by Robin Mahle
Axell never let his gaze fall away. He was trying to get a read on Delgado.
“Okay, man, thanks. Watch your back.” Delgado ended the call. “Look, I knew they were sending someone to Turner’s house to get the file. That was when I realized the two were connected in some way. Turner and the Dalian Company. Yet another pile of crap I had to wade through to get to the bottom of Jian’s return. I didn’t know they killed Colburn until later.”
“And you said nothing? Not to Meeks or anyone else? What was that call about, then?”
“It was my informant, inside Dalian. Word is, Turner’s playing nice with Dalian right now because it seems like everyone but the damn president knows about Kendrick’s letter. But it doesn’t seem like there’s anything more to it than that.”
“Bullshit.” Axell turned away.
“Before you decided to blow Sajwani’s brains out, he said Meeks was killed by the same people who killed Colburn, meaning someone at Dalian. Which also means that I am burned. And that’s probably the last time I’ll talk to that guy. He’s as good as dead.”
“And Turner lied about who was there that night. He came to see us, looking for help after his house was broken into. Said it was just his assistant.” Axell began to fit the pieces together. “Why was he looking for cover unless he’s afraid of Dalian now?”
“Funny how Sajwani found you and your team after you all met with Turner. Like someone told Jian himself.”
Axell marched back inside. “Son of a bitch.”
“Well?” Lacy noted their return and Axell’s troubled expression.
“I don’t know what the hell to think anymore.”
“Why? What happened?” Will replied.
“It’s Turner. We need eyes on him. There’s a good chance he was the one who gave us up. Why? I don’t know. But we’d better find out fast.”
“Next week is the groundbreaking ceremony for the memorial,” Lacy began.
“That’s still days away. A lot can happen in that amount of time.”
“Hear me out. There’s no doubt in my mind that whoever killed Meeks will pin it on you, Axell.”
“We agree on that.”
“What I can’t be sure of is Agent Fraser’s intentions. Will, you trust him?”
“I do.”
“Good. We’re going to need his help on this.”
♦ ♦ ♦
They’d come to an agreement late in the night not to raise suspicions at Headquarters with a disappearing act. And so as Lacy appeared at Michelle’s door, her note of surprise was to be expected.
“Lacy, come in.” Michelle glanced into the hall as she pulled Lacy in and closed the door behind her. “I heard what happened to the CIA official. Please tell me your friend is all right—Aaron?”
“He’s fine. When did you find out?”
“It’s all anyone can talk about.”
“And the prevailing theory?”
“General consensus seems to be that he was targeted like they believe Undersecretary Kendrick was. Is that true?”
“I don’t know, Michelle, but you’re going to want to sit down for this. I’m working with SSA Delgado and…”
“Delgado? I thought he was the problem.”
“I thought so too, but now—I hope I’m right in assuming he’s been helping us indirectly. That’s why I’m here.”
“What can I do? Lacy, this is getting so far out of control. Maybe it’s time to come forward with what you have. I’m concerned for your safety and your friends’.”
“I wish I could. This is so much bigger than I ever believed. I can’t begin to explain everything, but just know I’m working to end this as quickly as possible. And that brings me to why I’m here. I need the agenda for the groundbreaking ceremony later this week. I need to know everyone who will be there, the timing of the speeches—everything.”
“I don’t like the sound of this. What are you planning?”
“It’s better if you don’t know. I need to be able to trust you, Michelle. If not, then you might as well sign my death warrant.”
“Of course you can trust me. Haven’t I shown you that already?”
“Yes. I’m sorry. I’m just feeling, well, like I’m running out of options.”
“I’ll get you the information. Where can I contact you?”
“I’ll be in touch. It’s best if I keep you at arm’s length—for your own safety.”
“I may not be fighting this fight with you, but I am here. I’ll do what I can. I always have.” She reached for Lacy’s arm. “Give me the day and I’ll get what you need.”
“Thank you. I’ll be in touch soon.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Lei Jian waited for confirmation, which eventually came in the form of a picture that had been texted to him, that Ahsan Sajwani was dead. The man who had reached out to him to relay this upsetting information wanted to discuss their options. However, hesitation persisted because this informer was the very same man who’d helped Jian be taken into custody by his own government. The question was, how could he trust this man to help? But he had little wiggle room at the moment. Without Sajwani, he faced an uphill battle.
Jian assessed the hotel room, peering at the belongings of his loyal friend who was now gone. The decision was made. He would wait to meet with the deputy secretary for now, and instead would call upon the very people whom he’d tried to help. Shen Yang had the ear of the minister and extensive resources, both of which would be of great value to him.
Jian made the call and now stood beneath the hotel awning, waiting for the car to arrive. Upon making the journey, he was escorted into Yang’s office.
His swift arrival was greeted with a temperate response. “Ambassador, very good to see you again.”
“Is it?” Jian entered the office, eyeing the men who accompanied him.
“You may leave.” Yang motioned for the men to depart. “Please, Ambassador, sit down. We have a great deal to discuss.”
