BASILICA OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL
Commander Choufani had moved to the rear of the Basilica, when the aide to the Archbishop had signaled him that approximately five minutes remained in the service. Choufani sneaked a quick glance at his watch and was relieved to find they were on schedule. The choir would sing the ending Hymn and then a quartet of bagpipers would play as the caskets and then the families filed out of the church.
When he reached the rear of the Basilica, Choufani ducked outside to see if everything were staged for the procession to the cemeteries. This, again, was one of the logistical challenges with two processions headed to two different locations. His team had to ensure the right cars and the right people went with each hearse. He saw the two lines of cars behind the hearses, with discreet signs having been placed to direct people to the correct procession as they departed the church. He nodded at his two co-ordinators and gave thumbs up. Everything was as good as it could be.
As the great bronze doors opened, the wail of the bagpipes rose, filling the air with their haunting melancholy echoing and re-echoing off the surrounding building. Everyone outside immediately turned toward the doors and stoically looked on as the first casket appeared, the family following in its train. The pallbearers lifted the casket and carried it down the stairs to the waiting hearse. The family was helped to their assigned limousine, then turned and faced back toward the doors. They wanted to pay their respects to Sergeant O’Meara when his casket came out. A nice gesture from the family, Choufani thought.
Choufani felt a tap on his shoulder and he turned around. It was the Commissioner with his hand out. “Commander, you and your team have done another great job today. It was dignified and a beautiful service. I know we threw some logistical challenges to your team and, once again, they came through with flying colors. Please thank them for me.”
“Thank you, sir, and I’ll let them know. They’ll appreciate it, sir. They put their hearts into every one of these.”
The Commissioner nodded and turned away toward his car. Protocol required he attend the burial of the most senior of the officers, which he would do. However, when it was completed, he planned on calling on the other officer’s family at their home.
Choufani turned his attention to oversee what transpired as the second casket emerged from the sanctuary, followed by the family. In fewer than five minutes, the processions would leave and head toward their respective cemeteries. Within twenty minutes, they would both be clear of the Philadelphia city limits and, in two hours, the funerals would be concluded and the police department would be back to full strength. Choufani looked up at the cross on top of the Basilica and said a quick prayer.
Chapter Fifty-Four
INDEPENDENCE MALL
Kate monitored the special police frequency assigned to the team coordinating the funerals, since Jordan wanted to be aware of the status of the funerals at the Basilica.
“They just loaded the caskets into the hearses. The families are hugging one another and everyone else is heading to their cars with the respective processions. They both should be moving through the city in the next five to ten minutes.”
“Okay, let’s see if Mustafa and the children make any move. Smart move for you, Kate, to get the frequency for the funeral processions, so we don’t have to keep calling for updates.” Jordan appreciated Kate’s logistical mind. She made a great partner and even in moments like these, he wondered if they would ever have a chance to see if they could be compatible partners in a different sort of relationship.
He continued to study the van, waiting for any movement.
“The side door just opened on the van!” William’s voice came over the radio. “It looks like the kids are getting out.”
The van Jordan and Kate watched, side door opened as well. The kids bailed out and walked to the curb and into the Mall. The last one was Aziz and when he reached the others, they gathered around him, obviously looking to him for instructions.
The engine of the van started and the backup lamps flashed for a second, with the indication the transmission was put into gear.
Jordan grabbed the radio. “William our van is leaving. What’s your status?”
“Looks like ours is going, also. What’s your call?”
“I want to keep tabs on the kids. You and I’ll stay here and Kate will continue the surveillance on Mustafa. Let’s give these kids some space. They haven’t done anything — yet.”
The van began to pull away from the curb. Jordan jumped out of the car. As he did he turned to Kate.
“Follow him, but nothing else. If a situation develops, call me or call for backup. He’s too dangerous for you to try to take him down by yourself. Got it!”
Kate grabbed the door our of Jordan’s hand. “I got it!” she said in a tone that told Jordan his “little-girling” comment was not appreciated.
Jordan made his way across the street and into the Mall. He found a bench about twenty-five feet from where the children had gathered with Aziz. It was an ideal observation post and, with the pedestrian traffic, he didn’t stand out.
“Okay, Aziz, show me what you and the kids are up to.” He whispered to himself.
In the distance, he could hear the muted sirens of the traffic control police who escorted the funerals. Jordan no longer believed the timing of the activities was just coincidence with the funeral for the two police officers. Mustafa was using it to his benefit. Jordan was sure something would be happen soon.
“Jordan.” The radio bud crackled to life in his ear, William calling his name. “I think I have a visual on the third group. I can’t be absolutely sure, but I think they are in the next block, standing outside the Constitution Center.”
“Keep me posted. My group is standing right inside the Mall. I think they are waiting on something or someone.”
“Right, I’m getting the same picture here with this group.”
“If something is going to happen,” Jordan whispered, “it’s going to happen soon. You see anything, you let me know.”
“Sure will, partner.”
