“Don’t give it a second thought, Zach. There’s nothing for you to worry about, okay?”
“Okay, but what about Ryan?”
“If he calls in, don’t mention a word of this conversation to him. Do you understand? It’s very important that you don’t say a word.”
“Roger that.”
“Good. Now, I’m sending you six tail numbers. I need you to get to work on them for me. I’ll be here at the airport waiting on the arrival of the Interpol agent and CIA team. If you need me, call me. If Ryan contacts you, let me know. I’m calling Hodges now.”
Walking toward the FBO building, Wakefield dialed Hodges’ mobile number. As she entered the building, the phone began to ring. She made her way past the small lobby desk and around the corner, entering the ladies room. Pushing the door open, she heard Hodges say, “Hodges here.”
“What’s your twenty?”
“I’m five miles north of the city with another ten to drive.”
“Destination?” she asked, checking the stalls.
“Abandoned shipping company once operated by Laird on the outskirts of the city.”
“How certain are you the Grangers are there?” she asked, leaning against the sink basin of the empty bathroom.
“One hundred percent certain. It’s the only physical building owned by Laird other than the CCP building. I’ll find them; I know it.”
“Do you want me to send Ryan to back you up?”
“No, no need for that. I can handle it. Did Zach tell you Ryan was on your computer?”
“Yes, he did.”
“Well?”
“It’s handled. Don’t worry about it. I need you to focus on the task at hand. This mission is blowing up in our faces, and we need to get it back under control and in a hurry.”
“Roger that.”
“All right, keep me posted and let me know as soon as you have the Grangers.”
“Ten-four.”
Ending the call, she pocketed the cell phone in exchange for her SAT phone and called in the update Langley was expecting. She knew they’d have heard about the dead American tourist in Cologne and recognized the local police report for what it really was. She’d have a lot to answer for. Dialing the number, she breathed deeply as the phone rang.
“East Bay Telecom,” a young lady answered. “How may I direct your call?”
“Wakefield, Tammy Daniel. Agent 72733002.”
“Hold, please.”
The baritone voice of her boss was intimidating enough. Adding to that his six foot two inch ex-navy SEAL frame and, well, she didn’t like the position she was in, even if it was from the safety of another continent.
“You’ve got ninety seconds to explain,” he said.
“We underestimated the threat, making a few miscalculations in our tactical approach, which resulted in the death of one of my agents and the capture of three others. We’ve located the captured agents and are currently acting to secure their return.”
“Name of the deceased? I need to notify next of kin and prepare a cover story.”
“William Bubba Franks.”
“And those agents captured?”
“The Grangers. Leecy, Valerie, and Ron Granger.”
“Hold on a second, Agent Wakefield. Are you telling me Ron Granger allowed someone to get the drop on him?”
“Not just him, but all of us, sir. No one saw it coming.”
“I’ll be damned.”
“We’re thinking the database breech your office notified me of may have aided our targets in outflanking us. The main target of this operation is suspected to be a world-class hacker.”
“Let me get this straight, Agent.” His voice dropped an octave, causing the phone in her hand to vibrate. “First, there’s the explosion in Sevastopol, and now the death of an agent and the kidnapping of three more. And you’re trying to cover your ass by blaming the mission failure on the attempted computer hack? Look, I don’t need to tell you this doesn’t bode well for you or your team. I hope you have more of an explanation than that.”
“All due respect, Sir, but the hack is a viable explanation given the skill set of the target.”
“Yes it is,” he agreed, his voice retreating to its normal tone, “but there’s a problem with that theory.”
“What’s the problem?”
“Our IT people are reporting the hack was a multi-pronged attack. It involved a dozen or more breeches to our system all running concurrently. IT has even given the method a nickname. They’re calling it ‘Medusa.’”
“That sounds ominous, but what’s the problem?”
“It is ominous. In an effort to stave off the damage, the IT folks tell me they sent back some sort of a scrubbing virus to the hackers, attaching it to Medusa—which, I’m told, is essentially a very sophisticated computer algorithm—in hopes of erasing any pilfered data. If your target is behind it, and we believe she is, she’s much more dangerous than we first believed her to be.”
“Still not hearing the problem, Sir. What data did she extract from the system?”
“That’s the beauty, if you will allow me, and the problem with what she’s done. The folks in the IT department don’t yet know the extent of the damage. I’m told it will take days to discover what she was after, but thankfully, they’ve been able to lock her out of the system. They think. Jesus, this is bad.”
“What? We don’t know what information got out? Look, I… we… don’t have days; we have hours. I’ve got agents in harm’s way.”
“We’re running it down. That’s the best I can do for now.”
“And if this breech leads to the deaths of my agents?”
“Follow your protocols. That’s all any of us can do now.”
“Jesus, it sounds like we’re giving up.”
“Just being pragmatic,” he said, his voice more stern as he changed the subject. “Look, our two best computer forensic people are en route, and Interpol will be joining the takedown tonight. Our top priority, or should I say your top priority, is Tia Reins and her equipment and software. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
“I’ll be eagerly awaiting your post-mission report. I’ll expect it before noon tomorrow.”
