Chapter 19
CHAPTER 19
J ason King looked at his family as they sat around the conference table. “What do we have?”
Jewell answered first. She was on the computer screen and one of two who was not physically present. “Cyrus and I have gone over satellite images. With the declared builds in Russia, I don’t think people were looking for more launch sites. We found five possible launch locations: two on the east side of Russia, two on the Latvia border, and one on the border of China to the south. All of these sites have been built within the last six to nine months.”
“So, only five missiles?” Fury asked from the other screen. “What are the targets?”
“From what we’re getting from the book Con has outlined, there should be ten targets. The east and west coasts of the United States. One over Europe, which incidentally, to our scientists’ calculations, would take out Eastern Russia, including the capital city. One over Australia, one over the Middle East, and one over the capital of China. There’s mention of future strikes as needed.” Jacob read the information before looking up. “A massive electromagnetic pulse from high-altitude nuclear explosions in these locations would wipe out electronic systems almost worldwide.”
“Yeah, not only that, but taking out the electronic systems would cause an immediate power outage, all digital transactions would be halted, and an event like this would plunge the global economy into one hell of a mess,” Jewell added.
“And the schematics?” Jason asked.
“Are legitimate,” Tori answered. “I’ve been working with the CIA and scientific community. They’ve stated if these platforms are made and launched on missiles, they’re capable of launching a nuclear payload and detonating it in a high-atmosphere release.”
Archangel typed something as he asked, “What about smaller explosions? The necessity for massive explosions limits the players, and as you said, with that type of detonation, the Russian capital would be taken out. What happens if the strikes are smaller?”
He saw a lot of frowns and scurrying going on. “Got it,” Tori said and looked across the table at him. “From a smaller detonation, the results could be a shower of high-energy electrons that, when on the ground, can take out electronic systems, but as far as size, think the city, not a nation.”
“The cities targeted, according to the book, are New York, Tokyo, London, Singapore, and Hong Kong,” Jewell said.
“All financial hubs,” Fury said. “Abrasha is planning on taking out the financial hubs? But to what end?”
“That is what we need to find out. Jewell, all this goes to Saint via Con.”
“I’m feeling usurped.” Jewell chuckled.
“Nobody is better than you, Button.” Fury’s voice softened as he talked to his sister.
“Aww … remind me to send you some chocolate,” Jewell said as she typed.
“Alpha. I need ten teams. Two teams to each site inside Russia.”
Tori leaned forward. “That could be considered an act of aggression.”
“Not if they don’t know we’re there,” Fury made the counterpoint.
“And if we present them with the evidence we have and threaten to out them to the world, the sanctions against them now would seem like a light slap on the wrist,” Archangel added. “Our job now is to find Abrasha and stop him before he’s able to carry out this plan.”
“And to find out what was on that item Eisenberger gave Trueman. They were both killed over it,” Jacob said.
Tori frowned. “Has Giovanni found out anything yet?”
Jacob shook his head. “She said give her another hour. She knows who it is, but getting them to admit to what they’ve done without torture will take a hot minute.”
“I want that information forwarded to me and Saint the second we get it.”
“Rog-O,” Jewell said. “Anything else?” She looked at the camera as she asked, although she was still typing.
“That’s enough for now,” Archangel said and watched as Fury and Jewell disappeared from the screen.
“Why would Abrasha take out the financial centers?” Tori bit her thumbnail. “What could he gain?” She looked at Jacob.
Jason shook his head. “The disruption would cause chaos in those cities. Trading would stop.”
“What could he gain by that?” Jacob leaned back in his chair and gently tossed his pen onto the table.
Jason took off his glasses. “Economic disruption for political leverage or a personal vendetta. We damn sure know it isn’t for some pie-in-the-sky ideological motivation.”
“Financial gain,” Tori said. “Everything for Abrasha is centered around money.”
“I agree.” Jacob nodded.
Jason shook his head. “There has to be something else. I mean, sure, he could sell short knowing shit is about to implode, but this is an extreme way to make money, even for Abrasha.”
“What else is there?” Tori asked.
“Well, watching, we don’t want people to look at what we’re doing; we set up a distraction, right?” Jacob leaned forward. “Could this—all of this—be a distraction? Have we verified those launch sites are active? They could be a ruse. Have we heard anything about nukes being built, bought, or sold?”
“No,” Jason admitted. “I’ve talked with every organization I could. Jewell has scoured the dark web. Nothing.”
Tori picked up her pen and opened her notebook. “Let’s do this the old-fashioned way. What crimes do we know for a fact Abrasha has funded or committed through surrogates like Pierre Archambeau?”
“The crypto heist. The Rostova group’s attempt to take over Switzerland. He was funding pirates off the Strait of Malacca in Indonesia. He was involved in trying to crash the peace accord and developed a biological weapon. That could have led to World War Three.” Jason lifted a finger with each event.
“Wait, I’ve heard that before.” Tori grabbed her tablet and tapped on it for a minute. “Here. In Anya’s statement for her security clearance, she said the men in her camp were talking about World War Three.”
“But we stopped each incident.” Jacob leaned forward. “Could this be a smokescreen to keep us busy? His intent seems to be focused on power, political power. Disrupting the Middle East peace talks, causing tension with the pirate attacks in the Strait of Malacca, Switzerland … the only thing that doesn’t factor in is the crypto heist.”
“Shit.” Jason slammed his hand against the table. “There are too many unknowns.” He leaned back in his chair and shook his head in frustration. “Based on what we don’t know, I think we need to modify our response to the sites inside Russia. I don’t want teams to go onto foreign soil. Jacob, get with Joseph. We’re going to send one person to each site.”
“A Shadow.” Jacob nodded. “That makes sense. They can get in and get out without being detected. Two teams to each site would leave ripples.”
“Ripples we can’t afford. I’ll contact Gabriel and let him know what we’re doing and why.”
Tori stood up with the men. “The best bet is to find Abrasha.” She narrowed her eyes. “Do I have permission to use my contacts in the CIA to coordinate an all-out search for him?”
Jason drew a deep breath and leaned on his cane. “I’m going to authorize it. From the initial read of the documentation that Ysabel Archambeau’s mother provided, there’s more than enough information to send a package to the Council. Find him.”
Jacob stopped and looked at Jason for a moment. “Nah, never mind.”
“What is it?” Jason asked.
Jacob gave Tori a quick look. “Do you think Darren Kowalski would know how to find Abrasha?”
Jason frowned. “He’s in jail. How could he?”
“He’s still connected. He’s the founding family of the Bratva. Maybe if we offered him something in return?” Jacob shrugged. “As I said, a stupid idea.”
Jason adjusted his stance. “He’s due to get out in a year.” He nodded. “See if he’d be willing to work with us to find Abrasha. If he is, I’ll talk to the powers-that-be and get the rest of his sentence remitted.”
“I’ll call Jared. He’s the one who has a relationship with this guy.” Jacob shrugged. “I was reaching for straws.”
“It takes out-of-the-box thinking to catch these miscreants. Get to work. I’ll call Gabriel.”
Jacob did a double take. “Have you been talking to Double D?”
Jason snorted. “I do have an advanced degree, and miscreant isn’t that big of a word.”
Tori laughed as she and Jacob walked out of the conference room. “We need to go back to the ranch soon. I miss the old Alpha team.”
“So do I, babe. So do I.” Jacob looked back at Jason and gave him a half-smile. “Later.” He closed the door behind him.
Jason sat back down and picked up the phone. He needed to talk to Gabriel.