Extraordinary Rendition Read online

  “What have you got?” asked Kane.

  “Three matches so far, all Chinese embassy staff. It looks like they were registered in Washington two weeks ago.”

  “And the others?”

  “Nothing yet, but we’re still working on it.”

  “Well, it’s enough to confirm what we thought. The Chinese have found Fang, and they’re taking her home.”

  Leroux frowned. “What are we going to do?”

  “Keep tracking them. We’re less than an hour behind them. Find out if there were any flights out of the airport going to China or thereabouts. Probably a charter. Depending on their flight path, we might be able to intercept them.”

  “That will take some doing.”

  “Then do it!” snapped Kane.

  Leroux ignored his friend’s curt reply. “I’ll talk to the Chief. What are you going to do?”

  “Go to the airport.”

  “I’ve already got a team heading there. Why don’t you come in?”

  “Negative. When you find something, I want to be able to act on it. If I’m at Langley, someone might try to stop me.”

  Leroux lowered his voice. “Dylan, we have to be careful.”

  “To hell with that,” growled Kane. “I’m not stopping until I get her back. Both of them.” There was a pause. “And if she dies, every last one of them is dead. Orders be damned.”

  17 |

  Dulles International Airport

  Tanner cursed as her team confirmed what she already suspected. The van was empty. Of course it was. It had been here almost an hour before they arrived.

  Another perfectly executed part of what was so far a flawless operation.

  As far as she could tell.

  She and her team were being sent all over hell’s creation with little to no intel. For all she knew, the hostiles’ plan could be falling apart around them.

  Yet she’d be the last to know.

  A woman in coveralls that identified her as airport staff approached. “Are you in charge?”

  Tanner wasn’t so sure. “Yes.”

  “I saw something.”

  Her interest was piqued. “What?”

  The woman pointed at the van, now being searched by her team. “When that van arrived, I saw two men get out of another van that was parked over there.” She pointed to an empty spot nearby. “They carried a box that looked sort of like a coffin out of this one and put it in the back of the one that was already here, then left.”

  “Could you describe them?”

  She shrugged. “Dunno. Chinese? Japanese? They all look the same to me.”

  “Uh-huh. What about the van?”

  Another shrug. “Looked a lot like that one. They all look the same to me.”

  I’m sensing a theme.

  “Color?”

  The woman scratched her chin. “Black. No! Dark gray. Had something written on the side, but I don’t remember what. I think it was a company name, because there was a phone number under it.” She gave Tanner a look. “And no, I don’t remember the number.”

  “How long ago was this?”

  “I was on my coffee break, so, I dunno, less than an hour ago.”

  “Thanks.” Tanner pointed at Lyons. “Go give him your contact information in case we have more questions for you.”

  The woman nodded and sauntered over to Lyons as Tanner contacted Control. “Control, Echo-Zero-One. We’re looking for a dark gray or black van, similar to the one we tracked here. It would have left approximately an hour ago. Possibly a company name and phone number written on the side, over.”

  “Copy that, Zero-One, we’re on it. We have another target for you. Details sent to your helo. Control, out.”

  Why do I feel like we’re chasing our tail here?

  18 |

  Operations Center 2, CIA Headquarters Langley, Virginia

  Sonya Tong smiled as she examined the footage one of her team had just sent to her station. She turned to Leroux. “I’ve got a van that matches the description, leaving the airport about forty minutes ago.”

  “Track it.”

  Child spun his chair, his head leaning back as he stared at the ceiling. “Sounds like we’re getting closer. We were an hour behind a few minutes ago.”

  Leroux rose. “I’m going to update the Chief.”

  Tong watched Leroux leave the operations center, her eyes lingering on the door. She had been infatuated with him at one point. She wasn’t sure why. He was handsome enough, especially now that Sherrie had shown the poor guy how to dress properly and comb his hair, but it wasn’t his looks.

  It was him.

  He had been so shy, so vulnerable, so nerdy.

  Just like her.

  She wanted to save him, and for him to save her from her loneliness.

  For she was lonely.

  Being a senior analyst at the CIA was time-consuming. Exhausting. It left little time to meet people socially, though that was just an excuse. Even if she had an empty calendar, she would never willingly fill it. Her life was books, television, movie trivia. She was a nerd, and was comfortable with that.

  To a point.

  Like anyone, she longed for someone to share her life with, to snuggle with on a Sunday evening, to go out to dinner and a movie on a Friday night.

  Maybe she was kidding herself into thinking she was content with her current situation. How many nights did she sit at home, curled into a ball, sobbing at how lonely she was? How many nights did she pray for someone, anyone, to knock on her door and hold her?

  When Leroux had been promoted and became her supervisor, he had become forbidden fruit, the fantasy of being with him firing up her imagination on those lonely nights. He was someone within reach, much like her, that was perhaps attainable, the only reason they weren’t together the rules.

  Yet Sherrie had ruined all of that for her, and for a time she resented her for it.

  Though that was in the past.

