First Target

by Robin Mahle

  “I figured that much. What do you need to know? Resources have been stretched here lately, what with our North Korean ‘friends’ causing us a lot of heartburn. I don’t have many ears around town.”

  “What can you tell me about a visit from a Matthew Greiner? I knew him as Casper Janz, but it seems he’s taken on a new identity and I need to know why.”

  Abrams’ face screwed up before he turned to his computer. “Let me see what I can find in here. You say Matthew Greiner?”

  “He was here last week. I know he met with someone in the MSS. I just need to know with who and why.”

  “MSS? Well, shit, that’s something I should be aware of.”

  “You have someone on the inside? Someone who’s keeping an eye out for us over here.”

  Abrams regarded Axell. “How long have we known each other?”

  “A long time.”

  “A long time is right. So you know I’ll find out who Greiner’s been talking to. Or Janz or whatever the hell name he’s going by.” Abrams picked up the phone. “I need an outside line—secure please.” He raised his index finger to Axell, indicating the need for a momentary delay. “Nǐ hǎo.” (hello)

  Axell listened as Abrams spoke Chinese and understood nothing of the conversation. The Chinese language was made up of many dialects, the most prominent one being Mandarin, and Axell didn’t know that either. There were over 1 billion people in China. Perhaps he should consider learning the language if he wished to continue in his line of work.

  Abrams ended the call and returned his attention to Axell. “Sorry about that. Yeah, Greiner was here. Made the visit under that name and met with a man in Bureau 17, inside the Ministry.”

  “What’s Bureau 17?”

  “Officially? It’s the Enterprises Division.”

  “And unofficially?”

  “Businesses controlled by the Party as a front. Mostly for criminal organizations, but some political groups and shell companies too.”

  “You get a name of the man he met with?”

  “An officer by the name of Cheng. According to my friend, the two met up prior for dinner, or drinks, but then Greiner was admitted inside the MSS on the following day.”

  “What intel can I get on Cheng? I need to know who he is and why he’s dealing with Greiner. And whether he knows Greiner’s real identity.”

  “Well, now you’re asking for favors I’m not sure I can pull off.”

  “What about a meeting? Can you get me a meeting with him?”

  Abrams considered the request. “It won’t be easy. Can you get your people to draft a legend for you? Get the bona fides in place quickly?”

  “It’ll take at least twenty-four hours. But yeah, I can make that happen.”

  “Good. Get back with me when you have it set up and I’ll make the call. I’d focus on garnering partnerships and US corporations. It’ll be the best way for you to get inside. And, Axell, you’ve been out of the game for a while. You sure you’re up for this?”

  “It hasn’t been that long. I think I can handle a meeting. I just need to know who this man is. If Janz, or Greiner, is helping the MSS with a front for Dalian, then I’ll know what I’m up against.” He began to rise. “I’m at the Hilton. I’ll be in touch.”

  Only a few people in Axell’s circle were qualified to create the necessary identity on short notice that would pass muster. But there was one person who’d already proven himself several times over. Hunter would be up to the task, and with the resources they currently possessed, Axell had no doubt he could get something in place quickly.

  On his return to the hotel, he noted the time. It was 4:30 in the morning back home. The time difference was a killer and Axell had been up for some thirty-six hours as it was. But this couldn’t wait.

  “You answered. Sounds like I woke you.” Axell stood on the balcony of his hotel room.

  “You did. Doesn’t matter. I need to get up anyway.” He paused for a moment. “Oh shit. It’s 4:30 in the morning. What the hell time is it there?”

  “4:30 in the afternoon. I just got back from meeting a friend of mine at the embassy. I need you to jump on something, like yesterday.”

  “Shocker. What is it?”

  Axell directed him on how to go about getting past records and credentials entered into the personnel database, and how to generate identification to reflect his new fictitious position.

  “No shit? I get to make up a background for you? What are you working on, man?”

  “It’s a long story, but I need this faster than you can say ‘when.’ You catch my drift?”

