Lethal Promise
Page 9
Images came through on Jago’s laptop. The initial ones had been pre-recorded throughout the morning at periodic intervals. Fi moved closer to see the images.
“The Toyota is just leaving Cervantes on the freeway heading north. Let’s assume he’s doing between eighty and ninety miles an hour. That would place him near Arrowsmith,” said Fi.
Jago manipulated the images in their time sequence. Sure enough, the pickup featured an hour later, just north of Arrowsmith at a junction where he would take the Brand Highway to continue northward.
Jago turned to Mikey. “Mikey, I know there’re no cameras on the freeway or highway this far north, but with so little traffic would it be possible to intercept a mobile phone signal from the few cars that are on the highway?”
“To be honest, I don’t know, but I can try to find out from one of our techies.”
“That would be good, Mikey, if you can. Maybe we can isolate his signal or lock on to it. We don’t know if he’s going north or what his true destination is, so it would be good to have some clue.”
Jago followed the sequence of images and set the plotter an hour ahead, which would place his man in Geraldton.
“Let’s move it back a quarter of an hour, Boss,” suggested Fi.
Jago adjusted the sequence and they scanned the images. There was still no sign of the pickup.
“Let’s go back another quarter of an hour,” said Jago.
Jago adjusted the sequence and they scanned the images once more. There was still no sign of the pickup.
“Let’s go back farther,” said Jago, then, "Well, there’s nothing there. Let’s go back another fifteen minutes.”
Having found the image of the Toyota pickup, the pair scrutinised it in great detail. What they were seeing was a junction: left to Dongara and then on to Geraldton, right to Mingenew and then on to Three Springs.
“So far we’ve assumed that he’s heading north to Geraldton, but let’s have a look where he would end up if he took the right towards Three Springs.”
They switched programs and scoured the maps.
Jago made an observation. “Unless he’s going out into the bush, I can see no reason why he would head over to Three Springs. Let’s work on the images of the area between the junction and Geraldton and see what turns up. Maybe he’s pulled up at the side of the road under some trees?”
They sorted images into ten-minute slices of time and examined them one by one. As they viewed the main road into Dongara, they observed a petrol station with a few parked cars and four-by-fours. He wasn’t there. On the opposite side of the road they could make out three huge road trains parked up alongside one another. They scanned the images of the main thoroughfare in the town of Dongara.
“Here!” exclaimed Jago. “We have two four-by-four pickups matching the description parked in the shade under trees. You can just make out the second one as the images pass the area. The time stamp is twelve oh five p.m. Let’s have a look at what’s around that area – cafes, hotels, shops et cetera. Mikey, can you get in touch with the Dongara police to find out if there are any cameras in the vicinity of Moreton Terrace, especially in the area of the estate agents and the sport and fishing-tackle shop?”
“Okay, will do. I’m on it now, Jago.”
Jago spoke to the pilot. “How far are we from Dongara, and how close can we land to these coordinates?”
He handed the coordinates over to the co-pilot.
“Give us a few minutes to plot the course and we’ll let you know.”
“Boss, it’s two fifty p.m. now. He’s still got a two-hour plus lead on us. Unless he’s stopped off for a feed and some sleep. He’s been up all night, and as far as we know he’s driving alone,” said Fi.
Mikey raised his head. “Either that or he has a meeting up ahead that’s scheduled for later on.”
“That’s a possibility too. Did we get any luck on the mobile phone signal?” asked Jago.
“I’m still waiting to hear.”
The co-pilot Captain Steve Chambers interjected over the headset, “Jago, we can be there in approximately eighteen minutes, and we’re in luck. There’s a piece of land behind the estate agent’s to the north that’s partly car park asphalt and partly grass. It’s approximately fifty metres from the estate agents. If it’s not too busy, we’ll try to land there. If not, the secondary location will be about one hundred and fifty metres south of the target location and you’ll have to pass through the hotel site.”
