The Cartel Affair Read online

  “Check the rest of the hallways.”

  “Everything’s clear, Skipper.”

  “Prepare to breach the door on my command. Spider, how many guards inside?”

  “I see no guards inside, Skipper.”

  “Breach on one. Three, two, one.”

  The team breaches the door and secures the entryway to the room. Travis enters the room.

  “Travis, what in the Hell do you think you’re doing?”

  “Correcting a mighty damn big wrong. You try and set me and my team up, you better damn well be ready for the consequences.”

  “What the Hell are you talking about, set you and your team up? Set you up for what?”

  “Don’t play stupid with me. You know me better than that. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have proof to back up what I said.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Is that really the way you want to play this? Really? We know it was you who placed the phone call to Columbia. What I want to know is why? Who got to you?”

  “No one got to me. I went to them. You’re worth a lot of money to the right person. I made sure that Joanne made it worth my effort. I guess I should have known you would figure it out. I just figure I would be gone and untouchable by the time you did. You had to clear yourself and your team’s name first.”

  “That didn’t take much to do. You should have planned better.”

  “So, what happens now? You take me in and create another scandal for the President? Do you really think he’s going to let that happen?”

  “No, I don’t. You see, this is going to play out a little different than what you might think.”

  “What the Hell do you mean, differently?”

  “I mean permanently.”

  “You think you can just come into a foreign country and kill me and get by with it? You must be insane.”

  “We’re the CIA. We’ve been doing this sort of thing for years. I not only can, but will, and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.”

  “Does the President know you’re here?”

  “Do you think I would be doing something like this without the blessing of the man you’re trying to destroy?”

  “How do you plan on pulling this off?”

  “Sit down and let me tell you a little story. You’ll be killed by a radical group from Brazil that hates the United States. That will garner sympathy for the President. He in turn will retaliate against said group for the atrocities committed against the United States. This will in turn earn him support in the polls and help him win re-election.”

  “He’s so far behind in the polls that he can’t possibly win the election.”

  “That, my friend, is where you’re wrong. He will be seen as the President that’s cleaning up the corrupt government.”

  “You really are smarter than I gave you credit for. Hell, this just might work. Let me come back and help you with this.”

  “If you come back, then this won’t work. You’re the catalyst for this whole damn plan. If you’re not assassinated, then he has no reason to retaliate. Do you really think I would work with you after what you tried to do to me and my team? You’re not as smart as I thought you were.”

  “I can make it worth your while to let me escape. I’ll stay out of sight and not cause you any problems.”

  “Begging is not becoming of a man of your stature. Do I look stupid enough to fall for your bullshit?”

  “No, I guess not.”

  “At least your name won’t be smeared as a result of your assassination. Goodbye, Director.”

  Travis raises his pistol and pumps two rounds into his forehead. The Director slumps over on the couch. Travis and his team leave the room and drive to the airport. They’ll take commercial flights back to DC using alias names.

  FIFTY-SIX

  Washington DC

  “BREAKING NEWS. THIS is Cory Stevens reporting for NBC News from Washington, DC. CIA Director Peter Turner was found assassinated in his room at the San Marco Hotel in Brasilia, Brazil, this morning. It’s believed that he was there on official business. No one has come forward to claim responsibility as of this broadcast. The President is expected to hold a press conference later today. We’ll cover the press conference live as it happens. We now return you to your regular programming.”

  “Welcome to the Op’s Center, Mr. President.”

  “Thank you, Travis. You boys pulled it off without a hitch. I must commend you on a job well done. Now Travis, if we could get together in private to discuss what I’ll be saying in my press conference later.”

  “Yes sir, Mr. President, if you will join me in my office. Chuck, we’ll need you also.”

  “You fellows did a Hell of a job on this assignment. Now tell me what I need to say to the public.”

  “First, you need to express your sadness at what has happened. Then you need to show your passion and rage at what has transpired. Tell them we know who did this and they will be dealt with. Then you need to announce that Chuck Smith will be appointed as the new Director of the CIA. Now let’s get you back to the White House and ready for your press conference”

  “This is Cory Stevens with NBC News. We’re going live to the White House where President Carpenter will be holding a press conference about the events that unfolded this morning concerning CIA Director Peter Turner.”

  “Good morning, everyone. It’s with a heavy heart that I come before you this morning to announce that CIA Director Peter Turner was found assassinated in his hotel room this morning in Brasilia, Brazil. We have an active investigation going on in this matter. I’m not at liberty to discuss any details at this time. I’ll not be announcing who this person is, but at this time we are in the process of putting together a joint operation with the Brazilian government that will bring a swift and permanent resolution to this tragedy.

