BlackStar Mountain Read online

  Oglesby grabbed his hat and briefcase and fled from the room.

  The BSOG was seated around the conference table munching donuts and drinking coffee. “Probably shouldn’t have jumped on him in front of y’all.” He said it to the whole team, but looked at Nora as he did.

  “I thought you handled it quite well, dear, considering.”

  Bart released a whoosh of air between pursed lips. “Need to get back to trackin’ down Eichner and the nukes...Everyday we’re out of full operation, the trail gets a little colder.”

  Benson spoke up, in spite of a pounding headache, “I agree, sir, but ops aren’t at a total standstill...Jay and I’ve been following through with the intel we got from Nevada.

  “We sent out photos of the suspect vehicles and got back some pretty good leads...Best one came from Ely, Nevada. A sheriff’s deputy interviewed the owner of an RV park who says he definitely remembers the rigs...Says he heard Russian accents.”

  “Best news I’ve had today...When did the report come in?”

  “Yesterday...Got put in the wrong box and finally showed up this morning.”

  “Would’ve had an extra day if we were in our new office.”

  Nora interjected, “We can’t say that for sure...I have to admit, though, I’m getting a little tired of working out of a briefcase...”

  “We all are, and as of today, it’s gonna come to a screechin’ halt. I’m pullin’ Eagle One out of the storage lot...We’ll use it till we get into the mountain. In the meantime, Mary, take Jay, Jake, and Joanna with you to Ely and check out that lead. Talk to local businesses...See if you can pick up Eichner’s trail.”

  “Sure, Boss...Any specific cover?”

  “Doesn’t matter...Tell ‘em you’re FBI trackin’ down a child abduction...Oughta get ‘em on your side.”

  “Yes, sir.” Mary picked up a phone and ordered the helicopter crew to be ready to go wheels-up in thirty minutes.

  Jake and Joanna had already left for the secure warehouse holding bay where their gear was sitting on pallets. He knew right where he’d find the FBI badges and ID’s, as well as ballistic vests and jackets emblazoned with FBI logos. They gathered the rest of the weapons and gear they would need, including plenty of ammo.

  Mary and Jay headed for the helipad to brief the flight crew on their destination.

  Bart wiped his face with his hands and sat with Nora in the silent conference room. “Am I doin’ this right?”

  “Which part, pushing Smithson, or sending them to Nevada?”

  “Either one. The Director will back me and I have a hunch that Eichner and the Russians were in Ely.”

  “You seem to be leading things in the right direction.”

  “Hope so.”

  “You’re doing everything right...It’s just a matter of time before it all comes together.”

  “What would I do without you?”

  “Don’t know...and you don’t get a chance to find out.” She leaned over, took his arm in her hands and laid her head on it.

  CONSORTIUM LEADERS CONFERENCE

  LEIPSIG ALPINE RESORT, SWISS ALPS

  “Conference attendees, please be so kind as to move into Conference Room A.”

  All doors were double locked and a discrete armed security person was prepared to intercept any unauthorized attempt to enter.

  Gunter leaned over to his escort. “How many people attend these meetings?”

  “Usually around a hundred primary agents. That’s about all this room can comfortably fit. Plus, this group speaks English, which means no need for translators.”

  Crystal chandeliers provided more than ample lighting and plush commercial carpet deadened background noise. A small stage at the center of the back wall held a lectern, with a white-haired man in his early seventies behind it. He chatted softly with two of his assistants and kept the talk out of range of the microphone.

  Small in stature, he wore a plain-brown herringbone suit that was fashionable and conservative. A custom-made beige shirt was accented by a dark-brown tie held in place by a simple tie clasp. He could easily be mistaken for a bank manager or director of a jewelry exchange.

  Instead, he was one of the most powerful sources of international intelligence information in the world. Rumor had it he was part of the old Soviet Bloc regime and had led clandestine espionage work for one of the countries that was now ostensibly independent.

  Unwilling to work for fledgling governments that preferred the chaos of a newly formed democracy over the predictable structure of the old Soviet Union, he went underground with a plethora of assumed identities.

  As the former head of deep-cover operations around the globe, he held the account numbers and codes to hundreds of millions of dollars in over two-dozen foreign banks. The money quickly disappeared into his private accounts.

  The Commissioner spent a few years cultivating contacts and gathered around him operatives who also abhorred the restrictions placed on them in an open society.

  The organization grew quickly and a few years later had corporate and government clients willing to devote large sums of money and resources to obtain information that did not put their own operatives at risk. It also allowed them to disavow any operations carried out on their behalf.

  The Commissioner leaned into the microphone and spoke in a deep, quiet voice that brought all conversation in the room to an abrupt halt.

  “Most of you know me only as ‘One,’ or The Commissioner and that is how it shall remain. Some have questioned the need for secrecy and some have taken to using their real names in interdepartmental correspondence.”

  He paused and made eye contact with every member of the audience. “That will cease immediately. Any use other than in private, will result in confinement. If the disclosure results in serious harm to us, the punishment may even include extreme elimination...Do I make myself clear? Everyone nod.”

