Double Blindside

If the SUV had been stationary the impact would have been worse. Kartal managed to boost the power, her foot stamping hard on the gas, sending the SUV lurching forward as she caught sight of the approaching truck. The vehicle slammed into the rear quarter of the SUV instead of full-on. The impact spun the SUV in a half circle, window glass shattering and spraying inside the passenger compartment as the car rocked violently, wheels lifting off the road for seconds. The impact drove the lower section of the wheel well into the vehicle’s tire.

“Two inside,” she said loudly. “They are showing weapons.”

“Move,” McCarter ordered. “Everyone out. Fast!”

The rocking SUV began to settle. Phoenix Force exited as quickly as possible, clearing the immediate scene and pulling out their weapons.

Berna Kartal hit the ground running, immediately moving around the SUV, her Glock targeting the truck as she spotted movement behind the cracked windshield.

The truck’s passenger door was kicked, the metal protesting where it had been buckled from the impact. A dark figure pushed out through the gap, a subgun clutched in his hands. The guy dropped to a crouch as he cleared the panel truck, the muzzle of the weapon rising. He fired quickly—too quickly to acquire a solid target. His burst of autofire sent 9 mm slugs into the SUV. As the guy altered his stance he fired again and his second burst missed James by inches. The black Phoenix Force member twisted his lean body aside, swinging his own weapon on line, and put two 9 mm slugs into the shooter. They hit high, one punching into the chest area, the second catching the guy in the shoulder. He was turned around by the impact, slamming into the side of the truck, then bouncing off and falling.

McCarter saw the driver emerge from the opposite door, the SMG in his hands rising.

Kartal had already leveled her Glock, triggering a pair of fast shots that punched through the door window, throwing glass fragments into the guy’s face. He reacted, still coming, and Kartal fired again. Her shot came a second before both Encizo and James fired. The driver’s body jerked under the impact of multiple shots, blood staining his shirt as he fell back and slammed down hard on the road.

McCarter moved toward the stalled panel truck, angling his Hi-Power to line up on the windows. The interior was empty except for the scattered trash that littered the floor. “Clear,” he said.

James and Encizo checked the area, weapons held ready. “I think we’re good,” James confirmed.

The others relaxed.

“Nice shooting,” Encizo said to Kartal.

The young woman offered a fleeting smile. “Not my best. Took three shots.”

“You got a result,” McCarter said. “That’s the important part.”

Kartal gestured at James and Encizo. “With help. Thank you,” she said.

McCarter gestured for Kartal to take a look at the downed men. She stared at their faces, moved, then returned to take a closer inspection of one of them.

“This one is still alive. I will call for assistance. The dead one…you know, he looks familiar to me,” she said. “But I can’t be certain for the moment who he is. When we get identification, perhaps we can find out who did this.”

“Something is already telling me who,” McCarter said.

Kartal glanced at him, realization dawning.

“Özgürlük?”

“I don’t know anyone else in this town we might be in line to have upset.”

McCarter didn’t say a great deal more. He would hold his judgment until he had solid facts. Yet he did have the sneaking suspicion that Phoenix Force’s presence was already known to unfriendly forces. They had barely set foot on Turkish soil and were already under attack.

It did prove one thing to McCarter. The Özgürlük problem had, for him, just been pushed up the scale. If people were ready to kill them, the probability had just been made a reality.

The short ride to Phoenix Force’s hotel had suddenly become a protracted event.

Turkish police arrived in force and a crowd gathered. Before they showed up, Phoenix Force put away their weapons and offered no resistance when the cops did arrive. Kartal took charge, advising McCarter and company to stand down while she used her NIO status to manage the situation. Watching her, McCarter was especially impressed by her management skills. She dealt with the local cops, using her NIO credentials and her not inconsiderable talent for defusing matters.

“Medical help has been summoned,” Kartal said. “Recovery vehicles, as well.”

Phoenix Force stayed close to the NIO SUV. They remained passive, but every one of them scanned the crowd and watched for any follow-up to the attack. The volatile crowd surged back and forth, held back by armed Istanbul cops who had no problem using force to restrain anyone overstepping the line that had been invisibly drawn. It became noisy and at times there was a feeling of danger in the air.

