“I guess we were waiting, knowing you were on the way.”
Howard continued, “What about Cutler Point, what are they doing?”
“We’ve locked down the entrance but we haven’t broken out the weapons, because you know that upper management is always wary of showing that kind of armament.”
Howard scowled. “I don’t give a damn about presentation or public relations; get the weapons released and have them readily available for the six guards who’ll be arriving soon.”
Wayne turned to a FEU employee who had been shadowing him. “Have the weapons locker opened and tell Cutler Point to do the same.”
If there’s a terrorist attack on the nuclear facilities, I’m in a dilemma. Howard surmised that an attack on these two sites would in effect destroy any plans they had for the mission. My options are limited. If the nuclear reactor sites are attacked, MetroMax guards will have to support the FEU plant, hoping the attack can be held off and the mission can still be preserved. I can only hope that the situation doesn’t arise. Any killing of a MetroMax South security guard could uncover their true identity. The entire mission would unravel and the three of us would have to flee the country.
The additional six guards and Sergeant Navarro arrived in separate vehicles. The sergeant took each guard aside. “If the plant is attacked we must support FEU no matter what.”
The guards reluctantly acknowledged their orders.
Wayne Anderson was relieved to see the reinforcements arrive. “I didn’t know FEU had issued those,” pointing to the VHF transceivers the guards carried.
“They didn’t.” Howard gave a prepared answer. “We use them for our operations in D.C. and thought it a good idea to have them in case of emergencies. This way we’re ensured that there’s no interference in communications from civilian or law enforcement sources.”
“Howard, you seem to have thought of everything. It’s a blessing that FEU has MetroMax South as their security firm.”
Howard grinned. That’s just what I wanted to hear. By reacting immediately to the crisis I’ve impressed FEU management. MetroMax South will always be the subcontractor of choice when it comes to security.
Howard called Sergeant Navarro on his VHF transmitter. “Sergeant, I need to meet with you at my vehicle.”
Within minutes the sergeant was inside Howard’s SUV. “Howard, I told the men they must contain any enthusiasm for the terrorist attacks and show only concern and contempt for what happened. No one at FEU must suspect our mission.”
“You’re sure the guards will follow your directions?” Howard asked.
“Positive. The men assigned to the FEU guard duty all have military discipline and training. They are the best out of all of the operatives.”
“I’m counting on your leadership,” said Howard. “It’s going to be the perfect scenario for the mission if the nuclear reactor sites aren’t attacked.”
11:49 A.M.: The terrorist attacks were over and the nation was in shock.
Wayne Anderson shook Howard’s hand. “I’m telling you Howard, your company has performed beyond anything I would have expected. I will document everything to my management tomorrow.”
Howard climbed into his SUV and left the FEU site. Picking up his mobile phone he hit the direct connect button for Jonah.
Jonah responded, “Yes. Is everything okay?”
“Couldn’t be better,” said Howard. “Meet me at my office at four o’clock and I’ll go over the details. Please let Daniel know.”
Howard entered his office and told his secretary, “Thanks for taking care of the turmoil in the office today while I was at FEU. Go home and get some rest.”
When Jonah and Daniel arrived he motioned them to his SUV. As they got inside Howard said, “Even though I checked the office for surveillance devices, I’m more comfortable in the vehicle. FEU was falling all over itself with praise for MetroMax South’s performance today. We are in solid with them. But I think we have bigger problems.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more,” said Jonah. “I’m afraid we’ll have to call off any action at this time. The U.S. Government will be investigating everything. The slightest indication that something looks suspicious means they’ll be all over it. We’ve worked too long and hard to allow ourselves to become impatient and risk discovery, destroying all that we’ve put in place. We’ll wait until the Amir gives orders to proceed.”
Howard and Daniel agreed.
On Monday, December 10, 2001, Benjamin Werner, after thirty-five years of service to the Mossad, handed in his official resignation effective January 1, 2002.