  Mostly.

  She still carried a torch for Leroux, yet it only simmered now.

  Though if Sherrie were no longer in the picture, she’d take that chance.

  She silently chastised herself at the thought. Sherrie was missing, possibly dead, and here she was already planning to move in on the poor woman’s man.

  “I’ve got a possible plane,” said Marc Therrien, part of her team. “Private charter heading for Shanghai. They didn’t leave long ago. They were delayed taking off.”

  Child turned his chair to face Therrien. “I thought we weren’t looking for a plane anymore. I thought everyone was in the gray van?”

  Tong shook her head. “No, you’re forgetting that we have the two drivers of the cars at Walmart, and we know either Sherrie or Fang was in the trunk of one of them. That’s three possibles that could be on that plane. Also, we don’t know if the witness is reliable. For all we know, she could be lying or mistaken. This was a well-planned op. If I wanted to throw us off the scent, I’d put a witness on the scene to distract us.”

  Child frowned. “Should we be running her?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “But Chris didn’t—”

  Tong cut him off. “He’s distracted.”

  “So he’s making mistakes?”

  “I didn’t say that. We’re a team, and he can’t be expected to think of everything.”

  Child flushed. “You’re right. I didn’t mean—”

  “I know you didn’t.” She sighed. “Let’s just help him a little more than we usually do, okay?”

  Nods rounded the room.

  “Good.” She smacked her hands together like Leroux would. “Now, get me everything you can on that plane and who’s on it, and everything on that witness. My gut doesn’t compare to Chris’, but I find it kind of convenient that the only witness to the exchange just happened to be hanging around, waiting for our people to show up, and now we’re supposed to be chasing a very specific van instead of paying attention to the airport.”

  19 |

>   Director Morrison’s Office, CIA Headquarters Langley, Virginia

  “What’s the status?”

  Leroux dropped into a chair opposite Morrison’s desk. “We found the two cars and the van that carried the initial team, and what we believe were used to take Sherrie and Fang from the scene. All were empty and forensics has found nothing of significance so far.”

  Morrison tapped his finger on his chin. “I doubt they’ll lead to anything. This was well planned.”

  Leroux agreed. “An eyewitness claims she saw a transfer from the van we tracked to the airport to another van that was waiting. We’re tracing it now.”

  “Is the witness reliable?”

  Leroux paused. “I…assume so, but you’re right, we should check her out.”

  Morrison frowned. “I think you’re too close to this. It’s not like you to miss something like that.”

  Leroux’s shoulders slumped. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have, but…” He sighed. “Maybe you should take me off this. It’s already against procedure for me to be involved.”

  Morrison shook his head. “No. You’re the best I’ve got, and when you’re motivated, nobody can stop you. But take Sonya aside and make sure she feels free to cover your ass.”

  “You’re right. I will.” His phone vibrated and he quickly scanned the message.

  “Anything important?”

  Leroux chuckled. “It looks like Sonya’s already covering my ass, sir. We might have to force a private charter down.”

  “Explain.”

  “We’re tracking anything that might have left the airport around the same time as that van arrived.”

  Morrison’s eyes narrowed. “I thought they transferred to a second van?”

  “We’re still considering both possibilities, but it looks like Sonya was suspicious of the witness like you were. She’s looking into her while still tracking the van, and the team is continuing to look into planes leaving around the same time as the van arrived. Looks like there might be a match.”

  “How confident are they?”

  “Not very yet.”

  Morrison leaned back in his chair. “I can’t get the Pentagon to force a civilian plane to land without some sort of proof beyond a hunch.”

  Leroux rose. “Then I’ll get you what you need.”

  20 |

  Annandale Road, Falls Church, Virginia

  “This is ridiculous.”

  Lyons agreed with Tanner. “You’re preaching to the choir. Four vehicles tracked, four vehicles empty, and again, no cameras operating to catch any transfers.”

  Tanner leaned against the rear wall of a strip mall in Falls Church, back where this fiasco had all started. “This is professional. Very professional. As good as I’ve ever seen.”

  “Who do you think’s behind it?”

  “Well, that witness said they all looked Asian.”

  “Chinese?”

  Tanner picked at her closely trimmed nails. “They’d definitely have the capability. I can’t see the North Koreans being able to pull something like this off.”

  Lyons frowned. “If it is the Chinese, whoever they took is hooped.”

  “It’s a long road to China.”

  “Not if they head east.”

  Tanner dismissed the idea. “They wouldn’t go east. They run the risk of us finding out what plane they’re on long before they can reach Chinese airspace.”

  Lyons thought for a moment. “True, but if they go the polar route, they could be over Russia before we find out, and it’s not like the Rooskies will do anything about it.”

  Tanner frowned. “You’re right. Let’s hope Langley finds out something a little more current. We can’t keep showing up after the fact. We need to catch up before it’s too late.”

  21 |

  Dulles International Airport

  Kane flashed his Homeland ID to one of the officers securing the scene. “Where’s the witness?”

