Shadow Rising (A Lacy Merrick Thriller Book 2) Read online

  On the drive back, he considered what staying with Lacy would mean for him. He cared for her deeply, maybe even loved her, but he was torn because she was Jay’s wife after all. A sense of betrayal crept up inside him. But they needed each other if both were to survive the coming days and weeks ahead.

  He’d felt a small glimmer of hope that Lacy had refused Will’s invitation to stay with him. While it made infinitely more sense than for her to stay at her home, Aaron couldn’t help but think that perhaps she didn’t have feelings for Will, as he’d suspected.

  But in the end, he supposed none of that mattered right now. Feelings couldn’t be allowed to get in the way of his goals. And on his return, his task awaited him. Agent Axell had given him new information on Ahsan Sajwani. It seemed he was back in Jian’s employ. It would be up to Aaron to do what he did best, and that was to work around the security measures and protocols in place in the many CIA databases to garner a location and any other pertinent information on the man.

  He shared close quarters with other analysts who were also contractors. His mentor, Renee, had finished her training and he was now assigned specific duties as it related to the filtering of data acquired through the NSA and a multitude of other government agencies.

  But getting to the information he now needed would be no simple assignment. Access was monitored and that would be the first thing to circumvent, although Axell was able to offer assistance in that area. He and whoever worked with him had given Aaron a sign-in to a database that he would not normally have access to. This was a work-around for the first item on the list—find out where Sajwani was and if he had already made other travel plans; particularly US travel plans. He needed to find out if Sajwani was traveling under an alias, and if he’d left Dubai, which was where they were sure he was, considering the death of the Panama bank president.

  Aaron snuck a glance to his counterparts who were busy with their own assignments, legitimate ones that he’d been hired to complete and would do so, but not yet. Not until he got what he needed. He attempted to log in using Axell’s bogus information. And it worked. A knowing smile briefly masked his face. He continued to probe inside the unfamiliar territory. This system was like nothing he’d ever come across before. It was thrilling and terrifying at the same time. Aaron had always considered himself an expert, but in looking at the sheer complexity of this system, he found he was sorely mistaken. An expert, perhaps, in the world of weak corporate security and downright pathetic security of such important institutions as banking and online retailers. But this was the CIA.

  He marveled at the ease of use, and the power it contained. And with some additional keystrokes, Aaron gained access to Sajwani’s passport information. He, in fact, had travelled under his own name to both Beijing and Dubai, which seemed, at first glance, a careless move. However, upon further inspection, there was nothing of note in his documents. No refusals of entry; he wasn’t on any “no-fly” lists. By all accounts, Sajwani would no more gain the attention of security agents than Aaron himself would. That was where the danger lay. Sajwani was free to travel anywhere and by any means. But would he do so here in this country?

  Aaron tracked down the residency status of Sajwani and noted he was still a legal resident of Dubai, though he’d spent a fair bit of time in Beijing and, prior to that, had of course, been to the US for a brief period of time. At which time, he’d murdered several people on Jian’s behalf, though only Aaron and a handful of others were privy to that information. It was information that could come back to haunt him. What he needed to know now, however, was Sajwani’s future travel plans.

  “Hey. What’cha working on?” Renee Childs now stood behind him.

  Aaron clicked off the screen before she could get a better look, but as he turned toward her, he noticed a suspicious eye cast in his direction. “Just processing the records request from Ops.”

  “Oh, okay.” Her downturned mouth and folded arms suggested she was not okay at all. “You’re a technical analyst, Aaron. You’d do well to remember that as a contracted member of our team, it is critical that you follow our protocols.”

  “Of course. I understand.” His pulse raced and he worked to steady the nervous twitch in his leg, something that always happened when he was about to get caught, which happened more frequently than he’d let on in the past. That was the reason why Agent Axell had to work so hard to get him here in the first place. Cleaning up his past wasn’t an easy thing to do.

  “Good. Then I’ll let you get back to work.”

  As she turned to leave, Aaron’s colleagues glared at him before finally turning away themselves. This wasn’t the way to start his burgeoning career in the CIA, even if he knew it would never last. The goal wasn’t to gain a lifelong job, but to get in and get out because when they got what they needed and got it out for all to see, everything would change.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Amid the dimming skies, Aaron walked out of the CIA headquarters building. Near the southwest entrance was a piece of the Berlin Wall and as he passed the monument, situated exactly as it had been in Berlin, the importance of what he was doing struck him in a most severe manner. Nothing in his life to date had been as important as this. Everything he’d gone through to help Jay and Lacy had been in search of justice for those killed in the attack. Those who no longer had a voice. And while Aaron never believed he would ever make such a contribution to society, staring at that wall reminded him of the power of the people. All people.

  He continued toward the parking lot and pressed the remote to open the driver’s side door. As he slid inside, a burst of fear surged in him at the sight of a head popping up over the rear passenger seat. “Shit! What the hell, Axell? You scared the shit out of me.”

  “Sorry about that. Just drive. Can’t take the chance of being seen with you here.”

  “How am I supposed to get through security with you back there? You’re not invisible, you know.”

