Chapter 8
“M ackie, you with us ?” Dex looked at him, eyebrows raised.
“Yeah, sorry, boss.”
Donnie watched Mackie shove his phone back in his pocket and focus back on the brief. Sam was front and center.
“I know you guys haven’t had much downtime, but I wanted to give you the brief now. You won’t be wheels up yet but could be at very short notice.”
The team said nothing, waiting for Sam to continue.
“CIA have confirmed that sarin was stolen from a chemical plant in Russia two days ago. We need to secure it.”
“CIA have someone on the inside? In Russia?” Ryan asked.
“Yes. The plant it originated from is a private chemical facility, makes fertilizer among other things. Fertilizer is exported to the US from Russia.”
“With a sideline in sarin?” Dex asked.
“So it seems. CIA are taking care of the plant. Our focus is what’s in transit.”
“How large an amount?”
“Three 500ml cannisters.”
“That can do some serious damage. Where is it?”
“That’s why you are not wheels up yet. We don’t know. Once we have a location, you will need to intercept and contain it. Depending on where it is, we will then arrange safe transportation.”
“Do we know the target?” Donnie asked.
“Their intel suggests here. As in California. But we have no details of an entry point yet, or an exact target. Washington wants it intercepted before it gets on US soil.”
Everyone stared at Sam.
“OK, so we have a shipment of one of the deadliest chemicals of our time in transit somewhere to an unknown destination in California?” Dex arched his eyebrows. “Appreciate the brief, boss, but why exactly are we here? Not much we can do with that limited intel.”
“Washington wants this on a need-to-know basis. It’s Russia. Considering they are already involved in an active war, we do not want to start another one. No one outside the CIA agents already working on this knows of this situation. And now Onyx are the only other people read in. We’ve been asked to assist in any way we can. Kelly has started working on it, and Mira will join her once Nyx’s op is done.”
“CIA are sure it’s sarin?” Ryan asked.
“Yes. There has been chatter about the sarin for a while. It was thought it was headed to Russian military to use as a weapon. The knowledge that it’s coming here is new. This is the first shipment out of the plant but may not be the last. Their man has witnessed the operation, confirmed it’s legit. He just couldn't stop it leaving without blowing his cover.”
Sam nodded at Kelly.
“CIA’s man said the cannisters are in a small metal case,” Kelly said, “which has most likely been disguised. Whoever is transporting it may or may not know what they are carrying. They could be unaware, or they could be part of the operation.” She shifted in her chair. “Getting sarin from Russia to the US is no small task. Whoever is behind this must have help strategically placed. We ask too many questions, we could spook someone, and the sarin could get released. We are going to start with the truck it left on. Hazardous chemicals can only leave the plant on specialized vehicles.”
“There must be a few back doors we can crack,” Donnie asked. Fuck, hacking was Mackie’s specialty.
Kelly grinned. “And that is why you boys are here, smart ass.”
The guys chuckled. Sam quieted them. “Yes. Mackie, I want you to give it a shot with Kelly, but it must be with zero trace. Nothing can lead back here, nothing, got it? It’s why this op has come to us. No one can know we are poking around. If Russia get wind of it...well...I don't need to tell you. The clock is ticking on an unknown deadline. We do not know when or where the target is. One canister of that stuff put into an air conditioning system or even just released, would kill hundreds, if not thousands and there are three canisters in transport.”
“Three canisters could indicate a seriously large target,” Dex said.
“Yes. Or it could be a coordinated attack on multiple targets.”
“Then let’s get going on it, darling.” Mackie winked at Kelly. Donnie saw Dex scowl and grinned.
“The rest of you make sure you’re up to date on this shit. I don’t want to lose any of you trying to secure it. And start thinking about targets. Someone that has gone to this much trouble to bring sarin to the US is going to want to make a big statement. A concert, a ball game. Mass people.”
“We pulling Steve back for this?” Donnie asked.
Everyone looked at Dex. Donnie wondered how much Dex knew about whatever was going on with Steve.
“No. Just the five of us. Those of you that have not yet cleared physical and psych, get it done today.”
The boys split up. Donnie glanced at Mackie, who turned as if sensing him.
“Hey, Kelly, I’ll be right back. Need a whizz.”
“Too much information Mackie.” She waved him off.
He smiled, walking away, and Donnie followed him.
“What is it?” Donnie asked as soon as the washroom door closed.
“Look, I don’t want to land anyone in shit here, but have you spoken to Steve recently?”
“Yes. Did he ask you to run the phone?”
