Black Flagged Apex

Chapter 45





11:42 AM

Columbia Metropolitan Airport

Columbia, South Carolina



Daniel followed the signs for Hertz and turned the minivan into the designated parking lot across from the terminal. He found a parking space marked for Hertz returns and stepped out of the vehicle. They had no bags at this point. Everything had been stashed in a dumpster outside of the Ramada in Lexington immediately prior to their departure for the airport, including Benjamin Young's computers and disassembled phone. Sanderson's cyber techs had taken everything they needed from his equipment.

Young had been surprisingly cooperative throughout the evening, due to a combination of outrage and fear; he was both indignant over True America's betrayal and intimidated by Jessica's presence. He eagerly rolled over on his former clients and provided a wealth of information and connections. Young's "soft" interrogation lasted until three in the morning, when Daniel finally zip tied Young to the bed and turned him over to Munoz and Melendez. Jessica and Daniel retired to a separate, adjoining room and collapsed. The two of them had spent the morning at the Columbia Center Mall, buying casual clothes for everyone, while Munoz made everyone's travel arrangements.

Young was headed to Dallas to meet his family and fly to Buenos Aires. He'd spend an indefinite amount of time at Sanderson's training compound, safe from True America's reaches and immediately available for questions. His family had left their house in Buckhead before police arrived and travelled to the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, where they boarded a late night flight to Tampa, Florida. The flight continued to Dallas at 6:25 in the morning. They would be waiting in the airport when he arrived.

The rest of them would catch the 2:25 PM flight to the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Airport in Pennsylvania. Both Daniel and Jessica had been too tired to argue with Sanderson when he called to present his case for their continued participation in the mission. On a deeper level, neither of them wanted to argue. They had already accepted the fact that Sanderson was still their most loyal and potent ally. They would see this mission through to the end and leave him on good terms. Solid terms. When Daniel spoke into the phone, repeating Sanderson's request, Jessica simply nodded her approval.

He opened the door and helped Young out of the van. Daniel had spent a few thousand dollars at Banana Republic to outfit everyone, including Jessica, in some variation of khaki slacks with an untucked shirt. This suited Young just fine, though he complained about wearing the same shoes from the previous night. Only Jessica received new shoes, since she was still barefoot from last night. Her feet had taken a beating on the streets of Atlanta.

"This is where we say goodbye. I'm sure you'll miss us," Daniel said.

"That's an understatement," Young said.

"Make sure to follow directions precisely in Buenos Aires. All right? They'll make sure nobody followed you off the plane and remove any irregular local law enforcement attention. Follow the script, and they'll reach out to you when the time is right. Do everything they say. You will not be allowed to see the final route to the compound, so be prepared to have a bag placed over your head, or something to that effect. Kids too."

"Jesus. Come on. This sounds crazy," Young said.

"You want to head back to Atlanta?" Jessica said.

Young shook his head.

"Follow the script. You'll like it out there. Plenty of hiking, fishing, clean air. Lots of family time," Daniel said.

"No cocaine, though," Jessica added.

Young looked at Daniel. "She's a real treat."

"You'll be staying in our place, which will afford you some luxury out there."

"The two of you are married? I knew it. I feel sorry for you, man. Holy shit."

Daniel cocked his head slightly, which changed Young's expression instantly. He went from cocky to scared shitless in the blink of an eye.

"She's pretty nice to be around, unless you're an arrogant cokehead that spends more time with hookers than your own wife and kids. Be careful what you say in Argentina. My wife is a legend around that compound."

Young stared at him for a second and quickly averted his eyes like a submissive dog.

"Take out as much cash as possible in Dallas, and use the cash to purchase as many prepaid credit cards as possible. Keep a few hundred on you for transportation. Do this right before your flight. Use these cards once you arrive in Buenos Aires. You won't need money at the compound. Now get out of here. Your flight leaves in forty-five minutes. I don't want to see you again."

Stumbling with haste, Young nearly fell over, barely regaining his balance in time to turn and walk briskly toward the walkway leading into the terminal.

"You're welcome, f*ckhead!" Daniel said.

Young turned nervously and started to open his mouth, but thought better of it. He scurried across the parking lot. Once he disappeared into the terminal, Daniel turned to the rest of his crew. They were still reclined in their seats, trying to gain any rest possible before the flight.

"Now what?" Melendez asked.

"We eat something and try to catch some sleep in the terminal. Sounds like we have another long night ahead of us."

"Like last night?" Jessica said.

"We don't know yet. Fayed should know more when we arrive."

Tariq Paracha and Aleem Fayed had already left for Pennsylvania with one of Sanderson's "electronic warfare teams." The general loved to pick dramatic-sounding names. He supposed it was better than "cyber geeks." Fayed and Paracha would pick them up in Scranton and take them to Honesdale, where Sanderson had arranged a secluded rental on a nearby pond. They had a shipment of equipment arriving at the airport later in the evening, which would require their attention, along with some late-night planning based on Sanderson's intelligence. For all Daniel knew, they might go right into action against True America tonight.

"Let's give Young a few minutes to get through check-in. I can't stand to look at him. Thanks for the compliment. I didn't know I was held in such high regard," Jessica said.

"I would have punched him in the nose again, but that would have been counterproductive. He'll be lucky if it doesn't start bleeding again on its own during the flight," Daniel said.

"I would have loved to see that punk take another smack," Melendez said.

"We all would. Do you think he'll make it?" Munoz said.

"I don't know. He seemed genuinely worried about his family, so I give him good odds. This could be a cathartic experience for Mr. Young," Daniel said.

"But instead of Dr. Phil, he gets to experience Dr. Sanderson," Jessica said.

"Sounds like a reality TV show in the making," Melendez said.