Actually, I think al Humat’s already done that for us.
“Second question.” Prati advanced to the next slide, which showed the international radiation warning symbol. “Are they smuggling nuclear material from Iran through South America into the US through the drug tunnels? Again, we’ve got no proof. Does that mean it’s not happening? Of course not. We just haven’t caught anyone doing it. Another thing you gotta consider is that, theoretically, the drug cartels should not want any part of these terror groups.”
“Why’s that?” DeSantos asked.
“Simple. They got a good thing going. They bring in their product, they monetize it, and there’s not a whole lot we can do to stop it. We can narrow the hose and reduce what gets in, but the water still flows. And they make a shitload of money. Why risk it by working with a terrorist group, the most hated entity on earth?”
“Hang on a second,” Vail said, raising a hand. “So you’re saying they don’t work together?”
Prati chuckled. “Listen carefully, Agent Vail. I said ‘theoretically,’ didn’t I? Here’s how it works. They’re not officially working together. But it doesn’t happen at the leadership level where they formalize a partnership. A jihadist comes up to the guys running a particular tunnel and works a deal with them. They let him bring his stuff through and no one’s the wiser. Money changes hands, and bang. The material’s moved through the tunnel. Most of the drug activity takes place during the day so they can hide their semis in broad daylight among all the other legitimate trucks on the road. They don’t run their operation at night because they’d stick out like a red giraffe.”
“Instead of being idle at night,” Uzi said, “the tunnel makes them money and the jihadis’ product gets across the border. Everyone’s happy.”
Except us.
“So are they moving nuclear material through the tunnel?” Prati asked. “Why the hell not? These guys that run the tunnels, they don’t open the shipping pallets and look inside, I can tell you that. But it doesn’t have to come through South America. Everyone’s so fixated on Mexico, the southern border. What the hell’s wrong with Canada? We’re virtually telling these characters to come in from the north — we’ve got a huge border that’s even more porous than the southern border. And yes, before you ask, we have found some huge, very sophisticated drug tunnels coming across from Canada.”
The briefing room door opened and a man in casual dress clothing entered. “Excuse me. I have something for you, Director Lynch.”
Lynch waved his fingers, motioning him in.
“I’m actually done,” Prati said with a glance at his watch. “Unless you have any more questions, I have to brief DHS in ten minutes.”
“Thanks for your time,” Nunn said. “Any follow-up can be handled through Agent Uziel.”
Prati passed Uzi a business card, gathered up his briefcase, and then left the room.
Meanwhile, Lynch accepted, and signed for, a manila folder. As he read the document inside, his brow crested. “We found a fingerprint on a bomb fragment from the first blast. It came back as Qadir Yaseen.”
“Yaseen?” Uzi nearly rose out of his seat. “You sure?”
“What is it, Agent?” Knox asked.
“Yaseen is a very skilled bomb maker. He’s al Humat’s rock star, so to speak. Innovative, creative. Dangerous. Mossad tried taking him out twice and missed both times. If he’s involved in this …” Uzi’s voice trailed off.
“If he’s involved in this,” DeSantos said, “it’s a big operation.”
“Right. He doesn’t get involved unless it’s ‘worthy’ of his time and effort.”
Nunn slapped the table. “Enough of the doom and gloom. Our backs are against the wall. I get it. Everyone in this room gets it. But I want to hear how we’re going to get them.” He turned to Vail. “You’re with the BAU. Give us something to go on.”
“I have, sir. We understand the mind-set and we’re beginning to understand their motivation behind these attacks. I can tell you that like Islamic State, al Humat is not limited to Gaza and strikes against Israel. Hamas, al Humat, Islamic State, al Qaeda, they all have the same kind of charter — basically, they want to create a caliphate that will rule the world. An Islamic world, under their rule. While Hamas’s charter talks about world domination, it hasn’t moved beyond Israel yet. But al Humat, which cut its teeth in Gaza under Hamas’s tutelage, has.
“My sense is that they’re spreading their wings, trying to recapture legitimacy in their circles. Having been overshadowed by the younger and more ambitious ISIL, they are, in a sense, taking them on, challenging them for the spotlight. That’s why they’ve done something that ISIL has threatened, but hasn’t yet tried: carried out successful attacks on US soil.”
“You’re saying we’re in the middle of a parent/child spat, where one is jealous and acting out, crying out for attention?” Nunn asked.
Vail nodded. “The analogy is odd, perhaps, but the psychology is sound.”
“Why do you think this is an issue of attention?” Knox asked.
“The higher profile the attack, the greater the recognition. When ISIL beheaded James Foley, the media played along and gave them what they craved: attention, a world stage. Everyone suddenly knew who Islamic State was, even if they didn’t follow the news. That’s what al Humat is now after: a way to quickly grow its profile.”
“Al Humat is not nearly as well funded as ISIL,” Uzi said, “because it’s not trying to establish a nation-state and it hasn’t assembled a traditional army that can capture strategic resources, like banks and oil fields. But al Humat has no shortage of allies among fellow Islamic groups and Middle Eastern countries. And it’s got more than enough money to accomplish its goals.”
“Richard,” Nunn said. “The Pentagon’s plan?”
McNamara tugged on his tie knot. “We’re ready to mobilize when and if you give the word, Mr. President. This threat has the potential to move beyond anything we’ve seen. We need to prepare for everything. And the only way you do that is to take a cold, steely, hard look at it. Make an objective assessment. And get ready.”
“I agree,” Uzi said.
Shepard nodded.
Nunn pursed his lips. He considered the defense secretary’s remarks a moment, then said, “I don’t want to overreact here. We need to be measured in our response. Creating a panic in cities across the country will serve no one.”
Vail felt her lips moving before she could take a split second to filter her thoughts. “No offense, Mr. President. But I think blowing up a Metro station already did that. In essence, by striking our nation’s capital and killing innocent civilians, al Humat has declared war on the United States.”
There was silence. No one made eye contact with Vail — or acknowledged her statement — until Knox cleared his throat and said, “Agent Vail.” He gave her a look that she could best interpret as, keep your mouth shut.
Nunn, apparently recognizing that her comment demanded a response, leaned forward, his brow hard. “I do not believe, Agent Vail, that anyone has taken responsibility for the attack. Am I wrong?”
Vail shot a quick glance at Knox. Does he expect me to ignore a direct question? “No sir. At least, not directly. But Kadir Abu Sahmoud said—”
“Exactly. For now, we monitor and plan.” Nunn turned to Knox. “Douglas, the FBI will remain vigilant in its investigation and counterterrorism activities. Richard, the Pentagon will prepare a response plan if and when a response becomes necessary. Key targets, buildings, infrastructure. You know the drill.”