The Third Cell

by Anthony D'Egidio

  Benjamin and Mika followed Melvin’s instruction, with each diver using a powerful underwater light. They followed George into a large cargo hole where giant groupers had taken refuge to spawn their young. The fish were swimming guard over the nests and hatched fry.

  After spending twenty minutes around the ship, the last part was the crew’s quarters, galley and engine room. Mika and Benjamin were thoroughly engrossed in the ships huge engine room, though the visibility was limited even with the lights.

  Benjamin turned to find George, but couldn’t locate him. He checked his dive computer and it indicated he still had twenty minutes of air left. It’s time to leave, factoring in decompression. We need to stop for one minute at forty-five, thirty-five, twenty-five and twenty feet respectively. We’ll then proceed to fifteen feet for five minutes and slowly to the surface over the next minute. This should give us ten minutes of air to spare. Benjamin, always cautious, motioned to Mika that they should ascend. They followed the line that was supposed to take them out of the bowels of the ship to the upper deck. Benjamin looked around. What the hell is this? We’re in the crew quarters. He motioned for Mika to turn around. Benjamin swam to the hatch and found it closed.

  Benjamin strained to release the hatch, but on the opposite side, George had placed a rusted steel rod preventing it from opening. Benjamin continued his fruitless struggle trying to locate an object to force against the hatch, but none was in sight.

  Benjamin stopped for a moment, viewing the interior of the crew’s quarters looking for an escape. Everything I hypothesized about The Phoenix Rising, the security guards at Beekman Estates and the three so-called Jewish businessmen is true. My death will look like an accident, the perfect murder.

  Benjamin again struggled desperately with the hatch. Using up the last of his oxygen, he finally blacked out.

  Mika watched in terror knowing she too had only minutes to live. Her mind raced over the events of the past several months and she had only one thought before she passed out: I should have said no. At least I’d still be alive, even if it was back in the Ukraine!

  George surfaced to the waiting boat shouting to Melvin, “It’s been close to twenty minutes. They should be out of air by now.”

  Melvin said, “Go below and clean up the scene, and make sure you get the crews quarters hatch back open.”

  George changed tanks and worked his way back to the crew’s quarters. He released the bar holding the hatch and pried it open. He then deposited the bar several meters from the area. Going inside he observed the lifeless bodies of Benjamin and Mika. He finished his chores and was about to surface when he noticed several large objects moving rapidly above. Sharks? What the hell has stirred them up?

  Looking up George noted, Caribbean reef sharks, really nothing to worry about. He started to ascend then stopped. What the hell, there’s a tiger shark at least four meters long. I’m in serious trouble. If I start swimming I could attract attention. The buoyancy of the tanks is raising me to the surface.

  George didn’t have long to think about his options when the tiger shark, attracted by the yellow safety line flaring from his body, ripped his left leg off close to his hip. The tearing of flesh sent such a searing pain he screamed. Within seconds the rest of the shark pack joined the feast and George’s body was ripped to shreds.

  Previously, Melvin had poured almost five gallons of fish blood and chum into the ocean that had been stored in a gasoline container. After emptying the contents, he flushed the container with salt-water. He poured two gallons of gasoline from the other spare gas container into it, giving the appearance it had been used for refueling.

  With visibility of over one hundred feet, Melvin watched the bloody carnage below. “Sorry George, but money is money and now I can live like a king.”

  Picking up the boat’s radio, Melvin gave a distress call. It only took twenty minutes for the high-speed Colombian Navy patrol boat to reach the area. Because of all the shark activity, it was another twenty-four hours before the bodies of Benjamin and Mika could be recovered.

  Melvin recalled the events to the authorities and the ensuing investigation. “When the two guest divers didn’t surface on time, George went to find them. All I saw was the tiger shark attacking him as he rose to the surface. It’s devastating to have all three people die at once and I don’t think I can ever dive again.”

  The investigation faulted Archipelago Scuba Diving for not providing enough safety measures for the diving pair and rumors of impending manslaughter charges against Juan Gomez were rampant.

  In the United States and in Israel the death of Benjamin Werner was mourned by his friends, co-workers and family alike. His sister Ilona held a memorial ceremony at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Boca Raton.

  The brilliant mathematician, master of espionage and counter espionage for the Mossad was buried alongside his beloved wife Rachel at the Kiryat Shaul Cemetery in Tel Aviv. Even Mark Heckman of the Mossad considered the death to be an accident and never launched further investigations into Benjamin’s allegations of possible terrorists in South Florida.

  Mika Rudolph’s body was a dilemma for the Colombian authorities. Though she had listed her address in Coral Gables on her customs declaration form, her passport was Ukrainian and the United States Embassy would not permit the body back in the country, insisting that it be handed over to the Ukrainians. After much haggling between the two embassies, the Ukrainians agreed to ship the body back to their country. They could find no record of the Ukrainian passport that was found in her hotel room. It was eleven weeks before an official signed off for a common grave burial in Kiev.