  Let it be known that the United States of America will not tolerate, nor will we stand idly by, as things such as this happen to American citizens. We’ll deal with this threat to America’s safety as a proud nation. Director Turner has served this nation proudly for over 30 years, and his death will not be taken lightly. I pledge to you that within 72 hours, this situation will be resolved, and it will be done forcefully and with impunity to those responsible. We’ll make a statement that every nation on this planet will understand. Do not rebel against The United States of America. I’ll personally oversee this action to its conclusion.

  As you all are aware, we have another situation in this country now as well - that of corrupt government officials. I will not tolerate this either. I’ll root out all those involved and bring them to justice. This cannot and will not be tolerated in our great country. The people of our country have elected these officials to work on their behalf and by God, that is what will happen. Those that choose to use this position for personal gain will not be tolerated by this administration. They’ll be brought before the courts and receive the justice that America demands.

  I must announce at this time that Assistant Director Chuck Smith of the CIA will be named the new Director of the CIA. Chuck has spent over 20 years serving his country with dignity and strength. He’ll make a fine Director for this agency. Thank you all for coming. Good morning. I will not be taking questions at this time.”

  FIFTY-SEVEN

  The White House – Oval Office

  TRAVIS WAITS IN the Oval Office for the President and Director Smith to finish the press conference and join him.

  President Carpenter and the director join Travis.

  “How did the press conference go?”

  “It went very well. There seems to be a lot of support to seek revenge for Turner’s death.”

  “Good. I’ve been looking at the poll numbers while the press conference was going on. According to the latest numbers, you seem to be back on top in the polls. Mr. President, you’re ahead by ten points in all the polls.”

  “I swear Travis, if you manage to pull this off for me,
you can write your own ticket for you and your team. You can never know how much your support and help in this matter means to me.”

  “Well Mr. President, this is a win for everybody, but especially for the American people, Sir.”

  “I just hope you’re right about this. Enough about me, let’s get down to discussing how we’re going to deal with this whole situation in Brazil. Chuck, what are your thoughts on the matter?”

  “With all due respect, Mr. President, I’m going to defer to Travis and his team on this whole idea. They’re the masterminds when it comes to pulling this off.”

  “I agree with you, Chuck. Ok Travis, what have you and the boys come up with?”

  “Well, Sir, who’s the biggest pain in the ass for the United States in Brazil right now?”

  “That would be the Partido Dos Trabalhadores group. They’re trying to stage a coup and influence the vote down there right now.”

  “Exactly, Sir. My team will go down to Brazil under the guise of escorting Turner’s body back to the United States for burial. While we’re there, we’ll locate and take out the leaders of the Partido Dos Trabalhadores and any significant players on the side lines. This’ll be a win for Brazil and for the United States interests in Brazil. I assume you’ve talked to the Brazilian Government?”

  “I have and they’re on board with us as to dealing with the people responsible for this tragedy. They wish to remain on the good side of the U.S. on this one. Besides, we take care of a problem for them also.”

  “Have you given them a name as to who’s responsible yet?”

  “Not yet. But I’ll make that call when we finish up here.”

  “Good deal, Sir. We can spend a couple of days doing recon and then on the day we leave for the U.S. with the body, we take them out and leave. No one will be the wiser and we get our revenge.”

  “That sounds like a good idea. Do we have any intelligence on where this group is located?”

  “Yes Sir, we do. They have several small groups located around the area, but the main group tied to the leaders operates out of Brasilia. They do this to gain an advantage on their enemies. They believe in the whole ‘Keep your friends close, but your enemies even closer’ concept. They’re well armed and train on a regular basis.”

  “How do you propose to get to them unseen?”

  “Leave that to me and the team, Sir. If you can arrange a contact for us within the government that has real time knowledge of the group and their strongholds, that would be most useful to us. Someone who has eyes and ears on the group.”

  “I’ll make arrangements and get that information to you.”

  “My team and I will leave in a few hours. We’ll get in country sometime in the morning. Arrange for the body to be ready for shipment in three days. That’ll give us enough time to recon and execute our plan. I know you and the Director have more business to discuss, so I’ll take my leave now and get back to Langley to prepare. I’ll wait for your call, Mr. President.”

  “Thank you, Travis. I’ll call you soon with the details.”

  Travis leaves and makes his way back to the Op’s Center to brief the team and awaits the President’s call.

  FIFTY-EIGHT

  Brasilia, Brazil

  TRAVIS AND HIS team receive the information from the President and board the C-130 Hercules for Brasilia. The President has made arrangements for the team to stay at the military leader’s home. That way, he can vouch for the team if any questions come up.

  Travis and the team arrive just after eight in the morning. They’re met at the airport by General Carlos Ramos, head of the Brazilian military. They’ll be staying at his home while they’re in Brazil.

  Travis and General Ramos discuss military tactics on the ride to Ramos’s home. The General is very interested in picking Travis’s brain about such matters in hopes of gaining new insights that he can use for his own army.

  They arrive at General Ramos’s home. Travis is surprised to find that General Ramos has a scale model of the Partido Dos Trabalhadores camp in Brasilia. This will without a doubt help Travis and his team.

