Page 61 of Flash and Bang
“I totally agree. There was something wonky about that chick and I felt it the minute we sat down with her. She was most definitely hiding something,” Thayne added. “If she’s involved with the militia, that would make sense. Jarrett had a feeling that English wasn’t her native language and he has a feel for languages, right?” He turned to Jarrett who just nodded, pursing his lips thoughtfully as Thayne went on. “Her background check says she was born here, but what if she’s got ties to China which would facilitate the smuggling of fireworks to the Statesfrom Chile that wouldn’t have to go through channels,” he said, warming to his topic. “The Chinese would be only too willing to do it provided they upped the price and the Freedom Brigade would pay whatever they needed for their righteous cause—hitting soft targets and starting a war with the US government. They call themselves Libertarians, but they’re nothing but fucking domestic terrorists.”
“What’s the point?” Sarah asked. “Pyrotechnics experts order their fireworks from China most of the time anyway. Why bring them in illegally?”
“Because the operators of large shows have to be licensed by the ATF and shipments of fireworks have to go through US Customs where they’re inspected by us,” Jarrett said.
“Cargo containers of fireworks can’t leave the docks unless they have a Department of Transportation approved route to their final destination,” Thayne said.
“And they are required to be placarded as HAZMAT, but not if they smuggle them through Chile and across the Mexican border instead of a US port,” Sarah added, nodding her head. “Now I get it. Great plan.”
Thayne nodded and continued. “Say I’m aChinese smuggler and I want to sell to the highest bidder—aren’t I going to look to buyers like the militia who can’t buy them legally because they don’t have a license from us? No way would the ATF issue a pyrotechnic license to someone that can’t pass a background check. If I’m one of the Freedom Brigade or another militia who can’t buy large quantities of black powder to accomplish my domestic terror campaign, I’m going to hook up with a seller who is willing to supply to me. The supplier—China—partners with the Mexican and South American drug cartels who provide security and help smuggle them across the border to the militia.”
“Then, as the final piece to the puzzle, someone with the knowledge of chemicals to build the bombs needed to carry out their mission—Chang—is ready, willing, and able to assist, at least here in LA,” Jarrett said. “We really need to check to see if there have been similar explosions in other jurisdictions that match these. There might be several bomb builders. It would make sense that there would be more for the biggest impact. We need to bring Suki Chang in and question her.”
The other three nodded.
“So there’s a large domestic terrorism incident being planned, maybe across multiple jurisdictions.Jesus,” Sarah said. “But when is this going to happen?” She looked between her coworkers.
“The Fourth of July,” Jarrett and Thayne said in tandem. “That only gives us about thirty-six hours.”
“It totally makes sense,” Tim said. “We need to brief Stanger and have Chang picked up immediately.”
“And call in Homeland and the FBI,” Jarrett said, standing up. “Come on, Thayne. Let’s go talk to the boss and run it by him.”
Thayne looked grim but he stood up to follow Jarrett.
“Tim and I are going to call the other field offices right now. If something like this has been planned for the Fourth, we’re out of time.”
****
“What is it you don’t understand about us needing Evans dead, now?”
“I’m sorry, sir. He rolled three hundred feet down a mountainside on a motorcycle. No one could have thought he’d survive the accident.”
“Like you said before, the man has nine livesbut he should have used those up tenfold by now. By God, man, he’s not invincible. He’s flesh and blood like you and I.”
“I’ll make sure I get him this time, sir. Just give me one more chance.”
“No! You’re attracting too much interest. The boss is aware of your fumbling attempts and so is Evans. I sent you in after Virgil failed, but you missed him down at the Mexican border and now this amateur attempt… and blowing up his Jeep was just stupid.”
“The bomb wasn’t me, sir. Sorry to interrupt.”
“What do you mean it wasn’t you?”
“It wasn’t me, sir.”
“So you’re trying to tell me that someone else is trying to punch Jarrett Evans’s ticket? Do you expect me to believe that?”
“It’s absolutely true, sir.”
The man paused a moment. “Okay. You are to stand down. Those are your orders. Is that clear?”
“But I can make this happen, sir.”
“Until we figure out who else wants Evans dead, we’re suspending your mission. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir. Perfectly.”
Chapter Fourteen