Chapter Twenty-Six
COWAN SWALLOWED HARD. Twice. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
Andre gripped the agent’s throat and squeezed slightly. “You don’t want to do that unless you plan to clean it up.” He glanced at Riley, who nodded.
She left the suite and returned a minute later with two soft drinks, which she handed to Elias.
The operative broke the seal on the green bottle and helped Cowan take a few sips to settle his stomach. “Better?”
He nodded. “Thanks.”
“A few more questions, Cowan, and then we’re finished.”
The agent looked surprised. “I can leave?”
“We can’t keep you here.”
Cowan relaxed. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“So, let’s talk about the location of the lab.” Elias folded his arms across his chest. “Where is it?”
“How should I know? I didn’t know Garcia and Mendoza were crazy enough to turn a virus into a bioweapon.” He frowned. “Are you sure about the virus? The leaders of Obsidian Storm aren’t the sharpest knives in the drawer.”
Andre’s phone signaled an incoming message. He scanned the message from Zane and looked up at Cowan. “Maybe not, but they’re smart enough to kidnap prominent virologists and force them to mutate the flu virus for use as a bioweapon.” He glanced at Elias. “Show him.”
His teammate brought up the photos and scrolled through them slowly so Cowan could see each one. “Recognize these men?”
The agent looked sick. “Yeah, I do. I thought nothing of it. How could I have been so stupid?”
“You thought nothing of what?”
“Garcia asked me if I knew of scientists or doctors close to his territory who worked in a lab with germs and viruses.”
Interesting. “What did you tell him and Mendoza?”
He shrugged. “I have connections. I knew several scientists and doctors who worked in that field.”
“So you told him everything you knew?” Andre stared. “Tell me you didn’t.”
“He wanted to know, and we’re friends. What was the harm?”
“If we can’t find their lab and destroy the virus before they weaponize it, we’ll all find out how much damage one germ can do.”
“Where did the scientists live, Cowan?”
The agent grimaced. “The Chihuahua Province. Why they lived there is anyone’s guess.”
“I had hoped you would name a different province.”
Riley climbed onto one of the barstools. “The Chihuahua Province is familiar territory for Garcia and Mendoza. They’re comfortable there, and it’s where they have the most influence. We have to assume the virus is weaponized or soon will be. We have little time.”
Elias eyed Cowan again. “Are you sure you don’t know when you’re supposed to sneak the carriers into the US?”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry. Really. If I knew when the mules were coming to the US, I’d tell you. I don’t want to be responsible for the start of another pandemic.”
“And you don’t want to be infected with the virus yourself, do you?” Elias snorted. “Let me guess. You plan to go on an extended vacation where Garcia and Mendoza can’t find you and the US doesn’t have an extradition treaty, right?”
Cowan said nothing.
“That’s what I thought.” He looked at Andre, eyebrow raised in silent question.
Andre circled to stand in front of Cowan. “Who else in The Company is in bed with Obsidian Storm?”
“Berkley.”
“And?”
“Neil Washington, our supervisor.”
“Anyone else?”
He shook his head.
“If you lie to me, there’s nowhere far enough for you to hide from me. I already have a grievance against you for setting up Riley. Don’t make it worse by lying.”
“I’m not. I swear.”
“How did you get involved with Garcia and Mendoza?”
“Washington introduced us when we were in Mexico with him. We were evaluating new agents in the field.”
“How much money have you earned from Obsidian Storm?”
“I didn’t keep track.”
“Cowan.” Andre picked up one of Riley’s knives from the counter and twisted it so that the steel blade glittered in the dim light.
“No, wait.” His voice rose. “I have about $8 million in a couple of accounts. Compared to what they make running drugs and guns, that’s a paltry sum of money.”
“It’s enough to start a new life and live like a king. Where are the accounts located?”
Cowan glared at him but answered the question truthfully. Andre already had that information because Zane had found the accounts a few minutes earlier.
Andre signaled Violet to prepare another sedative for the disgraced federal agent. “Is there anything else you want to get off your chest, Cowan?”
The agent gave a wry smile. “You wrung me dry. I have nothing else to tell. You surprised me. I’m known for never giving in to pressure or torture, but I’ve seen nothing like the techniques you used on me. Whoever taught them to you is a genius.”
He studied the other man. “I believe you mean that. So, I’ll ask again. Is there anything else you want to tell me?”
“I already told you everything I know. I’m not in the Storm’s inner circle.
” His gaze shifted from one operative to another before returning to Andre.
“Look, I won’t tell anyone about this. I understand you were only protecting your property.
