Mac hung up the cell phone and nodded back to Udi while also noting the street below remained clear of trouble. The angry mob may return soon, but it hadn’t done so just yet.
Standing back inside the lobby of the Libyan Freedom Network building, Mac was glad to see the three other members of his crew were already inside and waiting for further instructions. Benny and Minnick appeared calm, though focused, while Jack looked somewhat more on edge.
Ella stood looking back at Mac, her arms crossed over the front of her black blouse.
“I am certain I made clear you were to make your way back down here as soon as possible Mr. Walker. You have kept me waiting.”
Mac was about to respond with one of his more typical smart-ass comments, but looking back at Ella’s humorless, dark eyes, thought better of it. She was in no mood.
“I apologize – I was speaking with Tilley.”
Ella Lerner’s mouth curled into a smirk, her high cheekbones made more prominent by having left her blonde hair still pulled back in a pony tail.
“I would imagine your confidence in your Mr. Tilley is a bit…lessened, yes?”
Mac shrugged, looking back at his men to let them know they were in no immediate danger.
“Things went to shit. It happens.”
Ella shook her head.
“Not when I’m in charge they don’t. I have been told the location of your safe house Mr. Walker. Udi here will see that you are safely transported to there in my vehicle. After that, I must reiterate, our business together is to be concluded. You are not to contact me again. Do you understand?”
Mac simply nodded, though as he looked Ella over again, quietly hoped they would have an opportunity to get to know each other better, and soon.
Unknown to Mac, Ella was hoping the same.
XI.
Mac, Benny, Minnick, and Jack sat inside the tan Mercedes 300 that was parked in the front of Ella’s building. Though older, the car’s tan leather interior remained in almost new condition, and when Udi turned the ignition, the engine started instantly and idled smoothly.
Mac sat in the front passenger seat while the other three men in his crew sat shoulder to shoulder in the backseat. Udi backed the vehicle slowly onto the street and pulled away smoothly, steadily increasing the Mercedes’ speed as he exited off a gravel covered secondary road to turn onto one of Benghazi’s primary highways that led to one of the many large suburban areas on the outer portions of Benghazi. Udi expertly moved the Mercedes into and out of traffic as he kept the vehicle’s speed above seventy miles an hour.
“Your safe house is located in a residential area just outside the city proper. Very nice neighborhood actually, home to some of the area’s wealthier residents. I was told the property is fully gated, and should provide ample security for you.”
Mac glanced over at Udi, admiring the Israeli man’s driving skills. Udi exited the main road and was once again on a secondary road. Though still somewhat paved, it was covered under a fine layer of desert sand. The Mercedes vaulted forward, now speeding along at nearly ninety miles an hour, causing a large plume of dust to billow up behind them.
Just as Udi described, the properties to the right and left of them were expansive, with large, soft colored stucco buildings and meticulously cared for gardens. While Benghazi had many slums within the city, the homes ringing its borders indicated residents of considerable wealth.
Udi slowed the vehicle and turned sharply left onto a narrow drive that led to a substantial dark ironed gate with two guard towers one each side. The gate was open, allowing Udi to speed through it and travel another hundred yards to the property’s main house – an expansive two story structure painted tan and white with massive floor to ceiling windows on the first floor, and several large balconies that jutted out from the second floor. Mac estimated the home to be at least six thousand square feet.
“Here we are gentleman, your safe house, courtesy of your friend Mr. Tilley. My job is done – this is where we part ways. Please follow Ella’s instructions – do not contact us again.”
Mac, Benny, Minnick and Jack exited the Mercedes and watched as Udi sped off down the long drive and back onto the road, soon to be lost amidst another plume of sand dust that marked his swift departure.
Minnick peered up at the large home and then glanced at Mac.
“Home sweet home, huh?”
Mac ignored the comment, already attempting to call Tilley. The phone rang three times and then went to Tilley’s voice mail.