  Gunter nodded along with the rest.

  “Before we begin our review of quarterly earnings, there is an item I would like to share...Our project to acquire thermonuclear devices has unexpectedly stalled, due almost entirely to the reconstitution of an enforcement section within the American NSA previously thought to be defunct.

  “Our sources tell us it is designated as the BlackStar Operations Group. Even the name itself is being held in the strictest of confidence. Intial indications point to it being involved with the safeguarding of US nuclear devices.

  “Alert your people to its existence and ask them to report contact with any suspected members of this group. Now let us begin with a report from our European section.”

  Gunter leaned over to C-31 and whispered, “Did you know about this BlackStar thing?”

  “We’ll discuss it later,” she replied with a sharp edge to her voice.

  ADMINISTRATION OFFICE

  UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO

  BOULDER, COLORADO

  “I hope you like your dorm room, Miss Martinez,” said the blonde-haired assistant to the Dean of Alumni Relations.

  “Please call me Licia, and yes, ma’am, it’s nice...I did expect to have a roommate.”

  “The building you are in is reserved for students with special security needs...Usually children of foreign dignitaries, or high-profile celebrities.”

  “I know...I bumped into Star Jackman...Her mom’s Joan Jackman, lead singer of the Rock Rats.”

  “Yes, that’s been a very delicate situation. She’s starting her sophomore year with us.”

  “I saw on Entertainment Showcase that she was asked to leave two other schools. She doesn’t seem like the type to cause trouble.”

  “Left alone, I don’t think she would be the source of any mischief. Unfortunately, her mother’s reputation as a partyer seems to have become attached to Star. We’re hoping to keep it under control. She’s been assigned a protective escort who will separate her from negative influences.”

  “Think it’ll work?”

  Sally raised her eyebrows. “Time will tell.
”

  “I feel sorry for her, having to live down her mother’s reputation...Like I said, she seems nice.”

  “Maybe you can offer to hang out with her and be a positive influence.”

  “Have a feeling most of my time will be taken up with studying...Picked up textbooks and syllabi for my classes. Looks like it’s gonna be tough.”

  “Judging by your transcripts, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble.”

  “Hope not...I have a lot riding on this.”

  “Feel free to see me if you have any concerns. I understand you’ll also have an escort who’ll be staying in the adjoining room.”

  “Yes, my uncle insisted.”

  “What did you say he does?”

  “Information technology in California.”

  “In the new area they call Silicon Valley?”

  “Yes, in the northern part. He’s concerned about rivals kidnapping me.”

  “I understand both of your parents are gone.”

  “Mom died from cancer a few years ago and Dad was killed in a boating accident.”

  “I’m so sorry...”

  “It’s okay...I’ve gotten over the initial shock with the help of Uncle John and the people who work for him. Still adjusting to some things, but I think being in school will help keep my mind off the bad stuff. Anyway, thanks, Miss Hawthorne, I appreciate your concern.”

  “You’re welcome, Licia...That’s why I’m here.” She stood and opened the door to the waiting area.

  An NSA operative in casual clothes stood and smiled. Tall and lanky, she was physically fit without being bulky.

  Sally extended her hand. “I hope you found the security in the dorm to be adequate...I’m afraid I didn’t catch your name.”

  “Gwen Harding...Few minor areas of concern I’ll address with security people in the building...Getting with them this evening.”

  “I’m sure your concerns can be resolved. Did you liaise with Campus Police?”

  “Did...Met with the Chief earlier today...Seems to run a tight ship.”

  “Yes, they see all of the usual crime any small city would, but are also expected to protect students from harming themselves with extracurricular activities. It’s the first time away from home for many, and they’re expected to experiment a little, but not to the point where they’re injured or preyed upon. Campus police walk a razor’s edge between being guardians and enforcing the rules.”

  “Don’t think that’ll be a concern as far as Licia goes...She’s pretty levelheaded.”

  “Yes, we had a very nice chat...Now, unless you have questions, I have some calls to make.”

  “No, ma’am.”

  Licia waited to speak until after they left the building, “Are you happy with security?”

  “Not a hundred percent, but it’ll do.”

  “You think the Russians will come after me?”

  “Can you think of any reason they might?”

  “Not really.” Except maybe the account numbers in my journal.

  “I imagine Banner’s just being careful. If he was really worried, there’d be a team of ops providing 24/7 double-coverage. .. Technically speaking, I’m here to protect you in case you’re needed to testify at future trials.”

  A van with plumbing company graphics was parked a short distance away and two men watched them from the back.

  “Think they made us?” the younger of the two posed the question.

  “Doubt it,” came the reply. “Just hope we can get our people into the dorm...Sure make it a lot easier to tail her. Kinda hard for us to fit in...Look like a coupla dirty old men hanging around campus.”

  “And I’m gettin’ real tired of this cramped van.”

  “It’s what we get paid to do.”

  “I know, just bored.”

  “Better bored than dead.”

  “Heard that.”

  “Take the driver’s seat...We’ll see what exciting destination they have in mind next.”

  He started the engine and followed the two women at a discrete distance.

