Break Night by Jon Rigby - HTML preview

 

Chapter 21

 

Saturday 14 August 2012, 15:30pm FBI Headquarters Washington DC.

 

Jarvis Levin, the FBI Director arrived about twenty-five minutes later.  He was a tall distinguished looking man in his late forties and despite it being a Saturday he wore a shirt and tie.  For him there never was "off-duty".

 

He recognised Hayes, whom he had met briefly before, and was introduced to Watson and Jinks, whom he had also previously met.  As they walked up the stairs to the Director's huge office, Hayes handed Levin a printed copy of their report along with the package containing Konchesky's resignation letter and confession. Watson was carrying the suitcases laden with dollars. Levin unlocked his office door and showed them to a massive conference table which dwarfed Konchesky's.

 

Portraits of the previous FBI Directors hung from the walls and the office had a somewhat Presidential feel about it.  Watson thought to himself that it really should have been oval shaped.

 

"Please take a seat folks – I've got some refreshments on the way up here. Listen before we get into discussing this tragic business though; let's start off on a positive. I read Assistant Director Konchesky's email to the President's office a little earlier and I'd like to personally thank and congratulate you two agents on a tremendous piece of work.  Well done guys!"

 

"Now I've got a feeling the rest of this business is not gonna be too pleasant to learn about." Levin said solemnly, as he started to read the MEX1 end of assignment report.

 

Before joining the FBI, Levin had served in the US Navy as an officer, completed his law degree before rising to be a senior partner in a New York law firm.  Public office beckoned and he was encouraged into becoming the District Attorney for Washington, where he gained respect from all quarters.  The lure of a very high profile post at the FBI was too great for him to resist and would help him to achieve his ultimate political ambitions.

 

Hayes had heard on the FBI grapevine that Levin had a real ability to assimilate a lot of information very quickly and was exceptional at speed reading. 

 

She watched fascinated as he flew through their report, occasionally nodding his head and at other times shaking it.  At important parts of the text, he made a marking in the margin for later questions.  Whilst Levin was working his way through the report, Watson laid the cases on a spare table, unlocked them and opened the lids.

 

In what seemed like no time at all, Levin had finished that report and opened up Konchesky's envelope.  His face looked very grim and troubled as he read through the resignation and statement, again marking important references.

 

Eventually he put the papers and his pen down on the table, before putting his face in his hands and rubbing his eyes. For the first time, he noticed the dollar laden cases opened in his office and his eyebrows rose in astonishment at the neatly stacked piles of dollar bills.

 

"Well I'll be darned. I've never seen so much money in one place!   All these years and I had no idea that that son of a bitch Konchesky was double crossing" he said, almost thinking aloud.

 

"It goes without saying that this matter will now be classified as Top Secret. I'll need to speak to the Secretary of State for Defence and probably the President himself.  But I can see straightaway that there are still some immediate and unresolved matters here - I am thinking of Mr. Steiner or whatever his name is."

 

"To have any chance of making this whole thing right, and providing assurances to Congress that the FBI is not rotten to the core, we need to bring him in – alive."  He added the word 'alive' with great emphasis given the Perez outcome.

 

Levin was very clear and decisive.

 

Logan spoke next. "We have an idea for dealing with Salvez, sir.  We think Mr. Konchesky actually wanted to help us as, just before he took that tablet, he gave us his Blackberry and the PIN.  That was the device he used to communicate with Salvez by Blackberry messaging and he hinted that is what we should do to lure Salvez here today."

 

"Salvez hasn't yet seen the final report yet and he is not aware that we have recovered Perez's Smartphone.  Of course he won't know about Konchesky's death yet.  He suspects that we know something about him but not what that is or how much we know.  The element of surprise lies with us."

 

Levin's face visibly cheered up. "OK. OK I get it.  We send a message to Salvez under the pre-text of it coming from Joel Konchesky and take him cleanly here in a good old fashioned FBI sting?"

 

He thought for a moment and his brain gave approval.

 

"Yes, yes...I like it.  Right people let's do this and I wanna be fully involved in this sting. What sort of language style did Konchesky use when he communicated with Salvez? I know my kids use slang that I am clueless about!"

 

Watson opened up the Blackberry, and found the last few messages sent to El Encubierto.

 

He read a couple out to those assembled:

 

MEX1 taken P. Shot but alive. Need meet.

 

P on route to KW. Due 06.00am EST.

 

"Salvez uses the same brevity in his messages" said Watson.

 

What time at KW?

 

"That was the message that got Perez set up" said Jinks instantly.

 

"And here is Konchesky's next one after the shooting" added Watson.