“Tilley – Mac. We’ve arrived. Awaiting instructions.”
Benny began walking toward the home’s large, wooden, double-door entrance.
“Might as well check it out while we’re waiting to hear back from Tilley.”
Mac noted Jack surveying the surroundings. Two other properties were easily in view from where they stood. One to the east of the safe house sat some four hundred yards away, while the other across the street, was likely no more than a few hundred yards. Like the safe house, the other properties appeared to be upper class residences as well.
“Feel like we’re too much in the open out here Mac. Don’t like it.”
Mac’s eyes squinted into the increasingly warm and bright Benghazi sun. He understood Jack’s concern – he didn’t like the location either. While it allowed them to see who was coming, it also made them a much easier target, and given the relative distance from the main city, help would be a long time coming. This particular safe house did seem an odd choice, if for nothing more than it would require them to drive considerable distance to get anywhere.
That said, it was one hell of a nice property.
Benny called out behind him as his hand reached out to push against the entrance door.
“C’mon, let’s go inside.”
Mac’s phone rang, causing Benny and the others to pause and look back at Mac.
“Yeah Tilley, go ahead.”
“Are you at the assigned location?”
Mac looked back at the large home’s entrance.
“Yeah – that’s what I said in my message. We’re here. Nice place Tilley, so how about telling us what the hell we’re supposed to be doing?”
“Go inside Mac. Check out the home’s interior, including the upstairs. Then call me back.”
Tilley was keeping the call brief in case there were attempts to intercept their communications. He had already hung up.
Mac saw Jack staring back at him, his face indicating he wanted to know what Tilley had said.
“He didn’t say much – just that we should go inside and check it out and then I’m to call him back.”
Minnick pointed up into the searing blue Benghazi sky.
“Hey – check it out. That one of ours?”
Mac’s eyes followed to where Minnick was pointing, spotting the single military drone that was slowly approaching the vicinity of their safe house, its gray metallic exterior flashing against the sun’s rays. The drone’s presence gave Mac a slight chill, leaving him with the distinct feeling he was somehow glimpsing a darker future, a time to come when the drone technology of today would be the nightmare of tomorrow.
Minnick’s voice cut through Mac’s thoughts.
“You ok Mac?”
Mac shook himself from his prognostications, though his eyes still glanced back at the approaching drone.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Something about those drones though…they just don’t seem right to me. The way they creep across the sky like that.”
Benny was watching the drone intently as well before shrugging and waiving a dismissive hand at it.
“Those drones have saved a lot of lives Mac. They go in so our boys don’t have to, and that’s all right by me.”
Jack shook his head at Benny’s words.
“I’d call that short term gain for what could be a whole lot of long-term pain Benny. I’m with Mac – those goddamn drones give me the creeps.”
Mac pushed open the large, solid wood entrance door to the
safe house.
“C’mon, let’s get inside before that thing is on top of us.”
The home’s interior, though large and expansive, was devoid of almost any furnishings. The lower floor was dominated by a massive great room that included the tiled entrance. The living area was a step down space that housed a massive red stone fireplace. The back half of the first floor had a large kitchen and eating area. Though the home was mostly unfurnished, the kitchen was thankfully well stocked with food and drink, and offered an impressive array of commercial grade stainless appliances. Large, double French doors opened from the back portion of the kitchen into an adjoining courtyard outside of the rear portion of the property. Mac was happy to note how the large back garden was fully fenced by an eight foot high and one foot thick stucco wall, giving the space a reasonable amount of security.
Jack and Minnick were already making their way upstairs via the massive stone and dark stained wood staircase as Mac and Benny followed close behind. The top of the staircase brought them to a large hallway that ran along both sides of the upper floor, ending in simple, three by three square windows at either end of the hall.
Minnick was the first to enter one of the four spacious, top floor bedrooms. Inside he found the only furnishings to be a single bed, small side table and a single lamp. The room had the entrance door and three other doors. One door led to an adjoining bathroom, another door led to a sizeable walk in closet, and the last door led to the outside balcony.