The Turkish cops displayed an aggressive attitude toward anyone who made any show of resistance. A few arrests were made when passion took over from common sense. A police van was summoned and restrained onlookers were taken away.

“This place is hot,” James said, referring as much to the agitated crowd as the weather.

“You got that right,” Encizo said. He had spotted more than one raised fist aimed in their direction. Angry faces. Loud voices. As was usual in events such as this, emotion took control and pushed buttons. Calm took a backseat.

Kartal took a moment to rejoin them.

“Not the best introduction to my country,” she said. “I apologize.”

“No need. Has it occurred to you, the way this attack came so quickly, that our presence is not so secret?” McCarter said.

Kartal nodded. “That is what concerns me most. How you have been identified so easily. This attack was no random incident.”

The wail of another siren reached them as a large black SUV nudged its way into view, police having to force the crowd back. It had the NIO symbol on the doors. When it stopped, Senior Agent Cem Asker climbed out and made his way to where Phoenix Force and Kartal stood. His face was grim.

“What happened here? This is not good,” he said as he faced them. “How could this have happened?”

“Easily answered,” Encizo said. “Someone was in the know about us being here. To the point where they even knew the vehicle we were in.”

“Doesn’t that suggest something to you, Agent Asker?” McCarter said tautly. “This was supposed to be a covert mission. How the hell did information get out so damn quickly?”

Anger flashed across the man’s face. “Are you saying there is a leak within the NIO?”

“I’m saying that it’s likely someone else knows we’re here. And I can tell you for sure it didn’t come from our organization.”

Asker bristled. For a moment McCarter thought the man was going lash out. His expression betrayed his thoughts. Then Asker stepped back physically and mentally. His face relaxed.

“Yes, you have a point, Mr. Coyle,” he acknowledged, using McCarter’s cover name. “A valid point. I apologize for my attitude. The situation is difficult. When I return to NIO I will initiate an investigation into how your being here has been compromised. I am glad none of you was injured in any way. May I say I am impressed at how you handled the situation? And you, Agent Kartal. You displayed your usual competence.” He inspected the damage to the NIO vehicle.

“The damage has affected the rear wheel, sir,” Kartal said. “It cannot be driven. This vehicle will need to be removed for repair.”

“You are certain of this?”

“Pushed the bodywork into the tire,” McCarter said, stepping in to back up Kartal. “Cut into the rubber.”

Asker peered at the damaged section of the NIO vehicle. His manner indicated he knew very little about the mechanics of them.

“Not going to get us very far,” James noted.

“New wheels?” Encizo suggested.

“I can arrange…” Asker said.

“No need,” McCarter said quickly. “We can deal with this ourselves.”

“You must allow me to help.”

“Agent Asker, you have your department to look after, as you told us earlier. We have this covered,” McCarter said. “We can organize a rental vehicle to get around in. Less noticeable than one of your official NIO cars. No offence, Agent Asker, but we try to work without too much fanfare. A vehicle with the NIO brand on it doesn’t help.”

Asker seemed ready to resist and for a moment McCarter felt the man was going to argue. He seemed to be having a problem controlling his emotions.

“Very well,” he said finally, his voice tight as he held himself under stress. “If you insist. My orders were to accommodate you, so I will. Agent Kartal will be able to help you to find a suitable vehicle.”

“Of course, sir. I am sure Mr. Coyle has made the right decision.”

A frown darkened Asker’s face before he regained his composure. He seemed to be having a troubled moment.

“Yes, well, of course. I will leave you to your new team. Please keep me informed of your progress,” Asker said to McCarter.

“Oh, you’ll be hearing from us,” McCarter said forcibly.

Asker went to speak to the attending Turkish police officers before returning to his own SUV and driving away.

“That was tense there for a moment,” Encizo said. “Asker got a little uptight.”

“That he did,” McCarter said.

He glanced across to where Kartal was checking the panel damage to their SUV. He noticed the way she had been watching Asker, and the tight set of her face suggested there was a lot going on inside her head.