CHAPTER 23
THE 9/11 AFTERMATH, 2001 - 2002
The Phoenix Rising
Clearing the Boca Inlet, Jonah opened the engines to full throttle heading due east. At a distance of five miles he cut the engines, allowing the yacht to drift.
Howard viewed the surrounding ocean with binoculars. “There’s nothing in sight except for one vessel heading north.”
“Good,” said Jonah, “let’s get started. Daniel, give us an update.”
Daniel opened his notebook. “Four days ago on September eighteenth, unknown sources within the United States sent letters contaminated with anthrax. Investigations into the anthrax deaths concluded there were five contaminated letters sent. Three were to television news broadcasters: ABC, CBS and NBC. Two more were sent to newspaper publishers, The New York Post and American Media in Boca Raton, Florida. Robert Stevens, the photo editor at the Sun, a publication produced by American Media, was infected by the anthrax and died.”
“What about your offices?” Howard asked.
“Being only two blocks from the American Media building, I had to abandon the premises and work from home. I was fortunate to have my trucks in another location, or I would have been out of business. I’m concerned that we’ll become subjects of these investigations.”
Howard interrupted. “Daniel, you’re overly paranoid. We have to assess our positions and take appropriate action. My contacts in Washington lead me to believe they haven’t a clue to our true names, or our intent. No one in al-Qaeda has any knowledge of our existence, names, or target. There can be no links to our activities from any of the investigations underway. Three of the hijackers were living in Delray Beach and the Anthrax attack in Boca Raton is unfortunate for us, but it’s purely coincidental.”
Jonah added, “The fact that al-Qaeda carried out these attacks doesn’t derail the mission in any manner. They struck a blow at the United States, but in doing so they put all Muslims in the crosshairs of the United States Military. I don’t know what they accomplished for the persecuted Muslims and the Palestinians. They chose the soft target, but now they’re going to feel the wrath of the United States and countless innocent Muslims are going to be jailed or killed. All al-Qaeda has done is make the world wary of all Muslims and made our job harder. Patience is what we need, for people have short memories and soon they’ll be less vigilant. That’s the time to strike.”
“I have something disturbing that came in the mail from Robert Peterson. I’ll read it to you,” said Howard. “‘Due to ill health I find it necessary to close my business immediately. All my business records have been turned over to my brother. Sorry for any inconvenience. Robert.’”
“No way,” said Daniel. “Now what are we going to do for communication and what’s our exposure?”
“Don’t worry,” said Howard. “In his note he said that all of his records have been turned over to his brother, which is a euphemism for total destruction. I’m completely satisfied that there can be no link to our activities and all the information has been completely destroyed. We opened the P.O. boxes under bogus names and driver’s licenses that can’t be traced.”
“I’ll take over the responsibility of setting up a new method of communications,” said Jonah. “In December, Maria and I will be taking the children to Colombia to spend Christmas with her family. As part of the trip I’ll go to San Andrés Island.
I’ll make contact with Abu Abbas Ismail and set up a communication system back to the Amir. We need to have a complete understanding of his position and what further actions he wants us to take.”
“What about the operatives at Cooper Farms?” Daniel asked.
“We’re implementing new procedures immediately,” said Jonah. “First, we’ve taken extra precautions to keep the weapons cache and the fake television vehicle away from prying eyes by posting extra guards. There’s an immediate halt of any recreational activity off the farm. The only people allowed to leave are those working for MetroMax South. At the end of their shift they will be picked up and returned to the farm.”
“Won’t the men become restless now that they’re confined to the farm?” asked Daniel.
“I’m going to buy you a set of worry beads,” said Jonah.
“I’m not Greek,” retorted Daniel.
“No, you’re more like an old woman. I’ll tell you what we’re going to do to keep the men busy,” said Jonah. “We’re increasing the training exercises from twice to four times a week. Also, we’re renting appropriate videos for entertainment and I’ve purchased a satellite system that can bring in television stations from many of the Middle East Arab countries. Groceries and other food items for the farm purchased from several wholesalers in the area will have their delivery trucks meet at the front gate and the supplies transferred to awaiting Cooper Farms vehicles, under the pretense that the dirt road to the back of the complex is too hazardous for non-farm vehicles.”
