by Bryan Murray
Rogerson was white with rage. “And who’s trying to stop them?”
Handforth looked even more perplexed. “That’s the problem, Ben, there’s a major storm blowing through and we have nobody on site,......except one.”
Rogerson was almost afraid to ask. “And who’s that?”
The men around the table all looked at each other, afraid to look the Director in the eye. “Well, I’m waiting?” Rogerson fumed.
Handforth was the first to reply. “Apparently, he’s the guy who made the hit in Dubai! His name is Jake Harrigan! And the FBI are there of course!” he added as an afterthought.
Rogerson was livid. “You’re not serious? Sweet Jesus! You mean there’s a bunch of Arabs and rogue agency guys going up against the goddamned FBI and we have no damage control in place, except for this one CIA assassin. I’m a fuckin’ dead man!” He stormed out of the meeting and the men round the table looked at each other.
Handforth sighed. “I guess we’re all dead men. What a goddamned mess!”
CHAPTER 27
As the storm picked up in intensity, Jake drove along, struggling to see the road ahead in the torrential rain. Inside the car, Sarah looked across at Jake, a man who had gone through hell the past few days, but he was still hanging in there. She was under no illusion that the night ahead would be a long one and one that she would not soon forget. In all likelihood, people could die and she was fervently hoping it would not be herself or Jake.
It never ceased to amaze her at what greed could do to people. Davidson and Jennings, both with high profile, high income jobs, that just weren’t enough, so they had schemed to make more money, even resorting to murder to get it. This would be their undoing.
As the saying goes, ‘Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts, absolutely!’ and it seemed that since they had the power to make someone disappear, this gave credence to the old adage. It had become far too easy to sign a person’s death warrant, particularly with the protective umbrella afforded when trying to avoid any perceived threats to national security.
Sarah suddenly realized that she was going into battle with this man next to her, who was as tough as nails, yet strangely vulnerable, putting her life in the hands of someone that she knew so very little about.
What she did feel around Jake, however, was a surprising level of protection, almost like he cast an aura of invincibility around her to stave off any hostilities that may arise. In spite of six years of experience with the bureau, she had never felt like this before.
She looked across at him, compassion in her lovely brown eyes. “I’m sorry about your wife, Jake. It must have been devastating?”
He shrugged. “It still is, but thanks,” he looked back at her. “Are you married?”
She gave a wry smile. “Was, but he thought I cared for the job more than him.”
Jake was sympathetic. “And did you?”
She mused reflectively. “Maybe.”
Jake looked curious. “Schaumberg? Was he Jewish?”
She sighed and nodded, memories returning. “Israeli, as was I, originally.”
Jake smiled. “Originally?”
“Yes, my family immigrated to the US when I was young.”
He was still inquisitive. “And your family name?”
“Golchen.”
Jake looked surprised. “You mean like Ari Golchen, the current Israeli Defense Minister? I was on the security detail on one of his visits over here.”
She smiled. “He’s my uncle.”
Jake was impressed. “No kidding! Let me tell you, he’s one of the good guys!”
She nodded in agreement. “I think so!”
* * *
The visit by the Israelis had been an interesting three days of deviation from Jake’s normal operating agenda. His role had suddenly changed from that of lethal assassin to exactly the opposite, looking to divert any assassination attempt away from a diplomat under his protection. An elaborate game of reverse psychology, using a killer to stop a killing!
In the case of Ari Golchen, he had been most friendly and understanding of Jake’s efforts to protect him, but Jake had the feeling that Ari felt he was being a burden on the US security forces. Jake had politely pointed out to him, that his own career wouldn’t have been worth a damn, if he had let anything happen to such an important ally of the US. After that, they had both become friends. Jake had still heaved a huge sigh of relief, however, when the Delta jet with Ari on board, finally flew out on its way back to Tel Aviv.
He looked at Sarah, still curious. “Did Ari help you get the job with the bureau?”
She smiled. “Hell no! The bureau make you earn it, believe me!”
He smiled. “What’s your specialty?”
“Behavioural studies.”
He understood. “So, you figure out what the bad guys are gonna do next?”
She smiled. “Kind of.”
He gave a shrug, rolling his head from side to side. “The last thing I need in my line of business.”
She looked at him sideways. “Which is?”
He thought for a moment. “You could say I remove strategic obstacles, and the last thing I need is another professional like you, trying to get inside my head!”
She punched the air with her fist. “I knew it!”
He looked at her. “Knew what?”
She shook her head knowingly. “You’re the one who took out old man, Ashram!”
He sighed heavily. “Orders are orders, so my bosses tell me. People way up on the totem pole draft them, I’m just a foot soldier. Everyone has their hidden agendas when it’s in the interests of national security, at least that’s the story I keep getting!”
Jake was touching on one of Sarah’s main conflicts with the way the FBI and the CIA were currently operating. Although she was intensely loyal to the USA and what the country stood for, since 9/11, when the new buzz word ‘Homeland Security’ had first surfaced, she had become increasingly concerned at all the things that the average members of the public, as well as foreign nationals, were now being subjected to. This had affected and was continuing to affect their freedom of movement or expression. Basic principles of living free in America, were being undermined, all in the name of ‘Homeland Security’!