“Okay, let’s go then. Listen up, if we use the secondary landing site, we must pass through the hotel area, so keep your eyes peeled as that may be one place where he could be holed up.”
“Right, Boss, got that,” acknowledged Fi as she prepared her weapons.
“I hear you, Jago,” said Mikey as he checked his body armour and his Glock 22 and magazines. “I’m ready. I’ve just called the local police to let them know we’ll be on their patch, and they’re happy to assist upon request.”
Jago noticed a distinct change in Mikey’s voice and manner. He was more focused, more alert, and he did appear ready.
Mikey’s phone rang. “Yes, sir. I understand, sir. We’ll do our best, and thanks for the update.”
He turned to Jago and Fi. “It looks as though the techies may have pinged his mobile signal. They’ve traced over forty signals and his is a repeat on this route. He’s made one call to a mobile phone located in Geraldton and used the keyword ‘meeting’, and he’s received one call from an undisclosed and rerouted caller. It was brief and someone used the keyword ‘airport’. These calls may be unrelated and they may not. They’re continuing to monitor his signal via the keyword technology systems and will let us know as soon as they have something. They’re also trying to retrieve the full call transcriptions now.”
The pilot came over the headset. “Jago, take a hand radio from the rack above, to the right of you, and let us know if you need our support. We’re call sign India 1. You’ll be India 23.”
“Roger that. I’ve got the radio. Can one of you guys find out what you can about Geraldton Airport? I’d like to know its size and location and what type of aircraft can land and take off from there.”
“Sure, we can get those details, no problem. Do we need to arm ourselves?”
“It’s a good idea to be prepared for anything, so make sure you have access to your sidearms and that they’re at the ready.”
“Okay, will do. Good luck. We’ll be there in a few minutes. They’ll be no fly past and we’ll approach from the north for the first landing zone. Are you all ready?”
Jago looked around him, at Fi, who was holding her MP5 in a relaxed position, and then at Mikey, who was busy looking out of the window.
“Yes, we’re ready.”
As the Bell Ranger approached, the car park near the landing site was relatively empty.
“Landing zone one it is. We’re good to land,” called the pilot over the radio.
They all unbuckled immediately. Fi’s grasp on her weapon tightened, Jago made a last check of his kit and Mikey shifted his seating position to an angle facing the door.
“Fi, you go first and secure the area, then I’ll go, and then you, Mikey. I’m only saying this as we have the superior firepower if needed.”
“Roger that, Boss.”
“Yeah, no problem, Jago, I get it. I’ll get the door and hang back until it’s clear to disembark.”
Chapter 14
The helicopter landed and Mikey didn’t hesitate to open the door upon touchdown. Fi leapt from the helicopter, ran in a zigzag fashion and positioned herself at the corner of the nearest building which was a hair salon. Once she was in position, Jago, who was already giving cover, disembarked and made for a position on the opposite corner. Jago signalled with his hand for Mikey to join him against the back wall of the local mini market. Moreton Terrace was thirty metres to their south. Between them and the terrace was an area of off-road parking area serving the estate agents and local mini market.
Farther round to their left were half a dozen cars parked under the canopy of a large tree next to a fishing bait shop in front of the market. One of the vehicles was the target pickup.
“Let’s move towards the vehicles,” said Jago when Mikey reached him.
Jago used a hand signal to let Fi know they were moving forwards. She moved parallel to them, keeping her eyes peeled for their target. Every couple of paces she turned, checking their rear.
Jago and Mikey reached the empty pickup truck.
“Let’s look inside first,” said Jago.
The truck had a driver and passenger seat and three rear seats, much like a car, and then there was an open flatbed area. There were two jerrycans of fuel strapped to one side and a container of water on the opposite side. Upon looking in the cab, they could see empty fast-food cartons and discarded chocolate and chip wrappers, alongside a multitude of empty beer cans. Someone had circled Geraldton on the map on the driver’s seat. Within the circle were two crosses; one marked the airport, and the other looked to be on accommodation on Willcock Drive.