  “Yeah, I catch your drift, daddy-o.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. I got it.”

  “How soon can you do this?”

  “I’ll head out now and open up the shop.”

  “Good. How’s everything else going? You guys getting anywhere on Greiner?”

  “Actually, sort of, yeah. Lacy and I did some digging around. I went to SynDyn and surveyed their ops systems. She went for another visit with Bruce Quintero and discovered he was intimidated by Greiner when he requested the background information. I’m still working on getting into SynDyn’s systems to access their personnel files and a list of subcontractors Lacy got hold of. I’ll put that on the back burner, though, so I can get this other stuff out to you.”

  Axell turned toward a window and peered through it. “Look, don’t go off half-cocked and start talking to people. What you have is good. But wait for me. I’ll be back in a few days. Keep digging, that’s fine. But I don’t want the two of you on your own talking to anyone else without me getting a chance to find out who they are.”

  “Why? I thought that was our job?”

  “It is, but right now, let me just say that I think Greiner isn’t someone we want to screw around with, okay? Just please—just do as I say. Understood?”

  “Understood.”

  “Get to work and call me if you need anything at all. I’ll help you through it if need be. But I think you got this.”

  “Yeah, I got this. Bye.”

  Axell dropped his phone in his shirt pocket. “Shit.” He sat down on the edge of the bed. They were getting closer to Greiner, which was exactly what they were supposed to do. He just didn’t think it would be so soon. He needed to get a handle on what Greiner was doing before they got too far and found out he’d been keeping the truth about Greiner from them. But he knew Lacy. And if she suspected something was off, there would be no stopping her. Axell would have to work fast.

  The call arrived in the small hours of the night. Axell pushed up from the bed, followed by a labored groan and crackling knees. “Hunter. What’ve you got?” Axell wasn’t a stocky man, like Caison. Instead, as he stood in the shadows, moonlight glowing around the drawn curtains, his lean build was acutely defined. He scratched along his flat stomach, waiting for an answer. “You do realize it’s 2am here, right?”

  “Sorry. You said to call you as soon as I was finished. And I’m finished.”

  “Well damn, son, that was fast. You sure everything’s up to snuff?”

  “I’m sure. I ran the checks. I had Lacy run the checks. Everything came back as it should. I just emailed you an image of an ID. I didn’t get a badge or anything made. I didn’t think I could get you one in time.”

  “That’s fine.” He sat down at the small table and opened up his laptop. “I see your emails here.” He began to review the information. “This is excellent work, Hunter. I’m impressed. You know, you could do this for a living.” His voice cracked with a half-asleep chuckle. “This will do for what I need.”

  “No problem, man. Glad I could help. I have to say, it was pretty cool getting to make up shit about you. Anything else you need?”

  “No. I’m good. I’ll get in touch with one of you after I do what I came here to do. I’m hoping to be on a flight back by tomorrow. We’ll see what comes up.”

  “Copy that—sorry, just always wanted to say that. Talk to you lat
er. Be careful, Axell. We’re all anxious for you to come back home so we can do what we’re here to do.”

  “I’ll explain everything when I get back. Don’t worry. This will all make sense soon enough. I’m out.”

  Hunter pulled the phone away from his ear. “He’s out.”

  “No explanation?” Lacy crossed her legs as she sat at her desk.

  “Nope. None. You didn’t really expect one, did you? Come on, it’s Axell, for Christ’s sake. He doesn’t tell us anything until he fully understands what’s going on.”

  “I know. I just wish I knew why he told us to hold off. I have to say, Aaron, I still think he’s hiding something. Ever since we got that surveillance footage of Greiner, he’s been hush-hush. And that whole Turner situation.”

  “Lacy, stop. Give the guy the benefit of the doubt, would you? It’s Axell. Whatever he’s got going on, he’s not telling us for a very good reason. I think you know that.” Aaron checked the time. “Hey, is Caison coming in today? It’s almost three o’clock. I thought we would’ve heard from him by now.”

