Operation Hell Gate - Marc Cerasini [39]
Jack snapped up the double-barreled, sawed-off weapon and rested it on his shoulders. Then he followed Georgi outside. They avoided the bar area, where the sounds of construction continued, to exit through a back door hidden between the tavern's outdoor Dumpsters.
"My escape hatch," Georgi explained.
Emerging from behind the smelly garbage bins, Jack found himself in Tatiana's parking lot. Outside the night had cooled somewhat, but the humidity level remained high, much higher than LA. The sky was clear and cloudless, the parking lot nearly empty. Yuri was waiting for them, leaning against a 1998 cherry-red Ford Mustang Cobra convertible. He tossed the keys to Jack.
"I've given you directions to The Last Celt. Sadly I could not provide the proper paperwork for the automobile, so I advise you not to get stopped by the New York Police. They may ask some embarrassing questions..."
Jack slid behind the wheel. "I'll try to get the car back to you as soon as I can," he said.
"Do not worry about it," Timko replied with a dismissive wave. "The car is not mine."
Jack inserted the key into the ignition and the 305-horsepower V8 engine roared to life. A moment later Georgi Timko and Yuri watched as Jack sped into the night. When Jack was gone, Georgi shook his head. "I certainly hope the real owner of that superb automobile has taken out plenty of insurance. With Mr. Jack Bauer behind the wheel, he'll need it."
* * *
2:45:13 A.M. EDT
CTU Headquarters, Los Angeles
"The serial number on the bus port of the memory stick matches one manufactured in Shanghai and imported by a Swiss firm called Abraxsus-Gelder LLC," Captain Jessica Schneider began. "The shipment it came in passed through United States customs in May of last year and this particular component was purchased by a Green Dragon Computers store in Little Tokyo, right here in Los Angeles."
While she spoke, Captain Schneider tapped the blue folder that lay closed on the conference room table. She'd compiled the data herself, so she didn't have to refer to her notes to know what they said. Her update to the Crisis Management Team was concise and informative.
"Who owns this Green Dragon outfit?" asked Tony.
The woman turned to face Special Agent Tony Almeida. "A conglomerate out of Taiwan, with Abraxsus-Gelder as a partner. But a man named Wen Chou Lee holds controlling interest in the computer store franchise. They've been giving chains like Computer Hut and Cyber-Store a run for their money."
"Does this Wen Chou Lee have any ties to international terrorism? The Chinese Nationalist Movement, perhaps?" Nina asked.
"No," said Captain Schneider, still facing Tony. "But a 1995 report compiled by Interpol claims Wen Chou Lee was formerly the leader of a triad in Hong Kong. He was forced to move his business interests to Taiwan just before the Communist Chinese government regained control of the island."
"I doubt a triad would have much interest in shooting down U.S. cargo planes," said Tony. He swiveled his chair to face Jamey Farrell. "Any luck tracing those license plates?"
"The Mercedes is registered to Griffin Lynch, which we knew already. The SUV was licensed to a company in Manhattan..." Her voice trailed off as Jamey searched the file in her hand for the printout. Jamey nearly groaned out loud when she realized she didn't have the information and must have left it at her workstation. She continued to fumble through the file even after she felt Tony's eyes on her, heard Nina's impatient sigh.
A knock interrupted them. The door opened before Nina could warn the visitor away. The conference room was off limits to everyone except members of the Crisis Team and unless the caller was Ryan Chappelle — who wouldn't bother to knock — he shouldn't have been there.
Doris stuck her head through the door. "Oh, there you are," she said, pushing up her oversized glasses. "I've been looking all over for you guys."
If Nina was impatient, she didn't let on. "Come in," she said. "And close the door behind you."
Suddenly shy, Doris stepped