“This morning, but Dex called before I had a chance to. I can’t risk doing it here as he doesn't want to get on Sam or Dex’s radar.”
“Yeah, I know. He wants to keep them out of it.”
“You probably know more than me, I didn’t ask questions. I just shot him a text to say I’d get to it as soon as I can.”
“He thinks Diane is hiding something.”
Mackie raised his eyebrows.
“Not an affair,” Donnie added quickly.
“Well, whatever it is, sarin trumps it.”
“You’re right. We have a potential terrorist sarin attack happening. If we get caught diverting our attention, we’re going to get roasted.” Donnie scrubbed a hand over his face.
“I know. But he’s our brother and he’s asked for help. You’re pretty good with computers, though. If you can get to my place, my laptop is there, it has the software loaded. I can tell you what to do.”
Donnie nodded. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll find a way to get there.”
***
S TEVE HAD JUST PUT Megan to bed when his cellphone rang. Donnie.
“Hey bud. I just left Mackie's. That favor you asked for is in progress.”
“Mackie asked you to do it?” Steve asked, not hiding his surprise.
“Yes. And don’t be pissed. I told him we spoke, and he is too tied up right now.”
“Fuck. The op?”
“Yeah. It’s time sensitive, and Mackie’s skills were needed.”
“Thanks, man, for doing this. No idea you knew how to.”
Donnie chuckled. “I didn’t, but I do now.”
“If I’d known it was that easy, I would have done it myself.”
“Nah, you need special software. I did it on Mackie’s laptop. He walked me through it. I’ve set it up, but I have to head back. Mackie said to go on over and help yourself. He said you had a key?”
“Yeah, I do. Thanks, man. I owe you one.”
“No worries. If there is anything else you need, just ask.”
“You and Mackie have done enough. Thanks. Focus on the op, brother, I won’t be there to watch your ass.”
“How will I survive?” Donnie’s tone was sarcastic. Then he ended the call.
Steve would have to be patient and wait for Diane to come home. Then he could slip over to Mackie’s place. Megan was asleep now, so he wasn't about to wake her and drag her out, no matter how badly he wanted to see what was on Diane’s phone. It was eight o’clock on a Sunday night. She still wasn’t home.
When he tried her phone again, this time she answered.
“Hey. Sorry, I got absorbed. I know it’s late,” she said quietly.
“Are you leaving now?” He kept his voice neutral, not wanting to make a bad situation worse.
“I... no.”
“When then?”
“I’m right in the middle of something. I’m going to keep going while I’m on a roll.”
Steve was grateful they were not on a video call, and she couldn’t see his scowl.
“Diane, you’ve been there over twelve hours. You need to sleep and eat. I’m worried about you,” He let her hear his genuine concern.
“I ordered in. I’m good. Don’t worry about me. I promise this is nearly done. It’s why I want to stay and get finished. Then I can get back to some sort of normality. Don’t be mad at me please.”
He leaned his head back on the couch, wincing. He would never hurt his wife, but he had been snapping at her lately because of his frustration. He hated the wariness in her voice that he was going to be angry.
“I’m not mad angel.” he said softly. “I miss you and we need to talk about last night. About what you said.”
“We will. I didn’t mean what I said, Steve. I was tired, and this case...well, I already told you. It’s complicated.”
“Are you coming home at all tonight?” It wasn’t the first time she’d pulled an all-nighter.
“I’m not sure.”
At least she was being honest. Guess there was no way he was getting to Mackie’s tonight.
“Tomorrow night, Diane. You and me are talking. No more excuses. Clear your schedule for a couple of hours.” He kept his voice soft but firm.
“OK.” It was barely more than a whisper.
“I love you, Angel. You need to let me in.”
“OK,” she said again. “Tomorrow night.”
She hung up on him before he could say anything else.
***
“O K, PUMPKIN, YOU READY to go?” After another restless night, Steve was eager to get Megan to school and head to Mackie’s.
“Yep.”
“After you, my lady.” He bowed and Megan giggled, grabbing her satchel.
Twenty minutes later, Steve was in the school parking lot.
“Have a great day. I’ll see you at three thirty.” He hugged her tightly.
“Bye, Daddy. Love you.”
“Love you, too, Pumpkin.”
His gaze followed her up the path to the main doors where she joined her friends. All of them chatted easily. As he turned to get back in his truck, he spotted a black Ford sedan parked across the street. The window was down, the driver, in dark shades appeared to be looking straight at him. Every muscle tensed and his mind raced. Sunday morning, breakfast, he was sure this same man had been in the diner. He’d clocked him because he had been sitting alone with just a coffee. Wearing a suit, in the small family diner, he stood out. But the guy left before they did, and so Steve didn’t think any more of it. The black Ford on his street yesterday, though, then at the mall.