October 6, 2001: The three cell members held a second meeting. The atmosphere aboard The Phoenix Rising was extremely tense.
“I’m frustrated,” said Jonah. “The United States is leaving no stone unturned trying to discover any terrorist cells within its borders. The precautions and preparations we’ve made appear to be working. What is Sergeant Navarro doing, Howard?”
“He’s met with all of our operatives, reinforcing they use their Spanish surnames, speaking only in Spanish or English. The only time they’re allowed to use their native languages is during the Friday prayer meeting.”
“Good,” said Jonah. “I’ve also posted additional guards at night at Cooper Farms near the entrance to secure the property. Patience is required from all of those who’ve joined the cause. One mistake and the mission will be in jeopardy. I’m concerned about Robert Peterson.”
“I’m constantly in touch with my contacts in Washington,” replied Howard. “I’ll know if the FBI has Robert as a suspect when they release a terrorist watch list later this month. I’ll not ask any questions, just monitor the activity. I must keep a low profile and still operate as the owner of MetroMax South with my primary interest to protect my clients. I can’t raise suspicions.”
Robert Peterson, a.k.a. Imad Bakhit
Imad, after sending his last letter, was anticipating his upcoming ill health to be a result of being arrested for aiding and abetting terrorists. He brought in his two loyal employees both of Arabic decent. “Has everything been destroyed?”
“All the paper records have been burned and the ashes flushed down the toilet,” said one of the employees.
“What about the computer?”
“I’ve taken apart the hard drive and exposed the disk to a strong magnet. I took the disks across town and disposed of them in a couple of restaurant dumpsters,” replied the second employee.
“I’m giving you each fifty thousand dollars and two tickets to Lima, Peru. Once in Peru, I highly suggest you find another country to live in. The authorities will be looking for all of us soon.”
Both men thanked Imad profusely for his generosity.
It is not my money, what do I care? I have been taking evasive action for years in case of such an emergency by placing my funds in the Cayman Islands. I’m set for life.
Imad drove across the St. Clair River into Canada, producing a phony driver’s license. After dropping off the rental car, he called a taxi to bring him to the commercial docks located in Sarnia, Canada. There he boarded a cargo freighter bound for Durban, South Africa. I haven’t told anyone of my plans, especially the Muslims For Justice. I heard rumors that anyone associated with them disappears when no longer needed.
By the time the FBI looked into the activities of Multilingual Books and Records, Imad Bakhi was enjoying the comforts of living in the bustling city of Durban, South Africa, playing golf five days a week when not at the beach.
The FBI could only trace the two employees’ departure from Detroit to Lima, Peru but their final destination was unknown. They finally pieced together that Robert Peterson was Imad Bakhi and that Multilingual Books and Records was a front for terrorist activities. Imad’s disappearance brought up more questions than answers. There was no residual evidence to help them uncover what terrorist activities were supported and who were the contacts in the United States. They had no clue to Imad Bakhit’s whereabouts.
Afghanistan
October 7, 2001: The U.S. government, frustrated by the Taliban’s refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden, launched attacks in Afghanistan. American and British forces commenced an aerial bombing on the capital, Kabul, cutting off electricity. They attacked the airport and military complex at Kandahar and several training camps. In a few days, most of the al-Qaeda training sites and the Taliban’s air defenses were destroyed. The Taliban lost the ability to organize a military response and their self-confidence deteriorated.
November 9, 2001: The battle for Mazari Sharif began and by two in the afternoon, Northern Alliance forces swept in from the south and west, seizing the city’s main military base and airport. Within four hours, the city of Mazari Sharif was captured. Northern Alliance forces, seeking revenge on five hundred twenty captured Taliban hiding in a school, massacred all of them.
