The Bin Laden Plot

48 RESEARCH VESSEL ATLANTIS

Alvin bobbed on the surface, illuminated by bright white lights from Atlantis as the LARS A-frame was pivoted above the submersible. Inside the DSV, Christine waited in anticipation; it wouldn’t be long before the DNA sample was analyzed. Two portable DNA-scanning machines had been loaded aboard Atlantis before it had left port for tonight’s mission. McFarland had hand-selected the accompanying DNA technician and supervisor, both chosen not only because of their proficiency with the portable scanners but also their clearances, having been read into the most sensitive CIA programs.

Neither technician had been briefed about Neptune Spear, but that wasn’t necessary. They just had to determine how closely the sample taken from the body on the ocean floor matched the two samples in their possession: one of Osama bin Laden taken from CIA archives, and another one from bin Laden’s sister, who had been treated for cancer in the U.S., with the latter provided as a backup sample in case there was an issue with Osama bin Laden’s.

Both men were waiting topside on Atlantis as Alvin mated to the LARS and was lifted from the water. The A-frame then pivoted the DSV over the ship’s stern, where it was lowered to the deck. Christine climbed through the hatch as the DNA sample was provided to an awaiting CIA technician, and she joined him as they headed toward one of the labs aboard Atlantis, which had been set aside for their use.

Inside the laboratory were two IntegenX portable DNA scanners — a primary and a backup — each the size of a laser copier. Christine shed her borrowed sweater and sweatpants as the technician prepared the sample and added the refrigerated reactive agents, then began the analysis simultaneously on both machines.

The DNA taken from the corpse on the ocean bottom was being compared to the two sample profiles loaded into the scanners, identified only as Sample #1 and Sample #2. Both machines processed the DNA strands until they finished their analysis an hour later. Christine joined the men as they read the information on a color screen built into each scanner. Each machine displayed identical results, which the supervisor explained.

“A comparison with sample one,” he began, “indicates the two individuals are siblings.”

Christine nodded. Sample one was from Osama bin Laden’s sister.

“Sample two,” he said, “matches the sample just obtained.”

The remains on the ocean floor were Osama bin Laden’s.

“Are you sure?” Christine asked. “What’s the probability the two samples are from different men and the machines improperly correlated them?”

“There’s always a possibility without full DNA sequencing, but the odds in this case are extremely slim.”

“How slim?”

“Based on the DNA site matches identified, the odds of these two samples being from different men is about one in a hundred million.”

Christine thanked both men as relief washed over her. The thought that bin Laden was still alive and his existence concealed by a rogue intelligence organization had weighed heavily on her. At worst, the man taken prisoner at Abbottabad was a courier, and keeping his capture secret while information was extracted from him made perfect sense.

At this point, it probably wasn’t all that important to find the courier. He had likely been disposed of years ago, once he had exhausted his usefulness.