“Hey Mac, check this out.”
Just outside the room’s balcony, hanging from the wall, was a pair of military grade, night vision capable binoculars. Mac picked the binoculars up and looked them over carefully. They were newer technology to be sure, though contained no markings. He placed them up to his eyes and looked out at the property across the road from them that was now easily in sight from the upper floor of the safe house.
“Son-of-a-bitch!”
Mac was amazed at the distance and clarity capabilities of the binoculars, finding he could make out nearly every detail of that other home’s exterior, though the home was hundreds of yards away.
“These are some amazing binoculars. Guessing Tilley had them left here for us.”
A quick inspection of the other three upstairs rooms found them identical to the first – with the same pair of binoculars hanging outside of each room’s balcony. It was then Mac noted each of the four bedrooms had at least a partial view of the property across the road from the safe house.
“So it looks like we’re supposed to sit up here and keep an eye one whoever that is living in the house across the street, huh?”
Minnick’s words were exactly what Mac was thinking.
“Yeah – looks that way. I’m gonna call Tilley again.”
Minnick stepped onto the balcony and pointed out toward the property they believed they were to be watching.
“Hey Mac – there’s company over there.”
Without the binoculars, Mac could just make out the shape of a black SUV making its way past what appeared to be a possible guardhouse that was located on the right side of the gated entrance. Placing the binoculars to his eyes, Mac was able to clearly see a Department of State emblem on the SUV’s door panel, as well as at least one armed Libyan guard nod to the vehicle as it drove past. As he raised the binoculars up to follow the vehicle’s path while it drove into the property compound, Mac was also able to identify the barbed wire that rang the upper portion of the property’s wall.
“They have the place ringed in barbed wire, with at least one armed guard at the gate. The guard looks to be Libyan. That’s a State Department vehicle that just went inside. Now what the hell is the State Department doing outside Benghazi, and why would they be using Libyan security?”
Benny and Jack had joined Mac and Minnick on the balcony as Mac continued to peer through the binoculars at the increasingly mysterious property across the road.
“Any word on a diplomatic consulate in Benghazi Mac?”
Mac lowered the binoculars and looked back at Minnick. It was a good question, though one he didn’t have the faintest clue as to an answer. Before Mac could reply, Jack broke in with his own comment.
“If that property over there is supposed to be an American diplomatic station, why so far from the main city? Why so far from local authorities? And why would they be using Libyans to guard the entrance? Suppose it could be a private security contract, but in a place this dangerous? Why not have some Marines out there handling it?”
Benny was slowly scratching his chin as he contemplated Jack’s words while looking back at Mac.
“He’s right Mac, that location is all wrong for some kind of diplomatic compound. Hell, it feels more like…like Spook work.”
Mac’s eyebrows rose slightly at the possibility of the property they appeared to be placed here to do surveillance on could be some kind of CIA operation. Of the many assignments he and his crew had been given over the years, one involving spying on the spies would be a first.
“I’m calling Tilley.”
Mac walked back into the bedroom as he placed the call. This time, Tilley picked up on the first ring.
“You inside?”
Tilley was getting right to it.
“Yeah – we’re upstairs looking out at our neighbors.”
Tilley paused briefly.
“Good. You already know what you’re there for then.”
Mac stood in the middle of the bedroom with the cell phone to his ear while slowly shaking his head at Tilley’s words.
“No, not really. What should we tell you about the neighbors?”
Again Tilley paused briefly before answering.
“Keep your eyes on them 24/7. Keep mental notes on who is coming and going, how long they stay, when they leave, basic surveillance operation Mac. Easy money.”
Something about how Tilley said that last part made Mac uneasy. His instincts were what had kept him alive all these years, and they were once again warning him something wasn’t quite right.
“One of our rigs just went in while I was watching, not more than ten minutes ago.”
“What?”
