Second Strike

CHAPTER 48

^{NORTHERN VIRGINIA,}

^{AUGUST 16, 6:11 P.M. EDT}

The black Ford Explorer passed the dead man’s house and proceeded to the end of the block before turning right.

“Drop me off at that playground up ahead,” Garin said. “When you get back to Dan’s place make sure to call the FBI and tell them about the bodies in the woods.”

“What about the mole?”

“It’s pretty clear the mole knows about the bodies. Bor or someone associated with Bor killed those men. So it’s not like we’re letting the cat out of the bag.”

“Right.”

“Besides, we can’t just let those bodies lie in the woods. They need to be treated appropriately. Next of kin will have to be notified, arrangements made.”

“Do you want me to come back? Maybe bring some more personnel?”

“I’ll let you know if I need help.”

Knox stopped the vehicle near the playground beyond the view of the dead man’s house. Garin got out and waved Knox onward.

The playground was far from the best vantage point to observe the house. It was nearly two hundred feet from the front and afforded a view of only the front and west sides of the edifice. It would have to do.

The playground did have the benefit of providing a six-foot-high wooden fence that surrounded a collection of trash receptacles. Garin could lean against the fence and be hidden from view from any of the house’s windows. And that’s what he did.

There was no sign of activity. The drapes remained drawn. But for the four dead bodies in the woods behind the house, Garin would’ve concluded that the house had no connection to Bor. A reasonable person would think Bor would abandon the house for fear the four bodies would be discovered nearby. Therefore, reasonable people wouldn’t look for Bor at the house, which was precisely why it was a good place for Bor to be.

Garin settled against the fence and called Dwyer’s cell.

“Dwyer.”

“Congo call you?”

“He did. Those were good men. All my people are good people. They survived Fallujah and Ramadi only to die in tranquil northern Virginia.”

“I’m very sorry for you and their families.”

“Where are you?”

“At the dead guy’s house.”

“Don’t go in.”

“I won’t. But we need to keep eyes on. The execution of your four watchers proves the house is related to our old friend.”

“I’m all in, Mikey. Need anything from us?”

“Is Olivia still there?”

“Right across from me.”

“Can you forward this call to one of your secure phones? I need to give her some information.”

“Hold on.”

The line seemed to go dead for nearly a minute; then Olivia spoke from Dwyer’s communications room. “Michael?”

“Have you spoken to Brandt?”

“I have, and he’s going to brief the president. Not just about Bor, Michael. The Russians are doing peculiar things.”

“What kind of things?”

“There’s been considerable military movement. The Baltics, of course. Some of it appears to be staging movements. But there are Russian troops moving southward near the Caspian also, and Russian naval presence has increased significantly around the Persian Gulf.”

“You told Brandt this?”

“Yes. And he’s going to communicate his concerns to the president.”

“What are his concerns?”

Olivia was embarrassed. “Well, to be honest, I’m not really sure. I’ve told him that Bor’s possible presence in the US at the same time the Russians are involved in large-scale military maneuvers is something the president should be told about. He agreed.”

“There’s more, Olivia. Did Dan tell you about the suspected safe house and the four DGT men who were killed surveilling the house?”

“He did.”

“Also, earlier today five men tried to kill me.”

Garin heard a sharp intake of breath.

“Are you all right?”

Garin tried not to read into Olivia’s reaction, though the gasp made him pause.

“They’re dead. But that puts the exclamation point on everything to date. Not only has there been more than one attempt on my life, but there have been nine related killings in northern Virginia in a span of just a few hours. If there is any doubt something very serious is about to occur, it’s been completely erased.”

“I’ll let Jim know everything. I’m sure he’ll recommend to the president that the full resources of the intelligence community be applied to this.” She hesitated. “Are you all right?”

An expression of concern. Although it might not be anything more than simple courtesy. After all, most people don’t often talk with someone who’s been the subject of multiple assassination attempts. “I’m fine.”

“We have no idea what they’re planning, either here or in Russia, do we?”

“We can probably rule out an EMP attack.”

“But do you think it’s possible it’s something of similar magnitude?”

“I think it’s a mistake to underestimate the Russians and a mistake to underestimate Taras Bor.”

“I’m not sure we’ve ever underestimated him, Michael. He just seems always to stay one step ahead.”

“He’s more than just one step ahead now. He’s been invisible. But he’s here. There’s evidence of his presence from Dallas to Cleveland, from Atlanta to D.C.”

“Do you think he’s in the house?”

“Can’t say. Bor likes to move. If there’s anyone in the house, they’re part of his team. He might, however, drop in at some point.”

“You’re only there to perform surveillance, right?”

His subconscious registered the question as another possible expression of concern. “Just surveillance. We need to enlist the cavalry, Olivia. So impress upon Brandt the urgency of this. I need sanction and I need a reconstituted Omega, and I need them last month.”

“I will.”

“Good.”

“Just surveillance, Michael.”

“Just surveillance.”