Discreet Activities (Barry/McCall Series)

by Claude Bouchard

  Out came another device from his toy chest.

  “This is a liquid metal vapour detector,” he explained as he slowly ran the device over the bag. “It’ll tell me if there’s any mercury in there. Nope, we’re good. One last thing.”

  One more time, he stood and retrieved yet another piece of equipment before returning to the bag.

  “I do believe we found the C-4,” he stated as readings appeared on the screen atop this latest detector. “I really doubt there’s any danger with these for now and I want to look into them further. I’m going to suit up and, just to play it safe, I’ll ask you to keep Jon company while I mess with the bag, Leslie.”

  “Are you sure about this, Paul?” Jonathan asked, his concern evident.

  “No doubt about it, buddy,” Landry replied. “Come on, Les. I’ve got work to do.”

  They returned to the truck where Jonathan greeted them with a frown. “I really don’t like this, Paul. We lost Cat, Jeff and Pierre less that forty-eight hours ago and-”

  “And we’re going to nail the fuckers who are behind it,” Landry interrupted. “Pierre was like a brother to me and he saved my life more than once. Now these animals show up, kill him, kill two of your people and are planning to kill a bunch more with those fucking bombs in there. That’s not going to happen cuz I’m not going to let it happen.”

  “You found the bombs which is great,” Jonathan interjected. “Why not get a squad truck down here, go in with one of your robots and handle those bombs safely?”

  “For a couple of reasons,” Paul replied, opening the back of the truck as he spoke, “The first being that I’m already handling it safely. Part of my job is to evaluate the level of risk involved with explosive devices we come across. That’s what I just did. This place wasn’t rigged and booby-trapped to blow us up once we were lured in. Those bombs are simply stored there until these bastards intend to use them. The next part of my job is to make those bombs inoperable. I know how to do it, I’ve done it many times before in similar situations or locations. That’s why we have mobile equipment which I have with me.”

  “I’d just feel better if you had backup,” Jon argued. “Neither Leslie or me can do anything to help if something goes wrong.”

  “When we have a device somewhere which needs to be disarmed, we don’t send in a team,” replied Paul. “One man goes in if that’s what’s needed to do the job. We don’t risk extra lives for nothing. Today, I’m your man, Jonathan.”

  “You mentioned you had a couple of reasons for not bringing your squad in,” said Leslie. “You’ve only really given one. What’s the other?”

  Paul smiled as he replied. “Right now, we’re a cable company crew doing some maintenance. We’re practically invisible to everyone around us. Bring in the bomb squad and we’ll be attracting a whole lot of attention. Bottom line is, and I’m sure Jonathan here will agree, I don’t want these bastards to know we’re onto them. I just want those bombs to not explode. I say, let me get that done and then we can watch these idiots and nab them in the act, without any messy fireworks to complicate things at that time.”

  Jonathan stared at Paul for a moment then sighed. “You need any help carrying gear back there?”

  “You betcha,” Landry grinned. “Grab that black case but be careful, it’s a bit heavy. I’ve got the rest of what I need in this bag. Let’s go.”

  * * * *

  Weather-wise, the day had turned into a great one to do a bit of outdoor stakeout work. Shortly after one, Chris had informed the Surveillance Centre he was heading to Mont-Sutton and requested he be informed when Buzdar left the cottage. The call had come in a few minutes earlier and he now sat in the sun at a picnic table by the ski resort parking lot with a cold drink and iPad in hand.

  To anyone watching him, he’d appear to be leisurely relaxing while reading. In reality, he was watching the red dot on the GPS map making its way to the parking lot spread out before him. A moment or two passed and the black Explorer appeared at the lot’s entrance, heading towards closer parking spots near the chalet where Chris sat, the resort not being at full capacity on a week day.