“I understand.”
“Are you hearing me, Agent?”
“Yes, I hear you, and I’ll submit the full report as always when the mission is over.”
“Very well, Agent Wakefield, but do yourself and me a favor and no more mistakes. Keep this hacking incident under wraps for now. We don’t want it getting out to the public and undermining the confidence of our agents in the field, okay?”
“Roger that, Sir.”
With the connection severed, she pocketed the SAT phone and made her way to the lobby to do the only thing she could do, which was wait. Checking her watch, she saw it was a quarter till ten. Feeling powerless, she retrieved her mobile and called Ryan for an update.
“Ryan, here.”
“Status?”
“All clear. No sign of life inside the building and no movement on the outside.”
“Zach’s found the Grangers. Hodges is on task.”
“I better get moving. He’ll need backup.”
“No, stay put. I need eyes on that building. I need to know the second you see any activity at all. Do you copy?”
“Roger that. Staying put, and babysitting a building.”
“Wakefield out,” she said, ending the call. She wondered if her problem child of an agent would stay put, then she got an idea. Looking around the small lobby, making certain she was alone, she called Zach.
“Zach, here.”
“Can you access any CCTV cameras near the CCP building? Or how about the camera Granger reported seeing mounted on the building itself?”
“Can’t do the camera on the building because Tia’s system is too difficult to access. Well, I could, but it would take way too long.”
“Zach, I need you to focus,” Wakefield said.
&
nbsp; “Sorry,” he said, typing again. “Okay. What do we have? We’ve got traffic cameras located on the eastern corner, but I’m only getting half the building and no shot of the front door. Wait a tick. What’s this?”
“What? What’d you find?”
“The bank next door to the CCP building is watching its entrance from across the street, and that camera view is picking up the entrance to the CCP building.”
“Perfect,” Wakefield said. “Start recording now. And tell me what you know about the rear of the CCP building.”
“That’s useless to us. It’s a courtyard. No vehicle access at all, and since all the other buildings on that block back up to the courtyard, it’s not private. I don’t think Tia would risk using it.”
“I agree. Stay on that camera view of the entrance and alert me the moment you see any activity, and I mean anything. Even if it’s a pizza delivery boy, you got me?”
“Roger that.”
Dialing another number, she said, “Hi, it’s Wakefield.”
“Pleasure hearing from you,” Robert Jeffery Leeds said, “but I should be seeing you very soon.”
“That’s why I’m calling you. I wanted to know your ETA.”
“Once your boys from Langley arrive here in Brussels, which should be any time now, we’re a two-hour flight away.”
Glancing at her watch, she said, “Looks like you guys will be maintaining the schedule if you’re in the air in the next fifteen minutes. That’s perfect. Great, then. Okay, I’ll see you at eleven.”
“Yes, and I’ve just received a text that your boys have landed. All according to plan.”
“Great. See you in a couple of hours. Bye.”
“Yes, hold on. Don’t dash off just yet.”
“Why? Is there something else?”
“I know what I’m about to say is highly irregular, but may I be so bold as to suggest if all goes well, you join me for tea after we conclude our business?”
“Are you asking me out on a date after the mission?” Wakefield asked, looking around to see if anyone was listening. Remembering she was alone, she relaxed and added, “I can’t do that.”
“Why? Are you married?”
“No.”
“Involved with someone?”
“No, not currently,” she said, allowing a smile to creep across her face.
“It’s settled, then. You’ll join me for tea after we bring this operation home, won’t you?”
“Sure,” she said, “but I have reports to file and…”
“So do I,” he said, interrupting her. “What say I call you on your mobile when I’ve completed my paperwork and we make some concrete plans?”
“Okay.”
“Now, I have to run. Your boys are taxiing to a stop. Wheels up shortly. See you soon.”
“Bye,” she said, ending the call, only to have the phone vibrate in her hand immediately.
“Wakefield, here.”
“I’ve got a car arriving at CCP,” Zach said.
*
“Now what?” Hector asked.
“Now whatever we want,” Lee answered. He walked toward me and asked, “You’re not CIA, are you?”
“Why are you wasting our time questioning him?” Hector asked. “Grab a flashlight and let’s bring the women topside and have some fun.”
“Yeah, we’ll get to that in a minute. Those ladies aren’t going anywhere. But right now, I have questions for this guy,” Lee said, walking toward the crate and stuffing his phone in his pocket. He grabbed the gun and shoved it down the front of his pants with the handle hanging out over his waistband. Then he picked up the flashlight and shone it in my face. “Well?”
“No,” I answered. “I’m not, nor have I ever been, CIA.”
“And what’s the preparations she had to make. What’s that about?”
“I’ll answer all your questions, but I’ve been hanging here for a long time. Can you let me down, first?”
Spinning clockwise on the heel of his left boot, Lee sent a kick crashing into my right side.
“No, you answer my questions or the next kick is full strength into your injured ribs.”
I was spinning in circles from the force of the blow, and said, “That wasn’t full strength? Jesus, man, that’s the kick I saw you knock Ronaldo Hoya out of the ring with a few years back.”