  “I got it covered. Just drive.”

  When Aaron reached the guard gate, he flashed his badge and the guard didn’t bother checking the back seat. He only glanced at Aaron’s carrier bag lying next to him in the passenger seat, which had already gone through intense inspection before he’d been allowed to leave. Ever since Snowden, they didn’t chance anything being smuggled out of Langley.

  “Okay. We’re in the clear.” Axell raised his head once again. “What’d you find out?”

  “Is this how it’s going to be now? You’re going to sneak up on me?” Aaron was still pissed at the intrusion.

  “There’s no way I can risk association with you any more than I already have. Getting you here was one thing, but meeting up with you on a regular basis? That would raise some flags.”

  “Fine. Sajwani’s using his real name to travel. So far as I can tell, he’s still in Dubai.”

  “Good. I can work with that. Has he made any purchases that would indicate travel here to the US?”

  “Not that I could find. I’d just gotten into the information when my supervisor dropped in. I can’t be sure if she knew what I was looking at.”

  “Son of a bitch. I knew it was too soon to have you move on anything. But with Jian upping his own timeline, I didn’t have a choice. You’ll have to be more discreet next time.”

  “How the hell am I supposed to do that?”

  “Wait until there’s a meeting or, I don’t know, use your brain. You’re the hacker, not me.”

  “Okay, okay. I get it. I was careless. I’ll take better precautions next time.”

  “Let’s just hope there is a next time. You talk to Lacy yet?”

  “I had lunch with her today. I’m going to grab my stuff now and head over to her place. Now it’s your turn to do your job.”

  Axell eyed Aaron. “Yes it is. And don’t you worry about it. I got it covered.”

  7

  This was a mistake. In her heart, Lacy knew she should leave this place and now Aaron would be here with her. Both like fish in a
barrel, waiting to be picked off by Lei Jian’s men. Will was right and so was Trevor, but she refused out of a sense of duty to Jay. And now Aaron was walking up the steps to the front door. When he spotted her peering through the kitchen window, he shrugged his shoulders as if to say “what now?”

  Lacy dropped the curtain and made her way toward the door. Upon opening it, she spotted Aaron’s sparse belongings. “That’s everything?”

  “I don’t plan on staying long.” He leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. “Thanks for letting me hang out here with you.”

  “You can thank me when we both get out of this alive.” Will had pulled up in his car as she was ready to close the door. “I didn’t know Will was coming over too.”

  “He said he wanted to make sure we were on the same page and that Axell requested the three of us talk before continuing.”

  “It’s a little late for that, isn’t it?” Lacy said, waiting for Will to approach the entry.

  “Maybe it is. I think Jian’s got him on edge.”

  “He’s got all of us on edge.” She smiled as Will drew near. “I wasn’t expecting you. Come on in. Join the party.”

  “Thanks. Axell asked…”

  “I know.” She closed the door. “Well, here we all are once again. Can I get anyone anything?”

  “Just water for me, thanks. I’m still on the clock,” Will replied.

  The three made their way into the kitchen.

  “It’s quiet without the kids around.” Aaron appeared to regret the comment as soon as it left his lips. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”

  “Don’t worry about it. It is quiet. I thought I’d appreciate the silence, but no. The emptiness just widens the whole in my heart.” Lacy handed Aaron a beer. “And a water for you. So, what is it that Trevor wanted us to talk about?”

  “I was able to get some information today before I was cut short, and I relayed that to Axell. As of right now, Sajwani is still in Dubai with no immediate travel plans,” Aaron said.

  “Good. That buys us enough time to get set up here,” Will replied.

  Lacy’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean—set up?”

  “I’ve got a team heading over now. They’re going to set up surveillance: audio and video. We’re going to monitor your landline as well as your personal cell. Your work cell may already be monitored. I’m working on an answer on that.”

  “That’s information I could’ve used earlier.”

  “Why? Did something happen?” Will asked.

  “No. Just would’ve been nice to know that Big Brother is listening.”

  “It isn’t so much Big Brother as us. Our team. Axell’s people. We can’t take anything for granted right now. The pace with which Jian is moving leaves us no room for uncertainty.”

  “Where is all of this surveillance going to be sent? To Trevor?” Lacy asked.

  “He and Agent Colburn will be monitoring it directly.”

  “And what happens if Jian’s people come here?” Aaron asked.

  “I’ve kept a few people in my confidence. Agent Porter, for one. SSA Mendez has someone he trusts here as well. We’ve told them enough, but not too much.”

  “Sounds like our little circle has widened substantially. Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  “So far as they know, it’s just another operation. Lacy, we have no choice but to put our trust in more people. There’s no way we can approach this in the same manner as before.”

  “You mean running to a different place every day?” Aaron said.

  “Yes. We were in a regrettable situation then and Axell and I agree we can’t let that happen a second time. We have to be the ones in control. We have to set the rules this time. Jian won’t have his government to hide behind.”

  “Really? Then why was he released?” Lacy asked.

  “That’s a very good question. Maybe it was to show our government that the MSS still controls its own people. Maybe the previous minister had enough pull to have him released. Axell’s working on the details of why. I’m just trying to figure out how.”