  The woman jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “Over there.”

  He peered past her, finding no one but police and various other agencies. “There’s nobody there.”

  “Huh?” The officer turned to confirm it for herself. “Huh. Well, I don’t know then. She was there a little while ago. I distinctly heard one of the agents tell her to wait.”

  “Okay, I’m going to look around.” Kane quickly searched the area, confirming the witness was nowhere to be found, his suspicions, already raised, now fully red-flagged. He approached the agent in charge, flashing his ID. “I’m looking for the witness.”

  The man turned to point then cursed. “Son of a bitch. I told her to wait over there. I had more questions for her.”

  “Did you check her ID?”

  “Yes.” He pointed at another agent. “Check with Riggs. He wrote everything down.”

  “Thanks.” Kane introduced himself then jotted down the information Riggs had recorded. “Did you check her out?”

  Riggs nodded. “We’re running her now. Nothing’s come back yet that’s out of the ordinary.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Kane entered the building, dialing Leroux. “Anything for me?”

  “Not yet. We’ve got a plane we’re looking into. Private charter heading for Shanghai. Left not too long ago.”

  “So you’re thinking this witness was too good to be true as well?”

  “Actually, Sonya picked up on it.” There was a pause. “I’ve been a little, umm, distracted.” Leroux lowered his voice. “I’m not exactly at the top of my game.”

  Kane felt for his friend. They were all hurting, which was why normally they wouldn’t be allowed to participate. He was convinced the only reason Morrison was tolerating it was for the fact the man knew they’d ignore any orders to the contrary. “We’re all distracted. Just keep positive. Until I see bodies, they’re both alive. Now, what can you tell me about this witness? Oh, and send me directions to the administration offices for the airport.” His phone vibrated with a map a moment later.

  “Done. She checks out. Clean record, worked at the airport for two years, no obvious ties to the Chinese or any other foreign government.”

  “Send me her file.”

  “Sending it now.”

  His phone vibrated with the secure message. “Good. Keep me posted on that plane.”

  “You can count on it.”

  22 |

  Operations Center 2, CIA Headquarters Langley, Virginia

  Morrison briskly entered the operations center and Leroux rose from his station. “Anything on that plane? I’ve given the Pentagon a heads-up. They’ve scrambled jets from the DC Combat Air Patrol, but they want some evidence before they’re willing to commit.”

  Leroux shook his head. “Nothing yet. Everything keeps checking out.”

  “Do we have footage of who got on?”

  Leroux turned to Tong who shook her head. “No, sir, I’m afraid not.”

  Morrison looked askance at her. “What do you mean? There are hundreds of cameras there. It’s an airport.”

  “I know, but we can’t get access. There’s some sort of block. I’ve talked to their techs and it’s some sort of communications error. They’re working on it.”

  Leroux pursed his lips. “Quite the coincidence, don’t you think?”

  Morrison frowned. “I don’t believe in coincidences.”

  “Neither do I.” Leroux turned to Child. “What kind of equipment do they have there?”

  Child’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean servers, communications infrastructure. Who’s the manufacturer?”

  Child worked his terminal then spun in his chair. “You’ll never guess who did their latest upgrade last year.”

  Morrison cursed. “You’re telling me that one of our country’s most important airports is using Chinese equipment?”

  “Yup.”

  Leroux chewed his cheek. “Now that can’t be a coincidence.”

  Morrison growled. “This is exactly why we warned against th
is. Using anything Chinese beyond a kitchen blender is insanity. Don’t these idiots in DC realize that absolutely all Chinese companies, whether public or private, in order to operate have to agree to do whatever is asked of them by the Chinese government? It’s Article Seven of their damned National Intelligence Law. Yet we allow their equipment to be used in our country? These people are our enemy, and through ignorance or political correctness gone mad, we’re actually considering letting them help build our 5G infrastructure.” Morrison headed for the door. “Keep working on that footage, but I think we’ve got enough to go on to at least convince the Pentagon we’re not sending them on a wild goose chase.”

  23 |

  Administrative Office Dulles International Airport

  “She clocked out about fifteen minutes ago. Says here she wasn’t feeling well.”

  Kane frowned. “Is she still here?”

  The personnel supervisor checked the computer. “The last time her pass was used, it was to enter the women’s locker room.”

  “Take me there.”

  The man’s eyes bulged. “You can’t go in there! You’re a dude!”

  Kane held up his Homeland ID. “This is an all-access pass.” He gestured toward the myriad of personnel behind the counter. “Send a female employee with me if you have to, but lives depend on me talking to her before she leaves.”

  The man frowned but waved at one of the women behind him. “Go with him.”

  She gave her supervisor a look, clearly not pleased with the babysitting job. “Fine.” She finally noticed Kane. “Damn fine!”

  She rounded the counter and led Kane toward the locker rooms. “Damn, honey, I wouldn’t mind if you walked in on me. You’re gorgeous, baby.”

  Kane chuckled. “Sorry, I’m taken.”