She added in response to his last remark. “You mean like the goings on at Guantanamo, for instance. Is that also one of your agency’s hidden agendas?”
Jake nodded as he could readily see the similarities. “Right,” he continued. He tried to take her mind off the turmoil ahead. “Any kids?’ he asked.
“No, how about you?”
He nodded negatively. “We never settled down long enough to get things started and we both had full careers. We both loved kids, though.”
She changed the subject. “So, what’s with the African/American woman and the kid?”
He looked surprised and she grinned. “I’ve been watching you for a while.”
He had a sudden tender look in his eyes. “If it weren’t for her, I’d probably be dead by now.”
She seemed surprised. “Why?”
He looked suddenly pensive, memories of the recent violence returning. “After a gun battle with those Arab bastards, I barely made it out alive. I was in pretty bad shape.”
She was very interested. “So, what happened?”
“I was hurt and wounded, but I managed to crawl on top of a dumpster to hide from those goons before I passed out.”
She looked confused. “So, where did she come from?”
He shrugged. “Damnedest thing, she was takin’ the kid to the school bus the next mornin’ and saw me, still passed out, sprawled on top of the dumpster.”
Sarah was listening intently. “What did she do?”
He thought back, a tender look on his face. “She took me to her place, cleaned me up, patched me up, and took a hell of a risk trying to help me. I damned near got the two of them killed!”
“How?” she asked?
“The Arab bastards came
after me again, only this time after she and the kid had taken me back to their place.”
She was curious. “How did they find you?”
“That’s what I’d like to know?” he replied.
She smiled knowingly. “And that’s when you slid out the back way?”
He gave her another curious look. “You mean...?”
She nodded. “Yes, I was watching you. That’s when I followed you to the lodge in the woods.”
He shook his head. “Damn!”
Sarah changed her line of questioning. “Is she married?”
He answered quickly. “Not sure, but there were no pictures of a guy at her place. Real cute kid, though.”
She was pleased at his luck. “You’re real lucky she was around, Jake. Where are they now, still at the lodge?”
He looked really closely at her. “Hey, you tell me?”
She gave a wry smile. “Surveillance, it’s what we do, right? But it’s the best place for them until this blows over.”
He nodded. “I guess you’re right.”
CHAPTER 28
The rain was relentless as the CIA convoy rolled up to the gate at the container terminal in Baltimore. In the lead SUV, Peterson was driving with Davidson, Jennings and Benny. Behind them, in the second SUV, they were followed by Jamal, Anwar and their bodyguards. Looming ominously behind them, was the large eighteen wheeler with the illegal contraband on board.
Peterson had not wanted to leave the container exposed on the dock for any amount of time before the vessel set sail. The last thing he needed was unwanted, prying eyes.
At the guard house gate, a security guard John, working for the port administration, approached the vehicle as Peterson wound down the window slightly, the CIA guys keeping their heads down in the darkened vehicle. The guard smiled when he recognized Peterson who smiled casually. “Hello, John, how’s it going?”
The guard smiled. “Hi, Mr. Peterson, Doing well if it wasn’t for this weather,” he glanced quickly at the three vehicles. “Another shipment?”
Peterson sounded casual. “Yeah, last container for the Ocean Mist.”
John looked at the SUV’s. “And these gentlemen?”
Peterson nodded casually towards the SUV behind. “They’re my clients, just checking the final manifest.”
John seemed satisfied and marked his clip board accordingly. “No problem. Nice seeing you again, sir,” he checked his clip board again. “Lemme see. Pier 28, the last on the left. The straddle carrier foreman will offload the container and take it to the vessel, we’re pretty congested at the moment. He and his team are in building 29 at the end of the pier.”
Peterson nodded and wound the window up. “Thanks, John.” he heaved a sigh of relief that this part of the operation had gone according to plan. In the gate house, John shook off the rain before he activated the gate switch and the large metal gates swung open as the mini convoy rolled into the marine terminal in the swirling rain, towards Pier 28. At the dockside, the old container ship, the ‘Ocean Mist’, was docked and final loading was taking place when the convoy rolled by slowly and came to a halt further down the pier.
On the bridge, the Captain, who had been paid handsomely to look the other way and head out as soon as he was loaded, watched the convoy roll down to the end of the dock. This was not his first dealing with Peterson when it came to handling questionable cargo. The income of the captain of an old container vessel, could always use a boost in terms of tax-free cash, and in the case of Peterson, he had always been exceedingly generous.
* * *
The storm was intensifying when Jake and Sarah approached the port. A sign loomed up through the rain and mist pointing left towards the port and Jake followed the signage. He was now feeling that rush of adrenaline that he always felt before any potential action. It was something in his persona that gave him a much needed edge and it had served him well on more than one occasion. His recent trip to Dubai and the events that followed, were testament to that.
He looked across at the attractive woman next to him, and knowing what lay ahead, she was surprisingly cool, calm and collected. He admired her for that. She looked across and smiled as they approached the gate. “You’d better let me do the talking, Jake. FBI have domestic jurisdiction.”