“Indeed, we do.” He placed his cell phone on Yang’s desk, opened to the photo that had been sent to him. “I have lost a very loyal friend and colleague, who was sympathetic to our concerns.”
Yang examined the image. “I’m sorry to hear this, especially after successful execution of our initial plans. However, your return to the US was ill advised. It is not safe for you here. The Americans have lost very important and influential people. Your arrival will undoubtedly be detected. After all, it is no secret that you were released and that the minister reinstated your ability to travel.”
“Yes. While he and I are in agreement, it is beginning to feel as though there are many who are working against me. Which is why I’m here. I believe I have a new ally. That we have a new ally.” Jian eyed Yang as he tried to assess his position. “You and your investors have benefited greatly from the declining revenue of Liwa Properties here in the US.”
Yang nodded. “We have.”
“Meanwhile, I was made the scapegoat while you sat here and reaped the rewards.”
“What is it that you want, Mr. Ambassador?”
“Support. I am to meet with Deputy Secretary Turner and discuss terms of a new deal. I would be foolish to take on such a task alone and I understand the minister’s hands are tied.”
“Is that what he told you?”
“Pardon?” Jian’s eyes flickered with an air of suspicion.
Yang continued, “First you must tell me, did you authorize the murder of the CIA official?”
“Of course not. I can assure you of my absolute lack of involvement in that situation. My intentions have been clear from the start. And I do not wish to have the entirety of the Central Intelligence Agency coming after me for something I did not do, nor did I authorize.”
“Then who did?”
“I suspect it had something to do with the deputy secretary. Or else why would he approach me? I had no arrangement with him prior. Only his subordinate. He knew I was here. Someone had to have told him. I cannot say whose side
this man is truly on, except his own.”
“And you trust him?”
Jian laughed. “No. I do not. However, he is one who wishes to maintain power in his office. And because of that, he will cooperate in any means necessary to eliminate the remaining individuals who were aware of my arrangement with the now deceased undersecretary. This was something that should have been taken care of long ago, but there were unforeseen circumstances. And I am here to rectify them.”
“So you would like me to provide you with security to ensure your safety?”
“Among other things.”
“Such as? Please, Jian. We are both too tired to dance around the issue.”
“I need people who will implement orders as well as ensure my safety.”
“Like Ahsan Sajwani?”
“Yes.”
Yang seemed to consider the request. “I have people who will do as I ask without question. Those are the people you will want by your side when the time comes. And what, then, is the benefit to me, should you accept the offer of help?”
“As I said, Dalian has benefited greatly from the decline of your competitor. Allowing even greater investment in the United States, as was our initial goal. A goal set forth by the previous minister as well as the premier.”
Yang smiled. “So I have already reaped the rewards and to request anything additional would be disrespectful. I see.” He paused. “The last thing I want to do is disrespect you, Ambassador, or the premier. I will make the arrangements now.”
“Thank you. I am to meet with Deputy Turner in a matter of hours to discuss our options.”
As Jian departed, Yang retrieved his phone. “Jian was just in my office.” He paused. “Yes. His goal has not changed; however, he has lost his only ally and has called upon me for assistance and I have provided him with that.” He nodded. “I agree. It won’t be long before they find him and take care of the problem for us. And perhaps that will also include the deputy secretary.”
♦ ♦ ♦
All signs pointed to Trevor Axell as the man responsible for killing the Assistant Director of Operations, Camden Meeks. The Washington station chief’s hands were tied and she could not cover for him regarding the requests he made to surveille Meeks’ home. In fact, Elizabeth Ward was about to be drawn and quartered for her sanctioning of the activity, regardless of the fact that it had been off the books. She’d placed her trust in Axell that he was on the right track and it had backfired spectacularly.
He was ready to face the charges head-on as he sat in his office in defiance of the recommendations from his cohorts. His instructions were clear and Lacy knew what needed to be done and she had every intention of following through on her promise. In the end, she had become as loyal a friend as he’d had. But until they could find resolution, he would face the music in an attempt to offer distraction to the likes of Deputy Turner. He banked on Turner moving forward knowing Axell was out of his way.
And as far as Aaron Hunter was concerned, his immediate future at the CIA was safe, for the moment. There were those behind the scenes, those who were certain of Axell’s innocence who would offer cover to the hacker to finish what he started.
It wasn’t long before several FBI agents approached, as well as the CIA director himself. Axell stood from his desk. “Sir.” He placed his hands behind his back.
“You’re under arrest for the murders of Camden and Jinny Meeks.” The director peered into Axell’s eyes. “I sure as hell hope you weren’t the one who pulled the trigger, Agent Axell. Because if you were, I’ll be the one to put you away. You understand that?”
“I do, sir.”
The agents took him by the arms and led him out of his office. His colleagues and friends lined the halls as he was escorted out, their expressions shocked; some teary-eyed with disbelief. He hoped Lacy could do what she had set out to do. He was putting his life in her hands now.