Jago tried to open the driver’s door and then the rear passenger door of the same side. Neither were open. Mikey tried on the passenger side with the same result.
Meanwhile, a small crowd had gathered around the helicopter. The co-pilot chatted with them, mentioning they were on an active operation and may need to take off at any moment. This encouraged the group to back off, away from the helicopter, the rotors of which had almost come to a standstill.
Jago scanned the area, looking for any cameras or clues as to where the target may have gone. He noticed a liquor store.
“Judging by the number of empty cans in the cab, that looks like a good place to start. Mikey, can you ask around and try to see the grainy footage from their camera? Fi and I will stay out here, keeping watch.”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll be back in a moment.”
There were few people around and a couple of people who saw Fi and Jago scurried away, out of sight. Jago drew his knife from its scabbard and slashed two of the tyres on the passenger side of the pickup to prevent any quick getaway.
After a few minutes Mikey returned.
“Yes, he’s been in there all right. About an hour and a half ago he bought a six-pack with cash. The camera on the entrance just catches him walking past his pickup, alongside the bait and sports shop. He was either heading for Moreton Terrace or was just reaching a crossing point to go to the hotel. I suggest we check along Moreton Terrace first.”
“I’ll go along with that. Let’s go,” said Jago
Jago signalled for Fi to join them. They briefed her quickly before setting off along Moreton Terrace. All three passed the sports and bait shop and stopped to look in; then they carried on past a fish and chips shop and a variety of other stores, all of which were small and easy to observe.
They crossed over to a petrol station which had several cameras in its forecourt. Mikey ventured inside to speak to the manager. Jago saw Mikey go into the back with the manager to look at the cameras to check the footage for the last few hours. Within ten minutes Mikey came running out.
“The camera caught him crossing the road with a six-pack, heading towards the hotel, about an hour and a half ago.”
“Good work, Mikey. Let’s see if he checked in.”
Jago and Mikey entered the reception area of the Dongara Hotel, leaving Fi outside, guarding the entrance with just her body armour, Oakley sunglasses and MP5 for protection.
A middle-aged woman sat behind the counter. She was knitting and watching television at the same time over the rumbling noise of the aged air conditioner.
“Good afternoon. My friend and I are in the security services.” Mikey showed the woman his identity card, and she carried on knitting, not leaving her chair.
“What can I do for you fellas? We don’t see the likes of you around here very much.”
“We were just wondering if you’ve had anyone check in within the last couple of hours?”
“That’s easy. We’ve had exactly one new client within the last couple of hours. He’s a scruffy individual, but he paid in cash so I won’t hold that against him. He said he’d been on the road for a while and needed to get his head down for a few hours. The guy’s in room number five. Straight down the hall, last room on the right.”
“Thank you, you’ve been most helpful. We’ll try not to make any noise and disturb your afternoon TV.”
“He didn’t happen to ask for an alarm call or anything, did he?” asked Jago.
“As a matter of fact, the cheeky beggar asked for a call at four thirty. He said he’s got to get up to Geraldton to meet a plane at seven. I charged him an extra ten dollars for my trouble, I did.”
Jago pressed for more information. “How many windows does the room have, and where are they in relation to the door?”
“Let’s see. It’s a corner room, so it’ll have two windows. One opposite the door and one on the left, overlooking the back of the property.”
“Thank you. May we have a key to the room? Is it a proper key or a key card?”
She handed him a spare key hanging from a fob made from a chunk of wood and thought twice about asking for a deposit for it. “Nothing fancy here; it’s just a plain old key.”
Jago took the key and slipped outside to speak to Fi. “We’ve located his room; it’s on the ground floor, the last room on the right. There are two windows, as it’s a corner room. Can you cover any window exit?”
“I’m on my way. Give me one minute to get in position.”
