Chapter 4
“How can I help you today?” the salesman asked.
“I’m looking for a minivan”, Leah said with a smile.
“Great!” the salesman responded enthusiastically. “We have a selection right over here”, he said, then led Leah to the lot.
“I like this one”, Leah said, looking at a grey newer model.
”It’s a good one”, the salesman said. “Plenty of power under the hood, seats eight comfortably, tinted windows, all automatic, including the rear facing one, two benches in the back, blu-tooth hookup.”
“Do the back benches come out?” Leah asked. “Sometimes I need to remove them to fit in extra football equipment.” She smiled and then said, “I have two children, and they and their friends all play.”
The salesman looked Leah over. Chic daytime casual dress, heeled sandals, expensive-looking handbag, and an engagement ring with a large diamond and a diamond-encrusted wedding band on her ring finger. She looked like a stereotypical affluent soccer mom. “Well, then this will be perfect for you”, he beamed. “It’s even got screens on the back of the two front seats so the children can watch videos on the way to and from training and matches. Take it for a test drive?”
Leah looked at the van for another moment. “No, we have the same model, ours is just older. I’m sure this one will drive the same”, she said, not wanting to spend any more time in the dealership than absolutely necessary.
“Are you sure?” the salesman asked, hoping to spend a bit more time with the beautiful soccer mom standing next to him.
Leah looked at him, and then looked back at the minivan, as if contemplating. She stared at it for another moment and then smiled, “It’s perfect.”
“Well, okay then”, the salesman said, a little disappointed he couldn’t spend more time with Leah, but happy to make an easy sale. “Let’s head back inside and we can start up the paperwork. Are you looking for financing options?”
“I can pay for it today”, Leah said. They reached the office and Leah pulled out a credit card and a driver’s license.
“Wonderful!” the salesman said. “Lisa Casper”, he read the license, then sat down and started the paperwork. Thirty minutes later he handed Leah the keys. “Congratulations, Mrs. Casper - you are now the owner of a new Chrysler Pacifica. I hope the children love it as much as you will.”
Leah smiled and said, “Thank you, I’m sure we will all love it”, then shook the salesman’s hand, walked out to the lot, got in the minivan, and drove away.
********
“Morning”, Caitlin said, as Katie walked into her office.
“Hey”, Katie said.
“How was your first night here?”
“It was fine”, Katie said and sat down. “So, I thought more about this last night. If Macca hired Leah, then they probably met face to face. A contract of this magnitude wouldn’t be done just over messages. So - they may have met in Finland.”
“How much would a contract like this cost?” Caitlin asked.
“My guess is ten million, maybe more.”
“Wow”, Caitlin said. “Any chance we can trace a money trail?”
“Possibly, but there’s tons of transactions in that range every day across the world. Plus, banks that house this kind of money are very private. They’ll be hard to crack.” Katie thought for a moment and then said, “It’s likely Leah is using a false identity. She may have some already stashed away, but it is possible she created one just for this job. It’s safer if she uses a false ID just for one job and then tosses it, especially for a job like this.”
“Think maybe she met with Macca and then stole someone’s identity in Finland, after she took the job?”
“Maybe. Let’s start there”, Katie said, and she and Caitlin opened their laptops.
“Look at this”, Caitlin said thirty minutes later. Katie got up and leaned over Caitlin and looked at her screen. “A woman named Lisa Casper reported to Finnish authorities that her passport was stolen at Helsinki airport two days ago.”
“Anything else stolen?”
“No, but look at this - a woman named Lisa Casper purchased a minivan yesterday. Looks like the dealership is an hour away from here.”
“Okay - so it’s possible Leah stole Lisa Casper’s passport, opened a bank account, dumped some money in, and purchased a minivan”, Katie said. “Why?”
“I don’t know…to transport something? Explosives? Maybe a bomb?”
“Maybe. Or a large calibre gun. Let’s keep digging.” Katie said and stood up, and as she did, a lock of her hair brushed over Caitlin’s face. Caitlin looked up and smiled, and Katie paused, then smiled slightly back. The two of them gazed at each other for a moment, and then Caitlin got a text. “Director Little wants to meet right now.”