He smiled. “Whatever it takes to get us in!”
In the swirling rain, they approached the same guard gate. The guard John came out of the gate house and walked over as Jake lowered the window. John looked in the car. “Can I help you, sir?”
Sarah leaned over and showed her ID. “Agent Schaumberg, FBI, this gate is to be locked and not to be opened from this point on!”
John looked at her in shock. “What’s goin’ on?”
Sarah was anxious to get moving. “Are you listening to me? Nobody enters or leaves, except for other FBI Officers. Is that understood?”
John nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
Sarah continued. “Have any containers been delivered in the last hour?”
John thought for a moment. “Yes, ma’am. One from Midecon.”
Jake and Sarah exchanged knowing glances. Jake interrupted. “Just the driver?”
John was now cooperating fully. “No, sir, there was also two SUV’s.”
Jake nodded his appreciation. “Thanks, which way?”
John pointed. “Straight ahead, Pier 28, last on the left.”
John opened the gate electronically as Jake wound the window up and drove off into the rain. Back in the gate house, John was already on the phone to his bosses. “That’s all I can tell you sir. FBI ordered a shutdown of the terminal. Something big must be goin’ down!” There was a raised voice on the other end of the line as his superior realized what was going on. “I’m sorry, sir, that’s all the lady told me,” John added. After a few more words from his boss, John answered. “Yes, sir,” he put the phone down and scratched his head. “What the hell’s goin’ on?”
CHAPTER 29
The traffic on I95 was at a standstill. The Fort McHenry Tunnel was blocked and Davies with his FBI convoy, were about 200 yards from the tunnel entrance going nowhere and he was not a happy camper.
He was on the phone with Senator Johnson. “We’re at a standstill here, Senator, the tunnel’s still blocked, what’s your location?”
Johnson replied from across the city. He was also stuck in traffic. “Across town, we’ll avoid McHenry and try and catch up with you before you reach the terminal.”
“Good luck,” Davies replied. “And on a night like this, that’s what those two are going to need. Sarah has the terminal locked down, which is a good start.”
“Keep your fingers crossed.” Johnson sounded concerned as he clicked off his phone.
Time felt like it was standing still and the feeling in Davies’s gut was getting worse. Inter-agency squabbles between the FBI and the CIA were not uncommon, but what he and Senator Johnson had discussed earlier, was decisively graver than any of the ordinary altercations between two fiercely independent agencies.
When he had first assigned Sarah to undercover duties in Midecon, it had been just on a hunch that something may be going on with the largest defense contractor in Washington. Now that it seemed that the bureau’s suspicions were valid, he was acutely aware of the ramifications. What would be even worse, was if these guys actually pulled off the clandestine arms shipment. The media would have a field day and this would only add to what was already a constant headache of trying to keep the vast number of employees under control in both the bureau and the agency. This affair could seriously undermine the credibility of both organizations, all because of the greed of a bunch of over-zealous CIA operatives.
He looked out of the window at the driving rain and the traffic was still at a standstill. He was quietly cursing that even the choppers were grounded on that stormy night. His boss, the Director of the Bureau, was currently out of the country at an international conference and he realized that yet again, he was left holding the bag when a m
ajor incident was about to go down on his watch.
CHAPTER 30
Jake drove up to the rear storage area of Pier 28, parked out of sight and turned off the lights. Looking ahead through the mist and pouring rain, he pointed. “There they are!” Up ahead, the two SUV’s were parked adjacent to the 18 wheeler, which was already in position below the huge Straddle Carrier, ready to be loaded. The foreman was guiding his operator to move the carrier in place above the container.
The massive Straddle Carrier, was the largest piece of mobile equipment that Jake had ever seen. It looked like a huge, rectangular shaped lifting platform, on four huge, long legs, each about sixty feet high with two independently controlled, heavy duty drive wheels on the bottom of each leg. The operator controlled it from a cab on the top of the huge platform up above, from which he could literally straddle up to four containers high, pick one up and move it to another location with ease above up to three other containers below it. These huge monoliths can traverse long lines of containers as they stack them strategically. They are also an impressive unit for moving and stacking containers alongside ship, so that the dockside cranes can then load the containers on board. This was the intended task for the massive loader on that stormy evening due to the congestion in the port. There was a steep ladder with a guard rail up to the control cab on top. In the rain and swirling mist, the floodlights on the loader, made it look like a huge alien space ship.
It appeared that the news of the lockdown had not yet reached the foreman up ahead, who was in conversation with Peterson. They shook hands and the foreman was already guiding the operator to lower the carrier’s container connections from above, as the huge Carrier was lining up above the 18 wheeler, engines rumbling and exhaust fumes pouring out.
In the car, Jake was already donning his bulletproof vest. “Damn, they’re gettin’ ready to load the cargo!” he fumed.
Sarah already had her vest on and she was checking her tote, making sure her automatic weapon was locked and loaded and that she had plenty of spare clips of ammo. She took a deep breath. “D’you think we should wait for back-up?” she asked.