Black Flag Rising: A James Jackson Thriller

by Jesse Russell

  He fist-bumped his shoulder so as not to shake hands.

  “Oh, and I do hope you are feeling better soon.”

  “Thanks… I think,” Paul croaked.

  19

  At six, they were all back at George's place, and Jackson told them what happened at the lot.

  “Damn, Jackson! Every time you leave, something happens with those Cro- Magnons. Starting to see a pattern here?” George asked.

  “Yeah, maybe. But you should have seen that loser drop like a stone. It was worth it,” Jackson rubbed his elbow.

  “Well, now that you’re out of there, at least you have time to operate more freely,” Brunell added.

  “Maybe. So what did you get?” Jackson was still unsure as to where everything was going and what his future held.

  “Gentlemen, I believe we just found a way to make some serious progress. I may have found us the golden ticket,” Brunell said.

  “Hot damn. That sounds good, Adam. What's it mean?” asked George, who knew nothing about IT.

  “I had a kid in the office a few weeks back. Real genius on the web. He gave me a way to get into our Unit Network around the back door. Even then, I couldn’t access the mule's entire file, but I got close.”

  “That sounds good!” George said.

  “I found the kid at school and took him out to lunch. I made him an offer to help us, and he agreed. We will have to pay him some dough, but I think he is kind of into it,” Adam said.

  “So far, so good,” Jackson said. “What about getting the mule out of the can?”

  “That is step two. He's not fully on board there, but I think I can sweeten that pot.”

  “Why do we need him on that? Some college punk can't do anything to bust the guy out. Doesn't sound good to me.” George objected.

  “George, that's where you’re wrong. Today, the entire thing is run on IT. No one can open a door in there without logging in with credentials. It's not the jailhouse with a skeleton key deal anymore. Everything runs on passwords, fingerprints, eye scans, etc. Real James Bond stuff. These jailers are nothing more than computer techs these days,” Jackson said.

  “No wonder everything has gone into the shitter. Who can do all that?” George said.

  “And without ways to override and release doors and gates and block cams, no one can even take a leak in there. That's what we have been trying to tell you.” Jackson said.

  “So how are we going to get him to cooperate? The kid could end up in jail himself on this one.” George looked genuinely worried.

  “He has an arrest record from when he was seventeen. He got caught hacking into a local business that he was mad at. The school never knew about it and had already accepted him by then,” Brunell said.

  “His parents can't be happy about it, if they know, that is. It will hamper his future employment opportunities. I can let him access his record and make it disappear. He was warned to never try and go near it. I can use it as an extra bargaining chip if need be. Plus, we need to pay him.” Adam said.

  “And… he wants to save the world.”

  “Sounds good. So where is he?” Jackson asked.

  “I'm going to meet him at Starbucks in ten minutes and bring him over here. He is bringing his own gear. But we need an internet connection. Maybe he can figure it out without using your loser neighbor's Wifi.” Brunell said

  “Doesn't he need to be in an office somewhere?” George asked.

  “No, George, stuff doesn't work like that any more. He can get at anything from anywhere. He just needs a place to set up and connect.” Adam said

  “Now you are really freaking me out. I see these ads for Lifelock. I see why you need that stuff. Geez.” George shook his head.

  “No one has any privacy these days. There’s nothing someone can’t access if he has the means and motive,” Adam said.

  “I have a spare bedroom he can use. It's got a bunch of boxes in it, but maybe we can make some space in there.” George offered

  “Most all these kids need is a place to crash and a laptop, and they're good to go. We'll see what he says. I gotta go now.” Brunell headed for the door.

  “Tell him to leave the phone in the car and take out the battery, Adam. He won't like it, but he must,” Jackson said.

  Adam took off on foot back through the canal to his car and headed for the Starbucks.

  George and Jackson went back to the bedroom and moved boxes around, making room for the kid. They found an old ASU Sun Devils beanbag chair in the closet and made sure there was access to a power outlet.

