“Good. That's all we can do for now. So is there anything you need from me?”
“Well, primarily, I wanted to inform you myself of how we are handling this, as I knew it would make it up to your level. If the White House calls, I want you to be able to have the ground truth. The second reason is that we are trying to get in touch with an individual who worked with us who may be able to significantly improve the chances of preventing chaos at one of the prisons here. His assistance could lead to key intelligence on Malawi Rafiq. The gentleman's name is Derek Stevens.”
The director was thankful for the thousands of miles between himself and Bell because his jaw nearly hit the floor. “Hmm. OK, well, have you reached back to headquarters for assistance?”
“Yes, sir. No one has been able to come up with anything. He is no longer with his old company, but his wife says he's out and about. We weren't sure if maybe there was something on the seventh floor that he was being used for and we weren't aware of.”
“No, not to my knowledge. Why is this guy so critical to your operation there?”
“Apparently, sir, he was the first and last person to have knowledge and access to Pol-e-Charkhi prison. We have a sensitive case coming to the surface in Pol-e-Charkhi and have no way to gain the valuable intelligence that we think is there to be gained.”
“What's the case?”
“Essentially, sir, NDS arrested a man who is believed to be Malawi Rafiq's right-hand man, and we are still within a window of opportunity where his information will be extremely useful in our search for Rafiq.”
“What's the guy's name?”
“Derek Stevens, sir.”
“No, the detainee's name?”
“Oh, sorry. Habib Rahman, sir. We really do not have much more on him at this time, but we're working the issue around the clock.”
“OK, Bell. Thanks for the update. I want you to run this case to the ground. Our primary objective on the table now is figuring out more about Habib Rahman and his connectivity to Rafiq. I need something I can tell the White House. In terms of the Agha Jan incident, I need you to just deflect as much as you can for now and we will look into it more here and see how we can help. Get hold of me as soon as you have some more information on Rahman.”
“Will do, sir. Thanks for your time.”
“Any time. Good hunting. I'll look forward to our next contact.”
The director hung up the phone and immediately picked it back up to call Griggs.
“Yes, sir?” answered Griggs.
“Griggs, I'm coming in to work on some of this. Please call Jerry Carr and Carlisle Davenport and inform them I'll need them in my office for support.”
“Absolutely, sir. I'll send the car now.”
“Good. Send one for them as well. It's late and the least we can do.”
“Of course, sir.”
The director hung up the phone and stood from his chair to head upstairs and change. “Here we go,” he mumbled to himself. He crept upstairs and into the room where his wife, Nancy, slept soundly. After getting dressed in the closet, he gave her a kiss and whispered in her ear, “Honey, I need to go in for a bit.”
She stretched and sat up for a moment. “Is everything OK?”
“Yes, it's fine, honey. It's just going to be easier to handle a few issues from the office. I love you, darling. Go back to sleep.”
Nancy, half awake, nodded and extended her cheek, wishing for another kiss. She received it and fell back asleep as the director walked out of the room and downstairs, where his agency vehicle was waiting for him.
C H A P T E R 12
Wednesday, January 27
Kabul, Afghanistan
Safe House
0831 Hrs (0001 Hrs DC)
Derek paced back and forth on the patio as he talked on the satellite phone. “I know. I miss you too, pumpkin. I should know soon how much longer we're going to be.”
“How is work going? Are you training or just supervising?”
“It's going well. We are doing a bit of both. Wish I was home with you instead.”
“I know. Me, too.”
Heidi knew not to ask more than basic questions about Derek's work, especially when he was away and on the phone. Still, if she didn't ask any questions, she felt as though she wasn't being a good wife.
“Oh, baby, before you get going, someone from work called yesterday,” she said. “Some woman. I guess they needed your help on something, I don't know, she didn't really say, but they were trying to track you down.”
“Huh. Did they say what they wanted or who they were?”
“No, just government. Nothing specific.”
“What did you tell them?”
“Nothing, really. I let them know you were out of town, and she just said OK and good-bye.”
“OK. Well, I don't know what to tell you. If they call back, let me know; otherwise, I'm sure it's nothing.”
“OK. Well, be safe, honey. I love you so much.”
“I will, baby. I love you so much. Thanks for staying up to talk to me.”
“Anything for you, baby. It was such a fun surprise to hear from you. Love you. Muah.”
“You too. Bye.”
Wednesday, January 27
Langley, Virginia
CIA Headquarters
0018 Hrs
The director walked down the hall to his office and into his reception area, where Jerry and Carlisle were already waiting. “Gentlemen, thanks for coming on short notice. Come on in.”
Carlisle stood and shook the director's hand before he and Jerry followed the director into his office.
