Ten Days Later

Inside the director’s office of the Mossad, Ariel Wattenberg and Yosef Bergman are discussing the Austin area report they have received from their agent.

Yosef speaks, “Our man in the area says that it is quite clear both men were in the vehicle when it exploded.  This comes from media reports that two males were in the vehicle and in checking around neither agent is anywhere to be found.  He concludes that both men who were the targets have been eliminated.”

“So now we close this episode and we pay our man the balance.”

“That is my recommendation,” replies Yosef.

“Do you have any idea where he is at the moment?”

Yosef shakes his head and says, “He’s like a ghost.  He has a way of getting in under everyone’s radar, even ours.”

Ariel laughs and says, “Let this be a lesson to us for the future.  I will transfer the funds to his account in Switzerland today.”

Day After the Explosion

Inside of the CIA director’s office Allison McDonald is speaking with Kevin McCarthy one of her top agents. 

“Have you heard about the explosion that occurred outside of Austin yesterday?”

Kevin replies, “You couldn’t miss hearing about it.  It’s been breaking news since it happened and the media seems to be giving it constant up-to-date coverage.  Why are you asking?”

“I’m not sure but I have a feeling about this.”

“What kind of feeling?”

“I really can’t explain it.”

“Is there something you want me to do, like go to Austin?”

“I want you to go and nose around and see what you can come up with.  Was this a freak accident or a bombing?  Who were the occupants?”

“You know the FBI isn’t going to give us anything.  They’ll be pissed if they know I’m around.”

“Then I’ll leave it up to you to do it without them knowing.”

Kevin rises from the couch he is sitting on and walks towards Allison’s desk.  I’ll leave first thing in the morning and see what I can come up with.”

“Keep me posted when you find something.”

“How much time should I spend on this?”

“That depends on what you find.”

Kevin walks out of the director’s office.

Aftermath of the Explosion

The state police officer at the scene says, “We need to extinguish that fire.  The whole southbound lane is backed up five miles already.”  He calls into his barracks and explains the situation.  His commander tells him to have the fireman foam the wreckage.  They aren’t going to hurt anyone.  Anyone inside is definitely dead.

He tells the fire captain what his commander said and the captain agrees.  The fire truck moves as close as possible and still remain safe.  The heat is very intense.  The captain has two men put on fire hazard clothing and they move forward to try and extinguish the blaze.

It takes thirty minutes for the entire blaze to be put out.  The smoke is finally beginning to clear.

The ambulance is sent back to its center as it cannot be of any use.

Route 183

Anoush asks, “How far away are they from 71?”  He is getting anxious.

“My estimate is around five miles.”

“Let me know when you think they are about one mile away.”

Minutes later, “I figure they are about a mile away now.”

Anoush starts the car and pulls out into traffic to head onto the ramp entering route 183 southbound.

“They should be under us right now.”

Driving down the ramp he says, “I see them.  Now take the binoculars and make sure there are two people inside as I get closer.”

“There are two people in the front seats.”

“Good, now let’s hope some of these cars will get off exits before we hit our first landmark to detonate.”

Sunday Night

A three quarter portion of the C4 explosive is set up on the table with the detonator attached.  It is ready to be attached to fulfill its purpose. 

Anoush is remembering how he and Kamil set up the five terrorist attacks in the United States.  They managed the cells and aided them in selecting targets.  They also provided the financing for the attacks.  However, this time he is actually doing the attack and it feels different.

Anoush and Edina try to go to sleep at 9:30 pm.  The two of them are wound up over what will happen tomorrow.  By 11:00 they decide to have sex not because it is for love even though they love each other, it is to relieve the tension they are holding inside.  A half hour later both of them are asleep.

At 2:30 the alarm goes off and they dress to leave for the condo complex.

End of the Second Week

Thursday afternoon a man wearing a delivery uniform walks into the local mailing and copy center located at the directions he was given.  He tells the clerk he has a package for mailbox number 188.  Handing the clerk the package he asks the clerk to sign for the delivery. 

After the delivery is made the clerk inserts the box into 188.  Never realizing he just handled one pound of explosive.  One thought did strike him though, he had never seen that style of uniform on a delivery person before.  He thought it might be a new service opening up in Austin.

Beginning of the Second Week

As Anoush suspected, the next day, Tuesday, was a repeat of last Thursday.  Tomorrow he expects they will take the ride down route 183 to meet their connection.

That is exactly what happened.  Both men rode in the Ford and traveled southbound to meet with whomever they have to do business with.

Anoush is surprised the United States authorities didn’t take the time to find this out.  Maybe they don’t care.  It wouldn’t be the first time to happen on this planet.

“Gentlemen you just made my day.”  One of the first things you learned in covert operations is never to create the same repetitive pattern.  It is so easy to be eliminated.