OUTCAST Ops: Red Ice

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

OUTCAST was picked up by Choi and Vessler in a cargo van. The five climbed in and Choi drove away from the warehouse.

“Nothing yet on the police scanners,” Vessler said from the front passenger seat. “What’s next?”

“We get some rest.” Tanner removed his NVGs in the back seat. “I think we’ve sent a strong enough message to Hong tonight.” He spoke into his radio. “Base, what’s the latest from the Triad?”

Danielle’s reply was loud and clear. “Large number of conversations on the Triad’s phone system. All in Chinese. I have translation programs running on them, but it’s going to take a little while.”

“We’re half an hour out,” Tanner said. “Go to bed.”

“Not until you’re back.”

“Is Casey there?”

“Yes.”

In a couple of seconds Casey came on the air. “What do you want, you old dog?”

“I think it’s time to call in the FBI. That’ll put more pressure on Hong and his Triad to give up Rhee, or at worst, to break the alliance.”

“What’s the federal angle?”

Liam answered, “I spotted several U.S. Army and Marine Corps cases of firearms in the warehouse. I got photos of their serial numbers. Ready to receive them?”

Danielle came back on the channel and said that she was.

Liam sent the photos and then after a couple of minutes Danielle came back on. “Those weapons crates were reported missing over a two-year span from Army and Marine Corps bases throughout the Western United States.”

Casey sighed. “Okay. I’ll get both the Army CID and the NCIS involved in the warehouse investigation.”

“What about the brothel slaves we rescued?” Tanner asked.

“As of half an hour ago, they were still giving their statements. If even half this stuff gets leaked to the press, the political shockwaves could last for years.”

“What did the president say about them staying in the U.S.?”

“He agreed to it. Classify them as political refugees and take it from there. How about Rhee? Any sign of him and his force?”

“Negative,” Tanner said.

“Be careful. Rhee’s like an angry rattlesnake. No telling where he’ll strike.”

“We’ll handle him.”

“I hope so, for all our sakes.”

After a quick meal, three hours of sleep and a shower, the team reassembled in the Trans-Continental Marsh Hotel’s Presidential Suite. Vessler and Choi joined them, looking a little less rested than the team. After each had grabbed themselves a cup of coffee, the team, Casey, and the DEA agents convened in the suite’s main room.

The Presidential Suite wasn’t just a title; U.S. presidents, foreign leaders, and the richest people in world regularly stayed there when business took them to San Francisco. As such, it was luxuriously appointed and equipped with all the amenities that the leaders who stayed there were accustomed to, including secure communications. The views of San Francisco from the suite’s windows were only eclipsed by the vantage point of the hotel’s world-famous restaurant two floors above.

Liam sipped his coffee and leaned back. “We miss anything while we were asleep?”

“Just the press going rabid.” Vessler stifled a yawn. “ Internet, TV, radio, newspapers— you name it, they are all over it.”

“I briefed the president earlier.” Of all the people in the room, Casey looked the most refreshed. “He’s already taking flack from all directions over this, especially from this district’s congresswoman. But for now, anyway, he’s leaving this in our hands.”

“That’s nice of him,” Stephen joked.

Danielle stared at the screen of the laptop open in front of her. Naomi noticed her friend’s expression. “What’s wrong, Dani?”

“There were explosions and fires at four different farm supply stores around northern California overnight.”

“Farm supply stores?” Naomi frowned. “Uh-oh, I just had a nasty thought.”

“About me, I hope.” Liam grinned like the devil.

“You wish.”

“Ammonia nitrate?” Tanner interjected.

“Yeah. Oklahoma City was a few years before my time, but I worked with some ATF guys who investigated that scene. They had nightmares for years.”

Dante raised his eyebrows. “Do these stores carry ammonia nitrate?”

“In fertilizer form? Yeah. Still popular, though strangers buying a lot of it at once will raise a few flags.”

Tanner nodded “This sounds like Rhee. Hit four different stores, steal the ammonia nitrate, then set a fire to cover the theft.”

“Sounds like he has something big planned,” Liam said.

“They also found two bodies at one of the sites,” Danielle continued. “Both shot in the head at close range. Neither one is Asian.”

“What’s he going to do?” Choi asked.

“Anything that will help to complete his mission.” Tanner looked around the room. “He and his people are highly trained and capable of extreme violence on their own.”

A phone started chiming. Vessler reached for her device and glanced at it. “It’s the office.” She stood. “I have to take this.” She walked over to the window and answered it.

“So back to Rhee’s next move.” Choi leaned forward. “What could it be?”

“I don’t know,” Tanner replied. “I thought protecting the drug lab was his top priority but—”

“Oh my God.”

Everyone turned to look at Vessler, who had uttered the oath.

“How many?” she snapped. She paused, listening. “How many agents are in the office?” Another beat, her face darkening. “Brock, listen to me. Take Meechim, Howes, Daniels and Gonzales. Get over to University, find Gloria Glimsdale and take her into protective custody now. And Brock? I want you and the others in full tactical gear, and don’t take shit from anyone. Until I say otherwise, Gloria is your only concern. Understand? Get going.” She broke the connection, shuddered and took a deep breath.

Everyone waited for her to speak.

At length, Vessler said, “George Glimsdale’s dead. Him, his wife, and his two youngest kids.” She closed her eyes. “They were all found dead in their home, tied up, tortured, their throats cut.”

“Rhee,” Tanner rose from his chair.

“We don’t know that,” Casey said.

“The local cops think it was Colombians.” Vessler stared out the window as if mulling this over.

“But you don’t think so?”

“Hell, no! The Colombians got pushed out of the area a couple of years back by the Mexican cartels and haven’t reestablished a foothold in the local drug trade since then. The DEA has no operations running against them either here or over in Oakland. So them killing George and his family don’t make any sense.”

“Who’s second in charge?” Casey asked.

“Bill Derer. He’s on vacation with his family, skiing at Mammoth.”

“I’ll get him back.” Casey, rose to his feet. “Until then, Agent Vessler, I’m putting you in charge of the local DEA office.”

Vessler took a deep breath. “Then I better get back to the office. Come on, Danny.”

“Right behind you.”

After the two left, Danielle brought up a new screen on her computer and pecked some keys. “I’ve got something. Hong’s calling a meeting of the Black Dao’s senior leadership. It’s at the Black Jade Dragon Restaurant, today at noon.”

Tanner glanced at his watch. “Three hours.” He looked at Casey. “How fast can you get Derer back here?”

“We have to find him first.”

“Black Bear Lodge,” Danielle said. “I have the phone number right here.”

Casey closed his eyes and shook his head slightly. “Give me the number.”

“What are we going to do, Boss?” Liam asked.

Tanner exhaled. “No telling when and where Rhee is going to use that ammonia nitrate. So, the gloves come off. We’re going to have a talk with Billy Hong about a drug lab.”