Lone Wolf

by David Archer

  “Oh, goody, something to keep me busy,” Neil said. “I'm getting awfully bored with all the games I play, it'll be nice to have something fresh to work on.”

  “What about me?” asked a big man. In another setting, he might well have been mistaken for a professional football player. Moose Conway was Noah's backup muscle, always ready to jump into the fray with any kind of weapons, or just with his fists.

  “In this initial phase,” Jefferson said, “you'll just have to wait at the hotel, along with Ms. Child. It's highly doubtful the girl's being held right there in Mauritania, so we expect you'll be flying right back out. As soon as we know a destination, we'll make sure that everything you need will be waiting when you arrive there.”

  Sarah Child, who was Noah's driver and transportation expert, simply nodded and shrugged. “Works for me,” she said. “Means I can sleep in.”

  Jefferson managed to suppress a smile, and then passed out the temporary IDs. The three men each received a small box, which contained a cell phone, a wristwatch and a wallet with driver’s license, Social Security card, a number of photos, several folded and creased receipts—some of which were several months old—and lots of other wallet trash, as well as a passport with the same name. Sarah was given a purse, and she grinned as she looked through it. The wallet inside, like the ones the men had received, had ID, passport, photos and lots of flotsam and jetsam, but the other contents of the purse delighted her. She also received a cell phone, but instead of a watch she received a necklace with a heavy pendant. All of the makeup and other things inside were of brands that she liked. She glanced up at Allison, who smiled at her.

  “Hey, Sarah, us girls gotta stick together, right?” Allison asked. “I told the Identities Department to be sure they checked your preferences before they put the purse together. No sense giving you stuff you don't want.”

  “Thanks! Some of the other stuff makes me break out.”

  “Okay, okay, let's get serious, people,” Jefferson said. “The cell phones you received are satellite enabled, so you should never find yourself without signal. The watches and necklace contain GPS-satellite tracking devices, making it possible for us back here, and Neil in the field, to keep track of your whereabouts at all times. Each of the identities has a complete backstory, so if anyone checks them out, they'll hold up. To simplify things, each of your identities grew up in the same towns that you did, went to school where you did, and for those of you where it matters, followed the same work history that you did. That way, if you're challenged and have to provide details, you can.”

  “Okay, wait a minute,” Neil said. “So you're saying that this Eric Starling character did everything I did? If you'll recall, I didn't even get to graduate from my own high school, because I was locked up in the Chicago Youth Authority. Did Starling hack into a bank and get caught, too?”

  “No, he didn't, and we were going to explain this to you, anyway. Eric Starling went to work for the State Department right after graduating high school because he has some amazing skills at pattern recognition. He's a mathematical genius, which is what brought him onto government radar.”

  “I'm a mathematical genius, and the government never came after me for that,” Neil said, his voice almost whining. “They waited until I got in trouble, let me suffer for months. Was that fair?”

  “Grow up, Neil,” Moose growled, but the smack he sent to the back of the kid's head was gentle and friendly. “Nobody wants to hear about your bad luck.”

  “All right, settle down,” Allison said. “Noah, how do you plan to approach the situation?”

  “I want to talk to President Habib, first off. Is there anyone else who knows any details about the girl's disappearance?”

  “Ndiaye, the Prime Minister,” Jefferson said. “We know that Habib has told him what's going on, and discussed it with him. As for anyone else, we have no idea. The security on this is so tight it's unbelievable.”

  “I can imagine,” Noah said. “One of the most consistent things I’ve found in human nature is the determination of a parent to protect a child. What about the girl's mother?”

  “She died four years ago, complications from what should've been a routine surgery. There was a nanny until the girl turned sixteen, but she's had a lot of free reign since then. The Habib family does have security from their version of the Secret Service, but it's not anywhere near as good as ours. Seems that she's been known to slip away from them quite often, and apparently she did on the day that she disappeared. She was supposed to be shopping with friends, but never made it to the mall.”

  “So, basically, we have no idea where she might have been when she was grabbed?”

  “I'm afraid that's the case,” Jefferson said. “Frustrating, but true.”

  “Then that tells me that the case has not received any publicity, or a thousand people would be screaming that they saw what happened. One or two of them would be telling the truth, which might've helped, but now we have no way of finding any witnesses.”

  Allison leaned forward, putting her elbows on her knees. “I warned you, this is a rough one. I hate to throw you into it, as fresh and new as you are, but you're the best shot we have at a mess like this. If Team Camelot can't do it, then I don't think anyone can.”

  “One thing did occur to me,” said Jefferson. “We could give you an investigative specialist, just for this mission. He'd be under your command, but he may know what to do when you're confused or lost.”

  Noah stared at him for several seconds. “Who is it? Are we talking about somebody with experience in this type of case?”

  “I'm not sure there has ever been a case like this before, or at least not one that was so important. This guy was FBI, just retired last year, but he's an old friend of mine and he's bored. I asked him point blank this morning, early, if he'd be willing to work with an E & E team on a mission of vital national security importance, and he didn't even hesitate before he said yes.”