“Let’s go”, Katie said. She put her hand lightly on Caitlin’s shoulder, and Caitlin smiled slightly, then the two of them got up and left Caitlin’s office.
********
“What do we have?” Kim asked, as she, Katie, Caitlin and Hayley gathered in a conference room in the NDA.
“Two things", Hayley said. "First - I dug into finding any information about Leah. Deputy Director O'Sullivan is right - there's not much on her, but I spoke to a contact I have in MI5 and I was able to get access to British military records. A woman named Leah Williamson served in British special forces. She went AWOL about five years ago."
“She just up and disappeared?" Kim said.
"That's what it seems like", Hayley said.
"Okay", Kim said. "What else do you have?"
“Macca and her top brass have left Finland”, Hayley said.
“Any idea where they went?”
“No, they vanished.”
“Shit”, Kim said. “Find them”, she said to Hayley, then turned to Katie and Caitlin. “What do you have?” she asked, and Caitlin and Katie filled her in on Lisa Casper. “So, could be a bomb, could be a large calibre gun…” Kim said. “We need to find this minivan.”
“Gonna be tough”, Katie said. “I’m sure Leah swapped the plates. Maybe even changed the color.”
“Visit the dealership that sold Leah the minivan. And get metro police involved, stop all minivans fitting the make and model”, Kim said, and the team nodded and left.
********
Leah pulled the minivan into an alley a block from the new tech center. She got out and climbed a fire ladder onto the rooftop of a building, then looked at the big sign out front of the center:
GRAND OPENING SOON
Special guest speakers:
Chancellor Steph Catley
NDA Director Kim Little
Center Director Renee Slegers
She pulled out a high-quality camera with a long lens and took a few photos, then put her camera away, climbed back down the ladder, got into her minivan and drove off. She stopped at an auto store for some strip-away paint and a pressure washer, then fifteen minutes later she pulled into a large storage unit she had rented. She shut the storage unit door and turned off the car engine, then got out and removed the back seats, then painted the minivan red. She waited thirty minutes for the paint to dry, then applied a white coat. She waited another thirty minutes and then painted the minivan green. Then she got back in and pulled out her laptop. She brought up a secure dark web server, typed in her credentials, and then opened the query:
Large calibre mounted gun
She hit search and the results came up. A few minutes later she found what she was looking for:
NVS heavy machine gun: Russian Made: 25 kg: Fire rate 700–800 rounds per minute: Effective range from 1,500-2,000 meters: Computer guided system.
Leah stared at the image on the screen and then smiled slightly and placed the order. Then she got out and checked the paint. It was dry. She set up the pressure washer and started to wash the car. In under a minute the green coat of paint had come off, revealing a white minivan. She smiled and then got back in the van and drove off.
********
Katie and Caitlin walked into the dealership, flashed their credentials, and then spoke with the salesman who had sold Leah the minivan.
“Mrs. Casper bought the minivan yesterday”, the salesman said.
“We need to see the paperwork”, Katie said.
“Of course”, the salesman said, and fetched the paperwork.
“Did you photocopy her driver’s license?” Caitlin asked.
“On the last page”, the salesman said.
Caitlin turned to the last page of the paperwork, and Katie froze.
“That’s her”, Katie said, staring at the photo.
“Are you sure?” Caitlin asked.
“Positive”, Katie said, still frozen at staring at Leah’s face in the photo.
“May I ask what this is about?” the salesman said.
“No”, Katie said flatly, then turned and walked out.
“Thank you”, Caitlin said to the salesman, then chased after Katie. “Hey, slow down”, she said, catching up to Katie. “Are you okay?”
“It’s her”, Katie said, feeling a flush of anger at seeing a photo of the woman who had shot Ruesha. She stopped and then turned to face Caitlin. “We’re gonna find this bitch, and I’m gonna kill her.”
“Whoa”, Caitlin said. “We just need to stop the attack on Director Little.” Caitlin stared at Katie and then said, “What is it, Katie? Like, you have a vendetta against this woman?”
Katie stared at Caitlin and then said, “Sorry I stormed out of there.”
“It’s okay. Look - let’s go back and regroup. We know she bought a minivan, so she must need it for something. We can figure out what to do next.”
“Alright”, Katie said, then they got back in the car and drove back to the NDA office.
