Coop stood and addressed Kyle. “Sir, how much of this information do we share? I mean, we got to tell them, but it’s going to scare the living shit out of them.”
“As it should, Coop. As it should.” He turned and addressed the whole group. “Gentlemen, I’m as serious as a heart attack. If you value your families, you’ll heed my advice. I don’t want any leaks, breeches of security coming from one of your kids, so prepare them. They know what you do. They know how important it is. Remind them, and it pains me to say this, but remind them there are people out there looking for them. And that we just can’t have happen.”
Later in the week several events shook the community. One of the teenage daughters of their Lieutenant Commander was found dead after having been lured by a young man she’d found on the Internet, according to her friends. Although it appeared the local police, working with Naval Security, identified it as a random criminal act, no one really knew for certain it was. Leads dried up as if the perpetrator had never existed, and that left a creepy taste in everyone’s mouth.
It was a chilling reminder that the stakes were rising fast. Part of the war was coming home, and while they could minimize it, it was not something any of them would be able to stop. Their best defense was their training in improvisation and observation, especially in the face of danger.
But their families were more vulnerable.
Chapter 22
‡
Rory wanted to call Corrigan and tell him he wasn’t having the test, He left a message for him first on his cell. Then he called the home number and left another message with an answering service. He got a call back later that day from a Manhattan Police Detective.
“Is this Rory Kennedy?”
“Who is this?”
“I’m Detective Nicholas Gunn, Manhattan P.D. You a friend of Mr. Corrigan?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
“You left a message about a blood test? Can I ask about what that’s about?”
“Sure. He thinks he’s my father. I’m not so sure I want to know.”
“Ah. Well then maybe you can tell us where Mr. Corrigan is.”
Rory’s stomach fell to his knees. No! This is not happening.
“I have no idea where he is. I last saw him at the hospital in Los Angeles.”
“When was that Mr. Kennedy?”
“Six, no seven days ago. It was last Wednesday. We both checked out the next day. He’d already left when I went to say goodbye.”
“You guys use the hospital for a family reunion? That’s kind of odd, don’t you think?”
“Actually, we were involved in a snowboarding accident and discovered we have the same rare blood type. But that doesn’t prove anything.”
“Understood. So have you had any contact with Mr. Corrigan since? Or any contact with his staff? I guess there’s a Mr. Derek Larson who’s on his staff—had any contact with him?”
“No. No one. I just figured he’d gone back to work. He had broken bones, you know.”
“We’ve gotten some insurance and hospital things in his mail. But as far as we understand, Mr. Corrigan never came back to New York, and we were thinking perhaps he’d changed his mind and decided to stay in California. Anyone out there would know where he is?”
“So he hasn’t been at work? Has anyone there heard from him? Derek was always at his side, his, um, assistant, I think.”
“Not at liberty to discuss that with you, son. But I will say this, his office staff hasn’t heard a word, and that’s highly unusual for Mr. Corrigan not to be in touch. Highly unusual.”
Rory’s heart was pounding in his chest. He fisted his fingers.
“As far as you heard, he was planning on returning to New York?”
“Yes, that’s what he told me.”
“Okay, I’m gonna call LAPD. Let me have your contact information.”
Rory gave him his address and cell phone number. “Sir, I live in San Diego, in case that makes a difference.”
“But L.A. is where he was last seen. We start there. They may want to interview you. Can you be available later today, if that’s the case?”
“I can’t drive. I’m recovering from a broken hip. Not sure I can arrange for someone to take me at this late notice. San Diego is about two and a half hours away.”
“Don’t do anything just yet. Please stay by the phone, and please don’t leave the area.”
“I’m not a suspect, am I?”
“We don’t have a crime as of yet. Why, should you be?”
“No. I’m just asking.”
“You are the last person we know of who saw Mr. Corrigan.”
The two Los Angeles police detectives who stopped by asked for permission to walk through Rory’s house, which he granted. Rory had called Kyle, who arrived shortly before. They produced their military I.D.s.
“So the Navy says you’re SEALs.”
“Yessir,” Kyle answered. “Tell us what you can. Perhaps we can help.”
“No, you gotta stay completely out of this one. Over there, you guys get to be the big heroes and we thank you for it. But here, this is our jurisdiction.”
“So just what do we have here, then?” Rory asked.
“We got a missing person. No evidence of foul play, except for the fact that he’s missed several board meetings and a couple of other business-related matters.”
Kyle took a deep breath, stood tall, and asked another question. “Business-related matters, such as withdrawals of large amounts of money?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
“You do know there are terrorist cells operating in the United States, right? Ransom is one of their most common areas of focus. Kidnapping and ransom. SOP over there.”
The detectives looked at each other.
“You think this has anything to do with me?” Rory asked.
“Well, has anyone contacted you on his behalf? Made any demands?”
“No.”
“We’re still checking out things with the ex. He say anything to you about her?”
“Never discussed it.”
“Okay. So who have you met, or has he mentioned anyone in your extensive conversations in the hospital?”