♦ ♦ ♦
Night had settled on a day that made Lacy feel as if all had been lost. All they had worked toward—snatched from them. And a truth that still clawed its way from deep inside a well, only to be drowned with more tragedy and betrayal. She sat in the car parked in front of the derelict hotel room where Aaron and Will waited. But no Trevor Axell. Word had already reached her via Aaron that he had been taken into custody.
“We should go inside now.” Delgado pulled the keys from the ignition and stepped out.
Lacy joined him as the two approached the door, both looking over their shoulders. They walked inside to see the defeated faces of those who remained true to the cause.
Aaron quickly stood on her arrival and approached, not offering words, but a warm embrace that she needed so much. “He made sure I wouldn’t be touched. Taking care of everyone else, as usual.”
She smiled and pulled from the embrace. “I’m glad because we need you now more than ever.”
“This will be over soon,” Will said. “We’ll get him back. I promise.”
“I know we will. Any word from Fraser?” Her emotions were beginning to get the better of her and she refused to let them see her weakness. Her thoughts turned to her children as they had so frequently since she sent them away.
“Fraser said Turner has a meeting scheduled for 8pm with a junior staff member, a kid by the name of Bryce Dunn. He thinks there’ll be another in attendance, but he hasn’t been able to find out who yet.”
“Will he have ears on that meeting?”
“Yes. Turner seems to have placed his faith in Fraser. He’ll be there too. I don’t know what he did to gain his confidence, but whatever it was, it worked.”
Delgado dropped his keys on the table and fell into the chair. “Good. We need all the ammo we can get right now.” He looked to Lacy. “Tell them what you got.”
“Friday’s agenda.” She held out her cell phone. “Michelle sent this to me and an encrypted file embedded along with it. Aaron, I need your help in opening that file.”
Aaron retrieved his laptop and set it up on the table. “Give me your phone.” As she handed it to him, he wasted no time opening the file and began to work on the encryption. “She risked a lot sending this to you.”
“Seems like everyone’s risking a lot these days.” Lacy sat down on the bed next to him. “I assume it’s details on the other speakers.”
“Just give me another second here.” He continued to type. “Okay. Here it is.” He turned the screen and the others huddled around.
“So, according to the primary agenda, I’m supposed to speak from 10:15 to 10:20. The CEO of Nova Investments is due to speak before me and introduce the other family members of the victims and a few other survivors.”
“What about Turner? Is he on the agenda?” Will asked.
“No, I don’t see him on here. That must be a mistake,” Lacy said.
“Take a look at the encrypted file,” Aaron began. “According to the regular agenda, no one from State is listed. However, if you look at the encrypted file she sent, this list includes the president and secretary of state.” He turned to Lacy. “They probably don’t want anyone to know they’re going to be there.”
“They must have reason to believe it’s too dangerous to make it publicly known,” Will replied. “But I don’t see Turner on either list.”
“Damn it,” Lacy began. “Well, this changes nothing. We have the agenda. We know who’s speaking. Now all we need to do is get our plan into place.”
“Are you sure you want to do it this way, Lacy?” Will asked.
“We have no other choice—not if we want Axell freed.”
24
The shadows on the ceiling faded as light entered the small room where Lacy slept. Except she hadn’t slept at all. Too many thoughts played on her mind. Terrible thoughts of knowing that were they unable to succeed, Trevor would remain imprisoned for the rest of his life and they would likely not survive. While she’d tried hard to stay strong, she was fighting a battle that exhausted her and this morning she would do the only t
hing that would get her through these next seventy-two hours. She would see her children and pray it would not be for the last time.
Lacy pulled herself from the bed and crept into the bathroom for a shower while the others remained sleeping, or at least were pretending to sleep. She doubted any of them had found rest. Thoughts and actions seemed to impel her at a painstakingly slow pace. Knowing what they intended to do, what she intended to do, made her hesitate, but she had to push past it. It was the only solution now.
With her hair wrapped in a towel and a t-shirt over her damp skin, Lacy emerged from the bathroom. “Will?” His appearance before her was startling. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. Just wanted to get cleaned up.”
“You didn’t. I was already awake and I heard you get up.”
“I need to see my kids and I need to do it before I do anything else.”
“Okay, but I’m going with you.”
She was about to argue against it, but what was the point? Neither intended to return to Headquarters now. Knowing what part Turner could be playing in all of this, she couldn’t underestimate him and that meant staying out of sight. And there was still Lei Jian. “Fine. We’ll leave in fifteen minutes.”
As he approached her still standing in the doorway, he stopped. “They’ll know what you did was for them and for the truth.”
“Maybe. But will they think it was worth it? Will anyone think it was worth it?” She brushed past him and, upon return to the tight hotel-room sleeping quarters, Aaron had begun to show signs of life. They needed him back at Langley because they had no one else on the inside, able to access systems that could still provide them with valuable information. And, in the end, it was probably safer for him there.
“I need to head out soon.” Aaron eyed her. “You’ll be okay?”