********
“How did you find me?” Ella Toone asked.
“Through an associate”, Leah responded vaguely. She was wearing a black tank top, camouflage pants, camouflage hat and combat boots, and had her hair pulled back into a ponytail. She gave Ella a small smile and then looked around. Scraps of metal and work-in-progress projects littered Ella’s metal workshop. “You’re hard to find.” Ella’s workshop was about half a day’s drive from town centre.
“I like my space”, Ella said with a small smile.
Leah smiled back. “My associate says you’re the best. And discreet.”
“That I am”, Ella said confidently. “So, how can I help you?”
“I need a swivel mount”, Leah said. “One metre diameter, full 360 rotation, capable of carrying 25 kilos.”
“Okay”, Ella said. “How soon do you need this?”
“One week.”
“That’s gonna be tough”, Ella said. “I’m kind of backed up right now.”
Leah stared at her and then pulled out a thick wad of bills. “Here’s a rush fee.”
“Wow”, Ella said. She counted the money and then said, “I can do a week.”
“How much for the mount?”
“Mmmm…” Ella said thinking, “Fifty thousand.”
“Fine”, Leah said. “Is there a shipping station nearby?”
“About thirty minutes from here. What are you shipping?”
“I can show you when I come back to pick up the mount”, Leah said. “I'll pay you half now, and the balance upon completion.” She paused for a moment and then said, “I’ll also need a quiet area to test something.”
“What are you testing?”
“Something that I don’t want to attract attention around. Is there a place around here that’s quiet and out of the way?”
“Well yeah - there’s not much up here.”
“Good. I can pay you extra for the discretion”, Leah said, and handed Ella another stack of money.
“Wow, okay, I can take you somewhere quiet and out of the way, no problem”, Ella said, happy for the windfall from a customer who didn’t seem to mind spending money.
“Send me the wire transfer info now”, Leah said.
“Sure thing”, Ella nodded and then Leah left.
********
Katie and Caitlin downloaded Kim and Hayley at the office and then worked until the evening.
“I’m getting burned out for today”, Katie said.
“Me too”, Caitlin said. She paused for a moment and then said, “Wanna get dinner? Can I cash in on that raincheck?” she said with a smile.
Katie paused and then smiled slightly back. “Sure.”
“I know a good place nearby”, Caitlin said, and Katie nodded. They got up, left the office, and walked about ten minutes to a nice bistro.
“How did you end up in INTERPOL?” Caitlin asked, as their drinks arrived.
“My father was a policeman”, Katie said. “He died on the job, trying to stop a robbery”, she said matter-of-factly.
“I’m so sorry, Katie”, Caitlin said.
“It was just him and me growing up. When he died…I had nothing.” Katie stared at her glass for a moment and then said, “He died because some asshole wanted to rob a helpless woman for a hundred dollars…One day he was there, and the next day he wasn’t”, Katie looked at Caitlin and then said, “I felt like maybe I could make things right, by stopping other criminals.”
“I’m sorry”, Caitlin said again.
"Thanks", Katie said. She and Caitlin sat in silence for a moment, and then Katie asked. “How did you end up in the NDA?’’
“I grew up watching movies of law enforcement chasing bad guys”, Caitlin said with a small smile. “I went to school for criminal justice, and ended up at NDA.”
“I like those movies too”, Katie smiled back.
Caitlin gazed at Katie. She’s beautiful, she thought.
“Do you have family?” Katie asked.
“A mom and a sister”, Caitlin said.
“Are you close to them?”
“Yeah, pretty close. Although they worry about me working in law enforcement. My mom always tells me I should have been a footballer, like my sister.”
“Probably a safer profession”, Katie said with a smile.
Caitlin smiled back at Katie and then said, “At the dealership, you froze when you saw Leah’s photo.”
Katie took a sip of her drink and then said, “We were tracking an arms deal and came under fire. Our operation went south…” She was silent for a moment, and then said, “Leah killed my partner, Ruesha.”
“Oh no”, Caitlin said. “I’m sorry, Katie.”
“I want Leah. Bad”, Katie said.
Caitlin paused for a moment and then reached across the table and put her hand on Katie’s. “We’ll get her”, she said reassuringly.
********
“Can I walk you back to your hotel?” Caitlin asked Katie after they finished dinner.