No harm, no foul, all right? I’ll go home, pack, and get out of the country.
Maybe an island in the Caribbean would be safe from the Storm and its crazy leaders. ”
And the virus. Couldn’t forget the help Cowan had offered Obsidian Storm. Andre signaled Violet. “I think you’ll be too busy to move to the Caribbean.”
Elias clamped his hand over Cowan’s mouth as Violet plunged the hypodermic needle into the agent’s muscle and depressed the plunger. He was out in less than a minute.
“How long will he be unconscious?” Seth asked.
“At least twelve hours.”
“Good. Andre, call Maddox and ask for the black site pick-up crew to swing by and take Cowan off of our hands.”
Before Andre could comply, his phone signaled an incoming call. He glanced at the screen. Zane. He swiped the screen and placed the call on speaker. “It’s Andre. You’re on speaker with Echo and Artemis.”
“Understood.”
“What do you have for us, Zane?”
“I think I know where the lab is located.”
Adrenaline shot through his veins. “Where?”
“I sent everything you and your teams need to your email accounts. The short version is I believe the lab is located outside a small town called Izamal.”
“How credible is the information?”
“I confirmed it with three different sources. It’s the real deal. What do you have for me?”
Andre updated his friend, ending with, “Brent said he had connections. We’ll need them. I have a feeling the corruption in The Company is wider than Cowan knows, and that makes me wonder what else he’s missed.”
“If he smuggles ten people across the border without asking questions, he becomes a dangerous, paranoid person rather than a rational person who takes the ultimate consequences into account.”
“He’s acting like an ostrich, burying his head in the sand.” Elias grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator. “I can understand why Garcia and Mendoza sought him out.”
Riley shook her head. “You got part of that right. He’s lying.”
“How do you know?”
“If you watch his mouth, you’ll see a twitch at the left corner when he’s lying.”
“And he twitched?”
“Oh, yes. He twitched.”
“What did he lie about?” Andre wished he’d had more time with Cowan. The longer he remained in the suite, though, the greater the risk of exposure and questions when the black site team took Cowan out of the hotel.
“He doesn’t plan to move to a Caribbean island. I don’t know where he’ll go, but it won’t be there.”
Violet frowned. “Why is that important?”
“Sam doesn’t believe we’ll survive the upcoming encounter with Obsidian Storm.”
“Which means he won’t have to worry about us tracking him down.” The medic shook her head. “The odds aren’t in our favor. We’ll be outnumbered.”
“What else is new?” Grant shrugged. “We’re always going up against larger forces than we bring to the party.”
“We’re also better trained and have better equipment.”
“One day, that may not be enough for a victory.”
Andre called Maddox.
“Yeah, Maddox.”
“It’s Andre. You’re on speaker with Echo and Artemis. We need another black site pick-up.”
“You’re keeping those boys busy. Who are they transporting this time?”
“Sam Cowan, assistant to Nathan Berkley. We need to look into Neil Washington. Cowan says Washington is in bed with Obsidian Storm.”
“Do you believe him?”
“About this, yeah. Other things, not so much.” He updated Maddox, ending with, “Violet administered the knockout drug so he won’t cause the team a problem while they’re transporting him.”
“Good. I’ll let them know they have another job. You should see them soon. Where is the lab Obsidian Storm is using?”
“Izamal, Mexico.”
Silence, then their boss groaned. “Of course it’s in the Chihuahua Province. Where else would it be?” He growled. “When will you leave?”
“As soon as you give us the go-ahead. We just learned the lab’s location from Zane and still need a plan to infiltrate the Storm’s compound. The lab is inside that compound.”
“You’ll need to pack heavy.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’ll also need another team to help, perhaps two, depending on how many soldiers are in the compound.”
“Any chance the M team is available?” Echo unit and Artemis had worked several ops with the brothers from Maple Valley and found that M team’s style meshed well with their own.
“Hold.” Seconds later, Maddox said, “Yeah, they are. I’ll contact David Montgomery and bring him up to speed. I’ll have a third team on standby in case we need them.”
Andre glanced at Seth, who smiled. “We, sir?”
“Did you think I’d let you have all the fun? Do you mind if I come along, Seth?”
“We’d welcome the extra help, sir.”
“While we’re waiting for M team to arrive, we’ll make plans. Return to headquarters as soon as possible for planning sessions and restocking supplies.”
“Copy that, sir.”
“Maddox out.”
Seth turned to his teammates. “You heard the boss. Grab your gear. If things go right, we won’t be returning to this hotel.”