Southwestern Colorado

October 15

EOO Chief Montgomery Pierce turned up the volume on his television when a graphic came on highlighting the countries reporting outbreaks of the mysterious H1N6 virus.

“Officials at the CDC are refusing comment on unconfirmed reports the deadly virus may be a biologically created weapon of mass destruction,” the newscaster reported. “Sources at the White House tell CNN that scientists have been unable to isolate the mutation that distinguishes H1N6 from other varieties of swine flu, possibly because it was genetically engineered to evade detection. The fact that the outbreak began in several countries almost the same day, with no apparent commonality between the first patients, reinforces suspicions that this new strain was created in a lab and deliberately released. The sources would not speculate on who might be behind such a well-orchestrated threat.”

Pierce turned down the volume. The report contained nothing new. He’d been briefed two days earlier by his contact at DOD, the deputy director of the military intelligence service, who had called to solicit the EOO’s help to track down the origin of the virus. Pierce had immediately recalled Reno, their computer expert, to see what he could uncover by hacking into the databases of known biotechnological and pharmaceutical companies. Their resident biochemist and virologist, meanwhile, would be provided a sample of the virus and workspace within the Bio Safety Level 4 section of the U.S. AMRIID facility.

Pierce didn’t think either move would be of much benefit. Their biochemist was an exceptional scientist, but why could he come up with anything faster than any other expert currently trying to analyze the virus. And Reno’s chore could involve months, even years, of work. Scores of known labs existed worldwide, and countless covert ones as well, and most of the databases were encrypted to guard against corporate espionage.

He absentmindedly tapped the smooth surface of his desk. He hated feeling powerless against such a threat. The EOO was used to getting results. Its motto was “Failure is not an option.” But they needed a lead. He expected one government or another would ask them for additional help soon, so he’d put three more of his top ops—Allegro, Domino, and Lynx—on standby.

A knock at his door signaled the arrival of Joanne and David Arthur, whom he had summoned. At least they might be able to do something about this other matter. “Come in.”

They entered and headed for the two cushioned armchairs opposite his desk.

“What’s this about, Monty?” Arthur asked. “You pulled me out of a jujitsu class.”

“You don’t say,” Monty couldn’t help remarking, and Joanne laughed. It was rare to ever see Arthur without his fatigues, but he’d arrived in his well-worn gi, the thick white robe-like uniform he used when teaching martial arts.

Arthur frowned and looked at his watch.

“Point taken, David, this won’t take long,” Pierce said. “I just got a call from a London contact at SIS. The FARC kidnapped Derrick Anderson-Howe’s daughter Zoe five days ago. They’re starting the usual negotiations, but asked for our help in getting her out. Apparently they heard rumors we have someone in place down there.”

“How did that happen?” Joanne asked, concern deepening the crow’s feet at the edges of her vivid green eyes. “Surely no one here would compromise Fetch.”

“I’m certain that’s not the case,” Pierce replied. “I’d be willing to bet someone at MIS dropped that little tidbit. I’d liked to have kept them out of this, but Fetch needed those FARC codes before she went in, and we couldn’t get them anywhere else. I didn’t trust asking anyone in the Colombian government or military. There’s too much corruption down there.”

“Fetch already has a lot on her plate right now,” Arthur said. “And it’s taken her half a year to finally be in position to get good intel on the hostages she went in there for.”

“Agreed,” Pierce said. “But we can ask her to see if she can find out anything about Zoe Anderson-Howe as well.”

“When she calls again, which probably won’t be for another two or three weeks at least,” Joanne reminded them.

“Perhaps she’ll contact us sooner, if she can find a quick way to get them out of there,” Pierce said. “In any case, I’m adding this woman’s dossier to the Operation Boomerang case file. It never hurts to have SIS owe us a favor.”

Date: 2015-01-11; view: 785