"Well… the assistant was from overseas — I knew you’d want to be thorough."
Gunner leaned back again in his chair. I surmised I was about to receive some wise advice from the seasoned law man.
"You realize, Beck, that the assistant may be another victim, and not at all culpable in this mess?"
"Good word, Gunner… ‘culpable.’ "
That crack earned me a steely stare from behind the desk.
I continued.
"I suppose that’s true. But can I convince you to accommodate my whims anyway?"
Gunner paused a long ten seconds. He was pretending to think it was a dumb idea. But he has always been a bad actor… and a thorough investigator. My concern wasn’t so farfetched that he was going to ignore it.
"All right, Beck. I’ll have the BCA check out the phone deal… but just so we’re clear, this is a favor. I don’t take orders from you."
I nodded and tapped my temple. "Got it."
" ‘Course I can’t guarantee the BCA’ll do anything about it. They don’t work for me, ya know."
Gunner aimed a forefinger across the desk at me.
"And if I catch any crap for making this request, you will owe me one."
I had gotten what I wanted. No point picking a fight.
"You have a deal. Thanks, Gunner. And good luck with the investigation."
"Right. Well. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around."
"Oh, you can count on it."
And I left.
CHAPTER 2
Members of an Al Qaeda command cell gathered in a secluded European location. It was late at night. Their Mawlawi — their leader — had called this meeting. The four cell members sat in a tight circle on hard wooden chairs in the dimly lit, dank-smelling room. They spoke in Arabic. The Mawlawi spoke first.
"It is difficult enough to take a nuclear attack against the Americans without that cursed Mullah announcing our intentions to the world. He and his big mouth make our plans only much more difficult."
"This is true, Mawlawi. But at least the fool is well known for making claims which, in reality, are seldom achieved. In’Shallah, the infidels will pay no heed to his threats."
The Mawlawi considered the younger man’s statement.
"You may be right, Jamal. The Americans had knowledge, but did nothing to prevent our attack on the pagan towers." The Mawlawi straightened against the wooden chair back. "But regardless of American suspicions, we must proceed with our plan. We are more than a year in progress already. I only wish the overzealous fool would keep his mouth shut."
Swallowing his frustration with the Mullah’s bragging, the Mawlawi continued the meeting.
"Jamal." The Mawlawi looked, again, in Jamal’s direction.
"Yes, Mawlawi."
"Tell us of the target you have chosen, Jamal. Will it be visible? Will there be sufficient damage and death to assure international respect for our efforts?"
"There exists in the United States a total of sixty-six nuclear power facilities. Some are better protected than others. We needed to select a target that would be eminently achievable."
The Mawlawi nodded his agreement.
Jamal continued. "Although the infidels employ extreme security measures which prevent us from targeting New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, our final target lies close by a dense population in excess of 2,000,000 people — more than sufficient for our purposes.
"Furthermore, the attack will strike the geographical heart of America — where the pagan dogs have always before felt safe… and where they will never again sleep deeply. Their misplaced sense of security, of invulnerability, will magnify the psychological impact of our attack, while American overconfidence will simplify our breach of the facility’s lax defenses."
The Mawlawi allowed a brief grin. "Very good, Jamal. We will trust your judgment in this regard."
The Mawlawi now turned to Ali. "Ali, review the means of attack."
Perspiration beaded on Ali’s forehead. He spoke haltingly.
"Esteemed Mawlawi. The plan is to crash a large airplane filled with explosives into the building where spent uranium is stored." He looked to the Mawlawi for acknowledgment. The Mawlawi stared into space, his hands praying at his chin.
"Unlike the reinforced reactors," Ali went on, "these storage buildings are not well-defended from the air, yet they contains even larger amounts of radioactive material than the reactors themselves."
The Mawlawi still gave no reaction.
"An airport is located a mere ten kilometers distant from the target. By Allah’s will, a plane of sufficient size and strength has been delivered into our hands. Better still, the infidels themselves will unwittingly transport the airplane to the airport at the appointed time.
"These final factors have sealed our decision concerning the target."
Now the Mawlawi faced Ali and grinned.
"That is very good, Ali. Very good."
Now it was Rashid’s turn to report.
"Rashid," the Mawlawi continued. "You have chosen the warriors who will carry out this holy attack. Enlighten us."
"Mawlawi. We have among our number a sympathetic American who is employed at the target site. We recruited him some time ago and have great confidence in both his motivation and ability as regards this operation. His entire family died in a U.S. nuclear accident. He has sought revenge ever since.
"He is smart and innovative, though not highly educated. He also possesses excellent construction skills and has the ability to pilot an airplane. He will be our team leader in this mission."
The Mawlawi frowned. "How can we be certain the American pig will follow through with our plans? It is foolhardy to allow operational control to an infidel. Is it not, Rashid?"
Rashid shifted in his chair.
"Mawlawi, your point is well taken. But if I may speak, the Americans have made it most difficult to insert our primary forces inside their borders. It is my judgment that we must rely on the best personnel available to us in this location and at this time. We have no choice but to make use of the American.
Seeing that the Mawlawi remained unsatisfied, Rashid continued.
"But of course, we will have place a loyal observer — someone to ensure the infidel’s compliance and to intervene if the need should arise."
"Rashid, if we have a trusted fighter to observe, why not let place him in charge of the operation?"
Still seated, Rashid’s palms pressed onto his thighs.
"Mawlawi, our Muslim brother holds a respected position in the local community. His work hours, visibility, and responsibilities are such that he cannot divert sufficient time to lead the operation without attracting unwanted attention. I beg you. Oversight is within his limitations. But no more can be expected of him as regards this pursuit."
"I am not yet convinced, Rashid. But tell us the rest of your arrangements. Then I shall decide."
"Besides the team leader, we have enlisted two American anarchists to provide basic assistance. They will not possess full knowledge of our plans. Instead, we have fed them information aligning with their randomly destructive purposes.
"I have the utmost confidence that these two will not expose our intentions. But their… ah… utility is limited."