  A few minutes later Brunell walked in with Ryan. The kid looked spooked, like he was walking into a mafia hit or something.

  “Everyone, meet Ryan. He's going to help us.”

  “Hey Ryan, I'm Jackson.”

  “And I'm George. Did you stand too far away from the hair clipper there, son?” George asked, eyeballing his afro.

  “Uh… yeah. I guess.” Ryan said cautiously.

  “Don't worry about George. He's got no filter, but he's a pretty good dude. He may even give you a beer if you’re nice to him,” Jackson said apologetically.

  “Sure… No problem,” Ryan still looked suspicious.

  “So Ryan, we hear you’re going to help us get info on our guy's wife and kids. How long will it take?” George asked.

  “Already did it. Do you have power in this place?” Ryan said, looking around at the trailer’s interior.

  “Oh yeah, we’ve got power. We’ve got A/C and TV and everything in here, kid,” George said sarcastically.

  “Uh, good. I just need to power up and I'll show you,” he replied.

  “Here kid, put it on the table. You can plug in right over here,” George said, and moved some stuff out of the way. “We got you a place set up in back when you need to get to work on our second thing.”

  Ryan powered up and pulled up a screen.

  “Here. Her name is Julia Ford. The kids are Manuel, age seven, and Marguerite, age nine. Looks like she kept her maiden name.” Ryan said

  “3947 East Acoma. Phoenix. I was close. Where do they go to school?” Adam asked.

  “Serrano Day School on Greenway and 56th. Very expensive.”

  “No wonder he is still doing mule runs. That place costs like college tuition. To have two in there at the same time must cost close to twenty-five thousand a year,” Brunell said.

  “Excellent, Ryan. How did you find this so easily?” Jackson asked.

  “There are some things better left unknown,” the kid said. “Now, can I get to work on the other thing? I have some stuff to do and a party tonight. I'd like to get this wrapped up as soon as possible,” Ryan said.

  “Oh, isn't that cute! Did you hear that, boys? He's got him a little party to get to. Ain't that somethin'?” George said mockingly. “Kid, I got news for ya. You're gonna need to miss school for a few days. And that party is gonna have to go on without you tonight.”

  Jackson and Brunell stared daggers at George until he backed off.

  Brunell tried to look placating. “Ryan, this thing is going to take some time. A lot of planning. It may be best if you plan on being out of the loop for a few days - just until we get a handle on things.”

  “Hey, I didn't sign up for any slave labor bullshit! I agreed to help you out for some dough and to get rid of my record. I am not changing my life around for you fossils!” Ryan started shoving his stuff into his backpack.

  “Hang on a second, Ryan. This is really important. Like, really important. And if we don't get this under control fast, there may not be many more parties.”

  “So what is it that is so important? If I'm going be working on stuff, I need to know everything. I already got myself in trouble before. I'm not putting my future at risk, especially if I don’t have all the details.” Ryan said

  “We can't tell you that, Ryan. If we could, we would. It is better if you don't know. We can't afford any leaks at this point.”

  “Fine. Then take this info an
d pay me. I'm out of here. I don't have time for this shit.” Ryan started gathering his things together.

  “See, Ryan, that is not going to happen. You must stay here. Once we have started there is no turning back. And whether you know it or not, you've already started.” Jackson said.

  “Bullshit!” Ryan shouted. “You don't own me! I have a life and friends! I have stuff to do!”

  “Ryan, it's only for a couple of days. We'll make sure you’re comfortable and compensated. You are staying here as long as we tell you to. There's no other way.” Brunell explained gently.

  “Then you are all coming clean right now! Or I'm putting out an Amber Alert. It will be everywhere in ten minutes and you’ll be screwed. You'll all end up in prison for kidnapping. I'll make sure of it,” Ryan threatened.

  “He could probably do that. Lord knows he can do just about anything,” Jackson said.

