Flags of The Forgoten

by Stallcup, Heath

  Bobby groaned and nodded. “Send it.”

  “Roger, I’m sending you a text for one of our satellite phones. We can scramble its location to prying eyes, but we can’t scramble the data.”

  “Understood.” A moment later Roger replied, “Got it. I’ll transmit immediately.”

  Gregg entered a code into his satellite phone and connected his computer to the mini USB built into the bottom. “Receiving. I’ll get this printed out immediately.”

  “Shit, she’s coming back. I gotta go.” Roger lowered his voice and with added malice declared, “You owe me BIG, Bobby Bridger.”

  “Copy that.”

  “THIS ISN’T GOOD.” Gregg stared at the computer screen, his face scrunched.

  Bobby edged in closer to Gregg and earned a dirty look. “What is it?”

  Gregg pushed in closer and pointed to the screen. “They have a whole case against you and whatever it is that is supposed to happen, hasn’t happened yet.” He clicked between documents and enlarged them. “Even though most of this is encrypted, the stuff I can open has been backdated to look like they were watching you for months.”

  He punched up one of the older surveillance documents and enlarged it. Typing commands into his computer, another screen popped open and Gregg browsed the metadata. “Bob, this was generated days ago, but they’ve got date stamps that go back almost seven months.”

  Jay stepped in and nodded to Gregg. “Hard copy all of it. Put an electronic copy on our server.”

  “On it. But know that this encrypted shit will take a while.” Gregg turned back to the computer and Jay pulled Bobby away from the workstation.

  “We need to figure out their target.” His voice was low and serious.

  “No shit, but how do we do that?” Bobby paced just outside the desks. “And why the hell did they pick me?”

  Jay shrugged. “Any number of reasons. Your skill set, your history with them, the fact that you’re so paranoid now…it probably all plays into the bad guy they need to sell to the public.”

  Bobby turned on him. “You think I’m the only one? There are dozens…maybe hundreds of ex-operators that fit that description.”

  Deric raised his voice to be heard. “I bet I know.” He stood and approached the pair. “You were working for the Bureau, right? What exactly were you doing?”

  Bobby shook his head. “Just gathering intel on these wannabes. They get in these chatrooms and Roger said they couldn’t track them with the programs they have. They had agents infiltrate but most were either sniffed out or turned sympathetic.”

  “But you were taking an active role?” Deric asked. “Playing along with them, getting them to open up, that sort of thing?”

  “Yeah. But it was nothing anybody else hadn’t done before.”

  Deric smirked at Jay who slumped his shoulders. “Somehow it caused you to pop up on their watch list. They chose to smack the nail that stuck up the highest and this time it just happened to be you.”

  Bobby threw his hands up in disgust. “Great. Try to do the right thing and it bites me in the ass.”

  “We still need to discover the targets.” Jay scratched at his goatee as he thought. “What’s their end game?”

  Bobby stepped to the nearest desk and sat down, his head in his hands. “It could be anything. A church, a school…hell, it could be something really bad–like poisoning a water supply.”

  All three men were silent for a bit then snapped out of it as Gregg piped up from across the area. “I got something.”

  The three gathered near his desk while Gregg waited for the printer. He snatched out the copy and handed it to Jay. “Apparently, Bobby checked into and out of the Pearl Continental.”

  “Wait…that big ugly hotel in Karachi?” Steve asked.

  “Ugly on the outside, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts.” Jim smiled at him. “They have great service and—”

  “Karachi, Pakistan?” Bobby snatched the paper from Jay’s hand and scanned it. “That doesn’t even look close to my signature.”

  “Doesn’t matter. They’ll just say that you deliberately altered the way you write to throw off investigators,” Jay responded. “Of course, all of that will be after the fact and once you’ve been retired.”

  “You mean made dead.” Bobby ground his teeth together. “I guess it’s safe to assume that whatever they plan to blow up is in Pakistan.”

  Gregg nodded. “I’d bet money the target is in Karachi. They don’t have you renting a car, so…you either walked or took a haji taxi.”