  “This will definitely help us with the raid, General.”

  “I’m glad to hear this, Travis.”

  “Carlos, if we’re successful with this raid, I promise you that I’ll come back with my team and teach your guys special tactics and weapons in exchange for your help in this.”

  “Thank you Travis; that will be very much appreciated. I’ll look forward to it. I know you’ll be successful. Hopefully this will help you.”

  “This will help more than you know, Carlos. I wish we had this kind of intel on all operations.”

  “I have one small favor to ask, if I may.”

  “What might that be, Carlos?”

  “I very much wish to observe the operation in action. I know I won’t be involved, but might I ask permission to observe from a distance.”

  “I feel sure we can make that happen. How about if you observe from atop this hill? That should give you a good position to see everything that goes on.”

  “Wonderful. Thank you very much.”

  Travis and Carlos talk into the night and finally realize it has gotten late and they’ve had quite a bit to drink. Travis excuses himself and goes to bed.

  Travis rises the next morning and has General Ramos take him and the team on a ride past the camp. They stop on the hill that General Ramos will be observing from so he can get a bird’s eye view of the compound.

  “Travis, you must understand that I have a man on the inside of the compound. I must tell him when the raid will happen so he can get out before it all goes down. He’s a good man and I don’t want him to get hurt.”

  “Carlos, I’m afraid I can’t have those kinds of details released before the raid. I’m sure you understand. If you provide my team with pictures of this man, I assure you he won’t be harmed by us.”

  “I understand. I’ll make sure your team has pictures of my guy inside.”

  “I can’t promise that they won’t shoot him. Do they have any idea that he’s your man?”

  “None whatsoever. He’s been with them for over a year now. They trust him.”

  “Is there any way that we could talk to him before we go in?”

  “Yes, I can arrange for you to meet him this afternoon.”

  “That would be perfect. Does he know anything about the raid yet?”

  “I haven’t told him anything. I was waiting until you arrived to let him know.”

  “Good. I’ll handle how much he’s told and when.”

  Travis and the team spend an hour watching the camp and the activities happening inside. Travis decides to leave a couple of team members on the hilltop to observe the camp. He’ll rotate the guys in and out so that they can keep watch twenty-four seven until it’s time for the raid.

  “Boomer and Falcon, you have first watch. I’ll have someone on comms at all times in case they decide to do something, or you need to let us know something. The rest of you guys head back and get some rest. Trojan and Muskrat will relieve you at 18:00 hours. Carlos, if you can arrange that meeting with your man inside, I’ll wait to hear from you.”

  “I’ll call as soon as I find out anything.”

  Travis and the guys head back to the General’s house to rest and prepare for what they plan to do. Travis studies the model of the camp in the General’s house and struggles to lay out a mission plan. The General calls Travis and tells him they have a meeting set up for 16:00 hours. Travis continues to study the model until time.

  “Hello, Travis. This is Jose Hernandez. He’s my contact inside the camp.”

  “Thank you, Carlos. I’m very pleased to meet you, Jose. Let’s get down to business. Exactly where are the leader’s quarters and what kind of schedule do they have?”

  “The leaders stay in these buildings here. Everyone goes to eat at seven o’clock in the evening. That’s when they’re the most vulnerable. That’s when everyone’s relaxed and talking and
eating and not paying much attention to anything else. Jose points out each building as he’s explaining things to Travis”

  “Where does everyone gather?”

  “In this building here. Everyone eats at the same time “

  “Are any guards posted while they eat?”

  “Yes, usually three guards. One is stationed here, one here and the other one here.”

  “Does the location of the guards ever change for any reason?”

  “No. The same place every day at mealtime.”

  “How heavily are they armed?”

  “The guards always carry AK-47s. Each guard also carries grenades and a pistol.”

  “You’re sure that they’re always at the same place during the meal?’

  “Yes, always the same place.”

  “Is the perimeter of the camp booby trapped?”

  “Yes, it is. All except the back fence that butts up against the hillside. There’s nothing on this fence.”

  “How are the fences rigged?”

  “The other three fences have trip wires set to claymore mines. They’re rigged so that if the fence is cut, flares will launch to let them know where the intruders are coming from.”

  “Do you know how to undo the trip wires?”

  “No. This I know nothing about. I have no training in anything like that.”

  “Ok. Are there guards on duty continuously at night?”

  “Yes. They always have three guards on duty. The guards in the middle of the camp are in a tower. They have a machine gun as well as spotlights to sweep the camp with at night.”

  “How often do they sweep the camp with the lights?”

  “They constantly sweep the camp, but there’s only one light, so they can’t cover the whole camp at the same time.”

  “Is there anything else that we need to know about night routines in the camp?”

  “The leader, Manuel Ortiz, gets up all hours of the night and walks around. He’s always expecting something to happen and doesn’t trust many people.”