  “What about the FBI director? Has anyone talked to him?” Aaron asked.

  “What good would that do?” Lacy turned to him. “They refused to believe, or rather, acknowledge the truth and what we went through to get to the truth. Director Mobley can’t help us. He already tried.”

  “She’s right. We’re on our own from a senior level standpoint. But we’re ready this time. And we have good people helping us.”

  The doorbell rang.

  “Speaking of good people, here they are now. That’s the surveillance crew.”

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Deputy Secretary Wendell Turner sat at his desk, head in his hands. Upon raising up again, his eyes met with the ambassador’s. “What are we going to do about this?”

  “I’ve put pressure on the ministry to take him back into custody, but they’re refusing. They say it won’t affect the US because his passport is still revoked. They believe they’ve resolved the matter of Lei Jian.” The US Ambassador to China stood almost at attention.

  “Of course they do. Pardon me, but I’m having a hard time believing this wasn’t timed perfectly. Right after the election, release one of their spies? What about Kendrick’s death? Does the Washington Field Office have any indications as to who’s responsible?”

  “Not that I’ve been told, but then, I assume you would know before I would.”

  “Right. I’ll meet with the agent-in-charge for an update.” Turner stood from his chair. “Damn it. Does their new minister really believe Jian will just sit back and do nothing? Do they not understand that he must still have friends?”

  “At this point, sir, I’m not sure he cares. I get the impression that they’ve washed their hands of him. Deputy Turner, Lei Jian is a powerful man with support from at least some in his government. While we can’t confirm he was responsible, in some manner, for the former undersecretary’s death, it’s highly likely he was.”

  “Of course he was.” Anger still seethed inside him. “Kendrick blew the whistle on him, and he won’t be the last on his list. He wants revenge for losing six months of his life, for losing the power he once had. It doesn’t seem to matter to him that we kept our end of the bargain in order to continue on the path to diplomacy.” Turner paused to gather himself. “We need to find him and put an end to this ourselves. We will not be held hostage by the new minister or by Lei Jian.”

  “I’ll keep you up to speed on any new developments.” The ambassador took his leave.

  The tale Turner had spun in order to keep the truth hidden had been successful. However, with Jian’s release, he stood to lose his credibility, and probably a hell of a lot more than that. Kendrick’s death was a major thorn in his side that had to be dealt with and he already realized he couldn’t buy the FBI agent’s loyalty. He’d put his toe in those waters and it was clearly icy. He knew damn well it had to be Lei Jian’s people, but he had to hope that the Bureau wouldn’t uncover the reason why.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  Lacy closed the door as the final crewmember parted. “I guess that’s it. My every move inside my own home will be monitored.”

  “It’s for your safety and Aaron’s,” Will began. “Jian has forced our hand. If his people come here, we’ll know. If they enter your community, we’ll know. You two will be safe here, and he knows it would be suicide for him to make any attempts at contact either at FBI Headquarters or Langley. Jian is brash, but he isn’t stupid.”

  “It’s just when we’re here,” Lacy added.

  “Yes. This is where he’ll think you’re the most vulnerable. But you’re not. Not anymore. Look, it’s getting late. I’d better be going.” He opened the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Aaron, Axell says you’re doing a great job. Thank you for your help.” He continued outside and rubbed his hands together for warmth as he walked toward his car.

  Lacy closed the door when he pulled away and turned to Aaron. “Guess we’re roomies now
.” She moved toward him. “I’m glad you’re here, though. I really am. It was my decision to stay here and I hope, for our sake, it wasn’t the wrong one. I’m going to head up to bed now. You know where your room is.” Lacy grabbed her cell from the side table and walked past him to the stairs. “Good night, Aaron.”

  “Good night.”

  Upon entering her room, Lacy was now particularly cautious about being watched. They hadn’t put a camera in her bedroom or bathrooms, but there were two mounted outside her window on the second floor in the event someone attempted to enter through her bedroom. But if they got that close, it would probably be too late anyway. A thought on which she didn’t care to dwell. Still, a creeping feeling crawled along her skin as she undressed.

  Climbing into bed, the loneliness weighed down her already heavy heart. She thought she’d made it through the worst of it. That her sacrifices were over. They were not. Not by a long shot. At least her children were safe. No one would connect the dots to her sister-in-law. That offered a great measure of comfort because, in the end, this was for them. For their future.

  As her thoughts turned to the friend she’d nearly forsaken, her gratitude extended to him as well. How much better off he would have been had Jay never reached out to him. But how much worse off she would be if that had been the case. Aaron was a blessing in disguise and it would be up to her to ensure his safety too. He was not cut out for covert espionage, but he was doing it for her. Perhaps Will had been right. Certain feelings had been directed toward her in recent weeks and she had chosen to ignore them. It was too much too soon and acknowledging them would be tantamount to betrayal in her mind, even if she had no intention of reciprocation. But she needed him; his friendship and his shoulder. It was selfish to think that way, but there it was. Maybe someday, when this was all over, maybe then she could consider an alternate future. That time, however, was not now.