“So you’re a fan?”
“Sure, I’m a fan,” I said, spinning to a stop. I looked at the tape around my wrist, hoping to see some tearing. I did.
“Look, I don’t want to beat on you, so just answer my questions.”
“To hell with this,” Hector said. “It’s a waste of time. I’m getting the ladies.”
“Hector!” Lee said. “Don’t do that. Just wait. Give me a minute. If I’m right, you’re going to want to hear what Heely has to say.”
“Whatever, man, but I get first crack with the young one when you’re finished with Heely.”
“We’ll see,” Lee said, taking charge of the situation and looking at Furukawa standing near the crate a few feet behind him. “You’re part of this, too, remember, but I think we’ll need to renegotiate the terms we agreed to in the van, seeing as how I’m getting my hands dirty and all.”
“Sure,” Furukawa said. “No problem. I see you’re onto something. Please continue.”
“You’re onto something, all right,” I said. “But you can forget your agreement. I assume it’s about splitting the two million dollars Tia offered you to kill us.”
“Why should we forget about that?” Hector asked, suddenly interested.
“Lee knows. He’s onto your boss and her little plan to run off with this mystery partner of hers and take her two million dollars with her.”
“You don’t know that,” Lee argued. “We’re supposed to meet her when we finish with you and your women. She said she’d pay us tonight and take us with her. She said our future depended on killing you.”
“Come on, man,” I said. “I thought you were paying attention earlier. She left you here. She’s preparing for a trip; one that doesn’t include any of you. She’s not bringing security guys with her to the new gig. You two are not only unemployed, but also broke. She’s taking that two million dollars with her.”
“Look, I was contracted to kill Heely, not partner up with the guy,” Hector pushed in. “Let’s have some fun with the ladies, then do our jobs and collect our money before it’s too late. Something big is living down there, and if we wait much longer, there won’t be anything left of those ladies to have fun with.”
“Yeah, I agree,” Lee said, watching me. “Let’s stick to the agreement we have with Tia. But which one of us is going down there to get the girls? That growling sounded like a wolf or something.”
“That’s not a wolf,” I said.
Turning his light toward Hector, Lee froze. His light was shining on Leecy. She was standing next to Hector, holding the flat edge of a tire iron to his throat.
“That’s impossible.”
“Take it easy, fellas,” Leecy said.
“That’s right, boys,” Val added, standing on the other side of Hector, between him and Furukawa, and holding a tire iron of her own. “Don’t get excited and do something stupid.”
“But I tied you up,” Furukawa said, inching away from Valerie toward the edge of darkness on my right.
“Not very well,” Leecy said. “You need to work on your square knots. I’ll tell you what: you come down in that pit with me and I’ll demonstrate on you while I tie you to the stairs.”
“No, I don’t think I’ll be joining you down there,” he said before bolting away, running toward the rear of the building.
Leecy ran forward a few feet, but Lee drew his gun. The sound of breaking glass echoed through the building.
“He’s jumped out a rear window,” Lee said.
“How do you know that?” Hector asked.
“He told me about three offices along the back wall with windows to the outside.”
> “Coward,” Hector said.
“Not a coward,” Val disagreed. “He got out before he got himself killed.”
Waving the gun in her direction, Lee said, “Drop the weapon and come stand next to your friend here where I can see you. And you,” he gestured at Leecy with the gun, “drop that tire iron.”
Val did as he instructed and stood next to Leecy. Looking at me, she asked, “You hanging in there?”
“That’s about all I’m doing.”
“Not much longer now.”
“Good, I’m getting tired.”
“Shut up,” Hector said, walking toward me and punching me in my bruised rib cage, sending me swinging and spinning wildly away from him. I screamed, but only loud enough and long enough to cover the sound of the tearing duct tape. Hector walked away, leaving me swinging slowly back and forth, and continued talking to Lee. “Since the coward ran away, looks like we get all the money and the women.”
Grabbing Leecy by the arm and pressing the gun into her check, Lee said, “I’m taking this one. You can have the other one.”
Pulling down hard on the tape that was holding my wrists together, screaming with pain and lifting my legs, I kicked Lee in the face. The force of the blow sent me swinging and spinning away from him as he crashed into Hector.
Swinging back toward the falling pair, reaching the bottom of the arc, where the greatest amount of downward force was being applied, the tape gave way. Free of the chain, I was flying into the two men. The gun fell to the floor and slid across the concrete till it landed on the floor inside the pit, firing off one round.
Picking up the tire iron she’d dropped, Leecy sent the metal bar smashing into the back of Lee’s head and said, “No one touches me, or did you forget what happened to your big friend?”
Val kicked Hector in the face, following it quickly with the same spinning sidekick she’d taught Leecy. The heel of her boot crashed into his head, knocking him unconscious.
“Well done, ladies,” I said, lying on the filthy floor, exhausted.
“Way to hang in there for so…” Leecy started to say, but was interrupted by the sound of the van’s engine turning over. Unable to stop him, all we could do was watch Furukawa drive away.
“Well, there goes our ride,” I said, staggering to my feet.