November 12, 2001: Kabul fell to Northern Alliance forces and within days all of the major Taliban strongholds within Afghanistan had fallen.
December 6, 2001: Kandahar, the last Taliban-controlled city, fell and the majority of the Taliban fighters had been decimated. Their leaders fled to safe havens in the mountains of Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan and over the border to Pakistan.
Jonah spent hours studying the news on Afghanistan. Osama bin Laden destroyed the entire Taliban movement and much of his organization because of his attacks on the United States. His fighters and the Taliban forces have been destroyed and thousands of Muslims killed. In the end, he accomplished nothing and now we’re all in peril. I must be smarter to prevail.
San Andrés
December 17, 2001: Jonah and his family flew to Colombia for a three-week vacation. After spending a week in Bogotá, Jonah said to Maria, “I’m going ahead to San Andrés to scuba dive. Please leave the children with Ronaldo’s housekeepers for the week and join me. We never seem to have time alone.”
“I’ll think about it,” was all Maria would say.
After settling in to the apartment on San Andrés, Jonah quickly departed to Almacén Imports to see Abu Abbas. It was one o’clock when Jonah arrived at the store. Jonah muttered, “They’re closed until three.” He kept pounding on the door.
An irritated Abu Abbas answered the door saying in Spanish, “La tienda esta cerrada hasta las …(The shop is closed until…)” He didn’t complete his statement when he recognized Jonah. “Quickly come inside and close the door. My employees have left for lunch and it’s safe to talk. I was wondering after the al-Qaeda attacks if I would ever hear or see of you again.”
Jonah sat down in the backroom. “I need to get a communication to the Amir about how we should proceed. Please make contact and let me know his intentions.”
“How do you want me to get in touch with you once I have the information?”
Jonah answered, “I’ll come here every day at this time. You’ve no need to contact me. You know better than that.”
Abu Abbas said no more. I’m curious to know who is this man who calls himself Lee Ruby Senior, but this information could shorten my life considera
bly. Better leave well enough alone.
After Jonah departed, Abu Abbas left the shop and made a call to his clothing supplier in Lebanon asking for a management decision on what to do with items that were not selling. Discount or destroy and how soon. The message was then relayed to Syria.
Jonah returned to the shop three days in a row. There was still no word from the Muslims For Justice. Finally on the fourth day Abu Abbas received a coded message that read:
Management does not approve of destroying any merchandise at this time. Discount the articles and they will sell eventually. Keep management informed of progress and we’ll make a decision in the future on final disposition.
Jonah after reading the note turned to Abu Abbas. “I guess no action is to be taken at this time. I’ll contact you on a monthly basis, by telephone.”
Abu Abbas thought, I have no idea what the action is going to be and I’m smart enough to not ask any questions.
Abu Abbas didn’t know where Lee Ruby Sr. was from. “Isn’t it risky making phone calls to the island?”
“Not your problem.”
Abu Abbas knew he had overstepped his bounds again. “I’m just concerned for your safety.”
Jonah had a simple plan for contacting Abu Abbas. Purchase a prepaid international phone card and make the calls from a pay phone, keeping the conversation brief and non-descript so no one would be the wiser, even if the communication were intercepted.
CHAPTER 24
COMPLICATIONS
Iraq
During the year 2002 the United States pressed the United Nations to bring Iraq in compliance with previous U.N. Resolutions on disarmament. On November 8, the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1441 stating that Iraq was in material breach of ceasefire terms required under previous resolutions.
February 5, 2003: U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell presented a case for military intervention in Iraq to the U.N. Security Council. The Iraqi government continued to claim that it had no weapons of mass destruction and was fully cooperating with U.N. Resolution 1441. Powell also sought to draw links between Iraqi officials and the al-Qaeda terrorist network, particularly terrorist interest in Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. The U.S. presented documentation, which alleged that Iraq had attempted to buy uranium from Nigeria. This document was later proven to be a forgery.
The Third Cell Page 27