“I hope I did right,” she said, crossing to join him.

“Just fine,” McCarter said. He couldn’t hold back a grin. “You catch on quick.”

“I believe I understand. You do not want any more vehicles from the NIO.”

“We leave the NIO, pick up a shortcut and that truck still found us,” James said.

“Too bloody easily for my liking,” McCarter said. “Found us like they knew exactly where we were.”

“Tracked us?” Encizo offered.

Kartal’s face paled as she became aware of the implications. “But we never stopped once after we left the department. Are you saying a device was planted at NIO?”

“Tell us different, Berna, and we’ll listen,” James said.

They waited until the tow trucks showed up to remove the two vehicles. The ambulance had arrived and was dealing with the casualties. By this time the crowd had had its fill of rubbernecking and most of them had moved on. One police cruiser remained.

An empty passing taxi had been flagged and Phoenix Force transferred its bags to the trunk. Kartal told the driver to wait. He didn’t mind as they were already on the clock.

McCarter strolled casually across to take a look at the damaged NIO vehicle as it was being hoisted onto the tow truck. He made a show of inspecting the damage, peering beneath the SUV.

Kartal had a final few words with the local cops before they climbed into their cruiser and drove off.

“I will have so much paperwork to complete,” Kartal said.

“Cops are the same wherever you go,” James said. “They have a thing for statements.”

“And when you get down to it,” McCarter said, “just don’t mention this.”

He opened his hand to show them the three-inch-square black box he had located under the SUV.

“A tracker,” James said.

“Sends out a signal to a locator unit,” Encizo said. “Tells them where you are.”

McCarter took it and turned it over. A red indicator light was blinking. He flicked a small plastic switch and the light shut off.

“Magnetic base,” he said. “Sticks to any metal surface. There will probably be a locator unit in that panel truck they towed away.”

“This was on the side of our fuel tank,” McCarter said.

Kartal’s expression revealed her thoughts. “You are saying this was placed at NIO?”

“Couldn’t have been anywhere else. The minute we drove out of the gate we never stopped moving,” James said. “Had to have been already in place.”

“Not your fault, love.” McCarter smiled. “But it tells me we have enemies closer than we thought.”

“You were with us, too,” James said. “In the same danger we were.”

“Part of the package,” Encizo said. “You are now officially on the hit list.”

“We should go,” Kartal said moments later. “It will be a little more peaceful at your hotel.”

“You think?” James said. “Let’s hope there isn’t a welcoming committee waiting there, as well.”

McCarter said, “Hold that thought.”

He took out his sat phone and called up Stony Man. When Price answered, he quickly brought her up to date with the current events.

Price listened in patient silence.

“And how long have you been in Turkey?” she said when he had finished.

“I know. Fast turnaround on this one.”

“You sure you’re all okay?”

“Fine, love, but I have a little job for you. Cancel our current hotel. Find us another and book us in.”

“You think the opposition might know where you were going to stay?”

“They found our car. So I’d rather not find out if they had our hotel under surveillance, as well.”

* * *

THE STONY MAN call came less than twenty minutes later, Price updating McCarter on their accommodation status.

“You’re booked in,” she said, offering McCarter the hotel details. “Unless your Turkish sparring partners have access to Stony Man, you should be clear.”

“Good,” McCarter said. “Efficient as ever. We’ll keep in touch.”

“Make sure you do.”

McCarter beckoned and they all piled into the taxi. He told Kartal the new address. She relayed this to the driver and they drove away from the scene.

“Can you find out where the wounded guy was taken?” McCarter asked. “In case we need to talk to him later.”

“Yes, I can do that. Do you believe he will give you anything useful?”

“It’s always worth a try,” McCarter said. “If you don’t ask questions, you won’t get answers.”

“A logical line of thought, boss,” James said in a tone reminiscent of Mr. Spock.

“Star Trek,” Kartal said lightly.

“Ah,” Encizo said, “the global reach of American culture.”

“How does it sound in Turkish?” James said.

“If you check your hotel TV, it could be showing.”