  “As far as I know, he’s still helping out WFO with the Turner shooting. I’ll put in a call and see what’s going on. We still have plenty to do on our end. Have you made progress on SynDyn’s systems?”

  “I got in. I just have to find the right files.”

  Lacy made the call. “Hey, it’s me. Are you coming into the shop today? Aaron and I are here working. He just finished up some stuff Trevor had him working on. We need to fill you in on what’s been happening.”

  “Sorry. I know I’ve been out of pocket. Yeah. I’ll be in. Give me thirty minutes and we can catch up.”

  “Sounds good. See you then.” Lacy ended the call. “He’ll be here shortly. Sounds like they’ve been running him ragged.”

  Several minutes passed, and then Aaron came upon something. “Lace, you got to check this out.”

  “What is it? What’d you find?” She approached him.

  Aaron turned his screen for Lacy to get a better view.

  She peered at the image, which showed Matthew Greiner in a group photo. “What the hell? What is this? When was it taken?”

  “More importantly, this isn’t from his personnel file. I haven’t found it yet. I reached out to a guy last night and had him look into a few things.”

  “A guy?”

  “His name isn’t important. Just know it’s someone who works in the grey when it comes to the dark web.”

  “Aaron, we shouldn’t have this.”

  “We shouldn’t have a lot of things, but that’s never stopped us before. It looks like he served in Desert Storm. Iraq, Kuwait. Shit, I don’t know for sure. But what I do know, is that his name isn’t Matthew Greiner. It’s Casper Janz.” He pointed to names listed on the side of the image. “Darker hair, younger, but that’s him.”

  “What the hell did we just stumble on, Aaron?”

  “You got me. But this man isn’t who we think he is.”

  “Hey. I made it, finally.” Will approached the bullpen. “What’s that you guys are looking at?”

  “Welcome back.” Lacy stood. “How’s it going on the Turner investigation?”

  “Same shit, different day.” He sighed. “We still have no leads. Fraser’s running forensics on the bullet found in Turner, but nothing’s come back yet. We have nailed down exactly where the shooter was.”

  “That’s right. The building across the street,” Lacy replied.

  “Trajectory put the shot at about 100 yards away and to the west. So we figured the shooter took the shot from the second-floor balcony and waited for just the right moment. We were right. Found the room today. There was a small indentation on the balcony railing denoting the weight of the weapon that had a hell of a kickback and carved out the notch on the railing.”

  “Where was the security? Didn’t they clear the area before bringing him in?” Aaron asked.

  “They did. Guess they missed that floor of that building.”

  “Sounds like you’re not so sure about that,” Lacy replied.

  “Yeah, well. I have my theories. Just haven’t shared them with anyone.”

  She considered his words, his demeanor, and their previous discussions on the matter. “Well, we’re glad you’re here. We’ve got a lot to talk about. Take a look at what Aaron just found.”

  Will peered at the screen. “What’s this?” Leaning over Aaron’s shoulder, he studied the photo. “Is that him? Matthew Greiner?”

  “We think so. But check out the name over here. Casper Janz.”

  “How did you get this?” Will waved his hand. “Never mind. What does Axell have to say about this? What does he want us to do?”

  “He doesn’t know yet. Aaron just got this. Axell’s working on something. He didn’t say. Just asked Aaron to get him set up with a fake background.”

  Will turned to Aaron. “You gave him a legend? Why?”

  “That’s what you guys call it? That’s cool,” Aaron replied. “Um, yeah, anyway, he said he needed it for some meeting he’s got later today—tomorrow? I don’t know. But it had to be thorough and legit. So I gave him a new ID. He said it was good.”

  “But we have no idea who he’s meeting with or why?” Will continued.

  Lacy shook her head. “He hasn’t told us much, to be honest, but said he’d clear it all up on his return.”

  “I guess we’ll just have to trust him. In the meantime, what else can we find on this guy? This Casper Janz?” Will asked.