  “We ain't tellin' you nothing, you little piss ant!” George bellowed, right up in his face. “When I was your age, I was in the jungle over in Nam, killin' Charlie and getting my ass half blown off! You missing your precious little party don't mean shit to me!”

  Brunell rolled his eyes. “George, really? We all appreciate your service, but that was then. Please!”

  “Well, it's true! These little punk-asses don't know diddly shit about sacrifice and what we did for this country. All so they can have their little computer and internet crap. As far as I'm concerned, this kid can pound sand, and we move on!” George said.

  “Fine! I agree! Pay me and I'm gone. I'll find a way back home!” shouted the kid.

  “Everyone SHUT UP!” Jackson leapt to his feet.

  It got quiet in the trailer. Jackson stood in between George and the kid and stared at them one at a time, turning his head back and forth.

  “You two! Sit down!” He pointed at the chairs at the kitchen table.

  They both grudgingly sat down. The kid huffed and slumped, arms crossed on his chest.

  Jackson walked over to the fridge and got out two beers, and slammed them down on the table.

  “Now, drink these and try to make nice. We have serious work to do.”

  George popped his open, took a big gulp, and said, “Sorry, boys. That wasn't very Christian of me. Lucy would be ashamed. Having the kid a guest in here and everything. I'm sorry, son. I get a little worked up at times. It's not your fault.”

  Ryan peeked up at him from his pissy slump and popped the beer open. “It's cool, I guess.”

  “All right. We need to decide if we bring the kid in or not. There's no more time for screwing around. Either we get him in or get him out. It's time to vote. I vote yes,” Jackson said.

  “And so do I,” said Brunell.

  “Good! It's two to one. The kid is in. Now, let's get to work. Brunell, fill him in.”

  George sat pouting a little and said, “It could be worse, I guess. It's just his damn hair… I'll get over it.”

  Ryan sat twirling his beer back and forth on the table, waiting.

  “Here's the deal, Ryan. I will tell you what’s going on, but it never leaves this trailer. Ever. Got it? Not on Twitter. Not on Facebook. Not on Instagram. Not in chat rooms. Nowhere. Got it?” Brunell said.

  “I don't go on any of those any more. That crap is for geeze.” Ryan said.

  “Just so we’re clear, this is massively Top Secret. If it gets out, it could bring down the entire country. If I so much as sniff that you are saying anything to anyone, anywhere online, I will make your life the biggest living hell you can imagine. That is if you even have one after this week.” Brunell said.

  The kid perked up. He suddenly realized that this was big. “Cool,” he said nonchalantly.

  “We have reason to believe there is going to be a serious attack taking place on American soil in the next few days. It is going down here. In the Valley. What we do know is that there is some cartel involvement and some jihadi involvement. We don't know when or where. You gave us the first piece with what you have today. We are going to break this dude out and get him to talk. We believe he knows more. A lot more. Then, we are going to try and stop it. And that's everything we know as of now.” Jackson said.

  The kid turned pale white and very quiet. “Wow. That's heavy. Why don't you just tell the cops? Wait a minute, you are a cop!”

  “Yes it is, and yes I am, Ryan. And we can't tell the cops. We think they might be involved.” Brunell said.

  “What do you mean? They’re in on all of this?”

  “That's exactly what he means, kid. You and all your buddies voted in some bad actors, and this is the result. Hope you all feel proud,” George groused.

  “George, he wasn't even old enough to vote in the last election. Cool it.”

  “Yeah, but he probably would have,” George said under his breath, looking down at his feet.

  “So I guess we need to get this guy out, huh?” Ryan said.

  “Yes. George, please show him the bedroom. We need to get going.” Jackson said.

  “What kind of web connection do you have in this place?” the kid asked.

  “Not much. Just some stolen wifi from the neighbor. Is there any other way to get online?” Brunell asked.