  “He was FBI,” Noah said, “and he's got a clearance high enough to know about us? How did that happen?”

  “A couple of years back, he got dragged into something to do with Homeland Security, a case of potential terrorism here in the USA. It was necessary to tell him things that were classified at our level, and when he identified who the terrorists were, it was up to us to go in and take them out. It was all handled so quietly that the press never even got wind of it, which is the way the president wanted it. Anyway, it left Stanley with enough clearance to know about us, and he and I became good friends. He lives in Kirtland, and acts as a consultant for us at times. This is the first time we've ever considered using him on a team mission.”

  “I'll take him,” Noah said. “He does understand that he has to follow my orders, right?”

  Jefferson nodded. “He does.” He took out a cell phone and dialed a number. “Stan? You still up for that fieldwork we talked about this morning? Then pack a bag and come on down to my office. My secretary will show you where I am. Really? Good, that will speed things up. See you soon.” He looked at Noah. “He got so excited when I mentioned it this morning, that he's already packed and ready to go. He'll be here in fifteen minutes.”

  “Won't he need an ID kit?” Noah asked.

  Jefferson grinned, reached into his jacket pocket and produced another wallet and passport. “Let's just say I was pretty confident that you'd both agree to it.”

  “I'd rather just say you're a cocky SOB,” Allison said. “I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm ready for a coffee break. Anybody else?”

  They all agreed, so Allison called for an aide to bring in coffee and doughnuts. They were all happily partaking of the treats when the new fifth member of their team arrived.

  “Noah, Neil, Moose, Sarah, let me introduce you to Stanley Decker, retired from the FBI. Stan, this is Noah Wolf, Neil Blessing, Moose Conway and Sarah Child. Team Camelot.”

  Stan Decker was a tall, well-built black man who appeared to be in his late 50s. A quick onc
e-over told Noah that he was a very confident man, and probably quite capable.

  Decker extended a hand, and Noah took it. “Mister Decker,” Noah said, “it's good to meet you. Mister Jefferson's told us a lot about you.”

  “Yeah, well, don't believe half of what he says. I can't leap tall buildings in a single bound, and I haven't quite managed to outrun a speeding bullet yet, though I have been known to try a couple of times.”

  Noah put a grin on his face. “That stuff wouldn't impress me all that much, anyway,” he said. “What I like is the idea that you'll be able to help me figure out what to do with this nightmare of a mission.”

  “I'm certainly going to try,” Decker said. He took a moment to greet and introduce himself to the others, and was welcomed warmly into the team.

  Jefferson went through the briefing again, for Decker's sake, gave him his own ID and password kit, and asked the entire team if they had any questions. Decker was the first one to raise a hand.

  “What do we know about the kidnappers themselves? Anything?”

  Jefferson shook his head. “Not yet. President Habib is reluctant to allow any information to make it into a diplomatic pouch, on the theory that someone else's spies might be as good as our spies. He doesn't want to take the chance that either the kidnappers or Russia will find out that we've offered to help.”

  “And how soon can we meet with him, to discuss the situation?”

  “We've already arranged for Noah, in the guise of a diplomatic attaché, to meet the president tomorrow morning. It's very doubtful that we could get you in on such short notice, as well, so be sure to brief Noah on the questions you want him to ask. He'll be carrying an undetectable recording device, so you'll be able to hear Habib's answers. I know that isn't the optimum solution, but it's the best we can do right now.”

  Decker nodded. “I'm sure we'll manage,” he said. “What about weapons and gear?”

  “Everything you need will be going with you. You're not going on a commercial flight, but on a diplomatic one. When you leave here, Noah will take you to the armory and you can sign out whatever weapons you want. Noah, put it on the team's tab. We haven't had time to set Stan up with one of our department ID cards yet.”

  Noah smiled and inclined his head. “Not a problem, Sir.” He turned to Decker. “Mister Decker, be sure to let me know exactly what you want me to do, or ask. Investigation isn't something I've done before, and this is an incredibly important mission. I appreciate anything you can do to help us accomplish it.”

  Decker nodded back to him. “It's just Stan,” he said. “Noah, I understand that you're the team leader, and that you're in command. Just bear in mind that I'm an old fart, and sometimes it may seem that I'm contemptuous of your youth. Please don't believe that, because the truth is that I'm jealous. Donald has told me about you, so I know who and what you are.” He grinned. “Punk kid, you've got the job I always wanted!”

  Noah looked him in the eye, then glanced at Jefferson. “He knows, then?” Noah asked his bosses.

  Allison nodded. “I authorized Donald to brief him about you, Noah. Yes, he knows it all.”

  “Noah,” Decker began, “what they told me is that you are a man who suffered a terrible tragedy as a child, and as a result, you are without emotion or conscience. Donald and Allison are convinced that you are the most effective operative they've ever had, and frankly, I feel honored to be able to work with you.”

  “Good,” Noah said. “I have to pretend to be human in front of most people, and it feels good to be able to relax and be myself with the team. If I don't have to keep up an act for you, that will make things even easier for us to work together.”

