at different points and explained who they were looking at. When they got to the part of the video with the Director clutched his chest, there was a gasp in the room. Paul stopped the film.
Roger said, “The Director was given a drug that would make him sick, not kill him. What Thornton didn’t realize is the drug most likely administered to the Director at the hospital, would have reacted violently and caused the Director’s death. We notified the hospital to run tox screens before treatment. The Director is fine and is an active part of the plan we will be discussing shortly.”
No one in the room asked questions or commented. Roger could tell they were processing the seriousness of what they had seen. Paul played the video, with audio, of Thornton calling Roger. Again, everyone was silent.
“There is a weapons sting planned for this Friday here in New Orleans. Our field office here was told Mathew Core is brokering the deal as an FBI sting. When we called the field office for the arrest of Mathew Core and the seizure of his building, SSA Spelling contacted Thornton for instructions. Spelling knew Core was the FBI broker in the weapons deal. Thornton gave Spelling Core’s phone number to warn him of the raid and told Spelling we were outside of the loop and risking the sting. Our field office and Spelling have been told thirty tons of weapons will be sold to the Zelez Cartel in exchange for cocaine this Friday.”
Now there were comments. Thor shouted, “Thirty friggin’ tons?”
; Simon asked, “How many agents were going to do this sting?”
Paul answered, “Seven. Four local and three out of Virginia.”
Pablo asked, “Isn’t that a little light? Do we know how many cartel people will show up?” Paul answered no.
Nelson asked, “Where are the weapons now?”
Roger answered, “On the dock. They were transported on a ship from Algiers to the U.S.”
Simon asked, “Why wasn’t this ship stopped before port?”
Paul answered, “It has been protected.”
Everyone asked, “By whom?”
John answered, “FBI.”
Roger watched their facial expressions and their interactions with each other. He listened to them discuss what they had seen so far among themselves. This was a very good team. Probably the best he had ever assembled. Roger was quite sure the heavens had played a part in all of that.
Roger cleared his throat and everyone stopped talking. “That description of the sting is what the seven agents assigned to the sting have been told. With the assistance of OSI and some clever surveillance, this is what the truth is.” Roger nodded to Paul, and Paul started showing the videos of the ship, its cargo, and the dock holding building. Roger looked at Paul, and Paul stopped the film.
“You are looking at ninety tons of weapons and ammunition divided into thirty tons of cargo on the ship, and sixty tons loaded into the holding building. Paul is passing out lists of exactly what we have determined is here.” Roger let everyone study the lists. When everyone had finished, he asked them for their questions.
Thor raised his hand, “Okay. We were told about the ship and the thirty tons, right? That is supposed to happen Friday with the Zelez Cartel. Do we have any idea who the rest of this is for? If Core knows we are coming Friday for the sting, isn’t he afraid we’ll find this too?”
Roger looked at Simon who also had raised his hand, “You are saying that sting was a cover to bring in weapons for another purpose and another buyer using FBI protection? That deal must be scheduled for tomorrow.”
Jeanne had her hand up, “What is Mathew Core to the FBI? We have a murder warrant on him, and we are using him to broker weapons deals?”
Roger looked at Ray, “Tell the team who has been trying to reprogram the CIA super- frame all afternoon.”
Ray looked at the group, “Jason Sims, Mathew Core’s guy.”
Simon looked at Ray, “That is who we were watching all afternoon? How could that be? He’s in custody.” Roger looked at Paul. Paul played video of the telephone conversation of the man trying to find out who authorized the release of Jason Sims.
Simon asked, “When did that happen?”
Paul answered, “About the same time the Director was being poisoned. Around eleven this morning.”
Roger resumed talking, “You have all asked good questions. I have devised a plan I believe minimizes the risks to our agents and increases our opportunities to identify the real players. My plan is a cyber-communication sting. We are going to take all of the weapons tonight and have them moved to the secured naval yard down the dock. Instead of guessing who might be involved, we’ll see who screams.
“We are capturing all communications within a fifty mile radius of New Orleans from 8:45 this evening, Wednesday, until late Friday. We have Navy satellite support. All cell communications, land lines, government bands, and bank wire activity are being filtered with our list of trigger words and names. Over a thousand computer staff will be monitoring communications and reporting to us and the Security Council. We will have the Coast Guard, Navy, and National Guard at our disposal. Any comments?”
Everyone was stunned. John had been quietly listening and now stood. “We suspect the information we get from this will uncover some very nasty players in some very high positions of authority. This operation required the authority of the National Security Council to designate this plan a Martial Law operation.”
Thor stood up, “HOLY CRAP! You got this all done this afternoon?” Roger, Paul, and John just started laughing. John answered, “Obviously some very important people are investing faith and their reputations in the success of this operation.”
Roger continued, “We are going to meet at eight this evening at the field office and show the weapons film only to those agents. I will outline the plan, and we will suit up to arrive at the docks at 8:45. It should be fully dark by then. I need you all rested. If you can at least get in a good nap sometime between now and eight, it would be a good idea.”
Simon raised his hand, “I am thinking there may be some resistance to this change of strategy since this sting belongs to the local boys?”