  Melvin Pusey was found dead of a heroin overdose two months later. Archipelago Scuba Diving business suffered from the negative publicity and customers were few and far between. Juan Gomez was heavily in debt and couldn’t make his payments back to Abu Abbas. The thought of having to go to jail had turned him into an alcoholic. After drinking a fifth of ‘Nectar,’ his favorite Colombian liquor, he took out a pistol and, opening his mouth, shot the top of his head off.

  When Abu Abbas Ismail heard of Juan’s fate he muttered, “Good, he saved me the dirty task of having to dispose of him.” Abu Abbas then sent a simple chat room message.

  From stellabogota;

  “All the visitors have finally departed.”

  Jonah, after reading the message, went directly to Howard and Daniel to give them the good news.

  Abu Abbas, using a long distance phoning establishment, placed a call to his contact in Lebanon with the simple message:

  All the goods have been removed from the shelves and have been disposed of.

  The following day the Amir was told of the news and he gloated. I have finally rid myself of the one person who could have upset the mission. Soon we’ll strike and the world will know the vengeance of Allāh!

  CHAPTER 26

  MIDDLE EAST TURMOIL

  The Phoenix Rising

  On a cold February day, the yacht was rolling in the three to five foot seas. Jonah, after viewing the horizon, set a northeast course. He placed the yacht under autopilot and went below.

  Howard grabbed onto the table, his notes sliding. “Benjamin’s death hasn’t stirred up any additional investigations, as far as I can determine. I understand the Mossad last August and September made inquiries into our past in the UK and came up with no connection. No United States agencies were linked to the Mossad investigation. Our cover has protected us up until now and there’s no reason to alter our plans.”

  “But how long will it be before someone discovers the truth?” asked Daniel.

  Jonah turned to Daniel and said, “Not until we reveal our true identity, and by then it will be too late. I know you’re impatient, but the Amir has yet to give the signal. Many events are happening in Palestine and the Middle East. With the strong presence of the United States in Iraq he is reluctant to act. Besides, Iran has been stirring up the international community with its rhetoric on atomic energ
y and is moving forward to build a nuclear reactor in spite of international pressure. Maybe the Amir is waiting until Iran is in a position to challenge Israel. But this is only speculation.”

  Daniel interjected, “With the U.S. presidential election this year, maybe the Amir is waiting to see if a new administration will put pressure on Israel to recognize a Palestinian state and sign a peace accord.”

  “You’re dreaming,” retorted Jonah. “The election won’t change anything. American politics is controlled by Wall Street and the banks which are predominately owned and run by Jews. Even if this guy Barack Hussein Obama gets in, I doubt he’ll change anything.”

  Howard shook his head as he spoke, “I can’t believe the American people have a man with a Muslim name running for president so soon after 9/11.” Howard steadied himself as the yacht rolled in the heavy seas. “What really amazes me is that he will probably win.”

  “Look what he’s running against. The Republicans have two very weak candidates,” shouted Jonah over the wind driving the bow into an oncoming wave. “I’ve got to believe that the Amir has taken a wait and see attitude.”

  “I’m not convinced,” said Daniel. “It could take years and I’m afraid the men will become restless and want to abandon the project. Then what will we do?”

  Howard was losing his patience. “Our men are dedicated to the cause. Besides, they’re blaming the United States for the secular violence and deaths of so many innocent Iraqis and Afghans. They are a patient group and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are feeding their anger. You need to control your fears.”

  “What about Traci?” Jonah asked.

  “What do you mean?” Daniel answered with a frown on his face.

  “You know exactly what I mean,” said Jonah. “You’re not like us. Howard and I have placed our lives into perspective regarding our wives. Maria was so concerned that the American lifestyle would corrupt the children, that she insisted that they move to Colombia to complete their high school education. Now that she’s in Colombia, it’s made my life much less complicated and it allows me to concentrate on the mission without interruptions. You, on the other hand, are still completely in love with Traci. How do you plan to end the relationship?”

  “I’m working on it. Just give me time,” pleaded Daniel.

  Both Howard and Jonah were aware of Daniel’s attachment to Traci and had previously expressed this concern between them.

  Jonah had a very pragmatic solution. “I’ll just have one of the operatives take her out. It will look like an accident, similar to Benjamin Werner’s demise.”

  Howard shook his head no. “I’d be careful. If Daniel thinks we had something to do with her death he could seek revenge by turning us in. I don’t think we can take that risk.”

  That conversation was fresh in Jonah’s mind as he turned The Phoenix Rising towards the Boca Inlet. Jonah had planned to spend the rest of the day trolling for dolphin, but a cold front that was not due until Sunday morning came barreling in about eleven o’clock, raising the waves up to six feet. They headed for port as the yacht lurched from the heavy seas. If I could have one marine forecast that was accurate, it would be a miracle. When we’re ready to strike, I hope the weather will be in our favor.

  Michelle Lieberman

  Howard was at West Palm Beach airport to pick up Michelle. She waved to him as she cleared the security area.

  “I’m beat,” Michelle said as she gave Howard a hug. “I need to reduce the traveling back and forth. The weekly trips are taking a toll on me. You wouldn’t believe the line at security today. I look at these security guards and some are people who we rejected. But here they are keeping our nation safe. How stupid is it when entering the security area, a TSA employee of a rather dubious level of IQ would check your ticket and boarding pass, as if they couldn’t be forged? While you’re standing in line waiting for the actual screening, another TSA employee would re-check the ticket and boarding pass just in case you mysteriously appeared in the fifteen-foot walkway between the two inspectors out of thin air.”

