Director Shelby nodded at Carol Whitman, head of the National Security Branch, who stood up to address them.
"Reznikov told interrogators that he heard the Al Qaeda operatives mention a domestic terrorist group within the United States. This was a one-time conversation overheard by Reznikov in the laboratory. Unbeknownst to his benefactors, he speaks fluent Arabic. He told Sanderson's team that Al Qaeda had arrived at some kind of agreement with American ultra-nationalists. We think Al Qaeda might have entered into some kind of partnership with one of our domestic terrorist groups, which is why we want to appoint the two of you to lead a task force with the express purpose of investigating this possibility. Do we have a domestic terror organization that would consider working with Al Qaeda? It sounds like an awful stretch," she said.
"I'd start with True America. They have the most extensive physical network, and wouldn't have any religious objections to using Al Qaeda to achieve their goals. We haven't scratched the surface of their network, but they're rumored to have penetrated every level and walk of life in the U.S. We can start by focusing on known members employed in the Public Works sector, specifically anything having to do with state or local water systems. We might get lucky."
"If this shipment is inbound or already here, we'll concentrate on known fundamentalist cells near the True America members you initially identify. They'll have to come together at some point," Mendoza said.
"I assume that the canisters will be shipped to the Al Qaeda operatives. They wouldn't trust anyone outside of their own network to receive the bioweapon. If the CIA can get a shipping manifest soon, we might be able to intercept the shipments and roll up Al Qaeda operations in the U.S. before they make a handoff," Sharpe said.
"Sounds like we picked the right people to head this team. Pick your personnel from both sides. Finance and Operations. This has the highest priority, as agreed by everyone in the room. The task force will fall under the direct control of Carol Whitman. Any questions?"
"You mentioned that we might be working with Sanderson's people?"
"I was hoping you had forgotten that comment," Shelby said.
"It's hard to forget considering what he did two years ago," Sharpe said.
"Sanderson has operatives trained specifically to penetrate Arab fundamentalist groups like Al Qaeda. Arab-Americans capable of complete immersion…"
"It's too late to try and insert a deep cover operative," Mendoza said.
"I understand that, but they could be used to interface with True America. Possibly mimic one of the Al Qaeda cells. Our capacity to do this is extremely limited," Shelby said.
"Sanderson's people aren't exactly the kind you can restrain. We'll have to weigh this option carefully," Sharpe said.
"Maybe a little less restraint is necessary in the face of this kind of threat. This is ordered by the president, so let's figure out how to use them constructively. If you start to lose control of them, Carol needs to know immediately. I need to know. Don't think this isn't distasteful for me. We won't be parading them around headquarters or any of the field offices. This will be the most secretive aspect of the task force. Are we clear on that?"
Everyone sounded their agreement.
"Let's get the ball rolling. This is a twenty-four seven investigation, starting right now. Sharpe and Mendoza, start assembling your team," Shelby said.
"Forward your requests to Assistant Executive Director Gilmore. They'll be processed immediately. I expect this task force to be up and running by tomorrow morning," Carol Whitman said.
"That'll be all for now. Good luck, Agents. You're going to need it," Director Shelby said.
Mendoza and Sharpe left the conference room and didn't say a word until they were far outside of the executive wing of the J. Edgar Hoover Building.
"Looks like we're going to be up all night piecing this together," Mendoza said.
"I'm looking forward to it. We'll have to buy another leather chair for you. I foresee many long nights ahead of us," Sharpe said.
"I'll see about dragging a couch into your office. Damn, Sherry's gonna kill me. I'm supposed to be on a trip to the Mayan Riviera in two weeks," Mendoza said.
"Hope you bought trip insurance," Sharpe said and slapped him on the back.
"I always do," Mendoza replied.
Chapter 61
General Terrence Sanderson stared out at the HH-60H Rescue Hawk sitting in the middle of the dirt road outside of his headquarters lodge. The matte black helicopter was shadowed from the setting sun by the pines blanketing the foothills to the west. The grounding of this helicopter had pushed the president over the edge. Most of Sanderson's plan had been a bluff, with the exception of his threat to expose the helicopter and video evidence of the raid. Even that had been a bluff on many levels, since it would have achieved nothing for his organization. The helicopter was his trophy for now, until the U.S. government figured out how to insert a team to repair it. He imagined they would fly out using the same route and land it on one of their radar invisible destroyers. What a pain in the ass that would be for the U.S. Navy.
His satellite phone rang inside the lodge, and he opened the screen door to walk back inside. The plate of cookies still sat on the table, with one missing upon their return to the compound. He had found his note turned over, with a scrawled message at the top:
Expect resume shortly, LCDR Daly.
Parker knew Daly well from his time in the SEALs and said he'd make an excellent addition to their training or headquarters staff. He could possibly serve as a recruiter for more direct action operators. Now that Sanderson's people could come and go as they pleased, he was only limited by his imagination. He might even consider moving the training compound, though he was very comfortable on señor Galenden's property. He picked up the phone, recognizing the number.
"Bob's Used Helicopters…lightly flown and gently landed," he answered.
"Clever. I was going to wait a little while to get back in touch, but apparently we'll be working together, effective immediately."
"I heard the news about an hour ago. The rest of my group is on their way to catch the next available flights to Germany. Including the four already in Europe, that'll give them fourteen operatives to shake things loose over there. What a day this has been. I can't thank you enough for all of your help over the past couple of years. I'll buy you a proper drink when I get back to the States."
"I'll take you up on that. Until then, I'm working on a plan to find your organization a permanent home…or at least an official slot on someone's organizational chart."
"Don't do anything that's going to jeopardize your career. You've done enough for me already," Sanderson said.
"This is different. There's some serious talk about permanently assigning Special Operations assets to our spook friends. Langley has their own people, but the group is fairly small and highly compartmentalized. The National Clandestine Service has started to informally ask the Pentagon for help. Naturally, there's a lot of resistance from SOCOM. They don't like to give up operational control of their units, especially to the CIA…the two barely function together as it is. This might be a nice fit for you, and a chance to expand the program."
"This sounds exactly like the service we're already providing," Sanderson said.
"My thoughts exactly, and SOCOM wouldn't have to give up control of any assets. If things go well in Europe, you might just slide into this role without any help from your fan club in D.C."
"Thank you again for everything. I'll never forget this."