  “Oh, please, I wouldn't want you to. I'm looking forward to the chance to observe you in action. From what I've heard, it can be quite amazing.”

  “Not the word I'd use,” Neil said. “I’d go for something more like 'terrifying' or 'shocking.' One thing you need to understand to work with Noah is that if he decides you're in the way, he will put a bullet in your head and never even hesitate. We all know that, in the team.”

  Moose and Sarah nodded their agreement, and Decker smiled. “Any leader worth his salt,” he said, “would do the same. When you're out in the field, the mission or the assignment always takes precedence, even over personal friendships and feelings. That's how it has to be.”

  “Oh, that's just ducky, you're going to fit right in!” Neil said, making a face.

  There didn't seem to be any more questions, so Jefferson turned to Allison. “Anything else?”

  Allison looked at the entire team for a moment, then pursed her lips and turned her gaze on Noah. “Yes,” she said. “I'd like to speak with Noah and Sarah alone for a moment.”

  Jefferson raised his eyebrows, but didn't make a comment. He gathered Neil, Moose and Decker and took them down the hall to his own office.

  In the conference room, Noah met Allison's gaze with his own, while Sarah looked nervous.

  “I'd be willing to bet pretty good money that you know why I asked you to stay behind for a moment,” Allison said. “There are certain rules in place that you seem to ignore, both of you. Care to guess which ones I'm talking about?”

  Noah didn't blink. “You're referring to the fact that on our last mission, Sarah and I broke the rule about avoiding intimacy while in the field.”

  Sarah looked down at the floor, and her hands began fidgeting with the fabric of her jeans. Allison glanced at her, then looked back at Noah. “Precisely. That rule is in place for a reason, you know. We determined long ago that intimacy between team members during a mission can cause emotional problems that might interfere. Now, I'm aware that you are a different case, Noah, but one of the things that made me determined to recruit you was your record of obeying orders. I'm a little concerned that you seem to think this one doesn't apply to you.”

  “He does it for me,” Sarah put in without looking up. “When we're out there, I need some kind of contact to help me stay focused, and he gives it to me.”

  Allison looked at her. “I know you've been pretty close here at home, and I have no objection to that. When you're out on a mission, though...”

  “Sarah chose me specifically because I won't have any emotional investment in the relationship,” Noah said. “It isn't emotional intimacy she's looking for, or she would've chosen Moose or Neil. I've seen this before, and I'm sure you have, too. Some people just need to feel a human touch, especially during a stressful situation. I determined that her ability to function at optimal level falls under my responsibility to keep my team in top shape.”

  Allison crossed her arms and huffed. “I didn't say that I can't understand it,” she said, “I said there's a rule against it.” She stared into Noah's eyes for more than a minute, but he never blinked. “So—since I don't seem to have any choice in the matter, I'm going to give you an official verbal reprimand right now. Intimacy between team members in the field is strictly forbidden.”

  She met Noah's eyes for another five seconds, then looked at Sarah. “Now, unofficially, I'm going to tell you both that I understand, and I'll look the other way. Just don't let it blow up in my face, you both got that?”

  Sarah slowly raised her face so that she could see Allison, and there was the ghost of a smile on her lips. “Got it, Boss Lady,” she said.

  Allison nodded, then led the two of them to Jefferson's office. When they got there, she released the team to begin preparing for their departure a few hours later. Decker followed them out of the building, and they all climbed into Neil's big Hummer for the ride to the armory. Since the armory was not publicly acknowledged around Kirtland, it was in that part of the compound behind the Restricted Access fences. They were stopped at the guard shack, but Jefferson had called ahead to let the guards know that Mister Decker would be going to the armory with Team Camelot, so they were waved through after only a moment's delay.

  The armory was set up like some sort of super gun store, with every kind of
weapon they could imagine on display. There were a number of firing ranges in the back of the building, where department agents could take weapons to test them, or get the feel of them. There was also an outdoor range that allowed long-range shooters to zero in their weapons, and a combat course that actually shot back at them with paintballs. Moose and Noah had begun running that course after they returned from their first mission, and so far, neither of them had been hit.

  “Holy crap,” Decker said. “This is incredible! What in the world would you do with half of this stuff?”

  Neil chuckled. “Oh, nothing serious, maybe just take over a third world country or start a revolution. Doesn't that sound like fun?”

  Decker grinned at him. “Depends on the country,” he said. “And don't ask me which one I'd prefer, because I don't want to end up in some federal nuthouse.”

  Each of them went their separate ways inside the Armory, though Noah and Sarah seemed to wander in the same direction. It hadn't taken Decker long to figure out that the girl was quite infatuated with the team leader, and would probably follow him right through the gates of hell. As they walked away, he caught her asking Noah for advice on choosing a new pistol.

  Decker, having been with the FBI for thirty years, was a handgun man. He had always been faithful to the Smith & Wesson thirty-eight caliber, but the incredible assortment that confronted him gave him pause. It took him forty-five minutes and three trips to the indoor range to settle on the forty-caliber Glock. He also chose three extra magazines and two boxes of ammunition, then waited for Noah to come back up front.