CHAPTER FOUR

The hotel was large and close to the water. Part of a global chain, it was the sort of place that had lots of rooms and guests. The taxi pulled up to the entrance and the three Phoenix Force men hauled out their luggage and followed Kartal inside. She confirmed the rate and McCarter handed her the cash to pay.

“Perhaps I should call back later,” Kartal said once they’d checked in. “Allow you to settle. It will give me the chance to change into something a little less dramatic.”

She left them, picking up one of the taxis waiting outside.

“I don’t have any objections to the way she dresses,” Encizo said as they made their way to their rooms.

“This thing you have about women in uniform, carrying guns…” McCarter said. “I think we need to talk about it.”

They took the stairs to their floor, parting company as they located their individual rooms. Even in the comparative safety of the hotel, the Phoenix Force commandos made sure security was on their minds, each keeping a handgun close. They had agreed to meet up in the cafeteria after freshening up.

After a quick shower and a change into fresh clothing, McCarter used his sat phone to contact Stony Man again and spoke to Brognola.

“Hell of an introduction to Turkey,” the big Fed said.

“Not the first time we’ve had a warm welcome,” McCarter reminded him.

“So, what happened?” Brognola asked. “You got any suspects?”

McCarter laughed. “How about the NIO? They’re the only ones who knew we were here. As far as we’re aware.”

“They were supposed to be the only ones aware of your presence in Turkey. Big agency. But it’s not unknown to have leaks in large organizations. We should know about that. This Özgürlük deal is a Turkish phenomenon. Nationalistic fervor can turn up in surprising places. And so can prying eyes and ears.”

“That supposed to make me feel better?”

“Not really. Just aware.”

“Hal, I’m already aware we are in a tricky position here.”

“Just saying stay alert, David.”

“Concern noted.”

“Any doubts about your Turkish lady cop?”

“I think she was as surprised as we were when it happened. I’m just glad she’s on our side. She handles herself pretty well.”

“My suspicious nature warns me to remind you to keep watch until you’re one hundred and one percent sure.”

“Don’t worry, Mother, we will. You have any results from Gary and T.J. yet?”

“Still waiting.”

“Okay, talk to you if and when something happens,” McCarter said, knowing that sooner or later something would.

CHAPTER FIVE

Sea of Marmara

“There is no easy way to tell you this,” Hakan Kaplan said. “Amal is dead. He was killed by the Americans when his team attempted to neutralize them. Salan was wounded and taken prisoner.”

Kaplan waited for Kadir Polat’s reaction and was surprised when the man failed to do or say anything.

Sitting at his desk on his cruiser, Polat shifted his gaze to look beyond the open window to the glittering sea. Sunlight danced across the waves. He saw nothing but emptiness. The death of his younger brother had affected him more than any outward sign might show.

Like a movie played in reverse, he saw the images that took Amal from manhood to his teen years, then beyond to when he was a child. Always at Kadir’s side. The tie between them had strengthened as they’d grown. Amal had always been the impulsive one. Always ready to take risks. His older brother had been forced to step in on many occasions to pull Amal out of dangerous situations. Amal’s recklessness was part of his character and no matter how many times he placed himself in danger he would do the same thing again and again.

* * *

WITH THEIR PARENTS having died while both Kadir and Amal were young, it had been the elder brother’s responsibility to look out for Amal. Being the heir to the Polat dynasty had made it easier. There were always advisers around, people to watch over the young brothers. As the years passed and Kadir assumed full control over the family businesses, he remained aware of his family responsibilities. Family was important in Turkey. Kadir never forgot that.

He’d spent time with Amal. He’d indulged the young man. He knew he’d taken that indulgence too far at times, but his love for his younger sibling had been too great. There were times he’d had to bail Amal out, rescue him from the escapades of youth. If it wasn’t the fast cars Amal drove, it was the young women he always seemed to hang on his arm. No matter how many times problems came along, Kadir had cleared the way for Amal.

It helped that as well as being ultrawealthy, Polat was a well-liked man. His power and influence had grown over the years and he’d used his position to get Amal out of his various scrapes. Living in such luxury as the Polat dynasty offered, Amal had grown into a good-looking, intelligent young man. But he’d never moved on from adolescence. He’d simply enjoyed the good life. The money. The trappings of wealth and the lack of responsibility.