  “Hmmm. I suppose I could try to create a hotspot. Wait, do you have satellite TV?”

  “Damn right. I told the cable company to kiss my ass. I only watch about three channels and I was paying a hundred bucks a month! I got the dish for $19.95 plus the damn taxes.”

  “I was just reading on a black site tech blog about how to create a work through with a dish. There may be a way. Let me see what you've got.” Ryan said.

  George took him back to the bedroom and he got to work tapping into the cable that came down from the roof.

  “So, how do we handle getting the wife and kids?” Brunell asked.

  “Once the kid gets set up, let's see if he can find out where she works. We can grab her there and have her get access to the kids at school.” Jackson said. “We'll need to get another phone for the kid. Let me run down and get that. You can talk to George about using his car to go up there. We can be parked by the school and be ready for them when they show up.”

  Jackson left and headed to Walmart again. George and Brunell came up with a plan to rendezvous by her workplace and the school. Hopefully, they were fairly close together. The steps would be to grab her first, then the kids, then off to Fountain Hills.

  They talked about stopping to get treats for the kids and supplies. George called Lindsay and had to prepare a room for all three of them. He also made sure she had plenty of food and sundries.

  George and Adam heard the kid whoop in the backroom and they went back to check on him.

  “I got kick-ass speed in here. This is awesome.”

  “Great! Now we need you to find out where Julia works. How long will that take?”

  “Hopefully not too long. I could use another beer if you have one.”

  “No problem, cheese puff. You keep typing into that thing and you can have all the beer you want.” George said.

  Brunell checked his watch and hoped everything was cool at the office.

  The kid hit a key and sat back triumphantly. “Bam! Got it. She works at the UPS store on Tatum and Shea. It used to be a Pack and Mail but UPS bought them out last year. She's been there for four years.”

  “Good. That's two or three miles from the school.” Brunell said.

  “How in the Samuel Jackson Hill did you find all that out that fast?” George asked.

  “I have my ways. How about that cold one?”

  George handed it to him. “Don't get too hammered there, Peaches. We need you clear-eyed and bushy-tailed for the heavy stuff.”

  “Don't worry, I can handle my own. I live in Tempe, you know.” He was referring to the notorious party and bar scene around ASU’s campus.

  Jackson came back, and he hooked the kid up with his phone.

  “Ryan, this is yours. You cannot, you will not, ever, bring your reg
ular phone anywhere near this place. I mean it. No exceptions. As far as you are concerned, that phone does not exist any more. This phone is to communicate with us and us only. Not girlfriends. No buddies. Nothing. Capiche? We have managed to stay off the grid this long, and you will blow everything to hell if you mess this up.”

  “This thing is jank,” the kid said lamely as he typed away on his MacBook.

  “I know that. It's a burner. It's supposed to be jank. You throw it away when you’re done.”

  “So let's head up there and we can call her from the car. Tell her there's an emergency and she has to come to the school,” Brunell suggested.

  “Good plan. Once she comes out, George walks up and talks her into coming along. What about her car?” Jackson said.

  “We'll have to leave it there for now. It should be ok for a day or two before mall security or the cops get suspicious. She can call work and tell them she will be gone for a couple of days to head them off.” Brunell said.

  “So where are we going to take the mule once we get him?” George asked.

  “I have been thinking about that. A lot. We need somewhere we can get a little rough if we need to. Things might get noisy. Definitely not with his wife and kids around, in case things get messy.” Jackson said.

  “Out in the desert is no good. Sound travels. Too many ears out there. I have a friend with a cabinetry shop in the air park,” Brunell said.

  “Between jets coming and going and the saws and hammers running, it could work. I’ll call him on the way up and see if has room for us in a day or two. I'll tell him it’s for an off-the-books project I’m working on. We can take him there after dark when everyone is gone. I'll have him leave the back door unlocked. We let him talk to the wife and kids first, so he knows we’re taking care of them. Maybe.”