Jago ducked back inside the main entrance to join Mikey, who had been keeping watch on the corridor.
“Okay, let’s go. Fi is in position on the exterior. I’ll take point.”
With guns at the ready, they swiftly covered the length of the corridor, only slowing down as they neared room five. Jago raised his left clenched fist to show they should stop. They froze, listening for signs of life. There was a TV on in room four, and in room six, across from room five, there was movement which sounded like coat hangers in a wardrobe.
Jago crept closer to room five and listened against the door. There was no sound. He bent down on one knee and looked through the keyhole to see if there was a key in the lock on the other side. It was clear. He carefully inserted the spare key reception had given him and turned it with minimal noise. He pressed the handle down to its full extent … and then burst into the room.
He scanned the main room for any signs of life and gestured to Mikey to look under the bed and then in the wardrobe, whilst under the watchful eye of Jago. This all took a matter of seconds, before they turned their attention to the bathroom.
The door was shut, and Jago splayed his body against the wall outside so he could open the door and at least have some cover. He opened the door and pushed it back with force, at the same time filling the doorframe with his body, weapon at the ready.
The bathroom was empty.
“Fi, this is Jago. Over.”
“Go ahead. Over.”
“The room is empty. I repeat, the room is empty. Maintain a visual on the exterior and we will be with you in two minutes. Over.”
“Roger that. Fi out.”
Mike and Jago searched the room. The sink bowl was still wet and the bedding was crumpled, both showing recent use. The wardrobe and drawers were empty.
“Come on, let’s join Fi. He must be around here somewhere,” said Jago.
At that moment Fi came over the radio. “Shots fired, shots fired in the area of the vehicle. Over.”
“Roger. We’re on our way.”
The two men burst out of the hotel’s main entrance just as Fi was kneeling on the kerbside, poised to take aim at a white Land Cruiser leaving the area at speed. She fired a couple of shots and gave chase on foot. There was an elderly man lying on the ground and it wasn’t clear whether he’d been injured.
Jago took charge. “Mikey, I’ll check the guy on the ground and you get us a ride.”
“Stop a suitable vehicle and commandeer it. Show them your ID. Go on, man, hurry.”
Jago reached the man on the ground.
“Are you all right, sir?”
Jago could see that the man looked shaken. By this time some onlookers had gathered. Jago turned to them. “Does anyone know this man?”
“Yeah, I know him, that’s Fred. I’ll take care of him. Looks like you’ve got work to do.”
“That’s good of you, and yes, we’ve got some catching up to do.”
Jago rose to his feet and looked around. He saw that Mikey had commandeered a white two-seat Toyota pickup. He ran towards it and jumped in the back.
“Let’s pick Fi up on the way.”
As they approached Fi, she was standing watching through the sight of her weapon. She said to Mikey, “Keep going straight. The road leads to the beach area.” Then she jumped in the back with Jago.
“You all right, Fi?” asked Jago.
“I’m fine, Boss, but I’ll be better when we catch up with him. He must have gone to his truck, realised that it was going nowhere and then carjacked the Toyota from the old guy. Was he okay?”
“Yes, he’s okay, shaken up but okay.”
Chapter 15
Mikey was tearing down the street at breakneck speed, fully intent on catching the man. He could see the coast in the distance and knew the road would run out somewhere. He had the Land Cruiser in his sights as he came upon a sign for a caravan park off to the left. Mikey expected that the target would take the turn to the right and would have to slow down considerably to do so. He couldn’t cut the corner off because of a stack of old shipping containers on the corner of the bend.
Mikey was fast approaching the turn into Brady Road when he bellowed, “Hold on! Sharp right.”
Fi and Jago sank down to their knees and held on tight as Mikey negotiated the bend. He took it well, changing down and braking into the bend, then speeding up out of it professionally. He knew how to drive.
A mile ahead there was a rise at the top of the road with a T-junction. Mikey couldn’t see which direction the Land Cruiser had taken.