“Detectives, I’ve spent less than ten minutes total talking to him. I barely know him. He told me he was a hedge fund trader. I got that he was successful. I mean, he arranged private transportation to the hospital in Los Angeles from Big Bear. He had this guy Derek helping him, and he was on the phone and computer all the time. That’s pretty much it. That’s all I know about him, other than the fact that he said he’d tried to find me when I was little and failed.” Rory noticed he too was beginning to worry about Corrigan’s safety. “I mean, he was searching for his son. We don’t know for sure if that’s me or not.”
“That’s the least of our problems, son.”
“I just can’t think of anything—what about Derek?”
“We can’t find him, either.”
Rory made fists with his hands, which caught the notice of the detectives. If both of them were missing, something was definitely wrong. Kyle’s brow was wrinkled, and he was gently shaking his head.
“And you’ve had no contact since L.A. No phone calls or emails with his office, with this Derek guy?”
“Absolutely, no. I haven’t checked my computer in a few days, but last time I did, nothing.”
“Would you check it right now, please?” one of the detectives asked.
Rory got up slowly, positioning his cane for steadiness. Kyle stopped him.
“Let me. Where is it?”
“Next to the bed.”
Rory walked slowly with his cane for support and leaned slightly into a stool as Kyle placed the computer on the eating bar. The two detectives looked over Rory’s shoulder. Scrolling through his Gmail account inbox, he found something he’d never seen before.
It was a single line item with a subject line: Raymond Corrigan, from Raymond Corrigan’s computer. Underneath there was
a single picture, which flashed slowly on the screen line by line. It was a picture of Raymond, bound and gagged, barefoot, sitting on a chair on a concrete floor of some dark warehouse. He was wearing an orange jumpsuit. On his lap was a copy of the New York Times dated today. His eyes were swollen shut with dark bruises. Underneath the picture were the chilling words:
Proof of Life.
Chapter 23
‡
The detectives wanted to take Rory’s computer. Kyle reminded them they’d have to get permission from the Navy before any passcodes or access to his accounts was allowed, let alone physical possession.
“We’ll need it, and I’m sorry, but this has nothing to do with the Navy.
This is our jurisdiction. Just hand it over, son.”
“We know you are the good guys, but this computer goes with me everywhere, and nothing is given to anyone without somebody way above my pay grade in the Navy or the Justice Department to approve it first,” said Rory. He tried to remain calm. He’d dealt with highly emotional situations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The calming person always won out. Also, calm made it easier to think straight.
The detectives were getting red in the face. “We’ll be able to get access to your emails. We just have to go get a warrant. This saves us a lot of time. In this case, it could delay getting to your father. I’d think you’d have some interest in that at least.”
“You have no evidence this was used in a crime.” Kyle fought back. “Why not let them think you guys aren’t involved yet?” Kyle’s logic seemed to make sense. “But I’ll guarantee you, the Navy isn’t going to let you take his computer and start fishing around. That just isn’t going to happen.”
One of the detectives was outside on his cell phone already. “Copy and paste that message, son. Don’t forward it, just copy and paste it. Don’t want to alter the original. Send the copy here,” the other detective demanded, giving him his card.
Rory did so.
“You aren’t to leave the area or remove this computer except to show it to your superiors, understood?”
“What do I do with the message?”
“Leave it alone for now. Don’t forward it or alter it in any way. Don’t, for God’s sake, erase it!”
After they left, Kyle checked the front window to make sure they were gone. “Come on, Rory, we gotta get this to Collins, and I need to get your Dad’s phone number to Coop’s friend in Washington.”
“He’s not my dad, Kyle.”
“Whatever,” Kyle rolled his eyes.
Coop had done some special training at Quantico and had friends they’d used before when they were searching for Armando’s captors. The man was expert on getting specific locations from cell signals.
“Let’s hope Coop’s guy isn’t transferred out,” Kyle said as he helped Rory into his Hummer. “Hey, good job on losing the walker. You’ll be walking on your own any day now.”
Rory shrugged. “I can do it now, but just shouldn’t. The cane helps. Hopefully not for long.”
They rode over to the base in silence. Collins had agreed to meet them there.
“I’m guessing Corrigan had everything known to man on his phone, since he could certainly afford it. But let’s hope he didn’t get his signal blocked.”
“I’m thinking, for security, he wouldn’t.”
“You think they’d have kept him here, in the U.S?”
“No way to know. I think it would be easier to get his money out of the country than get him. Then, once they have his money, not sure they’ll need him. Just the facts of life, Rory.”
Rory was already thinking along those lines. “We gotta find that location.”
They showed their military I.D.s at the gate.
The dingy green-grey bunker that housed their Senior Chief’s office was always cold. Kyle had to slow down to allow Rory to catch up, hobbling with his cane. Collins stood when they arrived, closing the door behind them. He examined Rory’s legs.
“Geez, son, I expected you in a body cast from the description of your injuries.”
“No, sir. Just put the walker away yesterday. I’ll probably be using this for a while. But in a few weeks, months at the longest, I’ll be good as new.” Rory hoped his upbeat report would find weight with the Navy. He was waiting for word they might roll him out of the SEALs, and that was the last thing he wanted.