“It's no problem at all.”
“Griggs, make sure anything coming into the Ops Center regarding Habib Rahman, Malawi Rafiq, or this incident with Agha Jan comes to me immediately. Do you want some coffee, guys?”
“Only if you are,” said Carlisle.
“Of course. Griggs, can you get us three cups of coffee, as well? Thanks.”
Griggs nodded. “I'll be right back with the coffee and will keep you informed as things develop in the Ops Center. How do you like your coffee, gentlemen?”
“Black is fine,” responded Carlisle before Griggs exited the room.
“So, Carlisle. Any word from our boys?”
“Heard from them when they arrived, but not today, sir.”
“Good, so they are there safe and sound. Jerry, I need to know if we had anything to do with this hit on Agha Jan so I can help cover our tracks.”
“We did, sir. I had Carlisle call it in to the team, and it appears as though they have successfully accomplished the mission. We have not heard from them, though.”
“Well, that's probably smart. OK, well look, I know this is new, and thus somewhat undefined. This is exactly what we talked about doing, and I support the mission completely, but while I don't need to know about every mission we plan and execute, try to keep me in the loop at least right after the fact so I can do damage control back here as best I can. I need to know how to deflect. I can't protect you guys if you don't let me know.”
“Understood,” replied Jerry. “We will be sure to inform you right after our missions.”
“Good. Carlisle, seems like you have a hell of a team. They have been there just over twenty-four hours, and we already have a relatively large-scale incident on our hands. Most importantly, no one has a clue about who did it. These guys are good. Now, having said that, I think we need to make a few moves here and get them out of there ASAP. Before you object, let me explain why.”
The director paused as Griggs reentered the room with coffee for the men and placed it on the table.
“Thanks, Griggs.”
“No problem, sir.”
The director waited for Griggs to exit the room before continuing. “We have a few issues that need to be addressed promptly. Issue one: The Brits were running this guy and are all spun up, thinking we did it. Now, Bell can deflect the attention for a while, because he honestly doesn't know that we
did it. But apparently, the Brits are peeved and, at least initially, do not seem like they will let this go. The second issue is two-pronged. It appears that NDS wrapped up a man named Habib Rahman the other day and he is considered to be a gem, maybe Malawi Rafiq's right-hand man. Are you aware of this?”
Carlisle shook his head. “No, sir, we were aware of Agha Jan's supposed connections to Rafiq, but I am not aware of this detainee. Perhaps we know him as someone else? Maybe under an operational name?”
“I don't know, but station is spinning on this, and both them and NSA are attempting to get everything they can. Chatter is indicating something might happen at the prison to secure his release.”
“Where is he now, sir?”
“He was just transferred to Pol-e-Charkhi prison.”
“Well that's good and bad for us. It's bad because he likely will be able to get out of there through some under-the-table dealings. However, the good thing is Derek was and is the agency's only channel into Pol-e-Charkhi. I am sure we can get our boys in there and get more information on this guy and his connection to Rafiq.”
“That's good. That brings me to the other part of the issue. Bell asked me directly to help him find Derek Stevens. They have already called his wife at home to ascertain his whereabouts. They want his help. So we are facing the fact that this guy has great intelligence that we need and the president needs, and the intelligence gets worse every second Rahman breathes and Rafiq moves. The next piece to it is that Rahman likely will be broken out or released in the short term. Now, we may have helped slow the release with Agha Jan not pulling his strings, but we can't afford to let this guy go. And finally, station is trying to get our team leader in country to help them, when he is already there, unbeknownst to them.”
Jerry piped in. “Sir, why don't we ask to have this character transferred up to Bagram, where we can interrogate him and eliminate the chance for his release?”
“We don't have anything on this guy. We'd be sending Bell in to ask a favor of Naser with no just reasoning. As sensitive as Naser is right now, especially with him thinking we killed Agha Jan, there is no way he'll sign off on it. It's not a viable option right now. And I don't know what station and NSA will get on him or if they will get it soon enough. We are in a time crunch, gentlemen, and the way I see it, we have the perfect solution. The one man in the agency who knows the prison and has sources inside just so happens to be in country with our most sensitive and specialized team. If we don't remedy this situation soon, we will burn our team before it even returns home for the first time. They will keep looking for Agha Jan's killer and request Derek's assistance, so let's take the focus off Agha Jan and remove the need for Derek in Kabul.”
Carlisle set his coffee cup down as he leaned toward the director. “What are you suggesting, sir? We break him out?”
“I am suggesting you guys find a solution and make it work. Let me know when it's done.”
Carlisle and Jerry looked at each other with surprised expressions.