  GOLD MINER RV PARK

  ELY, NEVADA

  “I’m getting really tired of being a day late and a dollar short,” Mary Benson said. “Every time we get a lead on Eichner, he disappears into thin air.” She looked down at the registration form she had gotten from the manger of the RV park. “Couldn’t swear to it in court...but, my guess is handwriting’s a match.”

  Jay Johansen stared at the form, even though he had a good look in the park office. “No argument there...So, where do we go now?”

  “Not sure...have to think it through. Why in the world would they stay at a place that’s so obvious? Had to figure we’d know about the camping bus, especially after they gunned down that deputy. This place even has video surveillance...Eichner looked up at the camera and smiled...like he’s taunting us.”

  “Don’t know...Maybe he’s...”

  “Sorry...just blowing off steam.”

  “I know, but follow through on the taunting-us-thing. Let’s say he knew we’d likely find this place, or even wanted us to...Might be leading us around by the nose.”

  “What’re you saying?”

  “Think it through from his point of view. He’s trying to get away with the most closely guarded material in the world and knows hundreds of agents are on his tail...Pretty much has to travel by land, so how’s he supposed to get away?”

  “Think I know where you’re headed...They’ve got to become functionally invisible.”

  “Exactly. I remember from my Ninja classes...”

  “You took Ninja classes?”

  “When I was a teenager.”

  “Didn’t know that and, of course, will never let you forget it.”

  “It was during the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle craze. Lotta guys took classes...What? You’re laughing at me?”

  “No, smiling...Actually, it’s kinda cute.”

  “Cute?”

  “Yeah...Sorta blows the stick-up-your-ass image all to hell.”

  “Stick up...Now you’re mocking me...”

  “No, I’m not...Anyway, back to the Ninja thing...What does it have to do with Eichner?”

  “Maybe nothing...But, we did scenarios to figure out how modern-day Ninja would do things...”

  “There’s such a thing?”

  “You bet. All the reasons they existed in feudal Japan are here today...Everything from personal protection to corporate espionage. You didn’t think they’d run around in this day and age in all black outfits with hoods, did you?”

  “Never thought about it.”

  “Back then, they dressed to blend in with the night and with the people around them.”

  “Makes sense. So, how do modern-day Ninjas dress?”

  “To blend in with a crowd.”

  “How does that relate to Eichner? How’s he supposed to hide nuclear weapons, firearms and a bunch of guys traveling with him?”

  “By looking like they’re supposed to have the weapons and nukes.”

  “Yeah, right,” she replied sarcastically. “Only people like that are DOE Couriers...”

  “Bingo!”

  “What you mean is they may have somehow gotten hold of trucks, vans, and weapons that look just like the equipment DOE uses...”

  “Or the actual equipment...DOE contracts with trucking companies. Who’s to say that someone with the right contacts and enough money couldn’t get their hands on it?”

  “Suppose it’s possible...with the right pull.”

  “Our guy has seven hundred million and was part of a deep-cover spy network...Not much of a stretch to put them together,” he said.

  “I don’t know...”

  “Not saying that’s what happened...But let’s not close the door on it.”

  “Won’t,” Mary replied. “Everything needs to be considered. So, let’s start here, since this is as far as we’ve tracked him and his crew...Speaking of that, how would Eichner make contact with Russian smugglers? Co
ver story says he was a contractor...Wouldn’t run across high-tech smugglers in that business, would you?”

  “No, unless they were also deep-cover spies. Maybe trained together or knew each other from the old Soviet Union...Or were introduced by their handlers.”

  “Could be...so back to where we were...They got this far using the school bus and trailer, along with a few other vehicles...So what happened to the rigs...Couldn’t vanish into thin air, could they?”

  “No, but we’ve been looking for specific vehicles...They switch to new ones...It’d look like they vanished.”

  “This is giving me a headache.” Mary rubbed her temples. “Let’s go back to what you said...Suppose they did switch...We’ve had BOLOs out for the vehicles long enough for them to show up. They’d have to have someplace to hide them...What does your Ninja training say about that?”

  “Besides blending in with a crowd, we were taught the best way to hide sometimes is in plain sight.”

  “How’s that apply here?”

  “Don’t know for sure. We’d have to find where the fresh vehicles were stored until they needed them. Then, you’d have to have a place to hide the old vehicles for as long as possible to delay finding them.”

  “Storage lots?”

  “Too obvious...First place anybody would look.”

  “Truck stop?”

  “Any vehicle that’s parked too long, or without permission, draws attention.”

  “Repair shop back lots?

  “Maybe.”

  “Warehouses?”

  “Possibility...but the owners might remember them.”

  “Unless Eichner or the Russians own the building.”

  “Could be...So, how do we narrow that down?”

  “Put two and two together. Buildings big enough and hiding in plain sight...How about mining? Seen plenty of evidence it’s a big deal around here...Trucks and big buildings go together with mining.”

  “True...Where you wanna start?”

  “Most obvious place is local gendarmes.”

  “Wonder where the local cop shop is?”

  “Let’s drive into town and find a patrol car...Besides donut shops, they probably know how to get to their building.”