  “Look, when I talked to Axell earlier, I told him we were digging around for information on Greiner.”

  “And?”

  “He told us to back off until he returns. He doesn’t want us talking to anyone. Said we could do our research, but not to approach anyone.”

  “I can tell you, looking at this photo.” Will studied it a moment longer. “This was during Desert Storm. Airforce.”

  “How do you know?” Aaron asked.

  “See that patch. What does it say?” He pointed to the arm patch on Greiner in the photo.

  “Operation Desert Storm. Airforce.”

  “Yep. And he’s intelligence.” He again pointed to the screen. “Air Force Intelligence Command.”

  “Right. Didn’t see that,” Aaron replied. “I assume that means he did recon or something?”

  “I’m not entirely sure, but I did work alongside one of those guys in Afghanistan.”

  “What did you do over there anyway?” Aaron continued.

  “Army captain. Company commander of a supply unit. We moved supplies around. Not very exciting, is it?”

  “I wouldn’t say that,” Lacy added. “Your job was to find safe passage for the goods and that wouldn’t have been easy when most supply units were hit with IEDs and insurgents attempting to cut off supplies going to troops.”

  “You seem to know a lot about it,” Will replied.

  “A little. I imagine you worked with an intelligence officer when it came to finding routes and learning what routes had become too dangerous to traverse.”

  “Yeah. I did.” He appeared flattered by her knowledge and admiration. “They did the intelligence gathering. It was a stepping stone for civilian life in a lot of cases.”

  “You mean like they went on to become CIA or FBI?” Aaron asked.

  “Something like that, yeah.” He looked again at the images. “So, we’ve got someone who could be on the inside. I think Axell should know about this right away.”

  Chapter 11

  The Hilton hotel lobby was busy with weekend visitors and tourists. It was Friday morning and Axell’s friend secured the meeting with Cheng. He made his way through the lobby and hailed a cab outside. Upon stepping into the back seat of the small Nissan, he began, “The Ministry, please.”

  There was no need for further explanation. Everyone knew the location of the ministry, at least the one in Tiananmen Square, not the clandestine site no one was supposed to know about, except for everyone in the intelligence co
mmunity. This was where the meeting would be held with the man in Bureau 17.

  Axell checked his credentials one last time. Abrams, from the embassy, sent him to a place that would get him the printed badge. Many years had passed since he’d been required to conduct this type of operation. He was recruited by Camden Meeks in the early nineties, fresh out of college. His first assignment was Russia, shortly after the Soviet-Afghan war, and during the Afghan civil war that followed. His function—monitor the insurgency and terrorist attacks in Chechnya after the fall of the Soviet Union. To this day, Axell regretted not following through with his opportunity to take out Osama bin Laden when he had the chance. A man who, at the time, was an emerging figure in the new jihadist movement. A man the CIA helped create. Not that Axell could have predicted what would become of him. His order was to stand down—and he did. Still, that was a long time ago in another world. And right now, Axell needed to focus. Get into the building. Make sure his ID checked out, and get in to meet the man who was working with Casper Janz.

  Axell was escorted to a front desk by armed guards at the entrance. “I have a meeting with Mr. Cheng.” He retrieved his badge. “James Fitzgerald. USAID.” He waited while the guard verified his ID, and for the first time in a long while, his hands felt clammy. Axell was out of practice and hoped his façade didn’t betray him.

  It wasn’t until the guard made the call that Axell began to relax. Hunter had done it. He’d created the bona fides and so far, they’d passed inspection.

  “Someone will escort you to his office in just a moment, Mr. Fitzgerald.”

  Axell nodded with confidence and began to breathe again.

  Within minutes, Axell was on his way to see Cheng and understand the relationship he had with Casper Janz. The crimson carpet and dark wood-paneled walls felt tunnel-like thanks to the arched sky-lit ceiling. Axell fell in behind the guard who led the way through the maze of corridors, eventually leading to Cheng’s office. He opened the door and announced Mr. Fitzgerald’s arrival in their native language.