  He watched as the 4x4 slipped into a spot and its occupants climbed out, pulling out ski boots, poles and skis from the rear hatch and roof rack while bantering, arguing and cajoling each other. After a couple of minutes, the ski boots were on and they were on their way to the lifts. However, Chris noticed Mahmood carried no skis or poles, nor was he wearing ski boots.

  They reached the edge of the parking lot and the three others continued on their trek while Mahmood turned and headed towards the chalet but as soon as his companions were out of sight, he about-faced, going back to where he’d come from. He reached the Explorer but walked on by it, maintaining a leisurely pace with apparently no specific destination in mind. As he got further, parked cars grew scarcer and he ambled somewhat aimlessly, in one direction then in another but it soon became apparent his zigzag pattern was leading to the lot’s entrance. Once there, he stopped and stretched, gazing around and simply killing time.

  ‘He’s waiting for someone,’ thought Chris as he glanced at his watch; a couple of minutes past two.

  He raised his eyes again in time to see a black Audi A6 roll up and stop just long enough for Mahmood to climb in before proceeding to enter the parking lot.

  “Yes,” Chris murmured with a smile which disappeared just as quickly when, to his dismay, the car headed not towards the main chalet where he sat but rather away to the deserted far end of the lot.

  “Damn,” he muttered, activating the rear camera on his iPad and zooming in as much as he could on the receding car.

  He contemplated getting closer in hopes of capturing a better image, possibly of the vehicle’s driver or at least of the license plate but discarded the idea, expecting he would be noticed long before he could get anything of value. He at least had the satisfaction of knowing the car would have to come back to leave the lot as there was no exit at the far end.

  The Audi had skirted the outer edge of the lot on its way to its present location. Assuming it did the same on its way back, Chris stood a better chance of getting some useful imagery by getting nearer to the vehicle’s path. He had parked the GX460 a bit further in the lot to avoid being surrounded by cars in the event he needed to leave quickly for any reason, including tailing a suspect vehicle. However, the Lexus now proved to be inconveniently positioned for his current photographic needs and he did not wish to attract any attention by filming a passing car while simply standing in the lot.

  He made his decision and left the picnic table, walking briskly across the lot to his SUV. He glanced towards the Audi in the distance as he went, making sure it remained motionless. He reached the Lexus, climbed in and fired up the engine then drove to the more populated area of the lot where he hoped to secure a better location. A few spots were available as he moved along the first two rows of parked cars but each was closer to the chalet side of the lot. As he turned into the third row, he noted a car backing out of the second spot at the far end.

  “Perfect,” he said as he made his way over, turned into the empty spot and cut the engine.

  He adjusted the left-side mirror and could see the Audi far behind him, still immobile. Once the car approached, he’d be able to record it via the mirror until it passed and would have a clear shot of the rear, thus the license plate, once it had gone by. Already in his vehicle, he could even follow the Audi if that became necessary. Now, all he had to do was wait.

  * * * *

  “I must go to the bathroom,” Fahad announced as they approached the chairlift.

  “Why didn’t you go two minutes ago when we walked by the chalet,” Nasir laughed as he dropped his skis to the ground and stepped into them.

  “Because I did not need to go then,” Fahad retorted, his tone defensive. “You will not tell me when I can or cannot go to the bathroom.”

  “Do you think I care when or how you relieve yourself?” Nasir snapped back. “
Hurry and go before you poo in your pants.”

  “What is his problem?” asked Saad as they watched Fahad storm off back towards the chalet.

  “I do not know,” Nasir replied. “He is probably still angry that we are here instead of studying.”

  “He does have a point,” Saad admitted. “We are all falling behind with our school work but Mahmood does not seem to care.”

  “Mahmood does care,” Nasir disagreed, “And if we are here, there is a reason which he will share with us when he is ready. Mahmood is depending on us to fully support the cause when the time comes. I trust that you are not changing your mind about what we have discussed.”

  “Of course not,” Saad insisted. “I will do what is requested of me.”