 

WTF happened?

 

Levin worked out that message himself without needing any explanations and then summarised.

 

"Well now we know that the communication style is brief and to the point.  Does anybody know where Konchesky's car keys are?"

 

"Yes sir.  The key to his Mercedes is in the top drawer of his office desk" replied Hayes.

 

"Right, here is what we are gonna send.  Can somebody type this is please?

 

MEX1 got P phone. Need to meet. My car 18.00pm." ordered Levin clearly and positively.

 

Hayes typed in the required text, as she was quicker than Watson at navigating the Blackberry keyboard, and then read back the message to everyone.

 

"That's fine – fire it!" said Levin and Hayes clicked the send button before putting the Blackberry down on Levin's desk.

 

Now it was just a matter of waiting now to see if Salvez took the bait. Just then the refreshments arrived and that gave everyone a welcome break.

 

"My wife and I were due to go to a dinner party tonight with a couple of Senators that may have proven a little dull.  I'd rather be involved in a mission like this trying to bring in a bad guy!  I am sure there will be plenty of time ahead for me talking to Senators, trying to explain all this." joked Levin.

 

As Levin passed the food plate around, and Jinks poured the coffee out, Konchesky's phone suddenly vibrated on the desk, indicating a text message had been received.

 

Everybody seemed to freeze before Levin calmly and politely said

 

"Agent Hayes, can you see if that is from our friend Mr. Salvez please?"

 

Hayes unlocked the phone and clicked the message. 

 

"Yes sir it is from Salvez and it reads:

 

"OK Good. I can get it hacked fast"

 

"Well the shark has taken our bait and now we need to land him.  Here is what I want to do.  I am about the same build as Konchesky so I will become him" said Levin.

 

"I'll be in Konchesky's car sitting in the driver's seat.  We'll wait until Salvez gets to the passenger door and then both FBI and DEA agents will close in and take him.  I want him cuffed straight away.  But most importantly I want him clearly photographed as we take him."

 

"I want you guys, armed and hidden behind other cars, with your FBI vests on and everybody miked up.  This will make a great picture for the front page of the Washington Post and then perhaps the FBI can start to make the ascent from the deep hole we currently find ourselves in.  I am assuming that we can rely on the assistance of our friends over at the DEA. Does that sound good to you people?" he asked them all but looking directly at Frank Jinks.

 

"That sounds good to me Jarvis" said Jinks ”but with the exception of the FBI vests. It wouldn't look too good for us if a DEA agent had an FBI vest on! I've got some DEA vests in my car." he laughed.

 

Watson shot a wry smile at Hayes.

 

"I'm OK with you guys wearing DEA vests then!" smiled Levin.

 

"Rest assured too Jarvis that the DEA team will help our FBI colleagues and that this matter will not be discussed outside of this team" added Jinks in true entente cordiale fashion.

 

"I suggest you also have a bullet-proof jacket on as well Mr Levin" said Watson.

 

"And we also pull in the two duty agents to give us six guns in total" said Hayes.

 

"OK – you guys do more of this kinda thing than me so I'll buy that!" said Levin.

 

"I think Konchesky's coat and cap are still in his office. Do you want me to go get them?" said Hayes.

 

"I reckon that is a good idea Madison and we should also check-out the parking lot positions too. We got a bit of time before 6pm" said Jinks.

 

The four of them went down to the car park, with Konchesky's keys and moved his Mercedes into a darkened space with two cars a bay away on each side - one of them Jinks' Cadillac.  This gave perfect cover for two agents to hide behind.  A large FBI response van was parked diagonally opposite and that gave cover for further agents with the ability to dazzle Salvez by switching on the headlights at the right moment.

 

Levin put on Konchesky's coat and cap and when he sat in the driver's seat he did look just like Konchesky Hayes thought to herself.

 

It was agreed the Jinks would make the team call for Salvez to stop by shouting out

 

"Armed Agents put your hands up above your head!"

 

"I'll shout it real loud and then nobody damage my car!" he joked trying to relieve the tension.

 

Back in Levin's office the duty agents were briefed, as were the FBI press team.

 

The trap was set. 

 

 

Chapter 22

 

Saturday 14 July 2012, 17:30pm J.Edgar Hoover Building, underground car park, Washington DC

 

Everybody was in position by 17:30pm just in case Salvez arrived early.  The security teams had been briefed to immediately ring Hayes mobile number when Salvez's security card was swiped and he had entered the car park lot.  They would see the card ID details appear on the computer system log files.