His operator instincts kicked into full gear. This was no fucking coincidence. He walked towards the car, but it sped away before he got close. But clocking the plate, he quickly typed it into a text message to Mackie.
I’m heading to your place now, can I run this plate number while I’m there? CDS4RY – Black Ford
What the fuck was going on? He climbed in the truck, tempted to follow the car, but if he got into a high-speed chase through the city and it turned out to be nothing, he would be in a whole heap of trouble. Dex and Sam would have his ass.
Climbing into his truck, Steve drove straight to Mackie’s. Letting himself in, he opened the USB file on Mackie’s laptop. He began flicking through the messages. Nothing stood out. There were messages from him, Kelly, Mira, Sophie. As much as he trusted Diane, relief swept through him. Then he saw it:
I want an update now. Step outside. One of my men is waiting for you. You will follow him.
What. The. Fuck. He checked the sender. Anonymous. It had been sent Sunday morning. This was the text she got in the diner.
The guy from the black Ford. The one in the diner. It had to be him. The man waiting for her. He had been watching them? Fuck. He had dismissed him, let his guard down. Because you were too wrapped up in the fact that Diane had showed up for breakfast and you were enjoying being with your family.
Rage churned his stomach. Who the fuck was texting his wife like that, and why the hell had she gone? Alone. Not told him? It had been no coincidence the same car was at the school this morning. Someone was watching him, or Megan, or all of them. His family. Damn, he wished he could call his team, but that wasn’t an option now. Raven was preparing for an op, and he wasn’t about to distract any of them. Hell, no wonder Diane had looked so spooked. Why hadn’t she told him?
His phone pinged.
Mackie: Plate belongs to a numbered company, registered owner Vladimir Volkov. You good?
Steve: Thanks man, you’re the best. I’m good. You guys heading out?
Mackie: Timeline still unknown
Steve: Watch your six
Why did Volkov ring a bell to him? He tapped his fingers on the table. Volkov. The file. The file on Diane’s desk, the case she was working on. It was Volkov. Her damn client was having them followed?
There was plenty of time before he was due to pick Megan up. Time to do a little research of his own on this numbered company and the man behind it. His computer skills might not be as good as Mackie’s, but he had enough to manage doing research before he confronted his wife.
Hours passed, but he made progress. Vladimir Volkov. Born in Russia. His family came to the US and started a small hazardous chemical transportation company. Fast forward and VV Transportation had grown into an international megabucks company based in Los Angeles. The company looked legit and appeared successful, although a company can always look good on paper. Volkov senior had passed last year, leaving the son now in control. He had a daughter, but there was no mention of a wife. So where did Diane come in? What did he need a family lawyer for?
The man also appeared to be well-connected. He came across several photographs of Volkov at high profile gatherings, mixing with senators, judges, and even some high-ranking military brass.
He would talk to Diane tonight, explain about the car outside the school and why he had been concerned and looked into it. He would give her a chance to talk before letting her know he knew about the text from Sunday morning.
He glanced at his watch. He’d have to head out to pick up Megan soon. He wandered to Mackie’s kitchen, hoping his teammate had something to eat in his fridge. He found left over pizza and didn’t hesitate to place it in the microwave. He’d buy Mackie another one. Mackie’s laptop beeped again, and he glanced at it seeing another message downloading. He walked over and waited patiently for it to appear.
It wasn't a text, but a picture. Steve froze. Him and Megan in the shopping mall on Saturday. The guy in the Ford had taken a fucking picture, and he hadn’t sensed it. Goddamn it. A burning anger spread through him at the thought of someone following his daughter or his wife.
Two-thirty. Pizza forgotten, he called the school, his heart racing.
“Hi. Can you check if my daughter is still in school, please? I think my wife was picking her up for a dental appointment, but I might have the date wrong. Just want to make sure.”
He kept his tone light, although he was wound so tight he thought he might crack. He gave Megan's name and homeroom teacher. He finally breathed when the school secretary came back on the line and confirmed Megan was in class.
“Thank you. Sorry, I must have my days mixed up. I’ll be there to pick her up at three-thirty.”
He ended the call, grabbed his keys, and drove way too fast to the school. He would sit outside and wait. Maybe he’d get lucky, and the black Ford would show up. He would welcome a little conversation with that fucker.