  Bobby fell into the closest chair and shook his head. “There’s nothing in Karachi.”

  Gregg suddenly smiled. “Au contraire, wizened one.” He turned back to his keyboard and began typing.

  “What’s he talking about?” Bobby asked, afraid to get his hopes up.

  “There’s been a lot of activity there in the past few months.” Jim patted Bobby’s shoulder. “Most of it localized stuff. Nothing that really pops up on the international—”

  “Got something.” Gregg turned his screen around. “Actually, of the top five biggest stories in the area, three are directly or indirectly tied to the same guy. Meet Muhammad al-Abadi. Syrian by birth. Shit stirrer by trade.”

  Bobby turned and stared at the screen. “You think this is an assassination and not a bombing?”

  “Couldn’t it be both?” Gregg shrugged. “When it comes to Karachi, this guy is the biggest news. Two of the reports deal with al-Abadi’s lieutenants and the other is directly tied to him.”

  “What’s he done?” Jay asked.

  “What hasn’t he done?” Gregg turned his screen back around and began typing again. “Human trafficking, drug exporter, arms trafficker, suspected ties to two…no, three terrorist groups.” Gregg snorted. “This guy could be a politician. He’s a ‘community organizer.’”

  Deric nodded to Gregg. “Find everything you can on him and print it out. We need hard copies.”

  “We can’t even be sure if this guy is the target,” Bobby mumbled.

  Jay squeezed his shoulder. “What’s your gut tell you?”

  Bobby shook his head. “I dunno. I’m still in shock at how quickly they’re dressing me up for the oven.”

  Jay turned to Jim. “Prep the jet.” He caught everybody’s eye and nodded. “We need to be in Pakistan.”

  Langley, VA

  * * *

  “SIR, FACIAL RECOGNITION verified a captured image in Dallas. It’s a 96% match for Bridger.” The tech handed Agent Chesterfield the printout and Darren stared at the fuzzy image.

  “What is this he’s driving? A truck?”

  The tech glanced at the image again and shook his head. “I think it’s an SUV, sir.”

  “Great. A non-descript person in a non-descript vehicle. Do you have any idea how many SUVs are in the Dallas metroplex?”

  The tech shrugged. “I’m guessing quite a few?”

  Darren slammed the copy on his desk. “It’s fucking Texas. Everybody there either drives a pickup or an SUV.” He squeezed his eyes shut and tapped his fingers to his chin. Suddenly he popped up. “Stay on him. Hack every camera you have to, but get me a license plate number and prepare a BOLO for local law enforcement.”

  When the tech shut the door to his office a voice came across his speaker phone. “Do you think it’s wise to tip our hand too early? I really think we should give him 24 hours after the incident.”

  Darren sat down and stared at the speakerphone. “Colonel, I’m not new to this. I’ll definitely wait to send out his information on the wire.”

  “But having office techs prepare the BOLO before anything has happened? You aren’t afraid that somebody will say something to the press?”

  Darren sat back and contemplated having the tech removed. He finally shook his head. “Negative sir. Bridger is a person of interest right up until we can prove he did something. Because he’s a person of interest, we can explain our keeping tabs on him.”

&nbs
p; “And you don’t think that’s just a little too coincidental? If we were watching him, how did he commit such a heinous act and we didn’t stop him?”

  Darren thought fast. “The act was committed on foreign soil. That isn’t our purview.”

  “Very good.” He could hear the squeak of Colonel Nelson’s chair as he sat upright and pressed the end call button.

  Darren squeezed the bridge of his nose and tried to second guess where Bridger might have run to. His field operatives that planted the evidence in his house said that it looked like he had left in a hurry. Ammunition was scattered and his gun case was unlocked, at least one rifle missing, based on the dust imprint left behind.

  “Somebody tell me that this asshole went hunting.”

  Karachi, Pakistan

  * * *

  SAMEER LEANED OVER the railing and yelled below, “Mamoon, we will need more fabrics.”

