Chapter 15
The evening call was strained between Megan and Wade. Megan was tired from a long day at work, and Wade seemed unusually distant. With only two courses remaining before graduation, Wade had no need to talk about schedules as they had in the past.
Humor usually prevailed during their chats about their feelings for each other, but there was nothing lighthearted in this conversation. Both understood that nothing was going to happen in their personal life until their official reporting relationship changed in the next few months.
Megan was perceptive when Wade distanced himself from her. She had become skilled at reading his moods over the phone. But the strain of the conversation got to the point where Megan had to know what Wade was really thinking, and she wasn’t shy about asking.
“You sound like you’re a million miles away in some distant land.”
Megan’s comment caught Wade day-dreaming about the mission. He quickly responded with a cover story. “I was thinking how long it’s been since I’ve been on a fishing trip.”
Megan’s didn’t know much about fishing but thought his response was a little strange. She responded, trying to discover what was behind his words.
“I think a fishing trip would be a great idea. Where would you go?”
“I could go somewhere nearby, but that’s not real exciting. I really miss going out in the Gulf of Mexico for a few days. I’d have to pull together some friends to share the cost of a charter. I used to do that all the time when I was growing up.”
Megan knew Wade’s training schedule had been brutal. “You’ve got some time on your hands now. That is, before you come see me for the D.C. class. Listen, I know how important fishing and hunting are to you, so why don’t you go ahead and take that trip now?”
Wade was eager to respond. “You’re right, they are important. When I haven’t been fishing or hunting for a long time, I get moody.”
“I can’t handle moody.”
“Let me think about it. I’d probably leave from Louisiana or Texas, and go see my Dad before I leave.”
Still concerned about possible Agency involvement, Wade couldn’t share more details or the truth about his mission. He also didn’t want her to worry about his safety.
Megan anticipated his next thought. “You really should plan that trip while you can.”
“Perhaps I’ll be less preoccupied once I get it out of my system.”
“I think you’re right. I bet you’ll feel much better when you get back.”
Wade’s best instincts told him something was going to break with Mashburn soon. He didn’t know when, but wanted to be prepared when it happened. He stepped up his workout regimen. Vigorous twice-a-day workouts followed by three hours on the shooting range increased both his target-shooting accuracy and his physical stamina.
Wade liked to alternate firing ranges between Fort Rucker and the local police range to ensure he got practice on several different target profiles. His short-range rapid fire and long-range rifle scores ranked among the highest posted at each range.
When performing his rapid-fire sequence that morning, Wade’s jaw clenched when he imagined Mashburn’s face on the target. Solving Lockhart’s murder had by now become an obsession.
He went over and over the questions he would ask Mashburn and thought about what he would do to ensure he got the right answers. If Mashburn’s lips were truly sealed, Wade was prepared to terminate him. In addition to the details of Lockhart’s murder, Wade had to find out who was involved from his Agency and what they were trying to cover up. His future and well-being with the Agency depended on Mashburn’s answers.
After five more days of the same routine, Wade became bored with shooting targets, lifting weights, and three-mile runs. The same two questions kept rolling through his mind in a continuous loop: Where the hell is Mashburn, and what is he planning in Belize? He was ready to take action, but felt frustrated that Yari had no further news on Mashburn’s whereabouts.
The small Alabama town of Greenstone was especially peaceful that afternoon. After returning from three hours on the firing range, Wade had begun to doze off in his favorite arm chair when the phone rang. He jumped awkwardly, knocking over the receiver.
“Hi, it’s Yari.”
“Do you have anything?”
“Yep, Mashburn made his first call to Condor from a payphone at the airport in Panama. I now have a new ID on another Condor line. From their conversation, the extraction from Spain went as planned, without any problems. Condor wants Mashburn in Belize in three days, and he gave him a laundry list of things he wants done when he gets there. Condor is treating Mashburn like an errand boy.”
“Is Condor coming to Belize?”
“He hasn’t said, but my hunch is no. I also get the distinct impression that Mashburn is not running the assignment in Belize. Condor talks to him like he’ll be a waiter serving cocktails on the mission.”
“Do you have any more information on timing, dates, location, or the names of other operatives?”
“Hold on, partner. I’m tracking as fast as they give me information. Condor’s made only those two short calls.”
“Yeah, but Condor has to be talking to the other people. I thought you had a trace on all of Condor’s lines.”
“I don’t think I have all his outgoing lines. He’s probably not using the same lines for all his calls.”
“Can’t you monitor all of his lines?”
“I’m working on that angle, but my line tie-back comes from the original CID line he was using, and I’m pretty sure CID and Condor are no longer communicating on that line. Condor just uses that old line to speak with Mashburn.”
“You’ve got to find out how he’s communicating with the other operatives.”
“I’m on it. Oh, by the way, I found out more about the war games off the coast of Belize. It’s a big deal politically, for the purpose of showing off for the Russians and Chinese more than for other Central American countries. According to my internal military communications, we’re demonstrating to the big boys that we control the Gulf of Mexico region. Canada and Australia have now joined in the exercise along with the U.S. and U.K.”
“That seems like overkill and a bit ridiculous.”
“True, but remember Cuba is still a wild card in the Gulf of Mexico, and don’t forget Belize is asking for total independence from the U.K. in a few years.”
“Belize couldn’t survive a week without U.K. military protection. Their old adversary Guatemala or any one of the other bordering countries would crush them like a bug if they didn’t have the protection of the U.K.”
“I’m just sharing internal intelligence information that I read. What do I know?”
“Thanks for the information. As soon as you get anything on the operatives, location, or timing, let me know.”
“Did you ever decide whether or not to use Max?”
“No, not yet, but give me his number. I’ll probably want to talk to him. With Mashburn’s timetable being moved up, I’ll have to get down there right away.”
Two days passed without any news from Yari. After a morning workout and range practice, Wade made a sandwich and was just about to take the first bite when the phone rang. It was Yari, and his excitement level had nearly reached hysteria.
“I’ve got new intel on Mashburn!”
“Let’s hear it.”
“He’s rented a house in Belize for the meeting. Condor just wired him funds through a Panamanian bank. I was able to track another funds transfer to Mashburn that originated from a Brussels bank. I found out that Mashburn has a Swiss bank account as well. Condor wired Mashburn $28,000 after he left Spain.”
“That may be his contract payment for the Spain job.”