“Ah, sir,” Carlisle began slowly, “I realize we signed up to run an elite group that would accomplish the mission at all costs, but … are you sure you're willing to approve something so risky?”
The director gave Carlisle a tiny smile. “You think I don't know the potential for fallout here, Carlisle? This is why the unit was created, right? I only hope that in the end, the rewards outweigh the risks.
“Now, gentlemen, if you will excuse me, I am going to work on preparing some responses to cover your tracks from yesterday, and I suppose I'd better be prepared for what's to come in the next several days.” He smiled and sipped his coffee. “You guys are off to a good start. Have a good night.”
The men thanked the director and exited the room.
C H A P T E R 13
Wednesday, January 27
Pakistan
North Waziristan
1012 Hrs
Malawi Rafiq always had quite the entourage, and today was no exception. A mix of relatives, both close and those that could hardly be considered family, along with some key figures in his organization, clung to his side everywhere he went. Security for Rafiq was extremely important, because the list of those who wanted him dead seemed endless. He had been involved in more attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent years than any other figure or organization, probably combined. Yet he somehow had been able to remain alive and seemingly uncatchable.
Rafiq sat with his crew in a compound, preaching to the men about the Quran and the necessity to rid the region of the infidels from the West. Many of his listeners were unlearned, even illiterate. Rafiq, like other Taliban leaders, took advantage of this to put forth his own views of the Quran's teachings, many of which had nothing to do with what the majority of the world's Muslims believed.
“Today we pray for our friend and compatriot Agha Jan, who was murdered by the hands of American forces. They stormed his house and killed him and his family, including his wife. They did so with no regard for human life or concern for Muslim people. We will strike back for such an injustice and make them pay. We must also pray for our friend Habib Rahman, who was captured by the infidel's puppet, the Afghan government. But fear not, he will be back with us shortly.”
Wednesday, January 27
Kabul, Afghanistan
Safe House
1300 Hrs
Derek and the crew rested at the safe house, awaiting further instruction. They knew they would be tasked again, most likely before long, but since none of them were in Afghanistan officially, it was better not to risk much time out and about in town. Each member on the team had extensive experience abroad, and with Kabul being a vortex of sorts for field operators from all services, it was very possible that a run-in with old colleagues could occur, compromising their ability to pursue the next mission they might receive.
The team's encrypted satellite phone rang. The men stopped their conversation to stare at the phone as Derek answered it. “Yes, sir?”
“Derek, good work this week. You and your team have managed to stir up the hornet's nest quite a bit. But you aren't there to play nice, so well done.”
“Thank you, sir. I'll take that as a compliment.”
“Are you guys managing with the jet lag and time adjustment yet? I know we didn't give you much time,” laughed Carlisle.
“We're fine, sir. You chose us for a reason. We'll manage.”
“Good, because we have a high-priority target for you.”
“Sir, it sounds like we are becoming less of a tactical intelligence unit and more of a hit squad, if you don't mind me saying. Not that we have a problem with that.”
“I know. Listen, things have just been popping up, and you guys are the only ones there capable of pulling off this kind of stuff. We want you to be able to do both, and you will. We'll get you on track with some other missions soon. In the meantime, grab a pen.”
“Already have one, sir. Ready to copy.”
“The other day, I mentioned Malawi Rafiq to you. Do you remember him?”
“Of course. How could I not? We've been after him for years now. What's going on?”
“NDS picked up one of his guys. Apparently, a really big guy by the name of Habib Rahman. Ring a bell?”
“No.”
“No one seems to have anything on him, but the chatter we're getting indicates he is a big deal. Anyways, he was arrested and brought to NDS, but a drug deal was done to get him to Pol-e-Charkhi, where getting him out would be more manageable. Now, I think you guys have perhaps slowed that process by your actions the other day, but even without Jan in the picture, I think there are other people with enough clout to swing a deal and secure his release. We are also now getting some chatter regarding an attack in Kabul. Don't be surprised if that attack includes a Ministry of Justice facility or even the prison itself. We saw it in Qandahar last year, and it could happen again. They want their boy out badly, and with the death of Jan, they have a reunion and revenge on their minds.”
Derek recalled that in the previous year the Taliban had worked with corrupt prison officials to plan a prison escape that had been initialized by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and help from within to free nearly a thousand detainees, most of whom had been Talibs. Several Ministry of Justice officers and innocent bystanders had been injured or killed in the incident. Not to mention the fact that it made the government of Afghanistan, and therefore American forces, look weak. If a hardened security structure such as the Qandahar prison couldn't be kept secure, what could? The psychological effect of the incident upon the citizens around the country had been a huge blow to the progress of the government.
The Maverick Experiment Page 10