Chapter Fifty-Five
Kate stayed about two blocks behind Mustafa’s van. As best she could tell, he was headed back to his house. As Mustafa crossed over Walnut Street, another van turned in from the side street and pulled in behind. Kate couldn’t be sure, but her guess was it was another one of the original vans. Two blocks later, when the two vans crossed Spruce Street, they were joined by what Kate assumed to be the third van. It was almost an exact repeat of their routes from the morning. As they continued along Third Street, it became obvious they were in a caravan to Mustafa’s house. Kate spoke into her radio. “Jordan, they seem to be going back to the house. Anything happening there?”
“No. They’re still standing in their groups. It doesn’t seem as if they’re going to come together. If this is the mission, it looks like they each have a specific role to play. Kate — be careful”
There was no response. Jordan knew he had pushed it with her. He never told William or even Max to be cautious. He had to be careful, but he knew why he did it. Kate meant more to him than he wanted to admit.
As they turned onto the street where Mustafa’s house was located, Kate pulled back. Stan and Max were moving in place to back her up. She parked at the corner, a block away from Mustafa’s. She had a visual of his house and, with the help of a pair of 10X50 Leupold tactical binoculars, could see all three men in the yard as they walked into the house.
Fifteen minutes later, just as the men exited the house, she received a transmission that Max and Stan were on-scene, parked two blocks down on the opposite side of the house. Kate saw that the men wore work uniforms that read “City of Brotherly Love Cleaning Company,” Mustafa’s place of employment. Were they really headed to work, Kate wondered? It didn’t really make sense, to drop the kids off and go to their cleaning jobs. The men headed into the garage and brought out more boxes that they loaded into the vans.
Kate saw Mustafa suddenly turn and look
across the street and his facial expression did not look happy. Kate turned the binoculars to see a plump black woman crossing the street. As the woman turned to look for traffic, Kate instantly recognized her.
“Oh shit!” She snarled under her breath. She said into the radio. “We may have a problem, guys.”
Chapter Fifty-Six
Commander Choufani stood at the height of the steps outside the Basilica. The Captain of the Honor Guard had just closed the rear door of the second hearse and they were marching back to the van that would carry them in the procession. Choufani turned and looked back inside. The Basilica was empty save for a black-cassocked Priest and several similarly attired Altar Servers, clearing the altar after the Mass.
Estimates were that almost five thousand people had attended the Service. The first procession had left almost ten minutes earlier and, by the radio traffic he heard, they were almost to Interstate Ninety-Five. Fifteen minutes later, they would enter Delaware County and would no longer be the direct responsibility of his team.
Choufani turned back just as the second procession began to leave. He stood at attention and saluted as the hearse pulled away. It was a sight that still took his breath away. There was nothing like the procession that followed a fallen officer. Almost as far as he could see down Ben Franklin Parkway was a line of police cars, all with their light bars in operation as they moved quietly forward. It was a tremendous tribute to the brotherhood shared amongst all law enforcement professionals, the turnout of fellow officers to bury one of their own. Choufani knew of no other profession, other than that of his brother fire-fighters, where complete strangers would come together, based solely on the bond of what they do for a job. He remained transfixed as he continued to watch them go by.
A slight tap on his arm brought him back to the reality of the day and his responsibilities.
“We’re wrapped up here Commander. Are you ready to head back to the office?” his Lieutenant asked.
“Yes, let’s go. I do want to see Father Breslin, before we depart, and thank him for all of his help. But, go ahead and signal dispatch we’re done and the other procession has left. Tell them we should be at our office in about twenty minutes.”
“Yes, sir,” and the Lieutenant grabbed his radio. “Dispatch, this is Command Four. Second procession in route to Bucks County and the Cathedral is clear. Commander is returning to the office with an ETA of twenty minutes. Over.”
“Roger that, Command Four. Show second procession in route. Cathedral is clear and Commander’s ETA to office twenty minutes. Dispatch Out.”
Choufani, the Lieutenant with him, re-entered the Basilica to find Father Breslin, both hoping this would be the last time for them to have to conduct a funeral for a fallen officer.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Jordan kept his eye on the group led by Aziz. As the sirens faded from the first procession, he heard the sounds of the escorts of the second cortege leaving the Basilica. They headed in a different direction from the first and Jordan remembered reading that the officers were being buried in opposite directions from the city.
Whenever he could, Jordan would focus on Aziz. He was impressed by how calm and focused the boy seemed to be. Maybe this was only a field trip. But, if that were the case, why were they still just standing in the same place? He picked up the newspaper, shielding his facial movements as he spoke into his transceiver.
“William. Anything happening with your team?”
“No, they’re just staying in the same place. I’m positioned so I can see both groups. Neither one has moved since we got here.”
“Yeah same thing here,” Jordan responded. “They must be waiting for some signal or a certain time. Can you tell? Do your leaders have radios?”
“Yep, they do. I’ve seen no adults around them and no one has approached them.”
“Okay, let’s see what happens,” Jordan said, groaning a little as he lowered the newspaper..
Jordan had noticed that while all the children seemed to have radios, they weren’t using them — not even to talk to one another. More than likely, their tasks were going to be independent of one another, with coordination being provided by Mustafa or another adult.