With Kadir involved in the growing Özgürlük organization, Amal had found himself being pushed aside to a greater degree. Özgürlük had become Kadir Polat’s passion. His need to free Turkey from the grip of America and the base at Incirlik increasingly devoured his life. For the first time since childhood, Amal had felt himself being pushed into the shadows.

He’d realized that to regain his brother’s attention, Amal had to insert himself into Özgürlük. He might not have fully understood his brother’s politics but he quickly grasped that Kadir was becoming a national figure. The rallies and the constant meetings with important people appealed to Amal. He’d understood the meaning of celebrity. He’d joined in with Kadir’s new obsession. He met the people involved.

And he’d allowed himself to be caught up in the heady atmosphere of the crowds. The eager men who wanted to become part of Kadir’s army, the willing participants clamoring to use affirmative action on behalf of Özgürlük. He’d allied himself to the cause, finding this new experience liberating, and he’d understood Kadir’s anger when it was learned a team of Americans had been assigned to work with the NIO in an attempt to disrupt Özgürlük’s plans.

The Özgürlük inside man at the NIO had given out details of the arrival of the Americans, and Amal had put himself forward as part of the hit team preparing to strike at them.

The operation had been devised in haste. The moment the Americans arrived at the NIO, the Özgürlük insider had planted a tracking device on the official vehicle assigned to the team. Amal and his partner had waited in their battered pickup until the Americans were driven out of the NIO building. With the tracking unit working, it was not difficult to pick up the NIO vehicle’s location.

It had seemed such an easy operation. They would trail the NIO vehicle until a moment presented itself. They would ram the vehicle and fire on the Americans.

It had been a poorly conceived plan, Kadir knew, badly executed, and this time Amal’s cavalier disregard for his own safety had cost him his life.

* * *

AT TWENTY-FOUR years old he was gone. Everything taken away. And his older brother was left with a yawning chasm of blackness. No more Amal. No smiling, handsome young man with a wild enthusiasm for life—and the loyalty to Özgürlük that had taken him to his death.

Özgürlük. Freedom.

Amal had achieved his own freedom in a perverse way. He no longer had to suffer the denials of Turkey’s political and military alliance with the Americans. His passion to sever the links binding the country to U.S. needs had cost him his life, and Kadir Polat would not allow that to go unavenged.

“How did you find out about this?”

“I spoke to some of the others. The younger ones Amal was friendly with. They told me he had volunteered when the operation was planned. Amal was eager to prove himself to you. To show he was not worthless. The younger recruits kept everything to themselves. I think it was a group effort to show their loyalty to Özgürlük.”

“Amal had no need to prove himself,” Polat said. “He was my brother. That was all I needed to know.”

“He was young, Kadir. He thought he needed to take that step,” Kaplan said. “I know that was not what you wanted. But you know how he was. Impulsive. Ready to go ahead and show you how smart he was.”

Polat understood. His younger brother had lived in his shadow for so long. Always eager to please Kadir by doing something reckless.

That wild streak had never left him. It had stayed with him all through his young life, and in the end it had killed him.

“Will you bring Amal home for me?” Polat said quietly. “Arrange things quietly?”

Kaplan nodded slowly.

Polat knew he would not need to ask again. His mind was still coming to terms with his loss. The full force would come later. Most likely when he was alone at night. The time when resistance was low. When the shadows held a thousand images and the silence the whispers of lost voices.

One thing Polat knew for certain. His brother’s death would not be forgotten. He would see to that. The Americans would pay a heavy price. Their interference in Özgürlük’s plans had to be stopped. Too much had already been invested in the program. Many people and a great deal of money. The whole thing had a momentum of its own now. Piece by piece, matters were coming together. Özgürlük was close to initiating its strike. A plan that would play havoc with Turkey and its relationship with the U.S. He had a meeting that day with other members of Özgürlük’s committee. That meeting would put into motion critical operations. Operations that would start the countdown…and once that was done, nothing would be allowed to interfere.