Foxtrot #2
The white SUV came to a stop at the security gate.
Wilson flashed his badge and identified himself.
The overweight, middle-aged guard exited the little building and walked behind the white SUV.
Burke assumed the guard was recording the license plate number.
Then he watched the white SUV go through the gate.
He was surprised when the gate re-closed as he approached it.
He pulled his own badge out, lowered his window, and presented it to the guard.
“We’re with the white SUV. Didn’t he tell you?” Burke said.
“He did. Sorry, sir, we’re required to document each car separately.” The guard squinted his eyes to read his badge. “Burke, ATF,” he said aloud. He handed him a parking permit. “Keep this displayed in your windshield.”
“We’ll be leaving the airport after our plane arrives, a quick in and out,” Burke said.
“Yes, sir,” the guard said. “Let me just record your plate number and I’ll open the gate.
” He pointed to the left, to where the white SUV had disappeared from view.
“You’ll be going to hangar number fifteen.
Your plane is due in within the hour.” He stepped to the back of the vehicle and then returned to his little building. The gate rolled open.
Burke pulled through.
Tessman scanned the long road that had led to the airport. “Road behind us is clear. We didn’t have a tail.”
“I almost wish we did,” Burke said.
He pulled up beside the white SUV near hangar fifteen.
The large door was closed. Rogers was just exiting the side door of the hangar.
Through comms, they heard him. “There’s a civilian law enforcement liaison inside the hangar.
Our bird is due in less than half an hour.
Unless someone needs to use the bathroom, I suggest we keep everyone in the cars.
The Shepherd Security Lear landed and taxied up to the hangar.
It parked, and the door popped open, revealing Jackson from Alpha Team.
He descended the stairs. Burke and Wilson met him as he approached the two vehicles.
“Good timing,” Jackson said. “We were just getting back from our mission when you rang, were on final approach, which made it easy for the pilots to divert here to pick you up.”
Burke knew that Jackson had been on a case in Mississippi with three other members of Alpha Team. He was surprised that it was already wrapped up. “I thought I heard you ran into issues that would leave you onsite for another week,” Burke said.
“Yeah, we thought that would be the case. Leave it to Cooper to threaten our suspect into confessing by telling him he’s being charged as a terrorist,” Jackson said with a laugh.
“Never mind, we didn’t have proof.” He pointed back toward the plane.
“The rest of the team is on the phone with Homeland now. The guy confessed to everything, including unrelated crimes. It’ll be a few minutes until they’re off the call.
Then we can bring your people on board.” He lowered the volume before continuing.
“So, from what I understand, they’re being delivered to the FBI, but we’re to treat them as suspects? ”
Burke and Wilson gave him the cliff notes version of what went down. When they got to the part where they threw the phones out of the window, Jackson laughed. “Only way to be one hundred percent sure,” he agreed, after he’d calmed his laughter.
A few minutes passed before Garcia stuck his head out of the door. He motioned to them. Wilson and Burke each returned to their vehicle and opened a back door.
“Sorry about the delay,” Burke said. “We’re ready for you to board the plane.”
Stacy pulled herself out of the vehicle first. “You promise to personally talk to my husband?”
“Yes,” Burke said. “And I’ll get in touch with the FBI agents who are taking your statement after I have.”
Brandon emerged from the back seat, nervously looking around. He used one hand to kind of hide his face from view. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with regarding my dad. If he sends someone to that warehouse, you’re going to need a hell of a lot more manpower than the four of you.”
Jackson grabbed his arm. “Come on. I’ll stay between you and the view that isn’t blocked by the plane, cars, or the hangar.
” He rushed him to the plane. After Ellison was aboard, Jackson returned to the four men of Charlie Team, who now all stood beside the two SUVs.
“Hey, do you think he was being paranoid, or do you think there is a real chance you could be overwhelmed at the warehouse?”
The four men exchanged glances. “We ran into two separate groups. One at the warehouse, approximately four men, and two other vehicles on the drive here,” Wilson replied. “If you’re asking because Cooper can spare one or two of you, we’ll take the assistance.”
Jackson nodded. “I’ll be right back.” He hurried to the aircraft, which now had everyone on board. He returned with his backpack a few minutes later. “You have me if you want me,” he said.
“We do. Thank you,” Wilson said. “We’ll leave the white SUV here, but let’s change the plates on our vehicle,” he said to Burke.
Burke opened the back of the agency SUV and grabbed a set of alternate license plates they kept in it.
He handed the front plate and a screwdriver to Wilson.
While Wilson switched out the front plates, Burke took care of the back plates.
Then the five men got into the vehicle and they drove away, leaving the white SUV parked beside the hangar.