  “Good,” Nasir nodded and smiled. “Now, let us go enjoy the ski slopes while our friends are busy enjoying the toilets.”

  * * * *

  Fahad reached the chalet, storing his skis and poles in a rack before turning towards the chairlift in the distance where he noted his two friends had just started their ascent. Smiling, he turned back but rather than make his way into the chalet, he headed back towards the parking lot, staying close to the wall as he went.

  Upon their arrival, Mahmood had informed them he needed to use the bathroom before taking to the slopes. Though this in itself was not abnormal in any sense, Fahad had found strange that their friend had not taken his ski equipment with him but rather, had left it in the 4x4. Mere seconds after they had parted company at the chalet, Fahad had happened to glance back to see Mahmood already on his way back to the parking lot, clearly not having had time to use the bathroom.

  He now reached the front of the chalet nearest the parking lot and took position behind a couple of small cedars. A hundred or so yards away, he could see Mahmood leisurely sauntering in the general direction of the lot’s entrance which he reached a moment or two later. Another minute went by and a black Audi stopped just long enough for Mahmood to climb in before heading to park at the vacant far end of the lot.

  Fahad waited a couple of minutes but it soon became clear that the car’s occupants had no intention of getting out.

  ‘I am growing tired of your secrets, Mahmood,’ thought Fahad as he returned for his skis. ‘Like yourself, I am also a warrior and you will have to start trusting us and sharing your precious information.’

  * * * *

  “The associates involved with me ran into some problems,” JayQ explained as Mahmood listened. “As it is, we could not go ahead with the plan, that is, until I considered that you and your friends could make it happen.”

  “We will do what is required of us,” said Mahmood. “You will not be disappointed.”

  “You are certain?” JayQ asked. “There will be danger involved. You will be risking going to prison if you are caught, even risking your lives. I will not discuss any of this with you unless I am convinced of your dedication.”

  “We have all lost a loved one and suffered because of the western pigs and we are your warriors willing to die for Allah,” Mahmood replied. “What do you want us to do?”

  “Very well,” JayQ nodded and proceeded to explain what he had in mind.

  The four would to drive to Montreal on Saturday on the pretence of a shopping expedition. Once downtown, they were to split up, leave the car somewhere and wander for a while to make tailing more difficult, just in case they were being followed. It was imperative that they lose any tails if some existed and JayQ elaborated how this could be done with ease thanks to the subway system, the weekend crowds and the endless maze of interconnecting underground shopping complexes and tunnels in the downtown core.

  When certain of not being followed, one of them, Mahmood, JayQ presumed, would go to Omar’s home by public transport to pick up the gym bag hidden in the kitchen cupboard. JayQ carefully described the contents of the bag and the functioning of the remote control devices, demonstrating with the grey master control which he then handed to Mahmood.

  “You are the leader of this mission, Mahmood,” he said. “I have complete faith that under your guidance, our plan will be successful. This is why I am entrusting you with this master control which is programmed to activate the timers of all eight bombs. Even if the others have set the timers with their individual controls, you can override that with this remote or, as required, immediately detonate all the bombs.”

  “I understand,” Mahmood nodded with pride. “I am honoured by your trust.”

  “This is why you are my chosen one,” JayQ replied before continuing. “Once you have the devices, you will meet with each of the other three, preferably not at the same place or at the same time. You will give each a bundle of cigarette cartons and remote after which each will go off once again on their own. You must not remain together at any time in order to guarantee a certain level of success with the plan.”

  “Of course,” Mahmood stated, mostly to demonstrate his strategic understanding. “If we are apart and one gets caught, the others can complete their missions.”

  “Exactly,” JayQ smiled. “This is why you must go to the Igloofest separately as well. I suggest you get there shortly before it starts to take advantage of the biggest crowds going in. It will be easier to disappear if something goes wrong and security personnel become less thorough when they are busy.”

  “And within a crowd is where we can cause the most damage should we have to sacrifice ourselves,” Mahmood added.