Mac had surprised Tilley with that information.
“I said one of ours…from State, just arrived at the location.”
Tilley recovered quickly from being caught off guard, this time not hesitating to reply.
“Ok, good…that’s the kind of information I want from you and your team Mac. Who goes in, how long they stay. Do it in shifts, but make sure you always have at least one set of eyes on them at all times. Now downstairs, in the kitchen, there’s a door to the pantry. Go inside there and you should be able to find an access panel. Follow the stairs down and check it out, but not all of you at once. Remember, keep at least one set of eyes on your neighbor at all times Mac. Always.”
“When do you tell me the rest of it Tilley? Tell me why we’re really sitting out here?”
“I have to keep you on need to know for a while Mac. Sorry, but I’m not even sure of all the what’s and why’s on this one. Just go check out the pantry access, and then stay put. That’s it. That’s all I have for you right now.”
That was the second time during the same conversation Tilley said something that sent the warning bells in Mac’s head ringing loud and clear. Since when did Tilley not know every detail of an assignment? Before Mac could raise his objections, Tilley ended the call.
Jack stepped into the bedroom and tipped his head in the direction of the balcony.
“So is that what the four of us are doing here? Watching the compound across the road?”
Mac nodded as Jack’s mouth curled downward in disgust.
“This ain’t right Mac. You know it too. Right from the get go, this ain’t been right. No way the four of us get sent all the way out here to do simple surveillance. I mean, what the hell? Why pay us this kind of money for that? There’s tons of people who could do this for a lot less. No way…we’re here for something el
se. Tilley give any clues?”
Mac shook his head.
“No – nothing. Said he just wants surveillance, 24/7.”
Mac walked back out to the balcony and told Minnick to continue watching the compound. He then had Benny and Jack follow him downstairs to the kitchen where he located the pantry door.
“Tilley said there’s an access panel inside here that leads to a stairwell.”
Minnick was the first to spot the panel, partially hidden behind a large stand up freezer.
“There – behind the freezer. You can see the cut-out in the wall.”
Jack pushed the freezer to the side, exposing the five by five cut-out Minnick had indicated. Mac placed both hands against the panel and pushed inward. The panel opened easily, and just as Tilley had described, revealed a narrow set of stairs that led down. A series of LED lights that hung along the walls of the stairs illuminated the way. The three men made their way downward, the stairs opening into a small, low ceilinged cellar area with a dirt floor, and rough textured concrete walls. It reminded Mac of a bomb shelter. In the middle of the room sat a single, large wooden table.
“Holy shit.”
Benny’s reaction represented Mac and Jack’s feelings as well regarding the contents neatly organized atop the table.
XII.
Ray Tilley was not used to being so unsettled, but that is exactly what the last few phone conversations with Mac Walker did to him. Mac and his team were sent out to conduct surveillance on a potential post-Gaddafi gunrunning operation, with the possibility of an eventual subject termination order. Why the hell then did Mardian have them set up across the road from a location that appeared to be run by our own State Department? And who was this Mark Densmore Mac mentioned, who he said is, or was, with the FBI? Tilley had reached out to a State Department contact to try and get someone over to Ella’s office to assist Mac and his team. Was Densmore the one who they sent out?
As for whatever happened with Moretti, why he would have sold out Mac’s team to whoever was gunning for them, Tilley was in the dark on that as well. As always when working with foreign agents who he didn’t know well, Tilley had taken precautions. The safe house Moretti was delivering Mac and his team to was a temporary location. The primary safe house for the assignment had been unknown to Moretti, meaning Mac and his team, now that they had arrived at that safe house, should be able to proceed with the mission as planned. Unless of course, someone else they trusted was working against them as well. That left few remaining options though. There was Mardian and his Congressional contacts. There was Tilley’s source at the State Department who he had already reached out to. And Ella Lerner and her security team. Of those, it was Mardian who Tilley trusted least, and Mardian did know of Moretti.
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