 

Hayes was positioned behind the Cadillac to the right of the Mercedes with Jinks alongside her, whilst Watson was behind a Dodge van to the left.  The Duty Agents, Franklin and Taylor, were in the cab of the truck.

 

At 17:57pm, and with true precise military timing, Salvez swiped on at the car lot entrance gate.  Hayes phoned buzzed moments later.

 

"Ms Hayes - target has arrived on-site" said the security operative.

 

Hayes switched channels on her headset and she spoke quietly and clearly to advise the other agents and Levin.

 

"Salvez has arrived and is headed into the car lot"

 

Again she felt a wave of nervous excitement and adrenalin sweep through her body as she kept crouched down behind the Cadillac's hood, peering through the semi gloom of the underground car park towards the stairwell.

 

Footsteps could be heard as somebody walked across the concrete floor towards the Mercedes.  The footsteps paused for a moment, as if to check something and then continued to walk on.  Watson had a clear view of a small figure with a dark zipped jacket and a baseball cap pulled down walking towards the black Mercedes.  His Glock was primed and ready and his pulse was also beating fast.

 

As the man got close to the passenger door and his hand reached out towards the handle, Jinks voice bellowed out.

 

"Armed Agents put your hands up above your head.  Move, Move, Move!"

 

Salvez was taken completely by surprise and simply stood there hands down by his pockets looking confused and bewildered.

 

"I said hands up asshole!" screamed Jinks, who had moved out from behind the Cadillac pointing his gun at Salvez.  There were various cries of "Hands Up!" as FBI and DEA agents streamed from everywhere and the truck's headlights were switched on completely dazzling Salvez.

 

Jinks was joined by the other four agents who formed a semi-circle around Salvez, each of them pointing a weapon at the bewildered CIA man.  He glanced into the Mercedes looking for support from Konchesky, only to see a stranger behind the wheel of the car who too was now pointing a gun at him.

 

Realising he had been tricked, Salvez slowly lifted his hands up above his head.

 

Jinks and Hayes got to him first and kept their guns pointed at his head.

 

Watson, Franklin and Taylor were right behind with weapons drawn.  Watson frisked Salvez who was carrying a small pistol inside his jacket.   Salvez was quickly cuffed and the press photographers were called to the lot.

 

Levin climbed out of the Mercedes and took off his hat before saying to Salvez

 

"Juan Salvez you are under arrest on suspicion of accessory to homicide, fraud, embezzlement and violation of the Boland Agreement.  You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense."

 

Levin proudly put on an FBI vest whilst Jinks sported a DEA vest as they stood either side of the dejected Salvez, with weapons pointed at his head a little theatrically.

 

The photographers quickly arrived and arranged people's poses for the most potent photographs that tomorrow would fill TV screens and the front pages of America's newspapers.

 

Salvez became agitated.

 

"What the fuck is this?  A high school prom?  Just get on with it. I want my lawyer – this is entrapment!"

 

"Please remain calm Mr. Salvez" replied Levin coolly.  "You'll get plenty of time with your lawyer whilst you explain what you have been up to."

 

After a barrage of skillfully posed photos were taken and studied, Salvez was taken down to the FBI custodial room for fingerprints and DNA samples.   Levin turned to the small team and said

 

"I will undertake the interview with Mr. Salvez myself a little later on.  I haven't done a witness examination for quite some time but I got a feeling this will make my guts feel a whole lot better!"

 

"But first I'd like you folks to join me in my office for a quick celebratory drink to mark a new era in joined-up working and another American victory in the war on drugs and terror!"

 

 

Chapter 23

 

Saturday 14 July 2012, 18:15pm J.Edgar Hoover Building, underground car park, Washington DC

 

With everybody feeling elated, they moved back up to Levin's office each recounting their own experiences of the evening's events.  Levin's drinks cabinet was thrown open to all and several members of the FBI press team came in to enjoy a drink - and a briefing session.  Levin, drinking a fruit juice only, pulled Hayes to one side where nobody could overhear their conversation.

 

"Agent Hayes.  I have been very impressed with your conduct and logical thinking during this operation and I have had the opportunity to see you in action myself today.  I have a key vacancy I need to get filled pretty quickly now with somebody I can trust and rely upon."

 

"I know you are on the FBI Graduate Fast-Track development program and I think you are now ready to step up.  I want to see more of our capable younger agents, like you, promoted into senior positions within the Bureau and given the opportunity to perform."

 

"To cut to the chase, I want to offer you the post of Assistant Director of Law Enforcement on an Interim Basis for the next six months, with a view to a permanent appointment if all goes well – which I am sure it will."

 

"I need somebody I c