Suddenly Aziz straightened up and grabbed his radio.
“Jordan, my guys are getting a message,” William’s voice said into his ear.
“Mine, too.”
“They’re on the move!”
“Same happening here,” Jordan acknowledged, “so, let’s see where they go.”
Jordan watched as Aziz gathered his team and they started across the Mall. Halfway across, they broke into two teams. The one Aziz led continued to move directly across the Mall, while the other team turned and headed down the center of the Mall walkway. Jordan took a diagonal track intersecting the paths of the two groups so he could keep them both in view.
He hopped over a small chain to cut across the grass.
“Excuse me sir. Get off the grass! You think that chain is there for everyone but you?”
Jordan looked back and saw a woman in a green uniform with her finger pointed at him.
“Great, busted by a Park Ranger.” Just as he was going to show her his credentials, he noticed Aziz and the oldest boys with the other group had heard the Ranger and were looking at him. If he flashed his credentials, they would know he was following them. He turned back to the Ranger.
“I’m sorry. I was just trying to catch up to my family, before they went into Liberty Hall.” Jordan shrugged and put on his best I’m sorry face.
“Well, you need to come back here and then walk around. Just like that nice group of school children did.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Jordan said under his breath. He quickly glanced at the two groups and noticed the leaders seemed satisfied that Jordan was just an idiot and they again moved forward. Jordan jogged over to the Ranger. “I’m so sorry. It was really stupid of me.”
“Do you have any idea how much we spend to try to get grass to grow? Only to have people like you tramp it down!”
“I’m really sorry. I just want to catch up with my family.”
“I’m sure you do. Are they on the tour?”
“Yes.”
“Well, then you are out of luck. The tour departs every fifteen minutes and you can’t join a tour once it’s started. So, you can’t go in. So, you might as well just find a seat out here.”
“Great. Just great.”
Chapter Fifty-Eight
“Mustafa. I want to hear all about it,” a loud voice boomed out of nowhere.
Mustafa looked up, then across the street. “Oh, no. Just what I need.”
The others looked at him.
“My neighbor. She’ll talk my ear off, and won’t go away. You keep loading the trucks. I’ll get rid of her.” He walked away from the trucks and intercepted Belle near the end of the driveway. “Hi, Belle! Hey, but, uhh, this is a really bad time. I’ve got to get to work.”
“That’s okay. This will only take a minute.”
This woman didn’t know what a minute was, Mustafa thought.
“I just want to hear about your birthday party and how you’re enjoying your new cable hookup?”
“Belle, what are you talking about?”
“Your nieces and nephews. I saw them here the past couple of days.”
“Yes, they were here.” Mustafa was quickly growing irritated.
“They were celebrating your birthday, right?”
“No. My birthday is six months from now.”
“Oh, the cable guy must have had it wrong. Well, they got you a new big screen TV, right?”
“Why would they give me a TV? I don’t have cable!”
“Well, you’re a great Uncle to them. They wanted to show their appreciation and thank you.”
“Belle, you are making no sense. I didn’t get a new TV. Now, if you will excuse me, I’ve got to get to work.”
“Well, don’t get all snippy! I’m just telling you wha
t the cable guy told me and I’ll tell you what, Mustafa, they were one cute group of cable guys. Mmm!”
“Belle, thanks for stopping by. I’ve got to go. I didn’t get a TV and I still don’t have cable. You shouldn’t listen to those guys when they are at your house. They’re just telling you stories so they don’t have to go to their next job.” Mustafa turned to walk away, hoping she would get the hint.
“But they weren’t at my house. They were here at yours. Besides, I only talked to the one outside. The other three were inside working the whole time.”
Mustafa stopped dead in his tracks. He quickly turned and, before Belle could react, he was in her face. “They were at my house?”
“Yes. Almost the whole day. They told me you were getting the premium service and it was a big installation job.”
“When was this? Belle, how many days ago?”
“It was last week. Either Tuesday or Wednesday. I’m not sure which.”
“How many men?”
“Four. Four of the most handsome men in the world.”
“Yeah, okay. They were in a Comcast truck?”
“Just like what’s always in the neighborhood.”
Mustafa was about ready to blow. But he couldn’t let on to Belle that something was out of the ordinary. “Well, I guess you spoiled the surprise. Maybe they are giving me the TV this weekend.”
“Oh, Mustafa. I’m so sorry! I thought for sure they had already given it to you. I feel so bad.”
“Belle, don’t worry. This will be between you and me. I’ll act as surprised as I can. They won’t know the difference, but I’ve really got to go.”
“Okay baby, I’m so sorry! But, one thing? If you have to have them come back, you let me know — because, I want to be around that day!” Belle headed back down the street.
“Okay, Belle. That’s a deal!” Mustafa turned and went back to his two employees. “We’ve got a problem. The Feds have been here. The place is probably bugged. They’re probably watching us right now. There wasn’t anything in the house that could have told them what we’re going to do. Just stick to the plan. When we leave here, we won’t be coming back. We’ll use the house in New Jersey for the rendezvous.”
Enemy Among Us-A Jordan Wright Thriller Page 19