  Mamoon leaned forward in his chair and stared upward toward the second floor landing. “We just bought a whole roll. How can we be out?”

  “You are having us print extras to sell on the street. We are almost out.” Sameer sounded more angry than anything.

  Mamoon groaned and picked up his phone. It was time to try his other supplier and see if he could talk himself into another discount. “Kahn, my friend. I want to discuss a business proposition with you.”

  “Be quick. I have little time.” Kahn sounded stressed so Mamoon got right to the point.

  “I am in need of a bulk roll of fabric.” He waited for the man to reply but he didn’t. “Abdul has sold me a roll…with a discount of course, but I am in need of more. I thought perhaps you would like a chance to compete with him.” Mamoon bit his tongue hoping the man wouldn’t challenge him.

  “A discount? Are you serious?” He could hear arguing in the background and knew that Kahn’s attentions were divided.

  “Yes, he gave me a fifteen percent discount on a roll. But you and I have done so much business in the past, I thought it wise to speak with you before I ordered more from him.”

  “Wait, what? He gave you a fifteen percent discount for purchasing a whole roll? And already you are in need of more?”

  Mamoon silently cursed. “This was…some time back. My rack is empty and I thought that maybe you—”

  “What do you mean ‘some time back’? You just purchased ten yards from me a few days ago.”

  Mamoon nodded at the phone. “That was for a special order, my friend. Abdul’s roll was being used for another order. Apparently it is the season for protesting.” He chuckled to himself and prayed the older man didn’t call him on his bluff.

  Kahn sighed into the phone. “And how much of a discount do you want for my rolls of fabric?”

  Mamoon smiled inwardly. “If you are happy to match Abdul’s offer, I would not be opposed to purchasing both of your rolls from you.”

  Kahn was silent and Mamoon prayed he was just doing the math, ensuring that it was still profitable for him to cut his price. “Very well. Fifteen percent. But you buy both rolls and get them out of my warehouse.”

  Mamoon wanted to whoop for joy. “Fine. I’ll take them both. Can you have them delivered today?”

  “Come and get them yourself. My truck is broken today anyway and my people are busy working on it.”

  Mamoon silently cursed again and stared at the second floor landing. “I really need those rolls today. I’d hate to have to call Abdul.” Especially considering that he had just gone through an entire roll of fabric, Abdul might realize he was in a predicament.

  Kahn swore openly and Mamoon had to bite his tongue from laughing. “Send your boy to pay for it. You’ll have both rolls before nightfall.”

  “Excellent. I will send Tariq now.” He punched the end call button and craned his neck to the landing. “Tariq!”

  The boy stepped out from the breakroom, two coffees in hand. “Yes, sir?”

  Mamoon nearly jumped. “Take them their coffees then come back here. I need you to take payment to Kahn.”

  The boy nodded and started up the stairs.

  Mamoon watched him go and smiled inwardly. Thanks to “the widow” and her right hand man, al-Abadi, this was going to be a very profitable week for him.

  8

  Oklahoma City, OK

  * * *

  ROGER ROLLED OVER and reached for the glass of water next to the bed. He swallowed quickly as a hand slid up his back and grasped a handful of his close cropped hair. “Get back here and finish what you started.” Brenda’s voice purred as she tugged him back under the sheet.

  Roger fought against her pull and quickly swallowed another gulp of water. “I gotta rehydrate.” He nearly choked as she continued to tug.

  She flipped him over and straddled him, the sheet sliding from her athletic form. She gave him a look that both frightened him and excited him. The smile spreading across her sensual lips made him ache but at the same time, her appetites were far more endurance related than his had ever been. “You can rehydrate when I’m done with you.”

  Roger collapsed and gave her a defeated look. “It’s been all day and…almost all night. Don’t you ever sleep?”

  “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” She leaned down and bit his earlobe, making him startle slightly.

  “Seriously, Brenda. I need a break.” He tried to push her off gently and she fell to the side, surrendering.