Roger nodded, “I don’t expect they are going to fully understand. I have been given authority by the Director today to expand my designation to include Mathew Core and anything he is involved in.”
Thor looked at Simon and said, “Roger just put a very big target on his back. Core and anyone he is doing business with? That includes our Deputy Director.” Simon nodded.
Jeanne looked worried. “I agree with Thor. I think one of us should be assigned as your personal security.”
Roger smiled and said, “I think I’m safe for now. Let’s worry about getting this done tonight. I am not minimizing your concerns.” Roger smiled. “I appreciate them. Make no mistake, we are all staring down the devil. Maybe now we find out what he really looks like.”
Simon gestured to Thor he wanted to talk to him. Thor came over and Simon said, “You want to get a quick bite before we all take our naps?” Thor answered yes and suggested they invite Pablo, Jeanne and Nelson too. Thor overheard Roger tell Ray to keep working on the money transfers and do whatever he wanted tonight. It was geek’s day off.
Everyone agreed to meet at a little place over by Jackson Square. Dusty had told Thor the place had good food, just looked like a dive. Simon and Thor hailed a cab and the rest said they were going to walk. When Simon and Thor arrived, they sat at a large table in the back of the room facing the door and ordered soft drinks. When they were alone, Simon said, “This is a brilliant plan. I am worried it is going to work.”
Thor was nodding, “Makes you wonder why it hasn’t been done before doesn’t it?”
The waiter asked if they were eating, and Thor told him to come back when the rest of the group arrived. Thor whispered to Simon, “Ninety tons? What the hell? It takes some balls to do that and get an FBI protected ship.”
Simon answered, “Roger knows he is up against the Deputy Director of the FBI, at least one drug cartel, and Core, so far. Whoever is supposed to get these weapons will certainly start making calls when they find out it’s all gone.”
Thor lowered his voice to a whisper, “Didn’t he say the National Security Council has declared this a Martial Law operation? What the hell? That sounds like overkill, even for ninety tons of weapons.”
Simon answered, “I don’t think the weapons are the reason this is going down. I also think the excessive manpower is to discourage retaliation. Roger did that for us. I think Roger was able to pull this off because this bunch breached the security programs of the CIA.” Simon rubbed his chin, “Sims must have left himself a lot of back doors to the super-frame when he was their top geek. I don’t know how you protect from that. Ultimately a human is going to have an opportunity for access if they are determined. If you are the top geek, who is going to find your dirty deed?”
Jeanne, Pablo, and Todd walked in and came over to sit down. The waiter brought their drinks and everyone ordered. Jeanne was the first to speak, “I’m still worried about all of this being done on Roger’s name. I think we need a plan to keep him covered.”
Simon answered, “I agree with you, but we don’t know what he is doing half of the time.”
Thor shook his head, “I’m telling you this guy is spooky. How did he figure this out in one day? How did John get a camera into the Director’s office and CIA holding where Sims was being held?”
Pablo added, “Or the fil
m of the weapons and the guards. Did you guys see the guards over in the corner? Not kids.”
Todd leaned forward, “Ground to air missiles? High velocity ammo? Is there a war in the States I haven’t heard about?” He was whispering, but Simon waved for him to lower his voice even more.
The glass doors to the street opened and Spicey, Sasha, Dusty, and Alan came in and sat at a table. Dusty was casually looking around the room when he saw Thor. Thor smiled and blew him a kiss. Dusty held a menu up to cover his face. “Damn! You see who’s here?” he hissed at Alan.
Alan said, “Oh shit! This is dinner time!”
Spicey and Sasha looked at each other. Spicey looked at Dusty, “What’s got your shorts in a bunch boy? They’re obviously cops over there.”
Dusty lowered his menu, looked at Spicey, and whispered, “They’re having a dead body with every meal today!” Spicey scrunched her face and shook her head. She figured Dusty was doing some bad drugs.
Sasha’s mouth fell open, and she looked at Dusty, “I don’t have to eat no dinner. We just figured it be nice to get you guys food for takin’ us to Mambo. Fact is, I ain’t hungry at all no more.” She laid her menu on the table and pushed her chair back.
Alan said, “I don’t need anything. My wife will be fixin’ stuff at home.”
Dusty quickly stood up and said, “Let’s go then. No sense hangin’ out if nobody’s hungry.”
Spicey asked Dusty, “Are those guys FBI?” Dusty nodded. Spicey said, “You give me one minute then I’ll be ready to go.” She walked over to the table of agents and asked, “You be FBI?” They all nodded. Spicey asked, “Any of you named Roger Dance?”
Thor frowned, “No, but we know him. Why?”
Spicey shoved her hand in her purse and the entire table tensed and reached for their weapons. Spicey froze. She very slowly said, “Let’s not get excited. I want to give you a business card to give to Mr. Dance.” Spicey took a deep breath and scowled when she exhaled, “No wonder you guys are havin’ a dead body with every meal! Pretty touchy about your feedin’ time, aren’t ya?” Spicey handed the card to Thor. She turned around and walked out to meet the others at the sidewalk.
Extreme Heat Warning: A Shallow End Gals Trilogy, Book Two Page 28