  “I believe I don’t need to explain anything further,” said JayQ. “You understand perfectly what must be done. However, after some thought, I do request you wait to share this information with the others. The walls have ears and your friends, especially Fahad and Saad, are young and inexperienced. It would take only one slip of the tongue to put the entire plan in jeopardy.”

  “I understand,” Mahmood nodded. “I shall wait until Saturday to inform them of our trip to Montreal and shall explain the plan during our drive.”

  “Excellent,” JayQ approved. “Now, enjoy your afternoon of skiing for you will need all your concentration come Saturday. May Allah reward you, my friend.”

  “And may Allah be with you,” Mahmood replied.

  * * * *

  Chris continued to keep an eye on the Audi, still motionless well behind him. As he waited, he noticed a man and woman accompanied by two boys of about ten years of age plod up to a minivan parked directly behind him across the lane. Laughing and joking, they proceeded to store their equipment and remove their ski boots, their runs obviously done for the day. A minute or two later, all four had climbed into the minivan and Chris heard its engine start then saw its reverse lights come on. As it started inching its way backwards, Chris noticed the Audi start to move and, to his dismay it was not retracing its original path but rather was heading towards the opposite side of the lot, closer to the chalet.

  Behind him, the minivan had now backed up sufficiently to block his way out and seemed in no hurry to get on its way.

  “Come on,” Chris muttered as he started the engine. “Move, you idiot.”

  Craning his neck to the right, he saw the Audi stopping near the chalet, one row back and on the opposite side of where he was parked. Its tinted windows, combined with the sun’s reflection and hundred feet separating them made seeing its driver impossible. Mahmood climbed out of the car and walked around the back, heading towards his Explorer, no doubt to get his skis. Behind Chris, the minivan remained stopped in the middle of the lane, its driver now out and apparently dealing with some anomaly in the rear seat where the boys sat. The Audi, in the meantime, had started moving again, making its way around the several rows of cars parked ahead of Chris and heading for the parking lot’s exit.

  Chris honked his horn and the man behind him looked up, smiled, waved and gestured he’d only be another minute. Getting out of his SUV, Chris dashed on foot towards the Audi, crouching somewhat and using the parked cars for cover. The Audi slowed at the exit, barely acknowledging a stop sign and roared off, h
idden by a copse of evergreens.

  Swearing under his breath, Chris returned to the Lexus and dropped back into the driver’s seat, waiting while the minivan driver finally returned to the wheel of his own vehicle. Angry and disappointed by the final turn of events, Chris had to admit all was not lost. He had managed to glimpse the Audi’s license plate from a distance and was pretty sure it started with CD. In Quebec, such plates where issued to Diplomatic Corps vehicles.

  * * * *

  “I’m all good to go here,” announced Paul Landry from Omar’s kitchen. “Can you see okay?”

  “We’re good,” Jonathan replied from the truck where he and Leslie watched the video transmission on an iPad. “Just do this right and quick.”

  The camera, set on a small tripod on the kitchen table, showed Landry now clad in an armoured bomb suit, complete with helmet, visor and heavy gloves. On the floor by the open cupboard below the sink was an open explosives containment unit with a heavy, hinged transparent lid, waiting to receive the bombs from the gym bag.

  Without another word, Paul slowly reached into the cupboard and gently raised the handles of the gym bag, bringing them together and grasping them in one hand then gently lifted the bag an inch or so. On the counter was an array of tools he had laid out from which he selected an eighteen inch long graphite wand to the end of which a small, angled mirror was attached. Lowering the mirror, he examined the space between the bag and the cupboard floor and determined the bag was not attached or connected to any wire, string or other possible triggering apparatus.

  He returned his mirror wand to the counter then slowly brought the bag out of the cupboard, being careful not to jar or bump it against anything.

  “So far, so good,” he murmured, as much for his own benefit as that of the others.