  “I agree. It doesn’t make sense to me,” acknowledged Howard, who had heard the same story at least a half-dozen times.

  Michelle continued to ramble on, “If there’s going to be a breach of security, they’re not coming through the front door, but from inside.”

  I’m tempted to say, “Yes dear,” but she’d know I’m just placating her and this will really upset her. Howard then said, “I think we have to consider you coming home every other weekend and then staying an extra day.”

  “You may be right, but come winter I don’t know if I’d just rather work from home. The traveling is taking a toll on me, but with the business expanding I really don’t have much of a choice.”

  “We’ll figure it out,” said Howard. I hope she doesn’t want to work from home. This could screw up the mission.

  Michelle had hired Adam Woljeski as her Washington, D.C. commander after he retired from the Marine Corps in 1999. She was thrilled to have someone of Adam’s talent and experience on the MetroMax team.

  Michelle was telling Howard about Adam’s contributions. “He’s implemented many new procedures to increase security measures at all the facilities. Adam is handling most of the meetings and negotiations with the government interfaces. It’s a blessing for me because you know how I hate the paperwork and the political crap.”

  MetroMax Security supervisors in early January were called into a meeting with Michelle and Adam to address a new security measure that the government had dictated. The meeting lasted until nine o’clock at night. She placed her last call to Howard from the office before leaving for home in Arlington, Virginia. Getting into her car, Michelle turned the key. Click, click was the only sound she heard. Damn, I left my lights on.

  Returning to the office she found Adam still working. “My battery’s dead.”

  “No problem, I’ll drive you home. I don’t live that far from your condo.”

  Driving to Michelle’s condo they continued to discuss the increased security requirements at the government facilities.

  “We need to put forth a presentation that gets MetroMax the extra money we need to meet the new requirements,” said Michelle. They were exchanging ideas as they pulled up to her condo.

  “Do you mind coming in and finishing this discussion? I want to pencil down some of these ideas before we lose them.”

  “Not at all, I’ve no-one to answer to,” replied Adam.

  Adam Woljeski never had anyone waiting for him. He had been involved with several women over the years, including a fellow Master Sergeant’s wife while the man was on duty in Guantanamo Bay. He had no guilt feelings about the affair, for the Marine consistently abused his wife and she took out her revenge by sleeping with as many of the men on base as possible.

  They entered the living room and Michelle immediately made herself a Manhattan. “Would you like one?”

  “Sure, I could use something to relax me.”

  Adam was known to be a heavy drinker. He had learned to control his alcohol intake because he was a very nasty drunk and knew this would be career-limiting. While a Marine in Panama he got into a brawl with three locals after one of them made an offensive remark about the gringo in the Marine uniform. He exited the bar just before the police arrived, leaving two of the men unconscious and the third with his arm broken so badly it just hung limp on the side of his body.

  Working on the presentation strategy, Michelle had consumed several Manhattan’s. She was sitting next to Adam on the couch, their legs rubbing against one another, as they reviewed the written notes. Michelle, on sudden impulse, turned to Adam, grabbed him by the crotch and kissed him. She could feel his manhood rising in her hand as she continued to place her tongue in his mouth. Oh God, he’s hung like a horse. What the hell am I doing?

  The thought didn’t remain too long in her mind before they were ripping off each other’s clothes in a sexual frenzy. They had intercourse on the rug twice before
she dragged him naked to the bedroom. The sexual encounters lasted throughout the night, with small intervals of sleep in between. Michelle awoke at nine o’clock. A note was on the pillow, from Adam.

  Woke at six and left for my place. See you at work and hopefully afterwards.

  Michelle reflected on the previous night’s indiscretion. My relationship with Howard has deteriorated over the years to one of mutual acceptance. The distance apart has put a wedge in our marriage. I’m not sure if it’s Howard or me who allowed this to happen.

  The affair between Michelle and Adam was discreetly maintained. After that first night they always met at Adam’s residence and would have dinners away from D.C., usually in the outlying areas around Manassas, Virginia. There was always the danger of being discovered because of MetroMax’s far-reaching customers and her father’s former business acquaintances. This made the affair even more exciting.

  In the weeks to come Howard did sense there was a change in the relationship. Something happened. Michelle doesn’t call as frequently and she’s in no hurry to return home. Maybe she’s found someone to keep her company, which certainly takes the pressure off me.

  A few months later, a hand written envelope with a MetroMax Security return address arrived at his office.

  You should know that your wife and Adam Woljeski are having an affair.

  Howard had mixed emotions. He had purposely pushed the relationship with Michelle to the breaking point and now that it had happened he was jealous. I’ve accomplished my goal, but my ego and self-esteem have been bruised. I must overcome my emotions and focus on the goal ahead.

  It was early December, and the three men were having a casual meeting at Jonah’s home, smoking cigars and playing poker. In the background a news broadcast was emanating from a large flat screen television.