  “Ugh. Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited for this? I want to wear you completely out.” She curled on her side and gave him a mischievous look.

  He turned and gave her a tired smile. “Trust me, you have.” He glanced to his waist and shook his head. “I think you ground me to a nub.”

  She raked her nails quickly down his back, forcing him to arch away from her and stand. “But it’s such an enjoyable nub.”

  He turned and gave her a sour look. “Never tease a man about his…nub.” He marched to the bathroom to relieve himself and used the wash rag once more to wipe himself down. He glanced into the mirror and was shocked that he didn’t look like a husk of his former self. She was insatiable.

  He marched back out and launched himself unceremoniously onto the mattress, bouncing her. He turned to his side and stared at her. He had to admit, he had found her attractive before, but now? She looked absolutely beautiful in the afterglow. He reached across and tucked her hair behind an ear. “Please, let’s get a little sleep. I really need to be on the road so I can check in tomorrow.”

  She scrunched her face at him. “Tomorrow? I thought you were going to take a personal day?”

  His eyes widened at that and he nodded. “Yes, of course. But I still have quite a bit of driving to do.” He leaned over and kissed the tip of her nose. “Besides, I can’t wait to wake up next to you in the morning.”

  She gave him a look he wasn’t certain how to read. She sat up and pulled her knees to her chest. “Roger, I hope you didn’t give the wrong impression. I’m not…looking for a relationship here. This was just a…”

  “A fling?” he asked.

  “I suppose you could call it that.” She rolled over and grabbed the sheet, pulling it back up to cover herself, then slid down next to him, staring at him from her side. “Call it ‘satisfying a craving.’ Or acting on a long held desire. Whatever.”

  Roger gave her a knowing smile. “I gotcha. No strings.”

  “Right.” She tucked her hands under her pillow and propped her head up. “Besides, I vowed years ago never to date a coworker, and especially not another Special Agent from the Bureau.”

  Roger nodded. In all honesty, he felt a bit let down. He could, between rounds, almost imagine having a long distance relationship with her. But, she was right. Keeping it casual was probably for the best. “I understand.”

  She reached out and ran her hand along the side of his face. “You’re disappointed, aren’t you?”

  Roger feigned surprise. “Who? Me? Nah.” He pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. “I mean, yeah. The idea
of maybe this forming into…something, did cross my mind. But you’re right. It’s better left to a one night stand.”

  She raised a brow at him and a smile started to form. “A one night stand? Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever been called that before.”

  Roger shrugged. “Hey, you said it first.”

  She shook her head. “No, actually I said that I was satisfying a long time curiosity. Or something like that.”

  “So, I’m just an itch scratcher,” he teased as he pulled her close. She rolled to her other side and snuggled up to him, spooning under the thin cotton sheet.

  “You’re definitely something. I don’t know if I’d call you an ‘itch scratcher’ though.” She turned and gave him another mischievous smile over her shoulder. “You might have to increase your endurance to be able to call yourself an ‘itch scratcher.’”

  Roger groaned while she relished in her joke.

  “Fine. I’ll work on my staying power and maybe you can promote me the next time we…well…” He paused and shrugged. “I guess there won’t be a next time, will there?”

  She wiggled in closer and he felt her firm bottom grind against his groin. “I didn’t say there wouldn’t be a next time. Just that I’m not looking for anything long term.”

  Roger closed his eyes and inhaled deeply of her hair. “You let me know when you want to test my endurance again. I’ll find a way to get to you.”

  She smiled and took his hand into hers as he drifted off to sleep.

  Karachi, Pakistan

  * * *

  BRIDGER STEPPED OFF the plane and used his hands to shield his eyes from the sun. “Good lord, I forgot how hot it was here.”

  “You thought Texas was bad.” Deric pushed past him and waved to the driver.

  Jay stepped from the plane and clicked his phone shut. “Jeff’s gonna meet us at the office.”

  Bridger turned and gave him a curious stare. “You maintain offices here?”