“Been on the phone since I talked to you, and we’re definitely not letting that computer out of our hands, Rory. Office of Special Naval Intelligence is sending someone over to take a look at it as we speak.”
“Good.”
“Can I see the thing?” Collins asked.
They lay the laptop in front of him, opening to Rory’s Gmail account. He scrolled down, noticed an email from the FBI requesting an interview in L.A. and a contact person there. He clicked on the link coming from Robert Corrigan’s computer, and they all watched as the photograph of the bound man populated slowly. Rory made the picture go wide, taking up the entire screen.
In the lower left, was a stack of cardboard boxes held together with a wide plastic industrial zip tie. On the top of the boxes was printed a partial logo in yellow and blue colors, along with some Arabic characters to the side, mostly cut off from view.
“There. Someone’s got to recognize that,” Rory said. “Looks like some kind of shipping facility?” Rory asked.
On the zip tie, someone had written letters in a black felt tip marker, but it was difficult to make out which letters. They appeared to be someone’s initials.
Lieutenant Commander Ian Forsythe of the Office of Naval Intelligence appeared in the doorway. Before the trio could stand and deliver a salute, he mumbled quickly. “At ease, gentlemen.”
“Ian, this is LPO Kyle Lansdowne and his SO Rory Kennedy.”
Forsythe’s handshake was firm and efficient. “So, what’ve we got?”
“This man is Raymond Corrigan, a civilian, sir,” Collins began. “Rory was just telling me they met in the hospital in Big Bear and then again in Los Angeles.”
“Corrigan seems to think he’s my dad, sir. Quite by accident we were assigned to the same room. Sir, he’s missing. I got this email with his picture this morning. The Los Angeles police have seen it, but other than you, no one else has. I’ve been asked to stay with this computer 24/7. And to be available for an FBI interview.”
“They’ve taken him to get to you? Doesn’t make sense,” Forsythe said.
“The guy is a billionaire. He lives in New York, and the detectives say no one there has heard from him in several days. I don’t think I’m the target. He is.”
Kyle interrupted, “We weren’t told this, but we think there’ve been some large withdrawals from his account, sir.”
“Collins, can you print out a copy of this for me?”
“I’ll do you one better, I’ll save it to a memory stick.”
“Okay, I’m going to add my name to the list of people you’ll have to contact if they send any more messages.” He handed both Kyle and Rory a card. “We’ve already got a task force assembled based on the credible threat notice we received from Washington, and I’m waiting for a call back from them now. In the meantime, you go nowhere, understood? Definitely not New York, I don’t care what they show you or tell you. Understand?”
“Yessir.”
Forsyth’s phone went off and as he walked to the hallway, he shouted back, “And stay the hell off your Facebook page.” He turned the corner and walked away from their ears.
“Tell me you got rid of your Facebook page,” Collins shouted.
“Long time ago. Right before we left the last time. No worries there.”
Kyle slapped him on the back. “Nice work.”
When Forsythe came back in, he held his hand out. “I’ve just been informed we take custody of the computer.”
Rory swore and stood up carefully.
Collins minimized the screen, folded the top on itself, and handed it to Forsythe. “Sorry, son.” He was looking
right at Rory.
“What if they demand to hear back from me? Or what if Corrigan tries to send me a message?”
“We’ll be monitoring this 24/7.”
“What if they want something else? How will I know?” Rory was feeling control slipping through his fingers.
“If he were one of ours, no question, we’d have lots of things we could do, in cooperation with the locals. But the one thing that cannot happen is they get their hands on this computer.”
He walked over to Rory and placed his hand on Rory’s shoulder, holding the laptop like a library book at his side. “I’m charged with the health and safety of all the Naval personnel all over the world, including their families. But if I let this computer out of this office, I’m putting every single one of them at risk, aren’t I?”
He was right, but it sucked.
Collins made copies of the L.A. Police detectives’ information for everyone. Forsyth’s parting shot was, “Keep that cell phone charged and stay put. Let us do our job, like you do yours.”
He left.
“Fuck,” Rory swore. “I don’t think that’s a good idea at all.”
“Rory, he’s got your number too. More than likely he’d call you,” Collins added. “You can check the internet from another computer.”
“You get notifications on your cell, right?”
“No, I don’t. You asked us not to.”
Kyle grinned and turned to Collins. “I can’t believe it. Someone who actually does what I tell them to do. Awesome.”
Rory wasn’t feeling as upbeat.
“Look, I’ll keep you guys in the loop as much as I can. This is important to all of us, and it looks like it’s way bigger than any of us, so let’s stay in touch and keep our fingers crossed.” Collins gave a sympathetic tap on Rory’s shoulders. “Son, they can do amazing things now. If he’s still in the U.S., I give it a good chance we’ll get him back.”
Kyle and Rory left together. Rory knew the same thing was on Kyle’s mind. If this was a targeted hostage situation, their entire community was at risk.
SEAL My Home: Bad Boys of SEAL Team 3, Book 2 (SEAL Brotherhood Series 9) Page 11