“You want to make sure I don’t get mugged on the way back?” Katie joked.
Caitlin laughed. “You don’t strike me as someone who needs protection from anyone, but something like that.”
Katie smiled. “I’ll take the company”, she said. They walked for another ten minutes and then reached Katie’s hotel. “Nice hotel”, Caitlin said, looking at the outside. “Not cheap I assume.”
“No, it's not.”
“If you don’t want to spend your government salary on this, you can stay with me.”
“I need my space. Helps me think”, Katie said. “Thanks for the offer, though.”
“Of course. I understand”, Caitlin said.
Katie gazed at Caitlin and then said, “Goodnight, Caitlin. Thank you for dinner.” Caitlin had picked up the check.
“You’re welcome. Goodnight, Katie”, Caitlin said. She gazed back at Katie and then reached out and gave Katie’s arm a light squeeze. “See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow”, Katie said back.
“Bye”, Caitlin mouthed with a small smile. Katie returned the smile, then turned around and walked into her hotel. Caitlin watched her for a moment, then smiled to herself and then walked away.
********
Leah drove to a hotel near town centre and checked into a room. It was just after 9pm. She took a long shower and then dressed up in a sharp form-fitting charcoal grey suit with a white button down shirt, a burgundy tie and black dress boots, then topped off her appearance with a matching charcoal grey fedora. She checked her appearance in the mirror and then headed out to a local bar she had researched. She sat down and ordered a drink, and three minutes later what she was looking for came along.
“I’ve never seen you here before”, a voice came. Leah looked over and saw an attractive brunette with long flowing hair and green eyes smiling at her.
“I’ve never been here before”, Leah said and smiled back. She looked at the woman’s mostly-empty glass and then said, “Can I buy you a drink?”
“I’d love one”, the woman smiled wider.
Leah signaled the barkeep, bought the woman a drink and then said, “I’m Leah”, and offered her hand.
“Julie”, the woman said and shook it.
“Do you live around here?” Leah asked.
“Yes, I have a house about a mile away.”
“Two car garage? White picket fence? Dog named Spot?" Leah joked.
Julie laughed. "Just the garage. No fence and no dog."
Leah smiled. “Nice. Houses around here aren’t cheap.”
“I do okay”, Julie said with a smile.
Leah smiled and looked at her. Nice cocktail dress, jewelry, expensive heels. “Indeed”, Leah said. “What do you do?”
“I’m a marketing executive. And you?”
“I’m a freelance project manager”, Leah said. “I’m in town for work.”
The woman smiled and then looked at Leah’s fingers. No rings. “Anyone special back home?” She gazed at Leah and then leaned in closer. “Sorry if that was too forward.”
“I don’t mind forward”, Leah said. She gazed at Julie for a moment and then sighed, “It’s complicated. But we wouldn’t be talking right now if the answer was a hard yes”, and smiled.
“In that case, I don’t mind complicated”, Julie said, smiling back.
Leah gazed at her and then twirled a lock of Julie’s hair with her finger. “It’s a little loud right here, shall we find a quieter area?”
“Sure”, Julie said. Leah smiled and then stood up and offered her hand to Julie, then escorted her to a quiet booth near the back of the bar.
********
Two hours and four drinks later, Leah ran her tongue across Julie’s bottom lip. She gave her a lingering kiss and then pulled back and smiled.
“Come home with me”, Julie said with a smoky gaze.
Leah smiled and then sighed. “I’d love to, but I’ve got to go back home tomorrow and finalize a messy breakup. But I’ve had a lovely evening, and I’d very much like to see you again.”
“Really?” Julie asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I’ll be back in town soon. Give me your number and I’ll call you.” Leah said, taking out her phone.
Julie smiled and then took Leah’s phone and punched in her digits.” Are you really going to call me?” she asked as she handed back the phone.
Leah gazed at Julie and then planted another lingering kiss on her lips. “Of course I will. You just have to have a little faith in people, Julie”, she said, then cupped Julie’s chin with her hand, gave her one last kiss, stood up and left the bar. She walked out and down the block, then started looking for a car with a local parking permit. She found one, then jimmied the door open and took the permit. She looked at it and smiled, then walked back to her hotel room.